The sharp rhythm of paddling stirred Georgia from sleep.
Blinking against the harsh morning light, she groggily sat up, her body stiff and sore from the stormy night. Her eyes focused, and there he was.
Nick, shirtless, arms flexing with each stroke, muscles straining as he paddled through the endless blue. His uniform now clung to her body, dry and warm.
Startled, Georgia looked down at herself and then at him.
"You gave me your clothes?" she murmured, disoriented.
Nick didn't look at her but answered, "Yours is still wet". He kept paddling, his eyes locked on the horizon, jaw clenched.
Georgia squinted into the distance, scanning the water. Nothing but the sea. No sign of land.
"Why are you paddling that way?" she asked, suspicion creeping into her tone.
Nick finally glanced her way, only briefly. "You finally have energy. Good. Grab a paddle and help out."
"Not until you tell me where we're going. I don't want to end up deeper into open water," she snapped, arms crossed.
