A cold wave of air conditioning blasted Sarah’s soaking wet body. She nestled deeper against Bent’s warm tuxedo. As he ascended a narrow, stone staircase, he would squeeze Sarah’s body closer to himself every so often. She doubted he even realized he was doing that. But with each of his squeezes, an exhilarating thrill shot through her. Her vision wavered as she craned her neck and tried to look around. He’d carried her up to a small, stone room. There appeared to be only walls on all four sides. Bent moved his hand over one of the stone walls. He tapped out some kind of code. Another door slid open. Bent placed his arm around the back of her head. He ducked into the tiny space. Immediately, the door shut firmly behind them. A dull light illuminated the floor. Sarah felt a humming sensation. Floor numbers blinked on one of the walls. They were in an elevator! As quickly as it had started, the humming sound stopped. The elevator door slid open. A long, dimly lit hallway stretched out ahead of them. The air smelled salty, like the ocean. As Bent carried her down the hall, she could see a row of windows open to let in the cool breeze. It was too dark to see out the windows. But she could hear the crashing of the waves from far below. How high were they?”Youuuu can put me dooooown now,” Sarah said. She tried to swing her legs free.But that only made him tighten his grip. “I don’t think so,” he told her. His voice was barely a whisper. She heard him loud and clear as his mouth was almost touching her ear.Sarah made a face. “I’m nooooot a child,” she protested. He let his chin rest on her head as he walked. The soft sound of his breathing immediately silenced her. “No. You definitely are not a child,” he said, though more to himself. She felt his heart beat quicken.They had reached the end of the long hallway. Another set of stone stairs appeared. “Okaaaaay, what’s with aaaaaall the staaaaairs?” Sarah slurred. Her head bobbed up and down as he climbed the steps one by one. She felt his chest vibrate with laughter. “I’m taking you to probably the safest place in the world,” he said softly. Sarah tried to look up at his face. “Will I be safe from you?” He stroked her hair. “You will be once we find you something more suitable to wear.” He quickly glanced down at her body. She still only wore her bra and underwear. And both were completely soaked, and possibly see-through.She heard him suck in his breath. “Your wet, slippery skin is killing me right now.”Sarah felt herself smile. She dropped her head back onto his neck and willed this moment to last forever. Bent pushed open a door and carried her through.