“Great. Deal. I can’t wait to get my hands on this hair.” I stand on my tiptoes and put my fingers in his hair—he goes still.
And I suddenly remember the last time I had my fingers in his hair, I plant my feet back down and slowly lower my arms, biting my bottom lip, I look up at him sheepishly.
Was he thinking about the other night too? My heart hammers.
I almost hesitate, then decide to just rip off the band-aid.
“Also… I hate to bring this up, but… I don’t think we should do what we did the other night again.” Damn, that was hard to say. Especially when all I want to do right now is lean in and kiss him. “I just don’t want to complicate things. Not now, with us living together,” I add. “I hope that’s alright.”
He meets my eyes, and something about the softness there just melts me.
“I totally understand,” his voice low. “If I’m being honest, all I want to do is repeat what we did the other night. But I’ll respect your choice.” Those damn eyes look to my mouth, and all I want to do is take back my words and give in.
“Great,” I clear my throat. “Now that’s all settled… let’s have a swim.”
He grins and starts peeling off his shirt, revealing his tanned skin and defined muscles like it’s no big deal.
Seriously? This is just unfair.
I try not to stare. I trysohard not to. I need to stop looking at him like that.
I need to keep those boundaries up, for his sake and mine. Because he’s so perfect. Inside and out. And I’m just not ready for what that could mean.
I turn away, laughing awkwardly to hide the ache, and dive into the pool—letting the water cool what my heart won’t.
I break the surface with a gasp, hair slicked back and water clinging to my lashes. I blink against the sun and catch Lucas waist-deep in the pool, watching me with a grin that makes heat bloom in places I shouldn’t be feeling right now.
“This is heaven,” I wipe the water from my face.
He laughs, and it echoes off the water. “It’s the best. I try swim every day in the summer.”
“I reckon I would too.”
“Well, you should. This is your home too, even if it’s temporary. Swim whenever you want.”
I smile wider now. “Maybe I will.” I look around and take a breath. “Honestly, this place is amazing, Lucas. I still can’t believe you did all this.” I wave my hands toward the house and around us. “It’s great. I noticed some of the furniture too. I remember you saying you like making furniture. What did you make in your place?” I laugh. “Well, besides the house?”
He looks at me so proudly, it warms my chest. “That means a lot, Cam. I worked really hard for it all. It’s exactly what I dreamt of. And you’re right. I made some of the furniture for the house too. Almost anything that has timber, I made it. The dining table is probably my favourite, though.”
“Oh yes, I noticed that. It’s beautiful.”
“Thanks.” I swear I see him blush. Maybe he’s just as bad at taking compliments as I am.
We swim a few lazy laps, side by side but not touching, like there’s an invisible line between us that we’re both pretending not to notice.He dunks under and resurfaces beside me, closer this time. Water droplets trail down his defined chest and washboard abs. I glance away, heart thudding stupidly.
“So, what do you normally do when you’re not at work, Luc?” I splash at him.
He laughs. “I don’t have much time, but when I do, it’s either here swimming, working out, going for a surf, camping or taking the boat out for a fish.”
“That’s so cool! I used to do those things with my dad when I was younger, but haven’t so much lately. We’ll have to go together one day.”
“I’d love that. What do you normally do on your weekends now?” He splashes back.
“Well… not a lot. I kinda told you the other night… It was just easier staying home. I like to go for runs, do pilates or yoga, then stay at home reading, sketching or painting something. I feel like I’ve been such a homebody lately.”
I feel so boring. I really want to start doing more fun outdoor things again.
“All those things sound fun. Nothing wrong with being home. But if you want to get out more, you’re welcome to join me,” he offers.
