"Oh my God, look who that is!"
"It's Alexander Volkov!"
My heart plummeted.
I slowly turned to see Alexander emerging from the changing room. He wore black swim trunks, bare-chested, revealing all those muscle lines I'd fantasized about in last night's dream—broad shoulders, sculpted chest, defined abs, those mesmerizing tattoos...
I quickly averted my gaze, but too late. Those images seared into my memory, making my cheeks burn.
The crowd began gravitating toward him, especially several young mothers.
"Mr. Volkov, what a delightful surprise seeing you here!"
"Do you swim regularly?"
"Are you here alone?"
He responded courteously to their questions, but I noticed his gaze searching the crowd purposefully.
Then his eyes found mine.
Even across that distance, I felt the intensity of his stare. His gaze traveled from my face down my body, lingering with unmistakable hunger. Despite deliberately choosing the most conservative black one-piece, the damp fabric clung to my curves, accentuating my waist and the contours of my hips.
I watched his Adam's apple bob, that familiar desire flashing in his eyes. That look transported me back five years—the way he'd studied my body with such focused intensity and raw want.
That sensation of being completely exposed made my skin tingle with heat. Even though this swimsuit covered most of me, under his penetrating gaze, I felt utterly naked. His stare seemed to burn through the fabric, as if he were remembering every inch of my body.
He began walking in our direction.
No, no, no.
Though my legs were turning to jelly, I stood up to collect Sofiaand leave, but it was too late.
"Alex!" Sofia spotted him from the water, shrieking with delight.
Before I could stop her, she'd bolted from the shallow pool and run barefoot straight into Alexander's waiting arms.
"Sofia, wait—" I called out, but she was already nestled in his embrace.
Alexander caught her effortlessly, despite her being soaking wet. He crouched to her eye level, his face transforming with a tenderness I'd never witnessed before.
"Hey, sweetheart. What a wonderful surprise seeing you here."
"Alex, are you swimming too?" Sofia asked breathlessly. "Can you swim? Want to play with me?"
I hurried over, desperate to extract Sofia from his arms, but people around us were already taking notice.
"How sweet, who's that little girl? Is she new here?"
"They look exactly like father and daughter!"
"They really do—look at those matching eye colors..."
My heart hammered against my ribs, blood draining from my face.
"Sofia, come here," I tried to keep my voice steady. "We should—"
"Mommy, Alex says he'll teach me to swim!" Sofia interrupted, practically vibrating with excitement. "He says he's an amazing swimmer!"
