“I’m not picky.I’ll eat just about anything on pizza.”
“Meat?”
“Sounds great,” she replied.“Can we check out the pool after we eat?”Eagerness laced her voice.
“Absolutely!”This evening was getting better by the second.
8
After a whirlwind of unpacking, I finally felt like I was starting to make a dent in getting my things put away.I’d never had an honest-to-God walk-in closet before.Let alone one that was damn near the size of my old bedroom.I didn’t have nearly enough clothes to even consider filling that bitch up.I’d managed to organize my clothes the best I could and added a few personal touches to the guest room.My meager knick-knacks would have to do for now.I glanced around my new room again, barely able to believe how much of an upgrade it was from my apartment.As much as I wanted to jump on the bed and try it out, I held off, knowing that as soon as my head hit the pillow, I’d be out like a light.My stomach growled, reminding me that pizza would soon be here.
As I walked outside, I caught sight of Mack on the patio, and my breath caught in my throat.Holy fuck!I had no idea how the hell I was going to manage to get through dinner, let alone pool time with him.
He was wearing nothing but a pair of swimming trunks that hugged his muscular frame perfectly.I couldn’t help but admire the way his muscles flexed as he moved.He looked hot as hell, and I felt my cheeks flush at the sight.I had to calm my thoughts.This man was my soon-to-be boss.I did not need to have sexy images of him running through my mind.
Of course, my only swimsuit just happened to be a bikini.FML.And my chubby ass was going to feel like an idiot next to a man of Mack’s caliber.
All those muscles…mmm.They made a girl want things that were probably considered illegal.If they weren’t illegal, they should be.
I’d tossed my black mesh cover-up over my bikini to hide my curves as much as possible.As I approached, any remaining confidence I had wavered.What if he thought I didn’t measure up?My body was different than the ideal woman plastered on magazine covers.I couldn’t shake the nagging worry that I’d look fucking ridiculous next to him.He deserved to have a swimsuit model by his side.Not whatever the hell I was considered.
“Hey, you made it!”Mack called out, his voice warm and inviting.He gestured toward the table where a couple of boxes sat alongside two cold beers.
“Yeah, I’m ready to eat,” I replied, trying to sound enthusiastic despite the knots in my stomach.
“Good, ’cause I ordered a ton of food,” he said, flashing a grin that made my heart race.All this smiling and heart racing was going to send me to the emergency room if I didn’t watch it.I wasn’t used to being around someone like Mack.
“Perfect!”I said, feeling a little lighter as I approached the table.
“There’s a salad, pizza, and some breadsticks.Help yourself,” Mack said as he filled up a heaping plate for himself.
“It smells amazing.Thank you for getting this.”I grabbed two slices and loaded my plate with the salad.
“No problem.I’m all for easy dinners.”
“Me too.Though it’s fun to cook sometimes.”
As we relaxed on the patio while we ate, I couldn't help but steal the occasional glance at him.The conversation was easy and light.I was sure at some point, we’d find something we disagreed about, but honestly, we seemed to click from the moment we first met.It was like I’d known him my whole life.Which was super weird.Things like this never happened to me, only in the romance novels I loved.
“Are you going to join me for a swim?”he asked, nodding toward the pool.
I hesitated for a moment, thinking about how I looked in my bikini.“Um, I might.I just?—”
“Just what?”he teased, leaning forward with an amused smile.“You’re not going to let me have all the fun, are you?”
I let out a nervous laugh, feeling the tension in my chest ease slightly.“Okay, okay, you win.But you might want to look away while I take off the cover-up.”
“Not a chance,” he replied, his voice playful, and I wasn’t sure if I should be excited or embarrassed by his reaction.
Taking a deep breath, I said, "Why the fuck not?”I pulled off the black mesh cover-up, revealing my bikini and every single one of my curves.If he hated it and the way I looked?So be it.He was my boss.Not my lover.I’d deal with it.
Mack’s gaze softened, and a low growl sprang from his mouth.I didn’t know what to think of his response as he looked me up and down appreciatively.“You look great, Audrey.”
“Thanks,” I said, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.“I just hope I can keep up with you in the pool.”
“You’ll be perfectly fine,” he assured me, his confidence making me feel bolder.“Besides, it’s not a competition.It’s a good way to relax at the end of a long day.”
With that, I hopped into the pool, the cool water enveloping me like a much-needed refreshing embrace.I let out a delighted squeal, splashing water at Mack as he dove in beside me.
