I wasn’t lying.
I like her more than is healthy, given the circumstances.
As I said, I must be a sadist because all she’s done is insultme, but her feistiness only makes me more determined to crack her outer shell.
‘You like me?’ she repeats slowly, a question hanging in her statement.
‘Is it so hard to believe?’ I extend a hand again and this time she reluctantly accepts it. Her palm slips into mine like it was made for it. I tug her gently into the water. This time, she doesn’t close her eyes. They remain firmly locked on mine.
‘Why? I’m not exactly nice to you.’ She stands waist deep in the water, just inches away. The scent of that enticing floral perfume clouds the air between us. We’re still holding hands and I’m pretty sure it’s not because she’s scared.
‘Shall I let you in on a little secret?’ I whisper shout, even though we’re the only two in the entire building. ‘That’s part of the appeal.’
‘Because I’m a challenge?’ She cocks her head. ‘Do you think you’re the first man who assumes he’ll be the one to crack Single Sav?’
‘No, not because you’re a challenge, because you’re beautiful. You emit a class that most women can only dream of. And because beneath that bolshy exterior, there’s a vulnerability about you that makes me want to wrap you in cotton wool and take you to bed before unravelling every inch of you.’
A gasp slips from her lips. ‘You can’t say things like that.’
‘Why not? It’s true.’ I squeeze her hand to reiterate my words.
She exhales heavily. ‘It’s easier when you torment me.’
‘Oh, sweetheart, you have no idea of all the delicious ways I dream of tormenting you – with my tongue.’
‘Is that any way to speak to your student?’ She adopts an indignant tone, but her lips lift like she’s fighting a smirk.
‘It’s the only way to speak to my student. Now let’s get on with this lesson before I do something that will truly scareyou away from water for the rest of your life. I said I wanted to help you and I meant it.’
‘Okay.’ Her tone is uncertain. Like she wants to say something, but she’s not sure what.
I guide her to slightly deeper water. ‘I’ve got you. Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you. You have nothing to fear with me.’
‘I know.’ Her voice is small but weighted with a trust that only makes her more endearing. Fuck, she’s so beautiful when she’s vulnerable.
‘How about we get you on your back?’
Her huge, hooded eyes blink back at me from beneath thick lustrous eyelashes. She shakes her head, but not with disgust this time. More like wonder.
I place a hand on the small of her back, lift her into a reclined position and watch as goosebumps ripple across her flesh. ‘I won’t take my hand away until you’re ready. Relax back and float. Feel the water supporting you. Your body is made to float.’
It was made to fuck too, but I keep that thought to myself. I’m already at half-mast again. Not helpful.
‘Concentrate on your breathing, spread your arms. I won’t let anything happen to you.’
‘I know,’ she murmurs.
‘How does that feel?’ I slip my hand from beneath her, keeping it just inches away in case she needs it.
‘It feels like heaven,’ she admits dreamily, staring up at the Velux windows as the sun beats through the glass. Her eyelids flutter blissfully closed.
The weightless sensation of the water is my second favourite sensation in the world. The first one is being inside a woman. What would it feel like to experience both at the same time?
Savannah’s eyes fly open, and I wonder for a split second if I said that out loud.
She drops to her feet again. ‘I think I’m ready to actually try to swim.’
‘Good. Let’s start with breaststroke.’ My eyes stray to her perfect cleavage, and her gaze follows. She arches a single eyebrow.
