He doesn’t respond instantly; instead, his eyes peer down and up. I know the temperature is causing two pebbles to appear through my suit. It’s only when I study him that I realize that he jumped into the water still in his workout shirt and shorts.
“Don’t you have strength training to do after your cardio? Clearly you are not following your schedule,” I quip.
His hands swiftly move to my waist and in one go he lifts me into the air. “There. Strength training is done. Now can we get out of the fucking water, after you promise to keep your swims to the pool?”
He doesn’t bring me back down, and I realize he is waiting for me to answer.
It is freezing, I can’t deny it. I need to move as soon as possible. “Fine. I promise.”
As if I am a delicate piece of glass, Spencer slowly brings me back down into the water. Our eyes never part, especially when my body slithers against his.
“Good girl, now let’s get the fuck out of here.”
We both swim to the ladder on the dock and get out. I grab the towel that I had left earlier by Pickles and wrap it around my body.
Spencer is already walking away in a stormy mood. He jumped into the water unplanned, so he has no towel and his workout clothes are wet.
He seems angry, and I follow at a distance behind him. When he abruptly stops, I do too.
Spencer glances over his shoulder. “Do me one damn favor. You may hate being here, nor am I celebrating, but while you’re here, try not to do anything that I wouldn’t want a child to do. Lead by example.”
My mouth gapes open. “Are you comparing me to a child again?”
His face looks pained, and he rubs his temples with his fingers. “That’s not what I meant. I didn’t mean…” He bites his lip and seems to be debating what to say. “All I’m saying is stick to the kitchen for getting out your stress, it’s safer.”
“I doubt that. Kitchen injuries have a lot higher statistic for emergency rooms than dark lakes.”
Spencer rolls his eyes to the side, and I see a hint of a smirk because the outside lights in his backyard are on. A long breath escapes him. “Just get inside.”
“I’ll go inside because I want to go inside, not because you told me to,” I say as I walk by him, well aware that I’m acting ridiculous.
“So cooperative,” he retorts.
I don’t look at him, but I can only imagine he follows me inside with annoyance as he probably should.
* * *
Sitting at the kitchen counter,I tear a piece off a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie and take a bite before I inspect the rest of the cookie. These are damn good.
I’m tired and should probably head to bed. I'm certainly not doing myself any favors by eating before bed, but I’m still taking in my surroundings and the fact that I am in this situation.
The man of the house enters the room, but I don’t bother looking up from the plate of cookies. Nor do I care that I am in tiny shorts and an off-the-shoulder t-shirt. Might as well make myself at home.
“Vampires don’t sleep, guess that explains why you're here.”
I give him the death stare as he grabs a glass from the cupboard. “Nor does the devil, so I guess we know why you're not asleep.”
Spencer leans against the counter. “That was some damn excellent salad. The chickpeas are exactly what I need for my protein intake.”
My body straightens from the compliment; not many people have tried my new flare for cooking.
“Not too much lemon?” I narrow my eyes. He shakes his head. “Garlic balanced out?” He nods. “More feta next time?” His head bobs side to side.
Jesus, he is agreeing with me on all fronts.
“The poison should kick in soon.”
He toasts his empty glass at me. “Wouldn’t expect anything else.”
