Opening her eyes, she gazed into his and tried to pull back the embarrassed smile filling her face. “I…uh…”—she licked her lower lip once again—”I was just thinking. Can’t a girl think?”
He quirked the side of his mouth then reached for his shirt. “If you’d rather, I can always put this back on.”
“No!” That response sounded a little too eager, even to her. “I mean thisisyour house, so you should do whatever you want.” She shook her head. “No—no—no… That is not what I meant.”
“What? It’s not my house? Or, I can’t do everything I want?” The tilt of his head and the clear focus of his clear blue eyes conveyed a message more potent than any words. “You need to be more explicit.”
She raised her palms outward in front of her as she struggled to regain the serious, self-controlled person she knew herself to be most times. “I…I really…you…me…I really don’t know what’s going on here. But you should know that I’m not used to flirting. I don’t know how and—”
“You’re okay, Liz. I just like teasing you.”
“All right then, that was just teasing. Not flirting. Right?” Just like back at the Mariner’s, part of her felt better. But part felt like she’d lost something.
“Whatever makes you feel better.” Grinning, he motioned her to follow him. “Besides, it’s only a swim lesson. That’s all you wanted. Right?”
“Right. Absolutely right.” She really didn’t want a swim lesson, but if it meant getting close to him, she could try. Maybe. Maybe not. “But if we’re in the pool atrium, you won’t be available if Reese or Josh need to get in touch with you.”
“Sure, I will. The entire house is hooked into the OPAQUE system I set up last night. And, before you ask, there’s a computer screen or panel in each area.”
“Even the atrium?” Her hopes for avoiding the pool were fading fast.
“Even the atrium. In case you forgot, I’ve already told you there are no full-time security cameras set up inside this house. Only the outside perimeter. So your dignity has nothing to worry about.” He grinned. “Now, stop stalling and come on in.”
Stepping inside the pool’s full glass atrium, sides and top, she couldn’t believe how soothingly the blue of the pool water mixed with the cool whites of the chaise lounges against the terracotta tiles. A table and chairs sat near the bar, with another set at the opposite end of the pool.
Off to the side, a round chaise at least seven feet wide was covered in turquoise and green cushions. A partial, fold-down canopy completed the decadent look of the round chaise. Not only was it beautiful, it was also sexy as all get-out.
“Push the button by the door,” he said.
She pushed, and the glass walls facing the Gulf opened, allowing the sea breeze and sound to come through the screen sections. Her hair blew back from her face, and the glass roof panels angled open to let in the sun.
“See? It’s almost as good as being outside.” He bent and splashed his hands through the water. Then smoothed the sides of his hair back, leaving a sheen to the dark brown hair and droplets of glimmering water.
He looked in her direction, and she had to admit he was nine kinds of sexy. Nine kinds of hot. Nine kinds of— She held her breath, then felt the flutter of air against her lips as she exhaled. He kept right on staring at her eyes, then her lips. Feeling the heat of a blush on her cheeks, she swallowed the tickle in her throat and glanced away.Oh, for all that’s holy.
“Almost.” She had to admit this atrium and pool were spectacular.
There was no need to fight this, because there was no way to deter Mitch’s determination to teach her how to swim. And, who knew? Maybe he’d have a new technique that would keep her afloat instead of sinking, butt first, to the bottom.
“All right, I’ll try. What’s first?” She slid into the pool from the side on the shallow end as he unhooked the buoys dividing off the deep end.
“Lesson one, kicking the length of the pool. Lesson two, learning a basic stroke. And, lesson three is floating on your back.”
Sounded like a lot of lessons. “So, how many are we doing today?”
“Three.”
He dove beneath the water and popped up beside her, water cascading, like a satin sheet, off his body. More glistening drops of water found their way down his chest, following the contours of his abs, stopping at the top of his swim trunks. Trunks sitting a couple inches south of his waist. Her insides twitched. This was going to be one distracting swim lesson.
For the next couple of hours, he worked with her on all types of water techniques that could keep her alive. Different strokes for staying afloat. Along with breathing methods, so she wouldn’t panic if she started to sink…or fell off a Q40.
Time and again, his arm brushed hers. His chest slid along her back as he reached around to correct her stroke. And she made sure she needed a lot of help. She continually found moments to touch him, to feel his energy, to imagine his body pressed against hers, drawing her in and wrapping her in need. Sexy, powerful need.
Floating on her back, with the feel of his body gliding beneath her—touching—teasing—asking with his fingers, then skirting away while he sliced bubbles the length of her body—felt like a dolphin making first contact. Sleek and wet and strong, his touch felt like a fine silk against her body. Fine…fine silk.
Whatever was happening between them made her feel as warm as sipping hot chocolate in front of a gentle fire, tucked nicely inside a cozy cabin. Just Mitch and her cuddled beneath a blanket while big fluffy snowflakes coated the ground outside. Sucking in a deep, much-needed breath, she smiled and let her thoughts return to the water rippling against her sides in the pool. She’d never forget this moment. Never.
From the inviting expression on his face when he slipped alongside and kissed her shoulder, he knew exactly what he was doing to her. And that she was letting him.
