She strolled up the concrete steps at the end of the pool and looked back over her shoulder at him. Yep, he’d been watching. That’s all she wanted to know. She also liked the fact he hadn’t turned away when she looked.
Diving under the water once again, he came up at the side of the pool. As she walked past, he brushed his hand against her ankle then hoisted himself onto the edge.
She stopped. Trailed the tips of her fingers across his shoulders. Lightly nudged her knee against his bicep. “That was quite a water tango, Dance Man. Thanks for the swim lessons. I may need a follow-up tomorrow.”
“Any time you want.” Slowly nodding, he caressed the back of her calf, letting his hand come to rest on the arch of her foot. “For now, we’ll call it a day if you can float the entire length of the pool. Deal?”
He dove back into the pool and within seconds, he leaned against the far side. Gorgeous and sexy and tempting.
“Deal.” She had no idea where this swim lesson was going, but she sure liked the little hot-spot stops along the way.
She moved to the deep end and, awkwardly, started down the aluminum ladder into the pool. Her hold on the ladder and feet on the steps suddenly slipped, causing her backside to stick out…a lot. Not the most ladylike stance, to say the least.
He whistled.
She pulled herself tight against the ladder.
“Could I see a replay of that last move?” he asked.
For all that was holy, she’d looked like she was putting everything out there for consumption. “No. And stop looking at my butt!”
“But it’s such a nice change from the woman flapping around in the pool five minutes ago.” He laughed. “You reminded me of a baby bird that fell out of its nest and landed in a tiny puddle. Flapping and squawking, when all it needed to do was stand up.”
She eased into the water, grabbing the pool’s ledge below the water line. “Well, I’m not a bird.”
“True. Birds don’t wear swimsuits.” Raising his eyebrows, he bit his lower lip.
Aiming her palm in his direction, she swiped her hand across the water, spraying him. He shook his finger at her, and she drenched him again.
He kicked a spray of water in return. “You keep that up, you’re gonna be in trouble, little bird.”
She couldn’t keep from smiling—not just any old smile, but the playful kind she used back in college. At least she thought that’s what she was doing, had been a long time since she teased a man. Might not work. But anything was worth a try, if it meant she might end up tangled in the sheets with him. Her pulse quickened with the thought of skin on skin, and she pushed away from the side of the pool while the adrenaline rush raced through her body. Slow and steady, she floated and kicked all the way to the other end of the pool
He applauded. “You did great. I knew you could do that.”
She had to admit she felt vindicated for all the time she’d sputtered in the pool while others called her lead bottom. Stoked, she raced back to the other end and did the whole process once again.
As she got out of the pool, Mitch’s gaze skimmed over her like the water sliding off her body. If she had more nerve, she’d undo her top and go straight back into the pool. See if he followed. See if… She blew out a long sigh—she didn’t have that much courage.
“I’m going to try to swim the length,” she said as she returned to the other end.
He shook his head. “Wait till you’re fresh. You just went two lengths of the pool. That’s enough for now.”
“I know I can do this. Watch.” Defiantly, she climbed back down the ladder and pushed off from the end of the pool. Kick, stroke, breath…kick, stroke, breath… After a few strokes, she realized he’d been right—she was tired. And realized she was sinking.
Off to the side, a splash of water shook her out of the panic she was spiraling toward, and before she knew what had happened, Mitch’s arms were wrapped around her. He held her close against him, treading water to keep them both above the water line.
Unthinking, she wrapped her arms around his neck, shook her hair back, and smiled amid the spray of the droplets of water. “I knew you’d save me.”
Her gaze couldn’t seem to leave his lips, especially his full lower lip. The one inching closer and closer and closer…
“Maybe we should”—his lips brushed against her neck—”call it a day before we…”
Beneath the surface, his hands stroked down her sides, igniting her body with his touch. His palms tight enough to feel his heat. His thumbs circling lightly on her top, circling till she ached deep within her core. Ached to have more of him. Ached…
Suddenly he kissed her, long and deep, then stood, pulling her up with him. Only a foot of water lapped against their legs as they clung to each other. Staring into each other’s eyes, neither seemed to know quite what to do next.
“How did I get to the shallow water?” she asked breathlessly.
