Istuck my head out and glanced both ways to see if anybody was near. With a quick sigh of relief, to see that the area was empty, I tiptoed quietly toward where I had noticed the sliding-glass door on my way to the bathroom to change. I pulled the door open on the silent tracks and closed it just as quietly behind me.
The back patio was gorgeous, with red brick laid in a circular pattern within concrete. There was a covered awning that would keep the hot summer sun off the wicker furniture, with a large paddle fan overhead. I could picture large potted plants filling the patio, making it look like an inviting retreat where one could sip sweet iced tea and read a book.
Just beyond the large covered patio, there was a tall six-foot black iron fence with a fancy scroll pattern enclosing one of the largest pools I'd ever seen in a private backyard. Not that I'd seen many. My own family had an in-ground pool growing up, but it was nothing compared to the one I was looking at now.
At the far end of the pool area, there was a small waterfall with a built-in grotto. Several plants and large rockswere arranged, making the whole scene appear natural as well as beautiful. With the underwater lighting, I could see what appeared to be a rock ledge where more than one person would be able to sit in the grotto and relax under the waterfall. It would be a perfect place to rest after doing laps in the long pool.
A splash to my right caught my attention, making me jump while darting my gaze in that direction. I had been so focused on the end of the pool where the waterfall was that I hadn't even noticed the two men near the opposite side of the pool. I saw steps leading into the water at the corner, realizing it was a genius design that would allow uninterrupted laps while still allowing a shallow end for children to play in.
Ry was wearing tight boxer-style swim trunks that did little to conceal his generous endowments. Either the pool was very warm, or the man was just that big, because there seemed to be no shrinkage going on. With my cheeks feeling warm, I glanced away from him to see Gage standing beside him with a knowing smirk on his face. He was wearing regular swim trunks. They were the kind that were baggy, but holy shit, I hadn't been wrong yesterday when I thought that his T-shirt hadn't concealed his muscles. The man definitely had a six-pack. A very defined six-pack deeply grooved with an Adonis belt that all but pointed like a neon sign into his swim trunks. The man was simply huge and very well built. If his cock didn't match the rest of his proportions, it would be a crime of nature.
It was all too much seeing the two men side-by-side. With Gage's thick muscles, broad chest, huge biceps, and Ry's lean, athletic build that was as sharply defined as Gage's, I could barely breathe. For a girl who had never felt a strong attraction for any man before, I was in way over my head.
"Hey, guys," I stammered out a greeting as I reached up and fiddled with my ponytail, then smoothed the strands down, pulling the light brown locks over my shoulder, using them as ashield to cover one of my tits. Not that it really helped. I knew my nipples were probably poking through the thin material like tiny little traitors. "Great pool," I finished lamely. I bit my lip and looked down at the concrete, mentally chastising myself.
I heard a snort and turned my head to see Dante reclining back in one of the lounge chairs, still fully dressed in a T-shirt, jeans, and a boot on. I guess the man wasn't going to go swimming with the rest of us. I wondered if he would have if I weren't here. I wanted to ask, but again, he was so standoffish, putting up such a huge fuck off vibe that I didn't want to disturb him. All I could do was offer a weak smile, which, of course, he ignored.
I was grateful for the darkness as I moved forward, glad that the men wouldn't be able to see details of my body that I was always careful to hide. I walked to the edge farthest from where the men were standing, and sank into the water. I had expected it to be cold, and it was, but not nearly as cold as a pool should have been. Then I remembered Ry had said it was heated. I imagined that in the middle of winter, it would've felt wonderful. At the same time, it would be perfect to jump into during the hot summers. The water would be cool without being frigid.
It suddenly occurred to me that it was a saltwater pool. There was no sharp chlorine smell. I dunked my head under the water and smoothed back my hair when I came back up. Then I took off.
I allowed the rhythmic movement of the breast stroke to work my muscles. Lap after lap, I kept going, pulling myself effortlessly, gliding through the water. Each time I reached the end, I kicked off the wall, turning under the water to begin a new lap.
Appreciating the length of the pool, I didn't stop until fatigue coated every inch of my exhausted body. It felt wonderful. I couldn't remember the last time I had worked my muscles sowell. When I felt as if I couldn't go a single lap further, I angled directly for the grotto. With my chest heaving, I pulled myself up onto the ledge with shaky arms. I all but collapsed into a wet heap of pleasantly sore limbs. Resting my back against one of the large boulders, the warm water rushed over me from the short waterfall.
As I stared up at the stars, my chest rose and fell with my heavy breaths. Something cold was pressed into my hand, and I tilted my head to look down to see a cold plastic tumbler filled with ice and something that I hoped was as delicious as it looked. I lifted it to take a drink and tasted ice-cold lemonade. It was sweet, tart, and refreshing, and exactly what I needed. I gave a grateful sound of appreciation.
Ry's chuckle had me glancing at him. I lowered the glass, but only after I'd already drunk half of it.
I gasped for air. "Thank you."
"You looked like you needed that," he said with a chuckle.
"The swim or the drink?" I asked with a smirk.
"Both?" he questioned. I simply nodded in response.
His head dipped down, and I followed his gaze when I saw his brows furrow, then a look I'd seen before and absolutely hated passed over his face.
It was first one of confusion, which then immediately changed to pity. When I glanced down to verify what Ry had been looking at, my face grew hot, and my chest ached for a whole different reason. I immediately begin scrambling to my feet.
I moved so fast in my haste to get away that I slipped. I fell back into the pool with a scream as the glass of lemonade went flying from my hand. I immediately began to sink underwater. In my panic, I began flailing my arms and kicking my feet wildly.
In seconds, I hit the bottom of the pool. My mind had gone numb. With desperation and no thought for any training, oreven the simple swim lessons that I had when I was a child, I couldn't get my body to stop fighting against itself. I screamed helplessly, and immediately water flowed in, filling up my lungs.
Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around my waist. Holding me tightly, Gage kicked, bringing both of us back to the surface. As soon as I broke free from the water, I began coughing, expelling the water I had inhaled from my lungs. The arms dragged me to the side of the pool. I leaned heavily against the edge with my elbows as I continued coughing and gagging. My lungs felt as if they were on fire, and my eyes burned as my tears fell.
I sobbed loudly, uncontrollably, as I buried my head in my arms.
A large calloused hand rubbed my back as the tears fell. I could hear a deep voice speaking low into my ear, though I couldn't make out the words through the ringing in my head. As I continued crying, I heard a splash next to me, and a second body pressed up against mine, effectively sandwiching me between them, keeping me warm. They were comforting me as my body trembled from head to toe. After several long moments, the ringing faded enough that I could finally hear the two voices whispering in my ear, shushing me.
"We've got you."
"You're okay."
Then I heard it?—
"I'm sorry, Parker."
