“I don’t know!” I screamed, still trying to pull air into my lungs. I couldn’t swim out here while I was trying to hold onto him. Westley moved closer, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me up higher. The wind hit my back, and I didn’t feel the need to tread since he was holding me up, so I could finally breathe.
I placed my hands on his shoulders, trying to slow my breathing. Westley smiled at me. His eyes zoned down on me as he whispered. “This is part of my training, Ella. It’s underwater training. I’m trying to strengthen my lungs. I also enjoy a cold plunge after a workout.”
I looked at him, taking in the soft gaze and the charming smile. “Oh…” Of course. He was a special ops. Why hadn’t I thought of that? Why did I get so worried instead of reacting calmly?
“I think the better question is how did you even know I was out here?”
I shook my head. “I was walking the path from the library, and I saw you.”
He smirked. “And you watched?”
I felt my face grow red knowing I would have to admit I watched him undress or that I watched him go into the water naked.
“I was just surprised to see you go into the water when it’s this cold out.”
“And it had nothing to do with the fact I’m naked?” he said, his voice coming out like honey.
I felt my entire body heat up, realizing that I was pressed against him and he was wearing nothing. The only thing between us was my clothes, which were sopping wet. I knew I should pull away, I should get out because I was wrong, but I couldn’t.
I wanted to act like I didn’t care, but I did. I couldn’t just forget all those hours he and I had spent together. All those laughs we shared. I was angry at him, hurt that he treated me terribly at the end, but I didn’t want him dead.
“Well, it would look bad if you died.”
He chuckled, leaning his face closer. “So, what I’m hearing is you care about my safety?”
Chapter 8 - Westley
I was touched that she was so concerned for me that she would jump into the lake to save my life. A little insulted that she thought I couldn’t swim or hold my breath for longer than a minute, but that was another issue.
“So, you were concerned for my safety?” I teased, tightening my hold on her. Her hands were pressed against my shoulders, and her legs had wrapped around my middle. She was shivering against me, and I wanted to warm her. I probably wasn’t any warmer, though, since I’d been in the water longer.
I watched her face grow red. She wouldn’t be able to even deny that she was concerned. It was nice. After weeks of her practically ignoring me, she did care. There was hope that maybe we could make this work, and that was all I needed.
“I didn’t realize you were an idiot,” she grumbled. “You do realize you could get sick from being out here in the world like this? You’re not even close to your home, where you could warm up right after.”
“I have been doing this for years. My body is built for this, Ella.” I understood her concern, but there was no reason for it. I’d been doing cold plunges since before I worked for Brandon. I struggled getting up in the morning, and this was a way to wake myself up. I did it with showers first, then moved to outdoor areas because it forced me to leave my house.
She raised an eyebrow at me, looking confused. “Is that a nickname you are trying out?”
I smirked, happy she caught onto it. “Maybe. Why do you not like it?”
“I don’t like it,” she said, scrunching up her nose. But I could see the spark in her eyes, the way she looked a little happy when she heard it.
I leaned closer, her hands pressing flat against me. “Yes, you do. Your mouth may say one thing, but your body says another.”
She chewed on her lip, her eyes looking over me for a moment before pulling back up to my eyes.
I felt her shift and realized that I was naked and she was soaking wet. Her outfit was clinging to her, leaving little to the imagination. She left her coat and her shoes by mine. I could see how her shirt clung to her, her curves showing. As her chest rose and fell, I glanced over her collarbone, taking in the way her shirt clung to her.
I froze when I realized I could see the outline of her bra. I could see the way the lace pressed against her t-shirt, and I swallowed, feeling my cock twitch.
I could feel her legs tightly wrapped around my waist. If she had been just a little lower, it would have been placed against another area—an area that was rock hard now.
Oh shit.
I held back a groan at the thought of her knowing. I didn’t want this close moment to be cut short because my body was reacting to her.
“Are you going to let me go?” she asked, tilting her head slightly as she asked.
