I’d never be a world-class kayaker like he was—he’d given up when he realized I reallycouldn’ttell left from right—but early morning swimming lessons sounded good, if I didn’t think about the water and the fact that I needed air to live.
Being with Devin sounded good, anyway.
I stretched the goggles over my head, settling them in place and then turning to look at him. “Sexy, or what?” I asked.
“Verysexy,” he said, and I got the feeling he actually meant it.
Because I was doing this for him. Setting aside my fears to hang out with my patient, beautiful, amazing boyfriend.
“Okay, then,” I said, taking a breath. “Guess we’re ready to go.”
* * *
“You can siton the edge for as long as you want,” Devin said, already soaked through and looking up at me from behind his own goggles. “No rush.”
The pool was deserted. We were the only ones here.
As it turned out, Devin had called in a favor to get access half an hour before it actually opened. Forme.
Because he knew I’d be nervous, and embarrassed, and he was trying to make this easy on me.
I really was lucky to have him.
“But Iamalmost entirely naked down here,” he pointed out. If I’d been concerned about how little the swimming trunks he’d gotten for me covered, they hadnothingon how little the tiny Speedos he was wearing did.
If wehadn’tbeen alone, I might’ve been a little jealous.
“I’m almost entirely naked up here,” I responded.
“Yeah, I’m not complaining about the view.” Devin grinned. “I’m atperfectcrotch height and I’d almost forgotten how good you look with just the essentials covered.”
It was lucky I was as nervous as I was, because if I popped a boner in these swim trunks, I’d never live it down.
“Glad you’re having fun,” I said, letting my legs swing in the water. Iwasglad Devin was having fun, I just would’ve been gladder if I could get over worrying and get in the water with him.
It wasn’t that I didn’t likewater. There were few things I loved more than a long soak in the tub—except maybe watching Devin take one, surrounded by artful candles and with the color and glitter of a bath bomb swirling around him, hiding and revealing his gorgeous body in ways that really worked for my brain.
What was I thinking about again?
Devin’s wet hand touched my knee, and I just about jumped clean out of my swim trunks.
He grinned up at me. “You kinda wandered off there.”
“Was thinking about how good you look in the bath,” I admitted.
Devin raised an eyebrow, but didn’t comment. He just stood there, the water only coming up to his collarbones—it’d come up to my nipples at best—looking up at me. Patient, adoring.
Cautiously, I hauled myself down into the water, Devin’s smile broadening as I sank down until my feet were touching the bottom.
“See?” he encouraged, taking my hand. “It’s nice, right?”
I fiddled with the strap on my goggles. “I’m gonna be honest with you, I’m terrified right now.”
Devin made a sympathetic noise, linking our fingers together and standing in front of me in the water.
“I’msoproud of you,” he said. “For doing this at all. If you’re done, that’s okay. You can get out, I’ll swim maybe two laps, and we’ll go. You’ll have an incredible view of my butt.”
The way out was tempting, but I’d come this far. I shook my head.
