Something in my tone or maybe my face must have shown him that Iwas okay, or perhaps that Iwasn’t. Either way he finally let go of me and Iimmediately began to swim to the edge, where Iclimbed out. Standing on the edge of the pool, water dripping from my skin and clothes, Iturned to face him.
Gauge was still treading water in the pool, his concerned face watching me. He was fully dressed barring his boots, which he’dsomehow managed to kick off before he’ddove in after me. Once again, he’dcome to my rescue.
Ishould have been grateful.
Ishould have been touched.
But instead it just made me even angrier at him.
“Idon’tneed you to save me,” Isnapped, the words so bitter that they made my toes curl. “Please, stop trying to save me.”
“Who said Iwas savin’ you?” he retorted, moving to the edge of the pool. “Maybe Ijust wanted to swim with abeautiful woman.”
Inarrowed my eyes as he climbed out of the pool. “Right.”
Gauge dragged his hands through his hair, pulling it back from his rugged face. “What can Isay? I’maselfish asshole who couldn’tresist apretty girl looking all wet and delicious.”
“You’re disgusting, you know that? As if anything would ever happen between us.” Ilaughed. “We’dend up killing each other before the week was out.”
“Wanted to fuck you, not marry you, Jolie,” he said with awink, and then stalked away, leaving damp footprints in his wake.
“Ihate you,” Iretorted as he continued to walk away.
“Good,” he replied. “Iknow Ican be irresistible and Iwouldn’twant you fallin’ for me.”
“Highly unlikely!” Iyelled.
He snorted on alaugh and turned to look at me. “Never say never, babe.”
