Water splashed on my legs as he disappeared under the liquid. He rose to the surface, arms swaying at his sides as he shook the excess water from his hair. His legs kicked in controlled, smooth movements beneath him.
“Now you,” Reagan said. “Jump in and we’ll try swimming.”
I ran a hand over my face, already regretting this. “It would be easier if you had pushed me.”
“Do you want me to—” he started, swimming to the edge.
“No,” I answered quickly, taking a step forward.
“When you get in the water, you have to kick your legs, like I’m doing, and move your arms. That will keep you from sinking. Understand?” he asked, swimming back and giving me space.
“Yes, I think.” My mouth pursed. Reluctance fluttered in my stomach.
“I’ll catch you,” he murmured, as if to reassure me.
I was counting on that. I looked down at the pool, bringing my feet to the stone border.
Deep, very deep.
Reagan was watching closely, his arms making circular movements around him.
I sucked in a deep breath, bracing myself as I stepped forward.
Warm liquid engulfed me, pulling me down in its smooth, silky embrace. I began thrashing my legs.
Still going down, I kicked faster, trying to push water, but remaining trapped in the same place. I felt my lungs clawing for air. My arms finally found a movement that brought me up, and I reached the surface.
“Good. You’re swimming,” Reagan said, entertaining himself with my uncontrolled movements.
I drew a deep breath, kicking my legs in a desperate motion, my weight an anchor.
“I can’t stay above,” I gasped out, swallowing the liquid. My legs stilled as I coughed, and my head went down again.
Firm hands seized my waist, and I surfaced, feeling as if I’d swallowed buckets of water.
“Easy,” Reagan said, keeping us both above the surface.
I clung to his shoulders with both hands. “This is hard. How do you do this?”
“With practice. You’ve really never swum before. Lucky for you, I’m an excellent instructor.” He grinned, drops of water sliding down his lashes. “You moved your arms well. Just don’t stop kicking your legs.”
I muttered under my breath, holding onto him like a child.
“This was a stupid idea,” I grumbled, leaning half my body onto his.
“Don’t give up now, Darling. You’ll swim today.”
He submerged the front of his face into the water, looking down for a moment. His legs stopped kicking, so did the strokes of his arms, and we both stilled.
“How did you stop moving?” I asked, seeing only my legs swaying beneath me.
“I’m creating a flat ledge of water under me to hold us so you can learn.”
“Oh.” I looked down, stretching my feet, but feeling nothing but the liquid abyss. “I can’t reach your ledge.”
“That’s fine. It’s not for you.” He smirked. “You will swim or hold on to me like this.”
His hands were soft on my waist.
