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That is the strangest thing I’ve ever heard.
“You do know that diving into someone’s pool and disappearing under the surface for minutes at a time is cause for alarm, right?” I sound like his mother, and I don’t like it.
That makes him chuckle. “Yes, I suppose so.”
When he smiles, it’s disarming. It makes me forget the words hanging on my lips. It quiets my mind and disables my entire system.
“I apologize,” he adds as the smile fades and his face relaxes into a less stern and softer expression. “It was nice of you to jump in and save me.”
“Anyone would have done it,” I reply, which makes him chuckle again.
“What’s so funny?” I ask.
He shakes his head as he stares at the ground. More water drips over the soft tan skin of his face, and I’m mesmerized by it. I wonder what it would feel like to run my tongue along his brow line or lick the moisture from his cheek.
Stop it, Briar.
When he looks into my eyes again, I lose my train of thought.
Then, he says, “Not just anyone.”
I’m staring dumbly at him as he rushes to the pool chair, where he left a folded towel. Immediately, he wraps it around my shoulders and rubs my arms to warm me up.
We’re so close that I can make out the array of cool gray tones in his eyes. And the faded freckles on his face. And the stubble he needs to shave off on his jaw.
I’ve been staring at him too long.
Say something, Briar.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” I mutter.
His lips stretch into a smile again. In turn, I find myself smiling too.
“Mom, I’m hungry!” a small voice shouts from the house’s back door.
I tear myself away from Dean and turn to find Abby watching us in her pajamas.
“Coming, peanut!” I call before glancing back at Dean. “I should go make her breakfast. If you…get hungry or want coffee, just knock.” I gesture toward the house with my thumb as I back away, leaving him dripping next to the pool.
“Thanks,” he mutters awkwardly.
“Oh, your towel,” I reply, pulling it from around my shoulders and handing it back to him. I’m fully exposed in my soaked pajamas again, which makes him smirk as he lets his gaze scan the length of my body.
It feels both evasive and arousing.
I have to force myself to swallow as I move toward the house.
“I’m making lasagna tonight if you’re hungry,” I stammer, nearly tripping over one of Abby’s toys in the yard.
He shoots another one of those disarming smiles as he scratches his head. “Thanks, but I have to work tonight.”
I can feel the flames in my cheeks as I reply, “Oh. Okay. Well, another time then.”
Instantly, I turn away from him, rushing to where Abby is standing on the back deck, waiting for me.
“Mommy, why were you swimming in your pajamas?” she asks with her face screwed up in confusion.
“I wasn’t, honey. I was just…helping our new friend.”
