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She smiles, satisfied. “You’re—”
“So smooth, I know.” I flick my head in gesture. “Come on. Get those clothes off.”
“By all means.” She takes the bottom of her top and pulls it up over her head, tossing it to the tiles by the lounger. “But I’m still not coming in.”
Don’t ever let it be said that Ty Christianson doesn’t enjoy a challenge. “I’ll come and get you.”
“And I’ll run away.”
“From me? No, you won’t.”
“Try me.”
Her straight retort stamps on my confidence a little, because I suddenly remember that Lainey has run away from me before, and I’ve no doubt that she’ll do it again. I won’t be tempting her. No way. So, I rein in my ego and commence with Operation Conquer Lainey’s Fear—phase one. I get the feeling phase two—the phase that will hopefully have her realizing I’m nothing to be afraid of, either—will take a bit more time and effort. But I’m prepared to wait. And I’m prepared to be patient. “I’ll be here,” I assure her, finding my feet and rising from the water. I place my hand on my heart and give her reassuring eyes. “I will not let go of you, I swear.”
She doesn’t refuse this time, and instead just looks at me, as if trying to figure out if she believes me. I know she does, but she won’t let that mind of hers listen to what her heart is telling it. Again. But the small glimmer of hope pushes me on with my plan. I walk forward in the water until I reach the steps and climb out of the pool, water pouring from my naked body. This time, I definitely catch her admiring the sight for a few satisfying moments before she looks at me again. This is good. I’ve always been one for using my body as a weapon, but today my motives are entirely selfless. I want nothing out of this except the satisfaction of Lainey overcoming her fear.
Taking her hand, I pull her to her feet and reach around to unclasp her bra. She doesn’t try to stop me. Our eye contact never once wavers as I strip her down, and I see it there in her eyes, plain as day. She wants this with me. She wants to forget her past, because of me.
“You can do it, beautiful. With me, you can do it.” I start backing up, holding Lainey’s hand to bring her with me, and she follows my steps.
“Okay?” I ask, taking the first step down into the water.
She nods, a little jerky, her body suddenly stiff with tension.
“Keep your eyes here,” I order, pointing to my own with my spare hand and taking the next step. One more step on my part will have Lainey on the edge of the pool. I keep a close eye for any signs that I’m going too fast, but, honestly, I couldn’t go any slower. Then she halts, realizing she’s on the cusp of dipping a toe, her gaze starting to flicker, ready to look away from me to the water. “Me, Lainey,” I remind her, reaching to take her other hand. She’s shaking terribly now, the fear potent, but I can also see her desperation to let me help her.
“I can’t,” she murmurs, trying to pull back. “I can’t do it, Ty. It’s too much water. Please, don’t force me to do it.”
My fucking heart cracks, and I’m out of the pool with her in my arms in a beat. “Shh,” I soothe, feeling so bad for her. Water. It’s just water. I dive in most mornings and own it, but I’ve always been a strong swimmer. I feel at home in the water, so trying to comprehend such a fear is twisting my head a little, yet I have to appreciate it, since it’s clearly a fucking massive fear. The poor woman. And that wanker of an ex. My blood heats at the thought of him doing something so cruel to Lainey, and the whole drowning incident is only the half of it; I know it is. God help me when I find out the rest. If I find out the rest. Will I find out the rest? I shake my head, expelling it of the untimely questions running amok in my mind. My dad’s love of Mum will forever be etched into my mind, and especially his selflessness. And his instinct to keep her safe, whether safe from harm or safe from emotional hurt. His life revolved around Mum. He would never have been able to comprehend a thought of cruelty toward her from anyone, but especially not from himself. Yet this bastard destroyed Lainey’s heart and spirit. Beautiful, strong, self-sufficient Lainey. She deserves this time. She deserves this devotion. This . . . safety.
Pushing my face into hers, I force her to expose her mouth to me, and the moment she does, I take her lips gently and softly, humming when she deepens our kiss willingly. It’s like she’s looking for anything to distract her from the hole with thousands of gallons of water in it. Her arms hook over my shoulders, pulling me closer. And then she’s climbing up me, wrapping her legs around my waist, forcing me to breathe in some restraint when the center of her brushes my hardening cock. She’s really going to town on my mouth, moaning and plunging her tongue deeply. She’s lost, escaping from the situation she doesn’t want to be in and putting herself in a place where she does want to be. Me. Lost in me.
