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And I blinked away, heat rising in my cheeks. “You look nothing like the abominable snowman. You don’t have near enough fur.”
Her laugh surprised me, and I brought my attention back to her, giving into my own grin.
“You coming in or what?” she asked, fluttering her feet in the water. “I’m sure you didn’t wear those whales to sit around in.”
I stood up to strip off my shirt, and Gem huffed out a mix of a gag and sigh. “What?”
“Of course you look like that.” She flicked her hand. “You look like a commercial for a home gym or protein shake. God. What is it with you? You have to be so perfect all the time?”
I snickered and set my cell phone down next to my sneakers as she continued her tirade. Something about low riding shorts and being misted with sweat. I dove into the water, popping up next to her and shaking my hair free of water.
“Like a wild animal,” she said, holding her hands up to block the spray.
I offered no in response, only gave her a half grin, and I could feel her giving into me. Little by little, I was cracking that hard shell of hers.
Ducking back under the water, I swam to the other end of the pool and propped a small basketball hoop on the edge. “Want a game?”
“Sure.” She slipped off the inner tube, raising her hands up for the orange ball, and when I tossed it to her, she made a big display of catching it. “All right, big guy. Ready to lose?”
I moved toward her, the water cold enough to draw out goosebumps along my skin. “I don’t know about that, little girl. I should tell you, I’m pretty good at basketball. I played through high school and college.”
Even though I stood in front of Gemma, she struggled to tread water in one spot, and I curved my hands around her hips to help her stay up. She used the opportunity to place her fingers on my shoulder for leverage, her voice like a siren calling out to me. “I should tell you, I don’t play by the rules.”
Then she splashed me and took off, though I caught her easily by the ankle and pulled her back before stealing the ball. I sank the shot. “That’s one, Gemmie.”
She grabbed the ball back, undeterred. “Play to ten?”
When I nodded, she threw the ball as hard as she could toward the net, but it bounced off the backboard and settled a few feet away. We both lunged for it, though my arm outstretched hers by a mile, and I easily sank another point.
The game ended almost as fast as it began, and I circled Gem like a shark. “Ten-zip. Who’s the loser now?”
Obviously not one to give in, she swam over to the side of the pool to catch her breath. “Double or nothing?”
I dropped my arm alongside hers on the concrete edge. “We didn’t bet anything.”
“Okay.” She pushed her wet hair out of her face when a thought struck her. “If I win, you ride a bike for one week.”
I huffed. “I don’t own a bike.”
She lifted her shoulder, the strings of her bikini top sticking to her neck. “I’m sure I can rustle one up for you.”
I brushed the thin straps away with only my index finger, avoiding touching any other part of her. I knew from experience how soft her skin was, how sweet she smelled, and with the soft heat in her gaze, I had trouble moving away from her.
But I did.
Because I was a gentleman.
Who absolutely would not nibble on any part of her, no matter how delicious she looked.
“All right,” I said, “if I win, you have dinner with me. Cheeseburgers.”
“Ew. No. No way, Jason.”
Even in that whiney tone, I loved hearing her say my name.
I tugged on a wet clump of her hair. “I’m kidding. No cheeseburgers, but if you win, you won’t have to worry about it.” When she didn’t reply, I sucked air through my teeth. “Or say you’re afraid to lose. It’s fine. I won’t gloat.”
Her nostrils flared at the challenge, and I gave her a big grin, knowing I’d just won a date.
