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As I swam underwater, I made sure to feel the sting of my wrist while it pushed me to the other end of the pool. Each stroke took me into a state of apathy. I came up for air, only to push my feet off the wall and submerge myself beneath the chilling temperature that eased my troubled soul.
With burning lungs, I kicked faster, stretching my hand out and waiting for the pool edge to meet my fingertips. When I made contact with the gritty concrete and smooth tile, I pulled up, gasping for air.
Water dripped from my face and into my eyes as I opened them to the sight of dress shoes. I followed their trail and met Lucca’s stare peering down with a plush towel in hand. Seeing as he wore a dress shirt and pants, I knew the towel wasn’t meant for him.
I stayed in the water with no intention of leaving. Lucca turned and picked up a black portfolio from the outdoor table that hadn’t been there when I arrived. He dragged a chair to the edge of the pool, folded the towel across the back of it, and sat.
Taking deep breaths to control my breathing, I placed my arms on the pool border, crossing them to stay above the water. I let my legs flutter underneath and waited, watching his rugged and powerful features along with the lips that haunted me since I last felt them torturing mine.
I wish I could hurt him for leaving me hot and bothered.
But Lucca’s eyes weren’t vacant. Instead, they held conflict as his body remained collected. His control was back, and I didn’t want to imagine the expense it had taken.
“Pick one, and a date,” he demanded as he opened the portfolio.
Three wedding invitations lined the black velvet. All were beautiful and elegant with intricate touches, but one in particular caught my attention. It was black and white with a subtle touch of champagne.
“First,” I looked up at his eyes, “I need something in return.”
He shut the book, placed it on his thighs, and leaned down.
“What do you want?” he asked, ready to spill money for an answer too soon. Too eager, which meant I had the upper hand.
It was about time I did.
“I have a proposal.”
His head rolled, and his eyes closed briefly.
He should’ve known I didn’t need his money.
“A proposal?”
“Sì.”
His brow arched. “In a bathing suit?”
I withheld my smile. Damn him for lightening my spirits.
I tried lifting my body off the pool with my arms but failed miserably as my wrist gave in to the pain. Before my body fell back into the water, Lucca stood, and his hands held my arms, lifting me. The portfolio bounced off his legs and into the pool, sinking into the deep.
I didn’t think about how his touch sparked my skin. Or how his strength picked up my weight with ease. I also didn’t notice how close our bodies stood, and the breath he took through his teeth when his eyes traveled down.
I didn’t feel or see anything.That waswhat I convinced my mind to believe, to ignore.
Water rolled down my body, splashing him, but Lucca didn’t pull away and his pants dampened. Chlorine mixed in the air as he picked up the towel from the back of the chair. He pulled it apart, stretching it open for me as his eyes preyed on my two-piece light blush-colored bathing suit.
I took the towel from his hands and brought it to my hair, squeezing the excess water that poured down. I didn’t cover myself, not yet. I wanted to show what he’d missed, what he could’ve had but hadn’t touched.
The body that wasn’this.
Oh so slowly, his hooded and thirsty eyes returned to me.
My lips curled smugly.
“Katia,” his deep voice warned as his jaw clenched.
“I have a folder ready. I can grab it quickly,” I said casually and twisted my body to retrieve it. Lucca’s hand stopped me, his strong hold pulling me back before him.
