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Not sure if I agree, I push off the pool wall and kick my feet to send me flying back. I try not to let myself miss his hand on me, instead focusing on my amusement that I accidentally splashed him with the move. He shoots a glare at me, but it’s hard to take him seriously when he's so obviously trying to fight a smile. Water is dripping down his face. For just a moment, just a single breath, the old Casey rears his head and begs me to go lick the drops off of him.
“Excuse me,” Jake drawls, wiping a hand over his face. “I don’t want to be a fish.”
“You sure? It’s fun.” I flash him a playful grin, warmth blooming in my chest as I slip into a version of myself I thought I lost. “Come in. Water’s warm.”
I don’t expect him to agree. Honestly, I don’t know what I expected. Maybe just some more teasing. Maybe an eye roll before he tells me to get to sleep soon and leaves. Certainly not a mischievous smirk as he stands and rips his shirt off, tossing it onto one of the lounge chairs before reaching for his belt.
Holy hell.
What did I just do?
My mouth goes dry as he shucks his jeans down his legs, exposing the black boxer briefs I’ve seen at least a dozen times. It’s different seeing them now, though. We aren’t about to go to bed. The lighting is bright enough to see the heavy bulge nestled in the center. The warm glow in the room highlights every cut of his muscles. The blue of his eyes seems impossibly dark as he tilts his chin to look down at me. And he’s about to be fucking wet.
Something stirs in my gut. Something I haven’t felt in a very long time. Something I worried I’d never be able to feel again. I quickly look away, not sure how I feel about this new development. My cock is plenty excited, but the rest of me is suddenly lost. That confidence from before has vanished, taking the old Casey along with it. All that's left behind is this shell I've been living in. I hate the shell, but it's safer there, and safe isn't something I take for granted these days.
I sense him moving in the corner of my eye before he dives in, the move so elegant he barely even splashes me. I let myself glance over while he’s safely under the water. My throat threatens to close up at the sight of his tanned, muscled body gliding beneath the surface. I don’t look away quickly enough when he pops up, shaking his head like a dog and flashing me a grin so bright I feel it down to my toes.
“You’re…” I trail off, not sure what to say. You’re beautiful? A good diver? Sexy as sin? Going to be the fucking death of me? I clear my throat and try again. “If you’re not careful, you might turn into a fish too.”
“Suppose we’ll just have to be fish together then, won’t we, little fish?” he drawls, lifting his tattooed arm to run a hand through his dripping hair. Water trickles down his neck and over his broad chest. The tattoo on his side - the one I’ve always wondered about - hides halfway beneath the water. It’s a three-headed dog, all angry snarls and bloody teeth, flames sneaking up behind it. My fingers twitch with the urge to touch. I keep them safely tucked at my sides, not trusting them if they get too close.
“Fish together,” I echo, almost like I don’t understand the words.
“That alright with you?”
I try to hesitate - I should hesitate, right? - but I fail miserably. “Yes.”
Jake grins before diving back under the water, his movements smooth and graceful as he circles around me like a shark stalking his prey. I shiver, trying to ignore the sharp pang of arousal that spikes in my gut. I press my hand against my lower stomach to try and get rid of it. I don’t think I’m ready to be attracted to him. I’m certainly not ready for all the things that would come with that attraction, that’s for fucking sure.
The man fucking with my head pops back out of the water, shaking his head like he did the first time. We’re close enough now that it sprays me. I let out a startled laugh and step back. A lock of his wet hair falls on his forehead, making him look ten years younger and startingly sexy. I drop my gaze, but his wet lips and beard aren’t much better. And the Adam's apple bobbing in his throat is possibly the worst of all. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
“You good?” he asks, that bump in his throat moving as he does so. “Did I splash you too much?”
“No,” I whisper, not entirely sure which question I’m answering. You’re fine, I tell myself. You’re fine. You’re just swimming. With Jake. The man you feel safest with. You’re fucking fine. “Just - um. We’re swimming.”
No shit, idiot.
“Is that okay?” He steps closer to me, the water between us rippling with tension. “The last thing I want is to be invading your happy place. Fuck, I didn’t even think-”
“No, wait. It’s okay.” I put a hand out. “I’m the one who invited you, remember?”
“Well, you can take it back if you’d like.”
“I don’t want to.” I move until my outstretched hand rests on his chest. It’s solid. Warm. Wet. “You fit here. In my happy place. I promise.”
It’s the truth. And that might scare me most of all.
Jake’s tongue darts out, licking away the drops of water on his lips. I didn’t know it was possible to be jealous of a tongue, but here I am - jealous as all fuck. My face burns. I quickly turn away, my mind racing with panic as that arousal from before returns. What is happening to me?
“Race you!” I blurt.
“Race?”
“Ready, set-”
“Wait!”
“Go!” I cry, launching myself into the water with the sloppiest possible entry. I swim as fast as I can, ignoring the burn in my lungs and the protesting of my muscles. My racing heart kicks into overdrive, but relief floods my system the more distance I gain between Jake and I.
