Page 22 of Slippery When Wet

Abel’s teeth mashed together like he was trying to bite back a groan. His big strong hands held on to my hips, his grip so firm I hoped he’d leave little bruise marks to remember the day.

Who hopes for bruises? Was I sick in the head for it?

“We will get to that,” he strained and held me in place so I wouldn’t wiggle around. “But I want you to get to know me first. Get more comfortable with me before we start fooling around.”

“Why?” I pouted, very much unlike myself. It was like Abel had unlocked this version of me I had yet to meet.

One I liked.

She was outspoken and didn’t overthink. She felt safe and comfortable around him to say whatever was on her mind.

“Because daddy said so.” At his answer and the tone he’d spoken in, I shivered. He didn't miss it either. Not with the deep guttural sound that vibrated through his chest. One of his hands moved into my hair perfectly. Without pulling, he tugged at the ends, and my lips parted. “Be a good girl, and you’ll get a special treat.”

“What if I’m a bad girl?” I whispered, shocked the words had actually slipped past my lips.

“Then you get a different kind of treat.” He winked.

Before I knew which way was up, he rolled us out of bed and walked me to his bathroom. Suddenly, nature called, and I went in alone. After flushing and washing my hands, I brushed my teeth with a toothbrush he’d given me. When I stepped out, I was surprised and a little disappointed to see him all dressed for the day. I wouldn’t have minded him showing me the darker daddy side he’d mentioned instead of doing whatever he had planned.

He drove us to my place, where I lucked out and avoided him meeting Karol. I loved my sister, but she was everything I wasn’t. Sometimes, with guys, it felt a little intimidating. I changed into shorts and a tank like he’d suggested and paired it with my high-top Chucks. There was something about the way Abel looked at me when I stepped out of my bedroom and into the living room that made me feel more than beautiful. It made me feel seen. Like there wasn’t a detail he missed when he looked at me.

Quickly, we left and stopped to get breakfast burritos for the road. When we made it to our first stop, I hated the disappointment I felt. There was no way in a million years I’d have guessed where Abel would take me.

But a work site had not been it.

Abby

I wiped the sweat off my brow and frowned.

This was not the sexy date I’d thought we would have. Especially after our seriously cute impromptu movie night the night before.

But in a way, it was better.

A part of me understood what he was doing and liked it. Not only was he showing me a side of what he did on a daily basis, sharing what his life was like with me, but he was taking my fear of pools away.

One step at a time.

His company built in-ground pools, and he had employees who also maintained them. It was a little after two in the afternoon, and we had already been to three different sites. Each stop had been at different stages of an install. It wasn’t glamourous in the least, but I had enjoyed it. Being outdoors in the fresh air even with the hot summer temps had been a nice change of pace for me. Not to mention the way he insisted on reapplying sunscreen on me. I loved his hands on me and the way they rubbed the lotion in; it felt like he didn’t miss a spot.

I enjoyed watching Abel interact with his employees.

It spoke volumes about the man when all his men genuinely seemed to not only like him but get along with him as well. I’d shared a little bit about my accident, omitting the fact I had somehow dreamt him up at the site. That he had been what I saw when the water started to rise right along with my panic.

I turned and looked over my shoulder. Abel was working next to me. The sun shined brightly over us, and I was sweaty and dusty but happy. Genuinely. Just the sight of him calmed me. Soothed me. I felt relaxed in a way that shouldn’t have been possible with an almost stranger.

But he wasn’t a stranger.

He didn’t feel like one, anyway. I’d never clicked with someone the way I did with him. I wondered if this is what people mean when they meet that special person they just know.

“Careful.” His eyes met mine. I blushed, wondering if he knew what I was thinking by looking at me.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, noticing I had almost hit my foot with the shovel I was using. We were digging up a couple of holes for some rose bushes the homeowners wanted installed. Abel said he usually worked with a third party to do it, but I had asked if we could, and he’d agreed.

“We’re almost done.” He grinned, and I nodded. “You okay? Should I get you some water?”

“I’m okay, Abel.” And I was.

“You sure, princess?” I nodded. “You know this wasn’t my intention when I planned today out.”

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