Page 57 of Bad Kind of Love

“No.” I challenge, ready for a fight.

Once I’ve floated to the middle of the pool, I return my focus to Mr. Fitz. His chest was heaving, in and out and he appeared to be fighting something within himself. My gaze dropped down to his hands that were clenching and unclenching at his sides, and I was reminded of the dream. His large hand enclosed around my small neck, while his eyes showed me all the sinful things he wanted to do to me.

And I was more than willing to let him corrupt me.

“I’m not gonna tell you again, Becca. Get out of the fucking pool.” He growled vibrating the water but I could only grin in response.

“If you want me out, you’ll have to come and get me.” I taunted, while sinking under the water and coming back up.

I wanted to enrage him, to push his buttons until he finally exploded. He was always right on the edge, but I could never push him over. But the way he was watching me right now, he might finally be ready to fall.

“When I count to three, your ass better be out of that pool.” He snarls, with fire in his eyes.

“One.”

I take a deep breath, and start kicking my feet in the opposite direction of him.

“Two.” His voice cracks, and my heart picks up speed. Tugging off his jacket, he seems to already know my decision. Letting it fall to the ground in a thud, he begins to strip off his shirt, revealing every muscle, and every tattoo that runs up his chest. Sinking lower into the water, I hide my agape mouth as my eyes roam his body. Pure raw desire oozed from my fierce stare, while his eyes seemed to mirror mine. There was no denying this strange attraction between us. Even if he tried his hardest to push me away, I was always going to fight back.

The clanking sound of his belt hit my ears, and I swear I lost all my ability to think. My eyes immediately drop down as he roughly pulls the belt from his pants and tosses it aside.

“Three.”

And just like that, his pants were gone.

Left only in a dark pair of boxers, he crouched down low until his legs dropped into the water and eventually his whole body. He disappeared under the water for only a few seconds before coming up and fixing his attention back on me.

Before a lion killed, they stalked their prey. Quiet and calculated, they crept up slowly, keeping their hungry eyes on the kill. And right now, I was the meal.

My words seemed caught in the back of my throat, as I watched Mr. Fitz make a beeline towards me. He took his time, slowly moving throughout the pool without a care in the world, but his eyes read different.

“You really think being alone with a student in the pool is the best way to get me out?” I joke while swimming backwards. “Just imagine what the other teachers would think.”

“I don’t fucking care what they think.” He growls, intent on making me squirm. “If they only knew how this student was stubborn as hell and found pleasure in defying me, maybe then they’d understand.”

There’s no way anyone would understand a teacher and his student swimming practically naked in a pool alone together.

“Maybe this student wouldn’t be so stubborn if her teacher wasn’t such an asshole to her.” I argue when I feel my back hit the side of the pool. “What are you gonna do? Drag me out of here?”

He stops a few feet away from me, his eyes glowing from the blue light as he scowls from annoyance. “If I have to.”

Frustrated, I lean my head back, holding back the tears that threaten to fall. I hated how emotional I was. I didn’t want him to see me as weak, I wanted to keep my strong facade up whenever he was around but after today, my emotions were in a vulnerable state.

“What happened?” He asked with a hint of concern laced in his voice.

“What do you mean?” I pretend to be clueless but his glare told me he wasn’t buying it.

“What are you doing here?” He repeats his question from earlier, but this time he’s softer in his approach.

Swallowing, I study his eyes, confused by the slight worry in his tone. His hair was slicked back out of his face, and the tattoos I was once curious about, were now on full display. He had more than I initially thought, and I found myself distracted by the ink that wrapped around his firm torso.

“Stop.” He groans like he’s in pain. He inches closer, almost like he’s contradicting his own words.

“Stop what?” I flutter my lashes innocently.

“Keep looking at me like that and I’ll do more than just drag your ass out of this pool.” He grunted, stopping directly in front of me. “Now, tell me what happened.”

“Like you care.” I spat, knowing he most likely didn’t give a damn about my problems. “You can hardly stand the sight of me.”