Page 51 of Maverick

“Okay. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll meet you at the pool. I need to get some towels.”

Parker nodded and their eyes met. Maverick strode to her, kissed her lips again, then entered the laundry room while Parker headed for the bathroom to change.

****

Parker undressed and slipped into her swimsuit. She couldn’t help feeling a bit self-conscious about him seeing her in it, even though he had seen her naked. The black fabric clung to her figure, accentuating her curves and the deep neckline drew attention to her breasts. As she studied herself in the mirror, she nibbled on her lip and wondered what his reaction would be when he saw her in it.

“Only one way to find out,” she muttered as she opened the door, walked along the hallway and into the kitchen. She didn’t see Maverick anywhere, but when she heard Blue barking, she looked out the window and laughed when she saw Blue jump into the pool and swim to Maverick, who was at the far end.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door in the laundry room, stepped out, and walked to the edge of the pool. She looked at Maverick to see him staring at her, then he went under the water and swam toward her. She could see his naked form slicing through the water and she wanted to say the hell with swimming and just get the man in bed.

Her chest tightened in anticipation as he gracefully strode toward the steps of the pool, his muscular physique glistening under the sun’s rays. He was a sight to behold, completely at ease with his nakedness and oozing confidence. She couldn’t help but feel a rush of desire as he got closer and closer.

“Damn, you look hot,” he whispered huskily before claiming her lips in a passionate kiss.

Parker moaned, her body melting into his embrace as she tangled her fingers in his wet hair. Suddenly, he effortlessly picked her up and carried her toward the pool. With a playful glint in his eyes, he dropped her into the water, causing her to shriek.

“Oh, you are in so much trouble, Whitacre,” she threatened when she surfaced.

He chuckled and dove into the water, seamlessly gliding through the crystal-clear depths until he reached the other end. Rising from the water, he shook his head to dispel the water in his hair and grinned, making her heart skip a beat.

Parker smiled, dove under the water and swam to him, though she couldn’t hold her breath that long. When she surfaced, she swam to him. He pulled her close, kissed her lips, then turned her so that her back was in the corner. He put his hands on the top of the pool, blocking her in, and moved closer to her.

“I wish you could stay tonight,” he whispered in her ear.

“I do too. But I have to work tomorrow.”

He stared into her eyes. “I’m crazy about you, Parker.”

“I feel the same.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You’re crazy about you too?”

She splashed water at him, making him laugh.

“You know what I mean.”

“I do, but I’d like to hear you say it.”

“I’m crazy about you, too,” she said.

He kissed her lips. “I’m glad.”

After swimming for a while, they got out of the pool, dried off, then lounged in the chairs beside the pool. Parker grinned as Maverick draped a towel over his lap. He grinned.

“I don’t need that sunburned,” he said, making her laugh.

Eventually, the heat of the day ran them inside.

“Can I use your shower? I want to get the chlorine out of my hair.”

“Sure. I need to do that too.”

“Then let’s save water.”

After a quick shower, they sat on the sofa in the living room, enjoying the cooler air of the house.

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