Page 27 of Swim To Me

My heart picks up speed in my chest at the sound of my name dripping from his lips.

“Yes, Grey.” I couldn’t say no even if I wanted to.It’s the main reason I’m here again in the first place; it had scared me how fast I found myself saying yes when Grey had asked me to come back last week. How much I had to pretend I needed time to think about it, when in reality I didn’t need any time at all – I knew I wanted to come back, to see him again.

He’s looking at me, I know he is, I can feel the pinpricks of heat from his gaze, as I pack up as carefully as I laid my items out.

He’s silent while I stand, balancing myself on my thin, black stilettos. I dare not break the invisible bond between us, but apparently Grey has no qualms because his gaze dips down to take in the length of me.

I know what he’s seeing – patent, black stilettos. Extra sharp. My matching black pencil skirt which hugs the feminine curve of my hips. A white blouse tucked into the thick waistband, the top two pearlescent buttons unfastened to reveal the dainty gold necklace and matching earring set Aurelia had gotten me a few birthdays ago. A light dusting of makeup, a pretty pink lip and a riotous mass of tamed curls.

Grey’s mouth falls open a millimetre, enough for me to notice the tip of his tongue pressing into his bottom canine. He doesn’t need to offer me any words. His visceral reaction to my body is enough to make my blood fizz in my veins.

I’m wondering what his next move is going to be, when he stands, towering over me enough to make me totter in my heels. I peer up to watch him, that smirk and—

“After you, Delilah.” He gestures with the flat of his palm.

I unstick one heel from the floor, and then the other, straightening my back and striding past the empty reception desk and through the doorway of the changing rooms, all without a backwards glance.

Once I’m locked in a cubicle, I dump my bags onto the small bench and stare at myself in the mirror.

Don’t crumble, Delilah. It’s okay to be attracted to him. It doesn’t have to mean anything.

I work on autopilot to change out of my work attire and into my swimsuit, tie my hair into a semi-neat bun and wipe off my lipstick, all the while my mind chimes, “he’s out there waiting for you.”

I blame that thought on how quickly I’m ready, walking towards the pool, towel under my arm and locker key tied safely around my wrist.

Grey sits on a plastic, fold down chair in the viewing area, while he waits for me – all long, lean legs, forearms resting on his thighs.

His line of eyesight meets mine from across the pool, and I swear I can see him smirking for a split second, but then his face slips into neutrality as I approach him, ignoring the way the tiled floor below me digs into the soft soles of my feet.

“I’m ready, Grey. What are you teaching me today?”

“For today’s lesson, I’m going to teach you how to float, Delilah.”

Chapter 7

Delilah

“It was awful, Aurelia, I was just lying on this piece of foam, arms splayed out, legs kicking helplessly and don’t even get me started on how I gotonthe stupid piece of foam in the first place.”

My sister’s laugh crackles down the phone.

“Stop laughing! It wasn’t bloody funny! I bet I looked ridiculous, Christ—”

Aurelia giggles again. “Why do you even care if you looked ridiculous?”

“Because…” I pause.

Shit.

I can’t lie, Aurelia will hear it in my voice, and I can’t deflect away from the conversation, because she’ll just fucking read through it, so I have no choice but to stay quiet, waiting for the penny to drop.

Aurelia’s breathing is audible over the line, but she doesn’t say another word.

“Aurelia…” I mutter when I can’t take the deafening silence any longer. “Look—”

“You like him.”

“I… Aurelia—”

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