Page 13 of Trapped and Tackled

At least, until I take a break at the wall, look to the left, and come face-to-face with Talon Miller.

“Sunny Leni.” He grins.

Sunny Leni? My heart rate increases as I grip the side of the pool.

Does he have a nickname for me?

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“Same as you,” he says, gesturing toward the pool. His eyes—more green than gray in the pool water—spark with amusement. “Swimming laps.”

I force myself not to look down and check him out. Which is harder than it should be.

“Yeah. I mean, I’ve never seen you here before.”

He quirks an eyebrow. “Haven’t you only been home a few days?”

I dip my head, feeling my cheeks redden.

I’ve never seen you here before. What a dumb thing to say!

“Stevens added more pool time to my schedule,” Talon explains.

“Oh,” I say, feeling embarrassed.

“You look good out there, Len.”

Surprise fans out in my chest, mixing with disbelief. “I do?”

I expect him to flip a joke my way. Instead, he regards me seriously. “You’re a strong swimmer. Couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

My throat dries at the sincerity in his gaze, and I work a swallow. “Oh. Um, I?—”

One side of Talon’s mouth ticks up as he grips the wall beside me and hoists himself out of the pool. “Don’t let me keep you.”

“No, you’re not,” I sputter, unsure what to say.

Besides, any words I was capable of speaking have fled my mind. Because now I’m looking up at Talon. And, my God, is he a sight.

Water droplets slide down the length of his strong, hard body. His quads are thick and his wet bathing suit sticks to them, outlining his muscles. His abs ripple, the droplets of water tossing the reflection of the fluorescent lights. Broad shoulders flex as he reaches for a towel. He drags it over his hair, closing his eyes, and I fight the moan that climbs up my throat.

Is he doing this on purpose? To tease me? He must know how hot he is… He must know the effect he has on people in his immediate vicinity. He’s striking without trying to be.

And what is wrong with me, ogling this man like he’s up for grabs. Like I’d ever be in his orbit to grab him.

He’s strong enough to crush me and while that should warn me to stay away, I find myself mesmerized by him.

I press my thighs together, relieved he can’t see as I hug the pool wall. I clear my throat. “I’m done too.” I push up, hoisting myself out of the pool.

My one-piece bathing suit is simple. Black with thin straps.

It’s one Craig made me purchase when he learned about my early morning swims at the gym.

But Talon Miller stares at me, drinks me in, like I’m rocking a string bikini.

Awareness spikes through my body and desire beckons. My nipples pebble from the cold—or maybe his attention?—and his gaze drops to my chest.

I wrap my arm around my middle, unsure what to do next. Do I reach for my towel? Yank off my swim cap?

---