Page 105 of Reckless
My face burns, so I turn it in the direction of the pool. “You first.”
He takes a step closer to me and not the water. “No, you go ahead, darling. You’re looking a little flushed.”
“You know,” I say, “drowning you sounds more tempting by the minute.”
His chuckle follows me to the edge of the pool where I pull off my boots and socks before dangling my feet above the crisp water. I suck in a breath when my toes touch the surface. The water is frigidly refreshing, and I quickly dunk the rest of my feet in.
The outer ring of the pool is shallow, the water blue and inviting. But the center grows darker and deeper, and I don’t plan on exploring how much so. I hold my breath as I slowly sink into the pool, biting my tongue when the water laps around my hips.
I give myself several seconds to adjust to the temperature before tugging the at the chain with my foot. “Come on. It’s warm like your fancy palace bath water.”
“Yeah?” His laugh is scoffing. “Is that why your lips are turning blue?”
My fingers fly to my mouth and the chattering teeth trapped inside. “They are not.” I drop my hand to splash water at him. “Now, get in here so I can drown you already.”
“How inviting,” he mocks, stepping into the pool. “Shit.” He hisses between clenched teeth when the cold water reaches his thighs.
“What’s wrong, Azer?” I ask innocently. “You look a little cold.”
“Oh, and you aren’t?”
I circle a finger across the top of the water, creating ringlets. “Not a bit.”
“Hmm.” The look in his eyes has me worried. “Well, that just won’t do.”
And then he’s wading toward the center of the pool.
It’s not long before the chain tightens between us, and I’m being tugged behind him. I swallow my gasp when water splashes around my waist, inching higher with each drag of my feet. A laugh slips between my chattering teeth at the sight of goose bumps climbing up his muscled back.
I dig my heels into the slippery floor when water meets my collarbones. “Kai.” Water laps around my shoulders. “Fine, Kai, I’m cold. We can stop now—”
My chin dips into the water and panic pulses through me. I’m splashing my arms, kicking the feet that barely touch the bottom now. Through blurry vision, I see Kai turn and rush toward me, splashing water with each step.
Strong arms circle my waist, lifting my head high above the water. “You’re okay. I’ve got you.” Concern crinkles his eyes as he looks me over. “I forgot how much shorter you are. Didn’t realize the water had gotten so deep.”
I cough, blinking water out of my eyes. “Still can’t swim yet, asshole.”
He shakes his head at me, breathing heavy. Water is rolling down his face, dripping from his eyelashes. He lifts a hand from my back to tuck a soggy strand of hair behind my ear. “Hell, with all that talk of drowning me, I figured you’d be a little more confident in the water.”
I smile weakly. “I’m confident enough to hold your head under.”
He chuckles, flashing a dimple at me. His fingers play with the end of my braid before tugging at it. “So, I’ve taught you to dance and ride now. Should I add swimming to that list?”
“Not if you’re going to gloat about it,” I mumble.
“I’m not gloating. Yet.” He traces a finger down my wet braid. “Simply stating that I’m not sure what you would do without me.”
“I would be free without you.” I smile sadly. “I would be doing whatever the hell I want.”
“Like fighting in cage matches and living in a crumbling building?”
“Beats rotting in a cell,” I shoot back, my eyes on his.
His fingers find my chin, wiping away the water dripping from my lips. “I won’t let that happen.”
“Yeah,” I laugh humorlessly. “Make sure to kill me quickly, please. I’d rather just get it over with.”
He shakes his head, eyes on my scar. I flinch when his fingers brush the jagged line and turn away to hide it from him. “Gray…”
