Page 82 of Summer Nights

I'd already put on board shorts, so I pulled my shirt over my head and dove easily into the deep end. When I emerged, I brushed my hair back, noting that Ivy was watching me closely. I trod water. "Come in."

She nodded before standing up and lifting the dress over her head. She only wore a sheer bra and matching panties. My mouth was dry because she was essentially naked.

I could have asked her about a swimsuit, but I didn't have the heart to tell her to cover up. I loved this side of Ivy, the one who was the confident seductress. Who wasn't always worried about the connection we might form by being together.

She stepped off the edge into the water in the shallow end, not even getting her hair wet.

"Come here," I said gruffly.

She arched one delicate brow. "I'm not a strong swimmer."

"I want to see what you can do, and I've got you." I reached my hand out to her, and she glided through the water. She kicked off the side of the pool, then started to sink. She moved her arms awkwardly.

I moved toward her, my hand going to her stomach. I lifted her so that she'd feel the sensation of floating. Her arms paused in the water.

I wanted to unhook her bra. But I needed to teach her how to swim first. "Can you roll to your back? I'll be right here the whole time."

She nodded jerkily before she flipped over. Her butt started to sink, but I quickly placed my hand on her lower back, supporting her.

"Remember what this feels like so you can find this position on your own. You can always roll to your back and float. It saves energy."

"I don't want to be stuck out in the ocean and needing to do this."

I frowned. "But if you find yourself in deep water, you'll know what to do."

Her gaze found mine, and it felt like she was drawing strength from me. She was always so confident. It was attractive to see her vulnerability. I was pleased she didn't push me away or refuse to do any more.

"You can use a kickboard to get used to actual swimming." I helped her move to shallow water and then grabbed the kickboard I'd placed there earlier in anticipation of a lesson. I handed it to her. "Do you know how to use it?"

"I put my hands here and kick."

"That's right." I helped her get the right grip on the foam and then showed her how to stretch out her body and kick with stiff legs.

She mimicked my movements, and I kept pace next to her.

When she reached the end of the pool, she held onto the edge. "I can't believe I swam the whole pool."

"Why don't you do one more round? You can do that every day to build endurance, and once you're comfortable, we'll do it without the kickboard."

Her nose scrunched. "Won't I be too big to do this soon?"

"Exercise is okay as long as you're not feeling dizzy or lightheaded. You ready to go back?"

She looked across the water, her face filled with determination. "Yeah, let's do it."

I waited for her to push off the wall and then swam next to her, prepared to step in if she struggled. She made it back to shallow water and regained her footing.

"What did you think about that?" I asked, taking the kick board from her hands.

"That wasn't bad, but the kickboard is keeping me up. I don't know how to do that without help."

"We'll practice every day until you get it without assistance. It's similar to finding your balance on a bike."

She smiled. "Now that I learned early on because it was my main source of transportation."

"Your mom bought you a bike?"

"My neighbor had outgrown his. It was a boys' bike, but I didn't care."