Page 29 of Every Bit As Perfect
In the change room, Noelle studied her reflection in the mirror.With Hunter’s birth, Noelle’s hips had filled out and her tummy had softened.
She cupped her breasts and grinned.“Look at the size of these babies!”
“Now, that’s what you call jugs, babe,” I agreed.
“They better not dare sag,” she muttered.
I spared myself a single glance in the mirror.It never boded well to examine myself too closely in a swimsuit.Especially not next to Noelle.
Happy enough with my new suit, I lifted my chin and walked out on deck, pointedly ignoring Daire.I didn’t want to know what he thought of me.Didn’t want to see his reaction to my body exposed and on display.
Max stood at the side of the pool, going through a series of stretches for his arms.
Daire laughed.“You can’t be serious.She’s a little bitty thing and you’re what?6’3”?”
“She’s a bullet, man.You wait and see.”
I took Max tidily, barely beat Hawk, and practically lapped Noelle.
Pulling myself out of the pool for a breather, I retrieved my towel from the bench and dried my face.
I jolted as the deep voice that appeared more and more often in my dreams teased, “You’re pretty fast for a girl.”
“For a girl?”I turned and cocked my eyebrow, taking great pains not to indulge in a visual journey over his beautiful chest.
He stared down at me, a slow, lazy smile creasing his face.“I love it when your freckles come out to play.”
I scoffed and began to dry off.
“You’re done?Scared to take me on?”
I swallowed.
More than you know.
“I’m not scared of anything, Daire.”
“Then this shouldn’t be a problem.”He stepped closer.“I’ll even give you a head start, but you’ll have to give me something in return.”
“No way!”I laughed.“You’re far too cocky.”
He opened his arms and looked down pointedly at the front of his swim trunks before winking at me.“Easy with the sex talk, we’re in public.Although,” his lips quirked, “under the right circumstances…”
Shaking my head, I backed away.“Get in the pool, Professor.I’m not racing you after I’ve already beaten those three.Hit the chlorine and give me five hard laps.”
Stalking toward me, he dipped his knees to bring his face to mine.“First of all, I prefer ‘Sir’.Coming from you it has a certain ring to it, but I won’t insist on it.”
My mouth fell open.
He touched my cheek.
I blinked at the contact.
He continued, “Tell you what.I’ll give you ten hard laps.Then, when I beat you, you owe me a date.A proper one.Without Max there to chaperone.”
I stepped back, but his arm shot out and grasped my elbow, halting my retreat.“Don’t be scared of me.I’m biologically incapable of hurting you.”
I scoffed.“How’s that, Daire?You’re a walking heartache.And I’d do all the heavy lifting for you.You need to leave me alone.I can’t handle you.And you can’t fix me.”
