Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Eventually, I got restless, and I abandoned the script, sitting on my balcony, edgy and waiting. I knew what I was waiting for, even if I couldn’t admit it to myself. Another strange woman who intrigued me.
Mila.
She hadn’t shown up at the pool the night before, and I wondered if she had checked out. But in case she simply didn’t swim last night, I stayed on my balcony, sipping a bottle of water, and waited. Watching. I was about to give up when my patience was rewarded, and I saw movement below, a small figure scurrying down the path toward the adults-only pool area. I knew it was her. She looked like a child running down the path, but I knew she was anything but.
I followed her, closing the gate quietly, and observed her slice through the water, lap after lap, until I assumed she was exhausted. She sat in the corner again, lifting her head, her long, dark hair fanning out in the water behind her. She was unassuming and nonchalant in her sexiness. I had the feeling she had no idea how incredibly appealing she was—at least to me.
I scrutinized her for a moment, feeling like a stalker, yet also incredibly protective of the minute woman. The hotel and grounds were safe and well patrolled, yet I felt an odd pang of anger that she was out here alone. I could be anyone watching her. Alone with her in the shadows. I discarded my shirt and stepped into the water across from her, disturbing the smooth expanse of liquid.
“Hiding in the shadows again, Mila?”
She startled, a small gasp escaping her mouth. Sitting up straight, she put her hand to her throat in shock. I waded toward her, as if pulled by an unseen thread. I needed to be closer to her.
“Are you done exhausting yourself?”
She lowered her hand, our eyes meeting in the dull light. “I like to swim.”
“Obviously. You are aware you shouldn’t be out here alone, right?”
“I’m not alone. You’re here,” she replied, an edge of snarkiness to her tone.
It made me grin. “I could be the big, bad wolf.”
She relaxed back against the stairs. “Try, then. Do your worst. I grew up with a father and an uncle who taught me how to defend myself, and lots of cousins willing to help me practice.” She cast her gaze over me slowly, perusing me with her eyes. “And all of them have forty pounds of muscle on you, and I can take them.” There was a definite challenge in her tone and her expression. “I can take you too.”
I felt the heat of her gaze on me as if she was physically touching me. I had been ogled by women most of my adult life. Objectified on a daily basis since becoming an actor. Yet, no glance had ever affected me the same way. My body tightened of its own accord, and the flames of desire licked at my skin. I was grateful for the cool water surrounding me, stopping me from showing exactly how her contemplation was affecting me.
It was extraordinary.
I held up my hands in supplication, even though I was sure she was joking. “No need to take me down. Simply pointing out you’re alone out here. I could be anyone.”
“And who are you, exactly?”
Her innocent question caught me off guard. It was one I asked myself every day. Wondered if I would ever have the answer.
I shrugged, forcing a smile. “Just a guy who likes late-night swims.”
“Yet I haven’t seen you do a lap.”
I dipped under the water, the temperature refreshing. “Didn’t want to interrupt the marathon.”
“I’m done.”
I turned and dove under the water, doing a few laps in a lazy front crawl. I really had no interest, but I refused to back down from her silent challenge.
At the end of the pool, I glanced back, making sure she was still in the corner. She hadn’t moved, her silhouette outlined in the shadows. Taking a deep breath, I plunged underwater, kicking off the side, and swam in her direction. I emerged from the water at her feet, pushing my hair back and grinning. “There. Laps done.”
She snorted, an indelicate sound coming from her mouth as she scoffed. “I wouldn’t call those laps. More of a dog paddle.”
I laughed at her words. She was amusing. “You want a race?”
“A race?”
“Sure. You and me. A race.”
“Why?”
“Call it incentive. Four laps. Winner gets crowing rights.”
She pursed her lips, and I held out my hand in challenge. “Unless you know I’ll beat you. Given the fact that I’m taller, stronger, and—” a grin pulled at my lips, already knowing how she would react “—a man.”
As expected, her eyes flared, and I swore I caught a glint of gold in them catch the light. She tossed her hair like a bull getting ready to gore the matador bothering it, and she let me pull her from the step. The difference in our heights became apparent—she was well over a foot shorter than I was. The same intense sensation of intimate warmth flowed under my skin when our hands made contact, and I felt the longing to feel more of her pressed against me.