Page 23 of Seductive Swimmer
“Pray tell, what other job is depriving me of the pleasure of seeing you at the office today?” He leans back against my counter, his hands in his pockets. The relaxed posture belies the heated crackles of energy dancing between us.
I move to my couch to put some distance between us, but he follows. Thankfully, he sits down at the opposite end, but his arm stretches along the backside of it, and his fingers are dangerously close to my shoulder.
“I work for a rescue society that takes in retired greyhounds.”
His eyes light up with interest. “Really, that’s fascinating. They’re wonderful dogs.”
“I’m surprised to hear you say that. Not many people are interested in them. They’re very misunderstood.”
Alex nods, and he smiles softly. “Our next-door neighbor when I was a boy had two of them. Gorgeous dogs, and so loving. I remember running with them in the garden. I begged my mum for one, but my father would never agree.”
He falls silent, and I watch his face, fascinated by the play of emotion. There’s happiness, but also pain and anger. When he looks back up at me, he seems wistful in a way. I want to know what causes such a reaction on a man who is normally so in control.
“I don’t suppose I could come with you?”
I’m not sure what I thought he was going to say, but that was not it. Yet, I’m curious to see what Alex is like away from the pool and the office.
“Umm, yeah? Sure. I mean, yes. That would be fine. I’ll just go and get dressed.”
“I don’t know, I think the ducks are a good look for you, love.”
The carefree, happy smile on his face takes me by surprise. Cocky Alex is sexy. Fun Alex is something even more. I want to climb him and never let go. That thought flusters me, so I stand up abruptly.
“Just wait here, I guess.” Then I fly into my room and close the door on his chuckle.
A short while later, we’re exiting my apartment together. Alex dismisses his driver, as I insist on walking to the shelter. As we near the building, I start to wonder how this is going to work. I have paperwork I need to do, and Alex isn’t exactly dressed for caring for dogs. But his excitement is infectious, and he spends the time we’re walking to the shelter telling me more stories about his neighbors’ dogs from when he grew up. It’s a glimpse behind the curtain at the man behind the arrogant attitude and Olympic-level swimming talent. I tell him about Molly, and my plans to eventually adopt her. We’re opening up to each other, sharing parts of ourselves that we haven’t before.
When we arrive at Forever Grey, I get him signed in as a volunteer, and he charms Carlene, who’s working the front desk today. I roll my eyes at her reaction to him, trying to ignore the flash of jealousy I feel watching him smile at her.
Since the work I have to do today won’t take very long, I take him on a short tour of the facility first. He’s like a kid in a candy shop, his eyes darting everywhere, a huge grin on his face when he sees the dogs for the first time.
Molly is out with a volunteer for a walk, which disappoints me, because I wanted him to meet her. Why? I have no idea. But she’s important to me, and he’s…something. That unsettles me. He is something, and he’s becoming important, more so each day. It feels strange, and exciting.
Alex is eager to take one of the dogs out, so after a quick instruction on how to handle them, Carlene gets him set up with one and they head off to the park, leaving me to work. I should’ve known my friend wouldn’t let things be that easy, however. Moments after he leaves, Carlene pushes open the door to my office.
“Spill it, girlfriend. Why is Alex Devlin, aka Sexy Swimmer Guy, aka the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen walk through our doors, with you this morning?”
I push away from the desk, knowing she won’t give up until I tell her everything.
“He showed up this morning to give me a ride to work, and when I said I was coming here instead, he asked to come with me. That’s all.”
She looks at me skeptically. “Why would he give you a ride to work? For that matter, how does he know where you live, Van?”
I tuck my hair behind my ears and clear my throat before I reply. “Because yesterday he drove me home from our lunch meeting.”
“And? I know that look, Van, you’re not telling me the whole story.”
“And he kissed me.” Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I look at Carlene, who’s doing her best attempt at a quiet happy dance.
“Oh my God, Van. That’s amazing. Is he a good kisser?”
I cut her off before she gets carried away. “It was just a kiss, Carlene. I still have to work with him for a while longer, which means I still have to be careful.”
She rolls her eyes at me and scoffs. “Oh, come on. Live a little. That man is seriously sexy, and obviously interested in you. Don’t stand in your own way.”
“We’ll see. I do need to get this work done before he gets back, okay?” I say, hoping she takes the hint and gives me some space. I don’t need the added pressure of my friends pushing Alex and I together.
“Fine, fine. I’ll go. But seriously, Van. Don’t fight this. Just have some fun!” Carlene leaves with a wave, and I’m left staring at a computer screen, trying to make sense of it all and failing.
