Page 108 of Someone Exactly Like Me (Wounded Hearts 1)
Moving through the water, I stand next to her. “Do you want another martini?”
She looks up at me. “That’s probably not a good idea.” A devious smile lifts her cheeks. “We both know I don’t make the best decisions around you when I’m tipsy and I’ve already had wine with dinner, a shot, and a martini.”
I chuckle, take my wine in my hand, and slide closer to her. We rest our arms on top of the glass wall, I let my body relax deeper into the water.
“How are things going with Vance? Do you have any projects lined up yet?”
“He has some leads on a few parts and I’m waiting to hear about audition possibilities.”
“He’s really good. I have a feeling he’ll have you lined up with something soon.”
“I hope so. I’m excited to keep moving my career forward.” I sip my wine.
“What speaks more to your heart, acting or your music?”
“I love acting. I love putting myself into a character. But, when I’m acting, I’m playing a role someone else created. When I sing, it’s my words, my music, my soul. Nothing can really compare to that. Music was my first my passion, it grounds me.”
“Mmm. Your passion definitely comes through when you sing. When do I get to hear your new song?” Sinking her arms beneath the water, she pushes herself off the wall toward the center of the pool.
Setting my wine aside, I move toward her. “Soon. It’s not ready yet.”
“Okay.” She tilts her head back into the water, extends her arms, and brings her knees up, pushing the water back and forth with her hands and arms.
“What are you doing?” She looks like a squirmy fish.
“This is how I float.” She continues pumping her arms against the water. “I can’t float, I just sink, so this is the best I can do.”
“This is not floating.” I can’t help but laugh a little, she’s so cute. “When you float, you’re relaxed. This is not relaxed.” I point at her, shaking my head and crossing one arm over my chest, resting my other arm on it and stroking my chin.
She stops pumping the water, lets her legs sink, and stands on the bottom of the pool, the water hitting just below her shoulders. “Well, it’s the only way I know how to do it.”
“Here.” I step toward her. “I’ll help you.”
She tilts her head, pressing her lips together into a thin line.
“I promise to behave.”Even though I want to touch every inch of your body.“Lean back.”
Without another word, she leans back. I place one hand on her back and the other on the back of her legs. She’s stiff at first, moving her arms in the water.
“You don’t need to push the water. I’m holding you. I won’t let you sink.”
It takes her about a minute to fully relax into the water, into my hands. She closes her eyes, surrendering. Making my movements slow, I glide her body through the water, watching the ripples extend away.
Burning the time that passes into my memory, I focus on the music filling my ears, the feel of her skin on my hands, the sight of her nipples atop her breasts cresting out of the water.
When she finally moves, I slide one arm up on her back and the other under her knees, cradling her. She loops her arms around my neck, the movement brings her face close to mine.
Fuck, I want to kiss her.
With her body curled into my arms, I swish her gently through the water, desperate to feel her lips on mine again. I promised to behave. I can’t break that promise. I don’t want to lose her trust.
“I was thinking for tomorrow, I could take you into town during the day and then we can go to supper.”
“Okay. I’d like to write in the morning. Will I have time for that?”
“Yes, of course. We have no schedule.”
“Okay.” Her eyes flick to my lips. “I should, probably get some sleep,” she says, but doesn’t move from my arms. “Thank you.” She pauses. “I enjoyed this.”
