Chapter 3
Surrounded by bluewater of the pool, I sank down, feeling settled for the first time in weeks. I felt as if my mind and body which had been burning slowly cool. Since before Mick told me he’d been cheating on me for months. I had to admit that Miriam was right. This time away from him and everything would be good for me. I wanted to hide in the pool forever.
Someone had other ideas. I’d barely reached the bottom of the pool when someone dove in beside me, grabbed my arm and hauled me up to the surface. Shocked and spluttering, I flailed, as Nico threw me onto the side of the pool. I scrambled to my knees as he heaved himself out of the water and grabbed my forearms.
“What the hell were you doing?’ he bellowed in my face, pushing my wet hair back. “He’s not worth it. Whatever he did to you, he’s not worth it.”
“What on earth are you talking about?’ I glared at him, kneeling on the side, mortified, hair dripping around my face, and soaking wet in my travel clothes.
“Drowning yourself in the pool. What were you thinking?” Nico rubbed his hands up and down my arms but I’m not sure he knew he was holding onto me. He sounded genuinely upset and I realized I’d scared him.
“What the hell are you talking about? I wasn’t...I was just...”
“Just what? Thinking this will take away your pain?” Nico shook his head. “He’s not worth it. You deserve better.”
My mouth dropped open and I wrenched myself away, suddenly conscious that he was still holding me, his grip gentler now.
“I wasn’t trying to drown myself.” My voice was loud with shock.
Even if I had wanted to hide at the bottom of the pool.
But that was just a passing thought. Not a real desire.
“I wasn’t trying to drown myself,” I repeated, quieter this time. “Mick isn’t worth my life.”
“You stepped into the pool fully clothed,” he protested.
“I was hot and tired after the flight and being woken up by a stranger.” I gave him a pointed look. “I’ve always wanted to walk into a pool. Like they do in movies.”
He looked bewildered. “Like the movies?”
I scowled at him. “I’ve always wanted to skinny-dip too. It’s a private pool. My private pool. And you ruined the moment.”
Nico sat back on his haunches. “I didn’t realize. I thought...”
In the midst of his stammering, I suddenly became aware of two things. One, my skirt was up around my hips, my barely-there silk panties (thanks to Miriam insisting I wore something other than my usual cotton) clinging to me. My white T-shirt was see-through, outlining my breasts, and my nipples were clearly visible. I saw the moment he realized it too. His breath hitched as his gaze raked over me, the hot appreciation sending shivers straight to my pussy. Then he looked down at himself and realized what I had also just noticed. At least I was dressed. Nico, on the other hand, was stark naked, the towel lost somewhere in his panic to get to me.
“I...uh...didn’t intend...” Nico let out a long breath.
My lips twitched as his cheeks flushed dark.
“I just rushed out when I saw you jump in the pool,” he continued.
“So I see.”
Nico frowned at me. “You weren’t trying to hurt yourself?”
I shook my head. “Just tick off something on my bucket list.”
Now he looked remorseful. “And I wrecked it. I’m sorry.”
“You did.” My lips twitched. “I guess you fulfilled another one though. Being rescued by the handsome stranger. Although in my dreams my rescuer is usually dressed.”
“You think I’m handsome?” His voice had gone suddenly husky.
“Now you’re just fishing,” I said lightly.
“It was worth a try.”
Nico got to his feet. I looked up and quickly away, getting a bird’s eye view of his all over tan, slim waist, long, muscled legs and yeah, his cock was thick and just as gorgeous as the rest of him. I was almost nose to tip, I could hardly miss it. Seemingly unaware, he held out his hand. I placed mine in his and he tugged me to my feet.
He looked into my eyes, saying huskily, “I’m going to retreat to my room and pretend the last five minutes didn’t happen and I’m not naked in front of you.”
“Is that worse than a transparent wet T-shirt?” I asked.
“Call it evens?” he said.
I gave him a wry smile. “It’s been an eventful first day on my not-honeymoon.”
“Me too. Not that it was a not-honeymoon. God, I really need to shut up and go to bed. I’m so tired.” He yawned and his jaw cracked. He winced and rubbed his jaw.
“I’m so sorry. You should be sleeping.”
“I think you scared that out of me.”
“Sleep?”
“I’m awake now,” he said, but I could see he was flagging, his adrenaline crashing.
I pushed the thick dark curls back from his tanned face. “You can barely keep your eyes open.” I turned him towards the room and gave him a gentle shove. “Go to sleep, Nico.”
He turned to look at me. “You’ll go to bed now?”
I nodded. “Even if you’re not, I’m shattered.”
He seemed happier with that assurance and with a tired “I’ll see you later,” which got lost in a yawn, Nico vanished into his bedroom, leaving wet footprints across the tiled floor.
It was only when he was in his room and the door had clicked, I remembered something he’d said. He’d been watching me from his room. My body warmed at the thought of him staring at me unnoticed.
I flicked a glance at his bedroom window, but I couldn’t see him. I guess he didn’t want to be caught again.
My clothes had gone from wet to uncomfortable. Without thinking I stripped down to my underwear. I knew we weren’t overlooked here, and it was still very early, maybe somewhere around seven. If Nico was watching, well let him. I’d seen a lot more of him.
I hoped Nico was sleeping, although I had a feeling he wasn’t. I really needed a shower and to wash my hair before I settled down to sleep. If I went to bed like this, I’d wake up looking as if I’d stuck my finger in the electric socket. I had long, wavy, blonde hair that looked gorgeous just after I left the hair salon, but it was a beast that needed taming.
Grabbing my toiletries, I headed into the bathroom. There was no tub. Just a shower in one corner and toilet and basin on the other side. Nico had been a tidy guest, the only sign of his occupancy was a small black zip up bag on one shelf.
I groaned quietly as the hot water streamed down my back. I yawned, my adrenaline crashing too after the long day and even longer night, then being hauled out of the pool like I weighed nothing. Hadn’t that been a trip?
I shook my head, choked as I swallowed water, spat hastily, and slapped my hands over my mouth so I didn’t wake or alert Nico with my coughing. I didn’t trust him not to come rushing in again. The man obviously had a savior complex. When I resumed normal breathing, a smile curved my lips at the thought of him bursting through the door.
The smile turned into a yawn. I needed to dry my hair and plant my tired body into that bed. Poor Nico, having to work on virtually no sleep. At least I got to be lazy by the pool all day.
I shivered as I remembered again, his strong arms almost throwing me out of the pool. His strength was a total turn-on. The memory of all that muscle against me made me weak at the knees. Naked muscle. I couldn’t forget that. That was two items crossed off my bucket list. Maybe my not-honeymoon wouldn’t be a total disaster.
Miriam would be dancing around yelling “I told you so,” at the top of her lungs. My first call to her was going to be a hoot. She would never believe this.