Chapter 16 Honesty
Honesty
No one had the right to look as good as he did. When Daire walked out of the men’s changing room at seven a.m. Tuesday morning, he drew my gaze like a magnet. Tall, lean, broad shoulders, hair pulled back, God, he was so pretty.
I was already on deck waiting for the swim team to trickle in. The last time I’d seen him or spoken to him was right before he slid into my bed on Sunday night. I wasn’t sure where things stood between us, and even less sure of where I wanted them to be.
Maybe I’d had too much time to think over the past two days.
His eyes lit up when he saw me, his face breaking out in a wide smile as he jogged over to me.
Or maybe I hadn’t thought things through enough.
He was all smiles now, but he hadn’t called or texted. Sunday was intense. And he’d been wonderful. But perhaps it was too much for him.
I didn’t blame him. It was too much for me.
I brought my whistle to my mouth and blew softly. “No running on the pool deck,” I teased.
“You going to punish me?”
“Are you into punishment?”
“No,” he shook his head.
“But you’re into something…” I prodded.
“I’m into control.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’d be happy to give you a demonstration.”
I laughed and backed up a few steps. “Oh, you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
He grinned at me and wagged his eyebrows. “Definitely. But I also want more than that.”
“Yeah?” I tilted my head to the side and peered up at him. “I don’t think I’m your usual type.”
He sighed heavily. “Harley, you saw me with one woman, who I was not, incidentally, on a date with, and decided she was my type. Tell me, please, because I obviously don’t know, what is my type?”
“Tall. Long blond or brunette hair. Tiny waist. Slender, toned legs.”
“Sounds like that might be your type, or maybe a stereotype of every man’s type.
” He tipped his chin down. “I’ve dated that woman.
I’ve also dated women with red hair and freckles, women with short hair and curves, black women, older women, and Chinese women.
I don’t have a physical type. I’m mostly attracted to nice women. ”
He stepped back and stroked his imaginary beard. “You know, you might be onto something. You’re not my usual type because I was wildly attracted to your looks at first, and you’re not all that nice to me.”
I rolled my eyes but could not quell my smile.
The kids filed in followed by a couple of teachers clad in swimsuits and 2/3 of the Brady Bunch.
I did a double take.
“Ugh,” I complained, looking up at Daire. “What are they doing here?”
Natalia smirked as she looked me over before eye-fucking Daire like he was a piece of meat. Brittany fluttered her fingers at him coyly, still trying to maintain her beauty queen status.
I barely resisted the urge to stand in front of him. As if my tiny stature could block their view of his beautiful body.
He looked over his shoulder, caught sight of them, frowned, and held up a finger telling them he’d be with them in a minute.
Turning back around to face me, his frown deepened. “Is that one of the ‘anys’ with the queen bitch bee?”
I burst out laughing as I reached for his arm and gave it a squeeze. “You remembered.”
He flashed a reluctant grin. “I remember everything about you but I’m not happy to be bringing those two vipers into your space.”
I shrugged. “I’m used to it. I mean,” I paused, “don’t get me wrong. I’m not happy about it. But even if I knew in advance, I’d still do this for the kids.”
“You shouldn’t have to be used to it. Isn’t it time they grew up? How old are they, forty?”
“Better not let them hear you say that. They’re my age. Thirty-six.”
He smiled. “You’re still a baby.”
“I’m not a baby, you’re just middle-aged.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Middle-aged?” His eyes twinkled. “You’ll pay for that, little one.”
He walked toward Natalia and Brittany with his hand extended. A scant few seconds later, he escorted them to the door. “It’s my policy that parents do not watch practice from inside the pool area. Please feel free to avail yourself of a seat in the lobby until practice is over.”
I stood with my mouth hanging open as he walked toward me, stopping only to tap my chin with the tip of his finger.
I shook my head. “That was amazing.”
“You’ll find I’m a traditional man, and it’s a man’s job to take out the trash, little spitfire.”
I barked out a shocked laugh as I watched him walk toward the students.
The practice went off without a hitch and I managed to avoid the Brady Bunch until the very end.
Daire had the kids gathered together while the other two teachers rushed to get ready before the students. He was a nurturer, an encourager, which made him an ideal coach.
It would also make him a wonderful father.
I stood by the wall, squeezing the excess water out of my hair while keeping an eye on the group in case anyone got any bright ideas about getting back into the water.
“Do you have designs on our new teacher, Harley?”
Angry with myself for automatically freezing at the sound of her voice, I turned slowly to face Natalia and Brittany. Unfortunately, with how close they stood to me, I had to tip my chin up to meet their eyes.
“Thank you so much, Harley,” Daire’s deep voice came from behind me.
I whirled around and stared up into his handsome face. He looked over my head at Natalia and Brittany, ice in his eyes.
“Am I right, Natalie? Breanne? I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say how grateful we are that Harley went out of her way to make this space available to the swim team.”
Natalia recovered first. “Of course. We were just telling her that.”
I turned back to her. “Yes, you were saying?”
Her eyes narrowed imperceptibly. “Thank you for your hospitality. These kids worked really hard to make it onto the swim team. Not everyone is cut out for it, as you know. We’re grateful we had you for our backup.”
Her subtle insults found their mark, as it always did, only now I refused to let her see,
Daire held his arm out toward the changerooms. “Ladies. We can’t have the kids out there waiting unattended. I’ll remind you that parents are not permitted on the pool deck.”
“Of course,” Natalia purred, her saccharine smile making my teeth ache. And that was saying something.
They swung their hips the whole way out the door, but their intended audience had his eyes on me.
“Am I still on probation or are you ready to take a chance?”
“I want to. I want you,” I admitted.
Do you have designs on our new teacher, Harley?
Physically, we were wildly mismatched.
How soon before he began sending me tips for weight loss and targeted exercise plans for my ‘problem areas’?
And what would it take to get over someone like him?
“It’s just, right now I’m so busy with the fundraiser coming up, and the Halloween party, there’s a lot going on and–”
“You running scared?”
I blinked. How to answer that question.
His eyes softening, he reminded me, “The only thing I’m asking from you is honesty.”
I wanted to lie, but he’d given me so much, and asked for so little in return. “Yes. A bit. It’s just that I haven’t ever exposed myself like I did with you, not to anyone, and I feel a bit raw.”
“Okay, little one. Thank you for telling me.”
He bent to gather his things.
Would he drop it so easily? Drop me so easily?
“You left,” I blurted.
Straightening, his eyebrows rose as he gave me his attention. “I’m sorry?”
My eyes skittered back and forth, mentally berating myself for bringing it up.
“Are you talking about Monday morning?”
I nodded.
“Harley, I left because you needed space. Not because I wanted to.” He offered me a wry half smile. “Besides, if I’d stayed, you would have woken up with my face buried between your thighs.”
I slapped my thighs together and stared up at him, mouth agape.
His gaze sharpened on my thighs. “Yeah,” he rasped. “Just like that, baby. Around my fucking ears.”
My breath hitched, my eyes wide. “Daire,” I breathed.
Rockstar good looks.
Kindergarten teacher.
Dirty talker?
Who needed my mom’s book club if I could have this?
Moving closer, he cupped my jaw and dragged his thumb along my lower lip. “I’ll back off for now, Harley. But I’m telling you now. Once you let me in? It’s full fucking steam ahead.”