“Mmm. I knew that suit would look great on you.” His warm, appreciative tone sent shivers through her.
“You’re cold.” He ran his hands down her arms, over the waves of goose bumps, and heat washed through her.
“Maybe we should go in the water now,” she said, her voice a little hoarse.
He smiled and took her hand. The feel of his fingers around hers was familiar and comforting, but at the same time it made her want things she shouldn’t.
He led her to the concrete steps and drew her into the pool with him. The water was delightfully warm and soon she was up to her waist.
She drew her hand from his and swam to the deep end. When she reached the walk-out steps, she sat on the bottom one, up to her waist in water, and gazed around. The moonlight glittered on the lake.
A moment later, Liam’s head broke the surface of the water next to her and he treaded water.
“It’s a great view, isn’t it?” Liam said.
“It is. You picked a lovely spot.”
“When we’re together again, we can come here as often as you like. Or move in and live here all the time, like I’d intended when I bought it.”
“We aren’t going to be together, Liam.”
“You’re not really keeping an open mind about this.” He moved closer and grasped the side of the pool right beside her, then slid his arm around her waist.
“Liam…”
“Come on, kitten,” he murmured, stroking the wet hair behind her ear, his touch singeing her senses. “At least give me a chance to convince you.”
“I—”
But his lips captured hers before she’d realized his intent. He pulled her tight to his body, his mouth moving on hers. His tongue nudged her lips then dove inside.
His body was warm and hard against hers and she shivered. It was so good being this close to him. Melting against him as he kissed her with his sensuous lips.
But she couldn’t allow it.
She pressed her hand flat to his chest and pushed, but with his arm around her, it did no good. Finally, she tore her lips from his.
“No, Liam,” she ground out. “Let me go.”
His arm loosened around her and she scurried to her feet and fled up the steps of the pool. He pushed himself up, water sluicing from his body, and followed her.
“Wait, Abi. Don’t go in yet. Let’s go in the hot tub. It’ll relax you.”
He caught her arm and slowed her fast pace to the door.
“You know how much you love it. And I set the temperature at a hundred because I know you prefer it not too hot.”
She let him guide her to the sunken tub a few yards away and she lowered herself into the water. He turned on the bubbles and settled in beside her.
She sat tensely on the edge of the seat, wondering if he was going to try something again, but he settled back and rested his head against the built-in cushion. The rush of the water and bubbles over her body felt wonderful and she soon sank into the seat to enjoy it.
“I remember how much you used to love coming to my apartment when we first started dating and going in the hot tub. So much so that I had to coax you out of it so you wouldn’t overheat. And then you were so disappointed when you were pregnant and…”
He paused, his gaze flickering to her. Neither of them liked to talk about the pregnancy. To remind each other of what they’d lost.
“… the doctor advised against going in the hot water,” he continued.
Oh, God, what am I doing? I shouldn’t be in here.
She jerked to her feet and moved to the steps.
“I’m sorry, Abi.” Liam stood up. “I didn’t mean to—”
“No, I just want to go inside.”
He wrapped his hands around her waist to steady her as she moved up the steps, then followed her as she fled toward the doors. He caught her arm.
“Here, use this door,” he said, as he drew her to a closer one.
He pulled open the door and she realized it led to the large en suite bathroom. She stepped inside.
“You’re shivering.”
Goose bumps danced across her skin and her teeth chattered, though how much from being cold and how much was anxiety she wasn’t sure.
“Here.” He drew her toward the shower and turned on the water, adjusting the temperature.
He gestured her toward it, but she shook her head.
“I’m not getting naked with you here.”
“So don’t.”
He pressed her under the water and the warmth of it flowing over her skin was wonderful. He stepped under the water behind her and held her against his body.
“It’s okay,” he said before she had a chance to protest. “I just want to warm you up.”
After a moment, her shivering subsided as the water and the heat of his body warmed her. She should pull away, but it was so comforting being held by him like this.
“Baby, I’m sorry I reminded you of the pregnancy, but maybe it would help if we actually talked about it.”
“No,” she blurted. “I mean … that’s not what it was about.”
Oh, God, how did she explain why she had actually fled from the tub?
Then sheer panic flooded through her as she felt tears well from her eyes. This was no time for a show of irrational emotion.
She thrust her hands under the water and wiped them across her face to camouflage the tears with fresh water, but she was afraid he’d already seen them.
“Abi, are you okay?”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Abi nodded. “I’m just stressed. Being here is stressful for me.”
“Okay, I’m sorry. I know this is a difficult situation for you. But right now, let the water relax you.”
But she couldn’t relax. Not with him so close like this. Not with her hormones spiking the way they were.
“I’m done,” she said. “I want to get dressed now.”
“All right.”
He guided her from the water, then grabbed a large, fluffy towel and wrapped it around her torso.
