“Ready to get beaten, Miss Braxton?”
Melanie stared openly while he took off his already unbuttoned shirt to reveal a tight, trim waist that rose to a muscled chest. He tossed the shirt on a chair. His entire body screamed physical fitness, and she wondered if her win would be as simple as she’d imagined. His bronze tan shone beneath the evening lights. In all, she was pleasantly shocked at the man standing before her.
A low voice interrupted her musing. She lifted her gaze to meet a mischievous smile that touched his blue eyes and turned on the twinkle in them to match the stars in the sky. Melanie felt a crimson glow rush up her neck to engulf her face. Really? She’d seen hot men before. He’d think she was a love-starved old-maid, for sure.
He never missed an opportunity. “Like what you see?”
She lowered her eyes, and concentrated on kicking off her sandals, suddenly nervous about removing her cover-up. Melanie replied casually, “Not what I was expecting, you being a behind-the-desk kind of man.”
“I do come out of the office on occasion, and I wouldn’t miss this swim for anything.”
“Well, we shall see how you feel when I leave you in my wake.”
Melanie turned to race for the deep end of the pool. At the diving board, she glanced back to see Trevor still standing where she’d left him, looking confident and tantalizing. Her breathing grew heavy. She sucked in the evening air, filled her lungs, and dove into the warm water, hoping to drown her humiliation and fiery skin in the cool water.
Melanie surfaced halfway down the length, but she refused to seek him out. Her strong arms plowed forward and she fell into an easy breast stroke. At the far end, she dove under and kicked against the cement wall to start the trek back. When she reached the diving board, she glanced up to find Trevor standing on the edge of the deep end, peering at her with his most competitive face, waving his watch.
“You cheated and jumped in too soon. Suppose now you’ll claim you did an extra lap and not accept my victory in this challenge.”
“I’m not tired.” Melanie pulled herself up and jumped to his side. “Ready to start the clock?”
Trevor chuckled. “You already won the wet t-shirt contest. Are you going to get rid of the unnecessary weight? Don’t want you to claim bulk as an excuse for losing.”
The shirt! In her attempt to escape his scrutiny, she’d left the shirt on, and it did nothing but enhance the navy bikini under it. As it turned out, wet clothes are hard to remove, and she stiffened when his hands covered hers.
“Let me help.”
The joint effort did nothing to lessen the enormity of the tight, wet shirt being pulled over a dripping mass of tangled curls. They both ended in a fit of laughter and eventually sat on the edge of a lounger to catch their breath.
She felt his gaze on her. Usually, such scrutiny would bother her, but somehow, Trevor made his feel like a wonderful compliment. This proved too distracting, sitting under the stars with willing arms in which she could easily get lost.
Melanie disengaged from his close regard.
“Are you ready to be defeated, sir?” Melanie thought the reference to sir would create distance, but instead, his grin broadened, as if he’d guessed her deepest secret.
They moved to the edge of the pool, and Trevor pushed the button on the watch. They raised arms, and took a diving form, and counted, “Three…two…one…go.”
Water splashed over the cement platform as the two went under. She felt his arm brush her and then push away to allow them space to swim. Each time they hit the far side together, and each time the pace grew more intense. The competition invigorated her, and she felt alive.
Finally, Trevor yelled, “Last time,” as they began the final lap. Both competitors surfaced at the same time.
Melanie coughed her denial. “No way!”
Trevor pushed himself above the water and onto the side with little effort. Once on his feet, he reached a hand down to pull her up. She grabbed hold, and yanked him back in.
“This isn’t over yet, Mr. Physically Fit.”
“I’m afraid it is, Miss Competitive.” He pushed her head under and when she surfaced, he was standing on the edge of the pool with his hand extended once again.
“Truce, little lady? I kind of like the idea of us being equals in this first endeavor.”
“First?” Melanie gulped as he drew her upward with ease.
“Definitely. I demand a rematch,” Trevor said.
She laughed and moved to a safe distance, grabbed a towel, wrapped it around her body and knotted it in the front. He slapped the seat next to him. “Join me for a night cap?”
“Great idea. It will provide a good sleeping pill.”
“It is one hundred percent alcohol-free. Not one’s usual knock-out juice.” Trevor poured the red liquid into the glasses. “Do you usually retire at ten o’clock?”
“Well, not always, but I’m a working girl, and the last few days have been rather exhausting.”
“But officially, you’re still on holidays, right?”
“Right…sort of.” Melanie’s eyes clouded, and her hands trembled uncontrollably. She twisted her fingers together, but the unchecked change in demeanor did not escape Trevor Knight, who lifted her chin with his finger to meet his gaze.
Magnetism held her there, while fear glazed over his eyes. “Melanie, you’re hiding something from me.”
“Not on purpose.” How could she say that she found being close to him emotionally riveting
