Chapter 9

After a fairly sleepless night, Vivian arrived at Rock’s house to make use of his swimming pool. She’d been on the verge of making a U-turn and bail about a dozen times, but she’d rationalized that it was him who’d made up the training regimen and it was nothing but business. He didn’t have to offer his pool if he hadn’t wanted to.

That exact idea caused her to shiver. He might have brushed her off with his arrogant remarks, but she wasn’t a fool and she’d seen the blank desire in his eyes. If he unleashed that restrained passion on her…more shivers racked her body. It was a terrifying thought. But what was more terrifying was the way her body reacted to him. She’d been wet for him even while she cursed him.

Vivian parked in the driveway and rang the bell. A woman in her forties opened the door and smiled at her.

“Hello, is Rock home? He’s expecting me.”

“You must be Miss Armstrong. Mr. Martens told me you’d be using the pool this morning. I’m very sorry but he’s not up yet, but please come in and I’ll show you to the pool house. Can I get you anything?”

“No, thank you. Are you sure this is okay? Maybe I should come back later…” Vivian said, hesitating.

“Nonsense. Mr. Rock offered you the pool for your training and I’m sure he’ll put in an appearance sometime before you are ready to leave. If not, please come to the kitchen – that’s where I’ll be.”

Vivian smiled at the friendly woman and nodded saying, “I’ll do that.”

“Good. Enjoy your morning swim.” The housekeeper bustled off, leaving Vivian alone in the massive pool house. She slipped her t-shirt and denim shorts off, setting them on a nearby lounger, along with her car keys and towel.  Beneath she wore the only one-piece bathing suit she owned, a black number that was cut high above her hip bones, and dipped low in the back, but it would resist a starting dive from the block and rigorous swimming.

Sighing, she took a shower and then jumped right into the pool, marveling at the soft and cool water flowing around her body. Swimming was the next best thing to zero gravity. She floated on her back, closing her eyes to the warming rays of sunshine, until she finally turned over and crawled.

Three arm strokes, breathe, another three strokes, breathe…until she’d reached the other end. Her mind wandered as she kept the leisurely pace lap after lap. This part of the training actually proved to be fun.

Vivian neither worried about the upcoming race, nor the work waiting for her. She floated completely careless along the surface of the pool, sensing peace and freedom. Life’s good!

Then she glimpsed a shadow at the edge of the pool and turned on her back to see Rock standing there, staring at her with unconcealed lust in his eyes. Suddenly her heart thumped in her throat and she was burning up. Not even the cool water dampened her arousal.

Peace and freedom were fleeting away. Unsure what was expected of her, she swam to the ladder and exited the water.

Rock’s piercing gaze raked over her body, leaving a hot trail in his path as if he’d actually touched her. The heat in her body intensified and she reached for the safety of her oversized towel, wrapping her entire body in the plush material, before she dared to face him. Blood rushed to her cheeks as she wondered if he liked what he saw.

“Good morning, mermaid.” Rock’s disarming smile didn’t do anything to calm her nerves. She hadn’t felt as stupid and gauche since her early teen years.

“Hi,” she whispered, her eyes cast to the ground until she finally swallowed back her nerves and found the courage to meet his gaze. A charge of electricity surged through her.

Rock’s smile broadened and his eyes darkened with desire. They stood in front of each other for a few minutes, neither of them able to speak or move, until he broke the silence.

“Your swimming isn’t bad. Want me to give you a few hints?” he asked, the lustful look in his eyes slowly fading as he focused on her technique.

“I guess so.”

“You need to lengthen your body along the surface of the water and stretch your arms out to their full length when reaching forward. This will help propel you across the water faster and with less effort.” He grabbed his crutches with one hand and showed her with the other one what he meant.

Hot desire flooded her body. With one simple movement, he’d grown at least two inches and his impressive pectorals jumped beneath the blue T-shirt he wore. Her eyes followed the path of his arm all the way up into the sky and back down along his front in a perfect s-shape.

“S…tretch my arms all the way out…I can do that,” she stammered like a babbling idiot. The sexual chemistry bubbling up had transformed her brain cells into mush.

“Give it a try,” he challenged her, raising one brow sardonically at her obvious lack of intelligence.

Vivian dropped the towel and slipped back into the water. She implemented his suggestions, amazed at how little effort she needed to glide through the water. Grateful for his assistance, she swam several more laps, increasing her speed with each one.

***

Rock had woken from a slumber filled with erotic dreams about Vivian after sleeping longer than usual. His taut body was still on edge, yearning for release, and observing her clad in that black swimming suit hadn’t done anything to relieve the tension.

Vivian crawled in the water, pure elegance and seductiveness. He stared at his air cast, wishing he could get rid of it and dive into the cool wetness to chase her. Alexa his housekeeper had pointed him to the pool, her only comment a cryptic one that his taste had improved and this one didn’t appear to be like the others.

Not that there have been that many in recent months. Rock had all but given up on dating, sick of the games the celebrity women who sought after him played. And then Vivian literally crashed into his life. His eyes followed her lithe figure swimming back and forth. God, she’s beautiful!

His rude behavior from the day before weighed heavy on his shoulders. He’d done his best to push Vivian away, but that wasn’t what he wanted. I’ll invite her for dinner tonight and apologize. We’ll start over with a clean plate.

It seemed like a great plan, until he received a text from Tommy.

All set up! Meet CD Wed for lunch. Loc follows.

The letters swam before his eyes. CD – Carla Dawson. He’d all but forgotten about her while admiring Vivian. Rock’s good mood dissipated and he hobbled over to lower himself to a sun lounger.

As the elation of observing Vivian faded to the background, the throbbing of his broken ankle and the itching skin jangled his nerves. He stared at the air cast with disgust and then back at the pool where Vivian’s willowy body sliced through the still water.

Her strength belied her small frame and the way she plowed through the water was controlled and … graceful. His body tightened at the sudden vision of her stretched out across his bed, begging him to take her.

By the time Vivian climbed from the pool a few minutes later, he sported some serious wood and draped a huge towel over his lap and legs to hide his arousal from her.

“Are you cold?” Vivian asked as she approached him with a bright smile.

“No…yes…I mean…it was rather chilly.” I’m burning up.

“May I?” her electric blue eyes pierced him in place and he stared blankly at her. “The towel, please?”

“Oh, sure.” Rock took the towel and gave it to her, praying his erection would disappear fast enough so he wouldn’t scare her off.

No. Such. Luck.

Vivian took the offered towel and wiped the excess water from her skin, causing his desire to go haywire. Then she bent over to rub her hair dry and came up with a turban around her head and the most gorgeous smile he’d ever seen. As she stood in front of him, in her tight swimming suit, he saw the beaded nipples beneath the thin material.

Rock clenched his fists around the edges of the sun lounger to prevent himself from jumping up to grab her and pull her against himself. He needed to get a grip. Fast!