Once the party had moved to the pool house, the crowd became wild. Even Pat Gurrister joined in the fun. Brad laughed at the older woman who didn’t care that she was making a spectacle of herself as she flirted outrageously, but he was glad she’d let them continue with the party.

Brad had been to many parties; thousands upon thousands, but this one seemed to take the prize for the most entertaining. Even the other people at the party agreed.

He removed his shirt, shoes, and socks and joined in the fun. He followed the wild group of men as they searched through the party to find those women who hadn’t gotten wet. They took turns in snatching the women and throwing them in the pool.

By now, everybody had gotten wet at least once, and Brad’s enthusiasm waned to a dull roar. Who else could he tease? Quickly, he scanned the area for Breanna, and just as he’d suspected, she was nowhere in sight. He should have made it a point to personally escort her into the pool when they first began throwing people in.

There was no time like the present.

On his way out the door, Amanda walked by, so he grabbed her arm, stopping her. “Hey, honey? Have you seen my tiger?”

Amanda’s eyes widened in surprise. “Tyger? Breanna actually told you her first name? I can’t believe she’s letting you call her that in public. She hates that name.”

Brad swiped his fingers through his long wet hair, pushing it back on his head. “What are you talking about? I’ve nicknamed her tiger.”

She laughed. “You nicknamed her tiger? So, you don't know Tyger is her real name?”

It was Brad’s turn to be shocked. “Are you saying Breanna’s name is really tiger? Like the striped animal?”

“Well, yes, except it’s spelled with a Y instead of an I. Her full name is Tyger Breanna Loveland.”

He was at a loss for words, which was something that never happened. Shy and quiet Breanna Loveland was exactly opposite of her first name. He grinned. No wonder she’d snapped at him when he first called her that.

“I accidentally saw it on her tax form,” Amanda continued. “She doesn’t know I know, but I’ve heard from someone else that she just hates the name.”

He smiled wider. “She’ll learn to like it. I promise you that. Now, do you know where she is?”

Amanda pointed toward her apartment, and he took off running. When he sauntered inside, Tyger was kneeling on the floor picking up small pieces of cracker crumbs. He took a few minutes to watch her. Even through her baggy jeans, he detected a hint of a nice bottom. Why she chose to wear clothes that were at least two sizes too big was beyond him.

“Hey, Tyger, honey?” Her head snapped up and she met his gaze. “What are you doing in here? The party moved into the pool, remember?”

She smiled. “I know. I just thought I would clean up a bit.”

“Why? Don’t you want to get wet like me?” He quickly swept her up into a big bear hug. She laughed and tried to push him away from his damp body.

“No, I don’t want to get wet.”

“Can you swim?”

“Of course I can swim. I just don’t feel like... Ahhh—” She screamed as he lifted her in his arms. “Brad, what are you doing?”

He didn’t answer, but carried her toward the front door.

She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. “Don’t you dare! Brad Montgomery, put me down.”

“I’ll put you down in a minute.”

“No, you won’t. I know what you want to do, and I’m not going to let you throw me in the water like you’ve been doing to everyone else. Now put me down. Besides, I don’t want to get my glasses wet.”

He grinned. “Fine. If it’ll make you feel better, I won’t throw you in the pool, but I’ll carry you in and gently set you inside the water... and we can leave your glasses here.” He removed her glasses and set them on a shelf by her front door.

“Brad, no! Brad—” She struggled in his arms as they walked out of the apartment and toward the pool.

His teasing laughter increased as he carried her in, walking right down the steps. Being careful not to slip, he steadied himself as he waded in the warm water until he reached the deep area where the water slapped against his mid chest. His little Tyger screamed the whole time, which caused everyone to stop and watch. Brad could tell by the sparkle in her eyes and her relaxed expression, she wasn’t really angry at all.

The lapping water rocked him gently, but he held her firm. “Should I put you down now?”

“You’re a pain in my butt.” She splashed water in his face.

He shook his head. “You’ve done it now, Tyger. Nobody splashes water in my face and gets away with it.” Holding his breath, he took them both under the water for a few seconds. When he came back up, she gasped for air and rubbed the excess liquid from her face.

She glared. “All right, put me down. This means war. You’re going to get it now, Brad Montgomery,” she threatened with a grin.

“Ooooh, I’m really scared.”

For the first time since meeting her, a different woman emerged. Stress lines were absent from her face, and when she laughed, her face brightened. When her laughing eyes met his, the golden specks inside the gray sparkled. Tiny drops of liquid clung to her lashes and made them look like specks of diamonds glittering on her face. Something within his stomach jumped, and a feeling he hadn’t experienced for quite some time grew inside of his chest.

Although he knew her feet would touch the bottom of the pool, she still clung to him in a playful action. His arms were reluctant to release his hold, but this strange new desire sweeping through his body made him let go and step back.

Breanna must not have sensed the change in him, because she cupped her hands and splashed water into his face. When he turned his back to block himself against the water, she jumped on him and tried to dunk him under. He kept her from accomplishing this goal, but when the desire inside of him kicked up a notch, he knew he had to get her off him before the new sensation took over completely.

He dipped them beneath the water until she finally let him go, and then he quickly swam away. When he surfaced and looked her way, she remained in the same spot he’d left her. Her laughter let him know she wasn’t aware of the crazy, unexplained emotions jumping inside of him.

Breanna continued to splash water toward him, coaxing him to come back and take some more. That was the problem. He couldn’t take any more without wanting much more. Shaking his head, he rubbed his forehead. She certainly wasn’t the kind of woman he usually dated. So why was he thinking about her that way now?

The more he watched her, the prettier she became. All relaxed and smiling, her face held a natural beauty. Without those large-rimmed glasses, she was a very enchanting woman.

He mentally shook the idea from his thoughts. There was no way he could think such things. He didn’t know what had happened to him just a few minutes ago, but he must stay away from her for the rest of the night. If he didn’t, he’d take the chance of enfolding her in his arms and keeping her that way for the remainder of the party.

Funny, but that wasn’t such a bad idea.

* * * *

AT TWO O’CLOCK IN THE morning, Pat Gurrister announced the party was over. Brad agreed, since some of the guests had disappeared from the swimming pool about an hour before. Although he had the time of his life, he knew when to call it quits.

After waving goodbye to the last guest, he walked beside Breanna back to her apartment. It wasn’t fair to let her cleanup by herself, and he’d promised her she could count on him to help.

Breanna sighed heavily as she stared at the living room. “Well, I guess it could be worse.”

He chuckled. “Yes, I’ve been to parties where the house was completely destroyed. This is nothing compared to what I’ve seen.”

“Before we get started, I’m going to go change into some dry clothes,” she said, pulling her wet T-shirt away from her body.

He didn’t want her to leave. He liked seeing her in wet clothes. He took her hands in a loose hold. “No, don’t go. You can’t change now. If you do, I’ll be the only one wet. Besides, you’ll have to wait until you’re a little drier, then your clothes will come off easier.” He laughed. “If you tried to take them off now, you’d have to ask for my help.” He grinned, teasingly. “Which, of course, I wouldn’t mind giving.”

Her lips tugged into a grin, and an adorable pink blush covered her cheeks. “Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll take your suggestion and wait until I’m a little drier.” She looked back at her messy floor and blew out a gush of air. “Where do we begin?”

“This room is as good as any.”

Alongside Breanna, Brad started to clean, picking up paper plates and napkins, empty cans and bottles. It relieved him the guests weren’t very messy when it came to the food, so there weren’t a lot of food spills to clean up. Breanna vacuumed while Brad straightened, and when one room was completed, they moved to the kitchen and then to each room after that until they ended up in the bedroom.

She glanced at the bed and frowned. Brad noticed the comforter was halfway to the floor. Some of the guests must have been in here.

“Hey, Tyger. I’m sorry about your bed. Some people can be so irresponsible and not have any respect for others’ property.”

He leaned against the door-frame and crossed his arms over his bare chest. The coolness from his damp hair made him shiver. But because his hair was still bound with a rubber-band, it would take longer to dry. He reached back and removed it, then shook his hair. When he looked up, he caught Tyger staring at him, the color of her eyes turned darker than he’d seen before. He liked seeing her this way. Liked it too much.

“I didn’t expect everything to go perfectly,” she said then quickly looked away. “Besides, I don’t care right now. I’m much too happy.” She picked up the pillows scattered on the floor and tossed them on the bed.

Her damp jeans clung to her legs perfectly, and it surprised him to see how slender her body really was. He would’ve never guessed this when he saw her at the office this morning.

She glanced around the room, and then looked at him over her shoulder. She smiled. “Oh, Brad. I can’t believe how happy I am right now.” She swung her arms out and fell backward onto the length of the bed in blissful exhaustion. “And it’s all due to you.”

He liked the blissful expression on her face – the way her eyes sparkled when she smiled. “Me?” he asked innocently, stepping away from the door-frame and closer to the bed.

“Yes, you. If it weren’t for you, I would’ve sat at home tonight feeling lonely and depressed, but instead, I feel wonderful!” Her arms flew above her head and rested on the bed. She giggled. “You know, I feel a little giddy and strange right now, and I haven’t had a drop of alcohol all night.”

“Really?” He stepped closer.

“Yeah. I don’t believe in the stuff. I think a person can have a good time without any help from liquor.”

“I, too, think a lot of people had a good time without getting drunk.”

Her eyes met his. “Did you?”

“Did I what?”

“Did you have a good time without drinking alcohol?”

“Yes, it was the best party I’ve attended in a long time.” Taking one more step closer, his legs touched the bed. Slowly, he sat down by her legs. “I really had an amazing time.” He scooted up next to her, and lay on his side so he could look down at her as his elbow held his body weight. “I’m pleased Mrs. Gurrister let us use the pool.”

“Me, too. At first, I really didn’t want you to get me wet, but I’m glad you did.”

He kept his gaze locked with hers. “Good. I had fun doing it.”

He gently lifted her head, removing the wet scarf holding the ponytail together. His fingers spread her hair out around her. It was definitely long and straight and needed some kind of style. He took a lock between his fingers and caressed. “You do have lovely hair. Is it true that you’ve never cut it?”

“A while ago I cut it because it was down past my waist, but I’ve never had it styled.”

“You’d be surprised at what a style can do to enhance your beauty.”

She chuckled softly. “Oh, Brad. You’re such a flirt. I’m not pretty, and even a haircut couldn’t change that fact.”

He frowned. “Why don’t you think you’re pretty? I happen to think you were hot tonight, and I wasn’t the only man looking.”

“Quit teasing me. Men weren’t looking at me, especially when they had all those other women to ogle.”

“I was looking at you more than the other women,” he confessed in a deep whisper as his heart pounded in an irregular beat. He leaned closer, and he liked the fact she didn’t push him away. “I watched you play in the pool with all of the other guys, and I wished that they would just leave. I wanted to be the only one in the water with you.”

“You...you...you could’ve come back and played with us...me,” she stuttered.

“No. Not when strange feelings came over me whenever you were near.” His face was just inches away from hers. Her gaze dropped to his mouth. He wanted to kiss her so badly. Would she push him back? He hoped she didn’t.

“What kind of feelings?” she whispered.

“The same kind that I’m having right now, that I’ll die if I don’t kiss you.” He leaned over and brushed his lips over hers; once, twice, then closed his eyes and fully covered her mouth.

She gasped. Thankfully, she didn’t stop him. Instead, her hands circled his shoulders, pulling him closer as she moved her lips back and forth with his.

Her mouth was soft, so sweet. Passion flared inside him, and he had to have more. He touched his tongue to her lips until she parted her mouth and allowed him entry.

A gentle moan escaped her, and she tightened her hold around his neck. He cuddled closer as he moved his hand from her hip, slowly, over her stomach and to the knot on her almost dry shirt. With one pull, he loosened the knot and slid his hand underneath to rest on her stomach.

Her body stiffened and she pushed away from him. “Brad, this is wrong. We can’t do this.”

Disappointment washed over him, and he wanted her back in his arms. He reached for her, but she moved farther away. “Tyger, honey? What’s the matter?”

“This is very wrong. I have a boyfriend. I can’t do this to Tom.”

Brad shook his head, not fully understanding. Why would she even care about Tom? Especially after tonight when the jerk cancelled their date? “Tyger, honey? You’re not married to him, and I want you now,” he said, huskily.

She jumped off the bed. “Don’t you see? If I continue kissing you, I’m admitting I don’t love Tom, and I do love him. Why else would I want to be his wife?”

In defeat, Brad blew out a gush of air and rolled off the bed. He tenderly caressed her cheek. “I’ll leave you now, Tyger, but I want you to know I’m not giving up. You’re not married yet.” He kissed her briefly on the lips. “Thanks for a wonderful time, before, during, and especially after the party.” He turned around to leave.

“Wait!” Her voice rose in panic. “Will... I ever see you again?”

He touched her cheek in a soft caress. “Yes. I’ll be staying at home for a while. I’ll definitely see you again. You can count on that. I have some unfinished business with you that I can’t wait to finish.” He walked out of the bedroom, and out of the apartment. The only thing on his mind was trying to figure out how to get her away from her deadbeat boyfriend.