My stomach rolled again and I looked around for my bottled water. I didn’t know how long jetlag was supposed to last, but I was tired of it. I hadn’t felt fully energized since I had been in Brazil.

I was ready to send my story to Vic, but I wanted to check a few final facts before I hit send. I chugged the water, replaced the cap, and dropped it into my bag. The aquatics center wasn’t far. I could be back in an hour and upload everything to the server.

I reached the rectangular building and noticed the lights. Blaine had said it looked like a ghost town this morning, but as I pulled open the double doors, it was anything but.

I marched inside, searching for the main competitors’ pool. I stared at the spectacle in front of me.

The crowd cheered.

I walked up to one of the reporters on the end of the first row.

“What’s going on?”

Her eyes lit excitedly. “Blaine Crews is warming up. It’s amazing to watch him.”

“What?” My brows knitted together.

“He’s been in there an hour probably. God, he’s gorgeous.” She sighed, and I thought about swiping the puppy love look off her face.

“Thanks.”

I stepped closer to watch him take another lap.

I felt the anger bead in my veins. Another lie. Another playboy move to get me back in bed. There was no story. The pool wasn’t closed. Blaine was swimming while the entire world watched him cross one length after another.

And now what? I didn’t have anything to give to Vic. Nothing. Not a single damn story. I didn’t have anything feel-good or newsworthy. What I had was a bunch of pickup lines from a professional player.

I could kill him for what he had done. I growled lowly and stomped toward the swim block where his coach held the timer outright.

“Ava?”

I turned around at the shock of hearing my name. I stood awkwardly staring at my former boss.

“Wow. Phil. Hi.”

He stood from the seats. “Good to see you here. Looks like you still have the Blaine Crews beat.”

“Something like that.” I wasn’t going to explain my reason for marching in to see the swimmer.

Phil had on a blue polo like always. He adjusted his glasses. “You know I hated how things went for you down in Sydney.”

I held up my hands to stop him from embarrassing both of us. I didn’t want to relive the shame again.

“Really, Phil. It’s water under the bridge. I have a new job—I love it.”

“Really? That’s great. I’m glad to hear it.”

I tried to smile. The anger for Blaine was bubbling under my skin. I wanted to get my hands around his neck.

“It was good to see you again,” I lied.

“You too. Maybe we can get a drink or something before the games are over.”

“Maybe.” I stepped away and turned. I was not interested in spending time with anyone from Sports Now.

I continued my march toward the dive block, ignoring the signs to stay behind the sold red line painted on the tile.

I recognized Blaine’s coach.

“I need to speak to Blaine,” I announced.

His eyes focused on the time. “Come on, damn it,” he muttered.

“Excuse me?”

“I’m talking to Blaine.” He never looked up.

“Well, I would like to talk to Blaine.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“He’s in the pool and he isn’t doing any interviews until Opening Ceremonies. Are you on the list?” he asked absently.

“Oh, I’m on a list.”

There was a burst of excitement behind us as Blaine touched the wall and emerged from the water.

He slid the swim cap from his hair, dipping his head backward in the pool. He pushed himself from the surface, shaking the water from his hair. My mouth dropped as I watched the droplets glide over his skin, rolling over his torso and dropping toward that deep V of sinful muscles. Shit.

“How was that?” he asked his coach.

“You’re off pace, but it’s warm-ups.”

I cleared my throat and Blaine whipped his head in my direction.

“Ava.”

I couldn’t let his thrilling shirtless wet body get to me.

“You owe me an explanation.” I glared at him.

“Aww, love, what’s wrong this time?”

I hated and loved that pet word all at once. “You fed me a bogus story, Blaine Crews,” I fumed.

“What are you talking about?”

I knew the chatter behind us had stopped. Everyone was leaning toward us to listen to our exchange.

“The pool?” I looked around us. “It looks fully functional to me.”

“It wasn’t. I swear.” He cocked one eyebrow up in confusion, while his muscles glistened under the lights.

“And you conveniently showed up here to swim in front of two hundred members of the press. Come on, I know this was planned. I can’t believe you. For a minute today, I almost believed you. Almost.” I spun on my heels, catching a slick patch on the tile.

My arms flew out to the side as my feet gave way and I squealed for something to break my fall. That something was Blaine.

“Gotcha, love.” His hand wound around the small of my waist, clutching me with one arm.

I looked into his green eyes and caught the quick wink he gave me while the press went ballistic taking pictures.

“Shit,” I whispered.

He leaned down and pressed a dripping wet kiss against my lips. “Not the first time I’ve caught you in my arms.”

I wiggled for him to free me, but my heels were like slippers on an ice rink. I couldn’t gain any traction on the wet tile. It only made him hold me tighter.

I couldn’t imagine what I looked like. Blaine dripped all over me, smiling and laughing. He didn’t give a shit how this appeared. He was enjoying every minute of it.

“Let me go,” I hissed. I didn’t want to make any more of a scene than I already had.

“Only if you promise something,” he taunted.

“What?” I was at a complete disadvantage. If he let go of my waist I’d fall.

“Drinks tonight.” He waggled his eyebrows.

“Not after what you did today.”

He began to loosen his grip and I squealed, clutching at his shoulders. “Don’t you dare, Blaine. I will land on my ass in front of all those people.”

“So?”

“My old boss is over there,” I whispered. “Please don’t do it.”

He laughed. “The pool was closed. You can ask Jim. So tell me you’re sorry and I won’t drop you on your sexy ass in front of all these reporters.”

The horror spread through me.

“You wouldn’t.” I seethed.

“Wouldn’t I?” There was nothing but cocky mischief in his eyes.

“Fine. One drink, but that’s it.”

“One drink with you is all I need.” He picked me up by the waist and carried me to the textured entryway and placed me on my feet.

He waved to the crowd.

“I’ll pick you up at seven, love. And I’ll be ready for the apology then.”

I groaned and turned for the exit. How the hell had Blaine wrangled that out of me? But I would never tell him I was sorry. Never.