By Monday afternoon Marty had gotten a good start on Brody's room. She did make the theme about police officers but kept them cheerful, colorful, and busily traversing the streets of a park. A happy patrol car, driven by a golden-haired officer with big blue eyes, made its way down a curvy road surrounded by playgrounds, a lake, and trees with smiling trunks.
She hadn't seen Jake for a couple days, which was okay by her. She just wanted to avoid the man as much as possible while she finished up her job here and then got far away from him. He was dangerous. He made her want to do foolish things.
Marty grabbed a rag and wiped sweat from her forehead. It was August and you could tell it. The temperature was over 90º and the air conditioning was fighting to keep the house cool, but it felt like a losing battle. Her white tank top clung to her damp body.
She thought longingly of that big, lovely pool out back. A swim sounded perfect right now. Although Jake had assured her she was welcome to use it anytime, shyness held her back. But she was the only one home right now. Nora had taken the kids to story time at the library in town, Joe was gone to pick up some supplies for the horses, and Jake had driven into Nashville on business. Surely a quick dip wouldn't hurt anything.
Mind made up, Marty cleaned up her paints and headed straight out to Big Red to change into her bikini. Gruff wound around her legs as she maneuvered into her suit.
"Okay, okay, you can go with me. Just don't run off, got it?" She grabbed a towel and headed towards the pool, Gruff trailing behind, the sun blazing overhead. It felt like heaven when she slipped into the water.
She did a few laps then turned over and floated on her back, utterly relaxed. She noticed a bank of clouds darkening the horizon in the west but they still looked far off. She closed her eyes and let herself drift, her mind wandering aimlessly. But of course, then she had to go and think about Jake.
Damn the man. He was like some sort of sorcerer, weaving his magic around her. And it wasn't just his kisses that caught her attention. It was everything about him. Whether he was sitting on the porch strumming his guitar or playing ball with the kids, he looked good to her. His black hair fell over his forehead, brushing against dark, thick eyebrows. Sometimes when he was really focused on something he chewed on his lower lip. Other times he'd throw back his head and laugh, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
The splash of another body entering the pool startled her back to alertness just in time to see Jake bobbing to the surface, his hair wet and glistening. Marty shook her head quickly and blinked at him. Apparently just thinking of him conjured him up.
"Jake. When did you get here?" Marty quickly let her feet sink to the bottom of the pool, standing in neck deep water.
"I got home about 15 minutes ago. I saw you from the balcony and couldn't resist joining you. Hope you don't mind."
"Of course not. Why would I? I mean, after all, it is your pool." She tried to keep her voice casual. "In fact, I was just about ready to get out."
"Oh, I see." He tilted his head and eyed her challengingly. "I guess that means you don't want to participate in The Great Swimming Pool Race? Okay, if you're chicken." He turned his back and started wading towards the edge of the pool
"Chicken? Me? Never." She had to admit it—she did have a competitive streak that was easily provoked.
"Okay then. Let's say three laps and because you're short, I'll give you a half a lap head start."
"Short, am I? I don't need your pity, Jake Stryker. I'll have you know I earned a letter in swimming back in high school. You can keep your handicap." She pushed her wet hair out of her eyes and tilted her chin haughtily.
"All righty then." He climbed up the stairs and stood at the edge of the pool. "Let's get this race underway."
Marty mounted the short ladder and stepped out of the pool. Jake's mouth dropped open at the sight of her.
Crap. She really hadn't thought she'd get caught swimming so she'd worn her skimpiest bathing suit. Two tiny pieces of shiny bronze fabric with ties at the hips. She suddenly felt exposed in the costume that left her almost naked. Well, too late now to change.
Besides, he didn't have much more on than her. His sun-bronzed chest was bare, and Marty got her first good look at his gorgeous thighs. Strong and muscular, sculpted to perfection. Gulp. At this rate, she wouldn't be able to catch her breath well enough to make it through the first lap. With determination, she took her mark counted to three, then shouted go.
Jake easily pulled away from her at first but her strokes were strong and steady. She made a beautiful flip at the end of the pool and nearly caught up with him. She dared peek up and realized she was holding her own, with him just a foot or so ahead. Then another flip and she started on her last lap. She poured on the steam and managed to touch the other end of the pool just an instant after he did.
Both of them turned around and lay their necks on the edge of the pool gasping for air. It had been a close race. Jake was long and lean and cut like a knife through the water with his powerful arms, but Marty had grit and determination on her side. And she was fast. Very fast. If her mother could have afforded better coaches Marty would have probably gone to the Olympics.
"You're good, little lady, real good, but"—he paused dramatically and clasped his hands above his head—"I am the winner and still grand champion of Misty Melody Farms International Water Games."
"Oh, and he's modest, too." Marty pointed out, grinning widely.
"Madam, conceit does not run in my family." He raised his eyebrow at her before they said in unison, "It gallops."
They both burst into laughter. She liked playing with Jake. His sense of humor meshed with hers and he was so relaxed most of the time she found herself relaxing around him as well. If it wasn't for that darn sexual attraction thing she thought they could actually be good friends…even if he was a musician.
They lounged there for a few more minutes before a dark shadow overtook them. The storm was fast approaching, lightning beginning to flash in the western sky.
"Looks like we're about to get a gully washer. Guess we better get out before that lightning gets any closer." Jake moved reluctantly towards the edge of the pool, taking her hand and pulling her behind him. "Playtime's over."
They exited the pool and Marty immediately felt the chill. The wind had picked up and it felt like the temperature had fallen at least 10 to 15 degrees. She grabbed her towel and wrapped it around her body, Gruff rose from where he'd been stretched out along the deck and came to rub around her ankles.
"I better hustle if I'm going to make it to Big Red before it starts raining." Marty clutched the towel over her breasts, somehow feeling that she wanted to stay with him longer. "Oh, and here come the kids."
They heard the slamming of car doors and the call of little voices. Nora could be heard urging them to hurry into the house before the storm broke.
"Well, see ya." She knew she sounded awkward but couldn't help it. This felt like an awkward situation.
"Okay." He turned and started to talk walk away. "Hey, if it's starts getting too bad out you and Gruff come to the house. We've got a basement, you know."
"Sure, all right." She gave a casual wave and headed down to the RV. It would have to be a hell of a storm to drive her into his presence.