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His eyes narrow, those impossibly blue irises darkening like storm clouds. "What I understand is that you're trespassing. In my pool. Naked."
I can't help it—I laugh. It's that or cry, and I refuse to give him the satisfaction. "Guilty as charged on all counts. Though in my defense, I had no idea anyone had moved in."
I toss my wet hair over my shoulder, ignoring the water dripping down my back. "Look, I live next door, and I've been using this pool all spring. No harm, no foul, right?"
Austin's gaze rakes over me, a mix of irritation and something hotter simmering beneath the surface. "I'd hardly call breaking and entering 'no harm’."
"Breaking and entering?" I scoff, gesturing to the open gate with my chin. “The gate’s been broken for forever, so technically, you should thank me for alerting you to a security issue.”
The woman beside him clears her throat, tapping furiously on her tablet. "Mr. Rhodes, would—should I get started on the master bedroom?"
He waves her off, his eyes never leaving mine. "Yes. Thank you, Amelia. I’ll be in after I’ve dealt with this…situation."
I roll my eyes. "Oh please, don't let little old me disrupt your busy billionaire schedule. I'll just grab my things and be on my merry way."
"Not so fast," Austin growls, taking a step closer to the pool's edge. "We're not done here."
The tension crackles between us, electric and dangerous. I know I should be embarrassed—ashamed, even—but something about his authoritative tone grates on my nerves. I’m not some naughty schoolgirl to be scolded.
“Actually,” I counter, cocking an eyebrow, “we are. Unless you’d like to join me for a swim?”
His eyes widen fractionally, and for a moment, I think I've rendered the great Austin Rhodes speechless. Then his lips curve into a predatory smile that sends a shiver down my spine.
"Don't tempt me, trouble," he purrs, his voice like velvet over steel. "You might not like the results."
Oh, but I think I would.
I push off the wall with a lazy stroke, letting the water lap around me. “Look,” I say, trying for casual, “I didn’t know anyone had moved in. It was just a harmless swim. No big deal.”
Austin’s gaze follows me, his expression unreadable but intense. “No big deal?” His voice drops, silk and steel. “Breaking and entering is a crime. I could have you arrested.”
I roll my eyes. “Breaking and entering? Really? If anything, I was doing this pool a favor. It was practically begging for attention.”
There’s a beat of silence. Then, to my surprise, the corner of his mouth twitches. Just slightly. That predatory smile is back, wider, and oh. Oh. It’s the kind of smile that could make a girl forget her own name. He studies me with an intensity that makes my skin tingle.
Then he tilts his head, his smile deepening. “You should count yourself lucky, trouble. If I weren’t in such a good mood today, this conversation might’ve gone differently.”
“Lucky?” I scoff, refusing to be intimidated. “Let me guess—this is the part where you threaten to call the cops?”
“Only if you leave without agreeing to replace the bottle of scotch I’ll need after dealing with this,” he drawls.
I laugh, the sound bubbling up unbidden. Damn him. He’s insufferable, but I can’t deny the spark crackling between us.
“Deal,” I say, my voice laced with defiance. “But only if you promise not to sick Cujo on me next time.”
“Djinn,” he corrects, his eyes glinting with humor. “And that depends entirely on how well you behave.”
“Oh, I never behave,” I reply, pushing off the wall with a smirk. “But something tells me you already knew that.”
As I glide away, I feel his gaze burning into me, electric and unapologetically intrigued. So much for peace and quiet.
The auditorium buzzes with excitement as I guide my students through their final bows. Glitter rains down from homemade banners, catching the stage lights and transforming the chaos into something magical. Parents cheer, siblings wave wildly, and the faint hum of a hundred simultaneous conversations creates a symphony of post-performance euphoria. I clap along with the crowd, my chest swelling with pride as my students beam under the spotlight.
"Great job, everyone!" I call out, my voice straining to rise above the din. "Remember to thank your families for coming!"
A few of the kids run up for high fives, their faces flushed with the adrenaline of a successful show. My heart melts as I see the pure joy radiating off them. Moments like these make the long hours of rehearsals and lesson plans worth every second.
The principal gets on the microphone, her voice cutting through the chatter. "Families, please come forward to collect your star performers! We'll release them directly to you."