Page 60

Recovering quickly, Florian grinned at me. “Esme said we could ask you to come swim with us.”
“Yeah?”
Belle came forward, and I tried not to wince as she trailed water across my hardwood floor. She gazed up at me with her big brown eyes, pushed the yellow floatie wrapped around her upper arm out of the way so she could take my hand and said, “You want to, don’t you?”
For a mind control technique, it was simple yet effective. “I sure do.” It was a strong boost to the ego that Florian and Tiana immediately cheered. “Give me five minutes, guys.”
I grinned when they ran outside, yelling, “He said yes!”
Five minutes later, when I came out in swim shorts, I flicked a quick glance at Esme. She was sitting on the edge of the pool in a cherry red bikini, her moonlight hair pulled back in a tight braid, and sunglasses on. Looking hot as fuck. I felt her eyes on me as I walked towards the pool, felt that familiar tension in my belly, and decided the best way to break it was to get us both wet. Without warning, I did a quick run up and cannon balled into the pool. I surfaced to shrieks of laughter and Esme’s wry,
“Wow, thanks for that.”
I swam closer and, in a voice low enough that the kids couldn’t hear, said, “Just thought you didn’t look wet enough.”
She arched her brow and chuckled. “Oh, I’m wet enough. Don’t worry about that.”
I sucked in a breath and turned away before I laid hands on her. “Okay, kids. You dragged me out here. What are we gonna do?”
“Volleyball!” Florian answered instantly.
“Alright then. Who wants to be on my team?”
“Belle and Ariel,” Esme answered instantly. “Ariel’s the only one who’s had swimming lessons, and Belle can go on your shoulders. That way you guys can be in the deep end.”
“Sounds great.”
It turns out playing pool volleyball with the Whites was a hell of a lot of fun. Of course, being able to discreetly perv on Esme added to the enjoyment. Until she was reaching for the ball and the strings on her bikini loosened. She had to grab them to stop her top from coming off. Passing the ball to Florian, she quickly retied them before anyone but me noticed.
“Wolfe, catch!” Florian shouted, bringing my attention back to the game. I lunged for the ball, just barely managing to keep it in play and not topple Belle into the water. She yelped and her little hands gripped my head.
“Nice save!” Esme said with a sly grin. She absolutely knew I’d been checking her out.
“Thanks,” I replied, letting my gaze rove over her hot, wet body, grinning when she blushed and turned away. Two could play at this game, sweetheart. And Ialwaysplayed to win.
Clearing her throat, Esme said, “I think it’s time for a snack,” and got out of the pool. Just before stepping through the French doors, she glanced at me over her shoulder. Yep, of course I was still perving, as discreetly as I could, with the kids around. But she caught me, and I saw the smile curve her lips as she went inside.
When she returned, carrying a tray full of fruit, chips, and sandwiches, we took a break from the pool and sat around the outdoor table to eat. I realized Belle couldn’t reach the food easily, so I said, “Hey, you need some help there?”
“Yes, please.”
I filled a plate for her and lifted her onto my lap, since all the other seats were taken. She settled back, eating her sandwich with gusto and I glanced up to find Esme’s eyes on us. I frowned, because there was something about her expression that confused me. It was a weird sort of unreadable look and when her gaze met mine, she looked away hastily. What the fuck was that about?
After that, Esme was a little subdued through the rest of the meal, but when Tiana asked if we could swim some more, she smiled and agreed. We all piled back into the pool, playing until the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the yard. Finally, Esme said it was time for everyone to get out.
The kids argued, of course, and trying to be helpful, I said, “Alright, who’s up for pizza?”
Esme’s brow creased again, and I realized I’d fucked up somehow. But it was too late, because the kids were already excited. “Showers first,” she said as she began clearing up the plates and cups from the afternoon snack.
I waited until the kids had dried off and gone inside, before saying to Esme, “Did I do something wrong?”
“What? No, of course not.” Since she refused to look at me, I knew she was lying, so I stepped closer.
“Esme.”
Letting out a sigh, she stopped what she was doing and raised her eyes to mine. “It’s just...I’m trying to work out my new budget and I’m not sure I can afford things like pizza.”
Irritation stirred in my chest. “For fuck’s sake, you think I expect you to pay for it?”