Page 146 of I Dreamt That You Loved Me

I assumed he was talking about singing, but I was distracted by the heat of his touch. It spread through my body like a wildfire.

My stomach fluttered like there were butterflies trapped inside, beating their wings to break free.

When he released my calf and pushed off the wall, treading water in the middle of the deep end, I pulled my legs to my chest and wrapped my arms around them, resting my chin on my knees.

Water spiked his long lashes, and his dark hair was slicked back. He looked like a bronzed god with the face of a romantic poet, but I refused to be so easily swayed by his good looks or his sculpted muscles.

“So what’s your new song about?” My brows arched. “It had better be worth all the sleep I lost.”

He grimaced. “Shit, sorry. I’ve gotten so used to living alone…” His voice trailed off and he bit his lip then cleared his throat. “Won’t happen again. So, what are you up to today? How about we?—"

I cut him off before he threw out a tempting offer that would distract me. “I have to do some work.” I stood then remembered the tattoo and made a circular motion with my hand. “Turn around. I need to see something.”

He gave me a mischievous grin. “Do you think the view is better from the back? Or are you looking for something in particular?”

“Can you just get out of the water real quick so I can see it?” I flashed him a smile. “Pretty please.”

He tilted his head. “Why? Do you want to inspect the artwork?”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Just let me see it.”

“Youreallywant to see this tattoo, don’t you? What will I get in exchange?”

“I’m not bargaining with you.” My eyes narrowed on him. “I need to verify if you’re an art thief.”

With a laugh, he started doing the backstroke away from me. “If you want to see it, you’ll have to dive into the pool, Baby Blue.”

Baby Blue?

I glared at him, but he was already at the opposite end of the pool and my glare didn’t carry a lot of weight from this distance. So I rounded the pool, but as soon as I got close, he turned and did the backstroke in the other direction.

“Har-har-har,” I said.

“Har-har-har,” he responded.

Forget it. I wasn’t going to play these childish games. I was just going to march right past and continue on my merry way. Until he gripped the edge of the pool as if he was about to get out before ducking under the water again.

What a tease.

But I’d caught a small glimpse, enough to further pique my curiosity.

“The water is so cool and refreshing. You don’t know what you’re missing,” he called from the middle of the pool where he was floating on his back with his eyes closed.

Tempting. I debated for a few seconds. It was hot and muggy, and the waterdidlook refreshing.

I stripped down to my faded orange bikini, tossed my clothes aside and took a running leap. I was aiming for the center of his chest, on a mission to sink him like a battleship, but missed by a mile.

He immediately spun around and changed tactics, wading backward into the shallow end before propping his elbows on the wall behind him and giving me a sexy, come-hither smile punctuated by a wink. “Curiosity got the black cat. Look at that. She chases.”

“Only when the mouse plays juvenile games.”

“Who are you calling a mouse?” He looked at me through hooded eyes and swiped his tongue over his lips. “I want to lick the beads of water off your chest. Untie your bikini with my teeth.” His lip curled in that sexy way he had, like Billy Idol circa 1980s.

My nipples strained against the fabric. God. I was so easily turned on it was embarrassing.

That lip curl was nearly my undoing.Nearly.

“Interesting,” I said, my voice breathier than I would have preferred. I inspected my indigo nails. “Because all I want is to see your tattoo.”