Page 23

Floating on my back, I gaze up at the glass ceiling above me. Nothing but clear, blue skies stare back at me. Aside from my steady breathing, the only sound filling the space is the gentle lapping of water against the pool’s edge every few seconds.

You’d think that with how frequently I see the inside of this place, I’d avoid it on the rare occasion we don’t have practice.

Yet, here I am, breathing in the familiar, heavy scent of chlorine by choice.

After my last class today, I didn’t feel like heading home, so I decided to swim a few laps instead. That was over an hour ago.

My thoughts drift as the water rocks me gently.

If I leave soon, I’ll be able to finish up a paper that’s due Monday and still have time to meet up with Mack and the twins.

It’s Friday, and they plan to hit up a frat party tonight, but I’m not in the mood.

Plus, tomorrow’s the bonfire, and I don’t want to run on empty.

It’s slightly embarrassing how much I’m looking forward to it. But that has more to do with my date than the bonfire itself.

It’s been a week since I went to Bear's place, and we fell asleep on the couch.

Nearly every day since we've found ways to spend time together. Our excuses still revolve around the project—spoiler alert, we never actually talk about it—but at this point, I’ll say and do anything if it means I get to be around her.

Something about that night changed things between us. I feel it with every accidental brush of skin where one of us lingers just a little longer than necessary. Or in the stolen glances, she sneaks my way when she thinks I’m not paying attention.

Yet despite the shift in our relationship, Bear has stayed firm in her decision not to cross any real lines. I don’t understand it, but I respect her enough not to push for more than she is willing to give.

My cheek muscles twitch, and I realize it’s because I’ve been smiling so damn hard just thinking about her.

I should get out of here. I have a paper and homework, and my body is wrecked after a week of practice.

But the desire to see Bear overrides all of that, and fuck me if I’m not already in deep with this girl.

Swimming toward the edge of the pool, I reach the side and dig through my bag until my fingers brush against the familiar metal of my phone. I quickly pull up our text thread and type out a message.

Levi: Are you busy?

It doesn’t take her long to respond.

Bear: No, why?

Levi: Meet me at the pool.

Bear: Why??

Levi: Stop asking so many questions.

Her eye roll emoji response makes me chuckle, which turns into a full-blown smile at her next text.

Bear: See you soon.

Fifteen minutes later, Bear walks through the doors with a duffle bag slung over one shoulder. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to how she completely steals my breath whenever she enters a room.

She’s wearing the same California sweatshirt I pulled out of her box of stuff. I can’t believe that was a few weeks ago. It feels like only yesterday when she showed up outside my door, yet now, I can’t picture my life before her.

Bear shuffles her feet toward the pool's edge, a shy smile playing on her lips. “Hey, Whiskey Eyes.”

“Hey, Teddy Bear.” I wink from my spot in the water.

The nicknames have stuck and may be corny, but man, I love it when she uses it on me. If Mack and the twins could hear me now, they’d have a field day with this information.

Jutting my chin toward the bag, I ask, “You making my year and staying the night with me?”

The slightest blush dusts her cheeks before she shakes her head. Even though I was only half joking, it still takes effort not to let the disappointment show on my face.

“I still owe Macy one for covering for me, so I’m taking her shift tonight. Figured I’d just get done here before I have to go in,” Bear explains, placing her bag next to mine. “Speaking of, is this about the project?”

Her blue gaze finds mine in the water, and I’m struck dumb by how striking they look today. She tilts her head slightly, and I realize she’s waiting for me to answer.

“No,” I say honestly. “I just wanted to see you.”

Her gaze softens, and for once, she doesn’t try to hide the effect my words have on her. It feels like some damn good progress.

“Well, in that case, am I coming in, or are you coming out?” she asks, eyeing the water warily.

“Oh, you’re definitely coming in,” I say with zero hesitation.

One perfectly sculpted brow raises. “What if I didn’t bring a swimsuit?”

I shrug, raking my teeth over my lip. “You wouldn’t see me complaining.”

She rolls her eyes, but her smile remains firmly in place as she slips off her shoes and socks.

What happens next will forever be burned into my memory. And if irony strikes me down and I die drowning, let it be known I went happily.

Bear starts by sliding her leggings down one leg. Once she’s discarded them on the floor, her delicate fingers grip the hem of her sweatshirt. As she slowly lifts it over her head, I momentarily forget how to breathe.

Fuck. Me.

She’s stunning—I always knew she was—but seeing her like this is a whole different level.

The straps of her pink bikini bottoms sit high on her hips, extenuating her long legs. I can’t tear my gaze away. My eyes eagerly drink in every inch of her.

And then she does something that would have my dick hard if it wasn’t already. She adjusts the triangle parts of her bikini top, causing her perky breasts to shift slightly with the movement. My dick is begging for attention of some kind to ease the ache.

Oblivious to the turmoil she’s causing to my poor friend, Bear sits her perfect ass down on the edge of the pool, letting her legs dangle in the water.

“It’s warmer than I thought it would be,” she says nonchalantly, kicking her legs back and forth.

“They keep it at eighty degrees.” My voice is hoarse, and my swim shorts feel painfully tight in the front.

She slips a hairband from her wrist, gathers her long, thick strands in her hands, and secures them into a messy bun.

Now that she’s within touching distance, I notice a faint scar on the lower right part of her toned stomach. Curiosity pulls me forward until I'm standing between her slightly parted thighs.

My finger traces the raised skin, and she shivers under my touch. How did I not notice this the night I put the heating pad on her stomach?

“What happened here?”

“Had to get my appendix removed,” she says softly, gripping the edge of the pool.

My jaw clenches, thinking about how much pain she must have been in.

“I promise it was nothing life-threatening,” Bear jokes poking me in the shoulder.

Forcing my muscles to relax, I lift my gaze, only to come face to face with her bikini-clad breasts. Her cleavage is right there, and the urge to press my face between the valley of her breasts is overwhelming. Her nipples pebble under my gaze, and a groan rumbles at the back of my throat.

Bear’s chest rises and falls as her breathing picks up. I know what I’ll see if I look at her face. Lust. Desire . It would be like looking in a mirror.

She clears her throat and slips past me into the water. I watch her swim away, pleasantly surprised by her form. She’s not half bad, and her breathing technique is solid.

“If the plan was to teach me how to swim, you’re about fifteen years too late,” she shouts from the other side of the pool.

“How about you come back here and race me?”

“No way, you’re like Aquaman.” She huffs, and a laugh bursts out of me.

Pushing off the wall, I swim toward her. When I pop back up, she’s wearing an unimpressed look.

“Meh, I’ve seen faster.”

I would think she was serious if it weren’t for the way her mouth twitches, struggling to hold back a smile.

With mock offense, I splash water in her direction. “Oh, no, you did not just say that to me.”

Droplets cling to her long lashes, and her crystal-blue eyes shine with playfulness.

She’s so damn beautiful.

I rub a hand over my chest as it swells with emotion. Christ, I want to kiss her so badly it physically aches not being able to pull her lips onto mine.

“What?” She asks softly as I continue to stare at her.

“Nothing.”

Bear places a hand on my shoulder, and my gaze locks on where her skin melts into mine. It’s the first time she’s voluntarily touched me without pulling away. But with the way my dick is responding, you’d think she stroked me through my damn shorts.

I reach up, covering my hand with hers, partly to keep it there and partly to make sure I’m not imagining it.

“Tell me, please.” She says.

So I do, because this girl has me wrapped around her finger, and she doesn’t even know it.

“I’m glad you came.” I clear my throat to hide the vulnerability that slipped into my words.

Bear’s eyes flicker with a hint of surprise before they crinkle at the corners as her smile grows. “I’m glad you invited me.”

Her voice is barely above a whisper, yet my whole body fucking tingles with happiness.

We spend the next few hours at the pool, talking and laughing. It’s the most fun I’ve had in a while, and I could stay in the water for the rest of the day with her.

Unfortunately, our time gets cut short when Bear’s phone alarm echoes through the natatorium.

“That’s my cue,” she sighs, swimming to the ladder. “I have to hop in the shower if I want to make it to work on time.”

Disappointment washes over me. The more I let her in, the harder it gets to let her go. I want our moments to last forever.

“Okay,” I say, resigned to parting ways. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

Wrapped in towels, duffel bags slung over our shoulders, I walk her toward the ladies' locker room.

“There should be another door leading to the shower area if it’s set up like ours,” I explain, holding the door open for her.

She ducks under my arm and flashes me a smile. “Thanks, I’ll be as quick as I can. Meet out front when you’re done?”

I nod. “Sounds good.”

Leaving Bear to it, I head right next door to take a shower of my own.