I met his twinkling eyes with a smile. “I should get him into bed,” I said, lifting Finn’s heavy head off Adam’s shoulder.
Adam rose to his feet and nudged me aside. “Don’t wake him. I’ve got this.”
“Thanks.” I stepped aside. “He isn’t as little as he used to be.”
Adam scooped him up with a grunt. “Works for me. I missed my gym session this morning.”
With a flutter of my heart, I watched Adam carry Finn to my bed and gently place him down.
He drew the covers up and scuffed his hair before turning back to me. “What?”
“Nothing,” I murmured, turning my heated cheeks away.
Adam reached for the novel on my nightstand. “Is this your latest escape?”
I grimaced as he flipped through it. “Not a word.”
His panty-dropping smirk grew. “Is it as good as the last one?”
“Adam…”
“Perhaps I’ll read it next,” he continued, encroaching my personal space until only the book separated us. “Underline your favorite scenes for me, will you?”
I snatched the book from his hands. “I think it’s time for bed—for you to go to bed, I mean.”
“I’m hardly going to make a move.” He glanced over at my sleeping son. “I have some boundaries.”
“Wonders never cease.”
He stared into my eyes with a growing smirk. “Goodnight, Cassidy,” he whispered as he floated past. “But don’t think I’ve forgotten about that kiss earlier.”
Sleep did not come. I couldn’t even concentrate on my novel because I couldn’t stop thinking about him. The man across the hallway. The kiss earlier. The yearning Adam induced by his mere proximity was driving me insane. I needed to clear my head, and I needed to cool the fuck down.
Throwing off my covers, I slipped out of bed and rummaged through the closet for the bathing suit I needed for the big race the next afternoon. The two-piece was hardly a competition number, but it would have to do. I didn’t have the time or the money to buy a new one.
Deciding a little stealthy practice was in order, I stepped into my suit and concealed it under my robe. If anyone crossed my path, I would say I was merely fetching a drink.
Once I successfully opened the door, minus creaks, I peered down the dark passageway and crept out of my room. I tiptoed down the stairs and through the hallways until I was standing in front of the large glass doors leading into the indoor pool. I couldn’t risk the outdoor pool, knowing Adam could see it from his bedroom window.
In lieu of turning on the lights, I used the moonlight to guide me toward the glistening water. I dipped my toes over the edge and sighed as the warm water enveloped my foot. I was going to miss this luxury.
While I stared into the still water, preparing to dive, I endeavored to remember my high-school training. I hadn’t raced in thirteen years, and although I talked tough, I had no idea what I was doing. For some reason, I loved riling Adam up. The playful spark he kept hidden from his professional world was intoxicating. Every time I saw him, I wanted more, and it was leading me down a dangerous rabbit hole.
So now, for Finn’s sake, I had to figure out how to walk the walk. I had to win the race or at least be deemed a worthy opponent. A Reiki session with Adam may have sounded innocent enough, but after our first attempt had led to an awkwardly arousing upside-down kiss, I wasn’t sure if I had the strength to stop myself from going further.
I barely caused a ripple as I dove into the water, but I grumbled as I resurfaced barely meters from the edge. I needed a better swimsuit. My breasts were too big for professional swimming. All the boys in high school used to love watching me race—not for my skill, but for myBaywatchbody. Even though I won almost every race, I could never get the respect I deserved. Even my swim coach loved to stare.
When my grandmother died and I had to move back to New York, I put my swimming dreams on hold. And when I fell pregnant months after my return to LA, I gave up on the dream entirely. The window of opportunity had closed.
As I flew through the water, I analyzed every movement. My muscles weren’t as toned as they once were, but I was still fast. Maybe not fast enough to beat Adam, but at least I wouldn’t embarrass myself.
Once my fingers grazed the wall, I pushed through the water’s surface with a gasp.
“I thought you didn’t need the practice?”
I lunged backward as Adam’s shadow loomed overhead. “Adam!” I splashed water up at him. “You frightened me.”
He crossed his arms over his crumpled t-shirt. “Well, now we’re even.”