Стейси Кестуик - Wet

Margaret gave her a quelling look. “I expect you to behave.”

“Always.” Hailey batted her eyelashes.

After giving Hailey one last stern look, Margaret drifted back to the other group.

We picked up the rest of the props and then started herding Cody and Edison back around the other side of the house. We were just passing the pool when an unmistakable deep bay filled the air. We both paused and turned to see General Beauregard loping into the yard from the far side, announcing his arrival. Not far behind him were Wyatt and West. I glanced at Hailey. “Well, this should be interesting,” she murmured.

Cody spotted his uncles. “Wy!” he called out, turning toward them. He started tottering in their direction, Edison dancing around him. As he rounded the pool, he picked up speed, startling Edison, who tried to dart in front of him. Edison yelped and tumbled, tripping Cody. As Cody pitched forward, his momentum carried him into the deep end of the pool with a small splash.

Hailey screamed, and the sound spurred me into action. Dropping the chair and my camera bag at my feet, I darted toward the pool, stepping out of my flip flops as I ran. Across the yard, I briefly registered West and Wyatt charging in our direction.

I reached the side of the pool and dove into the water, heading straight for the bottom where Cody’s red hair waved at me. Kicking hard, I swam frantically to reach him, his little body putting up no resistance when I wrapped my arm around his chest. I pushed off the bottom, propelling us both to the surface. As soon as our heads popped up by the stone-lined border, strong arms were reaching down to pull first Cody, then me out of the water.

I gripped the lip of the coping, and my feet dangled in the water as I hunched over, pulling air into my lungs and trying to catch my breath. My pulse was racing from adrenaline and fear. Wyatt and West were both bent over Cody, their bodies blocking my view, but after a few heart-stopping moments, I heard the sweetest sound ever — Cody coughing. I lay back on the warm pool deck and closed my eyes in relief. Thank God he was okay.

A minute later, I heard Cody’s weak voice. “Mama?”

Hailey, crying hysterically, gathered him in her arms and rushed inside.

From behind my eyelids, the sun turned to shadow, and I squinted up at it. West was hovering above me, concern etched across his face. “Are you okay?”

I rose up to my elbows and realized the rest of the group had crowded around. “I’m fine.” West reached a hand down and pulled me to my feet. I stood there awkwardly, my bun flopped to one side and dripping down my shoulder, a puddle forming at my bare feet.

Margaret rushed forward and embraced me, soaking the front of her dress. “Sadie, my angel, you saved my baby!” Her voice caught on a sob, and her husband took her shoulders and drew her into his arms.

I shrugged. I hated this part of being a lifeguard. The overcome parents, thankful a crisis had been averted. I wasn’t anything special, and I hated being the center of attention. I was just doing my job. I managed a relieved smile. “I’m just glad I was here.”

A breeze whipped by us, and I shivered. Warm fingers tugged on my elbow, and West pulled me toward the pool house. “C’mon. Let’s get you a towel and some dry clothes.”

I followed him, grateful to escape. Inside, West dug around in a closet and came back with two thick towels. I wrapped one around my shoulders. “Why don’t you jump in the shower and warm up?” he suggested. “I’ll run inside and grab some clothes from Hailey for you.” He pointed to a closed door that I assumed was a bathroom, and I nodded, moving toward it. “And Sadie?” I stopped and looked back over my shoulder at him, clutching the towel around me. He smiled. “Thanks for saving my favorite nephew.”

“Anytime,” I whispered. We looked at each other, and something seemed to pass in the air between us. Something electric and alive and shimmering. I shivered again, but not from cold this time.

Shutting myself in the bathroom, I leaned against the door. I took a slow, deep breath and closed my eyes. I had to be imagining things. All that adrenaline coursing through my system was making extra neurons fire, making me feel things that weren’t real. Exaggerating gratitude into something more. After stripping off my wet clothes, I dumped them in the sink and then took the world’s fastest shower, using whatever random toiletries were in there. I wrapped one towel around my head, the other around my body.

Opening the bathroom door, I peeked out. West was leaning against the wall just outside. He straightened and handed me an armful of clothing. “Here. These should work. And Hailey said thank you times a million.” He gave a crooked grin.

I took the clothes and retreated into the bathroom again. “Thanks for getting these for me,” I called through the door. “I wasn’t looking forward to driving home in wet clothes.”

West made a sound I couldn’t interpret. Spreading out what he’d brought me, I surveyed it. An oversized Nike tee, matching shorts, bra, and underwear. I took one look at the bra and tossed it aside. It was way too big for my B cups. The rest looked like it would work. I dressed quickly and then towel dried my hair. I didn’t see a brush and had to settle for finger combing the best I could. I checked my reflection. With my hair still damp, I was a bit chilled, and my hard nipples showed through the t-shirt. I hunched my shoulders. It sort of helped. I wrapped my wet clothes up in one of the towels and left the other hanging over the shower curtain rod. Upon opening the door, I stepped out and walked into West, who hadn’t moved from his position. My arms holding their wet bundle pressed into his stomach, but he didn’t move back. Instead, he reached for the towel and took it from me, setting it on a chair behind him.

“Tell Hailey thanks for the clothes. I’ll wash them and get them back to her soon.”

“I’m sure that’s the last thing she’s worried about right now.”

“Oh, I left the bra in there. It was… not the right size.”

His eyes dropped to my chest, and I hunched my shoulders more when my nipples tightened in response. He lifted his heated gaze back to my face, and his lips quirked up on one side. “I have to admit, once I knew Cody was okay, I kinda liked the wet t-shirt look on you.”

I took a step to the side. “I’m sure you did,” I replied.

He took a step to match mine, and I was pinned between him and the wall. He leaned closer, and his breath fanned over me, sending small tingles up and down my spine. “Well, if I’m being truthful, I liked the way they looked naked the best. And, Sadie, they are definitely the right size.”

His hands settled low on my hips, and I stopped breathing for a moment. “Were you spying on me in the shower?” I asked in confusion, my voice sounding breathy.

He leaned down until his lips were by my ear. “Not here. My house. The other night.”

“I thought we didn’t have sex that night.”

“I might have been too much of a gentleman to take advantage of you when you were drunk, but I’m only human. I couldn’t help sneaking a peek when I changed your shirt.” His thumbs rubbed lazy circles against the points of my hip bones. He leaned back, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Before I could come up with a response, his lips were on mine. It was just a gentle brush, an introduction. One soft sweep then back again. I sighed. His lips curled up in a grin and his fingers dug into the top of my ass. Settling his mouth more firmly against mine, he kissed me again. This time, he was thorough, learning the shape and contour of my lips, tracing the curve of my bottom one with his tongue before tugging on it with his teeth. He made a noise deep in his throat, and one of his hands coasted up my side to cup the back of my head, tilting me for better access.