Page 56 of Bound By Stars
More than two weeks of looking out into space does kind of kill the awe.
“Right.” I can’t help glancing at the spot where she was held under, flailing desperately in the water. I clench my shaking hands. “Are you going to be okay? After Hale—”
“I love swimming. I’m not going to let that asshole take it from me.” She tosses a stack of towels down on a slatted chaise.
Of course not. She is absolutely formidable.
Suddenly aware that I’m staring, I spin around, looking for the room’s control panel. “Want me to figure out how to turn on the pool light?”
“Nope. This is better.” She dives in, disappearing into the reflection of open space.
Better? I peer over the edge. A chill runs over my skin. Scarier, maybe.
She pops up, her heavy curls matted down her back. “What’s the holdup?”
“I…” I look down at my pants and untucked dress shirt. “I didn’t wear the right clothes.”
Her eyes go wide in feigned shock. “Do those disintegrate in water?”
I shake my head. “You’re very funny.”
“Suit yourself. Stay on dry land, Prince Dalloway,” she teases, pulling herself to the center of the pool, so she’s barely visible in the sparkling blackness.
I run a hand over my face. My palm stings and I hold it out to examine the dressing. Even if I claimed ILSA’s job sealing the wound was botched, the bandage is airtight. That excuse is out.
“I’d say it feels like bathwater, but I’m sure it doesn’t compare to the one drawn by your butler each night.”
Dropping my chin, I march to a chair and sit, removing my shoes and socks. I can’t believe I’m letting her taunt me into this.
“It’s okay if you’re too scared. There are probably all kinds of monsters lurking under here with the light out.” She floats on her back, splayed out. Her ears are submerged, so she can’t hear how loudly she’s heckling me.
It’s not that I’m afraid of water, it just always makes me feel a little uneasy. Maybe even panicked. Okay, I’m a little afraid of water.
“Fuck it,” I say to myself, unbuttoning my shirt and tossing it over the back of the chair. I start to unlatch my belt, but getting down to my underwear feels weirdly presumptuous. Sitting on the edge, I lower myself into the pool, keeping hold of the wall.
She was right. It’s warm. But that doesn’t stop the chill creeping over my bare chest or my breaths from coming too fast.
My pulse is racing as I turn to find her.
The surface is almost still. She’s gone.
“Wes?” I say softly. Nothing. “Weslie?”
She bobs out of the water right beside me.
My heart stops for a full beat. “Dammit, you scared the hell out of me.”
She splashes me. “Trying to keep your pretty hair dry?”
“I can get out and leave if you didn’t actually want me to come.” I start to climb out of the pool.
“No, wait.” She catches my arm, pulling me back in. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s kind of my default. I don’t know why I do that.”
I do. It’s a defense. She’s not used to letting people get close.
“Please, stay.”
She convinced me the moment she touched me. Damn, I’m pathetic around this girl.
