“Mhm.” My voice pitched upward, somewhere between a question and a chipmunk. I swallowed.
Did I just squeak?
What the hell was going on?
Normally, I was in charge of my feelings—in absolute command of my emotions. I wasChloe. I prided myself on always being in the driver’s seat. But right now, I was a mess. What was it about tonight and this man making me second guess my every step? My every breath?
As if hearing my internal monologue, he looked up. “You should dive in.”
I bit down on my bottom lip. The way he said it—French and dreamy—made my knees contemplate early retirement. And why not? I’d come here to swim, hadn’t I?
I shifted on my feet, fingers hovering at the hem of my dress, hesitating. But Maxime didn’t look away. Quite the opposite. His gaze held mine like a dare, sending blood pulsing through my veins.
It wasn’t like he hadn’t already seen me in all my ivy-covered glory in the outdoor shower—but this was different. This time,Iwas choosing to be seen.
Keeping eye contact, I took hold of the bottom of my dress and peeled it over my head.
By the time I’d freed myself, he’d looked away.
Despite the sudden heaviness in my chest, I lifted my arms above my head and dove into the pool.
The second my skin hit the water; I didn’t care who was watching. The coolness wrapped around me like silk, calming and clean. I swam two full lengths before stopping. When I did, I dragged air into my lungs, blinked water from my lashes, and found Maxime’s eyes locked on mine once more.
“You like water?” he asked.
I swallowed. “I do.”
“You move well.”
My heart skipped at his reaction—the low tone of his words, the quirk of his eyebrow, and the sharp light in his stare.It was hot enough to blister skin. Pressure built under my ribs, and I swear I was close to hyperventilating right there in the pool when a little squeak rang out in the dark.
I turned my head towards the noise. “Is that…?”
“It’s the kitten,” he said. “He sleeps under the rosemary.”
I searched the shadows, straining for detail. Two bright green eyes blinked at me from the bushes. I returned his squeaking noise, and he poked his head out as if deciding whether to come into the open.
“Come on, buddy. You know me.”
I waded to the side of the pool, pushing up and sitting on the edge. I held out my hand, wiggling my fingers. Finally, he came out, touching his wet little nose to my fingertips.
“Hello again,” I said, scooping him and nuzzling his fur. I thought it best not to broadcast our now close friendship. I didn’t want Maxime to know we were partners in an organised kitchen-scraps crime spree.
I held him up, examining his little face. “You smell like herbs.” I looked at Maxime. “Why does he sleep under the bush?”
He huffed. “I don’t know, but he clearly prefers you over me. Unless I have food, he gives me a wide berth.”
I couldn’t blame him. Maxime frightened the life out of me at the best of times.
I held him up again. “I think we should name him.”
“You can’t name him. If you name him, he’ll stay.”
“Exactly.” I buried my face in his warm fur once again. “I think he’s cute. You know, Sophie might like to have him sleep in her room?”
Something crossed his face, like a cloud travelling over the sun. “She’s only here for a few more weeks. I don’t want her to get attached.”
I drew my brows together. “What? Why? You’ll still be here after she goes back to school. You can look after him until shevisits again.” I rubbed my nose over the cat’s soft rosemary scented neck. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? A nice comfy bed. A warm lap. Lots of fish.”
