“It’s not a problem.”
She gave the sparkling water a look of longing and he moved closer, until he could touch her shoulder.
Her head snapped up and their eyes locked.
“Are you sure you don’t want to swim?”
“I…”
“What are you afraid of, Tara?”
She licked her lips and let out a short sigh before averting her gaze. “You.”
He hadn’t expected her honesty. “I promise not to dunk you.”
“That’s not what worries me and I think you know it.” Tara spoke in a low voice so Danette and Ray, who were now arguing over when to start grilling the steaks, could not hear.
“A life worth living requires taking a few risks.” Somehow, he was even closer than a moment ago.
“I’ve taken my share.”
“Not with me.”
“And you want me to believe you’re different?”
“I am.”
Tara’s heart contracted at those two simple words. In a way, he’d already proven that. Other men would have tried to dismiss her reluctance to go swimming as trivial. Angelo saw the decision for what it was, an opportunity to either keep shutting him out or to let him one step closer to the private Tara Peters.
It represented a willingness to socialize with him, not only as a couple, but also in a situation that left her vulnerable. Few women looked their best with their hair hanging down their back in a wet rattail. And no woman put on a swimsuit in front of a man she was hugely attracted to without taking a risk.
Maybe after two years, taking this one small risk wouldn’t be so bad. She might be inviting Angelo closer, but she wasn’t going to bed with him. She wasn’t offering to have his babies or buy his staff presents at Christmas.
“I’ll swim.”
He nodded, his expression every bit as serious as hers. “Okay.”
Tara hadn’t bothered with a wrap because her suit was pretty conservative, but as she walked toward Angelo, who watched her with blatant male appreciation, she wished she had. The navy-blue shorts and halter style suit covered almost as much as her clothes had, but it clung to her curves like a second skin and it was pretty obvious her sexy boss liked the view.
When she came within reach, he casually reached out and placed his hand on the bare flesh between her shoulder blades. “Nice suit.”
Her breath caught and it took effort to force out a response. “Thanks. It’s one of my favorites.”
He guided her toward the poolside. “The body beneath it is fantastic.”
She stiffened under his hand, the comment catching her off guard.
He gently increased the pressure and kept walking. “Don’t tell me you aren’t aware of how incredible your figure is. You’ve been a model for years.”
“Was a model.”
“Semantics shouldn’t change your awareness of your own beauty.”
“Beauty doesn’t mean much in the scheme of life.” And in her opinion, it often got in the way.
“Coupled with brains and a passionate nature, it’s a pretty potent package.”
Was he implying he saw her that way? “Few men care about what’s under the surface.”
“I’m unique.”
“I get that you’d like me to believe that.”
He didn’t stop beside the pool, but kept walking, until he led her through a glass door into the building that housed half of the huge swimming pool. The condo complex was not only exclusive, its luxury amenities were without equal in the area. Residents could swim in whatever weather the Oregon skies chose to offer.
Danette had told Tara that was one of her favorite things about her new home.
Since the day was hot and sunny, no one else was availing themselves of the covered portion of the pool however. The illusion of total privacy heightened Tara’s awareness of Angelo in a way she wished it didn’t.
He paused on the edge of the empty water and looked down at her. The intensity of his gaze burned away her awareness of the sounds coming from the party outside. “You’re not very trusting are you?”
“If I was after the way I grew up and what I went through with Baron, I’d be an idiot.”
“You’re far from stupid, but you’re also blind.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but he pressed his finger against her lips and she had to fight the urge to suck it into her mouth and taste his skin. “You can’t see beyond your past. I am not from your past. I am right here, right now and I want you to see me.”
She reached up and grabbed his wrist, the simple connection feeling too good, too right for comfort. She tugged his hand away, but kept her hold on his wrist and his fingers somehow went from pressing against her lips to cupping her cheek.