After changing his clothes, Finn stepped onto the patio. The splash of water drew his attention. He came to a complete halt as he watched Holly swim the length of the pool. He’d had no idea that she had taken him up on his suggestion that she go for a swim. He quietly watched, impressed with the ease of her strokes as she crossed the pool.
If he was smart, he’d head back inside before she noticed him. But his feet wouldn’t cooperate. Sometimes being smart was overrated.
When she reached the edge of the pool, she stopped and straightened. That was when he noticed her barely there turquoise bikini. The breath caught in his throat.
“Oh, hi.” Droplets of water shimmered on her body as she smiled up at him. “Did you change your mind about unwinding?”
He struggled to keep his gaze on her face instead of admiring the way her swimsuit accented her curves. He made a point now of meeting her gaze. “I was going to take a run on the beach.”
“In this heat?” When he shrugged, she added, “You’d be better off waiting until later when it cools down.”
She was right, but he couldn’t bring himself to admit it. “I’ll be fine.”
“Why don’t you come swimming instead? The water is perfect.”
He moved to the edge of the pool and crouched down. He dipped his hand in the water. She was right. The water was not too cold and not too warm. “I don’t want to bother you.”
“You won’t be. The pool is plenty big for the both of us.”
He had his doubts about the pool being big enough for him to keep his hands to himself. And with Holly in that swimsuit, he’d be so tempted to forget that they’d come to the island to work.
Finn raked his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know. I really should be working.”
“Your problem is that you think about work too much.”
And then without warning, she swiped her arm along the top of the water, sending a small wave in his direction. By the time he figured out what she was up to, he was doused in water.
“Hey!” He stood upright and swiped the water from his face. “What was that all about?”
Her eyes twinkled with mischievousness. “Now you don’t have an excuse not to join me.”
Why was he letting his worries get the best of him and missing out on this rare opportunity to have some fun? After all, it was just a swim.
“Okay. You win.” He stripped off his T-shirt and tossed it on one of the lounge chairs.
He dove into the pool, enjoying the feel of the cool water against his heated body. He swam the length of the pool before returning to Holly. She was still smiling as she floated in the water.
“Not too bad for an old man—”
“Old man. I’ll show you who’s old. Let’s race.”
She eyed him up but didn’t say a word.
“What’s the matter?” he asked. “Afraid of the challenge.”
“No. I’m just wondering if an old man like you can keep up with me.”
“Seriously? You have to race me now.”
She flashed him a teasing grin. “First one back gets their wish.”
Without waiting for him, she took off. He smiled and shook his head. And then he set off in her wake. His muscles knew the motions by heart. He’d swam this pool countless times over the years, but this time was different. This time he wasn’t alone.
He pushed himself harder. He reached the end of the pool and turned. He wanted to win. Not because he wanted to be the best. And not because he couldn’t be a good loser. No. He wanted to win because the winner could name their wish.
And his wish—
His hand struck the end of the pool. His head bobbed above the water. A second later Holly joined him.
“About time you got here,” he teased.
She sent him a cheesy grin before sending another splash of water in his direction. He backed away, avoiding most of the spray.
Holly was about to swim away when he said, “Not so fast. I won.”
“And?”
“And I get my wish.” He moved closer to her.
She didn’t back away. It was as though she knew what he wanted. Was he that obvious?
Her voice grew softer. “And what did you have in mind?”
His gaze dipped to her lips. It seemed like forever since he last felt her kiss. There was something about her that got into his veins and made him crave her with every fiber of his being.