The M.D. Next Door

That was such an obvious comment that she almost winced at the inanity of it.

“Um—where’s Waldo?” she blurted. And then wanted to sink beneath the water again at how foolish that sounded.

“He’s having his dinner. I think I found the place where he got out of the yard—he’d dug a hole beneath the higher side of the fence, which gave him just enough of an opening to squeeze through. I’ve blocked it solidly enough for tonight, and I’ll have someone come reinforce the bottom of the fence tomorrow.”

He didn’t seem to know what to do with his hands. He pushed them into the pockets of the loose

shorts. “I, uh, hope you haven’t changed your mind about me joining you. After I took care of Waldo, I decided a swim sounded pretty nice.”

“The invitation still stands,” she said quietly, meeting his eyes. “Come on in.”

He hesitated only a moment before tossing a set of keys on the patio table and then tugging his T-shirt over his head. And even though Meagan stood in a pool of water, her hair dripping behind her, her face wet from her swim, her mouth went dry.

She’d seen glimpses of his chest that night they’d made out like eager teenagers on her couch. But this was the first time she’d seen him without a shirt. It was a sight worth waiting for.

Without looking away from her, he descended into the pool. She stood her ground, watching as he waded to join her.

Stopping very close to her, he looked down at her body in her modest, but formfitting black maillot. And then his gaze lifted to hers again. “Meagan—”

She wasn’t sure who moved first. The water lapped against them as they melted into each other’s arms.

He’d tried to resist. He’d told himself it wouldn’t be fair to Meagan or himself to continue something that had little chance of success. He’d mentally argued that it was wrong to lead her on, when he had already come to the conclusion that there could be no real future for them. Even had he been looking for a permanent relationship—which he wasn’t, not at this point in his and Alice’s life—Meagan would not have been the obvious choice.

Hadn’t he learned the hard way that two driven workaholics could not successfully integrate a meaningful and permanent relationship into their hectic schedules? Especially when a child was involved?

Lasting relationships required full-time effort. Compromises. Sacrifices. Commitments. The same things he was already giving his daughter and his career. He just wasn’t sure he had anything left to give.

Except for tonight.

Remembering the way Meagan had looked at him when she’d invited him into the pool, he hoped that would be enough for her.

The kisses were hungry. Heated. But then slowed as both seemed to realize there was no need to rush. There was nothing else waiting for either of them just then. No one expecting anything from them.

They swam. Side by side, in long, matched strokes, sometimes pausing to laugh or splash. Or share a few more wet kisses. No racing or competing or dutifully counting laps, just swimming. Playing.

When was the last time he’d played with a woman? No kids, no dogs, just two healthy adults having a good time, enjoying each other and the moment. He couldn’t even remember.

He refused to deliberately compare Meagan to Colleen. That wouldn’t be fair to either of them. But he was only human, and he couldn’t help thinking that Colleen had never been one to encourage adult play. If she was in a pool, it was for exercise, pushing herself to the limits of her endurance, taking satisfaction from going a little farther each time.

Pushing his ex-wife out of his mind, he focused on the woman in the water with him, instead.

Sensor-operated security lights turned on as the sunlight faded to lavender and then to gray. The lights lent a warm illumination to the area, but were dimmed enough that the effect was more intimate than glaring. He and Meagan were spending more time now exploring each other than swimming. Kisses had become deep, penetrating embraces. Teasing touches slowed into long, arousing strokes. Their bodies came together, legs entwining beneath the surface of the water. Pressing Meagan against the side of the pool, Seth supported them when she wrapped her legs around his waist, her fingers clenched on his shoulders as he plunged his tongue deep into her warm, welcoming mouth.

Secure within the privacy of her tall fence, he slipped her bathing suit straps from her shoulders, lowering the top slowly down her arms. He lifted her higher against the side of the pool, lowering his head to taste the creamy, wet flesh he’d uncovered. Meagan made a soft sound of pleasure and encouragement and arched to meet him. She moved rhythmically against his straining erection, drawing a groan from his throat.

When she pushed against his shoulders, he almost groaned again. If she was calling a halt at this point, he knew he was in for a long, painfully sleepless night ahead. Considering the circumstances, he could understand her hesitation to carry this to the natural conclusion. He wouldn’t protest, wouldn’t try to change her mind—but damn, he would suffer.

She drew a deep, shuddering breath, as though trying to regain enough air to sustain her voice. And then she gave him a smile that made his knees threaten to buckle.

“Maybe we should take this inside before we both drown,” she murmured.

At that moment, the risk of drowning seemed a very minor concern. It would almost be worth it, he thought, studying her floating so unselfconsciously in front of him.

But then he returned her smile and held out his hand. “Lead the way.”

Without bothering to straighten her suit, she turned and waded toward the pool steps, her fingers laced with his.

Chapter Ten