Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

GEMMA

The water begs for my touch as I enter the pool area. I love this time of day when I have the place to myself. I can think as loud as I want in the water.

My red one-piece swimsuit is new and more daring than I usually wear, with mesh panels in places that show skin. I like pretty things and when I chose this, I had Dario in mind. Ever since I met him, I've wanted to have more of a life than I currently have. The thing is, I want something with him. It took me a while to get used to the idea that he likes me. Well, more than likes me.

I let out a sigh as I sit on the edge of the pool and slide into the water. I duck under the surface and smile to myself as I head out for my first lap.

The breaststroke is one of my favorites and the most relaxing for me.

About half a length in, I feel like I'm not alone. I look around but don't see anyone. Treading water, I slowly turn around and find nothing. Strange . Shaking my head, I'm about to start swimming when I suddenly feel something brush against my ankle.

Panic hits me as I quickly try to kick out to get away. Then my ankle is grabbed, and I'm pulled under. I kick, trying to get to the surface. The grip loosens. I kick up, catch my breath, and then I'm pulled under again. My heart races as I struggle to break free, and my lungs burn for air. In one last burst of energy, I manage to break the surface and scream for help before being pulled under again. Did I mention that the pool is nine feet deep?

I have seconds to breathe. A splash from above gives me hope, and then I find myself free. My energy is at its lowest as arms come around my waist and pull me to the surface. The second my face is free, I gulp air. I cling to the person who saved me, my body shaking from the near-death experience.

When I finally focus on my rescuer, I'm surprised to see Dario staring back at me. Without thinking twice, I wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. I whisper a heartfelt "Thank you" as tears stream down my face, overwhelmed with gratitude. Dario reassures me that everything will be okay, and I feel a sense of safety in his embrace.

"Someone tried to drown me," I whimper.

"I know, sweetheart. The bastard got away. I'm sorry, Gemma."

"You saved me," I whisper into his ear and feel him shudder.

"Let's get you out of the water." He moves us to the edge of the pool. "Can you get out, Gemma, if I help you?"

I whimper, not wanting to let him go. "I want to stay with you."

"Sweetheart, I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

I tighten my grip—there is not an inch between us. It's in this position that I realize Dario is aroused. His erection pulsates where it rests between my legs. His big hands land on my bottom and he squeezes. I moan and rock against him. My nipples feel tight and rub against his bare chest.

"Gemma," he growls. "If you keep rubbing your gorgeous body against me, I won't be able to get out of the pool without embarrassing us both."

I freeze. "Oh! God!" I try to move, but he won't let me.

"Stay still," he grins. "That wasn't a complaint," he rumbles in my ear. "I'm wearing speedos that are too small to hold my erection." He chuckles. "Come on. You need a warm drink after the shock. I want to see the security footage, too."

"I'm so glad you're here."

"Me too." At the edge of the pool, he takes me in his arms and pushes me up and out of the pool with hands on my bottom. When I'm out, he follows. I may be in shock at what has happened, but I still stare at his crotch. His package bulges, and he taps my leg with a chuckle. "Enough of that." He moves away, grabbing some towels and helps me to my feet. He gets a good look at me and his eyes light up. "What are you wearing?" he growls, wrapping a towel around me.

"A swimsuit."

He quickly wraps a towel around himself, but not before I notice the effect I have on him.

My legs become wobbly, and I let out a little whimper. Before I collapse, Dario picks me up in his arms and carries me to the men's locker room.

He puts me on a bench and presses a finger to my lips. I nod.

He walks through the large room. "We're alone."

"I wish I'd looked to see who it was. I've never been good at opening my eyes under water."

"I'll find out who it was. I promise."

"I'm cold, Dario."

"I'll warm you up." He pulls me onto his lap and presses me against him. "Hold on to me. I won't let you fall."

I accept the comfort he gives me by straddling his legs and holding on to him. He strokes my back and I listen to his heartbeat, which calms me. So much so that I become drowsy.

"Gemma?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm going to put you on the bench while I get dressed, then I'll help you. I want to stop by the emergency room and get you checked out. I'm sure you've got some water in your lungs."

I don't argue because he's right. I do need to have my lungs checked.

"We also need to file a police report."

"As much as I hate the idea, I know it's some‐ thing that needs to be done." I burst into tears and his arms tighten. "Someone tried to kill me, Dario?"

He presses my face into his neck. "He won't get another chance, Gemma. I promise you that." Pause. "Who knows you're swimming at this hour and that you're doing it here?"

I frown. "No one. I don't talk about it."

"They could have seen you, like I did the other morning."

"You saw me?" I ask.

Dario smiles softly and wraps a finger around a strand of my wet hair. "I was sitting in my car after a swim when I saw you arrive. I'm only here now because I wanted to swim with you."

There are tears in my eyes that I try to hide. I should have known better. Dario cups my face and strokes my cheeks with his thumbs.

"Dario, are you in here?" A female voice calls from what I assume is the doorway.

Dario kisses me on the tip of my nose. "I'm getting dressed," he calls.

"You got Gemma in here with you? The cops and paramedics are here."

My eyes widen. "She called for help?"

"Give us a minute, Megan." Dario pushes me off his lap and quickly goes through the locker he used. He gives me his back and quickly dries himself. The view is amazing, especially when he drops the towel and I find his firm butt practically in my face. He chuckles as he pulls on the sweats. He turns to me and says, "Your turn."

I'm too numb to say anything as he pulls me to my feet and starts drying me. I wince. "I need clothes."

"I have spare ones. Don't worry." He places another pair of sweats and a sweatshirt next to me.

I nod. "Let me take off the bathing suit."

He swallows hard and I'm sure he's muttering, "Give me strength."

I manage to wriggle out of the wet thing and drop it at my feet as I kick it away. I dry myself with a towel and let Dario help me into the pants and sweatshirt before throwing the towel away.

"Megan," he calls. "Send them in.

The paramedics insisted that I needed to be taken to the emergency room, and with Dario standing guard over me, I agreed. Dario held my hand all the way to the hospital and is currently sitting in an uncomfortable chair next to the bed. I'm tired, hungry, and out of sorts. I have no idea why someone would want to drown me. The police know about Wayne now. He's the only one I could think of with a grudge. As for trying to kill me, I can't imagine him doing that.

This morning was so out of the blue. I have nothing going on in my life that would warrant such a reaction. It doesn't make any sense. Dario told them about Davy, which made me uncomfortable. The man is my boss. This is going to be awkward when I'm back at work.

Dario called the big boss, Wyatt Peters, and told him what had happened. I was officially on sick leave for two days. Except for the ripples of shock that go through me, I feel fine. The doctors want me to stay overnight as a precaution. I didn't need resuscitation, but they want to err on the side of caution.

The door opens, breaking the silence I'm enjoying while Dario sleeps with his head on the bed. We both stare and watch as the officer from earlier enters the room. He smiles as his eyes sweep over me. Dario bristles and reaches for my hand, wrapping his larger one around it. He intertwines our fingers, making my heart miss a beat. I like holding his hand. He winks at me and then turns his attention to the officer. "Do you know who that was?"

The officer winces. "No one saw the would-be killer enter or leave the building. The camera—surprisingly—had gone offline the night before. We got a technician out, and on closer inspection he found that some wires had been cut."

"It was planned." Dario looks at the officer. "I know it was early, but someone must have seen something. What about the drive-through coffee‐ house across the street. They have cameras."

"We know. My partner is waiting for the manager to come down so we can check them. There's a chance the person went out the back, in which case they're in the wind." He sighs. "The staff here knows not to let anyone in the room unless you know them. In the meantime, I'll run down the two names you gave us."

"Thank you, Officer," I say.

"Will you keep us informed?" Dario asks.

"That's why I'm here." He smiles. "Be careful, okay. I'll be in touch."

I close my eyes, feeling nervous, which I don't like. "How can I be careful if I don't know where the threat is coming from?"

Dario kisses my fingers and hovers over the bed as I open my eyes and search his. "I'm scared."

"I don't think I've ever been as scared as when I heard you scream. Then when I saw you being held underwater, my heart stopped." He drops his forehead to mine. "You were my priority, but I wish I'd gotten my hands on that bastard."

"Thanks for saving me," I whisper, getting lost in his brown eyes. "Don't you have a game to get ready for?"

"You want me to go?"

It's on the tip of my tongue to say yes—that I want him to go so I don't lose my job. But I don't do that, I speak the truth. "No. I don't want you to leave my sight. You make me feel safe. But you have an important game coming up. I don't want you to be benched because of me."

He kisses the tip of my nose and brings his other hand up to stroke my cheek. "I'm not leaving you alone. You go where I go." He smiles. "I'm going to get you an eye mask so you can go into the locker room."

"Oh my God!" I giggle. "That is so not happening."

He grins and sits back in the chair. "You can look at me naked all you want, but you're not putting those eyes on any other naked guys."

I snort. "Are you afraid I'll do some comparing?"

"Nothing to compare," he says in a serious voice.

After a moment I admit, "Honestly, you're the only one I see."

My heart pounds in my chest at the look on his face. His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows hard. "I'm serious about you being where I am. I can't concentrate otherwise. Besides, you'll be safe with me. I won't let him get to you again."

I don't know what to say, so I don't say anything. Too bad my stomach doesn't get the message because it lets out a loud groan. "Oops."

"We need breakfast," Dario says, pulling out his phone. When he's done, he adds, "It'll be here in thirty minutes."

"What about Coach? And what did Wyatt say when you told him what happened?" I chew my lip, nervous about his answer to the last question.

"Coach told me to take today off. Wyatt knows I swim. He recommended the pool."

My eyes widen. "He recommended it to me, too."

He smiles. "Then you have nothing to worry about."

Oh, there's plenty to worry about.