Chapter 28: Underwater Touches

I was adjusting my bikini top as I mentally prepared myself to feel the cool water on my skin. Of all things, Julian wanted to go swimming with me. Despite all of the time I had spent here, I was only here with Julian once and that was when he was playing with his friends and then gave me a sexy massage down my thighs. Why did I agree to this? Just caught up in the moment I guess. It’s not like a little swim will hurt anything…

My body jumped when I felt hands on my back but before I could spin around and attack on pure instinct, I was held in place by strong hands followed by a calming voice. “Relax, it’s just me. You act as if somebody is going to stab you in the back if you don’t react fast.” Julian commented as if he were lecturing me.

“Well, shit, I don’t know the reason. How about you tell me?” I said with a smart-ass tone. The scars on my back told a different story about why I always looked over my shoulder.

My words brought Julian’s attention to the scars along my shoulder blades that looked like they had been delivered by something very sharp, most likely a knife. And they all were. I wasn’t about to tell him the story behind each one though. I wasn’t in the mood for a full life story.

“Ok, all tied up.” Julian finally says without commenting on my sass. I noticed he tied it pretty tightly too so that my breasts don’t come busting out. “Ready?”

“I could’ve gotten it myself, ya know,” I grumbled instead of giving him simple gratitude. As soon as I walked to the edge of the pool, I felt hands on my back. But because I didn’t give a quick reaction, I ended up being the victim of a hard push and ended up falling into the water with a big splash. With a few kicks, I was able to bring myself back up to the surface. After a couple of coughs, I glared furiously up at the man who was laughing at me. “You little bastard! I’m gonna drown your ass!”

I let out a startled scream when he leaped in next to me, making an even bigger splash that almost dunked me back underwater. I was about to give him a frustrated retort but my words get caught in my throat when he swims to my side. I had almost forgotten how sexy he was in the water. Just like the last time I saw him in the pool, water just ran down the lines between his taut muscles and I couldn’t help but feel more attracted to his hair when it’s wet. Maybe it’s because I always see it damp after exertion? Specifically sex. And his blue eyes always looked the most enchanting when he was in the water for some reason.

Something deep inside began to stir and I quickly tried to ignore it. I knew what that feeling was all too well. Lust. The last thing I want is for Julian to notice I’ve been getting hot and heavy each time I’m in his presence and try to ‘make me feel good’ again.

If this fucker wasn’t so goddamn attractive… fucking hell and dammit all.

He swam even closer to me, closing so much distance that I could feel his body heat through the cool water. I quickly look away out of both shyness and reluctance to acknowledge him. I’m caught off guard for the millionth time as he ran his fingers through my wet, curly hair. I didn’t have to look at his face to know that he was smiling, I could hear it in his voice. “I can still see that faint shade of red. It’s still so beautiful.”

“Julian…” I mumbled under my breath while looking around, the last thing I wanted was a gardener to notice us or a maid looking out of one of the mansion’s windows. “Boundaries, remember?? Whispering sweet nothings and playing with my hair doesn’t really look good now does it?”

“Sorry.” I could still tell he was grinning as he spoke despite the fact I kept my eyes on the water. I only looked back up to him when I felt his big hands wrap around my ribcage and then pull me into his chest.

“What the hell?! What did I literally just say?” I snapped at him in my frustration. Part of me was grateful that my chin was shoved over his broad shoulder that way he wouldn’t see me beginning to blush up a storm again.

“You have goosebumps.” He stated simply, short, and sweet. After saying those words, his muscular arms wrapped tightly around my slender body. His body heat was so comforting and relaxing that I could just fall asleep right then and there. Lack of sleep was starting to catch up to me.

“Julian, please…” I speak more quietly. Despite the fact that I was still anxious that anybody could spot us at any second, I was mostly conflicted with my internal feelings. Part of me wanted to push him away, and the other part wanted to just melt into his body. The scent of his androstenol was absolutely hypnotizing as if it was trying to make me go to sleep and take control of my body for me.

As I feared, Julian noticed my lacking strength and he began to pet my head while kissing my cheek and then whispering in my ear. “No one will see. Let me take care of you.” He said with simple words once again and I wasn’t sure whether or not to believe him. Will no one see us? Did he already make sure of it ahead of time? Or is he just saying that so that I don’t fret?

My goosebumps were followed by a shiver, not from the water but from his hot breath against my ear. He continued to hold me, not in an overly affectionate or suspicious way, but in a way that a friend would hug you. He had no idea what his innocent gesture was doing to me. My skin was rubbing against his rippled abs and I could feel the strength of his muscles within his arms. I was struggling to be oblivious to my lust for him again and I was beginning to wish he’d do the same thing that he did in the library to me again. It was too addicting.

“Are you alright, Suki?” He murmured softly in my ear, his hot breath tickling the skin once again.

“I, uh, I need a cigarette…” I barely croaked out my words. My attempt to not show any weakness had just gone straight down the drain. I knew I just had to get out of there before Julian noticed and tried to fix my problem again, and this time I would’ve gladly let him.

Dammit all!

The thought made me push my way out of his arms and swim towards the ladder but Julian quickly stopped me when he gripped my waist with both of his big hands. I glance over my shoulder back at him warily. “Julian?”

Fuck! Did he already notice??

Instead, the handsome man just smiled. “I’ll get it. You just enjoy the water, alright? I’ll be back soon.” He said and then swam past me before going up the ladder and heading back to the mansion.

I finally let out a shaky sigh full of relief now that his body was no longer pressed against mine. Unfortunately his scent still stubbornly clogged my nose. “Fucking hell…” I grumbled under my breath. Maybe this is a bad idea? I should just go back inside and tell him I wasn’t feeling good.

As I began to swim towards the ladder, I paused halfway when I noticed Grace walk to the pool in her hot bikini. She was then accompanied by three other women who were also in their bikinis.

Grace looked surprised to see me and then smiled. “Oh, hey, sis! Me and my friends just came for a swim! Wanna join us?” Despite her sweet, cheerful voice, I could still see the eyes of a sly viper within her pupils. I frowned bitterly at her in silence.

So she does have a Barbie army. Fuck… they gonna jump me in the pool? This could get messy.