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.
Her eyes locked with his. “I can’t see anything else.”
“Good.” He leant down until his lips hovered just above hers. “That’s the way it should be.”
“You’re awfully arrogant at times.”
“I would bore you to death if I were any other way.”
Was he right? Did she crave the same kind of man her mother had always been attracted to? Somewhere deep down inside she’d always known she did, which was why she’d shied away from men in general. She hadn’t trusted her own judgment.
Could she now?
“I’m going to kiss you.”
He waited, watching her with searing patience. He was giving her plenty of time to pull away, but right now that was beyond her. She wanted him, wanted his kiss. She needed to know if the feelings inside her were a figment of her imagination, or if connecting to this man would truly be as soul-altering as her senses were telling her it would be.
Then he kissed her.
Carefully.
Slowly.
Thoroughly.
He didn’t demand, didn’t push for more. However, he still managed to take gentle possession of her mouth, imprinting his taste and the very essence of himself on her consciousness.
The almost soothing press of his lips against hers was not in the least aggressive and yet she felt completely, utterly claimed.
The expression in his eyes when he lifted his head said that as far as he was concerned, she had been.
“Are you ready to go swimming?”
The kiss had been so profound that the mundane question did not at first register. When it did, it also reminded her that they were not really alone.
For a woman who hated having her personal life in the spotlight, she’d certainly given the other partygoers an eyeful.
However, on closer inspection, she realized that at the place they were standing inside the building, hardly anyone could see them even though the door that led outside was made of clear glass. Ray with his annoying camera, seemed to be the only one even looking, the expression in his eyes smug.
Obviously he’d gotten a shot of the kiss. She wondered if that picture was going to make it into Danette’s scrapbook. Considering her friend’s sense of humor, it probably would.
The pool looked more inviting than ever. “Yes. I’m definitely ready to get cooled off.”
She realized the implication of her words as soon as Angelo’s low chuckle reached her ears. Annoying heat surged into her cheeks. She’d blushed more around this man than she had since taking her first modeling contract more than ten years ago as a gangly adolescent.
“Then shall we go?” Angelo asked, tugging her toward the deep part near where it flowed to the outside, obviously intending to jump in.
She pulled back. “I’d rather enter at the shallow end.”
He turned to look at her, his expression indecipherable. “Why?”
She shrugged. “I guess I’m the cautious sort, but I like to get used to the water a bit at a time.”
“That’s torturous.”
He was right, but she’d never been able to force herself just to jump into cold water.
Something shifted in his penetrating blue gaze.
That was all the warning she got before Angelo swept her up in his arms and tossed her in the pool.
Cold water shocked her system. She sank toward the bottom, legs and arms flailing. Tucking her legs in, she executed a neat roll and shot toward the surface. It wasn’t far, the pool was only six feet deep to begin with. She came to the surface gasping for air and ready to take an inch off his hide.
Impatiently brushing the water from her eyes, she looked around, treading water and ready to yell at him, but he wasn’t poolside anymore.
A sudden shower of cold droplets from behind her had her spinning around in the water. He was there, so darn tall, he could touch bottom and still keep most of his face above the water. He moved to her right, ending up not a foot
