My body cut through the water, the liquid caressing my skin in a way that brought soothing comfort. Nothing gave me peace like the water. Looking at it. Listening to it. But, best of all, was immersing myself in it.
Sometimes, my laps were angry. Vicious strokes of rage, taken out on the calm surface. Other times, like now, they were peaceful, my body barely creating a splash or waves as my limbs propelled me forward. Either way, the water welcomed me. Soothed my soul, put me back together to fight another day.
My fingertips touched tile, and I stood, reaching for my water bottle. “It looked like you were running low,” a familiar voice said in a deep and husky tone that sent a shiver down my spine.
I pulled my goggles off to see Walker extending a water bottle to me. He was casually dressed, wearing dark jeans that hugged his hips and a worn tee that did nothing to disguise the muscles underneath. I swallowed hard, taking the bottle from his outstretched hand. “Thanks. I’m done if you want to use the pool.”
Walker took a seat on the edge of one of the lounge chairs on the pool deck. “Lap swimming isn’t my preferred method of workout.”
I shrugged, peeling back my swim cap and quickly dunking my head under the water to smooth out my hair. Placing my palms on the lip of the pool, I propelled myself up and out. Water sluiced down my body as I wrung out my hair. When I looked up, Walker’s eyes were traveling up and down the length of me. My skin suddenly turned hot despite the cool night air.
I held out a hand. “Do you mind?”
“Oh, sorry.” Walker stood, shaking his head and grabbing the towel he had been partially sitting on. He extended it towards me, but when I went to take it, he held firm. “Where’s your car?”
I blinked. “My car?”
“Yes, you know, the four-wheeled vehicle that gets you from point A to point B.”
“I know what a car is, smartass.”
“Well then, where is yours? I didn’t see one at the main house.”
I gave a firm tug on the towel, and Walker finally released his hold. I quickly wrapped the terrycloth around my body, wanting protection from the stare that seemed to light my blood on fire. “It’s not here yet. It should arrive tomorrow.”
Walker frowned. “So how did you get here? Jensen pick you up?”
“I walked,” I said, side-stepping him to gather my belongings.
“You walked?”
“Yes.”
“Are you crazy? It’s over a mile, and it’s dark out now.”
I straightened, my hands fisting around the towel. “No, I am not crazy. We’re in Oregon, not South Central. It’s perfectly safe.”
Walker let out an exasperated sigh. “From gangbangers maybe, but not from wild animals. Come on, I’ll drive you home.”
The thought of being in a small, confined space with Walker had my body stiffening. Something about him just set me on edge. It was as if he saw too much. “That’s not necessary. I’m sure the wild animal kingdom won’t bother me if I don’t bother them.”
Walker scrubbed a hand over his stubbled jaw and then let his arm fall to his side. “We have regular sightings of cougars and bears around the property and in the surrounding woods. It’s not safe for you to walk home alone. If you try to, I’ll just have to follow you. At least I carry a gun.”
My teeth clenched. “Fine. You can drive me.”
“Thank you, Short-stack.”
“Short-stack? What am I, a plate of pancakes?” I snarked, attempting to cover up the sense of unease I felt. Nicknames meant familiarity. Familiarity meant prying eyes and questions. I wanted neither. Quiet. Solitude. Peace. That was all I wanted. Teasing nicknames had no place in my safe zone.
“Well, you are kind of tiny. It’s pretty adorable actually,” Walker said with a grin that made his eyes dance in the twilight.
I fought the urge to laugh. I didn’t want to find this man charming on top of handsome. Nope. Didn’t want to go there. Couldn’t go there. I bent forward, slipping on my shorts over my bathing suit before I stuffed my towel into my bag. “Ready when you are.”
Walker bit the inside of his cheek. “You could’ve gone inside and changed if you wanted to.”
“Not necessary.”
“Well, all right then.” He grabbed the bag I was holding from my hand before I had a chance to stop him and headed towards the front of the house.
I had no choice but to trail behind. Walker stopped at a large, fancy-looking truck and opened the passenger door. His eyes scanned me from head to toe, and that same heat I’d felt earlier flared back to life in my blood. “You need a lift up?”
My jaw fell open. “I’m not that short.”
Walker simply chuckled.
“I don’t need your help getting in the truck,” I gritted out.
He kept right on laughing, motioning me on with a wave of his arm. “Then, go right ahead.”
He didn’t move from beside the door. I huffed and hoisted myself up onto the running board and then into the truck. It might have taken some extra effort to do so, but I didn’t need the help of some overprotective behemoth of a man.
I reached out an arm. “Bag? Or are you unsure if little ol’ me can lift it without some help?”
“Spunky. I like it.”
My teeth clacked together, but I said nothing. The man was infuriating. Thinking he knew what was best for me, just like everyone else in my life.
Walker gave me my bag, and I watched as he rounded the truck, strides a bizarre mixture of relaxed and purposeful. He exuded a casual authority. It made sense that he was a cop. I didn’t think many people would give him grief—just me, apparently.
The driver’s side door swung open, and Walker effortlessly took his seat. Tall jerk. The engine roared to life. “So, why don’t you come to dinner tomorrow night.”
I rubbed my thumb against the metal of my ring. “I don’t think so, I’m still not settled.”
“So you can’t come to dinner, but you can use our pool?” There was a devilish tone to his words.
I grimaced. “Look, I’m going to be honest with you—”