“The Aegean Sea. Off the coast of Greece.” His voice took on a distant quality. “I haven’t been back in years. Not since…” He paused, letting out a sigh. “Not for a long time.”
I wanted to ask why, to know more about his past, but something in his expression looked pained, like he was recalling something awful. Instead, I changed the subject.
“I had an amazing practice today,” I told him. “Best time I’ve ever had in the pool.”
That got his attention. He turned to me, a curious smile playing on his lips. “Oh yeah? And what do you think caused this sudden improvement?”
“Coach thinks it’s because I rested,” I said with a shrug. “But I think it might have something to do with spending time underwater with a certain guy.”
Nerion laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “I’d like to take credit, but I’m pretty sure that was all you, golden boy.” He set down his brush and stretched, his shirt riding up to reveal a strip of pale, freckled skin. “Though maybe seeing what’s possible underwater gave you a new perspective.”
“Maybe,” I agreed, trying not to stare at that exposed skin and failing. “It felt different today. Like the water was working with me instead of against me.”
“That’s how it should always feel,” Nerion said, his eyes suddenly serious. “Water doesn’t want to be conquered. It wants to be understood.”
The way he said it was mysterious and wise, like he was sharing some ancient secret. And maybe he was. What did I really know about sirens or water for that matter? He’d spent a lifetime in the water. I’d spent every weekend at a pool for a few hours. He had years of experience over me.
“I have a meet this weekend,” I found myself saying. “Would you... would you want to come watch?”
Nerion wiped his hands on his rag again, studying me with an unreadable expression. “Is that something friends with benefits do? Cheer each other on at sporting events?”
I felt my face grow hot. “I don’t know. I’ve never had a friend with benefits before.”
“Me neither,” he admitted, surprising me. “Usually I like to keep friends and sex separate.”
We stood there looking at each other, the air between us charged with something I couldn’t quite name. It wasn’t just sexual tension, though there was plenty of that. It was something more complicated, a pull that made me want to step closer to him despite all my better judgment.
“So will you come?” I asked again, breaking the silence.
Nerion hesitated, then nodded. “Sure. I’ll be there.”
Relief washed over me, followed immediately by a flutter of excitement. “Great,” I said, trying not to sound too eager. “It’s Saturday at two. Home pool.”
“I know where the pool is, Teddy,” he teased, a smirk returning to his face. “I’ve been there, remember? Quite intimately, in fact.”
The memory of our night together flooded back, and I felt heat fill my chest. “How could I forget?”
Nerion stepped closer, close enough that I could smell the faint scent of the sea that always seemed to cling to him, even when he was nowhere near water. His blue eyes held mine, searching.
“Did you just come here to invite me to your meet?” he asked softly. “Or was there something else?”
I swallowed hard, suddenly aware of how alone we were in the studio. “Maybe… there was something else.”
His hand reached up, fingers tracing the line of my jaw. “Tell me.”
“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you,” I admitted, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. “About that night in the pool. About what we did in the shower afterward.”
Something flashed in Nerion’s eyes, desire mixed with what looked almost like fear. But before I could analyze it further, he closed the distance between us, pressing his lips to mine in a kiss that made my knees weak and my jeans tight.
I responded instantly, my arms wrapping around him, pulling him against me. He tasted like coffee and something sweet, and I couldn’t get enough. My hands slid under his shirt, seeking the warmth of his skin as our tongues danced together.
When we finally broke apart, both breathless, Nerion rested his forehead against mine.
“We shouldn’t do this here,” he murmured, though he made no move to pull away. “Someone could walk in.”
“Then where?” I asked, desperate to keep touching him. “Your place? Mine?”
Nerion considered for a moment. “My roommate’s gone for the weekend already. Left this morning for home.”