“You need to relax,” I told her as she tugged at her thick collar. “But first you need to get out of those clothes.”
I was angry at myself for bringing her to tears, so my tone was harsher than it needed to be. She blanched and took a step back, her eyes darting all around my face. Interesting. What was going through her mind at the mention of getting out of her heavy clothes?
What was going through my mind had me tugging her toward the door. Outside, we went up the elevator instead of down, and her confusion only grew. This was going to be a very nice surprise. At least, I hoped so.
Why the hell did I hope so? This was something I wanted to do so she could simmer down and get back on track. A hysterical woman was useless. There was no other reason.
My elevator stopped a moment later and opened out onto the private rooftop pool. I watched as Tati visibly relaxed and her mouth fell open.
“Wow,” she said, as if against her will.
It really was a stunning view, and the sky was remarkably clear and actually blue, with only a few clouds floating in the breeze. The pool was small, but the crystal clear water sparkled in the sunshine, and the burble of the whirlpool added to the faint hum of city noises far below.
Two lounge chairs were already set up under a potted palm tree, and in front of the tiny changing room, there was a stereo system and a miniature fridge. “Hopefully that’s stocked,” I said, then waved at the inviting water. “Go on, you deserve to cool off.”
The very suggestion had her tugging unconsciously at the edge of her top, and her eyes were yearning as she stared hungrily at the water. “I don’t have a swimsuit,” she said.
“I’m sure that’s never stopped a single person who’s ever been up here,” I told her, smiling at her burgeoning outrage.
“Well, it’s stopping me. Do you actually expect me to jump in…”
I was already peeling off my tank top, hardly paying any attention to the tight wrappings around the top of my arm. Hereyes were the size of saucers as I dropped my pants, and I was feeling like a god under her hypnotized gaze.
“Naked,” I said, letting her have her eyeful.
Her flustered yelp was cut off by the welcome sound of nothing as I dove under the water. The dressing on my gunshot wound was overkill for such a small scratch, and the doc probably did the most damage digging the bullet out. It was more stiff than sore after a full night of sleep, something I hadn’t had since Grigor went missing. So, perhaps I owed the gunman my thanks. I probably wouldn’t remember that, though, if I ever found him.
I swam the length of the pool and back again before coming up for air, and was immediately greeted with shouts.
“Are you stupid?” Tati asked, walking quickly along the edge as I did another lap. “Or are you crazy? What would the doctor say about all this activity so soon after you almost died?”
I stopped and planted my feet on the bottom, staring up at her from waist-deep water. Her eyes dropped to my chest before angrily rising.
“He’d probably tell me I was stupid and crazy,” I said, tentatively rolling my shoulder now that it wasn’t supported by the buoyant water. Stiff, a bit tender, but it felt good to get some of that pent-up anger and energy out. Now hopefully, I could get Tati to do the same thing. “I’ve been shot worse before.”
“That doesn’t—” she shrieked and ducked when I cut her off by splashing a massive wave of water over her. “Oh my God, you’re such a child.”
I kept splashing her as she hurried to get out of range, but too late; she was soaked. The heavy clothes clung to her, and Icaught a glimpse of her smooth belly when she began to wring out the edge of her shirt.
“And you’re a little old lady trapped in a smoking hot body.”
She was halfway to whipping off her sweatshirt, and hastily finished the job and tugged down the thin tank top she had underneath. Still dry. I’d have to remedy that. Her face turned purple as she processed the combination of insult and compliment I just hurled at her.
Hurrying back to the side of the pool, she stuck her foot in and splashed me back, but in this case, the high ground didn’t do her any favors. I had another tidal wave covering her with both hands, and now she was really soaked through.
Finally, she had to admit defeat and couldn’t help laughing a little as she held up her hands in surrender.
“You’re wet anyway, come on in.”
After a brief mental war with herself, she stomped over to the steps and daintily started her descent. I was at her side in an instant, grabbing her around the legs and sending her toward the deep end. She came up sputtering and leaped like a dolphin through the churning water. Flying at my head, she used all her strength to shove me under, and I was so pleased she was having some semblance of fun, I pretended to lose my footing so she could dunk me.
“Oh no, I’m sorry,” she said, looking horrified when I came back up, ready to retaliate. “I’m the stupid one now. I wasn’t paying attention to your shoulder.”
I patted the bandage, still firmly wrapped and in place, and put my good hand over my heart. “I swear it’s fine. Thatdoctor must have stock in the bandage company because he certainly used plenty.”
“Well, in that case,” she said, and clapped her hands hard into the water, sending an explosion of drops into my face.
God, she was pretty when she laughed. “I give up,” I said, backing off so she could get the relaxation she needed. And so I could enjoy watching her in peace.