The Wounded Love novel Chapter 27

"There's two pool houses. People normally go to the other one because it has a lifeguard on duty and is closer to the lobby." Dante explained as he stripped off his shirt, revealing the cross on his left bicep and the small phrase written in Italian on his lower stomach.

"What are you doing?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Swim with me."

"I don't have a bathing suit." I protested.

"Neither do I, but come on, we've both seen everything there is to see. Are you really going to make me swim alone, Stella?" He was pouting now.

"I guess not." I slipped off my sweater, giving him a clear view of my pretty Victoria Secret's bra. He admired the view and kept his eyes trained on me as I slipped off my leggings and tossed them to the side. I tried to casually fix my wedgie as I asked, "Is the water cold?"

"I'm not sure." Dante began to undo his belt vet slowly, his eyes still on me, watching my reaction. I tried to appear impassive as he dropped his pants but my cheeks turned red, making him laugh. "Those are very nice underwear." I swallowed hard.

"I like yours too, but I still think you look better with them off." His accent suddenly became much thicker, bitch. "We can save that for later though, si?"

I walked over to the edge where he was standing and stuck my foot in, testing the waters. It was cool, but bearable. Of course, like the big klutz that I am I slipped and grabbed onto the Italian god for balance which ended up with both of us falling in.

I've always had this irrational fear of opening my eyes under water so I couldn't see anything, but instead had to feel my way up the surface. The two of us miserably struggled underwater for much longer than what seemed safe for my lungs, but we finally made it to the surface, thanks to Dante who pulled me up with him.

We desperately gasped for air. "Sorry." I finally managed to say. "I'm really clumsy."

He let out a breathy laugh. "I can see that. You do fall a lot."

My heart beat sped up and time seemed to slow as he leaned in and gently pressed his lips against mine.

"Dante, you should know that I don't usually put out on the first date." I breath.

He chuckled against the base of neck. "Stella, I believe we passed that stage in our relationship, si?" Relationship?

"What does stella mean?" I asked, swimming over to the pools edge.

"Star. It's funny, no? Your name is sky, stars are in the sky." When I didn't laugh at his lame joke he said, "Come on, don't leave me hanging. It's funny."

I still sat at the edge of the pool, with Dante leaning against me with his forearms. "Oh, sorry!" The lady apologized once she realized we were only in our underwear.

Dante turned around not losing his cool, while I on the other hand began to internally panic. The woman's boyfriend's eyes were glued to me and she elbowed him hard in the ribs. "Can you give us a minute?" Dante asked staring at the man who shifted his eyes to the floor.

We quickly pulled our dry clothes over our wet ones. "Someone has a lot of admirers." He quietly teased as we walked out, dripping wet. I was freezing but he seemed unfazed.

"That's what you get for being gorgeous." I joked.

"I guess so."

We got into the elevator which was even colder than the hallway. I pressed the button to my floor and he asked, Where are you going?"

"My room." I was confused.

"I don't think so. You're mine for the night, remember? And the night isn't over yet stella."