Chapter Six

Let the Games Begin

By the time Hilary dropped me off at home, I’d convinced her I was fine and she reluctantly left.

Tossing my clutch and keys down on the table, I headed straight into my bathroom washing away my makeup, and threw my hair into a loose bun. I peeled off my outfit and opened my dresser drawer. It was a warm, balmy night so I slithered on a light-creamy slip before retreating to the kitchen for a glass of cold water. It helped squelch the heat burning me from the inside.

Savoring the cool liquid, I closed my eyes and sighed. Tonight was a disaster. I made a fool of myself and I would hear about it for the next week.

I peered out the window toward Logan’s house and sighed. The night had immersed us in darkness despite the bright full moon.

The fact that I let the mere sight of Mackenzie not only ruin my evening, but also bring up insecurities I’d buried deep inside last year, left me furious. I was better than that, stronger. Why did I let that tramp get to me after all this time? The worst part was I still wasn’t sure what bothered me more, seeing her there smiling and giggling happily oblivious to the pain she’d caused, or seeing her with Logan?

Mackenzie could be with Logan right now, wrapped in his strong arms, lost in his fresh masculine scent and charming voice. I shook my head and groaned. Knowing Mackenzie that’s exactly where I thought they would be.

So what!

Okay, there may have been a little sting but it was absurd. I didn’t understand why it bothered me so much. It only added fuel to the raging pit of fire burning wildly inside, seeking revenge on the bitch.

Logan meant nothing to me. I didn’t even know him. He was nothing but an arrogant player that got off watching me get flustered.

He was toying with me.

Why wouldn’t he? I’d given him quite a show so far. For some outlandish reason his actions seemed to lead to that a lot since I’d met him. I’d never gotten worked up by a guy like that before. It had to have been from a lack of a man for so long, nothing more.

Deciding an internal debate over my feelings would lead me to no real answers, I chose to clear my mind with a peaceful stroll. As I opened my back door, I glanced up at the clock not realizing it was already past eleven. The night felt like a blur, spinning out of control around me.

Barefoot, I stepped into the warm rough grass and smiled. There was something about nature that always reminded you how small you really were in the big scheme of things.

Walking leisurely through my backyard, I was somehow pulled toward Logan’s house and decided to take a peek at his pool. They destroyed it in less than a few hours the first day he moved in and I wondered what the destruction encompassed.

As I grew closer, I gasped. The pool was not only completely restored and expanded upon to include a gentle curve for a cascading waterfall, an attached Jacuzzi, and winding slide, but it was also filled with bright-blue water shimmering in the moonlight.

Glancing up at the dark house settled behind it, the lights were still out. My eyes shifted between the pool and house as I anxiously kneaded the back of my neck. Damp skin and loose dewy strands of hair met my hands and my resolve faltered.

A slow, invigorating grin crept over my lips and surged through my nerves.

There was no one around and the sultry night air was beckoning me toward the cool water.

It was a dream. The pool was beautiful. I walked toward the edge and dipped my toe in, beaming. The temperature of the water was blissful. Exactly like a perfect bath with a mild chill, which I found calming after the night I had.

Happily my feet danced around the concrete edge of the pool making my way to the deepest end. Reaching my hands into my hair, I pulled free the elastic band holding it in place, and smiled as golden strands cascaded down around my face.

Tossing the piece of elastic to the ground, I reached my arms over my head, stretching. Flutters soared through my stomach. The short gown I wore hiked up to my thighs, exposing more skin than appropriate, but nothing about sneaking into your neighbor’s pool was exactly proper. I decided it best to keep the gown on seeing as I was already crossing the invisible line of my moral boundaries just being there.

Without another thought I dove straight in with a graceful splash, swimming under the water until I reached the other side. After emerging, I ran my fingers through my long wet hair.

It was then that I noticed the flutter of curtains and a soft dim light in an upstairs window.

Someone was awake.

I shuddered. My hands flew to cover the thin fabric clinging to my breast. I wore nothing except panties underneath the now translucent cloth.

Gazing up at the window, training my eyes to see through the darkness, the curtain pulled open farther revealing the dark familiar eyes staring out, glistening in the shadowy light. Unable to make out anything else, it was enough for my body to shiver at the thought of him watching me. I knew those eyes. Logan’s eyes.

I was faced with two options. I could do what he expected, which was to scurry around trying to cover myself from the clingy sheer fabric as I scampered home like a fool or…

Tilting my head softly to the side, I smiled and raised my brows. Slowly I walked up the tiled steps of the pool, fully revealing my wet, barely covered state. My eyes never strayed from that window, from his eyes, as I stood under the moonlight with the most confident poise I’d ever felt in front of him before.

I was through acting irrational, especially around Logan. He was nothing more than a guy, a neighbor. I had a point to prove not only to him, but also to myself. I was in control.

His dark eyes grew wider. I could see more of his face as he leaned closer to the window. Fog began to settle in front of him, awakening a need inside me I’d never dreamed existed.

With an unwavering gaze, I slowly ran my fingers across my stomach and up to the shoulder over my slip. Caressing the silky fabric of the strap, I bit my bottom lip and smoothly slid it over my sun-bronzed shoulder. My lips twitched into a ghost of a smile.

Tentatively my finger hooked under the second strap, my breath ragged as my body reacted to the sight of his tongue darting out and licking his lips. My confidence grew with every movement he made, and without hesitation, I slid down the strap. I held the gown to my chest, not willing to fully treat him to an undeserving meal as I turned around to face the pool.

Laughing softly to myself at my brazen actions, I released my hand allowing the slip to fall lasciviously down over my hips and pool at my feet.

I stood there, facing away, bare before his eyes only in a tiny white lacy thong. Walking around the pool, my back still to him, I glanced over my shoulder and smirked before diving back into the revitalizing water.

With a deep inhale of fresh air, I looked back up at the window, the curtain was dropped, and the light was out.

I laughed. A therapeutic, deep laugh, shaking my head.

My point was made and my body enjoyed the soothing experience, so I stepped out of the water and grabbed my gown, disappearing into my own yard as quickly as my feet could carry me.

As I opened and stepped through my back door, a light appeared illuminating Logan’s back patio, followed by the faint sound of a sliding door opening.

I giggled, feeling proud and retreated inside. I felt like my old self. If Logan thought he could intimidate me with his sexy charm he was in for a surprise.

Two could play that game

The next day I awoke to my usual internal alarm, bright and early, filled with a newfound energy. By seven thirty, I was dressed in a pair of pale-blue jogging shorts and soft-pink tank top. The most comfortable exercise outfit I owned. I tossed my hair up into a high ponytail and didn’t bother stopping in front of a mirror as I left my room to fill my water bottle.