The next morning after breakfast, Leo took Calista out on his boat."The water is beautiful," she told him when they stopped near another pier.
"Want to swim?" he asked.
"I don't know," she said, giving the lake a skeptical glance. "How cold is it?"
"Depends on whether you're cold-blooded or warm-blooded," he said and stripped off his shirt. "Let's go in."
He felt her gaze linger on his chest then she seemed to force her gaze away from him. "If you're sure," she said. "If I freeze, you have to promise to pull me out. Okay?"
"Promise," he said and watched her remove her shirt to reveal a bikini top that encased her full, creamy breasts. He could easily imagine them bare and wondered about the color and size of her nipples.
She kicked off her shoes to reveal slender feet with vixen-red toenails. He liked that touch of wildness she kept hidden from the rest of the world. He'd like to take care of all her wild urges. She pushed down her jeans, wiggling as she stepped out of them.
He fixated on the inviting curves of her waist and hips, feeling himself respond to the sight of her feminine figure. He took action to cool his arousal immediately. Diving into the water, he felt the cold wetness sink into his skin. Rising to the surface, he caught sight of her looking down at him from the boat.
"How cold is it?"
"Not cold enough to make icebergs," he said.
"That's not very encouraging," she said.
"Are you afraid?" he asked.
She immediately pursed her lips and lifted her chin. "Absolutely not," she said and jumped off the side of the boat. Seconds later, she bobbed to the ladder, gasping. "Omigod, you lied. This water is frigid."
"Well, it's not as warm as my pool at the house," he said, swimming toward her. "But it could be worse."
"When?" she asked. "In January?"
He laughed.
A wake from a boat riding past caused a wave and she reached for him with fear in her eyes. Concern rushed through him. "You're okay," he said, pulling her body against his. "I wouldn't let you drown. Damn, I should have asked if you're a swimmer."
"Of course I am," she said, her wide green eyes meeting his. Another wave rolled toward them and she clung to him more tightly.
"Are you afraid?" he asked, enjoying the sensation of her lithe body against his.
"Not really," she said, but her tone wasn't at all convincing.
"Nice try. You can tell me the truth now," he said, lifting her chin to meet his gaze again.
She shook her head and sighed. "It's silly."
"I bet not," he said.
"One time when I was a teenager, a friend invited me to the lake. Her father took us out in his boat. I didn't know it, but he'd had too much to drink. It was a windy, choppy day. I fell overboard and hit my head against the side of the boat."
Leo swore. "Why didn't you tell me? I wouldn't have forced you into the water."
"You didn't force me. Besides, I don't like it that I still get that knot in my stomach when I think about lakes and boats. Being a wuss is such a bore."
He admired her for trying to rise above her fear. "You could never be a bore."
"Just trying to be a brave little toaster," she said with a smile.
Her vulnerability grabbed at him, making him feel incredibly protective. "We can go back."
"No," she protested. "It's so beautiful here. I just might not be able to stand the water temperature very long. Although you are helping," she said, her eyelashes sweeping downward, shielding her eyes from him.
Despite the chilly water, arousal shot through him again. "Good to know I'm useful in some way," he said, sliding his hands around her back. The sunlight glistened on her light blond hair and the water droplets on her fair skin. He fought a strong urge to lick those droplets.
Instead, he took her mouth in a kiss. Her lips reminded him of the finest brandy, potent and addicting. He drew her tongue into his mouth and she made a delicious sound of arousal. Leo wanted to hear that sound again and again. He felt her shiver, but he wasn't sure if it was from arousal or cold.
"Let's go back to the house," he said and pulled her toward the ladder to the boat. "But you should know that when we ride on the boat the breeze will make you even colder."
"We could fish," she said.
He blinked, surprised at her suggestion. "You know how?"
"Of course," she said. "Do you? If you don't, I can show you."
He laughed at the lightning-fast switch from uncertainty to confidence. "I can fish," he said. "A long time ago, I fished for my supper."
She met his gaze. "Was that before or after you were hatched at the age of sixteen?"
"Both," he said and turned her toward the ladder. "You go first and I'll bring up the rear." She climbed the rungs and he was given an up close view of her gorgeous derriere in her bikini bottom. He groaned, wondering if he would be able to stick to his plan to make her come to him.
Hours later, Leo watched her lean back in the Jacuzzi and sigh. "What a great day," she said, then cracked open one eyelid. "Too bad the fish I caught was so much bigger than yours."He chuckled. "Lady's luck," he said. "I couldn't show you up. You're my guest."
She opened both her eyes and scowled. "That's pure bull. The next thing you'll be doing is telling me you're not competitive."
"Only every bone in my body," he said.
She smiled and her gaze dipped to his shoulders in feminine appreciation. She'd done that several times today, so he knew she wasn't immune to him. He was winning her inch by inch. The notion filled him with a rush he hadn't experienced in a long time.
"Like the hot tub?" he asked.
She nodded, closing her eyes again.
"It's even better when you're naked," he said.
She opened her eyes to sexy slits. "And how would you know that?"
"It's in the manufacturer's instructions," he said.
A gusty laugh from her rippled all the way down his body to his groin.
"I dare you to take off your swimsuit," he said.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea," she said with a sigh.
"Even if I promise to keep my hands off of you?" he asked.
"The problem," she said as she moved closer to him and he pulled her onto his lap, "is that I won't want your to keep you hands off of me."
Three
As the helicopter landed on top of the high-rise in Philadelphia, Leo took Calista's hand and helped her onto the ground. Within moments, George was driving them in a limo toward her apartment. She turned to Leo. "This has been an incredible twenty-four hours. Thank you for everything."
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," he said and lifted his finger to stroke her cheek. "It doesn't have to end."His touch distracted her, making her heart beat erratically. "What do you mean?"
"I'd like you to move in with me," he said.
Calista blinked, surprised by his speed and decisiveness. "Wow," she said. "That's fast." She took a breath. "It's very tempting, but as I've told you, I really want to be married before I live with a man."
"Why is that so important to you?" he asked with more than a trace of irritation on his face.
"I told you that I believe in family. A husband, wife and children can provide the ultimate joy, security and comfort for each other. I want that for myself. I want to give it to someone else," she said, her gut twisting because although she believed what she was saying, she knew it wouldn't come true for her.
"Was your upbringing that idyllic?"
She looked away, feeling a stab of shame about her father's financial disaster and death that never seemed to go away. "Of course not," she said. "Maybe because it wasn't idyllic, I'm determined to have something different for myself. It may sound crazy to you, but I want the security of family and a strong man."
He paused a moment, his dark gaze full of conflicting feelings. "It doesn't sound crazy. I just don't have much experience in that area." He covered her hand with his. "I want to spend more time with you."
"I want the same," she said quietly.
"Then come and live with me in my apartment. I'll make sure you won't regret it," he said, lifting her hand to his lips.
Even though they hadn't known each other long, Calista was more than a little tempted. There was a strength about Leo that drew something from deep inside her. His magnetism almost made her forget her purpose with him. Almost. His charm, though, belied any chance for security. He was accustomed to getting what he wanted from women without making a commitment. She wondered if she would possibly be able to seduce him to the point of marriage. Doubt surged through her.