Chapter 57 Pulled In
Evelyn sat on the edge of the wooden dock, her legs dangling just above the glassy surface of the lake. Her camera hung from her neck, resting against her chest, her hat shielding her eyes from the gentle afternoon sun. The conversation with Lena replayed in her mind
After the abrupt end to their first call, she’d tried again, her worry a stubborn knot in her stomach. Lena had finally answered, breathless, apologizing for dropping the call, saying something had come up and she’d needed to step away. Her voice sounded steadier this time.
She’d brushed off Evelyn’s concern, her voice shifting back to its familiar, teasing cadence. They’d talked for a long time. Lena had joked about souvenirs, then, inevitably, Lena had circled back to Roman.
“Just… try to be in the moment with him, Eve. Contract or not, he’s your husband now. You might even have his kids one day.” A pause, then a lighter, knowing laugh. “And let’s be real, that man is a lot to process. That nervousness? It might just be you trying not to admit you’re crazy about him. I mean, who wouldn’t be? you’re just nervous because you care.”
Evelyn had rolled her eyes then, but now, alone with the quiet lap of water, the words settled deep. Was it just nerves? Or was it the terrifying, thrilling stumble of falling for someone? Lena’s final advice echoed: “Free yourself. Start seeing him as your partner. For real.”
A sigh escaped her. It was easier said than done. Roman wasn’t just intimidating because of who he was. He was intimidating because of how easily he affected her. How her thoughts scattered around him. How her body reacted before her mind could catch up.
Maybe Lena was right—the idea, the permission in those words, felt like unlocking a door she’d been holding onto.
She was so lost in the maze of her own thoughts, the peaceful chirp of birds and the whisper of leaves her only soundtrack, that she didn’t hear the soft footsteps on the dock behind her.
The first she knew of another presence was a firm, warm hand settling on her waist, fingers finding a ticklish spot just above her hip.
She jolted violently, a short, sharp scream tearing from her throat. “AHHH!”
Her body reacted before her brain could. Instinctively, she twisted away from the surprise touch, her balance on the narrow dock edge utterly lost.
There was a moment of weightlessness, a glimpse of Roman’s startled, then amused face.
Splash.
Before the cool, shocking embrace of the lake water swallowed her whole.
Everywhere became a silent, green-blue blur. Her dress billowed around her, her hat floated away, and her camera, thankfully strapped tightly to her neck, bumped against her chest. She kicked, breaking the surface with a gasp, sputtering and pushing wet hair from her eyes.
Roman stood on the dock, looking down at her. The initial surprise had melted into open amusement, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter. He crouched down at the edge, his grin wide and unapologetic.
“I did tell you not to wander far,” he said, his voice rich with humor. “I didn’t specify you couldn’t go deep, though.”
Evelyn treaded water, shock giving way to a surge of indignation. “You scared me half to death!” she sputtered, wiping water from her face. The coolness was a shock to her system, washing away the last of her overthinking.
“My apologies,” he said, not sounding sorry at all. He extended a hand toward her. “Come on out. Unless you’ve decided to take up swimming with the fish instead of having lunch with your husband.”
She glared at his offered hand, then at his dry, perfectly composed form. A reckless idea sparked. Instead of taking his hand, she swam closer to the dock… and then, with a swift splash, grabbed his ankle and gave a firm, playful yank.
It was his turn to be surprised. He wobbled, his balance compromised by his crouch, and with a shout that was more laughter than alarm, he toppled into the water beside her with a monumental splash.
When he surfaced, his dark hair was plastered to his forehead, his linen shirt now transparent and clinging. He looked utterly disarmed, and more handsome for it.
Evelyn couldn’t help it. She laughed, the sound bubbling up freely, mixed with the lake water. “Don’t wander far,” she echoed, grinning triumphantly.
He stared at her for a second, her laughter, her daring, her hair streaming water down her smiling face. Then he began to laugh too, a genuine, deep sound that seemed to ripple across the water. He reached for her, not to pull her out, but to pull her closer in the cool, sun-dappled deep.
“Alright,” he conceded, his arms circling her waist as they treaded water together. “You win this round, sweetheart.” His gaze held hers, the amusement softening into something warmer, more intense. “But I still get lunch. And you,” he added, brushing a wet strand of hair from her cheek, his touch lingering, “are all out of excuses to be shy.”
—-
Roman helped her back onto the dock, his hands firmly at her waist. They dripped all the way back to the villa, leaving a trail of wet footprints behind, their shared amusement hanging between them.
After quick, separate showers and a change into dry clothes, they shared lunch, the lazy warmth of the afternoon settling in.
Evelyn sat back in her chair, full and pleasantly drowsy, watching sunlight dance across the floor as Roman poured them water. The lake shimmered beyond the glass wall, calmly.
Roman leaned against the counter, studying her with that unreadable, dangerous calm of his.
“Let’s go for a swim,” he said casually.
Evelyn blinked. “A swim?”
He nodded. “I had something prepared for you.”
Her eyes drifted unwillingly, back to the cream-colored box still sitting on the sideboard. The one she hadn’t touched since breakfast.
Her cheeks heated. “Roman… that’s not exactly swimwear.”
His lips curved, slow and knowing. “That,” he said, following her gaze, “is for later.”
Then he reached into another bag beside the table and pulled out a second box.
“This,” he added calmly, “is for swimming.”
Evelyn stared at the second box in Roman’s hand, then slowly… very slowly… looked back at the cream-colored one still sitting innocently on the sideboard.
Her face burned.
‘Who even helped him shop for these things?’ she wondered wildly. ‘Was there some mysterious assistant whose job was to pick out scandalous clothing for intimidating, rich men?’ The image alone made her want to sink into the floor.
Roman watched her internal spiral with open amusement.
She reached for the sleeker box with hesitant fingers. Slowly, she opened it. Her breath caught.
She immediately wished she hadn’t opened the lid.
Inside was a swimsuit—but barely. An oxblood-dark bikini. It was made up of slender, silky ropes that twisted and knotted in a design that promised to cover the bare minimum. It was artful, daring, and utterly, profoundly scandalous.
Her ears felt hot. “Roman…” she started, then stopped, staring harder. “This is—this is not normal swimwear.”
She swallowed. “It's purely ropes pretending to be fabric.”
Roman chuckled softly, pushing off the counter and walking closer. “It’s beautiful.”
“That’s not the point,” she said quickly, flustered. “I can’t wear this. What if someone sees me? What if Leo—”
“No one will,” he interrupted gently.
He stopped in front of her, lowering his voice. “Leo’s nowhere near here. And this place?” A slow smile curved his lips. “It’s just us.”
Her heart betrayed her, thudding harder.
“It’s too revealing,” she murmured, fingers tightening around the box.
“Are you sure you want to swim… or are you just—” She couldn’t finish the sentence.
His eyes darkened slightly.
“I want to swim with my wife,” he said, voice low, steady. “But if it distracts me along the way, I won’t complain.”
Her breath hitched.
Authors Note:
Hey lovely readers! 🥰 If you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a comment—things might get a little spicy soon 😉