Secret Fantasy(27)
Author: Carly Phillips

But when she came upon the pool, her fear dissipated. Doug was alone in the huge pool swimming laps. Pleasure at seeing him replaced every other emotion and she chose a chair at the far end where she could settle in and watch.

He swam with grace and ease, but not with the lazy stroke of a man doing routine morning laps. Instead he hit the water with hard, determined movements, barely coming up for air at one end before diving back under and starting again. Almost as if he were working off frustration rather than swimming for pleasure or exercise.

She curled her legs beneath her and narrowed her gaze, wondering if she were imagining things. But when he finally lifted his head long enough to notice her, instead of a wave, a nod or other greeting, he jerked his head back around and began the harsh routine once more.

CHAPTER SEVEN

JULIETTE WAS the last person Doug needed or wanted to see. He turned and hit the water again, determined to work himself until he no longer responded to her fresh beauty or honest eyes. Until his body was too tired to react to hers and his mind could focus on pushing her for answers. Something he’d yet to try.

So far, each time she peeled off a layer of Juliette Stanton, giving him deeper access to her thoughts, feelings and past, he’d let her set the pace. Never pushing. Never prodding. Never probing further than the limits she set, not even when she’d called her ex-fiancé by name. Some reporter, he thought with disgust, and turned at the edge of the pool, beginning yet another lap.

He thought of this morning’s call to the hospital and his mother’s groggy reply. After the last test on his dad, they’d found clogged arteries that needed bypassing or else he might not survive another attack. They’d performed emergency surgery last night. Unable to reach Doug in his room and he suspected unwilling to try too hard and interrupt his so-called assignment, his mother had endured the hours of his father’s surgery and the long wait alone. He should have been there.

And maybe he would have been if he’d been doing his job as a reporter and not falling harder for Juliette Stanton—the woman who held the answers that would free him up from this assignment and let him go home where he was needed.

He surfaced, coming up for much-needed air, to find her kneeling at the edge of the pool. “Exercise doesn’t accomplish much if you pass out.”

He slicked his wet hair off his face. “I needed to burn off some energy.”

“Looked more like you were working yourself to death. What’s wrong?” She settled herself on the concrete edge, oblivious to getting her dress wet, and propped her chin in her hands, waiting for an answer.

“Bad news at home.”

“Your parents?”

He let out a groan. He had no reason to lie. “My father. He had a heart attack a little while back and they had to operate last night.”

“Oh, Doug. I’m sorry.” She placed her warm, dry hand over his wet one. “Is there anything I can do?”

He doubted she’d appreciate hearing that information was the one thing he needed. He shook his head. “But thanks for asking.”

“Do you need to leave?” The concern in her voice was mixed with a disappointment he couldn’t mistake and the anger and frustration he’d mentally aimed her way all morning evaporated.

“Not right now.” The surgery had gone well and again his father was resting comfortably. In fact, the procedure might well have added years to his life. “Things are actually looking up.”

“I’m glad. I know how much you love them.” Relief etched her features. “Of course I’d miss you if you had to go.”

With her honest, heartfelt admission, the vise clamping his heart all morning eased as well. He couldn’t blame her for the predicament he was in anymore than he wanted to. He’d just needed an immediate outlet for his frustration and guilt. Swimming had helped.

Having her here by his side helped more. “So tell me. What are you doing up so early?”

She shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep.” She met his gaze and heat flared in her green eyes.

Heat he couldn’t misinterpret because the inferno had been burning inside him all night, too. Ever since he’d left her alone in her bed. Walking out when she’d have willingly given herself to him had been the most difficult move of his life. But in the light of day, he could say he respected his actions and, more importantly, respected himself. Given all that had passed recently, that was saying a lot and he had Juliette to thank.

“I had a pretty restless night myself,” he admitted.

She nodded without speaking. What was there to say when silence was comfortable and they could read each other’s thoughts? He shook his head, unable to comprehend the bond and sense of understanding she gave him with her mere presence.

He’d always believed his parents shared a unique relationship, one where wedding vows not only meant something but were strengthened with each passing year. In contrast, Doug’s few long-term affairs had involved lots of good sex and then demands from the women for him to talk and express his feelings when he’d rather be left alone. He’d always ended up feeling suffocated, needing to get out.

What he experienced with Juliette was special. They shared comfortable silence when he wouldn’t mind opening up. She gave him tacit understanding with no strings and no expectations yet he wished she’d demand some. And, most surprising, not only wasn’t he sexually involved, but he’d backed off when she’d offered him more. Because he cared more about her feelings and well-being than his own.

“Restless because of your dad?” she asked, seriously, as if she had no clue what walking out on her had cost him.

He shook his head. “I got that call this morning.” He’d tossed and turned earlier, thinking of her.

“And now? You’re worried and preoccupied?”

“I’m worried, yes. Preoccupied? Not enough to distract me.” Not anymore. “I missed you last night.”

The genuine pleasure in her smile almost made up for his restless night.

“Well, those old clichés are worth something and absence definitely made my heart grow fonder,” she said.

He groaned. “You’re killing me.”

“I should hope not. There’re too many other things I want to do with you first.”

Doug knew better than to ask. He knew her answer could only get a man who’d promised himself hands-off in deep trouble. “What things?” he asked anyway, in a voice rough with wanting. Asked as he extended his hand to touch her even though he’d sworn not to.