Read Love & Hate (Book Two: Love) for Free Online Page B

nervous Paige. We will start slow.” He says as he treads water watching me.
    “ Alright.”
    “ Okay, let’s start by doing some light laps. I’ll swim next to you and if you have problems just let me know and I’ll help you.”
    I shake my head and we begin swimming out to the middle of the pool. I’m not the strongest swimmer, I’m actually pretty slow but I don’t think we are really going for speed here so that puts me at ease.
    Holden and I swim laps back and forth in the pool several more times. I can feel my left leg is fatigued but it doesn’t ache like it typically does.
    “ How do you feel?” Holden asks as we come to rest on the edge of the pool.
    “ Pretty good. I’m a little tired but not bad.”
    “ Do you want to try floating for a minute? It really helps stretch your back.”
    “ Alright.”
    “ Okay, I’m going to stand over here in the shallow end and help you while you float on your back.
    I follow him to the shallow end of the pool.
    “ Now just float Paige. Look up at the ceiling and kick your legs. Don’t worry about going under, I will catch you.” Holden says as he looks down at me. I can see the heat behind his eyes and it makes my stomach jump with excitement. I try to ignore it by looking up at the ceiling and counting the lights overhead. “Good, just relax.”
    I can feel Holden’s hands underneath me. If I’m truly honest with myself they feel nice but they also make me think of him, always of him.
    Holden has me float for a few more minutes before he helps me find my footing in the shallow water.
    “ You did really good Paige. The true test will be tomorrow to see how sore you are, but I think you did great.”
    “ Thanks Holden. I really appreciate you helping me.” I say and smile up at him. For the first time since my accident I feel really hopeful and I owe that to Holden.
    “ You’re welcome Paige.”
    Our bodies are intimately close still and I can feel the tension in the air between us. I know Holden is attracted to me and I would have to be blind not to be attracted to him. He hasn’t made it a secret that he is interested in me, but the question is am I interested in him?
    I shyly step back from him and begin to climb out of the pool. Holden follows and hands me a towel from a rack beside the wall. Holden towels off and I can’t help but admire his body. He is in incredible shape. His long lanky body is chiseled to perfection in all the right places. I can’t help but admire that sexy V-shape that disappears under his swimming trunks. I am sure there is a long line of women that would kill to have his attention, but am I one of them?
    “ Paige can I ask you a question?” He says as he hands me a towel.
    “ Sure.” I don’t know why I’m nervous for his question but something in his face tells me to be.
    “ That guy from the cruise, your ex, is it over between you?” Great, I should have seen that question coming a mile away.
    “ Yes, it was over a long time ago.” I say wrapping myself in my towel.
    “ Good because I want to ask you on a date and I wanted to be sure there was no one in the way.”
    “ Oh…no, I am definitely single.” I say a bit embarrassed.
    “ Well in that case, I would love to take you out to dinner tonight.”
    “ Uh, okay…sure.” I’m totally surprised at his immediateness.
    “ Perfect. Will seven work for you?” He asks through his wide grin. I must admit he has a beautiful smile.
    “ Yes but where are we going? A girl needs to plan you know.” I reply with my own giant smile.
    “ Just a relaxed dinner and a movie. I was thinking we would go see the new Transformers movie.”
    “ That sounds great. I have been looking forward to seeing it. I love the Transformers movies.” I say totally revealing my inner-nerd girl.
    “ Well great. I’ll pick you up at seven then.”
    “ See you then.” I say and head to the girls locker rooms to change.
    Once I have put on dry clothes I head out to the parking lot to