‘I didn’t like swimming at first either,’ Eliza said, giving the little girl’s hand a gentle squeeze. ‘But after you get over the fear part and learn to float it’s one of the nicest things to do, especially on a hot day.’
That very afternoon Eliza took Alessandra down to the pool in the garden for a swimming lesson. With plenty of sunscreen to protect the little girl’s pale skin, she gently introduced her to the feel of the water by getting her to kick her legs while she held her, gradually working up to getting used to having water trickle over her face. Alessandra was frightened at first, but gradually became confident enough to float on her back with Eliza keeping her supported by a gentle hand beneath her shoulder blades and in the dish of her little back.
‘Am I swimming yet?’ Alessandra asked, almost swallowing a mouthful of water in her excitement.
‘Almost, sweetie.’ Eliza gave a little laugh. ‘You’re getting better all the time. Now let’s try floating on your tummy. You’ll have to hold your breath for this. Remember how I got you to blow bubbles into the water before?’
‘Uh huh.’ Alessandra turned on her stomach with Eliza’s guiding hands and gingerly put her face in the water. She blew some bubbles but soon had to lift her head to snatch in a breath. She gave a few little splutters but didn’t seem too fazed by the experience.
‘Well done,’ Eliza said. ‘You’re a right little water baby, aren’t you?’
Alessandra grinned as she clung to Eliza like a little frog on a tree. ‘I like swimming now. And I like you. I wish you could stay with me for ever.’
Eliza’s heart contracted sharply at the unexpected love she felt for this little child. ‘I like you too, darling.’ And I wish I could stay for ever too.
A tall shadow suddenly blocked the angle of the sun and she turned and saw Leo standing there with an unreadable expression on his face. ‘Oh…I didn’t realise you were back…Alessandra, your father is home.’
‘Papà, I can swim!’
‘I saw you, mia piccola,’ Leo said, leaning down to kiss her on both cheeks. ‘I’m very impressed. Is there room in there for me?’
‘Yes!’
Eliza didn’t say a word. She wasn’t sure it was wise to share the pool—even as big as it was—with that tall, intensely male, leanly muscled body. Wearing a bikini when accompanied by a blind toddler was quite different from wearing it when there was a fully sighted, full-blooded man around, especially one who had seen her in much less. She felt the scorch of his gaze as it went to the curve of her breasts, which were showing just above the line of the water she was standing in. She felt her insides clench and release with that intimate tug of need she only felt when he was around.
A silent message passed between their locked gazes.
Eliza gulped as he stood back up and tugged at his tie, pulling it through the collar of his shirt to toss it to one of the sun loungers on the sandstone terrace beside the pool.
His shirt was next, followed by his shoes and socks. The sun caught the angles and planes of his taut chest and abdomen, making him look like a statue carved by a master of the art.
Marella came out on to the terrace at that point with a tray of iced drinks. ‘I think it might be time for Alessandra to get out of the heat, sì?’ she said with a twinkling and rather knowing smile.
Eliza felt a blush rush over her face and travel to the very roots of her hair. ‘It’s my job to see to her—’
‘Grazie, Marella,’ Leo said smoothly. ‘I think Eliza could do with some time to relax.’ He bent and scooped Alessandra out of her arms. ‘I will be up later to tuck you into bed, tesorina. Be good for Marella.’
Once Marella and the child had gone Eliza was left feeling alarmingly defenceless. She covered her chest with her arms, shivering even though the sun was still deliciously warm on her neck and shoulders. ‘What are you doing?’ she asked.
His hands were pulling his belt through the lugs of his trousers. ‘I’m joining you in the pool.’
‘But you’re not wearing bathers…are you?’
A dark brow lifted in an arc. ‘I seem to remember a time when you didn’t think they were necessary.’
‘That was before. It was different then. This place is like Piccadilly Circus. There are staff about everywhere.’
He unzipped his trousers and she watched with bated breath as he stood there in nothing but his black underwear. He already had the beginnings of an erection, which was no surprise given how her own body was reacting. ‘Have you missed me, cara?’