The Three Slips

Chapter 3

Eve didn't understand or recognize the look Sam issued her at the poolside but she was fairly certain it was devoid of pity. It looked more like... greed.

The way his eyes moved over her body instantly heated her chilled flesh and- conversely- made her shiver.

And now, wrapped in his arms, she struggled for breath and tried not to notice how competently he seemed to carry her- like carrying her was the most natural thing, easily done, she weighed nothing - or how warm and hard his chest was.

I bet he's warm and hard everywhere.

The thought was unbidden and she instantly regretted it. Mortified, Eve closed her eyes and she felt a renewed flush of embarrassed heat spread like wildfire up her neck and over her cheeks. She couldn't believe herself. She was acting like a lust-crazed, tongue tied, dimwitted adolescent.

Pull it together.

Her head was tucked under his chin, her forehead against his neck, and she allowed herself to just relax in his arms. She was unexpectedly struck at how safe she felt. She hadn't felt truly safe since... well, for years. She also doubted that she would be experiencing this type of inexplicable response if it had been anyone else.

Amber's voice sounded from behind Eve, "Ok, Sam. You can put her down. I do think she can walk."

As they crossed the threshold of the pool house Eve felt Sam's arms tighten around her momentarily.

He said, "Where is the bathroom?" she felt the words rumble through his chest.

Eve recognized the figure of Dominick emerging from a hallway to the left, "Here, I have towels." He crossed the room and held them out to Amber. "I'm sure these will be a hot commodity once all those drunk fools come to their senses and emerge from the pool. It's a good thing it's heated year round."

"Sam, you can put her down now." Amber's tone was a tad more impatient as she stepped into Eve's line of sight.

She could feel him hesitate another moment before setting her feet on the floor, slowly, softly, as though she were incalculably precious. He didn't immediately step away from her either. Instead he grabbed a towel from Amber's grip and began gently towel drying her hair. The intimacy of the tender action constricted her throat, a lump swelling where her ability to form sound used to be.

She was mute.

Amber turned toward Dominick, "Do you have any dry clothes she can wear?"

"Well, my mom keeps some stuff in the main house." He scratched his neck and Eve felt his eyes move over her form, obviously assessing her size. "She's a little taller than you but I think something may fit."

Eve watched Amber- who was watching Sam. Her friend's lips were thinned thoughtfully, her eyes narrowed, as though she were trying to communicate with him soundlessly. Eve remembered the two siblings doing this with some frequency growing up. It always made Eve incredulous, that they could transfer ideas so effectively without words.

At present Eve couldn't see Sam's expression because he was still standing behind her, close behind her, rubbing her scalp and hair with his fingers and the towel. It felt... amazing.

Finally, Amber pulled her attention from Sam and turned a more lenient expression on Eve; "I'm going to go with Dominick to pick out some clothes for you. Do you want to stay here, or...?"

Eve shrugged under the heavy but welcome weight of Sam's jacket and struggled for her voice, "I'll be fine here."

Amber firmed her lips in a tight smile, "I'll be right back." She then followed Dominick to the main house.