Page 50 of A Heart of Little Faith
She circled round the desk and hugged him. “Thank you.”
He patted her back. “You’re welcome. Pool is down the hall to your left—follow the chlorine smell. You can’t miss it.”
Lily huffed and waved before following Tony’s directions. She did indeed smell chlorine as she walked down the hall. Children’s artwork—some of it well done—hung on yellow-painted cement block walls. Three doors down, past the girls’ and boys’ locker rooms, she found the pool entrance. She pushed open the door, stood there and waited to adjust to the change in temperature. It had to be eighty-something degrees, and in her pantsuit and jacket, she started to sweat.Not the best thing to do before a date. She pictured her hair frizzing in the humidity. She removed her jacket and folded it over her arm then scanned the pool area.
Colorful buoys and ropes bobbed in the water and divided the Olympic-sized pool into swim lanes. A board on the wall at one end of the pool listed swim team members and their times. At the other end, a raised area housed a hot tub. Signs posted around the pool reminded swimmers to shower before entering, not to run and not to dive in the shallow end. The bleachers, like much of the pool, were empty. In fact, there was only one swimmer in the pool, using lane three. He wore black swim trunks and goggles and swam freestyle from one end to the other without stopping. She instantly recognized Gideon, and stared at him.
His hair was a deep honey color when wet. His body was long and lean; the upper body strong and powerful. Muscles bulged as he sliced his arms gracefully through the water. In the pool, he moved with a grace and fluidity he couldn’t attain on land and Lily got a glimpse of what he must have been like before his accident. Her heart ached for him, but she was also proud of the man he’d become. He swam several more laps, and although she’d made no noise nor drawn any attention to herself, Gideon looked up before beginning the next lap. He swam over to the edge of the pool, pushed his goggles on his head and folded his arms on the edge.
“Hi. Am I running late?” Water dripped down his face and shoulders and his eyes lit up.
“No, I’m early,” Lily squatted and rested her elbows on her knees. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, I just hope you won’t be bored.” He rubbed his face.
She raked her gaze over his muscular, glistening body and smirked. “Oh, I won’t be.”Not at all.It took all her strength not to lick her lips.
He reddened as he said, “Let me finish my laps and shower. I should be ready in about twenty minutes. Is that okay?” There was a softness about him, an ease she hadn’t seen before.
“Don’t worry about me.” Lily rose and approached the bleachers, as she continued to stare at him over her shoulder. She sat and observed as he completed five more laps. He got out of the pool, grabbed a towel, climbed into his chair and wheeled into the locker room.
Seventeen minutes later he emerged showered and dressed and met her in the lobby. She checked her watch. “Wow, you’re punctual.”
“I don’t like to keep ladies waiting.” He held the door for her as they exited the center together. Already, things were improving.
****
As promised, the Amici’s soufflé was amazing, as was the rest of the meal.
Between courses, Lily and Gideon teased each other. She was amazed by the easy repartee and comfort level, and desire and relief washed over her. This was the Gideon she’d hoped for. After a dinner of filet of sole, veal Française, salads, wine and two chocolate soufflés—Lily refused to share—Gideon suggested a stroll toward the park. Hansom cabs trotted by. Well-dressed people entered and exited fancy apartment buildings. She invented stories about what she thought they were doing. Gideon embellished them, and incorporated different tones and accents. After laughing until she got a stomachache, they headed the way they’d come.
“Thanks for dinner.” Lily paused in front of the restaurant. She pointed and flexed her foot and smoothed the front of her clothes.
“You’re welcome. I had fun.” His attitude had an easygoing charm to it, a new-found confidence Lily found appealing.
Lily smiled. “I did too.” Her skin tingled from the surprise.
He took both of her hands in his and stroked them gently. The tips of his fingers glided over her skin and mesmerized her. She shivered. He traced slow circles up and around her wrists. He raised her fingers to his lips and when she could wait no longer, he kissed her. He tasted like chocolate, and she pushed her tongue against his, wanting more.
He stroked her body, making her ache. Her pulse quickened as his kiss deepened and her breasts strained behind the fabric of her blouse. He continued downward. The span of both hands almost reached around her waist, and he rubbed his fingers in a circular motion at the base of her spine as she opened her mouth and their tongues met. He squeezed, pulling her closer to him. Her breathing grew harsh as their kiss deepened and she caressed his shoulders, along his back, up to his neck. She closed her eyes as his lips pressed against hers and she brushed the strands of his hair. He plunged his tongue inside.
She opened her eyes. The glare from a street lamp made her blink and returned her to reality. “Wait,” she said. What had she done? He paused and she pushed away from him.
“Lily, what’s wrong.” His shoulders heaved, his hair was mussed and his eyes behind his frames were dark with desire.
Her pulse pounded and her body was hot from his embrace, but this was the first time they were kissing on a date. The first time she was dating since Daniel. She didn’t know what to do. It was new and different and her chest tightened. Guilt washed over her—guilt about Daniel and Gideon. She stood and straightened her clothes, her thoughts running in a million different directions. “I told Tara I’d be home by ten.” She couldn’t tell him the real reason. He wouldn’t understand.
“Lily, what’s wrong?” He repeated the question, concern oozing from him.
“I…I’m sorry. I can’t do this right now. Thank you for dinner.” She needed a chance to catch her breath.
A cab approached and Gideon opened the door for her. She hated herself for the insecure look he gave her. Inside the cab, Lily let out a breath as tears poured down her cheeks. This man, so different from Daniel, could elicit such strong responses from her body. Was she betraying Daniel’s memory if she let herself enjoy them? If she let herself, she could fall completely for him, could love him with her entire heart. As much as she’d wanted a relationship with Gideon, was she ready for one?
It wasn’t fair to start something until she could answer that question.
Chapter 18
Arustling noise interrupted Stella’s concentration. She saw bags shuffle toward her. Lots of bags—there were at least three plastic garment bags from Bloomingdales, several shopping bags from Barneys, and a black leather purse. She tipped her head to the side and managed to glimpse bits and pieces of a woman—slim ankles, dark hair, a manicured hand. With a grunt, the bags, purse, ankles, hair and hand stopped in front of her desk.