Chapter 17

Ardal

This time, I arrive before Kadeem does, already fully dressed in my swimsuit. Wanting to cool down after our workout and the heat that Kadeem painfully brought to my body as he cornered me, I immediately use the ladder to lower myself into the water.

It feels heavenly as I begin to slide through the pool, smiling to myself before I dunk my head. Water slides from my face and breasts as I resurface, sighing as my skin cools.

However, it threatens to warm again as I notice Kadeem now standing at the side of the pool - though he makes sure to keep a generous distance. He’s watching me, making my throat tight as I see that same piercing stare pointed in my direction.

It reminds me of how he used to stare at me just before he’d carry me off to bed, tear my clothes off. But I’m sure that can’t be the reason he’s looking at me now.

I keep my head above water as Kadeem finally begins to move toward the stairs - moving at a slow pace. I don’t mean to stare, but it’s hard to pry my eyes away from his body as he’s now shirtless, only wearing swim trunks. Somehow, his body is even more beautiful than I remember.

His stomach, his arms, his legs - all of it holds the perfect amount of muscle and shows his strength as he moves. However, just as he reaches the stairs, he stops.

I watch as his features change, his throat bobbing as he swallows and stares at the water below.

“Are you scared?” I ask - my question genuine as I don’t dare to mock him.

“No,” he says, but there’s still a hint of fear in his eyes.

“Then why don’t you get into the water?” I ask calmly, trying to coax him to take a step.

But Kadeem shakes his head. “It’s too cold,” he insists.

It’s a lie - I know it.

“You haven’t even touched the water,” I try. “Besides, it’s a heated pool. The temperature is perfect.”

“Really?” he asks, his eyes finally lifting to meet mine. Knowing he’s still hesitant, I nod.

“Yes,” I say. “Get in the water. Please. You’ll love it.”

My voice is still soothing, encouraging him as Kadeem fights against his uncertainty. But eventually, he seems to accept my words, causing him to then take a step.

His feet meet the water gradually and then he continues down, submerging his calves. I smile at him, trying to get him to continue as I watch his legs. Only, my eyes lift as I notice him suddenly stop, leaving me to look toward his face.

My stare widens as I see how pale he’s abruptly become, how his shoulders start to violently shake. I don’t know why, but it causes alarm to overcome me and I swiftly swim to him.

Thoughts have emptied my head as I reach him, taking his hands in mine and giving them a squeeze as I make him look toward me.

“It’s okay,” I say softly. “It’s okay. Just breathe.”

Following my request, Kadeem takes in a slow breath, filling his lungs completely before he releases it. He repeats the action before his shoulders are finally able to relax, his hands no longer trembling in mine.

“Good,” I state softly. “Now just a few more steps.”

Following me, Kadeem allows me to lead him further into the pool until his feet can touch the bottom. And then he takes another deep breath, his eyes blinking rapidly at the water.

“See,” I tell him, offering a smile. “Not so bad.”

But Kadeem doesn’t seem fully convinced, causing me to quickly continue so I can distract him.

“Here. Lower yourself down and kick your legs behind you,” I say. “Copy what I’m doing.”

Although he’s hesitant, Kadeem eventually matches my movements, moving into the proper swimming position. But then his breath catches and I see him begin to panic.

“Kadeem,” I begin, but he doesn’t seem to hear me. His arms and legs just push harder through the water, quickly building waves and splashes.

“It’s okay,” I try again. “Get your feet to the bottom again. Ground yourself.”

But Kadeem doesn’t hear that either. He only grows more frantic, struggling in the water as if fighting against it. However, his limbs don't seem to obey him, causing them to move incorrectly and failing to keep him afloat.

It causes him to sink, his shoulder falling to meet the water - his neck next.

And then his head goes under, gargles escaping his throat before he disappears into the water. It’s then that I watch him begin to violently thrash.

“Kadeem!” I yell, rushing toward him as he doesn’t resurface. Swiftly, I reach him, grabbing hold of his arms as I force him upward.

He breaks through the water with a gasp, shaking again as he wildly pants to gain air. Trying to steady him, I throw my arms around him. Immediately, his arms fly around me, hugging my body tightly to his as if clinging onto dear life.

“Kadeem,” I call a third time, trying to calm him more by adding pressure to his chest with my own body. I even lift my legs, wrapping them around his waist to keep him from moving. I squeeze him tightly between my thighs, my hands going to his face so I get him to look at me.

“You’re alright,” I tell him as our eyes meet. “Calm down. Just calm down.”

Finally, I get through to him, causing Kadeem to gradually still as he breathes inches from my own lips. He continues to settle, his hands firmly squeezing my waist as if needing the support. And then he finally stops, his heart hammering against my own chest as we’re pressed together.

“That’s it,” I say, my hand moving to brush the hair from his eyes. “Breathe.”

He holds me tightly as if I’m an anchor, still catching his breath. But once he does, we’re left staring at one another, my hand absentmindedly running over his hair again.

“Why?” I ask softly, unable to stop the question. “Why are you afraid?”

But Kadeem never answers my question. He only stares at me a moment longer before he releases me. He then pulls away, quickly exiting the water…and leaving me behind in the pool.

~

Kadeem

Kadeem was trying to forget the afternoon, blocking out the memories in the water completely as he returned home that afternoon. But while it was easy to ignore the effect the water had on him, it was harder to dismiss the way Chelsea’s body had felt against his own.

He didn’t understand what was going on inside of him, but every time he saw the woman he felt this unhinged attraction toward her. Even when she’d challenged him in his office, he’d felt the urge to quiet her smart mouth by gagging her and making his way with her.

Impulses, he told himself. They were all strange impulses.

“Kadeem,” Sam said then, shaking the Alpha from his thoughts as he looked at his Beta.

“I have the information you requested,” Sam stated, holding up a file. “About Chelsea.”

Interest sparked, Kadeem moved to take the file, swiftly opening it up. His eyes scanned the document before he gave a huff, shaking his head.

“It doesn’t make sense,” he stated.

“As you can see,” Sam said. “She’s clean. There’s nothing wrong with her resume.”

“Yes,” Kadeem said, studying the page again. “But that’s because the resume is too perfect - which is exactly the problem.”

He looked up then, noticing the strange way his Beta was staring at him.

“I don’t understand,” Sam stated. “Why are you so interested in her?”

Warmth met Kadeem’s chest as he thought about his Beta’s question, as he thought of Chelsea again. He could still recall her odd scent and how there seemed to be something hidden within it. And he also could picture the way she’d help him in the pool…how perfectly her body had felt against his.

He didn’t know there was this suspicion growing inside of him, but he needed to admit it outloud before the thought made him go crazy.

“Because,” Kadeem muttered, his next word causing Sam’s eyes to widen in shock.

“I think she’s supposed to be mine.”

~

That night, Kadeem finally retired to his bedroom, sighing as he walked through the door and began to pull off his shirt. However, he then froze as he stared toward the bed, surprised to find Susan already lying there.

“Hey,” she purred, giving him a sexy smile as she fiddled with the fabric covering her body. It was a sexy nightgown, obviously meant to please him.

“You know…” she began again, bringing his eyes back to her face. “It’s been awhile since we had sex.”

His brows began to raise, but Susan didn’t seem to mind his reaction as she smiled again, even giving her lip a little bite.

“What do you say we take care of that?” she asked, patting the spot on the bed beside her. “I want you.”

Kadeem blinked in surprise, but before he could offer a word, Susan suddenly turned, purposely opening her legs.

And showing him that she wasn’t wearing anything beneath her skirt.