Chapter 32

Kadeem

Kadeem’s words lingered in the air, more words seemed to be caught in his throat as he stared at Chelsea’s soaked state. They were still holding onto each other, and she was holding on to his words, waiting for him to continue.

Only, Kadeem was met with a very rare feeling - uncertainty. He wasn’t exactly sure how to proceed. He knew that Chelsea could have swam back up to the top without any issues, but the moment he’d seen her go under…he’d just reacted.

Even if deep down he knew she wasn’t in danger, he still needed to ensure she was safe.

Finally, Kadeem released a breath, finishing his response.

“I know,” he stated.

Kadeem continued to stare at her, watching as something flashed through her eyes. A soft breath came over her eyes. Now it was his turn to wait for her response, yearning for it. But she disappointed him as he already felt her slide from his grip.

“I should go,” she stated blankly. “We’re done for today.”

~

Kadeem wasn’t even remotely close to done with Chelsea. He could still feel the shape of her body against him even as he watched her walk out of the pool area - never looking back once. He almost wanted to hop out of the pool and trail after her, but he lost his chance as she already reached the door to the women’s locker room.

It wasn’t until it swung shut that he realized he was still standing in the pool. Alone

Panic crept up his spine like a ghost standing right at his back. His heart raced, his throat was tight as he tried to swallow, his lungs beginning to squeeze. Within seconds, he was tearing through the water to the pool’s edge, instantly dragging himself up and out of the water.

As he sat, putting at least two feet between himself and the pool, Kadeem took a few deep breaths. Water dripped from his body as he rested his arms on his knees, trying to focus elsewhere to steady his heart.

Images of Chelsea filled his mind easily - that scowl, her determined gaze, long wet hair framing her face. It didn’t take long before his breath came smoothly, his shoulder losing tension.

But even then, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. The way her tone thigh had felt as he squeezed it in his palm, the shape of her chest against his, the weight of her arms as she held onto him. Her full lips had been inches from his own and he’d desired to cut that distance.

Even as he thought about her then, he could feel his cock beginning to firm, aching as he longed to press it against her. Their bodies had fit so well together, and he wanted to know just how perfectly his cock would feel inside of her.

It seemed likely she wanted to know too. Even despite her harsh words and glares, Kadeem could tell she didn’t completely hate the physical contact between them. She’d still let him grab onto her even after what he’d pulled at the lake.

But aside from his own attraction, Kadeem couldn’t ignore how calm Chelsea kept him in the water. He had a few moments of worry, but each time she eased his mind with a small touch or quiet word. It was effortless. It wasn’t until she was gone that the real fear set in.

That had to mean something. He was becoming more and more sure that Chelsea was the woman from his dreams and the cries of the babies he’d heard were also tied to her. He thought of the black haired babies who’d starred in his latest commercial - his skin tingling.

It had been a few days since Kadeem had sent the sample to the lab, and soon he would know the truth. He was already convinced those kids were his, but once he had the confirmation then he could move forward with certainty.

Kadeem was too busy thinking about being reunited with his potential children that he failed to notice when a door opened behind him. By the time he finally registered the sound of shoes meeting the floor, he was too late.

“Kadeem?”

His shoulders nearly tensed once more as he registered the voice. He almost wanted to sigh. However, he instead turned, glancing over his shoulders as he found Susan standing a few feet away.

She looked shocked, blinking at him and then to the water before she looked back over at him.

“Baby…you’re so close to the water,” she said, obviously stunned to see him there. Normally, he refused to come within ten feet - especially alone.

Kadeem didn’t say anything in return. He just gave a clipped nod, hoping she’d get the message to leave him alone with his thoughts. But apparently she took his action as encouragement.

She slid a coy smile onto her lips. “I’m so proud of you,” she tried, taking steps forward. He didn’t fail to notice the extra sway of her hips as she drew closer. And then she finally sat at his side.

Kadeem had the urge to shift back from her, but he kept himself still as she offered another “sexy” smile. And then her heated gaze lowered to his naked chest before she looked back up, licking her lips.

“You look sexy,” she purred, her hand coming out to brush through the side of his wet hair. She angled her body more towards his as she slid her hand down and cupped his cheek. But unlike Chelsea’s, the feeling of Susan’s touch made him colder.

“I should get cleaned up,” Kadeem said in response, already rising to his feet. Only, Susan stood with him. Before he could take a step away, she was against him.

Her palms flattered on his wet chest, her pelvis placed right against his as she bit her lip. Kadeem gave a subtle swallow as his hands stayed at his sides.

“Maybe we could get a little dirty before you go get clean,” Susan tried, running a slow finger down his sternum. She raised a coy brow before she brought her mouth to his chest and gave a slow kiss to his skin.

Kadeem was stiff, not reacting as she kept trailing kisses around the same area. Her hands moved to hold at his sides, Kadeem’s own hands still hanging away.

“There’s cameras in here,” Kadeem stated, attempting to make her stop.

But Susan shook her head. “I can delete the footage,” she replied between kisses. And then she gave him a little nip, making him give a jolt.

She glanced up at him, smiling wickedly once more as she rolled her hips against his.

“I want you to fuck me. Right here,” she stated. Then her hand slipped between them swiftly, instantly cupping his cock through his swimsuit. Only, he wasn’t even remotely hard, his arousal from earlier completely gone.

Kadeem took a sharp breath between his lips as Susan softly squeezed, the sound of her pleased hum meeting his ears. But he hardly registered the noise, her face becoming a little blurry in front of him.

Instead, he was met with images of Chelsea again, remembering her warm touch. Thinking of the calming sound of her voice.

Chelsea. What if Chelsea walked back in?

Immediately, Kadeem pulled back from Susan, escaping her touch.

“Kadeem-“

“The water,” he said instantly, making Susan’s brows pull together. “I’m…I’m starting to get worried about the water.”

It wasn’t a complete lie - even if the panic was small even as he acknowledged the pool a few feet away. However, he figured it was a better excuse than clearly denying her once more. He even widened his gaze and purposely made his breathing staggered as he pretended to glance at the water anxiously.

That finally made Susan’s gaze soften.

“Oh, baby,” she said sweetly, taking a step toward him. Kadeem countered by shifting back a step too, making it seem like he wanted to get away from the pool.

“I think I need to get out of here,” he said, making himself shake. That finally made Susan stop, a small frown across her lips.

“But we -“

“I have to go,” he interrupted her. And then he turned, taking fast steps as he headed toward the men’s locker room. Susan tried to say his name, to gain his attention back.

But just like Chelsea, he didn’t look back once.