Layna laughed as she saw him fumbling in the water. She was soon joined by her sisters and Alan who hooted Layna's courageous attempt.

"You should have told me you wanted to swim that bad, I would have lent you swimwear," Alan spoke as he addressed Thomas but looked at Layna and winked at her.

Thomas smiled and surprised Layna by taking the entire forced dip in the pool sportingly, “Couldn’t help, you seemed to be having too much fun." His drawl came out self mocking.

"It's an honor to have your company here," Emily chimed as she chuckled.

Thomas glanced at Layna and found her trying to contain her laughter," Trust me, the honor is all mine, Miss Patt."

"Take off your socks and shoes, now that you're in, let’s play water polo," Alan presented his views and without waiting for a response swam in to get the equipment.

"Hope you weren't carrying your wallet or phone?" Mia asked.

Thomas shook his head in negative, “No, lucky for me, I had removed them before venturing here," and took off his socks and shoes.

He snuck a glance at Layna, pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes in mock anger.

"I hope the water is warm, Mr. Conrad," Layna chirped.

"Just lovely, Miss Patt," Thomas drawled.

He looked rather fetching with his shirt plastered on his chest.

And what a chest it was, all muscles and planes. Layna felt oddly giddy.

When she giggled, Thomas asked her," Are you mocking me?" He pretended to boom out his voice in fury.

Layna chuckled but shook her head and raised her hands in surrender," I couldn't dream of doing that."

Truth be told, this was the first time he had been bested by a woman and he was simply loving it. The woman is question was exquisite. What admirable courage! What a woman.

"Why don't you come a bit closer?" Thomas asked her.

"Oh, no no. I am perfectly fine where I am." Layna took a tender step back realizing she was barefoot, looked down at her feet.

And in a moment Layna found herself flung forward, her eyes widened as she hit the water with a loud splash.

As she came up and stood as a laughing stock, she glared at Emily.

"What? You couldn't really miss the water polo game, now could you?" She smirked and jumped into the pool.

"Emily, must say, fantastic timing," Thomas concurred and winked at Layna, he turned his head and a lock of his dark wet hair fell on his forehead, making him look godly.

Her insides turned into jelly.

Layna made a face and undraped her sarong, before treading the water in an attempt to kill Emily.

Thomas let out a breath of relief. Thank god, she had dived back in. Else he wouldn't have liked to be held responsible for sinful behavior. Wasn't his fault that water looked fabulous on the woman; the way those drops glistened on her skin...he was thankful to be standing in the water. He wanted to lick away the drops, and brush his hands over her more intimate body parts with her writhing for more and much, much more.

Damn! Was it uncomfortable or what.

Where was Alan again? Weren't they supposed to play water polo?

"Okay, kids, let's play," Alan swam up to them, nodding his head at Thomas motioned him to help him put up the net.

And when Thomas pushed himself out of the pool, Layna froze. His clothes were plastered to his body, the muscles of his thighs stretched; was it a sight. Definitely, a very good sight!

She did not know where to look. He looked godly.

What was with this wanton behavior of hers?

Layna dragged her hand underneath the water and pinched her thigh; she really needed to get out of whatever was happening to her.

And when he took off that shirt to showcase his lean, muscled chest, she really thought she would swoon. Was it possible to look that good? Wasn't he a diplomat, didn't that in itself merit him to be pudgy?

"So, you want to start? We need to divide teams." Layna nodded trying to ignore the man’s drool worthy body.

The teams were divided and it was decided to be a girl’s v/s boy’s event.

"I really don't want to play," Layna spoke softly as she peered at Thomas with what....almost watery eyes.

Thomas didn't know what to say, where had his hellcat disappear, “Are you scared?” He quipped.

Layna shook her head, “Yes, quite a bit. I know it’s shameful but really can't help it," her lips quivered and Thomas's heart melted at the blatant honesty.

"Don't worry, you can sit out and watch us," he suggested trying hard to see her smile.

She seemed to consider his suggestion for a moment then pointed at Emily and Mia," They wouldn't let me."

Thomas looked at her laughing sisters and back at her, poor innocent soul, and made a decision, “Do you want me to talk to them on your behalf?"

Layna shook her head, grumbling she explained, “No, I promised I would play."

Thomas turned so he was completely facing her," Okay, umm. How about I give you my assurance that I won't hit the ball at you and even if I do it wouldn't be hard."

She gave him a huge smile, that made him feel like some kind of a hero who had just saved the heroine from the atrocious dragon in this case 'ball' and after nodding happily went to take their positions.

The match started amongst the sounds of swishing water, the first shot went sailing past Emily winning the boys there very first point. Thomas looked at Alan and came up with the conclusion; it was going to be a clean sweep.

Then as he hit the ball across for the second point, to his utmost surprise, Layna sprang from her position at the very end and neatly slammed the ball towards them, in a damn fine volley, making it one all.

Wow, what a fluke.

Thomas caught her eye and smiled at her in complete encouragement.

"Don't encourage her," Alan growled beside him.

Thomas shot a glare at his cousin marveling at his insensitiveness. What the hell was wrong with Alan? He had never behaved in such an offending manner before. He would have a talk with him later on. Alan shouldn't get that competitive over a friendly game. It just wasn't right.

After that, Thomas realized, in reality nothing was right. His smile of encouragement faded turning to a glower after each point, as it became clear, Layna not only knew how to play but was singlehandedly demolishing the two men.

As he shot a look at her after yet another humiliating loss of point, Layna smiled at him rather over- enthusiastically. She looked at him, after glancing at Alan who seemed to be engaged in a bitter argument with her sisters, she winked at him. When she realized she had his full attention, she slid her finger from her navel up to the inner slope of her breasts, licking her lips in tandem. It was seductive as much as alluring.

And god, Thomas was thankful to be in the water covering his waist because he was tempted. Tempted beyond reason. She was making him hot and he wanted nothing more than to grab her close to him.

She sauntered up to him to pick up the ball when he crossed his arms and asked her, “I thought you were scared?" He raised his eyebrow.

Layna gave him a saucy smile, flicked her finger at his bare chest, “Of course, I still am but," she leaned closer to her, their lips barely a breath away, “but just of the ball being hit hard." And walked away leaving him panting for her.

He had been conned but couldn't help be aroused seeing her swim, jump, bounce around.

It definitely seemed he had met his match.

When he dived in to retrieve the ball, what he saw underneath did nothing to quench his unending desire.

Damn, the woman had legs. Some really good legs.

"Alright, you win," Alan threw a disgruntled look, “yet again." Finally accepting defeat.

"Yay," Layna whooped as she hi fived her sisters.

"But," Alan pointed out at Layna," Now you will have to clear the pool and that includes the net."

"But.." Layna stuttered. Before she could even complete her sentence, her rude sisters and Alan walked out of the pool.

But not to be left out, Layna shouted," Hey! That's not fair," she glowered at her sisters who ignoring her plea continued to run up to the house without as much as a backward glance.

"You can't blame them, you didn't play fair," Layna was startled to hear Thomas's voice. He took a step towards her. His steps in the pool making him look as if he were gliding.

Layna took a step back, “I don't know what you're talking about,"

She decided to swim away. He grabbed her ankle and pulled her towards him.

And before she could protest, he wound her legs around his body. Holding her tightly against him. The feel of his trouser clad thigh on her bare one was astounding. She could feel his strength, his power.

Thomas looked down at her, momentarily stunned, seeing the sun playing in her hair, she looked like a goddess.

"Layna," he whispered as he put her wet hair behind her ear.

He wanted to lose himself in her. She was so soft, beautiful and inviting.

"Yes?" Layna whispered back, his nearness causing her nerves to flicker quite dangerously.

Thomas tilted his head as he said, “I am going to kiss you."

Layna didn't move, she felt wonderful pressed to him. She wanted to protest but not as much as she wanted him to kiss her.

She felt the warmth of his mouth on top of hers and a familiarity, of belongingness washed onto her. He continued to kiss her enjoying the feel of her lips. She was losing control, she wanted more.

And when he shifted, she drew his head down and plundered his mouth. Her passion igniting his. Her hands found themselves entangled in his hair, his arms wound around her, encasing her, binding her to him. As their tongues touched, they sizzled. Her knees went weak. If he had not been holding her, she would have fallen down. She couldn't hear the water, the rusting of the leaves, nothing. No sound dared penetrate their passion. They were lost in each other. Completely lost.

Layna wanted to think what was it that was happening to her. Such lust, such penchant for closeness. She wanted to snuggle closer to his chest.

When they pulled apart, Thomas did not leave her. Her hand brushed on his chest matted with hair. Her touch felt erotic, sensuous. He wanted nothing more than to taster her again and again.

Thomas couldn't control himself. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her wonderful scent.

"Your pulse is racing," Thomas said, Layna felt him smile against her neck.

"No, it's not," she clenched her hands in a bid to stop the furious pace of her pulse.

He let out a low chuckle and licked the side of her neck, Layna could feel herself heating, her pulse jumping, “Now, it is."

As a sudden realization, Layna stepped back," What is happening to us?"

Thomas looked at her and shrugged, “No idea but whatever it is I am loving it."

"I am sure you are, can't say the same for me," she retorted in a sing song voice, with one turn she splashed him before swimming towards the stairs.

With a laugh, Thomas shook his head.

They gathered the equipment; put it at its designated place before heading back towards the house.

Luck was definitely not in their favor, they had the misfortune of bumping into Aunt Mary who smiled at them like a chesire cat, “You both look flushed. Is everything alright?"

They looked at each other and fumbled their reply.

"Oh...ah..of course."

"Why wouldn't it be?"

Aunt Mary didn't seem to mind their vague replies, she clapped her hands in delight," Excellent! Go have your shower, lunch will be ready soon."

Aunt Mary was seen whistling during lunch and that definitely bothered all of them. After all, it meant she was up to something. Something devious, something sinister.

And they were afraid, very, very afraid.

……………………

Hi, lovely people.

Hope you adore this chapter just as much as I adore you which trust me, transcends any known boundaries. Do let me know how much you eternally LOVED this chapter. *winks* I really have nothing sassy to say today. A day…that should definitely be marked in history. *picks up pen* But I will be back…very soon with much wit and wisdom to bore you to infinity. *blows a pretty kiss*

Love you!

Warmest Regards,

HIndia