Free Inevitable by Angela Graham

gasped. The pool was not only completely restored and expanded upon to include a gentle curve for a cascading waterfall, an attached Jacuzzi, and winding slide, but it was also filled with bright-blue water shimmering in the moonlight.
    Glancing up at the dark house settled behind it, the lights were still out. My eyes shifted between the pool and house as I anxiously kneaded the back of my neck. Damp skin and loose dewy strands of hair met my hands and my resolve faltered.
    A slow, invigorating grin crept over my lips and surged through my nerves.
    There was no one around and the sultry night air was beckoning me toward the cool water.
    It was a dream. The pool was beautiful. I walked toward the edge and dipped my toe in, beaming. The temperature of the water was blissful. Exactly like a perfect bath with a mild chill, which I found calming after the night I had.
    Happily my feet danced around the concrete edge of the pool making my way to the deepest end. Reaching my hands into my hair, I pulled free the elastic band holding it in place, and smiled as golden strands cascaded down around my face.
    Tossing the piece of elastic to the ground, I reached my arms over my head, stretching. Flutters soared through my stomach. The short gown I wore hiked up to my thighs, exposing more skin than appropriate, but nothing about sneaking into your neighbor’s pool was exactly proper. I decided it best to keep the gown on seeing as I was already crossing the invisible line of my moral boundaries just being there.
    Without another thought I dove straight in with a graceful splash, swimming under the water until I reached the other side. After emerging, I ran my fingers through my long wet hair.
    It was then that I noticed the flutter of curtains and a soft dim light in an upstairs window.
    Someone was awake.
    I shuddered. My hands flew to cover the thin fabric clinging to my breast. I wore nothing except panties underneath the now translucent cloth.
    Gazing up at the window, training my eyes to see through the darkness, the curtain pulled open farther revealing the dark familiar eyes staring out, glistening in the shadowy light. Unable to make out anything else, it was enough for my body to shiver at the thought of him watching me. I knew those eyes. Logan’s eyes.
    I was faced with two options. I could do what he expected, which was to scurry around trying to cover myself from the clingy sheer fabric as I scampered home like a fool or…
    Tilting my head softly to the side, I smiled and raised my brows. Slowly I walked up the tiled steps of the pool, fully revealing my wet, barely covered state. My eyes never strayed from that window, from his eyes, as I stood under the moonlight with the most confident poise I’d ever felt in front of him before.
    I was through acting irrational, especially around Logan. He was nothing more than a guy, a neighbor. I had a point to prove not only to him, but also to myself. I was in control.
    His dark eyes grew wider. I could see more of his face as he leaned closer to the window. Fog began to settle in front of him, awakening a need inside me I’d never dreamed existed.
    With an unwavering gaze, I slowly ran my fingers across my stomach and up to the shoulder over my slip. Caressing the silky fabric of the strap, I bit my bottom lip and smoothly slid it over my sun-bronzed shoulder. My lips twitched into a ghost of a smile.
    Tentatively my finger hooked under the second strap, my breath ragged as my body reacted to the sight of his tongue darting out and licking his lips. My confidence grew with every movement he made, and without hesitation, I slid down the strap. I held the gown to my chest, not willing to fully treat him to an undeserving meal as I turned around to face the pool.
     Laughing softly to myself at my brazen actions, I released my hand allowing the slip to fall lasciviously down over my hips and pool at my feet.
    I stood there, facing away, bare before his eyes only in a tiny white