Free Against All Odds by Angie McKeon Page B

foot in the water and trudge in slowly. It feels good, which is surprising. Once it reaches my stomach, I take a deep breath and dive. I swim out farther into the lake. The sun is warm against my face as I float and close my eyes. My thoughts meander to Cooper.
    I miss my husband.
    I wonder if he’s still with Blondie, kissing her neck or holding her hand. I wonder if they stayed together after I left. That thought hurts. How many times have they had sex? As quickly as that thought floats in, I shut it down. I can’t think about Cooper with other women.
    I open my eyes and look at the clear blue sky, trying to recall the last good time we had. The last time he touched me lovingly or kissed my neck or whispered in my ear. What was the last moment we shared that left me happy? When was the last time he looked at me as though I was his world?
    I honestly don’t know…
    I’m not sure how long I sit lost in thought, but eventually I hear a whistle. I smile, knowing that’s Grayson’s way of saying lunch is ready. I swim back to shore, get out, and grab my dress. As I head for the house, I notice him standing on the deck with both hands on the railing. Our eyes connect, then his leave mine and trail a path down my body. My heart thuds when they linger on my breasts.
    What is he doing?
    He swallows and skips his gaze down my length again, landing on the V of my bikini. Heat rises from my cool, waterlogged skin. After a couple of seconds, he continues his leisurely perusal down my legs.
    He’s taking me in, every curve and bow of my figure. Heat prickles through me hard and fast. The way he’s looking at me… it’s as if he wants to eat me for lunch. And while that’s arousing, it’s also extremely intimidating. Gray’s never looked at me like this. It’s startling.
    His body is tense. I know him well enough to know he’s holding back. His body tells me that if he could, he’d sweep me off my feet and make love to me right here.
    My pulse races as if I’m sprinting the hundred-meter dash. What’s happening with us? Why is he doing this now? I’ve always noticed he was sexy, but I never allowed myself to go there. He’s off limits.
    But with that look on his face and the way he seems to be struggling with his attraction to me… It’s becoming difficult. The lines are blurring. I reach the deck stairs and take them to the top.
    Once there, Gray looks down and grunts. “I’ll be right back.” He laughs, then shakes his head and adjusts himself.
    Oh God… I stare at his retreating form almost in shock. I can’t believe this. I’m turned on. Why am I turned on? Why does it feel so good to have his attention?
    A moment later, he strides back out carrying two beers. Cheeks rosy, he doesn’t look at me at first but eventually lifts his eyes to mine and smirks. I laugh. It’s impossible not to. If he wasn’t so hot, that smirk would be incredibly corny.
    “Grayson Walsh! What was that? Were you just eye fucking me?” I ask with a mixture of amusement and surprise.
    He smiles a big goofy grin and sets the beers down on the table. “When? Right now?” He questions, innocently. I nod. “No. But on the deck, you bet your sexy ass I was.”
    “Oh my God,” I groan in mock protest. “What the hell has gotten into you?”
    His smile falls, hunger glazing over his eyes. “You, sweet cheeks have gotten into me, and you’ve gotten into me good.”
    He’s serious. Is he making a play for me? I think he is.
    Looking away, I start to freak out. Why do I feel drawn to him all of a sudden? Gray’s hot, but I can’t go there. In my heart, I know I can’t do that to Cooper. But does Cooper even care anymore? He’s not here. He’s never here. He’s always gone and God knows who he’s with.
    I’m playing with knives. I can feel myself getting cut. Not once, but repeatedly. The truth is… when we start crossing boundaries, things get messy. Often times, one boundary leads to another and another, and before we