Wallflower Cookie O'Gorman (list of ebook readers .TXT) 📖

was following Dare into his frankly humongous house, walking past all of the fine furnishings and into the backyard where there was, indeed, a pool.

"Okay, Viola, swimming is a very important skill," he said.  His brow arched as he added, "Especially if you go jumping into bodies of water all the time."

I rolled my eyes.  "This was a first.  Like I told you, I was worried for Hermione."

Dare nodded and walked down some steps into the shallow end.

In the next second, he'd pulled his shirt off and threw it to the pool deck.  Oh my, I thought.  I didn't think I'd ever get over the sight of a shirtless Dare Frost.  I wondered if he could see the hearts in my eyes as I gazed at him.  My still damp t-shirt felt warmer than it had only moments ago.

"Well, don’t keep me waiting, flower," he said.  "This is for your benefit after all."

Was he referring to his half-nakedness?

Because I definitely felt blessed by the sight in front of me.

Toeing off my shoes (that were soggy anyway from my impromptu swan dive), I made my way hesitantly to the steps.  I used the rail to walk down them, feeling the cool water getting higher and higher.  The water only came to Dare's hips.  But since he was taller, it hit me at waist-level.

I looked up at Dare and crossed my arms.

"Okay, I'm in," I said.

"Yeah, I can see that," he said.

When he kept staring, I added, "I hope you don't think I'm taking off my shirt."

Dare gave me a half-smile.  "You can if you want."

"No thanks," I said, gesturing to his body.  "Not all of us look that amazing under our clothes."

"I'd love to be the judge of that," he said.

I frowned.  "You're not funny."

"Who said I was joking?"  He went on before I could form a response.  "Anyway, since we've established, you're going to be boring and keep all your clothes on—"

"Hey, I removed my shoes and socks."  I sniffed.  "Those count."

Dare shook his head.  "We'll work on floating first just to get you used to the water."

"You don't have to do this," I said as he took a step closer.

"Yeah, I do."  Placing his hand in the middle of my back, he said, "Just lean back, Vi.  I've got you."

I huffed but did as he asked.

There was a moment of panic when my feet began to slide up from underneath me, my whole body feeling off-balance.

"Relax," Dare said again.  "I'm here."

With a deep inhale, I allowed him and the water to take my weight, my legs bobbing up and down ever so slightly.  The sky was so blue, the cotton-candy white clouds shifting overhead, and there was Dare.  His face gazing down at me as he kept his palm on my back.

"You okay?" he asked after a minute.

"Yeah," I said in surprise.  "I'm good."

"Let's see what happens when I take my hand away."  My spine stiffened at that, but he laughed.  "I'm not going anywhere, Viola.  Jeez, have a little faith."

I nodded slightly.

"Okay, here we go."

In the next second, I felt him pull away.  The water rushed into the spot where his hand had been, but I tried not to react.  A few seconds later, when I knew I wasn't going under, I relaxed.

"This is actually kind of soothing," I said and threw him a smile.

Dare winked.  "And the view's not bad either."

His blue eyes were still on me, I realized, and a flush stole up my neck.  Gah, why did he have to say things like that?

"Time to try actual swimming," he said after I'd successfully floated for a while.

As he helped me stand up again, I felt pumped.

"Okay, let's do this," I said.

"It may be more difficult, but you'll get it," he assured.

I nodded.

"Bend your knees and extend your arms over the water in front of you.  Keep your head up.  Think about floating on your front.  And remember, flower, try and stay relaxed."

I did what he said, but nearly gasped as my feet left the pool bottom and one of Dare's arms went beneath my ribs, the other across my hips.

"Just supporting you," he said, "until you get the hang of it."

"O-okay," I said, hating that telling stutter.

"Just move your arms and legs in little strokes like you saw Hermione do today."

Remembering how happy Hermione was at the pool, I tried to recreate her movements.

"Good," Dare said.  "That's good.  Try to smooth it out a bit."

I did what he said, and soon it felt like I was actually swimming.

"I think I'm doing it, Dare!" I said.  "Oh my gosh!"

He laughed at my enthusiasm.  "Yeah, you're a quick learner.  That's for sure."

"You're a great teacher," I replied still unable to believe it.  I mean, yes, Dare was still supporting me, and I'd probably go under if he wasn't.  But I was swimming for the first time!  "If I get a fur baby who can't swim, maybe I'll be able to save them now."

Dare sighed.  "I think you'll need a few more lessons for that."

I rolled my eyes.

"You can come over and practice if you want," he added.  "My parents won't mind.  They're hardly ever here."

"I don't anticipate jumping into any pools in the near future."

He was quiet a moment.  Then he said, "You know, you really scared me today."

"Sorry," I said as he helped me to get vertical.  When I saw his face, I said it again.  "Dare, I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to scare you."

He shook his head, ran a hand over his jaw.  "I keep picturing your head going under.  I had Snape in my arms at that point, had to put him down before I jumped.  It