Fate - Page 26/137

And what a view to soak up at the moment, she thought, or was that lap up?

There below, racing against an invisible opponent swam Ethan, lap after lap. The well defined muscles of his broad shoulders rippled with each stroke while his powerful legs created a deep wake behind him, not a gram of fat adhering to his body. Her heated gaze took in the hip hugging black briefs that must dip tantalizing low at the front, the possibility of Ethan switching to backstroke bringing a lump to Belinda's throat.

'O oh. Show time.' She muttered as Ethan finished off his swim with an athletic push up onto the end of the pool. The water streaming down created rivulets accentuating the hard contours of his wholly masculine form. As he turned towards his towel Belinda mouth gaped at his powerful chest which was lightly covered with dark springy curls. They arrowed down over a classic 6 pack to disappear into the band of swimmers which didn't leave much to the imagination. A thoroughly well built package and no doubt widely admired by all of his female acquaintances Belinda surmised, unreasonably jealous at the thought.

Realising that at any moment Ethan could look up and catch her gawking Belinda decided that she needed to cool off and escaped back into the cool room.

Ethan felt his neck prickling the moment he dragged himself out of the pool. Not normally self conscious about his body he quickly dried himself and wrapped the towel around his hips sarong fashion then raised his head to scan the house. Belinda's retreating confirmed his suspicions. For how ever long, she had been watching him from the balcony.

Never having been referred to as modest he hoped she had enjoyed the show.

Lunch could prove interesting.

It was.

Over lunch Ethan had ensured that he had pulled out all stops to make Belinda feel at home. He told funny stories about Chloe and Darlene, much to their disgust.

No mention though of Chloe's mother. I wonder why? Belinda asked herself.

As she settled under the covers that night loving the decadent feel of silk upon silk Belinda replayed and analysed the people and the events that crowded her first day out in the world away from the protective if somewhat confining walls of the hospital.

Darlene was a treasure. In her mid to late 50's she undoubtedly ruled the roost with a firm hand though never stepping over the boundary of paid employee. Ethan clearly bowed to her in matters of the house and its management. And her cookies were to die for. Though her appetite seemed depressed Belinda still enjoyed the two meals that Darlene had prepared. Darlene had chided her about the small portions she had dished up onto her plate but try as she might she couldn't have stomached any more than she did.