Strange Medicine (Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries #1)(21)

“But… but… why us?” His brow was wrinkled, and he truly did look muddled.

“Why not us?”

“We’ve barely seen each other since I’ve been in town.”

“The night you had the intruder and I stayed until morning—that got tongues wagging.”

“How would that be common knowledge?” He scowled. “Are they watching my house with binoculars? For goodness’ sake, I wouldn’t know anything they’re up to.”

“I know. Sorry. This aspect of Rainy Dale is always hard on people who didn’t grow up here.”

He exhaled as if frustrated. “I can imagine what they’ll think now that we’re having dinner.”

“They’ll probably think we’re engaged.” I laughed.

“You seem to find this funny.” He sniffed disapprovingly.

“Not much we can do about it. It doesn’t hurt anything to have them talking about us.”

“I guess.” He scratched at the label on his beer bottle. “Although, if we had significant others, it… uh… could be a problem.”

I swallowed loudly because his tone seemed searching. “Well, I don’t have anyone who will be upset.”

He bit his lip, keeping his gaze pinned on the top of the table. “Me neither.”

I’d suspected he wasn’t involved with anyone, but until he’d actually said the words, there’d always been the possibility he had someone waiting for him back in LA. I was stupidly pleased that he didn’t have a boyfriend. I didn’t have any big plan to seduce him or anything, but knowing he wasn’t taken gave me a jolt of pleasure.

“Then I guess it doesn’t matter how much they gossip.” I smiled at him, hoping I looked nonthreatening. Instinct told me even if he was attracted to me, he would reject me if I made the first move.

“I guess not.” He wiped his forehead. “God, it’s horrible tonight.”

“So humid,” I agreed.

He flicked his gaze to mine, shifting uneasily. “Would you want to go for a swim?”

Surprise rippled through me, along with excitement. He didn’t want me to leave right away, and that pleased me greatly. “I don’t have any trunks.”

He ran his gaze over my body and swallowed. “I have extra.” He sounded breathless.

“Um… sure. I’d love a swim.”

Standing, he nodded. “Okay. I’ll be right back.” He disappeared into the house.

My gut swirled with anxiety. I was usually much more sure of myself with guys, but Maxwell kept me on edge. He was impossible to read half the time, and that made me uneasy. Was he the kind of guy who just wanted sex without strings? He didn’t strike me as the relationship type, but nothing would surprise me about him at this point.

He invited me for a swim. Not a fuck.

I shook myself, trying not to read too much into this friendlier version of Maxwell. When he returned he was wearing a pair of white-and-blue trunks. He had a much nicer body than I’d even suspected. I’d seen him without his shirt, so I already knew he had a surprisingly buff pair of biceps, but now I could also see his long, muscular legs with just a sprinkle of dark hairs. I was a little embarrassed when he caught me checking him out.

He handed me the trunks. “These should fit.”

“Thanks.” I looked around. “Should I change inside?”

“Whatever you want.” He gave a little smile. “If you want to change out here, I won’t peek.”

I laughed, feeling uncharacteristically shy. “Okay. Turn your back.”

He obliged, and he moved toward the pool at the same time. I toed off my boots, pulled my shirt off over my head, and laid it next to Grumpy, who slept on a lounge chair. Then my hands dropped to my belt, and I flicked a glance toward Maxwell. He had his back to me still, and I undid my jeans and stepped out of them. Then I slipped on the trunks, embarrassed that I had a semi-erection. I prayed Maxwell didn’t notice before I got in the pool.

He walked down the steps of the pool and sank under the water. When he surfaced, he blew out a loud breath and his gaze settled on me near the pool’s edge. He ran his eyes over my body, and my pulse picked up. Even in the dark I could see his heated gaze. My heart began to beat faster as I realized maybe he really did want more than just dinner tonight. I decided I’d leave it all up to him. I was merely going to follow his lead. If he wanted sex, I wasn’t going to turn him down. But I also wasn’t going to push for anything he didn’t initiate first.

I walked into the water, shivering a little at the cooler temperature. It felt good though, a welcome change from the balmy heat. I sank up to my shoulders, and he licked his lips and then turned and swam away. My pulse was still on high, but I stayed where I was. I just knew he wouldn’t react well if I chased him.

He floated on his back and didn’t look at me, so I swam a few laps, giving him lots of space. We stayed like that for twenty minutes or so, him floating and me doing my own thing. But at one point, he moved closer. He looked incredibly sexy with his dark hair slicked back, and his high cheekbones and perfect nose giving him an aristocratic appearance. I wanted to get closer and press him against the pool wall. I wanted to feel his hard muscles fold into mine as I kissed him. I felt breathless and excited, and all we’d done was look at each other.