Yup, she just needed to get into the swing of things, and, as Darla said, enjoy herself. And as long as she kept any emotions from sneaking into the mix, all would be well. After all, how difficult could that be?


* * *

Josh stood in the pool, arms outstretched and resting along the bumpy cement edge, cool water lapping at his waist. He refused to check his watch again, logic telling him that no more than thirty seconds had elapsed since the last time he'd looked at it, and a good ten minutes remained before their lesson was scheduled to start. And he also refused to look down at the front of his swimsuit, which, no matter how he tried to will it otherwise, remained tented.

Damn, why wasn't the cool pool water taking the edge off his ardor? A humorless laugh whooshed past his lips. Hell, cool water didn't stand a chance. What he needed was ice water. And somehow, he suspected even that wouldn't help. No doubt about it, he was hot and bothered, and it was all her fault.

He tipped his head back and squeezed his eyes shut. The same question that had plagued him all day echoed once again in his brain. What the hell had happened last night?

Sex, you idiot. Great sex in fact. Best you've had in a while.

A frown pulled on his brow. A while? How about ever.

And just sex? Nope.

He had enough experience to know that a hell of lot more than sex had happened between him and Lexie. And, as tempted as he might be to do so, there was no point in lying to himself about it. Years ago Dad had given him some advice he'd taken to heart. Son, the biggest liar you'll ever have to face is the one who watches you shave in the mirror every morning.

Well, he might be able to squeak a falsehood past himself now and again, but this was not one of those times. The truth was like a horseshoe smacking him upside his head. What the hell had happened last night?

He'd fallen in love.

Yup, after a day spent pondering, there was no doubt. He'd fallen ass over spurs in love. He hadn't been looking, but love had bitten him right on the ass. Damn. Story of his life, gettin' bit on the ass when he wasn't lookin'. He'd been around the block too many times not to know that what he felt for Lexie was special. And different-stronger than anything he'd felt for any other woman. This was a need. A want that went beyond sex. She inspired an unfamiliar protectiveness and an overwhelming urge to know everything about her. What she'd been like growing up. Her favorite color. Favorite food. What made her laugh. During their conversation last night, he'd liked all the things he'd learned about her, and they'd just whetted his appetite for more.

Another one of Dad's sage tidbits tapped him on the shoulder. It don't take a genius to spot a Thoroughbred filly in a flock of sheep, 'cause you don't see one there all too often. Just takes a lucky man.

Lexie's smiling face rose in his mind and he shook his head. The last thing he'd been looking for when he came here was a standout in the crowd, but he'd stumbled upon one just the same. Yup, he'd been in over his head the minute he'd clapped eyes on her, and last night had just sealed the deal for him. Just like his dad, he'd fallen in love at first sight.

But damn, the timing was rotten. He'd come here for one reason-to learn what he needed so he could fulfill the dream he and Dad hadn't been able to fulfill together. So he could put that part of his life behind him and find some peace of mind. Romance, let alone falling in love, had most definitely not figured into his plans or his timetable.

You know what they say about the best laid plans…

And not only did the timing stink, but the location was certainly less than stellar. Hell, he was a couple thousand miles from home. From his ranch and the people who depended on him for their livelihoods. And he was only here for the next few weeks. No, findin' a gal like Lexie here and now was a complication he hadn't banked on. And as if there weren't enough roadblocks already, there was Lexie herself to consider. He clearly sensed she wasn't looking for any sort of serious entanglement, and even if she were, she wouldn't choose a guy who only planned to be around for a few weeks. No, he'd bet his bottom dollar that to her, last night had been nothing more than a fling-a way to end her nearly year-long sabbatical from sex.

A humorless laugh escaped him. Unbelievable. For the first time in his life he'd fallen in love, and the object of his affections only wanted him for sex. How ironic was that?

Well, he could play it cool. No need to tip his hand yet. He was a patient man, willing to give her some time to fall in love with him. As long as she didn't take too damn long about it.

A soft splash caught his attention and he opened his eyes. Lexie was walking slowly down the curved steps into the water. Their eyes met, and damn if it didn't feel as if he'd taken a sucker punch to the gut. Annoyed with himself for wanting to just reach out and grab her like some primitive caveman or uncouth, horny teenager, he kept his arms spread and gripped the edge of the pool for all he was worth.

She waded toward him with a half-shy, half-knowing expression that aroused a lot more than just interest. Her dark brown hair surrounded her head in curly abandon, and he instantly recalled the feel of its silky softness sifting through his fingers. His gaze settled on her mouth and he bit back a groan. Hands down, she possessed the most gorgeous lips he'd ever seen. And God help him, he couldn't wait to taste them again.

She stopped directly in front of him and offered him a half smile. "Hi. Hope I haven't kept you waiting long."

The newly minted certainty that he'd been waiting for her a lot longer than the ten minutes he'd been standing in the pool crept through his mind. "Just arrived myself." By God, it was nearly impossible not to snatch her into his arms. But she had said she wanted things to remain businesslike in the pool. And there was no doubt that he'd be hard-pressed to let her go once he got hold of her.

"Did you have a good day?" she asked.

His grip on the edge tightened. "Yup."

"Did you find a sailboat you liked?"

"Nope."

She cocked a brow. "Something wrong?"

Nothing that a few hours alone with you wouldn't cure. "Nope. I'm just remembering what you said last night about keeping it just to swimming lessons in the pool. Wouldn't want you gettin' all mad at me." One corner of his mouth lifted. "Figured I'd play hard to get."

"Hard to get, huh?" Reaching out, she touched one finger to the base of his throat, then slowly dragged her fingertip down the center of his chest. "How hard?"

With a groan, he yanked her into his arms. "I give up."

His mouth covered hers in a demanding, impatient kiss, filled with all the overwhelming feelings and pent-up frustration he'd felt all day. His tongue explored all the sweet secrets of her mouth, while his hands smoothed down her back to her bottom, pulling her flush against him. She moaned, wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself closer, and he was lost. Lost in the feel of her curves under his hands. Her soft breasts crushed to his chest.

Her flowery scent rose from her skin like tropical steam, invading his senses. Spreading his legs farther apart, he shifted, slowly rubbing his erection against the curve of her belly. A shudder ran through her, echoing in him, and it took every drop of his nearly depleted control to keep himself from simply yanking aside the thin barriers of their swimsuits and easing this relentless ache pounding through him. Unfortunately this was neither the time nor the place.

With an effort that cost him, he gentled their kiss, nibbling lightly on her lips, then raising his head. Her warm breath panted against him, and she looked as dazed and bemused as he felt.

"Holy cow," she said in a rough, raspy whisper. She took in two deep breaths, then blinked at him. "Okay, you've got to be the only cowboy who kisses like that."

"Like what?"

"In that liquefy-the-brain-cells, deplete-the-oxygen, knee-removing way."

A chuckle rumbled in his throat. "Why do you say that?"

"Because if every cowboy kissed like you, nothing except kissing would get done on the ranch. The entire beef and cattle industries would go right down the tubes, sending the economy into a tailspin."

He wanted to make a witty rejoinder, something to make her smile, to keep the conversation light, but when he spoke, the simple, undeniable truth tumbled out.

"I thought about you all day."

Lexie looked into his dark, serious eyes, and her the performed a cartwheel. She certainly could say the same to him, although she briefly considered not doing so. But to lie about something so obvious, no doubt God would smite her with a lightning bolt. "I thought about you, too."

He tucked a wayward curl behind her ear, the intimate gesture tingling pleasure down her spine. "During my sailboat-shopping travels today, I ran across a country-western place not too far from here. They serve food and drinks, and there's a dance floor and a couple of pool tables, too. Would you like to go tonight, after our lesson?"

"You must mean Buffalo Pete's."

"Yeah, that was the name of it. Have you ever been?"

"Many times. It's a local favorite. The wings are hot and the beer's icy cold. I'd love to go." She smiled, then forced herself to step away from him, not easy considering everything in her wanted to remain plastered against him. "Ready for our lesson?"

"I'm ready for anything you're willin' to dish out, Miss Lexie."

She cocked a brow at him. "Are we still talking about swimming?"

His dimple flashed. "For now."


* * *

Josh employed the attention-focusing ability that had stood him in good stead during years of rodeo competition to concentrate on their swimming lesson. Following Lexie's directions, he practiced his breathing, then added the kickboard. Then she showed him the arm movements for the basic crawl stroke, which they practiced side by side. She then had him add the breathing, and finally, the kicking. She was patient, businesslike, and tireless, going over the movements with him again and again. Between her determination and his perseverance, by the end of the hour, he'd made it to the opposite end of the pool and back.

He stood in the shallow and swiped back his wet hair. She gave him a broad grin, then applauded.

"Great job, Josh. Ninety percent of swimming is mastering the right kick-stroke-breathing pattern, and you now have a good feel for the rhythm. From here, all you need is practice. You're certainly ready to start sailing lessons."

Unable to control his smug grin, he caught her around the waist, lifted her up and spun her around. She grasped his shoulders and laughed.

He lowered her slowly, enjoying the slide of her wet body down his. "When can we start those sailing lessons, oh, great and wise teacher? Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow is my day off."

Disappointment edged through him. "So that means you're not available?"

"Actually, it means I'm available all day."

His gaze wandered down to her full lips, and his heart thumped hard. "Now that's what I call good news."

"The best news is the great progress you've made in such a short amount of time. I think you're the best student I've ever had."

"Well, I know you're the best teacher I've ever had. And definitely the prettiest."

She leaned back in the circle of his arms and shot him a teasing grin. "Oh, come on. I bet there were loads of pretty science and math teachers at the University of Montana."

"There might have been, but my teachers tended toward the bearded, gray-haired, masculine variety."

"Hmm. So, me being the prettiest teacher you've ever had isn't much of a compliment considering the competition."

"Well, you're also the sexiest teacher I've ever had."

"More so than the 'bearded, gray-haired, masculine variety.' Gee, thanks."

He shot her a mock fierce frown and tightened his arms around her. "You're a tough gal to give a compliment to."

"And you're hard-"

"Because of you-"

"-to resist."

Her wicked smile fired his blood. "Well, now," he said, "that's very good to hear. I suggest we consider this lesson officially over. You still up for our date at Buffalo Pete's?"

She leaned closer and rose up on her toes to lightly tug on his earlobe with her teeth. A fog of lust enveloped him and he nearly missed her heart-stopping reply.

"Oh, I'm definitely up for it," she whispered against his ear. "For starters."