Page 8 of The Claiming

I carry on swimming, but my mind is awash with images of his toned body emerging from the pool like Poseidon himself.

My mouth dried when I saw his muscles rippling and the tight swim shorts clinging to his muscled ass. I am used to impressive physiques but his was astonishing.

He never looked at me once, let alone twice, and I kind of liked that. As I passed him in the pool, it didn’t feel awkward. If anything, it was comforting having him nearby.

I float on my back for a while, considering the day’s events.

Once we settled in, Siri accompanied me to the hall where we learned how it works around here.

I signed up for a few clubs, swim club being one of them, and as we acquainted ourselves with the layout of the place, I spied the pool as a giant attraction.

I love swimming. I always have and I expect it’s the challenge it provides. I’m a strong swimmer because I was taught as a baby and practice every day in the huge pool we have at the compound.

Jack and Imogen are also strong swimmers and, especially Jack, competitive. I engineered endless competitions between us and the rest of the Reaper’s kids and always proved the strongest—Jack included.

As I think of my best friend, I smile. We are so alike. Too much so. Competition is fierce between us and he is my right arm and I am his left one. We are compatible in every way and are like brother and sister – scrub that, identical twins. Knowing he will be here soon offers me security because when Jack isn’t around me, it’s as if a piece of me is missing.

As I float in the ice bath, my thoughts turn to the stranger. I wonder if I’ll see him again. Do I want to? Probably, because coming to Rockwell wasn’t just about my education. It’s the freedom it allows me to take a few risks outside of the safety of my everyday world.

Here, I can make mistakes, rise to new challenges and I’m wondering if the guy who just left could be the most delightful mistake. Do I want him to be? I am curious for sure. I’ve never dated anyone, never had that luxury and aside from that one time with Jack, I have never—well, been with a guy.

My face heats and my pulse races when I think back to that time. As soon as it happened, we knew it was wrong. I always viewed Jack as my brother, and I am mortified how easily we lost control.

My heart races and my cheeks burn when I remember that night. The one we never spoke of again. The one that drove a wedge through our souls.

That will never be repeated, which is why I’m lusting after a great body dripping with water from a freaking polar ice cap.

As soon as my skin hit the temperature, I resisted the urge to squeal. Something stopped me. Pride, perhaps, or was it because of him?

I admit I put on quite the show because I liked it. I wanted him to see me and I still don’t know why. I came here for a reason and that is to discover who Cassandra King is outside of the safe world her family provides as she steps into one where none of the answers are guaranteed.

* * *

Siri’s headturns as I enter our room and she scoffs, “Rather you than me. I heard the pool has icebergs floating around like soft play.”

“You would be right.”

I shiver at the memory. “Although the changing room showers are hot. I feel invigorated.”

She nods, her attention diverted to her phone, and she tugs her bottom lip between her teeth and sighs.

“Problem?” I ask, as I pull on my sweater and jeans and she sighs.

“It’s my cousin, Frankie. He’s asked to meet up for a coffee, probably to lay down the ground rules for being here.”

“That sucks.”

From the expression on her face, she is fearing the worst and I will probably mirror that look when Jack arrives next week.

Freedom isn’t something we take for granted and it sucks having someone watching every move you make, especially when all you want is to be free.

“Come with me, Cass.” She says with a groan. “If you’re there, he won’t be so, well, Frankie.”

“Why not?”

I pull on my sneakers and she shrugs. “All the men in my extended family are overbearing assholes, and it appears that Frankie’s aim in life is to be the biggest one.”

I chuckle at the tortured expression on her face as she taps something back and huffs, “Come on. You’ll be doing me a great service and anytime you ask, I will return the favor.”

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