Page 7 of Off-Limits

When I emerge from the bathroom, Jake is leaning against the wall across the hall, his arms crossed over his chest. He's wearing a simple black t-shirt and jeans that hug him in all the right places. My heart skips a beat at the sight of him, but I push the thought away, focusing instead on his offer.

"Ready?" he asks, flashing me a small smile.

Ready? As if I could ever be ready for something like that. But to prove I'm not weak and that I'm not feeling things for him that I shouldn't, I pretend I am.

"So, which place do you prefer?" he asks warily, his eyes flicking over me before settling on my face.

I flash him a mischievous grin, aware he doesn't know that I've just changed my mind. We are not going anywhere together anymore. I don't want to go with him because I don't know what would happen.

I want to stay here, in my parents' house, where at least I know I can control myself and nothing weird will happen between us.

I just feel safer here than out there, with him, and his warmth is always around me, even though it's quieter here and I can see him more.

Well, can't have everything.

"Actually, I'm heading to the pool," I say, turning toward the stairs. "It's cooler in there, and honestly, it's way too hot to go out. Might as well enjoy what we've got right here."

Jake pauses for a moment, clearly unsure. He's probably trying to figure out what's going through my head and why I changed my mind so suddenly. Still, he follows me downstairs, his footsteps echoing softly behind mine. When we step out into the sweltering heat, I can feel his eyes on my back, but I don't turn around. I know that doing so would be a mistake.

The pool is nestled in the far corner of the backyard, surrounded by lush greenery and a few strategically placed patio chairs. It looks inviting, like the perfect escape from this oppressive heat.

As I walk towards the pool, I can feel Jake's eyes on me, but I refuse to look back at him. Instead, I focus on the cool water ahead, already imagining the relief it'll bring from this relentless heat. I know I just took a shower, but being in the pool is going to be a very different thing.

I reach the edge of the pool and pause for a moment, taking in the clear blue water. It's like it's calling out to me, beckoning me to dive in and escape the world for just a little while. And that's exactly what I plan to do.

But before I can make my move, Jake's voice stops me cold. "Mia, wait." Is he finally going to confront me about my sudden change of mind and address the elephant in the room? I wonder. If so, he's in for a surprise. I already have the answer ready.

I turn around slowly, raising an eyebrow at him. "What?"

He shifts uncomfortably from one foot to the other, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his jeans. He looks like he has something on his mind, but whatever it is, he seems reluctant to spit it out.

"Um..." he starts, hesitating for a moment before continuing. That's odd. He's usually more composed than that. Do I really have that effect on him? "I just... I don't think you should go swimming right now."

Huh? What the hell is he going on about with that? I wonder.

I blink at him in surprise, taken aback by his order and the way he said it. "Why not?" I ask, genuinely confused. "It's hot as hell out here, and the pool looks perfect."

Jake runs a hand through his disheveled hair, looking more flustered by the second. "Yeah, but... it's still pretty early," he says lamely. That definitely didn't sound like a good answer. "The sun is really strong right now. You could burn, or get heatstroke or something."

That felt even lamer.

I cross my arms over my chest, studying him closely. He seems genuinely concerned about my well-being, though, but there's something else in his eyes, too. Something that looks almost like fear.

Is there something in the water that's going to kill me the moment I get in?

The thought almost makes me laugh.

"Jake," I say slowly, taking a step closer to him. "You're not making any sense. It's not even noon yet, and we've been out here for less than two minutes. What's really going on?"

He avoids my gaze, staring off into the distance as if searching for an answer there. When he finally looks back at me, his expression is guarded—almost closed off.

"Nothing," he says firmly. "I just don't want you to get hurt."

He looks nothing like the confident, striking man I know him to be. It's confusing, and I can't help but wonder what's gotten into him.

Either way, something about the way he said it sets my teeth on edge. It feels like there's more to this than he's letting on and I have a feeling it has something to do with whatever almost happened between us that day.

But before I can call him out on his bullshit, he turns and walks back towards the house, leaving me standing alone by the pool. I watch him go, feeling anger and frustration coursing through my veins.

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