Page 32 of Her Supermodel Stalker
“I already did.”
Susie comes out of the house holding two drinks. She passes one to each of us, and then she ogles Devin shamelessly. “Wow, boss, I’m speechless. You’re stunning. May I take a picture of you? I promise I won’t post it on social media.”
Devin shrugs. “Sure.”
She snaps photos right away, adjusting distances and angles, even asking Devin to pose for her!
While I cringe at what she’s doing and hope she’ll stop soon, I see the positive side of it. It gives me a reason to ogle the supermodel, too. I rake his body with my eyes and even linger on his briefs for a moment. He doesn’t have a bulge there. Nevertheless, I remember how good it felt and tasted. Shit… I’m so shameless!
And yet, despite the voice chiding me in my head, I continue to stare, and Susie continues to photograph Devin, until the movements in the pool catch my attention.
The kids, including Maggie, have all moved out of the water. Everyone’s attention is in on Devin. Alarmed, I search for Jimmy. I see the noodle that’s wrapping around him; I see him floating, and then he flips, his head dips into the water, and his feet wriggles in the air. It takes me a second to realize he can’t flip back.
I shriek and jump out of my chair. “Jimmy!”
I run around the fence to get to the gate of the fence, but before I even get there, another person, a big, bronze man, has already jumped over the fence and dived into the water.
He takes less than a second to get hold of my son and brings him up to the surface of the water.
I find myself holding my child’s hand, in the back of an ambulance first, and then in the hospital. Devin gave Jimmy CPR as soon as they got out of the water, and it took the child just a few seconds to regain breathing. He looked fine but frightened. The paramedic who arrived later said we should have the child checked up just in case.
Devin never leaves my side after the incident, except when I was putting our clothes back on in the pool house. While waiting for the doctor to check Jimmy up, he sits next to me in the waiting area, his arm wrapping around my shoulders. “He’s going to be okay,” he says.
I nod. “Thank you for saving him,” It’s the first time I say it. I should’ve thanked him sooner, but my mind was all on Jimmy.
“You’re welcome,” he says, kissing my head. “I’m sorry. I’m responsible for the accident. If I hadn’t distracted everyone’s attention, it would not have happened.”
I shake my head. I had that thought, too, but it was as silly as blaming Susie for having the pool party. “No, you saved him. I can’t imagine what would happen if you were a few seconds late.”
I shiver at the thought and then at the realization that Devin himself could be injured from the heroic act, too. The fence is as tall as my neck, I can’t fathom anyone climbing over it, not to mention jumping. And he did it without a moment’s hesitation, despite what I said to him the other day.
“Are you cold?” Devin holds me tighter.
“No, I’m not,” I say, nudging my cheek against his chest to be closer to him. “I’m just thinking…you’re an excellent diver.”
He chuckles. “Thank you. I’m glad I put my cliff-diving skill to good use, and it’s not just an expensive hobby.”
I giggle at his humor. Oh God. I love this man. I’ve probably been in “love” with Devin Gamble for years, but the actual person next to me makes my heart throb. Oh, God! How could I ever doubt him?
The doctor decides that Jimmy’s vital signs, chest x-ray, and oxygen levels are all fine, and releases him from the hospital in the evening. Devin calls a cab to take us to my mom’s house. When we get out of the taxi, he insists on holding Jimmy in his arms. As we walk to the house, I can’t stop gazing at them and I feel a lump in my throat. My son wraps his arms around Devin’s neck and rests his head on his shoulder, looking as if he owns the big man. I keep thinking how nice it would be if Devin were indeed Jimmy’s dad.
My mom opens the door for us and takes Jimmy from Devin’s arms. “Oh God, baby, are you all right?”
I’ve called my mom earlier from the hospital, letting her know Jimmy was okay, but from the dark circles around her eyes, I can tell she’s been worried sick.
“I’m fine, grandma. Devin saved my life,” Jimmy says proudly.
“Thank God!” My mom can’t stop crying as she clutches Jimmy in her arms.
Devin and I are still standing at the door, but we both wait patiently for her to collect herself. A moment later, she puts down the child and says to Devin while wiping the tears from her face, “Thank you so much, Devin!”
“You’re very welcome, Helen.” Devin hugs her, patting her back until she calms down.
“Stay for dinner, please!” she says. “I’m making pasta. We could also order a pizza.”
“I would love to, thank you,” Devin says with a grin. “But there’s no need for pizza. Can I help you out with the pasta?”
“Oh, it won’t be necessary,” my mom says. “You could sit down and rest. The pasta sauce is almost ready. It’ll just take me a few minutes to make the salad.”
