Page 35 of Enemies Under One Roof

‘Yeah,’ Ivy nodded sadly. ‘She was. That makes me even more determined to make WillowGlen the best possible place it can be, including this pool. When was the last time you swam here?’ she asked.

‘I can’t remember, but probably the last year of school. Once Cam, Luc and I started uni and stopped coming as regularly, it slowly reverted back to what it is now. I offered, more than once, to get it fixed and maintained, but she wasn’t interested, said there was no need for it.’

‘Thanks for showing me. As often as I’ve wandered through the grounds, I can see now why I never found it.’

Despite the bushes overgrowing and covering the entrance, Ethan had known exactly where it was, and they’d found it without a problem.

‘Despite the small path, it was purposely built to be hidden. Although I don’t think that was a Victorian feature but a quirk of the original owner. Like a hidden oasis, not that you’d need one with the English weather.’

She laughed and imagined the pool and surrounding area restored to its former glory and filled with people again, a true oasis rather than the neglected and discarded spot it was on this gloomy day. ‘I can see what you mean about it being a quiet space, but it would definitely need easier access to be fully utilised.’ She glanced up at the grey sky. ‘Is a roof to make it suitable for all weather a possibility?’

Ethan looked around the grounds and back at her with a gleam she was beginning to recognise as the one when he was assessing something that resonated with him. ‘Yes, that could absolutely work. It would definitely give it more scope for usage rather than a few months during the year. Unless there are some guests who are hardy souls and like swimming in arctic-like conditions.’

As if on cue, light rain began to fall.

‘So much for the rain holding off for a few hours,’ she mused. The weather had cleared at the end of their morning session when the topic of the pool had been brought up, so they’d decided to visit it immediately, not bothering to bring umbrellas, only puffer jackets. ‘I’ve seen all I need, thanks for showing me.’

‘Let’s get inside before it gets any heavier,’ Ethan said, leading the way back through the overgrown passageway and onto the main gravel path.

The rain had grown steadier and she pulled up her hood and quickened her pace until it started teeming, and then they broke into a run. Ivy was glad she’d taken Ethan’s advice and worn something sturdier than her usual heeled boots.

At the entrance to the mudroom, drenched and panting, Ethan held open the heavy door as Ivy raced inside, before he closed it behind them.

‘Thank goodness,’ she exclaimed.

Pulling off her gloves she pushed back her hood and shook herself like a dog, water spraying everywhere, but it was like the chill from her jacket had seeped through to her bones. Trying to get it off, she tugged at the zip lodged under her chin and yanked it down to her chest, where it jammed. Her fingers, cold and clumsy, despite being in gloves for the past hour, fumbled with the tab. Sucking in a breath, she tried again before yelping in frustration when it remained stuck.

Ethan turned towards her; he’d already discarded his jacket revealing a thick black cable-knit jumper.

Momentarily distracted, she clocked his sexy fisherman look. Her mouth dried. Was there nothing that didn’t look good on him?

Wearing nothing would look extremely good on him.

She froze, certain that lust was written all over her face. She gulped and gave herself a mental shake, before tugging frantically at her zipper again, but it wouldn’t budge.

‘Need a hand?’ he asked.

She stilled, considering her options. She could hunt down a pair of scissors and cut the thing off, or she could let Ethan help.

Surely the latter was better than the former? He’d only take a second and then she’d flee the room until sanity returned. Because she couldn’t afford to let her guard slip; too much was at stake. There was never going to be a happily ever after for her.

‘Yes, please,’ she squeaked.

He moved forward and stepped close enough that she could see the bristles on his jaw, the flush along his cheekbones and droplets of rain on his inky black lashes.

Her teeth chattered, and she almost convinced herself it was from the cold, not the forcefield of emotions that rocked her at his proximity.

Desire.

Attraction.

Want.

Even though she knew it was wrong to have those feelings.

Her hands fell to her sides as he slowly raised his and carefully tugged on the tab, without touching her and without success.

‘I’m putting this up here to give some traction.’ He raised his other hand and pointed to her upper chest before placing it there.