Page 25 of Stroked Long
It warms my heart to see Lauren so eager and happy to cheer Bodi on, as if they are brother and sister from blood. Their tight-knit family is endearing. I’m actually kind of jealous. I want to be part of their intimate little circle.I want to be one of the elite who is allowed to cheer Bodi on. I want to bein.
“Three, two, one. Done.”
Water splashes around the pool and onto the deck as Bodi’s body pops up from his horizontal position, and he lifts himself out of the water to sit on the edge of the pool, a full-on smile gracing his face as he looks up at his coach.
Kick me in the nipple!Thatsmile is vagina-clenching good.
Why is that smile reserved for his coach? What I wouldn’t give to have that smile directed at me, caused by me, brought on by something small I did. It would be the greatest reward.
From the light crinkle in the corner of his eyes, to the smile lines next to his lips, it’s intoxicating.
“God . . .” I sigh.
“Hey, stick your tongue back in your mouth. You’re embarrassing to look at right now.”
“What? Oh.” I sit up and shut my mouth, blushing from being caught gawking. “I’m just impressed with his pace. What a rigorous workout.”
“You’re such a bad liar.” Lauren chuckles. “I’m not stupid. Bodi’s hot, but you could at least show a little class when you’re staring at him.”
Is that even possible? To be a classy gawker around a hot man? Please show me one woman who doesn’t get all gooey around a man in a Speedo with unbelievably defined abs, pecs, shoulders, and arms. Not to mention his boyish charm, often hidden behind his dismissive façade. It’s a combination that is bound to explode any ovaries in sight.
“I just don’t understand how he can act so casual when he’s not wearing anything.” Standing in front of his coach, Bodi is talking about his workout and pointing to something on his coach’s clipboard. Everything about his body is tight, defined, brawny. Well everything is beside the miniscule scrap of spandex wrapped around his crotch.
“He’s been wearing practically nothing all his life. He’s pretty used to it.”
“Does he have to wear the smallest one ever? I mean, I think I can see his butt crack.”
“And you’re complaining because . . .?” Lauren asks.
I hold my hands up in defense. “I’m not complaining, just pointing it out.”
“Thanks, coach,” Bodi’s voice booms off the walls.
Turning, he spots Lauren as he wraps a towel around his neck. Coming toward us, with purpose in every single step, he stutters slightly when he recognizes me next to her. The hitch in his step makes my stomach flip with nerves. I might have forgotten to tell him I was coming to swim camp today. But then again, even if I told him, he probably wouldn’t have listened because he refuses to answer my phone calls.
“Looking good today, Bodi,” Lauren says as Bodi steps up to us.
Power flows off him. Internally, I know he’s struggling, and he’s putting on a brave façade, trying to mask the struggles he faces on a day-to-day basis but outwardly, he looks strong, confident, put together.
He must be so tired. Tired of hiding who he truly is.
“Thanks.” Nodding his head in greeting, he says, “Hey Ruby.”
Oh God, the way my name rolls off his lips makes my toes tingle.
“Hi Bodi,” I reply nervously. I hate that I’m practically trembling in front of him right now. “Good workout today, not that I really know anything about swimming workouts, but it looked hard. Was it hard? Of course it was hard, you looked like a dolphin in there. I would look like a fin-less seal trying to figure out how to roll out of the pool. Not much of a swimmer, but that’s why I’m coming to camp. To get my swim on.” Silence. “Do you like my bathing suit?” I hold my hands out but quickly put them down when I realize my hips are thrusting in his direction. Not the best model pose. “You don’t have to answer. It’s new. I mean, no, it’s not.” I quickly backpedal, not wanting Bodi to know I got this bathing suit just for today. “It’s old. So old I had to blow mothballs off it today. Not that I smell like mothballs. I bet that’s what you were thinking, weren’t you?” I point my finger at him, hand on my hip.
“You can shut up now,” Lauren interjects.
“Yup.” My lips thin and flames of embarrassment envelop me.
“Ruby and I will be joining camp today. She feels in order to understand the foundation and the money it will be raising for the scholarships, she needs to gain first-hand experience when it comes to swimming.”
“You don’t know how to swim?” Bodi asks me, his emotionless mask firmly in place.
“Oh no, I can swim. I just am not one with the pool like you are.”
He nods. “Typically we don’t allow two-piece bathing suits at camp since they aren’t practical for training.”
