I woke with a start, sitting up straight and straining my eyes against the darkness. I turned to face the noise that I thought had awaken me, but the house was silent and still. Too still, in fact, and my eyes drifted to the other side of the bed, dimly lit by the moonlight streaming in through the windows. She was gone, and I notice the bathroom across the hall is dark and unoccupied. Where could she be? Im concerned, because usually she wont leave my side on a night like this, unless something has her upset, or something is weighing on her mind. I find my silk robe in the dimness and tiptoe on the hardwood floors, just in case. If she is in need of some solitary respite, I dont want to disturb her. I see the lights from the pool, floating across the kitchen counter like luminous shadows; I hear the splashing of her perfect backstroke drifting in through the open French doors. I stand just around the corner, leaning against the wall of the hallway in a silent debate. Do I make my presence known, watch her from afar, or creep back into bed? The desire to see her is overwhelming so the latter is not even an option, but dare I interrupt her solitude?

More than anything Im curious to know what has driven her to the soothing water of the pool in the dead of night. I tie another knot on my robe and with newly emboldened steps walk toward her. I watch for a few minutes as she swims back and forth, from one end of the pool to the other, eyes closed, keeping her head just above the surface of the blue water. Her body is revealed only by the lights from the pool, morphed by the water rippling around her, but not so much that I cant tell shes opted for a skinny diphow very unlike her. I walk around to the edge she is slowly reaching, with long, luxurious strokes. I can see every muscle in her arms and shoulders flex and tighten as she reaches backward, her slender fingers pushing the water aside to clear her path. She extends her hand to touch the cold concrete but instead it lands on my palm. She stands up in the water, her glistening chest exposed to the chilly evening air. Shityou scared me, T, she sputters, wiping her face as dry as she can with her dripping hands. I sit on the edge, ease my legs into the warm water, and she slides in between my knees.

Are you okay? I ask softly, pushing her soaked hair out of her beautiful face. I want to see those eyes; they can never lie, even if her lips are sometimes adept at the task. She lowers her gaze to my partially exposed thighs and sighs, I couldnt really sleep. I chuckle as I kiss her forehead, Do you want me to come in? But shes already beginning to untie my robe, to push it off my shoulders and down my arms, to tug on my legs, pulling me into the water with her. The waters feels cold against my skin, but that is soon remedied by her embrace; she holds me close, humming and moaning softly as we float entangled with each other into the middle of the pool.

What do you want, baby?

Just this

I chuckle again and look at her face, Thats why youre out here doing laps in the wee hours of the morning, right? She feigns insult for a second, then puts an end to my teasing with a penetrating look from her smoldering dark eyes. Tell me what you want, I insist in a low, almost demanding tone. Her breathing quickens, she lowers her lips to my neck and mumbles, Just touch me. I guide her to the side of the pull, fingering her hair as she continues to assault my skin with kisses, sucking away the water and replacing it with the sweetness of her mouth. Pushing her against the wall, I hold her about the waist with one arm, while the other directs a hand to where she needs me, wants me. I cant help but groan into her wet hair when I feel her, swollen and aching for my touch. I stroke up and down, slowly, lovingly, wanting this moment to last forever. I nuzzle my face into hers, seeking her lips to feel her mouth, her tongue, her moans and cries. She sucks on my lips hungrily, and we forgo air for the time being, gladly willing to drown in each other. Our tongues wrestle, back and forth, twisting around, until finally she has to break away. She needs to gasp for air, because my fingers are tugging more than stroking, pulling and rubbing her closer to the release shes been wanting for hours.

She clasps my head in her hands and looks straight into my eyes, smiling, trying to say my name through a strangled breath. She arches her back, never breaking her gaze with my eyes, and surrenders into my arms. Are you gonna be able to sleep now? I mutter into her ear. She chuckles weakly, still clinging to my wet body to anchor herself. Her legs, so powerful in propelling her through this water no longer have the strength to sustain her weight. And I cant help but become enamored with the thought that Ive done this to her, that I can still do this to her. Im just as amazed now as I was the first time I held her, flushed and sweaty, really sweaty. I was so slow and methodical, she soaked through my sheets from perspiring so muchat first. She gives me another weak smile and a small jerk of the head. Our intention is to go back and sleep, but theres at least a 3-minute interval from here to the bedroom, and anything can happen once shes regained her fortitude.

Theres the faint sound of crying, mingled with radio static. We both scamper out of the pool, streaking across the backyard dripping wet and running into the house, down the hallway, and into his bedroom. I push the door wide open, slowly step over to the crib, and peak inside. Bette waits anxiously by the door, her brow wrinkled, awaiting my conclusion. I press a finger to my lips and tiptoe toward her. A little puddle of water has collected at her feet on the hallway floor and she grasps my arms so I wont slip because of it.

Is he okay?

Yeah, he was probably just having a dream or something.

Maybe he needs another blankie

She doesnt wait for my opinion; she strides down the hall to retrieve the dark blue cashmere blanket she purchased a few days ago. Grab some towels too! I hissed under my breath. I sneak back outside, like a inmate breaking out of the big house, and snatch up the baby monitor from the edge of the pool. Once inside, she walks toward me and offers to help put on my robe. She wraps her arms around my shoulders and places a soft kiss against my temple. I think Im gonna stay with him for a little while, just to make sure hes okay. I turn around in her embrace and nod as she places another kiss on my forehead. I find her hand and weave her fingers with mine, releasing one after another as I walk away.

Ill be there in a little bit.

Okay, baby.