18. Swimming

"He's nowhere to be found?" Scarlett said, devastated.

"Don't worry, we'll find him," Innessa assured her.

"You should've noted his number plate," Darla said as Scarlett pouted.

"What if I never find out who he was? I'll die with the fire of vengeance burning my soul every second," Scarlett raked her fingers through her hair, glaring daggers at the guys passing by, looking at them with narrowed eyes, trying to figure out if that guy was one of them.

"They'll think you're a creep," Innessa whispered in a small voice pulling Scarlett away from those guys who gave her weird looks.

"As if I care," She grumbled.

"Let's head to our respective classes and continue our hunt later," Darla said.

Despite being grumpy about it, Scarlett agreed, and the three of them headed to their respective classes.

Innessa was in the corridor with Elena when she noticed Henry with his goons walking down the corridor, he had a bruise on the corner of his lip. Their eyes locked, and she instantly looked away, hoping he'd quietly walk away, and to her surprise, he silently walked past her as if she wasn't even there. Innessa couldn't be thankful enough.

Her phone vibrated with a message. It was from Issac.

'When are you free?'

'I still have a class left.' She sent.

'Okay, meet me at the gymnasium after your class.'

'Okay.' She texted back and hurried to her next class.

Innessa couldn't focus on the lecture. Her mind kept diverting to the conversation she had with Issac last night.

She understood that he needed her help and didn't want that girl to get hurt, but why did it feel like she did exactly what he wanted? As if he skillfully coaxed her into it. But the reason was understandable; this way, she wouldn't be taking favor and instead helping him equally.

"Ms. Laskin, care to explain what I've just defined?" The professor asked, and she just stood there. Her eyes opened wide when she noticed all eyes were on her.

"S... Sorry," She blurted in a small voice because she wasn't paying attention.

"I want you to conduct a study on domestic violence through a survey form, at least 50," he said. Her eyes widened as he continued. "You'll be doing it alone, that's your punishment. I want it delivered to me in two days," The professor said and then turned to face everyone. "If I saw anyone zoning out during my lectures, they would be rewarded with such punishments often," he said curtly, walking to the front as he continued the lecture while she held her head in her hands.

She had to submit two assignments this week and now this. How'll she be able to pull this off in two days? But then an idea popped into her head, and she smiled.

She could get it done today for sure. Her boss, Jasper, could help her.

Innessa still had time for her part-time job to start, so she hurried to the gymnasium to meet Issac. She wondered what he wanted to talk about.

Her class ended early, so she showed up at that place earlier than Issac expected her.

The whole place was deserted. The only noise she could hear was from the poolside.

Retrieving her phone, she glanced at the notifications. There was no text from Issac.

She halted at the door, looking up only to pause when her eyes broadened.

There was someone in the pool. He was swimming. She couldn't see his face, but the muscles of his shoulders and arms flexed with the slightest moves.

The person submerged on the edge of the pool with his arms resting on the edge as she gaped at his muscular back.

He had some tattoos on his body, but the most prominent was the snake on his arm and hand. Her eyes doubled in size, realizing it was Issac.

At the same time, noticing her presence, he turned around to find her standing like a deer at the door while clutching her phone in her hands.

A smirk curved his lips when he found her eyes on his tattoo. Ever so smoothly, he faced her and raked the fingers of both of his hands through his hair, revealing his thick brows and dark eyes, which were reflecting because of the crystal-clear water.

"Hey, how long have you been standing there?" His deep voice echoed in the space, pulling her out of her reverie. Innessa quickly composed herself. "I just came," she said, voice small.

"Want to join?" he asked, and her eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"Sorry?" She thought she heard him wrong, so she stepped closer to the pool, and he swam in her direction in all his glory.

She didn't know why, but there was something very attractive about the way he was swimming.

"Want to join me for a swim?" He asked, noticing her T-shirt and baggy jeans.

"Oh, no. I can't swim," She blurted out politely, and his eyes lit up.

"I can teach you," He offered. Innessa shook her head with a small smile.

"I'll pass."

"Why? It's not that hard, come on in. I'll teach you," he said as she glanced around, and surely there was no one.

"I don't have my swimsuit, and no spare clothes either," She tried to excuse herself.

"Nonsense, I'll give you clothes, I have extra in my lockers. No need to change your clothes, just hop in," he said.

Innessa was hesitant. "Is it deep?" She asked, staring at the pool. "Not really. I'll be here with you. I won't let you drown," He assured her.

"But you're not a professional," He rolled his eyes. "I don't need to be a professional to teach you how to swim, Innessa. It's easy," he said.

"I'd like to pass," she said.

"Are you sure? Either you get in here yourself, or I'll get you in the pool my way," He threatened, and her jaw slacked.

"W... why would you do that?" she asked, taken aback by that deep tone which was so different from his normal tone.

"Because you're testing my patience. Whatever. Just sit down and let me complete my lap," he said, diving back in as she quietly put her bag and phone on the chair and sat down, watching him. After one round, he resurfaced and asked her to note the second lap on the time watch.

She quickly grabbed it and ambled over, close to the pool as he did another lap, and she stopped the watch when he reached her.

"How much?" he asked, breathing heavily.

"1 minute and 16 seconds," she said, and he frowned.

"That's too little, are you sure?"

"Yes, I did it correctly. You can check."

Issac couldn't reach it, so she crouched down a little to hand him the stopwatch. Instead of grabbing it, he grabbed her wrist. Her eyes widened when she noticed the smirk on his face, but it was too late.

In one swift move, he yanked her down, and there was a splash of water.

Innessa tried to resurface as her heart jumped to her mouth in fear, but before she could panic more. Issac grabbed her wrist, pulling her to the surface of the water as she gasped for breath. A second passed, and she jumped on him, looping her arm around his neck and almost hugging him in her hysteria.

"Issac!" She yelled, grabbing a fistful of his hair and tugging his it back

"Why... Why would you do that?" She gritted, panting for air and glaring daggers at him.

Her brows were furrowed, her cute nose was scrunched with her jaw set firmly, and her eyes narrowed darkly.

F*ck!

That was hot.

Sexy.

He wanted to kiss her anger away.

Was he crazy for wanting to make her angry more often if she'd react like this?

Innessa deprived him of the fascinating expression as she stared at the edge of the pool behind her, wanting to get out.

Issac grabbed a fistful of her hair and jerked her head back. A loud gasp left her lips as those big, icy eyes that resembled water met his gaze in astonishment. Issac leaned closer as his hot breath caressed her lips.

His wet lashes looked so thick and pretty. The tip of his nose was red because he stayed in the water for so long.

"You let go of my hair first," He demanded, and she blinked at him, dumbfounded, but didn't let go.

"Are you a five-year-old? Let go of my hair," She demanded sharply. She was still angry, and he loved it.

Purrrr.

"No," He deadpanned, causing her eyes to narrow at him dangerously.

"Don't make me angry, Issac," She gritted, and a devilish grin curved his lips, which took her off guard. This might be the first time he was grinning like that. It made him look so hot-

Holy thoughts, Innessa!

"What if I want to?" He mused, leaning in closer as his nose brushed against the tip of her nose.

"W... What?" Her voice wavered as she noticed their proximity. She quickly let go of his hair, and he did the same. She panicked, noticing his bare skin against her palms.

Innessa abruptly let him go, only to drown as she gasped for air and instantly regretted her decision.

Issac wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her flush to his chest.

She stifled a gasp, feeling her chest pressed against his hard, muscular body. He was built like a solid wall.

"Can you take me to the edge?"

"No," he said, earning a glare from her. Issac never imagined how she looked when she was mad, and f*ck he was missing the treat all this time. What gives, if he wanted her to be mad at him all the time? Maybe he had some screws loose in his head because his mind was working just fine before she plowed into his life.

"You see, you're already drenched, so why don't I give you free lessons in swimming?" He raised a suggestive brow at her as she huffed, wanting to pull his hair and make him go bald.

"Fine. I will not tolerate such behavior next time," she said curtly, trying not to be affected by his bulging muscles and skin.

"Yes, ma'am," He mused.

"I want you to relax your body and trust me," he said as she tried to do what he said.

"After pulling that mischievous stunt on me, you want me to trust you?"

"Aren't you a cute little vixen?" He smirked.

"I'm not a vixen. You're a fox," She retorted, and he let out a throaty chortle. She could feel the vibration of his chest. He looked so handsome and angelic while smiling like that. It was as if his dark aura was overtaken by some divine aura.

Innessa didn't realize, but she was staring at him. As if looking for the very first time.

He noticed her gaze, and their eyes locked. "Click a picture. It'll last longer," he said cockily as she rolled her eyes. Her heart was thumping wildly, but she tried not to show that their proximity was making her heartbeat faster.

"You're so full of yourself," she said in a small voice.

"Am I?" He grabbed her palm and placed it on his buff chest.

"Feel these muscles, of course, I'll be full of myself," He smirked as she wrenched her hand out of his grasp, feeling hot and bothered.

"Are you teaching me, or shall I leave?"

"Demanding much?" He teased before slowly placing his hand on her belly and raising her body, so it was on the surface.

"Stay relaxed and slowly move your legs in this motion," He guided her legs in a motion, and she followed the instructions.

"Spread your arms like this and lightly push water backward," She moved a little forward with his guidance, and a smile caressed her lips.

"It's working," she said.

"Issac Knight is teaching you. Of course, it would work," He mused as he made her swim in a circle around him with his hand still spread on her belly to keep her up while his free hand kept touching her legs and waist to keep her in a better position.

"You're a good learner," He complimented, and she passed him a joyous smile.

His heart did a tiny backflip in his chest as he averted his gaze.

Someone stepped into the pool area, and Innessa noticed it was a tall blond girl. She was glaring at them.

All of a sudden Issac leaned closer. "She's the one," He rasped. "Don't look at her," He instructed, and Innessa followed his teaching.

"Kiss me when I pull you closer," he said.

Her heartbeat shot to a reckless pace as she tried to remain calm and didn't let it affect her.

Issac straightened her, wrapping his arm around her waist. He tugged her closer as their chest flushed. Her soft bosoms were pressed against his hard chest. His hold on her was firm.

He gently tucked her wet strands behind her ear, peering at her face, drinking in her features.

"You're so pretty," He murmured, his lips faintly caressing hers as she opened her mouth to thank him and continue their act.

Issac meshed his lips with hers, locking their mouth as his tongue plunged into her mouth.

A shiver scraped down her spine, feeling his warm tongue slithering hers. Devouring her mouth.