Chapter 37 Cold

Even if Isabella would have wanted to wear a more modest swimsuit, it was impossible when she hadn't chosen a single one of the clothes in her suitcases, so there was no choice but to adapt and keep her complexes to herself.

She turned on her heels with some discomfort and the embarrassment was greater, when she found Máximo staring at her with his mouth literally open.

"Ah... Eh... Are you ready? Máximo stammered when he had her in front of him, scratching his neck to hide and feeling as ridiculous as an inexperienced child.

"Yes, we can start. She murmured with red cheeks, which made her look more beautiful to Maximo, who swallowed thickly.

They entered the pool together and Máximo began by explaining the basics, such as the movements and the different types of swimming.

It was a challenge, to accompany her while she splashed, to help and guide her, at the same time that Máximo avoided his own enthusiasm just by seeing her.

It wasn't supposed to be like that, Maximo's plan was to get closer to Isabella, to have contact with her, to be tender, kind and romantic, however, how could he do it when he felt that, if he touched her or if he got too close, he would explode himself?

The swimming class was very different from what Máximo had expected, Isabella made an effort, many times she was scared when she sank, but she insisted carefully and without a single complaint, she tried again.

The skin of her fingers was already wrinkled, her lips looked a little purple and the tiredness was noticeable in the girl's expression, the afternoon was ending, and the warmth of the sun was disappearing to give way to an unusual cold breeze.

"We should leave it for tomorrow." - Maximus murmured when he saw her come out of the water and when a strong current of cold air passed, the young woman shuddered.

"No, I can try one more time... Don't you mind?" She muttered, somewhat trembling.

"It's enough like this, we have many days to continue practicing..." Máximo took his hand from the edge of the pool, looking worriedly at his red palms.

He was also a little cold, they had both spent the whole day in the pool, only going out a couple of times to eat and take a few minutes off.

But for Máximo there was not so much problem, because he had swum a little at first for her to see him, otherwise, he only dedicated himself to supervising her, so he was not tired.

Even so, she had made a great effort and Máximo did not understand Isabella's sudden insistence to learn to swim, if at first, she did not want to accept the class.

"Just one more time, I'm about to make it. She insisted with determination, frowning.

Isabella prepared to turn around and dive back in. Although he had not yet mastered the art of swimming completely, he had learned to move back and forth in the water, floating and splashing. With a little more practice, I'd be ready to cross the pool from one end to the other, and that's what I wanted to try at the time.

However, Máximo did not let go; instead, he held it firmly, preventing it from moving forward.

“Why? He asked seriously, worried about the sudden change in the weather. If they didn't get out of the water soon, she might catch a cold.

"What?" Isabella turned to look at him, confused.

"Why do you have to continue?" Why don't we leave this for tomorrow? Maximo asked firmly.

"Because..." Isabella looked down thoughtfully. "I don't know..." She shrugged, but Máximo continued to look at her rigorously.

"Come on... Tomorrow we will. He tried to pull Isabella out of the pool, but her voice broke the silence and stopped him.

“The last activity I shared with my father was swimming lessons. He taught me in the evenings, after school and work, at a public swimming pool. I was waiting for him to go to my lessons, when... When he had the accident. His voice broke sadly. “I was about to learn to swim from end to end, and that day we were going to celebrate, but...

"Isa, I'm very sorry..." murmured Maximus, moved by his grief.

"Since then, I haven't swum in a pool or the sea again, I was always afraid..." Isabella closed her eyes tightly and then looked up with a faint smile. "I thought I had forgotten what I had learned, but with your help..." I think I can do it. I just need to try one more time, please. He pleaded with a small pout, and Maximo could not refuse.

"Do it!" And tonight, we'll celebrate. He smiled tenderly at her.

Her heart racing from Maximo's sudden expression and feeling full of strength, Isabella stepped into the water once more.

He was splashing and kicking, while he gave his best effort, he was already more than halfway through the pool, but his body was tired and somewhat cramped by the cold.

The pool had a sloping bottom, which was getting deeper from one end to the other, so it no longer had a bottom to step on.

When there was very little left to reach the other end, Isabella managed to raise her face slightly above the water, she managed to see her goal so close and Maximo waiting for her, because he got out of the pool, surrounding her, to receive Isabella and celebrate together.

However, her body could not take it anymore, a cramp caused a strong shudder that stopped her strokes and kicks.

Although she tried to move despite the pain, it was impossible, automatically, Isabella's body sank into the depths.

As soon as Máximo noticed that the splash disappeared, he knew that something was wrong and immediately, he dived into the water, meeting Isabella, who retained the air that was left in her lungs with force.

In a second, he took her out in his arms, the young woman inhaled deeply into the air, as soon as her face came out of the water. Isabella clung to Maximo's neck as he pulled her out of the water.

She was trembling, her whole body was shaking, her mouth was completely purple. With Isabella in his arms, Máximo ran inside the house.

- Sir, what happened?! The service members asked alarmed.

"Quick! Bring towels! He ordered, pressing Isabella against his body.

The staff reacted immediately, covering them with several towels, but it did not seem enough; She was still shaking.

- Sir, shall we prepare a hot bath? “Suggested a young man from the service.

"No... Pick everything up. Máximo ordered, observing the chaos of towels and water that had been left in the living room. "I know what to do.

He held Isabella tighter as she clung to him, trembling and scared. He quickened his pace, leading her upstairs to the main room.

"Leave us alone. He indicated to a couple of maids who had followed them to help, before closing the door behind him.

"Maximum?" She muttered when he sat her down on a couch and began to untie the knot of her bra.

- Shhhh, don't worry, you'll be fine... Trust me, everything will be fine. He whispered seriously, while he carefully undressed her, trying not to make her feel uncomfortable.

If Isabella hadn't warmed up thanks to the towels, she surely would with the heat she felt when Maximo took off her wet bathing suit, leaving her completely naked.

She felt the hot face, when she saw him slide her panties between her legs and then, he took her back in his arms to leave her delicately on the bed.

At one point, Máximo entered the closet and returned with a couple of extra quilts that he placed on Isabella, and then ran his hands over her face, worriedly, until he noticed that her lips began to lighten.

Isabella felt how she finally warmed up, she looked at Maximo who was still next to her, she wanted to thank him, but she realized that, unlike her, he was still somewhat wet and his skin stood on end from the cold he still felt and had contained, to help her first.

"You... You are too. She muttered in a trembling voice.

"What?" Maximus asked, leaning towards her with interest.

"You have to warm up too."

- Don't worry, I'm fine. Maximo caressed her cheek gently, relieved to see her calmer.

"No, tuck in, please..." Isabella tried to get up, determined that he would listen to her.

"Okay, okay... I will, but stay there, yes?

He got up and walked across the bed, taking off his wet bathing suit before slipping under the covers.

"Are you better?" Isabella asked, blushing when she realized that they were both completely naked in the same bed.

“It would work better if we shared some body heat together. Maximus murmured in response, with a mixture of seriousness and tenderness in his tone.

Sure enough, that night the weather was quite unusual, a strong cold wave had hit them, but it was because a storm was approaching.