"I will send you the file," Bella said to Mira, who was on the call. "I’ve sorted out the key points for our research."

After hanging up, she sent the document to Mira, then tucked her phone into her pocket and sighed happily. Finally. She had finished the rough research for their presentation. Tomorrow, they could start the in depth work.

She was excited. Genuinely, truly excited. It was the first time she was doing something like that.

She looked around the room. No Leo.

She checked the study. Empty.

The bedroom. Empty.

She frowned, walking downstairs.

"Hey, Sweety," she called to one of the maids, whose name was Sweety. "Do you know where Leo is?"

Sweety nodded. "Ma’am, sir has gone to the terrace. The swimming pool area."

Bella blinked. The terrace? She had never been there. She nodded her thanks and headed upstairs.

She pushed the terrace door open and stepped outside.

The evening air was cool, carrying the scent of jasmine and freshly cut grass. The sky was painted in shades of orange and pink, the sun just beginning to set behind the trees. The view was breathtaking. She could see the entire manor garden, the hedge maze, the fountain, and the long driveway leading to the front gates.

Then she heard a splash.

She walked toward the sound, around a corner, past a row of potted olive trees.

And stopped.

The pool was enormous, with infinity edges that seemed to spill into the sky, surrounded by soft blue tiles that glowed in the fading light. Lounge chairs lined the edges, draped with white towels. A small cabana stood in the corner, its curtains billowing in the breeze.

And then a head broke the surface.

Leo.

His wet hair was slicked back, dark strands clinging to his scalp, water streaming down his face. He shook his head slightly, droplets flying, and used both hands to push his hair back from his forehead.

Bella’s eyes dropped.

His shoulders were broad, glistening, and wet. His chest was sculpted, muscles defined, water tracing paths down his pectorals and his abs. Eight of them, perfect and hard, down to the edge of the pool where his body disappeared beneath the water.

He pushed off the wall and swam to the other side, his arms cutting through the water with powerful strokes. She watched his back muscles flex, his shoulder blades moving, his triceps tensing with every pull.

He turned, treading water, and spotted her.

His gray eyes locked onto hers.

He smiled lazily at her, his chest rising and falling, his arms moving lazily to keep him afloat.

Bella’s mouth went dry.

"Leo," she breathed.

He swam toward the edge where she stood, his movements slow. When he reached the side, he placed his hands on the tile and pulled himself up, just enough to rest his elbows on the edge, his chest still submerged.

Water dripped from his chin.

"Enjoying the view?" he asked, his voice low.

Bella couldn’t speak. Her throat had closed up, her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. All she could do was nod, blankly, dumbly, like a woman who had forgotten how to form words.

She had seen him whole before, but seeing him like this made her mouth go dry.

Her eyes traveled down his chest, following the water droplets as they traced paths over his pectorals, down his abs, disappearing beneath the surface. Her throat moved. She swallowed.

Leo saw.

His lips curved, slow and knowing. He pushed off the edge and began swimming again, his arms cutting through the water with powerful, effortless strokes. The muscles in his back flexed. His shoulders rolled. He moved like he owned the water, like he owned everything.

Bella sat down on the edge of the pool, her legs dangling into the warm water. Her heart was pounding. Her cheeks were flushed. She watched him without blinking, her eyes following every movement, every ripple, every shift of muscle beneath wet skin.

He reached the other end and turned, treading water. His eyes found hers across the length of the pool.

"You’re staring," he called out.

She didn’t blink. She didn’t look away. "You’re worth staring at," she replied without any shyness.

His smile widened. He swam back toward her, slower this time, letting her watch. When he reached her, he didn’t pull himself up. Instead, he floated on his back, arms spread wide, water lapping at his chest.

"Come in," he said.

Bella bit her lip. "I don’t have a swimsuit."

Leo’s eyes darkened. "Then just take off your dress. You still wear something underneath, right?"

Her cheeks burned. "Leo—"

"Come on. The water’s warm." His voice dropped low and hoarse. "And I won’t bite. Unless you want me to."

She splashed him. He didn’t flinch. He just watched her with those dark, dark eyes.

"Bad Leo," she said, pouting as she pulled her feet out of the water and stood up.

He chuckled. "Turn around," she said.

He raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Because I’m not getting undressed in front of you."

Leo sighed dramatically. "We’re married."

"Turn. Around."

He held up his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine."

He turned, and she heard him chuckle as she quickly pulled off her dress and slipped into the water. The warmth enveloped her immediately, soft and welcoming.

She swam to the middle of the pool, then turned to face him.

Leo turned back. His eyes swept over her, wet hair, bare shoulders, the water lapping at her collarbone. His gaze was hungry.

"Better?" she asked.

His voice was thick. "Much."

He swam toward her until he was close enough to touch. His hand found her waist under the water, pulling her gently against him.

"I’ve been thinking about you all day," he murmured.

She looked up at him through her lashes. "Good thoughts?"

His thumb traced small circles on her hip. "Very good thoughts."

She shivered, and it had nothing to do with the cold.

He leaned down, his lips brushing her ear. "Do you want to hear them?"

She swallowed. "Maybe later."

His teeth grazed her earlobe. "Now?"

She placed a hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath her palm. "After you teach me how to swim."

He laughed, low and warm and genuine. "Deal."

He released her and swam back a few feet. Water dripped from his jaw. "First lesson: stop being afraid of the water."

Bella straightened her shoulders. "I’m not afraid."

Leo tilted his head, his eyes scanning her posture. "Your shoulders say otherwise."

She forced them down. He nodded approvingly.

"Second lesson: trust your body. It knows what to do."

She frowned. "That’s vague."

He smiled. "It’s true."

He demonstrated, gliding through the water with effortless grace. She watched, mesmerized, then tried to copy him. Her legs kicked. Her arms pulled. She moved, clumsily and awkwardly, but she moved.

Leo caught her before she could sink.

"Good," he said, his hands firm on her waist. "Again."