Chapter 61

Aria's POV I plunged beneath the surface, my clothes instantly soaking up water like a sponge. Panic flashed through me briefly before my swimming instincts kicked in. I'd been swimming since childhood—this wasn't exactly life-threatening. But before I could push myself up, strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me toward the surface. Aiden had jumped in after me. We broke through the water together, his chest pressed against my back, his breath warm against my ear. I gasped for air, more from the shock of his touch than any need for oxygen. "I can swim," I sputtered, water dripping down my face as I turned in his arms. "You didn't need to—" My words died in my throat as I suddenly found myself face-to-face with him, our bodies dangerously close in the water. His bathrobe was gone—of course it was. Who jumps into a pool wearing a bathrobe? He was in nothing but those black swim shorts from earlier. His dark hair was slicked back, water clinging to his lashes. His eyes—usually so