Jacob swam to the edge of the pool, grabbed the rim, and pulled himself up.
Diana wasn't paying attention; she thought he was heading toward Matthew, so she reached out to help.
_Ah… thanks.
Jacob's eyes gleamed with mischief for a split second, then he grabbed her hand and yanked her straight into the water.
She surfaced, gasping and splashing water right in his face.
+You dickhead… you could've warned me she'd freeze out here!"
Diana burst into laughter once she caught her breath.
-Jacob! You're awful!
She paddled toward the edge and climbed halfway out.
Then she glanced over at Matthew, eyes wide, voice teasing.
-Mind giving me a hand?
Matthew reached out slowly. Watching her soaked and trembling always shattered his control.
Just as he took her hand, Diana gathered her strength, used his balance against him and pulled him in.
Her laughter echoed across the yard, blending with Jacob's roar of amusement.
Jacob shook his head, pleased.
_Not me, sweetheart. But him? He totally deserves it.
Matthew's gaze locked on Diana.
His voice dropped, smooth as danger.
+Careful, little one.
She laughed, sultry and playful.
-First of all...don't threaten me, boss.
Second..how about a race? Across the pool.
Loser drinks the rest of the wine, winner gets to make the other two follow their orders for a whole day.
Fair enough?
Jacob exchanged a glance with Matthew.
He knew he couldn't beat the man in a race, so he decided to focus on Diana instead and on keeping her attention.
They climbed out, positioned themselves at the edge, ready to dive.
-One… two…
Before she could finish, she shouted "Three!" and dove early.
The men laughed and dove in after her.
All three pushed hard through the cold water, cutting through the surface with heavy splashes.
Matthew reached the opposite edge first, fast, smooth, effortless.
Twenty seconds later Jacob reached him, panting.
_Christ… look where she is...
She was only halfway across, determined but slow.
Less than a minute later, Diana finally reached them, gripping the ledge and sweeping her wet hair out of her face.
-You guys… you've got trained bodies. Unfair advantage.
They laughed but said nothing.
Matthew climbed out first, heading toward the terrace.
He grabbed his hoodie off the ground, then picked up both his and Diana's jackets and came back.
She was shivering by then, teeth almost chattering.
He stopped in front of her.
+Take off your wet clothes, little one.
Jacob, still laughing, went to change.
Diana hesitated but peeled off the soaked fabric, letting Matthew help her slip into his hoodie.
+Take off your shorts too..they're wet. The hoodie's long enough, it'll cover you. Don't worry.
She obeyed quietly.
The hoodie hung loose and long on her small frame; she wrapped his jacket over it. Still trembling, she picked up Matthew's coat and held it out to him.
Her voice was soft, lips trembling.
-Put it on… you'll catch a cold.
He didn't argue.
Once he'd put it on, he slid his arm under her knees and lifted her into his arms.
Jacob came running over with her violin in hand.
Diana peeked up from Matthew's chest, looking toward him.
-Oh… I didn't even play yet.
Her pout was almost childlike.
+You'll play later. Let's get you warm first.
Jacob reached out and tickled the sole of her foot.
+Hey...careful! She'll drop it!
Jacob was still a little tipsy and even sober, this kind of teasing wasn't unlike him.
Diana muttered against Matthew's neck.
-What about the cheesecake I made?
Matthew sighed and tightened his hold, her closeness already testing his restraint.
+I'll tell eric to bring it.
As they neared the mansion, Diana squirmed.
-Put me down. Thanks, I can walk from here."