My Instructor by Esther Banks Read Free Book Online Page A

wore a navy one piece halter suit and white wide brim floppy hat. She looked adorable.
    “Come in, Tiffany. The water is perfect,” he called.
    “ I think I’ll sit here on the shore for a while,” she called back.
    She sat on a large floral blanket. Aaron wanted her in the water with him, and he wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip away. He swam back to shore and stood in front of her with his hands on his hips.
    “Not so fast, Tiffany. I am not going to let you bail on me. You said you could swim,” he said.
    “ I said I could barely swim. And I don’t much feel like drowning today,” she retorted.
    “ I won’t let you drown,” he answered.
    “ So you say but I would just the same stay right here,” she said.
    Aaron went down on his hunches and laid his hands on her raised knees.
    “I would never let anything bad happen to you. Trust me, Tiffany,” he said softly. “It will be fun. I promise.”
    Tiffany looked into his vivid green eyes. She felt as though she could see security and safety in them. She knew the thought was ridiculous. One could not see such things in a person’s eyes, but his seemed to reflect that he would take care of her. She usually trusted her instincts and there was no reason to doubt them now.
    “Alright,” she agreed as she tossed aside her hat.
    He turned his palms upward, and she put her hands into his. He stood and pulled her up beside him. He grinned as he led her into the water. When they got thigh-deep in the water, he continued walking forward, but she stopped. Aaron looked back at her and saw the trepidation in her eyes. Their cherry brown coloring had turned almost black. He went back to her and lightly caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. He couldn’t help himself. He wanted to ease her fear.
    “It’s alright, Tiffany. I won’t leave your side. You can hold onto me as tightly as you want,” he whispered.
    “ Damn it, Aaron. I’m afraid,” she cried.
    “ I know, Tiffany. But I won’t let anything happen to you. I swear,” he reiterated. “You’ll be safe with me. Do you trust me?”
    “ I don’t know,” she snapped.
    “ I haven’t put you in harm’s way at the gym, have I?” he asked.
    “ I can’t very well drown at the gym. There’s no pool there,” she said.
    “ Yes, there is. It’s in the back. I just haven’t taken you there—yet,” he said.
    “ I won’t go,” she said stubbornly.
    “ Tiffany, a few minutes ago you said you trusted me. Don’t allow fear to change your mind,” he implored.
    Tiffany looked out at the water then into his glittering, mesmerizing green eyes. She allowed herself to be drawn into them. She finally nodded assent. They moved further into the water until it was chest high on her.
    “You said you could swim a little. What element of swimming do you struggle with?” he asked.
    “ Treading water. I can move in the water by stroking but I can’t remain still without going under,” she said.
    “ Okay. I can help you with that but we will have to go into deeper water,” he said.
    “ Aww, no!” she exclaimed. “We can’t stay where we are?”
    “ I’m afraid not. Treading water means you’re feet are not touching the bottom. Take my hand and don’t let go,” he advised.
    “ You don’t have to worry about that,” she muttered.
    They moved deeper into the lake and the moment Tiffany could not feel the floor any longer she panicked.
    “Aaron!” she yelled.
    He caught her to him and held her tightly.
    “I’ve got you,” he said. “Pretend you’re on the Stairmaster at the gym and start pushing down the water with your feet.
    Tiffany followed his instructions.
    “Good. Keep repeating the motion,” he counseled. Aaron slowly loosened his arms about her waist until only his hands held her. “Use your arms to push yourself up.”
    Tiffany adhered to his instructions and realized she was staying afloat.
    “I’m doing it. I’m staying afloat,” she said incredibly.
    Tiffany