Rory Holt is the best swimmer on the team at State U. and he knows it. Swimming is his life, and if Rory hopes to attain his dreams of Olympic gold one day, he can’t let anything distract him. Every morning finds him practicing at the campus fitness center, and every afternoon he blows his teammates away with his speed and finesse in the water. The new semester brings with it new tryouts, including the bright, up-and-coming Chase Cohen. Chase is sexy and sure of himself, both in and out of the pool, and seems determined to catch Rory’s eye. Rory doesn’t want to share the podium with anyone else, and he doesn’t like hearing his coach say Chase might even be better than he is when he already knows he’s the best. Chase’s attentions are annoying at first, but the more he persists, the harder Rory finds it to ignore him. Soon Rory can’t deny the growing attraction he feels towards his new teammate. But when that attraction costs him his top spot on the leaderboard, Rory is pissed. Is Chase after Rory’s position on the team, or Rory himself?

Playing the Field: Getting Wet

Rory’s been swimming for so long now, anything that isn’t timed to him is goofing off. If he isn’t going to race, even if it’s only against himself, then why bother?


His ID gets him into the locker area, where he and the other members of his team have a dedicated room for themselves. Two rows of lockers line the room, and his is the farthest one from the showers. Already the ever-present smell of chlorine tinges the air, a familiar scent that wafts over Rory like the sweetest perfume. It fills his lungs and stirs his loins. He can almost feel the water calling him in his veins.


Chapter 4