Tooting Bec Treat

Derek hadn't cramped in the water since he was twelve. But there he was in Tooting Bec Lido, leg seizing up, going under.

Then strong arms grabbed him. Pulled him to the edge. Hauled him out with surprising ease.

His rescuer was Amara—the lifeguard he'd been watching all summer, trying to work up courage to approach. Zambian-British, with a swimmer's body that still carried glorious curves, her red swimsuit somehow containing everything barely.

"You okay?"

"Am now." He coughed water. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me. Thank the training." Her eyes assessed him. "Stay after close. I want to make sure you're really okay."

The lido at dusk was magical—water glowing, empty loungers, complete privacy. Amara found him in the changing pavilion.

"How's the leg?"

"Better. I stretched it out."

"Let me check." She knelt, her hands professional on his calf, but her eyes held something else. "You swim here every day. Same time. Same lane."

"Best time."

"Best view, you mean." Her hands moved up his thigh. "I've seen you watching me."

"Is that a problem?"

"Only if you never do anything about it."

She kissed him there in the pavilion, tasting of chlorine and sunshine. Her body was incredible—athletic but thick, curves that her swimsuit had only suggested.

"Come on." She pulled him toward the pool. "I've always wanted to try something."

The water was warm from the day's sun. She backed him against the pool edge and wrapped her legs around him.

"Ever been saved by a lifeguard before?"

"First time for everything."

"Then let me make it memorable."

They made love in the pool, her thick thighs gripping him, the water making everything feel weightless and intense. She was strong, controlling their rhythm with her swimmer's muscles.

"Yes... Derek... yes..."

She came with a cry that echoed across the empty lido, then dragged him to the deck and spread herself on the sun-warmed tiles.

"Now. Again. Without the water."

He took her on the pool deck, surrounded by the smell of chlorine and summer. Her dark skin glistened with water, her curves inviting worship. She pulled him deep and demanded more.

"Harder! Don't hold back!"

She came twice more before he finally finished, both of them gasping on the warm concrete.

"Best rescue I've ever performed," she managed.

"Best drowning I've ever had."

"So," Amara said, still lying on the deck, "same time tomorrow?"

"Every day."

"I'll save you a lane. And maybe..." She traced her finger down his chest. "Maybe you'll need rescue again."

"Count on it."

His Tooting Bec treat had gone from emergency to everything. And Derek intended to keep swimming in deep waters.