Taking the Plunge

By Kimber Hack

Who says oil and water don’t mix?

Cole Ryerson was a fierce competitor, respected and revered for his determination to be the best both in and out of the pool. As a World Champion swimmer, that determination carried over to his private life where he was one of the most sought after athletes in the world. It’s that determination that rubs Jenessa Brewer completely the wrong way. His ruthlessness doesn’t sit well with her after a confrontation they had when she was just starting out along with the 4 years since haven’t changed her opinion one bit with both of them taking every opportunity to put the other one in their place.

Cole was not used to being challenged especially by someone as lovely as Jenessa. It doesn’t sit well with Cole that a rival competitor has taken a sudden interest in the young swimmer or that Cole is having a harder and harder time keeping his indifference. While their interactions have become legendary, their desire for each other keeps burning hotter and stronger.

After a passionate encounter leaves Jenessa even more shaken up, she has no desire to ever see Cole again much less take up where they left off, but after making the Olympic team the close proximity of their schedules and forced togetherness, he has other ideas. It doesn’t help the situation that he isn’t the only one to notice that she has blossomed into a desirable woman or that his is not the attention she is interested in getting. Jenessa might be willing to act like their hot night didn’t happen but there could still be consequences to their night together and until that issue gets resolved, Cole was not willing to let her move on. The tension between the two is winding them up so tight, they both agree to set aside their differences and get whatever it is that keeps drawing them together out of their system. At least that was the plan...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kimber Hack
• Release date: Feb 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311682673

Kimber Hack

I read my first romance novel when I was in 8th grade. My mom picked out a "teen friendly" book and I have been hooked ever since. I enjoy all of the different storylines and wanted to try my hand - I really enjoy developing stories and characters and hope that people reading my work enjoy it just as much. My own story is less turbulent, I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 27 years, have two wonderful children and along with reading and writing I enjoy watching a good baseball or football game.

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Taking The Plunge

Kimber Hack

Copyright © 2015 Kimbe Hack

All rights reserved.

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Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Prologue

How much longer was she going to be? Everyone else had already changed and left for the party at least a half hour ago. Ashley had called and said she would be a little bit longer but how much longer was 'a little bit'. Checking his watch for the fifth time he just shook his head. Cole was not used to being kept waiting and certainly never by a woman. From his earliest memories, women bent over backwards to try and please him and he would be lying if he said it didn't enjoy the attention. Attention his Grandma would always tell him would be his downfall one day, but not today, today he was still on the top of his game and loving every minute of it. Glancing at his watch again, he noticed the locker room door finally opening and his companion for the evening stepping out. Smiling a welcome, Cole decided she was definitely worth the wait.

I'm so sorry I'm late, I was just staying back talking to Jenessa. The poor girl is devastated and I didn't feel right leaving her. Wrapping her hands around the strong arm of her date, she looked up to see his handsome face show the briefest glimmer of emotion then it was gone. Not for the first time, Ashley wondered what made Cole tick. He was a world class swimming champion and just last week at the Men's Olympic trials he showed everyone why he was considered the greatest ever by blowing away the competition in every event he competed in while breaking several of his own world records. His training and unrelenting workout pace, earned him the nickname The Shark but Ashley thought it had more to do with his coldblooded pursuit of whatever it was he wanted. She was just grateful that right now he wanted her but she also knew enough to not read too much into his interest because at 25 he already had the reputation of a heartbreaker. In the past he had been linked to famous models and beautiful actresses, but tonight, he was with her and tonight, that was just fine.

Shrugging off her concern for a fellow teammate with his reply of she'll get over it, she's a strong swimmer but it's obvious she needs to mature a bit more. She just didn't have what it takes to close the deal today. Ashley was a bit taken back at the bite his words were delivered and with such an unsympathetic tone. Looking bored with the current topic of conversation he glanced at his date for the party tonight and hoped she wasn't going to spend the evening talking about some little girl who obviously was disappointed but just wasn't up for the challenge like she should have been. Sensing Ashley stiffen at his callous reply he tried to soften his stance by adding I know it hurts, but she is still only 16, there will be plenty of time for her to make a name for herself before the next Olympics. Maybe today will make her think about what she needs to do to succeed, either she steps it up or she gets out of the pool, you and I both know this isn't a sport for mediocrity. Hoping that was going to be the end of this conversation and they could move on to starting their evening, he looked down at Ashley with one of his killer smiles.

Ashley didn't want to point out that he could hardly know what it was like to fail, to give everything you have and still come up short. He had never lost and certainly not a race as important as the one Jenessa lost today by 1 tenth of a second. That split second cost her friend a spot on the Olympic team and a chance to compete for her country in Australia.

He was right about the timing though, at 16 Jenessa would have the time to train and still be young enough to compete for a spot on the next Olympic team, unlike herself. Ashley had decided it was time to hang it up after this year's events. Still, she remembered what it was like to be 16 and give 100% to something only to fall short. Plus she really liked Jenessa. She was an incredibly hard worker that Ashley considered a little sister. They spent a lot of time working out together and she would really miss her when she retired after Australia.

Stepping away from Cole, Ashley was immune to his smile while feeling the need to defend her young friend from his harsh criticism. Jenessa works a lot harder than many of the other swimmers. I was certainly pulling for her today. Not to mention, she deserved a spot way more than Cassie did. The only thing that girl cares about is the men she attracts and the things they give her. It was no secret to anyone in the water world that Ashley and Cassie clashed. Too much competition and close finishes but the final straw was Cassie stealing Ashley's last boyfriend. Good riddance Cole thought. Its better she found out the man had no principles before she became too attached. That's another reason Cole didn't make any guarantees to anyone. He knew he wasn't in a place to make promises he had no intention of keeping. The pool was his wife and that was all he had time for. Sure he enjoyed the company of beautiful woman but they all knew the score.

We both know that Cassie is a barracuda, but that killer instinct has helped her win and winning has brought her the attention she craves. You can't fault her for that. Cole hit that nail on the head but that didn't make it any easier to hear. It still irked her that Cassie made a successful play for Ashley's jerk of an ex-boyfriend. Contrary to the gossip about their relationships demise, Ashley was fully aware of Richard's weaknesses and was coming to the same conclusion that they should call it a day, but it didn't help that something that should have been done privately was done so publically when he showed up at an awards banquet on Cassie's arm the same weekend he told her he would be out of town for work.

At least Ashley would be coming out on top tonight. Having Cole Ryerson as her escort would definitely be a feather in her cap. He was the one man that Cassie would gladly have traded all of her awards to be with but he seemed immune to her obvious charms. Your little friend should take a page out of her book and develop more of a harder edge. I can't imagine Cassie sitting back and feeling sorry for herself, she would be trying to figure out a way to make the outcome the one she wanted the next time around. Cole was hoping this would be the end of this conversation. He didn't want to think about Cassie or 16 year old emotional wrecks. He wanted to enjoy the company of his beautiful date and forget about everything else.

I hope for Jenessa's sake, she doesn't, she is a sweet kid and I would hate to see her take after Cassie in any way. Speaking of which, why haven't you ever fell under her spell? Not through any lack of trying on her part I'm sure. Ashley knew she was walking on thin ice. Cole wasn't someone who liked to be questioned, but his indifference for Jenessa's pain was rubbing her the wrong way.

Cole stiffened next to her and she could tell she hit a nerve. "What makes you think Cassie and I don't have a history? His ice blue eyes were piercing hers questioningly.

"Well, several things actually, for one, she's hardly made any secret of the fact that you are on her wish list and for another, she is not exactly known for her discretion, she would be screaming it from the roof tops and finally, if I thought for even one second you were ever with her, I guarantee you I wouldn't be here now." Ashley knew she completely overstepped but she couldn't help herself, so much for arriving at the party with Cole Ryerson on her arm. Looking up at the most handsome face she had ever seen, she was waiting for him to make his excuses and remember a prior commitment but she was pleasantly surprised.

Cole threw back his head and laughed. Relax beautiful girl, Cassie has not ever been involved in any aspect of my life outside of swimming. For the record, I prefer to do the pursuing in all of my relationships, not the other way around so can we please go now?

Accepting his comments at face value, Ashley was momentarily appeased, I'm sorry Cole, I know it's none of my business, it's just that I really don't want to see Cassie to get anything else she doesn't deserve.

Grabbing her hand and bringing the inside of her wrist to his lips. Let's just go to this party, forget about Cassie and your little friend and just concentrate on getting to know each other better.

Ashley's stomach did a little flip; he really was the most handsome man she ever saw. Too bad he was just a temporary fling. Ashley knew deep down, he was too detached to be Mr. Right, but sexy enough to be Mr. Right Now.

Just give me five minutes to check on Jenessa again and I will be yours for the rest of the night. I promise. She could tell by the way his eyes cooled the evening would probably not end up the way she had originally hoped, but she couldn't help it, Jenessa meant more to her than a night with her dream man.

Not used to being put on the back burner and deciding he didn't like it one little bit he responded with a little more severity than he normally would have. Doesn't she have anyone else to hold her hand and tell her the sun will come out tomorrow? How is she ever going to develop into a champion if she doesn't get thicker skin? Not understanding why it was so important to show he was right about this, he continued on. This just proves my point that she isn't ready for the next step. You have to be strong and not let anyone know your weaknesses and you certainly can't fall apart because you didn't have what it took to succeed on any given day. He could tell by the look on Ashley's face that his unsympathetic stance was gaining him no points.

Cole was so wrapped up in making his point to get his own way he missed the arrival of a small figure coming out of the shadows until she spoke. His first impression that she was delicate or fragile was quickly changed when she turned to blast him with the full heat of her temper.

If being a champion means turning into a completely uncaring jerk like yourself, you better believe I'll find a different approach. Jenessa was shaking she was so angry. Sure she was hurt and disappointed she fell short of the goals she had set for herself, but that didn't mean she was going to curl up and die. She was going to have to work harder and be stronger to reach her dreams. She certainly didn't need anyone as sanctimonious as Cole Ryerson spouting off his platitudes about her being some weak, sniveling child who needed to be coddled. Growing up with no father and a narcissistic mother made her grow up faster than most 16 year olds.

Swimming was her life and she didn't need someone who didn't know squat about her commenting on her lack of commitment or drive. Turning to Ashley who had been her life line for the past 7 years and for that she would be forever grateful she added softly, Thanks for checking on me, but I'm fine. Go to the party and enjoy yourself. I'm going back to the dorms to call my mom and let her know she has to wait four more years for any bragging rights. Managing a weak smile she hugged her friend before turning to Cole.

Straitening up to look taller than her 5' 5 frame she placed her hands on her hips and snapped, You better take care of her, she is amazing and way better than someone like you deserves." With her parting shot delivered, Jenessa was gone.

Cole couldn't remember the last time he was speechless. Ashley was right, he was used to woman falling over themselves to get on his good side and here was this little spitfire giving him what for. He could see he was completely wrong about her not having the determination to succeed. If she put just half of that fierceness she just treated him to into her swimming she was going to be a force to be reckoned with.

If you want to go to her, I understand. Cole didn't know what else he could say to try and make this right. Shaking her head, Ashley smiled gently.

Nope, I know Jenessa and she will be spitting mad for a bit longer. Good thing too, maybe now she will stand up for herself during her call to her mother. I'll check on her later tonight. She will need to vent about Naomi. Now that woman is the true definition of a barracuda.

Chapter 1

Happy Birthday dear Jenessa, Happy Birthday to you. The singing was way off key but that didn't dim any of her enjoyment. Today was her 20th birthday and she had a lot to celebrate. After the past 11 years of devoting her life to being the best swimmer she could be, she was actually going to the Olympics. Not just in her specialty the butterfly but also as a member of the current World Record holders in the 1600 individual medley and the 3200 free style relay. The road to this Olympics was a long and hard. Jenessa had sacrificed a whole lot to get to where she was now. Her dream of wearing an Olympic medal was so close she could taste it.

Make a wish!! Everyone was smiling at her and there wasn't one person in the room that didn't think they knew what she was wishing for. Olympic gold. They all couldn't be more wrong. This year's wish would be no different than the wishes of her last 3 birthdays. She wanted Cole Ryerson to get his comeuppance. Throughout the years he continued to win everything he competed in. She had watched with fascination the Sydney Olympics where he dominated. She couldn't help but be aware of him when she saw him at swim events. He was the media darling and it seemed like every time she turned on the T.V. or opened a magazine The Shark was pictured with yet another beautiful companion. How he found time to stay in perfect shape and still be at the top of his game was beyond her. But he did it. She grudgingly had to give him that. He was absolutely the most gorgeous specimen she had ever seen, with his ice blue eyes, golden California looks and his perfect physique; she could see why he was in great demand to represent their sport. Hanging out at the pool for 8 hours a day Jenessa saw some really amazing bodies, but for whatever reason nobody could compare to Cole Ryerson. Everyone she met asked her what he was like, over the years she kept to her standard answer of I'm just glad I don't have to compete against him. She wished she could have added that she never had to see him or talk to him either but unfortunately that was not the case. After their first altercation almost 4 years ago, there had been several more. For some reason he found a way to just get under her skin. Whether it was pointing out everything he thought she wasn't doing right or by nicknaming her The Little Mermaid so of course everyone else thought it was just hilarious and picked up on it, but then Cole, who couldn't possibly be like anyone else, started calling her Jena. No matter how many times she corrected him, he would just smile and pretend to consider her request. Then at the next opportunity, he would toss it out there again being totally aggravating.

Looking around the room at all of her smiling friends and acquaintances she had collected over the course of her life, she truly felt blessed. She would make her wish and then do her darndest to forget Cole for another year. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath she blew out all her candles. Applause followed along with some good natured suggestions as to what she should have wished for instead, some way more realistic than others.

Ashley Martin, her best friend and swimming coach took great pleasure in taking over the spot light by cutting the cake. It was designed in the shape of a swimming pool complete with lane markers and little swimmers. Jenessa was given the first piece but was reminded she could only have a small bite as she was still in training for the games in two months. She still couldn't believe she was actually going. Four years ago, she was devastated by how close she came and knowing it wasn't enough. It certainly didn't help running into Ashley and Cole later that evening to hear him discussing her so coldly.

Ashley felt horrible and apologized over and over for adding to an already bad day. Jenessa assured her she had nothing to apologize for, other than her bad taste in boyfriends. Their bond only grew stronger when Jenessa's and Ashley's swim coach had a massive heart attack and decided to retire from his coaching duties. Ashley had already decided the after the last Olympics, she was not going to compete anymore so when she offered to take up where Old Harvey left off and continue to coach Jenessa, it was an easy transition. She hoped she made Ashley proud, she was the closest thing she had to real family and would have hated to disappoint her in any way. Heaven only knew her mother had no interest in her even when she started winning and even now it was only the big prize she was interested in. Sure she wrote out the checks to allow Jenessa to afford to compete but she knew it was easier to do that than to take an active roll in her daughter's life. Besides, she was just using the money her grandparents had left to Jenessa after they both had died so it wasn't exactly a huge sacrifice on her mother's part.

Jenessa often wondered