by Allie Gail
“Does Myles have a saltwater pool or is it chlorine?”
“Saltwater.”
“Okay, so it might sting when you first get in, but it shouldn’t last long.”
“But what if we decide to-”
“You can hump your brains out right after. No problem.” The smirk on her face is easy to interpret. It says been there, done that. “As a matter of fact, I better not find out you passed up this opportunity. Seriously, Leelo, that guy is hotter than a five-alarm fire. And he obviously feels the same about you. I say, go for it. What have you got to lose?”
I try to suppress a dopey smile, but it's impossible. I know it’s too early to speculate on whether or not she's right, but I'm hoping she is. It would be nice to know that he’s endured a few sleepless nights thinking about me as well.
Regardless, as far as the coming evening goes, there’s one thing I know for certain.
I fully intend to do whatever it takes to ensure that we both enjoy a sleepless night.
Chapter Eighteen
I’m beginning to suspect that Leah’s blown me off.
Granted, we didn’t agree on a specific time or anything, but I just assumed she’d be here before dark. How long does it take to get your nails done, anyway? It couldn’t possibly take this long. Shouldn’t she be here by now?
Maybe they decided to go out or something. That prospect bothers me, though it probably shouldn’t. I have to remind myself that I have no claim to her. If she’d rather go out with her friends than hang out here with me, then that’s her choice and she’s entitled to it.
Still, you’d think she could at least let me know one way or the other. So I don’t spend all night wondering whether or not she’s been abducted by aliens from her home planet.
Hm, Leah as a rogue alien. Yep. That would explain a lot.
I glance over at the boxes on my desk, the ones that were delivered today by UPS Next Day Air. One larger one containing what is, in my opinion, just about the most hideous novelty item ever created, purchased at my brother’s suggestion. Sitting on top of that is the smaller package, the one personally selected by yours truly. I think I did good. It’s not extravagant enough to give off that stalkerish why-are-you-giving-me-such-an-expensive-gift-when-we-just-started-dating vibe. But it isn’t cheap junk either. And if you ask me, it couldn’t be more suited to her.
That’s just my opinion, though. Who knows if she’ll feel the same? Even while I was ordering the stuff, I couldn’t help speculating whether or not it’s too soon for me to be buying her gifts. But hey, come on, it’s her birthday. What kind of schlup would I be if I didn’t get her anything for her birthday?
Now whether or not she’s willing to let me anywhere near her on that day…well, that remains to be seen.
Curses. Of all the ridiculous nonsense.
Finally, just before eight o’clock, I get a text from her. Be there in ten minutes.
“’Bout damn time,” I grumble. Saving the file I'm working on, I shut down my computer and strip off everything but a towel before heading out the back door to the pool. Yeah, I know I should probably be a gentleman and at least put on some swim trunks. Problem is, I don't feel much like playing the gentleman tonight.
Tonight, I simply feel like playing.
I’m already submerged in the tepid water, relaxing with my elbows against the edge while gazing up at the waxing crescent moon, when I hear the metallic click of the gate latch as it opens and shuts. Leah comes strolling up, a striped beach towel draped over one shoulder. Her hair is pulled back into a messy ponytail and she’s wearing that itty-bitty white bikini that drives me crazy.
I can’t wait to get her out of it.
“Sorry. I didn’t realize it was so late,” she apologizes, kicking off her pink flip-flops. “I went over to Autumn’s house and she asked me to help her bake six dozen cupcakes for some Fourth of July thing her boyfriend’s mom is hosting tomorrow. I hated to leave her with all that.”
“No problem. It’s more peaceful out here at night, anyway.” It really is. Without all the daytime noises – lawnmowers, kids playing, that sort of thing – the hypnotic humming of cicadas is the only conspicuous sound. “Come on in, the water’s fine.”
Shooting me a dubious glance, she tosses her towel on the patio table and pads around to the steps at the shallow end. “Right. I have my doubts about that.”
Oka-ay…not sure what that’s supposed to mean.
I wait until she’s just about to dip one foot in before strategically stopping her. “Just a minute.”
Freezing, she holds her foot in mid-air and looks at me questioningly. “What? Whatsa matter?”
“Not trying to be nitpicky or anything, but I should probably point out that you are once again in flagrant violation of the dress code.”
She hesitates, and I catch her gaze straying to the water blurring my bottom half. “So we’re skinny dipping tonight, are we?”
“Well, I am,” I prod her. “And you know what they say. When in Rome...”
“Funny. You don’t look Roman to me.”
“No? Maybe a little on my mother’s side.”
Trying not to smile, she rolls her eyes and pretends to look exasperated. “Fine. I’ll take it off after I get in the water. How’s that?”
“Fair enough.” One step closer to my ultimate goal. I’m pretty sure she’s into me – in spite of all that women-are-from-Venus shit, females generally aren’t that hard to interpret – but I don’t want to assume too much with this one. She isn’t the type to be pigeonholed. And I have a feeling she changes her mind more often than her toenail polish.
I watch as she takes the first two steps and then pauses to scrutinize the water with a creased brow, as if she’s half expecting something with sharp teeth to suddenly spring up out of the depths and chomp down on her.
“Something wrong?” I scan the surface of the pool, wondering if she’s caught sight of a water bug or a stray beetle.
“No. Nothing’s wrong.” Pressing her lips together, she plunges the rest of the way down, and I see her eyes widen from the shock of the cold water.
Except the water isn’t cold. Not even remotely. So when she squeals like someone who’s just had ice dropped down the back of her shirt, I can’t fathom why.
“What’s up with you?” I laugh.
From between clenched teeth, she mumbles something about Kathy Bates ruining her life.
Nah. I musta heard that wrong.
“What was that?” She’s confusing, but definitely entertaining.
“Nothing.” Inhaling a deep breath, she releases it slowly and begins to visibly relax. “Nothing…it’s all good.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.” Reaching behind her back, she starts to unhook the top of her swimsuit, then pauses yet again. “Wait a minute. How do I know you’re not wearing anything?”
Without saying a word, I hoist myself up by my arms until I’m sitting with my bare ass on the edge of the pool.
“Oh.” Averting her eyes, she continues to fumble with her top until it comes loose in her hands. Then she awkwardly wiggles her way out of the rest of it. A moment later both pieces go sailing through the air to land with a wet splat on the concrete. A most satisfying sound, even if I can’t really see that much with her crouched down chin deep in the water.
“Now doesn’t that feel better?” I slide back into the pool before my dick has a chance to stand up and salute her. The guy’s already twitching with anticipation.
“If you say so. You tell me, you’re the exhibitionist.”
“I’m not an exhibitionist.”
“Please,” she snorts. “How long did you know me before you were flashing me your tool bag?”
“Look who’s talking, Lady Godiva! I seem to remember you strutting around here in nothing but your cavity fillings not that long ago.”
Breaking out in an impish smile, she paddles her way into the deep end, closer to me. “Okay, I stand corr
ected. Maybe I am an exhibitionist.”
“If that bikini is any indication, I’d say you’re on the right track. Do you actually wear that out in public? In front of real live people?”
“Maybe.”
“I oughta confiscate that thing.”
“Why would you do that?”
“It’s practically transparent. Not that I’m complaining or anything.”
“You can see through it?” She seems surprised.
“Mm…to some extent, yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Why in God’s name would I?”
“You’re such a perv,” she taunts, splashing me playfully.
I give my head a brisk shake before calmly warning her, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
“Oh, really? What are you gonna do about it, big guy?” Her hand skims the surface of the water, dousing me with another spray.
“That’s strike two. You’re pushing your luck, blondie.”
“Right…’cause we sure wouldn’t want to get wet while we’re swimming. That would just be crazy!” Using both arms, she sends a tidal wave billowing in my direction. “BANSAI!”
“That’s it!” I lunge at her, and the resulting shriek is cut short as she flounders to escape. Before she can get very far, I pounce onto her shoulders and push her head underwater. She comes up sputtering and laughing, clutching me for support with one hand while wiping the streaming water out of her eyes with the other.
“You suck!” she giggles.
“You were warned, weren’t you? But no, you had to go and play the rebel. See where it got you?”
“Not really. I’ve never been good with directions. Where am I? Where did it get me?”
Holding her with one arm, I glide us both a few feet through the water until I’m able to touch the bottom. Only then do I wrap my other arm around her. Her slippery naked body is now trapped, those mouthwatering tits pressed firmly against my chest, and she doesn’t seem to be trying all that hard to break free.
“Any more questions?” I demand.
“I may have one or two, yes.” Resting her hands on my shoulders, she manages to double my heart rate by wrapping her legs around my waist. Naturally, from this angle, I can’t pass up the opportunity to grip the luscious round globes of her ass with both hands.
Fuck, yes…
“What is it you want to know?” I keep my voice low so she doesn’t hear the huskiness there. I can’t think straight with her soft pussy brushing against my abdomen. The only thing running through my mind right now is how close I am to the prize. To getting the one thing I’ve been craving ever since I first laid eyes on her.
“Well, I was just thinking…” She gazes at me, her expression hopeful. “Would you maybe want to come spend a few days with me in Fort Walton? At the beach house?”
Her unexpected request takes me by surprise. “I thought you didn’t want to go.”
“I thought about it and…I changed my mind.” Shrugging, she grins at me sheepishly.
I look into Leah’s wide, chocolate-brown eyes and it hits me – she’s actually afraid I might say no. Amazing. Simply amazing. How could she think for one second that I would turn her down? Passing this up would be like shredding prepaid tickets to Paris.
Newspaper Boy might be that stupid, but I most definitely am not.
What was he, anyway? Brain damaged or something? Too much flakka?
“When do you want to leave?” I ask.
“Tomorrow?”
“All right. Count me in.”
“Really? Awesome!”
“On one condition.”
Smiling coyly, she tilts her head to one side. “Okay, let’s have it. What’s the condition?”
“Oh, it’s nothing you can’t handle,” I deviously assure her. “Just something very simple I’d like you to do for me.”
Quite suddenly she becomes distracted by something else, and the subject takes a ninety-degree turn. “Well now, that’s interesting.”
“What is?”
“I didn’t think men could get hard underwater.”
Clearly that’s not the case, seeing how my dick is currently at full mast and bobbing impatiently against her. “Where’d you get that idea?”
“I don’t know. I just always thought that. You know, the whole shrinkage thing. Or does that only apply to cold water?”
“Lamb chop, you could give an impotent gay snowman an erection. I don’t know why you’re worried about things like shrinkage.”
“Lamb chop,” she repeats with a giggle. “I like that. It’s cute.”
That’s what she took away from what I just said? “Focus, sweetheart.”
“Oh. Sorry. What was it you wanted me to do?”
“Nothing major. All I want is for you to hop up there and sit on the edge of the pool for me. Just for a minute or two. So I can have a look at you.”
“That’s all? Just get out of the water for a few minutes so you can check me out?”
“That’s it.”
“Um…okay.” She doesn’t seem entirely convinced that I don’t have some nefarious intent, but I guess she’s willing to trust me.
She shouldn’t.
“Right now?”
“Whenever you’re ready.”
She hesitates. “And then what?”
“And then…” I slide the elastic band down the length of her ponytail, freeing her hair while I brush my lips lightly across hers, teasing her with the vaguest promise of a kiss. “You’ll just have to wait and find out.”
“Wait and find out.” She stares at my mouth, tasting her lips with her tongue as she mulls this over. “Well, what’s the worst that could happen?”
Releasing my hold on her, I float just out of reach and give her what I hope is a stoic smile. “That’s right, lamb chop. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Shaking out her hair, Leah turns to wade closer to the edge, placing both hands on the gritty concrete for leverage. I watch as she lifts herself out of the pool and, in one quick, agile movement, twists her body around to sit there facing me, her feet still dangling in the water.
Nodding satisfaction, I let my eyes roam up and down, leisurely absorbing every visible inch of her. To say that she is beautiful would be like acknowledging that Babe Ruth may have sparked a few home runs. I don’t know – maybe it’s just the way she looks right now, with her brown eyes sparkling and the moonlight reflecting off wet strands of cornsilk hair – but I have never wanted a woman more in my life.
Patience, I curtail myself. No sense gobbling her up in one bite. There’s no hurry, is there? Relax and savor the moment.
My attention lingers on the demure but feminine curve of her breasts, and I pull the corner of my bottom lip into my mouth while considering what those pert rosy nipples will feel like at the end of my tongue. I continue making the trek southward, but unfortunately that’s where the peep show ends. Her legs are pressed together so tightly, you couldn’t pry them open with a crowbar.
Chuckling at her uncharacteristic modesty, I focus instead on the small oval-shaped scar etched into one knee. Nothing recent, possibly a remnant from her childhood years. How did she get it? Falling off her bicycle? Catching it on a rusty nail while climbing into a treehouse?
When I finally lift my gaze to meet hers, I find her watching me curiously. She tries to look away, her attention flickering nervously, but I prevail in the end. Her eyes are locked with mine and I’m not about to let go.
“Very nice,” I murmur my approval with a patient smile. “But I haven’t seen everything, now have I? You’re hiding something from me.”
“Am I?” Leah blinks, feigning doe-eyed innocence.
“You know you are.”
“I can’t imagine what you mean,” she says. “I’m not hiding a thing.”
“Let’s have a look at that pedicure,” I clarify with a smirk, knowing that isn’t what she’s expecting to hear. “Took you all afternoon to get it – looks li
ke you’d want to show it off a little.”
Shaking her head with a laugh, she lifts one foot out of the water and holds it up for me to inspect. But I’m not interested in her toenail polish, even if the polka dots are ten shades of sexy.
No, I have something else in mind.
Taking her foot in my left hand, I drag my thumb along the insole before pressing it against my shoulder and holding it there.
“Now the other one,” I instruct her, holding out my right hand.
To my surprise, she complies without hesitation. Which leads me to wonder if that whole shy routine was just an act.
Regardless, I now have her right where I want her. Both feet propped on my shoulders, knees slightly bent, thighs spread just far enough apart to allow me a prime view of the tastiest, most fuckable pussy I could have envisioned. Smooth as silk, delicately pink and just begging to be debauched in every way imaginable.
It takes every ounce of self-control I can muster, plus some that’s on loan, not to shoot my load right there in the pool. I don’t though, which is a good thing because who the hell wants to swim around in their own jizz?
“Like that?” she purrs sweetly.
“Oh, yeah...” I don’t look up. A troop of dancing orangutans could conga their way through the back yard right now and it wouldn’t be sufficient enough distraction to tear my eyes away from this. “Just like that, kitten.”
Out of my peripheral vision, I see Leah bite her lip, though she doesn’t say a word.
Slowly…agonizingly, deliciously slowly…I blaze a trail of soft kisses along the inner length of one of her thighs, until I am inches from the pearly gates.
“Oh God, Myles…” she whispers.
“Now…” I murmur against her quivering leg. “What was that you were saying about getting wet?”
Chapter Nineteen
Oh.
My.
GAWD…
I totally owe the Ripper a gourmet wine and cheese basket for this. If I’d had any doubts before about whether or not this would be worth the trouble, they were one hundred percent unfounded. ’Cause clearly Myles is very much enjoying this.