The Crush

“Hey.” I wrung some of the water out of my hair. “Didn’t realize you were back.”

“I just got here.”

I stepped up the ladder. Oddly, I felt a bit self-conscious and immediately walked over to wrap my towel around me. I liked to try to look sexy around Jace, but this was my first time in a swimsuit. And being in a bikini was basically like wearing underwear and a bra. As daring as I’d been with my clothing choices lately, I was surprised to find I wasn’t that daring.

Jace had set the food on the table where I’d planned to eat. I guess he’d decided to join me out here.

“Thanks again. I’m famished. Swimming always makes me hungry.”

“Yeah. Looks like you worked up an appetite.”

“I love to swim. That pool sold me on this house when Nathan and I were looking.”

“It’s hot as fuck today. I might just go in later myself.”

I pulled out my chair. “You should. I haven’t seen you swim once since you got here.”

Jace and I opened our sandwiches and began to eat.

I went to the kitchen to grab extra ketchup, and when I returned, Jace’s eyes went wide as he watched me pour the red stuff over my pile of fries until they were totally covered.

“Care for some fries with that ketchup?” he teased.

“I put it on everything. I love ketchup.”

“I can see that.”

I peeked over at his burger. “What did you get?”

“A jalapeño burger. Wanna bite?”

“Sure.” I wasn’t going to refuse putting my mouth where his had just been. Plus, it did look good.

I leaned in as he reached across the table and offered me a taste. One of the hot peppers fell onto my chest near where the towel was wrapped around my bikini top. Not wanting to seem gluttonous, I took only a small bite and chewed, licking the corner of my mouth. “Mmm… It’s really good.”

Jace watched as I picked the pepper off of myself and placed it into my mouth.

When my eyes met his, he quickly looked down at his sandwich before getting up from his seat.

What is that about?

“I’m gonna grab a beer,” he said. “You want something?”

“I’ll take a beer, too.”

He chuckled. “Is it bad that I had to think for a second whether you’re legal to drink? It feels wrong giving you alcohol, for some reason.”

“You’ve dropped me off at the damn bar! How could you think that?”

“I know. It’s fucked-up.” He laughed as he walked backwards into the house. “Be right back.”

A minute later, Jace returned with two chilled bottles of Miller Lite. He popped one open and handed it to me.

“Thanks.” I took a long sip that felt great going down.

We polished off the rest of the food, and by the time I finished the beer, I felt pretty tipsy. Between the soft breeze blowing Jace’s scent my way and the buzz, I was on cloud nine.

Jace took it upon himself to clear our wrappers and napkins, stuffing everything into the paper bag. As he went back into the kitchen, he asked, “Want another beer?”

“I’d love one.”

When he returned, he set the bottle in front of me and sat back down. He put his feet up on an empty chair and leaned his head back, closing his eyes.

He sighed. “This is exactly what I needed…to chill at home.”

That made me happy. “Give your head a break tonight. You can always worry about work tomorrow.”

“Yeah. I think I’m gonna take your advice on that.”

While his eyes were closed, I was able to enjoy staring at his profile—his strong, angular jaw and slightly cleft chin, his perfect nose and kissable lips, the way the sun brought out a reddish tone in his otherwise black hair. Jace was even more beautiful with the sun shining on him.

I eventually closed my eyes as well, enjoying the breeze that offset a little of the heat. My eyes opened suddenly when I heard his chair skid against the cement.

“Fuck it.” He got up. “I’ll be right back.”

My heart raced a little. What is he doing?

A few minutes later, Jace returned in his swim trunks. They were blue with tiny anchors, a nautical pattern. Not that I was looking closely at his lower half or anything. I’d just started to make my way up to his chest when he dove into the pool, his gorgeous, hard body disappearing under the sky blue water.

He emerged and shook his head to clear the water from his hair. “You comin’ in or what?”

I got goose bumps. I hadn’t planned to, but I couldn’t resist the invitation.

“Sure.” I got up from my seat and unwrapped the towel.

Jace watched as I entered the pool. But what was he thinking?

I dove in and swam toward him, feeling more comfortable in my bathing suit now that I was submerged in the water.