“You know what, Gerri? I admire you. You want him. Well, it’s been months. Go for it. Tell him how you feel and see what happens. I don’t agree with you making a move on someone else’s boyfriend. I can’t stand a cheat, but if he means this much to you, you have to give it a shot.” In a warning tone, I added, “But don’t you dare settle for being a fling.”
She looked at me in with utter seriousness. “I think I’m in love with him.”
“I know.” I felt the fear creep up my spine. I saw heartache in her future and was helpless to stop it. Gerri was beautiful and deserved Mike if she wanted him. I would make it my mission to pay a little closer attention to him next time we went to the bar. I needed to figure out once and for all if she was completely delusional in her affection for him.
“We’ll go after work tomorrow, okay? One beer. You don’t want to seem too eager.”
Her eyes lit up as she thanked me and wiggled her ass in a small dance out the door. And for the brief few minutes before sleep claimed me, I thought about the last time I’d felt that way about a guy. My last thought was of Mr. Sexy iPod before I drifted away.
After our shift the next day, I resumed my routine at the pool in a new swimsuit I’d purchased on impulse. I tried to convince myself I hadn’t bought it in case I had another chance to ogle the hot guy who had graced the pool yesterday. But I didn’t lie to myself. I needed it, anyway. The suit fit perfectly and helped to even out my misshaped bust line. I smiled when I heard the gate open as I finished my laps. I didn’t have to look to know it was him.
“Hi,” he said from behind me as I sat at the edge of the pool.
“Hi,” I answered back, shielding my eyes with one hand as I turned my head and twisted to look at him.
Yep, he was better looking than the day before, and I was saddened by the t-shirt he was wearing, until he slid it off with one swift movement. I tried to mask my reaction, but could see a sort of satisfaction overtake his features as I appreciated him. Dark unruly hair, beautiful deep blue eyes, sharp defined features, and a hellishly built body...my reaction to him was electric.
“Beer?” He’d brought a small cooler with him this time and held out an ice-cold beer to me.
I accepted with a “thank you” then cracked the top as he made himself comfortable on the chair behind me. He truly was a work of art. His disheveled, dark brown hair perfectly suited him. Dark, thick brows groomed perfectly by nature’s hand accentuated the deep blue of his eyes. His lashes were so long and thick, it made his eye color seem to look almost purple in contrast. I was attracted to him. I knew this instantly yesterday and he seemed to catch on, taking in my body frame by frame. I pushed my shoulders back and caught his slight smirk as he tipped his beer for a sip.
Taking a sip of my own, I gave myself a few seconds to soak him in before turning back to my legs dangling in the pool. I was suddenly very aware his eyes were on me. My tingling spine and the fact that I was shivering in a hundred degree sun told me so.
“What’s your name?” His voice was smooth and playful, and I smiled at my beer.
“Hilary.” As much as my needy gaze had just robbed me of subtlety, I could still regain some edge with short answers.
“Jayden,” he offered without me asking. “But my friends call me Jay.”
Deciding it was rude to keep my back to him, I stood, beer in hand, and took a seat in the empty lounger next to him. I didn’t miss his observation of my ass just before I sat down.
“Nice to meet you, Jay,” I said, smiling at the palm trees swaying in the breeze overhead.
“How long have you lived here?”
Looking over at him, I saw he was fidgeting with his iPod, his ear buds in. I suddenly felt like he was just being polite and might not be interested in conversation at all.
“A year. We are moving out at the end of our lease. It was fun for a while, just too many parties. I’m becoming an old lady. The all-nighters are way too consistent and I’m a fan of my sleep.”
“Shame...I just moved in and so far you have improved the scenery.” He winked at me and seemed to make a decision that maybe I was worth a conversation as he unplugged his iPod and Modest Mouse started drifting through the air. I thanked him for the compliment with a smile that seemed to please him. The man was beautiful. Large, full lips curved up as I took in his broad chin and Travolta dimple in the middle of it. It wasn’t sharply defined, but it was alluring. It had been a long time since a man’s looks had impressed me this much. I wanted to keep looking at him, but knew I had already been way too obvious. I was practically screaming I wanted to lick him with my eyes, so I averted them back to the palms overhead and disciplined them to remain there.
“Love that song,” I noted as I made myself comfortable, leaning back in the seat and letting the music and beer flow through me.
“Yeah, they’re good,” he said, downing his beer until it was empty.
“On a mission to numb yourself?” I asked with a knowing smile.
“Have to drown out the noise sometimes, you know?” he answered unapologetically as he produced another beer from his cooler and immediately took a sip.
“Well, there is no lifeguard on duty, but luckily for you I can swim like a fish.”
“Good to know,” he chuckled, “but considering the pool is only four feet deep, I think I’ll manage.”
“Well, now aren’t we cocky?” I said, glancing his way. “You never know when you’ll need saving.”
“True. I could fake it just to keep you busy,” he flirted.
Glancing at my phone, I remembered I’d promised Gerri we would go to Mike’s and cursed that promise. I felt ridiculously drawn to the man by my side and didn’t want to leave just yet.
“So how old are you?”
Turning to him, I answered, “Young enough to not be offended by that question. Twenty-seven, you?”
“Same,” he said with a perfect, white smile.
“Really?”
“Yep. I turn twenty-eight in a few months.”
“Which one? Are you a Leo?”
“Yep. August.”
“Huh, mine is end of July.” I winked before spouting, “I guess I’m the wiser of us two.”
“Cool, you could be my cougar.” He was flirting shamelessly now so I stood, throwing my beer away.
“Well, Jay, thanks for the beer. I have somewhere to be.”
He shot up in the lounger and looked at me in question. “Did I offend you? I didn’t mean to, really.”
“Of course not. I just really have to be somewhere.” His face relaxed, but only slightly. For some reason, I felt the need to reassure him. “I’ll see you around. Maybe I’ll bring the beer next time.”
“How about tomorrow, same time?” I felt a warmth spread through me as he asked, his face transparently hopeful. I nodded with a “sure.”
“Cool, see you tomorrow.” I gave him a little wave as I gathered my bag then walked out just as I heard a “Yo, Jay.” A group of guys dragging larger coolers were on their way to meet him from the other side of the fence.
His eyes were still on me as he answered, “Sup.” He winked at me again, and keeping my eyes on him, I ran into the fence, banging my knee loudly.
“Ouch. You okay?” I looked up to see the guys entering, one of them stopped to check out my throbbing knee. My eyes were watering from the pain, but I brushed it off quickly to avoid further embarrassment.
“I’m cool, thanks.” I looked up into a set of deep green eyes and felt my body sigh. Gorgeous Jay had gorgeous friends. If Gerri needed an intervention from her obsession with Mike, I decided our meeting would take place at the pool.
He gave me a smile and picked up his heavy cooler, his muscles accentuated by the weight of it as I held the gate open for him. “Thanks, beautiful.”