Page 22 of Grounds for Love

Chapter 7

Rod

“I’msofullI can’t eat another bite,” Jenni says and leans back in the deck chair by my pool. She’s changed into a pair of denim shorts and a white tank top, and she’s done something to pile her hair up on top of her head that makes the soft, smooth skin of her neck much too tempting.

I’ve found Jenni is easy to talk to. She’s intelligent, funny, and insightful, which has kept me on my toes. I’d forgotten what it’s like to share a conversation with someone that isn’t related to me.

I brought her back to my house for dinner, a dumbass move. She seemed uncomfortable at first. I don’t think she was expecting the three-story glass and stone mid-century modern home. Seeing her in my house, touching my things, getting her scent all over the place, is going to fuck with my head for days. Plus, having her in the vicinity of my bed is a big temptation.

“Well, it wasn’t fish like I’d hoped, but you can’t beat pizza.” The pizza restaurant hasn’t been open very long, but judging by our wait time, they must be doing good business. I didn’t care how long it took because that meant more conversation with Jenni.

“I still think we weren’t doing it right,” she says with the cutest twist of her lips.

This has been an ongoing discussion. “We were doing it right. They just weren’t biting today.”

She snickers. “Sure they weren’t.”

My brow pops upward and I pin her with a stare. “Are you saying we didn’t catch anything because of my fishing skills?”

Her eyes sparkle with laughter and it’s a most beautiful sight. “No, of course not. I know how fragile the male ego is. I’m sure it was the mean fish that swam by your hooks.”

I push up from the table quickly and the teasing glint in her eyes turns curious. “That’s it, woman. An insult to my fishing abilities must be reprimanded.”

Jenni shrieks and jumps up quickly, her innocent eyes widening, and cautiously heads for the patio doors. “Oh, I don’t think that’s necessary,” she backpedals.

I lunge and grab her around the waist. The sound of her laughter peals loudly through the night, making my heart sing. She giggles as I head towards the pool. Yes, the outside temperature is in the low seventies, but the pool is heated. “You’re going to get it now,” I inform her which produces another giggle.

She lets out a squeal when she realizes my destination and starts climbing my body like a monkey. “Sorry. I’m sorry. I think you are a GOAT fisherman.”

“Too little, too late. Naughty girls need to cool off.”

She squirms in my arms and her wiggling body gives my cock the wrong idea.

“No! No, Rod! Let me down!” she screeches. “The water is too freaking cold!”

Maybe we both need to cool off. Standing on the edge of the deep end, I toss us both in. When we surface, her hair is all in her face and rivulets of water cascade down her body.

“Args! I can’t believe you did that,” she sputters.

The white tank she is wearing is nearly transparent and her tight, hard nipples poke through the fabric. My mouth waters to suck on them. My dick twitches to be inside her, but I force myself to remember Jenni isn’t ready for more.

“I thought the water would be cold!” She laughs.

“Hot. Heated. I mean the pool is heated. I like to swim laps year-round.” I make sure she can reach the bottom and drop my arms to put distance between us. The glow radiating from her… the tightness of her shirt… I don’t trust myself with all that staring me in the face.

She laughs again and pushes the hair from her eyes. “Oh, my gosh, I can’t believe you did that.”

“Insult my skills and you pay.” I say, trying to get the right teasing tone as I put my hands on the edge of the pool to push up to my feet. Once I’m out, I turn and offer her a hand to help her out. A moment before her hand makes contact with mine, I see the devious glint in her eyes and the next thing I know, I’m flying over her head and sinking beneath the water once again.

I break the surface coughing and shake my hair like a dog to her laughter and squeals to stop. I take a menacing step towards her. “Oh, no, you didn’t.”

She giggles. “Oh, yes, I did,” she counters and takes a step back.

I lunge for her and even with her frantic strokes trying to escape, she doesn’t stand a chance. I grab her foot and pull her under. When she pops back up, she sends a huge tidal wave of pool water my direction. A fierce game of keep away, splashing, and dunks ensue.

We play in the pool like kids and Jenni isn’t the only one that’s laughing. She swipes her arms across the surface of the water and sends another wave my way. I sink to the bottom and swim to tug her under. We resurface together and when I go to step back, she wraps her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck.

Our smiles falter and slowly our focus changes to the charged sexual tension sizzling in the air between us. She gives a shuddering breath and her heart beats rapidly against my chest. I’m uncertain what she’s asking and I don’t want to get it wrong. I’m still not sure she’s ready for the next step. “Jenni…”

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