Page 17 of Tryst

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“All that—I can't believe all I get is a peck on the cheek. I deserve more than that.”

“Sure you do.” She backs away with that mischievous look in her eyes. “If you can catch me first.” She sprints off, and I laugh.

She keeps me on my toes. I love it.

I catch her and we play around a little, more than a little. Enough to take the edge off until later. We hit the beach. Her in her bathing suit that got my full attention the last time we were in the Hamptons. We picked a spot, laid out on the blanket, and I watched her slather sunscreen on. I declined the invitation to help. It would lead nowhere but back inside, naked.

Thirty minutes after we‘ve arrive on the beach, a guy comes over to us and asks her, “Hey, we're about to start a game of volleyball we need a few more players. You think you can help us out? Where in desperate need and you look pretty fit.” I clear my throat, and then he looks at me. Pressing his lips together before he releases a smile. “I meant both of you. Would you like to join our game, you and your…uncle?”

Great. At least he didn't say dad. “Thank but I'm good. Jade?“

She smiles at me and bites her lip. “Are you sure you don't want to? I don't want to just leave you here.”

“I don't mind. Go ahead and have fun. I'll be sitting here watching you. I'll be your personal cheering section.”

“You're the best.” She leans over and kisses me with tongue. Then looks at the guy whose eyebrows are now over his hairline. “What's your name?” She smiles at him.

“Clayton.”

“Nice to meet you, Clayton.” She holds out her hand for a handshake. “I'm Jade.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Jade.“

“He‘s not my uncle, as you can tell.”

“Yeah, I got that from the kiss. At least I was hoping he wasn't.” He laughs

She laughs. “Yeah, that would have been real awkward.“

I'm not as amused. I force a tight smile as he walks off saying, “See you by the net. It's Guys against girls.”

“Was that kiss for my benefit or his?”

“Every time you kiss me, I see your eyes do a quick scan around us like anyone cares.” She sighs taking off her cover-up. “Loosen up some, okay? This is supposed to be a fun weekend with no hiding or worrying about who sees us.”

Not worrying about what other people think about us together is more challenging than I thought, but I'm trying for her this weekend. “Okay, but put the cover-up back on.” I see she's going to protest and give her a level stair and a reminder of her tiny bathing suit. “Wouldn't want another nipple gate incident.”

She gives me a sheepish smile. “Good point.”

If she's flashing anyone, it's going to be me, and only me.

I watch her join the beach volleyball game with the group her age. It didn't take long for the game to end and the girls to win. Of course, I cheered for the ladies.

“Hey,” she says as we are packing up to go back to the house. She gets in front of me, then puts my hand around her waist, and holds her phone up at us with a big smile. “Say sexy is as sexy does.”

“What?” I chuckle.

“Just say it! Cheese is outdated.” Maybe for her. I kiss her cheek and smile as she snaps the pictures, then another one. “Perfect.” She beams, tilting her head up to me.

I stare down at the picture she snapped of both of us. We both look good. And at least I don’t look like her father—older brother maybe, but definitely not her father. Still…eighteen plus is quite a gap considering most months it's going to seem like nineteen. It may only be a year, but to me every year counts. People are going to think I'm a lecherous older man going through an early midlife crisis.

“What do you want for dinner?” I ask walking past the couch she‘s lying on after we shower from the beach.

“I don't care. As long as it's not chicken, fish, or, beef.”

“…You want air?”

“No.” She smirks and sits up, her face inches from mine, as if I should know. “I want something light. We’re by the sea. Seafood, and something light like a salad.”