“Can you swim,bellisima?”

“No!”

“Are you lying to me?” He continued to walk towards the water.

“Not if you stop and don’t throw me in this laaaaaaaake!” she screamed, flying into the lake when Jacob tossed her in.

The students and faculty erupted in laughs, and the camera crews caught it all on film. Diving into the water and scooping her up in his arms, Jacob swam to the surface, and Carla gasped and inhaled air, pretending to pass out in his arms.

Dark laughter slipped from his lips. “You are such a character, Ms. Jones.”

Opening one eye to peek at him, Carla smirked, then closed her eye again. “Don’t talk to me; I’ve passed out.”

Jacob’s gut tightened as his guffaws clenched his stomach while he laughed.

* * *

“Isit possible to fall in love with someone within a few weeks?”

Carla buttoned up her light blue blouse and slipped her hand over her pencil skirt with the phone in the crook of her neck.

“That is more than enough time to fall for someone. Especially if that someone is a handsome-ass bachelor with manners!” Tina shouted.

Carla’s face lit up as laughter cruised off her tongue.

“That he is.”

“So, you’re in love, huh?”

Sighing, Carla looked herself over in the mirror, then finger-combed her sandy brown hair. Instead of adding another protective style, she straightened, then curled her tresses. Now her hair bounced in layers of curls around her shoulder.

“I don’t know. I’m in very stronglike, that’s for sure.”

“And he ain’t even dicked you down yet. You’ll be a maniac once that happens.”

“Please don’t speak it into existence because I’m already half-crazy.”

They laughed.

“I’m serious, Tina. Seeing him at the club taking care of business, watching him with the students, the seriousness of his attention when he worked. He’s focused, sexy, warmhearted, funny, and caring.” She shivered. “The way he looks at me. Like he’s starved, and I’m the only meal there is to be nutrition for his soul.” A dreamy exhale escaped her lips. “I want to suck his dick.”

A squeal screeched from Tina. “Oh, my gawd!”

Carla laughed. “I want to suck it so hard he cums all against the back of my throat.”

“Carlaaaa!”

“Girl. Everything about this man is beautiful. I need to suck his dick.”

In a fit of laughter, Tina howled while Carla smiled.

“You know I’m honest.”

Cackling, Tina responded. “You should get your chance soon.”

Carla was nodding. At any moment, Jacob would be picking her up for the dinner date with her father. After that, she would ask him if they were still planning to travel to Barbados.

“I’m getting these lips ready. I need to practice on a banana tonight.”