Page 24 of Beneath the Blue Moon
“I guess I’ve always liked…oldthings.”
“Is that another jab at my age?”
“Aww, your poor, aging brain can’t keep up?”
“My dear, with age come wisdom and experience.There’salotI can teach you.”
She licks her lips alluringly, biting down on the bottomone.I raise my glass in a toast and smile at her.She got my meaning.
“Here’s looking at you, kid.”
Giggling, she clinks her glass against mine.
“Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautifulfriendship.”
With a chuckle, I stand and offer her my hand.Friendshipis not what I have in mind for you, sweetheart.
“Come.Have a drink with me by the pool.”
“Certainly, old man.”
At that remark, I pull her against me and throw my arm overher shoulder.She giggles, picking up the wine glasses while I grab the bottle.
I’ll show you old.
***Casey***
I lie on a sun lounge by the sheriff’s pool and stare up atthe starry sky.There’s a waxing gibbous, or three-quarter moon, which meansthe full moon is near.Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had athingfor the moon.My bedroom ceiling was decorated like a night sky; I had a moon-shapednight-light, moon and stars sheets and pajamas, and anything else I could find.I read everything I came across that had the word “moon” in it.Every full moon,Daddy would take me out into the backyard and we would “moon watch” until Ifell asleep.I miss those days.
“Are you okay?”The sheriff cuts into my thoughts.
“I’m fine.Just thinking.”
“About what?”
“My dad… Something we used to do when I was little.”
“Oh.”
I guess he senses that I don’t want to talk about it becausehe leaves me to my thoughts, periodically refilling my glass.Earlier, he heldmy stare and told me he’s been waiting for the right woman.His eyes reiteratedwhat he told me at the bar.It’s obvious he thinks I’mher.He’ll seesoon enough that I’m not.
“Wanna go for a swim?”he asks.“The pool’s heated.”
I turn to him with a smile.“I don’t have a bathing suit.”
“I’m sure we can improvise.”
The smirk on his face pulls me out of my pensiveness.
“I’m sure we can,” I agree.
“I’ll get some towels.”
After he leaves, I remove my jewelry and sandals.He returnswith towels and a white T-shirt for me.Our eyes meet as I slowly push myromper down over my breasts.He lowers his hungry gaze, following the garmentas it moves past my hips and down my legs.Standing before him in my bra andboy shorts, I drop the romper on the lounge.I walk to the edge of the poolthen look back at him over my shoulder.When I step into the water, he dragshis shirt over his head.I dive in and re-surface at the far end, turning tosee he’s disappeared.Where the hell did he go?Something touches my toes,and I scream in terror.Before I can escape, a dark head of hair surfacesbefore me.
“You scared me!”I exclaim.
He laughs, a deep, throaty, beautiful sound, and runs hisfingers through his wet hair.
