Page 12 of Until Now
Maxen
The sun is low in the sky. I’ve been in the pool so long my fingers are beginning to shrivel. Watching wet Dominique is the best thing about the holiday. Trying not to stare. But the woman is fine. The shyness makes it all the better. She bites her lip whenever something embarrasses her. When July’s mother complimented her figure, I saw the proof.
Maybe Dominique doesn’t know her own beauty. How could that be? There’s lots to like there. It’s not just the natural breasts that sit high or the amazing ass filling out the bikini bottom. It’s her face, framed by long, wavy, sun-kissed hair. She outshines every woman here.
Saying she has green eyes doesn’t do them justice. They’re dark, with a scattering of light that reflects off golden amber flecks. I’ve spent the afternoon studying them whenever I could get away with it. Her mouth. Oh hell. That thing is a masterpiece. And when she smiles at me, I feel a warmth. She laughs, and I love it. I sound like a tool. Or maybe a teenager lusting after the girl everyone wants to be with. What are the chances?
She takes a stroke, moving gracefully through the water, right past where we play a vigorous game of Chicken. I’ve got Hunter on my shoulders while Wes lifts Bing. It may not be the best circumstances for ogling the bathing beauty, but I’m good at multitasking. The only flaw in my plan is I’m in danger of getting an erection.
Coming near the edge of the pool, she turns over, floating close by. Oh fuck.Stop looking at her tits.
Bing grabs Hunter’s hands, and the fight is on. Having a thirteen-year-old on my shoulders is a whole different thing than when he was younger. Testosterone is in play now. He’s stronger and heavier. It’s more fun for them and really for Wes and Bing laughing with the effort.
I see Dominique stand and wave to someone, but I can’t look. Shit.
Is she getting out? My change in focus lets Bing get the advantage. My grip releases as Hunter slides off my shoulders and into the water. I go under too. When I come up, I get an eyeful and a strong reaction that contradicts the short time I’ve known Dominique. I don’t know her at all. But there’s a gut feeling, a visceral reminder; I want to.
She stands on the side of the pool, dripping water, her arms on a man’s shoulders. There’s a cheek kiss exchanged. Does he know how sensual the scene is? That’s a stupid question. He’s looking at her like she’s candy. Who is that prick? And how can I get rid of him? I wave off Bing’s calls for a repeat match and enlist Asher to take my place. My excuse for having to take a piss is accepted easily. Now I can do some recon.
Making my way up the steps and out of the pool, I grab a towel. My arms are better than his. So is my prick. Just fact. Now I can take all the time in the world to watch my competition. And her as well. Is she into this guy? He’s okay looking. Maybe better than okay. I guess a woman might like that all-American, preppy thing he has going for him. White bread wasp. Can’t picture this dude on a Harley. Maybe riding bitch. Just the thought makes me chuckle.
The question rises. What does this mean? If this is Dominique’s type, I’m screwed. Then something happens to give me hope. Her eyes lift to mine, and she takes her hands off the man. It’s just a moment, one beat in a twenty-four-hour day. But it’s all the encouragement I need.
Stretching out on a chaise, I take in the scene. Bing didn’t get out of the pool to greet the guy. July gave him a wave from where she sits, and he returned it. Nobody is too excited he’s arrived. Especially Dominique. She dried herself off quickly and grabbed her shorts. I’ve never seen a woman get dressed so fast. It’s all covered now. Good. I don’t want his eyes on her. Oh, here they come.
I make sure to lift my arms behind me and rest my head in my palms, so she can see the biceps. I’ve worked hard for them, and it’s about to pay off. I hope he can see I’m into her. I want him to know. She may not be into me yet, but I’m going to work on that.
“Ken, this is Maxen,” she says, taking the chair across from where I lay.
“Hi. Nice to meet you.” I offer the lie hoping he can see through it.
“You too.”
He extends a hand and a smile. But I sense just as much truth in his words as mine. Fucker.
The guy pulls a chair closer and starts talking, barely taking a breath between topics. Think he likes the sound of his own voice. Every so often, Dominique’s gaze lands on mine. There is a whole other conversation happening there. The unsaid but not missed.
As he begins a soliloquy about the benefits of a saltwater pool, she and I are somewhere else. Above and away from this bullshit neither of us is interested in hearing about. Every minute or so, she throws in a response, so the guy knows his date is still listening.
“Really? How interesting,” she says.
I can’t help but be amused, and my smirk confirms it.
“Tell me more about the cost,” I say, knowing it will buy me more time to imagine myself on top of Dominique.
She understands exactly what I’ve done. Now our communication reaches another level. We know we are on the same page. At the most opportune moment, Wes comes over and greets his latest guest. Ken’s attention is diverted. He looks away from Dominque and me to where Wes stands behind him.
“Hi, Ken. You hungry? We’ve got all kinds of good things.”
I bet everyone who asks Ken a question is punished by the answer. He starts talking, and I take my opportunity.
When Dominique’s eyes lock on mine, I mouth a message.‘Want to go out with me?’
Her lips press, and her eyes widen in surprise, followed by a nod. Hell, yes, woman. When I look at Wes, he’s watching us. He saw what just happened and smiles.
“Hey, come with me. I want to introduce you to a friend.” Wes says it so smoothly, as if he really means it. I know better, and I would guess Dominique does too. He’s giving us some alone time.
Ken rises. “Yeah, sure. I’ll be back,” he says to Dominique. As he does, there’s a light touch on her shoulder. She stiffens. Good.
