Page 44 of Laying His Claim
“Warm-ish,”she corrected, looking out onto the water.
He ignored her half-hearted protest. “When last did you go skinny dipping?”
She gave a shocked squeal. “Are you mad?”
“Mad to see you buck naked and soaked to the skin,” he countered.
“But people will see us!” She sounded scandalized, not a frequent occurrence with the Jalissa he used to know.
“Not if we’re submerged. What goes on under the water, stays under the water.” To preclude any argument, he began peeling off his shirt and wriggled out of his tailored trousers. “You aren’t undressing,” he pointed out. “What’s the matter? Are you chicken?”
As he predicted, she rose to the bait. “Me? Chicken? Like hell.”
By the time he was out of the car, she was standing on the grass, naked and splendid, looking so delectable that he nearly changed his mind and dragged her caveman-style back into the car. But before he could make good on his plans, she was off and running, her sleek skin glowing in the faint moon light
They hit the water’s edge together, screaming in unison as the cold water closed around them. The night might have been warm, but the water certainly wasn’t.
“We’ll freeze!” she gasped, teeth already chattering.
“Come over here, let me warm you up.”
“Only because you’re warm,” she insisted, slipping into his arms and allowing him to wrap her into a bear hug. “Not because you’re cute or anything.”
He was about to respond with a zinger, but the feel of her in his arms brought other thoughts into his head entirely. Even as the cool water lapped against his body, he became immediately erect. Then she wriggled against his bare skin, as supple and smooth as a dolphin. What probably began as an unconscious gesture swiftly turned into something wickedly deliberate, as Jalissa pressed her bare bottom against his erection, laughing as she did so. “Payback’s a bitch,” she reminded him.
“You think that’s payback?” he asked through gritted teeth. “Thisis payback.” With one hand, he steadied her, and with the other, he felt his way between her legs, finding his target, which was much warmer than the surrounding waters, and already slippery.
As he pressed against her entrance, she gasped, “We can’t!”
“We can,” he replied, and slid inside.
The combined effect of the chilly water, the wind that was whipping up, and the sheer naughtiness of making love outdoors, stark naked, to the sound of traffic whooshing by, heightened their excitement. They both knew this was no time for dawdling, no time to relish the sensation. They moved as one, building in speed and intensity, until moments later, they rode a wave of joy and sensation, and Jalissa fell back against his chest, limp and panting.
“That was—”
The yellow glare of headlights slashed across their bodies as a massive semi-truck passed by, the gleeful driver yanking on his horn in a congratulatorytoot-toot.
Jalissa covered her face with an embarrassed squeal. “We’re going to get arrested!”
He swept her up in his arms and ran with her back to the car. “Not if we aren’t here!”
They fell inside, laughing like naughty schoolchildren. They knew that when they got home, they would have all the time they needed to take it slow.
Chapter 17
Jalissa fell into a comfortable, happy routine: working atMelanie’sthree nights a week, and spending the rest of her time at home, building her bond with Sebastian and Justin.
They hired a new nanny who had been meticulously sourced and recommended by Kalilah. This time, they were relieved to find that she was a sane West Indian expat called Gwendolyn, who had raised five children and eight grandchildren. She informed them up front that nothing made her happier than making sure that “God’s precious little ones” were happy, well fed and well taken care of.
Even so, Jalissa did everything she could to spend more time with Sebastian. Letting him sit in his highchair or bouncy swing while she worked in the kitchen, trying out new recipes to later replicate at the restaurant. She was happy that Justin was a willing guinea pig, who celebrated her culinary victories and gave her workable suggestions when her experiments were met with failure.
Something had shifted between them. There was a new sense of warmth and comfort whenever she and Justin were together. They made love frequently and, although she still maintained the guest bedroom as her own, more often than not she woke up in his bed, and in his arms.
Why then, she wondered, had they never reprised their conversation about their engagement and the ring he’d promised to buy her? Was Justin having doubts? For her, it was a lot to take in as her new life had only taken shape mere months ago. Jalissa was experiencing doubts herself, but things were good. Weren’t they? She was growing increasingly aware of a feeling inside, which deepened every day, which took up more and more space inside her. Did she dare put a name to it?
“Cake time!” Kalilah announced cheerily. Friends and family were gathered in the spacious dining room: Finn and their kids, Kaiya, Ty, and TJ; Melanie and her twins; and a couple of Sebastian’s other little friends from the Mommy and Me playgroup. The room was a kaleidoscope of bright colors, HAPPY BIRTHDAY banners and streamers, helium-filled balloons kissing the ceiling, heaps of shredded gift wrapping ankle-deep on the floor.
One year ago, even as she lay unconscious, her beautiful little boy had entered the world. It was such a miracle that sometimes she was struck silent with awe.
