Chapter 32
Three years ago
“Up and at ’em, lazy bones,” Zilphia says, a smile in her voice. “We’re going swimming.”
I look toward the door, finding her bikini-clad form standing just beyond the entrance to the tree house with two towels hanging over her arm.
My greedy gaze touches on the multi-color fabric hiding her private areas from my view.
My mind screams at me to stop staring, but I can’t help myself.
Every inch of her is perfect, but it’s her silky caramel skin that I find most striking.
God, I would give anything to be more than friends.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” Zilphia asks, laughter dancing in her beautiful brown eyes.
I instantly jerk my gaze away from her and pretend interest in the comedy playing on the television. “Can’t,” I comment gruffly, ignoring her question. “Didn’t bring any swim shorts.”
“Sam, you don’t need swim shorts. You’re wearing boxer briefs, right? Or maybe you’re a tighty-whities type of guy.” She waggles her eyebrows.
“I’m a boxer briefs guy, but that doesn’t matter. I’m not letting you see me in my underwear.” I don’t trust myself not to get an erection.
“Don’t be a party pooper,” Zilphia whines. “Boxer briefs are just like swimming shorts, and hello, I’m wearing a bikini.” She clasps her hands together, and it doesn’t escape my notice that the action causes her breasts to jiggle just a little. “Pretty please with a cherry on top.”
“We could get caught,” I say, hoping she drops it and puts some clothes on.
“We won’t,” she says with an impatient huff. “At dinner, my parents drank enough wine to knock out a horse, and Nolan’s at a party.”
I reluctantly leave my comfortable position on the sofa. “All right. Lead the way.”
My pulse beats a rapid staccato as I follow her down the stairs. A loose thread on her bikini bottoms hangs by the curve of her left ass cheek. It sways back and forth with every step she takes, taunting me. I tempt fate and roll the twisted fibers between my thumb and forefinger.
“Surprise!” Zilphia exclaims and whirls around.
I snatch my hand back and peer over her shoulder, spotting a plate of fried chicken and a couple slices of strawberry shortcake on a small square table. My favorite protein and dessert.
“Nice. What’s the occasion?”
“It’s our friendiversary.” She beams. “Well, I don’t remember the exact day we met, but it was five years ago this month.”
“Damn, it’s only been five years. It seems a lot longer.” Zilphia was a godsend that night. Now I can’t imagine my life without her.
“Time flies when you’re having fun.” She drops the towels on a chaise lounge and grabs my hand, impatiently tugging me forward. “Come on, let’s get wet.”
“Can we eat first?” I attempt to grab a piece of chicken as we pass the table, but Zilphia swats my hand away.
“No eating before swimming. You’ll get cramps.” She folds her arms and looks at me expectantly. “Well, what are you waiting for? Strip.”
“Nuh-uh,” I reply, shaking my head and gesturing for her to turn around. Zilphia rolls her eyes, but does as I request. I quickly undress and toss my clothes next to the towels. “I’m ready.”
I wade into the frigid water behind her, watching that damn loose thread again. At least the cold will keep me from embarrassing myself.
“Think fast,” Zilphia says and splashes water in my face, then tries to swim away.
I latch onto her ankle and haul her back. “Got you.”
She squeals and kicks free. I stalk after her, a confident smirk curling my lips. “Prepare to get dunked.”
“You better not, Sam,” she hisses, excited fear animating her features. “I’m warning—”
I pounce, and we both disappear beneath the surface, but only for a couple of seconds. “Apologize or you’re getting dunked again.”
“Never.”
I shrug. “The hard way it is, then.”
The water war escalates, with us battling for the upper hand, though my size and strength give me the advantage. I take hold of her wrists and pin her arms behind her back, bringing her wet body flush against me.
Something shifts, and our playful battle becomes sexually charged, instantly heating the blood in my veins.
We stare into each other’s eyes, and everything in me wants to kiss her—but Zilphia turns her head, breaking the spell.
We had a moment, right? Fleeting, but there nonetheless, or maybe my mind was playing tricks on me.
“Give up?” I rasp.
“Uh-huh,” Zilphia responds breathlessly. “I’ll apologize, but you have to let me go first.”
I raise a skeptical eyebrow but release her. “All right, I’m waiting.”
She clears her throat. “I’m… um… What was I saying? Oh, yeah, I’m…”
I grasp her slender shoulders. “Okay, you’re going back under.”
“Dang, give me a second.” Zilphia sucks her teeth. “I’m deeply, deeply sorry for splashing you. Forgive me?” she asks, dramatically batting her eyelashes.
I chuckle at her obvious sarcasm. “I guess.”
Before I can think better of it, I remove a silky curl clinging to her bottom lip and tuck it behind her ear, letting my hand linger on her soft skin longer than necessary. The air between us sizzles again. So it wasn’t just my imagination. It’s real, and she feels it too.
“Race you to the end of the pool.” Zilphia propels herself through the water, toward the deep end, but stops short when I don’t follow suit. “What are you waiting for? You do know how to swim, right?” she jokes.
“Never learned.” I climb out of the pool and begin drying off.
I’ll never be good enough for her. I don’t even know how to swim. She’s going to go off to college and make something of herself. My greatest achievement will probably be becoming assistant manager at the local grocery store.
I hear the swoosh of water as she pulls herself onto the deck. “I’m sorry, Sam. I was only joking.”
“No big deal,” I mumble, keeping my back to her. “I gotta get home.” I grab my well-worn polo and yank it over my head.
She walks around me and places a hand on either side of my face. “I’ll teach you.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I know.” Zilphia smiles and grabs the hem of my shirt, lifting it over my head. “But I want to.” She leads me back into the water and begins my first swimming lesson.