Chapter 25
“Ihope you like brie and prosciutto.”
Jade begins to pull out sandwiches and what looks like a garden salad from one of the coolers. The sun beats down, casting her in a halo of light, showing off each tiny freckle that dots her nose, and my throat bobs at the thought of kissing each and every one.
“I’ll like anything you make. Thanks for this, by the way,” I say, holding up the sandwich.
I reach into the second cooler, grabbing a couple waters and setting them out while Jade sets out plates.
“It’s the least I could do,” she says. “Thanks for inviting me out today.”
“Anytime. So, what did you think of your first boat experience?” I ask her as I dish up and settle back onto the blanket.
“It was fun! I was a little queasy at first, but it wore off quickly after I got over the fear of sinking.” She laughs. “I loved the views from the water.”
“We’ll have to come out more often then. Go a bit more up the river.”
“That would be lovely.”
We continue to eat and enjoy the rising temperatures of the sun.
I haven’t stopped down here since I was a kid.
I boat past it often, but this is the first time I’ve docked to sit in years.
Mom used to bring us all the time as kids.
It’s where she taught us all to swim. And as teenagers, it’s where we came to party.
For such a warm humid day, I’m surprised it’s not busy.
Brushing off crumbs, I stand up, kicking off my shoes and pull my shirt over my head. “You wanna go for a swim?” I ask, the rays of the sun beating off our skin causing a sheen of sweat. A dip in the river sounds like a perfect way to cool down.
I begin walking backwards towards the water, but Jade hesitates. Not sure if it’s the water that has her worrying her lip, I hold out my hand and try to reassure her.
“I promise you’re safe. We’re too far inland for any currents. As long as we don’t go past that boulder over there,” I say, pointing to a giant rock sticking out of the water, “you’ll be fine. And I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Letting go of her lip, she gets up slowly, never taking her eyes off mine as she edges the hem of her dress and pulls it slowly up her body and over her head. My mouth goes dry, and I have to bite my tongue to keep from letting out a groan at the sight of her.
She stands there, every dip and curve exposed in nothing but a tight one piece that’s molded to her body perfectly.
The suit has a deep V that shows off the plump rounds of her breasts, and as my eyes trail over her, I can’t help but notice the tight little buds of her nipples through the fabric.
On her shoulders rest two dainty bows that are calling to me, just begging to be untied.
I swallow down the dryness building in my throat and shake the heat from my gaze as she walks towards me.
Grabbing her hand, I pull her to the water, and together we wade out until the water hits our chests.
Her hand still in mine, I take a little risk and tug her towards me.
She’s shy at first, floating in front of me until she floats close enough for me to pull her against me.
Gripping her hip with my free hand, I run my hand up the length of her thigh before hiking it onto my hip.
Our eyes lock, and I feel the air thicken as she lifts her other, bringing both to meet around my waist. Unclasping her hand from mine, she brings both arms around my neck, and with her body so perfectly snug against mine, I feel myself harden against her centre and know she feels it too when she lets out a little gasp.
The sound causes me to fight the urge to grind into her.
We don’t speak, just float and let the tension build, breaths rising rapidly.
Her fingers tangle into the hair at the nape of my neck, and I let out a small groan, imagining her hands buried deep with my head between her legs.
I’m trying to be a gentleman and let her lead, but fuck, the urge to hall her over my shoulder and take her back to the shore and do things to her is strong.
I have never wanted someone as much as I want Jade right now.
My eyes trail to her lips when her tongue swipes out, and that’s all it takes.
Fuck being a gentleman. My resolve snaps, and I lean forward, ready to capture her mouth with mine.
Our lips grazing when a snap of thunder cracks, causing us to jump apart as the sky opens up and begins to rain down on us.
Too trapped in the moment, we didn’t notice the sky darkening around us.
“Shit,” I curse, both at the weather and the loss of her against me. “We better get going before we get trapped here and have to wait this storm out.” I look up to the sky and see the dark clouds quickly rolling in.
Grabbing her hand, we quickly run to shore, throwing on our now damp clothes, and tossing everything into the coolers at a rapid pace, trying to outrun the storm.
Once in the boat, I try to pop up the rain cover, but it’s no use, we are already soaked and the wind is picking up. I start the engine and turn back up the river towards home.
Pulling up to my dock, I tie the boat quickly, and then hand in hand, we run up the dock towards the house.
The rain comes down in a steady pour, the sky cracking above us, and as we slip on the slick wood, Jade begins to laugh, and just like the thunder, it rolls through me.
Seeing her like this, soaking wet, no care in the world, and her face lit with laughter, I know I could listen to that sound for the rest of my life.
“Dance with me,” I say, swinging her into me as we reach the top deck.
“What? Are you crazy!?” She laughs but allows me to pull her in anyway. “There’s no music, and it’s pouring out here!”
“The rain can be our music,” I say as I pull her tight to me and start to sway.
Her head tilts back in laughter, and I can’t wipe the smile from my face. With nothing but the sounds of rain and our beating hearts, we begin to dance.
I haven’t even kissed this woman yet, but right now, here like this, with her big, beautiful eyes and her smile trained on me, I feel it. This moment, dancing with Jade in the middle of the rainstorm, I know I’m going to love this girl for the rest of my life. She’s it for me.
The flash of lightning illuminates the sky, and after I give her one last dip, we laugh as we run into the warmth of the house.
“I’ll get some towels,” I tell her, leaving a kiss on her forehead before running to the bathroom.
When I return, we dry off quickly and I pull her back into my arms. “You’re freezing.”
“Your arms are keeping me warm,” she says, snuggling into my chest, and fuck, I just want to stand here and hold her, but another flash of lightning has the power flickering.
“Looks like the storm is only just beginning. If you wanna take a shower and change into some dry clothes before we lose power, you can head up to my room and I’ll get a fire going in the living room.”
“Sure.” She smiles, pulling away to head upstairs.
I finish stoking the fire and then head to the laundry room to change and grab a pair of dry clothes for Jade.
Entering my room, I try to be as quiet as possible so she doesn’t get the wrong idea about me being in here.
As much as my cock aches at knowing she is just on the other side of that door naked, I would never want her to be uncomfortable.
Quickly laying out the sweats and an old Police Academy tee for her, I’m just about to leave when the power flickers and goes out.
I hear a thud, and heart in chest, I worry Jade has slipped.
Blowing my cover, I yell out. “Jade? You all right?”
“I’m okay! Just tripped over the ledge of the shower. I’ll be right out.”
A moment later, she steps into the room, a bolt of lightning illuminating the room, and my breath escapes me at the scene of her standing in nothing but a towel.
My already aching cock gives a jerk, and it’s taking every ounce of control I have not to go over there and see what she would do if I gave that towel the slightest tug.
“Sorry.” I clear my throat and point to the pile of clothes on the bed. “Just bringing you something dry to change into.”
“Thank you.” She smiles, and neither of us move.
Clearing my throat again, I point to the door. “I’ll, uh, let you get dressed,” I say, bolting out as fast as I can.
A few minutes later, I’m watching the rain pelt off the windows, trying to will away my raging hard on, when Jade joins me in the living room. My clothes are massive on her, but she looks so fucking cute I can’t tear my eyes away.
She looks like mine.
Her hair is out of the braid from earlier and hangs down in natural curls that I want to rake my fingers through as I kiss her.
Taking a seat next to me, she tucks her legs beneath her and rests her head on my shoulder.
Inhaling the scent of my shampoo on her head, I kiss the top of it.
Sitting close together, her head on my shoulder and the ambience of the fireplace, I feel like a fucking fifteen-year-old on his first date trying to get the courage to put my arm around her and wondering if I’ll get to feel her up in the dark. Pathetic.
We spend the next several hours curled up on the couch, talking and enjoying each other’s company. I finally worked up the courage, and my arm is stretched out around her as she rests in the nook of my shoulder. With my other hand splayed on her thigh, I rub circles with my thumb.
The rain trickles to a stop, the sun finally breaking through, and the power flickers back on. I’m not going to lie, I wish it would have lasted a bit longer. There is something peaceful about having Jade here under my arm. I’m not ready to take her home.
Glancing up at the clock, I see it’s just after four. “You wanna stay for supper?”
Lifting her head, she shifts from the cradle of my arm and sits up to face me. “Sure. I’d love to.”
“Great. I got a couple steaks I can grill up?” I ask, not entirely sure if steak is something she eats.
“That sounds perfect. Is there anything I can do to help?”
I think about what I have in my fridge. Not much, if I’m being honest. “I think there might be some leftover baby potatoes if you wanna whip up a potato salad?”
“Sure. I can do that.”
“Perfect. I think I have some asparagus I can grill up as well.” I stand and hold out my hand, pulling her up to lead to the kitchen. Grabbing everything we need, we begin to prep and cook in a comfortable silence, and damn, I could get used to this.
“Wine?” I ask as we sit at the island.
“Yes, please.”
I pour us each a glass and take a seat next to her.
“I can’t get over this kitchen,” she says between bites. “I would love to bake in a kitchen this big someday.” She sighs, dreamily.
“It’s yours anytime you wanna use it. I gotta be honest. I don’t use it all that much. I do a lot of grilling outside.”
“That’s a shame. A kitchen like this deserves to be cooked in all the time.”
I chuckle. “Be my guest. I wouldn’t say no to having you here everyday.”
She smiles, looking at me curiously. “Did your ex live here?”
I’m surprised by the question. We haven’t really had the ex conversation yet. I take a sip of my wine and nod, putting the glass back down. “She did.”
“How long, uh, were you guys together?” she asks, worrying her lip.
“Ten years,” I tell her. And as I say it, I realize that in those ten years with Lauren, I never felt for her what I do for Jade in just a few weeks.
“Can I ask how long you guys have been separated?”
I can see her working through thoughts and feelings, and I’m worried that maybe she thinks my break up was recent.
“It’s been five years. She left shortly after Cade lost his wife.
But, Jade, I want you to know there is no one else.
I’m all in with you. And I know I might have freaked you out a bit the other day when I called you my girlfriend, but if that’s something you want, then I’d really like to make this official. ”
Her eyes widen in surprise, and I watch the column of her throat move as she swallows. “I’d really like that,” she says quietly, and my fucking heart soars.