“Let’s make it one to remember.I’m definitely in the mood for a pool party,” I say, fanning myself.“It’s not even noon and it’s already ninety degrees.”
Griffin’s gaze sweeps over me.“I don’t even know what type of bathing suit you have.”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Yes.Desperately.”
I run my hand along his thigh.“Just imagine…a two piece.”
“Go on.”
“Kelly green.”
He bites his bottom lip, nodding.“Oh yeah.”
“And that’s it.”
We both burst into laughter.
“Will you model it for me when we get home?”He gives me a puppy dog look that makes heat flush through my body.How on earth could I say no to this man?Especially when he looks at me likethis?
“I will literally do whatever you ask me to, Griffin.You have to know this by now.”
“You give me too much power.”
“I trust you with it.”
He sears me with a look then scoops my hand into his and brings my knuckles to his lips.
“We’re gonna have to get some things out of our system before we see all our friends,” he announces.
“Yeah, I’m sensing that.”
“I don’t know how I’m supposed to keep my hands off you for the entire length of a pool party,” he whines.
“You’re gonna have to figure out a way,” I tease.The truth is, I don’t mind if our friends find out.I just wouldn’t know what to tell them once they start asking questions.I know what Griffin wants, and I know what I want.And they are not the same.
If I had my way, we’d fall headfirst into this beautiful thing we’ve been building since day one of my return to Bayshore.By all accounts, we have.But since that call from his agent this week, he’s been pumping the brakes more.And I’m just along for the ride.
Once we’re back at the house, Griffin wastes no time getting things out of his system.He gets it out of his system on the couch, then again in his bed, and one final time with my legs over his shoulders and his face buried between my legs.I am a walking pile of goo by the time I get my kelly green bikini on.Griffin’s hands are all over me yet again as we load up the truck for the party.
I’m texting with Roxie and the girls as well, who all plan to be there.The girl squad is ready for tanning and summer bevvies, so I pack a cooler full of fizzy, summery drinks, a six pack of beers, and a bunch of snacks from the fridge.Griffin adds a few pool toys from the garage last minute, which I didn’t even know he had.I love a man who’s prepared for anything, including pool parties.I begin to ruminate on all of Griffin’s excellent qualities.His protectiveness.His thoughtfulness.His strength.His compassion.
In fact, I can’t think of a single flaw that this man has.Except the outrageous way he mops floors.
Otherwise, he is perfection in male athletic form, and I think I may be head over heels for him until the day I die.
But that’s enough contemplating about my roommate who’s sort of my boyfriend only for the summer.We’re ready to unwind with friends by a pool, gosh darn it.As he’s pulling into the huge cul-de-sac in front of Liddell’s mansion, I look over at him.
“You got everything out of your system, right?”I love teasing him about this.He has to see how painfully good we are together, right?The sweetness of this, the ease—he has to feel it too.
“Mmm, I’m not sure.Hang on.”He pulls me into a kiss, then nods.“Okay, I’m ready.”
We unload the pool noodles, the banana inflatable, the brontosaurus ride-on, and the cooler of goodies, heading to the side yard, which leads to the huge pool area in the back.Sounds of the party reach us—water splashing, the thumping of electronic music, random bursts of laughter.As soon as we push open the wrought iron gate that leads to the back, Grant Liddell is in front of us with a big smile.
“Griffin!Casey!So glad you guys could make it.”He gives Griffin a bro-shake and then offers to take the pool toys from me.“Things are just heating up.Go make your rounds.Almost everyone is here already.”
We’re barely four steps in before we start seeing our friends.Branson is here with his girl Kylie.Roxie, Sara, and Julie are clustered at a table on the terrace, waving my way, already holding up the chardonnay they got for me.I spot some of the Daly brothers at the other end of the pool, deep in conversation with a few people I recognize from City Hall.
