“Wanna go for a swim?” I pop my head in the kitchen where Pansy and Lucia are making tortillas.
I picked her up after her shift at Betty’s. While Pansy’s sisters are joining us later, as is Vinny, for about an hour I have her all to myself.
Pansy turns, and I grin at the smudge of something white on her face. Unable to keep my hands to myself, I stroll over and wipe her cheek.
“Sure. Let me just wash off and get changed.”
Boy and I follow her through the house, and she glances back at me every few feet with a puzzled look on her face.
“What are you doing?”
She rounds the corner into her old room, and I point to the bed, where there’s a wrapped box with a blue ribbon.
“For me?” Her eyes are wide, and her smile’s just as big.
“Yup, open it.” I hand her the box and eagerly watch as she rips away the paper and removes the lid.
She pulls out the swimsuit, wrinkling her nose and looking at me.
“You bought me a bikini?” I nod. “Why?”
“I didn’t go looking for it, but I saw it in a shop window and immediately thought of you.”
It’s unique, just like Pansy. It’s mainly hot pink with a boho-gypsy print of yellow, blue, green, and burgundy. I can’t wait to see her in it.
“You don’t like my swimsuit?”
She’s trying for indignation, but the sides of her mouth twitch and she bites her lip to stifle the smile.
“I love your swimsuit. I love you in anything. As I said, I saw it and thought of you. Put it on.”
“This reminds me of a time when we were kids, and my parents bought each of us a swimsuit for our trip to Texas. Mine was this frilly pink bikini, and I hated it.”
“You did?” I arch an eyebrow as I fear I made the wrong move.
She nods, holding the suit in one hand. “Yes. The bikini was so unlike the one-piece swimsuits that the women would wear on the TV shows I’d watch with my father. I wanted to be taken seriously. Being in the water was fun, but it was also an adventure and a chance to learn something new. My dad was always teaching me about sea life, the plants, and animals.”
She’s beaming again. Every time she talks about the sea, about her father, she glows. Unexpectedly, she kisses me on the cheek and thanks me for the gift before going to the bathroom to change. In what feels like fifteen hours, but is more like fifteen minutes, she finally re-enters the room.
My breath leaves me on a shuddering exhale, hunger and unleashed lust barreling through my chest en route to my crotch. Fuck me. I have a hard time as it is keeping my eyes off her, but in that swimsuit, I can’t tear my gaze away. Hot and stunning.
At first, she’s shy, clasping and unclasping her hands in front of her, in between fidgeting and adjusting her bikini top, which is perfect as it is.
“I fucking knew it,” I assert.
“What?” Her sass returns as she cocks her hip to one side and places her hands on her waist.
“You’re sexy as hell.”
She blushes, waving her hand dismissively as she dons my shirt, the one she borrowed days ago and now seems to live in.
Taking my hand, she pulls me to the sliding door. “Thank you; I love it.”
“You do? Even if it’s a bikini and it may be hard to explore in or be taken seriously in?”
“Yes. You totally knew this was me.”
I nod with a smirk and a wink before checking to make sure Boy’s right behind us. We find a spot not too far from the house to lay out the bamboo mat and dump our things, then decide to walk for a bit; Boy is eager to run before going into the water.
Once back, we’re hot and ready to get wet. I watch Pansy’s fine form bending to pat Boy. The dog wags her tail furiously, her tongue lolling to the side in sheer pleasure. Pansy’s lyrical laugh flits through the air, and I enjoy the breathtaking view, warmth spreading throughout me.
She glances over her shoulder, calling for me to join her. The wind whips her hair all over the place as I greedily drink her in. The bikini sculpts every swell and curve, her long legs gleam in the sunlight, and she tips her head back to face the sky. With closed eyes, her mouth bends into a smile as she basks in the sun.
My knees buckle with intense desire scorching down my spine to my painfully throbbing cock. On impulse, I run to her, my hands grabbing her waist and spinning to face her.
In one fell swoop, I pick her up, her shriek ringing through the air as she wraps her legs around my middle. With her in my arms, I dive into the cold, salty water taking us under. We break the surface with Pansy sputtering and laughing.
“Silas, what the hell?” She coughs while grinning at me.
I cop a gratuitous feel of her ass while securing her to me. My lengthening dick grazes her core, and I groan while her breath catches, pupils widening like saucers as she parts her lips.
“Silas.” Her voice is sultry as she bucks against me.
“Pansy.” My tone has an edge, not knowing if I can control myself if she keeps gliding along my dick.
It doesn’t matter that we both have clothes on or that we’re in the ocean, the barrier is insignificant if I want inside her. And I do.
“I…” She sucks in a breath, her lips parting wider as her tongue darts out to lick her bottom lip.
My lips descend on hers, my blistering hot tongue diving into her mouth, wanting her taste. She’s the ocean, the sky, and everything in between.
Our tongues duel as my hand travels from her waist to her chest. My fingers pinch one tight, eager nipple through the fabric and she moans into my mouth, pushing her breast further into my palm.
Our kiss is urgent as her fingers curl into my ass, her sex sliding over my rock-hard cock, frantic and tormenting. I wedge my hand between us and dip my hand into the front of her bikini bottoms; my fingers run the length of her slick pussy. She’s so ready for me. Pansy tips her head back, exposing the sensuous arc of her neck, and sighs my name.
“Pansy,” I grate, anxious to keep my control.
With the call of her name, she lifts her head and with a determination I haven’t seen before, her lips land on mine and her fingers weave into my hair. Her kisses are fervent like it’s life or death.
Boy swims around us, barking excitedly, wanting in on the action. With my hand still in her pants, Pansy grudgingly breaks the kiss.
“Silas, what if my sisters arrive and see us?” Her pretty mouth frowns.
I smile at her despite not wanting to end this, because I understand. She kisses the side of my neck, her mouth burning my skin in the best way imaginable, lighting a fire within me. I force my hand out of her bikini.
She writhes once more against my erection, and I groan, steadying her hips to stop the painfully tantalizing motion.
“Okay, fine.”
With one more kiss, I release my hold, and her soft, sweet body slides down mine. Life has gotten in the way and made our time even more precious. It always does. The band demands my time. Her work, and now her sisters, are taking up her time. Soon it will also be school, and I’ll slip down her list of priorities.
I meant what I said; I’ll cheer her on and make sure she stays true to her dreams, even if that means I come last. All I want is to be on her list. To be among the things she wants, that matter to her.
By the time we’re showered and changed, everyone has arrived, and Pansy heads over to talk to her sisters.
“You’ve got a beautiful place,” Vinny says.
“Thanks. Can I get you a drink?”
“Nah, I’m good.” He holds up his beer.
“So, what do you do when you’re not teaching?” I ask.
“I love to teach, but I also miss the water and the research, so I help out my colleagues and others in the sector when I can. In fact, I’ve applied for a sabbatical for this year to join a research trip to South America.”
“Really? Sounds interesting. Does Pansy know you might not be teaching this year? You’re one of the reasons she wants to go to UCLA.” I try to move past the twinge in my chest at knowing Vinny is important to her.
Vinny cocks his head to the side, brown eyes studying me. I’m not sure what I said, but he looks at me like I’ve insulted him.
“You don’t think Pansy is serious about her studies?” he asks.
“That isn’t what I said or meant.” I cross my arms, then immediately relax my stance, unfolding my arms. My body language is defensive and not what I intend. “She is very serious, but she admires and respects you. I think she sees you as a mentor and I wonder if she knows your plans.”
Vinny nods, his features relaxing as his lips curve into a smile. “That’s nice to hear. And yes, she does know. She was a bit disappointed, but I’m not the reason she’s pursuing this. And it’s not like I won’t teach there again, I’ll be back. Can you keep a secret?” He glances around to see who is near.
“Sure.” I lean in, eager for what he has to say.
“The college approved my sabbatical. I leave in two weeks for Uruguay to study the dead zone.”
I have no clue what that means, but his eyes gleam with happiness. “Wow, that’s great. Pansy doesn’t know?”
“No, not yet. I’m going to ask her to join the team. It’ll be about six to eight months, and I have approval for two assistants. One will help with the data, cleaning gear, and other stuff. It’s not glamorous, but you don’t need all the formal training, and I had Pansy in mind for the position. She would learn a lot.”
“Wow, that’s great.” I parrot my previous comment as something heavy and uncomfortable twists in my gut. She would be gone for six months or more. I already miss her.
“Do you think she’ll come?”
“I don’t see why not. It sounds like a great opportunity.”
My smile is forced, and swallowing becomes difficult. The possibility of losing her rears its head like a cobra ready to strike. I won’t stop her if she wants to go. Damn, I’ll encourage her every step of the way, even if it means losing her.
We have a great lunch with fish tacos, chicken tostadas, and Lucia’s delicious margaritas. Once the table is cleared, Pansy, Daisy, and Vinny opt to walk Boy, while I have to take a call from my lawyer.
I come back onto the deck to find Ivy. I nod to her and start for the stairs down to the beach when she approaches me.
“Silas, wait, may I have a word?”
“Sure.”
I lie. I would rather have a root canal, but I will try for Pansy. Ivy and I had a few words months ago in that desert police station, and it didn’t take me long to determine that I didn’t like her.
“Pansy finally has her act together.” Her nasal voice is irritating and her tone condescending.
Where Pansy is warm and inviting, Ivy is cold and standoffish. Besides their flowery names and the tinge of red in their hair, I find it hard to believe they’re sisters.
“She’s always had her act together if you ask me.”
She waves her hand at me like I’m a nuisance. “Hardly. But marine biology is a great profession, although it doesn’t necessarily pay well, depending on where she decides to focus. And knowing Pansy, she’ll choose the lowest income.” She sits and runs her hands down her skirt, smoothing out the fabric. “Don’t mess this up. Stay out of her way.”
“Pardon?” My tone is sharp like the edge of a knife and Ivy takes note, arching a brow and pursing her red lips.
“Don’t get all offended. You know what I mean. This is a fling for you, but Pansy gets easily caught up in things, and from what I can tell, she really likes you. Don’t string her along, she’s a master at self-sabotage. And a pretty boy like you comes with a huge caution sign that will have Pansy running straight toward you.”
Folding my arms over my chest, I clench my jaw to prevent myself from telling Ivy to go to hell. While I’d like nothing better than to tell this chick off, I’m working on my temper, and alienating Pansy’s sister, no matter how much she deserves it, is not a wise move.
“This is not a game to me. Pansy is not a fling. Your sister means a lot to me. I’ve never been this serious about a woman before, and I don’t intend on messing anything up for her.”
Vinny’s news flashes in my mind, and my resolution to support and encourage her to go on the trip solidifies. I meant what I said, her happiness and dreams come first.
“I don’t think you understand…”
“Yes, I do. But you don’t understand that I will support your sister in any way I can. Her dreams matter to me, and I don’t intend to get in the way or mess anything up.”
“Ivy,” Pansy says from the top of the staircase.
Our eyes lock, and Ivy swivels her head to face her sister. Pansy only has eyes for me. Concern and compassion coat her features and I smile, letting her know it’s okay.
“What?” Ivy stands, her back to me, hands on her hips. “I’m only looking out for you.”
She marches into the house before Pansy can respond, leaving us alone.
“Sorry.” Pansy is at my side, her hands around my waist, as she lightly pecks my bare chest.
“Don’t apologize for her. Besides, I’m a big boy, I can handle Ivy.”
“A big boy, huh?” She waggles her eyebrows and smirks.
“And you know it.”
“I sure do.” We kiss, soft and brief. “I can’t wait until she leaves.”
“Hey, don’t let her get to you. I know this may sound weird, but she was just looking out for you. Her delivery and attitude is abysmal, but I do think she cares about you in her own warped way.”’
Pansy chuckles, furrowing her brow before resting her head on my shoulder. “Yeah, but I think her need is more about her than me.”
“That may be true.” I squeeze her side. “Let’s join the others.” Taking her hand, I lead her down the stairs onto the beach, knowing it will help with putting Ivy behind her.