“Good night Tim,” Jennifer said first in a sing-song voice.
“Good night,” Tim replied, surprised when the little girl reached her arms out to hug him. She smelled like chlorine and sugar. Her sisters immediately lined up behind her.
“Good night Mr. Tim,” Jill repeated with her own sing-song voice, tittering uncontrollably.
“Good night, Silly-Jilly,” he teased, patting her on the back as she hugged his enormous thigh with all her strength.
Julia allowed her sister to move out of the way but hesitated last minute, sticking her thumb into her mouth as she stared up at him. Tim held out his hand, relieved when she put her free hand into his. “Good night, sweetheart.” He gave her a reassuring squeeze, making her grin around her thumb.
The girls circled their mama’s legs and watched as Tim rose from his seat. He sauntered toward them ready to say good night to Jo-Jo too. “Good night, Little Bit,” he said, patting the child on her blonde head. Jo-Jo offered a tiny smile before laying her head on her mother’s shoulder. She was tuckered out.
Jessica looked up at him with huge, sapphire eyes. “I hope you’ll stay a little longer. I’d love some adult conversation.” She ogled her four kids. “If you know what I mean.”
Tim put his hands on his hips and nodded. He watched as she corralled her children like a mother hen and disappeared into the house. Music continued to play softly through the speakers, and when he recognized the Van Morrison classic,Moondance, he couldn’t help but sigh. In that moment his own heart was dancing with pure gladness.
He finished his beer in two gulps and gathered the dishes, stacking the bowls and plates and taking them inside. He efficiently loaded the dishwasher and wiped down the countertops and outdoor table. He even cleaned the grill with a wire brush, humming the entire time to the syrupy soft rock music that echoed through the air. Hanging the wet towels across the back of the chairs, he surveyed the cleaned-up area with satisfaction.
When Jessica still hadn’t come back down, he approached the staircase and started to go up to see if she needed any help. He stopped himself, realizing he might interfere with their bedtime ritual and decided to go back outside, thankful she wanted him to stay. It had been one of the best days he’d had in a very long time.
Tim wasn’t used to being idle and looked around the outdoor patio, trying to decide what to do next while he waited for Jessica. The summer air was still warm and resonated with the sounds of summer critters gearing up for their nighttime symphony among the soft rock coming out of the outdoor speakers. He flung the damp towel from his hips and waded into the pool, the underwater lights throwing off subtle shades of pink, which made him smile. He pulled the tie out of his long hair and wrapped it around his wrist before slowly submerging himself. When he came back up, he tilted his head back, the ends of his mane stretching down his back in long saturated strands. He rested his shoulders against the tiled side and propped his arms on the ledge, the sound of the water lapping back and forth, soothing. Excess water dripped from his beard, and he pulled his hand down his face, wiping it off. His mind flashed back to a time when he enjoyed his own private pool often going for night swims. It seemed so long ago, and his life had changed so much. He shook the memory off when he saw Jessica enter the kitchen and look around in surprise. The pleasure on her face was evident as she came outside to look for him.
“Tim?”
“Over here.” He didn’t dare move, aware of the growing bulge in his swim trunks. Jessica was beautiful in the soft pink haze of the pool lights, the shimmering water reflecting across her flawless face that radiated her megawatt smile. He watched her open the safety gate and approach the side of the pool opposite him. She kneeled and dipped her tanned legs into the water, hiking her cover-up in the process so it wouldn’t get wet. “You didn’t get enough swimming in earlier?” she asked.
“I’m not swimming,” he teased.
“You’re not?”
Tim waded over and dropped to his knees right in front of her. His long hair floated around him on the surface of the water like lilies in a pond. “I’m relaxing now. You wanna join me?” He watched Jessica bite her lower lip and avert her eyes. Boldly, he moved closer and slid his hands around her calf muscles under the water making her clench. “Please?” he whispered, his voice rumbled with bold anticipation.
Her eyes locked in on his before he watched her slowly pull the cover-up over her head, flinging it onto a nearby lounge chair. The rise and fall of her chest against the spandex of her suit caught his attention, and he was tempted to reach up and touch the pebbled buds of her nipples against the fabric. She reached for him, and he helped her slip into the water, holding her awkwardly by the forearms. They were head to head while she squatted and he remained on his knees. As they stared at one another, he found it hard to breathe, the warmth of her skin penetrating his fingertips.
“Thank you for cleaning everything up,” she whispered, the blue of her eyes eclipsed by her dark pupils.
“You’re welcome. Thank you for inviting me to dinner with your family.”
He watched as she licked her pink lips and nodded. Gripping his forearms tighter under the water, Jessica Kaufman surprised him when she boldly leaned forward and kissed him.
