“Miss Raya?” Jussica’s loud, lyrical voice called me. “My daddy and I are going to get some pizza. You want to come?”
I looked through the gate at a smiling Jussica holding the hand of an expressionless Jashaun. Obviously, a child's impulsivity spurred this invitation.
“She sounds adorable. Can’t wait to meet her.”
“Me too,” I said wryly. “I’ll call you back.”
“I’ll be waiting.” She sang.
“Miss Raya is on the phone and relaxing. I’m sure she doesn’t want pizza.” He looked at me pointedly.
I sighed internally. “Your dad’s right. Had a hard day at work and will get in the pool soon.”
Jussica’s face brightened. “Do you like to swim? Because daddy can get the pizza and bring it back to us while I watch. He’s only picking it up because he doesn’t want his pizza cold. Can I stay here with you?”
“Yes, I do like to swim, and it’s okay with me.” Jeez. Jashaun couldn’t deny her if he wanted to, between her looks and determination to get whatever she wanted.
Jashaun’s jaw tightened. He might be upset, but this was a good sign of healing. He’d told me of her refusal to get in the pool, though she loved water, because she associated it with her mother. And I refuse to lie when it really was alright with me if she hung out at the pool.
She pushed her father slightly toward the garage. “Go get the pizza and I’ll stay here.”
I hid my smile at the anger that flashed across his face before he said through clenched teeth. “You don’t have a bathing suit, and I’m not going back upstairs.”
“I just want to put my feet in the water.”
He jiggled his keys.
“We’ll be fine,” I reassured him. “I like black olives on my pizza.”
Jashaun’s nostrils flared. I’d rarely seen him angry, and if that man didn’t appeal to me even more. Might have to deliberately push his buttons more, then let him take it out on my body.
His shoulders relaxed, and he pulled out his cell. “I’ll have it delivered and sit out here with y’all. You can place your feet in the water with Miss Raya.”
“Do you want to swim?” I asked Jussica, ignoring the twinge of hurt that he didn’t want to leave her alone with me for a second. “I can wait for you to get your bathing suit.”
Her braids swung with her head. “Only my feet.”
“Feet it is.” I rose from my chair and walked to the gate, feeling smug that Jashaun’s eyes hungrily roamed my low-cut one-piece suit. I opened it and took her hand. “Let’s sit over here away from your daddy so we can splash the water as much as we want to. It’s how I get out all my emotions when I’ve had a badday.” As we walked to the other side, I looked over my shoulder at him. His gaze still lingered on my behind. “Ooh, and see if they have a Cherry Coke Zero. Um…eyes up here.”
Jashaun bit his lip and dragged his gaze to my face, heating every inch of me. “Do you want anything else?”
How he said it, I knew he meant more than pizza, and he would definitely be making a visit to my place once Jussica fell asleep.
“No, I’m good.” I giggled at the way his face comically fell.
Jussica dropped my hand and headed to the fountain. “I want to sit here.”
“Perfect.” I replied, then addressed Jashaun, who now matched my stride, “You can go up and get some work done until the pizza gets here.”
“Juss hadn’t even asked about the pool since Mara left. I don’t want to miss this.” His hand slid down my lower back to grip my ass. “And can’t wait to hit this later.”
I removed his hand and hissed, “Anyone can see us.”
He chuckled and settled on a lounger near the fountain and tucked his arms behind his head. Jashaun seemed relaxed. Maybe I had misjudged him when I thought he didn’t want to leave me alone with his daughter. It really should be about bonding as three anyway.
“Come on, Miss Raya.” Jussica's feet were in the fountain area, and she laughed as she made water spray everywhere.
A child’s joy had to be the happiest sound I’d ever heard.
