GRACE
When I woke up in the morning with the sheets tangled around me, I couldn't believe that last night actually happened. Jack had touched me with such longing, such burning desire, that I couldn't have resisted finishing what he started even if he hadn’t instructed me to – even though every second had been spent wishing that I'd gone home with him so that he could have done the job himself.
Sitting up in bed, I reread the late night texts.
Jack: Did you enjoy your assignment?
Me: Very much. I can't believe that such a respectable man is secretly so naughty.
Jack: You bring it out of me, gorgeous. I've never been like this before. It's all your fault.
Me: Don't you dare blame me for your scandalous behavior.
Jack. Ha! You love it. Sweet dreams, sweet girl.
I jumped out of bed, stretched, showered, and got the bare minimum of house cleaning done.
My parents were nowhere to be seen, thank goodness, which meant that Mom was sleeping until noon as she often did, and Dad was either in the back yard reading, or had gone antiquing.
A text beeped at eleven fifty-five.
Jack: I'm parked just down the street. May I sneak into your driveway?
Me: Yes.
Jack: Bring your bathing suit. Sorry, should have said earlier.
Me:On it.
Quickly grabbing my suit, sunscreen, and some hair clips, I tossed everything in my oversized purse and raced to the front door.
Dad was just emerging from the kitchen with a cup of coffee and I waved on my way past. "Going swimming, see you tonight."
I didn't wait for his response as I raced out, and as Jack held the car door open for me, I saw Dad's shadow in the window.
As we drove off, I asked, "What do you think Dad's going to say about us hanging out?"
Jack's finger tapped on the steering wheel. "To be honest, I don't know. It's a strange situation. He’s been with the company for some time, and he likely won't say a word because he enjoys his job."
He glanced at me with a grin. "On the other hand, the big bad stockbroker is making off with his pretty little daughter. So he can't be too pleased."
Staring out the window, I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I'd never really spoken to my parents about dating because I didn't do it much, and it wasn't their business. Yet if it was the head broker at Dad's workplace, it felt different. Connected, somehow.
I set the thought aside, determined to enjoy the gorgeous day. Jack drove through a wealthy neighborhood while I admired the huge, leafy trees, then he turned down a tiny road. As we passed an enormous backyard, then approached a lovely pool and poolhouse, I realized we were approaching the service entrance to a huge house.
In minutes we had changed into our suits and stood together in the shallow end, sipping on sparkling water infused with peach juice. I swam a few laps just to stretch out, then came back to stand even closer to him.
It was impossibly distracting to be next to Jack when he was wearing nothing but plain black swim trunks. He seemed taller, bigger, the outline of every muscle more powerful. I thought idly that it was a shame that he was hiding a body like that under suits every day at work.
On the other hand, I was suddenly hit with a pang of jealousy when I realized I didn't want any other woman to ever see him undressed. Where had that come from? I'd never had such a thought before. I was never a jealous person. Yet I wanted Jack all to myself.
"Do you live here alone?" I asked, staring up at the rather imposing back of the house.
"Sort of, I suppose. The housekeeper stays here during the week, and the gardener comes…wow, I'm actually not sure. It must be weekdays when I'm at work, since I rarely see him."
"It's a lot of space for just one person."
Jack set our glasses down and stepped toward me. The water came up to my bustline, and was closer to his waist. The warmth of the sun was nothing compared to the heat when he stared down at me, his hand running along my bare spine. I'd worn a rather modest one-piece bathing suit, yet I suddenly felt completely naked.