“I’m happy to.”
He glanced down at my lips like he’d done so many times in the short amount of time that we’d known each other and the effect was the same: butterflies in my stomach and also a sensation between my thighs that was good to feel again.
I held out my hand for the bag Zac was carrying, strapped across his shoulder. I knew it didn’t have Malcolm’s swimsuit in it because he was wearing it but thought for sure it had his floaties in it, as well as Zac’s swimsuit. Right now, Zac was wearing his Asics running shoes, a different pair of running shorts than those he’d had on at Baskin-Robbins and also a different t-shirt. And his t-shirt? It caught my eye the moment I saw it because it hadDestin, Floridaprinted on the front along with some palm trees. That locale was my favorite tropical getaway within the U.S. because of its beautiful white-sand beaches and clear blue water.
“I’m gonna go put this bag in the kitchen, and then I’ll show you two around,” I said. “Give me just a sec and I’ll be right back.”
Zac nodded and as soon as I started heading toward the kitchen, I felt a little hand grab my free one. Malcolm was walking beside me and looking up at me with his bright eyes that were the same color as his daddy’s.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” I told him and he smiled, making that little dimple appear on his right cheek. Also the same as his daddy’s.
After showing him and Zac around my cozy abode, I asked them if they were ready to go swimming.
“Yes!” Malcolm said before Zac could answer. This little boy was something else and his enthusiasm was contagious.
“Okay then, but I need you and your daddy to go use my bathroom first. It’s important that you go tee-tee before you get into the water,” I said, glancing up at Zac.
Those were my verbal and visual cues for him to distract Malcolm while I put on my mermaid tail. I already had on my black bikini and was also wearing a netted cover-up. It wasn’t going to take me but a minute to get into costume and then I’d be ready to give Malcolm the surprise of his life.
As Zac was leading him toward the hallway, I said, “Feel free to use the guest bathroom or the master bath in my bedroom. Either is fine.”
Zac looked over his shoulder at me and I watched the corners of his mouth curl up. Then I watched him keep going down the hallway toward my bedroom. It didn’t surprise me that he chose to do that, either. Although he’d already gotten a quick peek at where I lay my head down at night to sleep, as well as where I took a shower and got dressed every day, he was about to get a closer look at the most personal space inside my home.
I knew he’d feel freer to look around without me standing beside him and I also knew how normal his curiosity was. I was in the same boat as him, although I knew I was never going to get to see the inside of the most personal space inside his home. I could imagine what it was like, though, just like I could imagine what Zac looked like when taking a shower, as well as laying in a bed. The bed that Brooke said he’d been sleeping in alone for over four years.
While he and Malcolm were gone, I ran outside onto the back patio, took off my cover-up, and then grabbed my mermaid tail out of the storage room. I slipped it on with ease while sitting on the edge of the swimming pool and then slid down into the water. I was floating on my back in the middle of the pool when Zac and Malcolm walked outside and saw me. Both of them had huge, surprised eyes and smiles. Malcolm ran over to the edge of the pool and started clapping his hands with excitement, and I swam over to him just like a real mermaid would’ve done.
“My tail grew during the daytime just for you, sweet one,” I said.
“It’s so pretty!”
“Thank you.”
I was about to ask Zac where Malcolm’s floaties were when Malcolm unexpectedly jumped into the water. I caught him before he went all the way under and then looked up at Zac. He immediately waved off my concern.
“He swims like a fish, Stevie. If you’re really worried about him, though, I’ll go get his floaties.”
“As long as you’re okay with him going without them, then I am. I’ve got my hands on him and I won’t let him go.”
“I’m more than okay with him not wearing his floaties. I know you’ve got him.”
Zac smiled at me and then dropped his eyes down to my lips again. Then he went even lower, glancing at my bikini top-covered breasts. I kept floating in the water, holding Malcolm and watching his daddy’s unapologetic display of attraction to me.
“Aren’t you gonna swim with us?” I finally asked him.
“I hadn’t planned on it.”
“Why?”
“I thought the invitation was just for my boy.”
“No, it was for both of you. I’m sorry, I should’ve clarified that.”
“It’s okay.”
“You’re welcome to swim in those running shorts that you have on.”
“Are you sure?”