Page 36 of Waves
Ezra ignored my question while he kissed me again. His clothes dampened everywhere my wet body touched him, but he wrapped his arms around my neck and pulled me even closer. Each caress of his soft lips against my mouth made standing harder and my legs wobbled while Ezra leaned into me. He let out a happy sigh when I finally gave up on standing and buckled to the ground. Pinned beneath him with my back to the deck—there was nowhere I’d rather be.
Hours later, I took a deep breath of the slightly salty air before we entered the house. The smell wasn’t as strong at Ezra’s home as the marina or even the nearby beach, but it was still there. Ishmael raced around us in the garage, barking and wagging his tail. It felt so good to be missed by him. To most humans Ishmael was just a dog, but he was the closest thing I had to a friend other than Ezra.
Ezra hesitated at the door, and Ishmael squeezed through to enter the kitchen. He turned to me before he opened the door all the way, smiling while he held the doorknob. “I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes.”
“Okay.” I chuckled before I obliged.
Ezra led me through the house, giggling the whole time. I couldn’t imagine what he had in store for me, but I laughed along with him. I heard the slider door open, and he guided me out onto the patio then stopped. He still held my hand when he said, “Open your eyes.”
I saw a pool. Not even a proper pool, but one with soft sides that gave when I reached out and poked it. Interesting. I did not have a high opinion of pools, nor tanks, nor aquariums for that matter. My expression must betray my thoughts because Ezra’s mouth turned down over my lack of enthusiasm.
“This is not an enclosure,” he said. “I would never do that to you.”
I wouldn’t call his tone firm, more like resolute. Still, a pool was a lot like a fishbowl. I cracked a smile, but he was not buying it.
Ezra sighed and turned to me before he squeezed my hand. “Okay, hear my logic on this,” he said, his expression lifting. “So, last time you were here, you were miserable by the time you left.”
“I was fine,” I interjected.
“No, you were not,” Ezra snapped back. He paused and took a breath, and I could see this weighed heavily on him. “But I did some thinking, and I figured you’re only used to ocean water. Our water—you know, my tap—is very different. I mean, we’re talking differences in pH, alkalinity, salinity, and don’t even get me started on the chlorine.”
I nodded but only had the slightest idea what he was actually saying. Still, I loved when he went on these little tangents. Whoever discouraged him for being so passionate should be ashamed of themselves.
Ezra must suspect I stood no chance comprehending what he meant because he paused and chuckled at himself before he continued. “This is just a theory, but I think since your body isn’t used to the crap coming out of my shower head, it makes your skin feel worse. So, I went out and got this giant inflatable kiddie pool, and after a series of water tests, I’ve come pretty damn close to replicating ocean water. I’m kind of hoping soaking in here can alleviate—maybe even prevent—what happened last time.”
I smiled wider at him once he finished speaking. This guy was too good to me. “You didn’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I did.” Ezra’s eyes were suddenly much more anxious and darted down. “Look, I don’t intend for the pool to be a way to keep you here permanently. I just didn’t want to see you so uncomfortable again.”
“I appreciate the thought, but I can take it. Heck, I survived last time, and I bet I can stay even longer this time.”
“No,” he said, surprisingly firm for him. He ruffled the short hair at the back of his head before he looked at me with wide eyes. “No pushing yourself to the limit. If we get more time this way, great. If you can’t do more than two days at a time, I can live with that too. Hell, even if I only got one day with you, I’d still be happy. You’re worth the wait.”
My cheeks warmed, and I realized Ezra successfully made me blush. He appeared to notice too because he smiled while he chewed his lip. Two could play this game. I ripped the shirt he brought for me over my head with a grin.
“You’re... you’re getting in now?” Ezra stammered.
“Well, of course. You went through all this trouble for me. Least I can do is try it out.” I swung a leg over the side and sank below the surface then popped back up. This pool was actually deeper than I thought. At least it was bigger than the bathtub, with plenty of room to spread out. Only time would tell if Ezra’s theory proved true.
“Do you like it?” Ezra asked with a tentative grin.
“It’s missing something.” I frowned while I crouched in the water.
“What?” Ezra leaned over the edge to inspect the water. “Don’t tell me the levels are off. I tested the water right before I left this morning.”
I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him in with me, fully clothed. Ezra, clearly surprised to be yanked in the water, struggled for a quick second of panic before accepting his fate and clinging to me for dear life. He sulked in the chest-deep water while I hovered in front of him, the lower half of my face below the surface.
“Well, I hope you’re happy,” he grumbled while he adjusted his glasses with one hand, the other still digging into my shoulder.
I rose to my knees and squirted a fountain of water from my mouth at him. “Very.”
* * *
A pool might not have been a terrible idea. I was quite happy to splash around, but I could tell Ezra already regretted his stroke of genius. He grumbled under his breath while he peeled off his wet clothes right in the kitchen. And, well, let’s just say that, combined with the greeting he gave me earlier, really got the blood pumping.
I leaned closer to give him a quick kiss on his shoulder, but he turned to face me with a smirk. Honestly, launching right into nighttime activities the moment I arrived had not been my intention. Perhaps the point seemed moot now since we fooled around the last time, but I understood that we both drank a bit before, and maybe he would have some reservations now. As much as I enjoyed every moment spent with Ezra that evening, I didn’t want him thinking I only came ashore for a roll in the sheets and nothing more.
Ezra leaned closer for a kiss, that sprung a pleasured sound from his depths and I wondered with a smile if I were the one who should feel used. One of his hands found mine, our fingers lacing seamlessly before he closed his hand and pulled. Ezra clumsily dragged me down the hall with him, smacking into walls along the way while he walked backward and led me forward. He could probably see a lot more effectively if he pulled his face away from mine for even a second. Who was I kidding, though? I loved being frantically dragged to his bedroom.