by M. S. Parker
I glanced at the elegant silverware sitting on the table and imagined how many childhood birthdays must’ve been celebrated with Jamison at this very kitchen table. Had it just been the two of them when Alex made his birthday wishes? Yet Alex had said he grew up in America. It was clear that Jamison was more than a butler to Alex, no matter where Alex had grown up. He treated Alex like a son more than an employer. I’d only been working a few weeks here in Holland, but I was definitely still the outsider. Dammit! Not only was I failing to be professional in my work, but also I wasn’t even being a gracious guest in their home.
Jamison finally broke the silence. “Since you didn’t notice this celebration dinner was for your birthday, I’m assuming you missed the wrapped present in the middle of the table.”
“Is it a swimsuit?” I asked, hoping to lighten the mood.
Alex laughed, and I felt the ice in my stomach melt. He said, “No way. If you want to swim with me, you’ve got to be brave. Au natural.”
“Sounds chilly. Doesn’t that shrink your, ah, muscles?” I asked, surprised at my own bold flirting. Maybe it was just the relief of having sidestepped the awkwardness, but it worked. He perked up, and his face brightened.
“Not me. I’m used to it. But don’t take my word for it. I’m officially issuing you a challenge, birthday girl. Meet me in the pool tomorrow morning.” His eyes flashed electric blue as he once again swept his gaze over my body.
I heated at the look, but stuck out my chin and said, “Why? I’m not so old that I have to exercise everyday to keep in shape.”
“I have no problem with your shape,” he said as his eyes blazed brighter. “An open invitation to the pool whenever you want. How’s that for a birthday present? The only catch is you have to swim with me tomorrow morning. You know, so I can familiarize you with the pool rules and everything.”
Oh crap.
Jamison sighed dramatically, as if he was used to Alex's antics, and said, “I think she may like the wrapped present better.”
I shook off the warmth of Alex’s flirting and turned to Jamison. “A special birthday dinner was enough of a treat for me. You really didn’t have to, Jamison. Thank you.”
I reached for the present and tugged loose the bright silver bow. The heavy wrapping paper was bright pink and shiny, and I carefully slit open the pieces of tape. Inside was a long cardboard box. I was surprised to see that it was postmarked from Oregon. I looked up with a questioning eye.
“Jamison special-ordered it,” Alex said, “He thought you might like a little bit of home.”
I opened up the cardboard box, and found a plastic-sealed package inside. A live Redwood seedling from Oregon was wrapped in damp moss. I carefully took the baby tree from the box and reverently held it up for everyone to see.
“Oh, Jamison, this is the sweetest present anyone has ever given me,” I breathed. A lump formed in my throat.
“There’s a pot with dirt waiting for you near the servants’ quarters,” Jamison said, his words brisk, but I knew now just how much of that was posturing.
Blinking back tears, I said, “Thank you so much.”
“Maybe you can set it under the pergola, near the climbing roses?” Alex teased, completely subverting the moment.
“I think I want it on the windowsill in my room,” I said, grateful for Alex not making me even more emotional. “If that’s okay?”
“Of course. Happy birthday, Chelsea,” Jamison said as he stood up and cleared our dinner dishes. I moved to help him, but he told me there was no need to work on my birthday. Alex smiled at me and carried the empty champagne bottle and glasses into the kitchen following behind Jamison.
Again, at a loss for what to do, I gathered up the box with my Redwood seedling, and headed to the kitchen door to look for the pot to plant it in. I found it near the front steps of the servants’ cottage and sat down next to it, taking care not to dirty my nice sundress.
“He’s gruff, but he’s the most thoughtful man I know.” My head popped up at the sound of Alex’s voice. I set the box to the side as he dropped down to sit beside me.
I turned to my right and gave him a sidelong glance. “Really? I thought he didn’t like me,” I said and raised a brow.
I’d meant for my remark to be funny and sarcastic, but suddenly all I could think about was how close Alex was to me. Our shoulders were nearly touching. I tried to glance away, but all I wanted to do was get lost in his beautiful blue eyes. Trying to keep my composure I snapped my attention back to the seedling laying on top of the box near my feet.
“And this…” I motioned with my hand. “This is great. Honestly, it’s the best present I’ve ever gotten.”
“Really, Miss Oregon?” His voice had changed. It was low and velvety, luring me in.
Dammit, I was caving, submitting to that deliciously warm feeling tingling inside of me. Even his voice had a magical effect on me. Helpless to his charm, I turned to meet his gaze again.
“Yes,” I whispered, not sure if we were still talking about gifts and seedlings...or if he was asking some sort of permission.
Alex ducked his head and pressed his lips gently to mine. I gasped in surprise, inhaling the cedar-cinnamon scent of his aftershave. He held the soft kiss until I relaxed, his lips still and warm against mine. When I pressed back, he slipped one hand through my hair to the back of my neck. He tipped my head back, and touched his tongue to mine for one deep, lingering taste as I completely melted under his touch.
“I’m glad you’re here. Happy birthday, Chelsea,” Alex whispered against my lips.
Well, damn. My whole body was electrified, and a low level buzzing made my brain feel all fuzzy. After the kiss faded I still felt the energy vibrating in me, and then, just like that, he stood, gave me a soft smile and turned to leave.
I sat all dreamy-eyed on the steps, blissfully lost in the intensity of that kiss, watching Alex as he walked back to the main house. Right before he disappeared through the kitchen door, he paused, pushed a hand through his golden hair and gave a tug on his stylish shirt.
Then it hit me, full force.
Alex Silverhaus had just kissed me. A gorgeously handsome man who I work for had kissed me, and to make things even more complicated, I’d promised to meet him for a naked swim in the morning. One simple birthday kiss, and he'd knocked me to my knees. I'd never felt anything like this before, and I was at a complete loss in how to deal with it. I squeezed my eyes shut with a grimace as I plopped my chin into my hands.
I was so screwed.
Chapter Ten
Alex
When I stepped outside, the pre-dawn sky was gray, with only the barest hint of sunrise. The air was cool, but I knew the water would be warm. The quick punch of anticipation in my stomach reminded me of the challenge I’d issued to Chelsea the night before.
I licked my lips where I could still feel the soft give of her kiss. She'd tasted sweet, and I wanted more. I had to admit, I'd been surprised when she'd walked into the kitchen dressed for dinner. I'd already thought she was beautiful, but, wow, that dress had really set off her eyes…and her tits. I couldn’t help but notice. They were pushed up, crowning out of the top of it, just begging me to touch them. I groaned. She was killing me, but I still hoped she’d be waiting for me by the pool.
I tossed the towel over my shoulder and purposefully walked the long way around the pool, past the pergola in case she was hiding there again. I paused in front of it, but it was dark and quiet, just the rustling of the leaves up the latticework. I found myself looking for her ocean blue eyes among the morning glories, and I shook my head. She wasn’t coming. I didn't know why I'd thought anything different.
I turned and looked at the pool. Empty. The entire place had a deserted feel to it, and I couldn't deny the relief that followed my disappointment. Although there were plenty of perfectly fuckable women here in Rotenberg, my appetite for fast, hard sex had taken a dive since I'd come to Holland. It’d been a while since I’d gotten off, so
just the thought of Chelsea, naked in the pool, was enough to make me rock hard despite the morning breeze. I didn't even want to imagine what would happen if I saw her.
I dove into the cool water and started swimming. I pushed hard through the first laps, the image of Chelsea in her sexy sundress vivid in my mind. The lace neckline dipped between those perfect breasts, ripe peaches I wanted so badly to taste. I imagined that she wore nothing underneath the light dress, and that if I'd swept my hands up her long legs, she’d be wet and submissive to my explorations. I liked women like that, willing to please.
After that sweet, soft kiss on the steps I’d wanted to give her a birthday night she would never forget. I'd wanted to spread her legs open and taste the sweet juices flowing from her. I imagined her thighs brushing my cheeks as I drove her to orgasm, feeling her pulsing climax on my tongue and lips.
I turned another lap in the pool with Chelsea still on my mind, wondering if I was going to need to go up to the master suite and take a long cold shower with a hard cock in my hand. Chelsea aroused me almost as much as she confused me.
I’d never met a woman who didn’t want a spectacular event made out of her birthday. One past girlfriend had declared that the entire week should be dedicated to her birthday. I’d spent obscene amounts of money to make each day’s surprise more elaborate than the previous, and she'd still seemed disappointed when it hadn't ended with a ring. But Chelsea hadn't even realized one simple dinner was meant for her. She would’ve missed the surprise completely if Jamison hadn’t pointed it out.
No sooner had I thought this, than I popped my head above the water for a breath and I saw her stretched out in one of the lounge chairs. I finished the lap to give myself a moment to collect myself, and then swam over to the wall in front of her.
“I’m surprised to see you here,” I said as I propped my arms on the edge of the pool.
“I told you I was an early riser.” She gripped her coffee with both hands, and held it to her inviting lips as if she were using the thick porcelain mug to hide her shyness. “Besides this is a nice place to drink my coffee.”
“The water will wake you up quicker than coffee,” I told her. “Come on in, I’m just getting started.”
I noticed her cheeks turn a bright red, as she glanced back at the servants’ quarters. Her reaction made me wonder how much experience she’d had with men. Her innocence was an appealing thought. I could open her world to all kinds of new sexual experiences if she’d give me the chance. I caught her eyes again, but she shied away from the look and sipped her coffee instead.
Bedroom eyes. On anyone else those would be called bedroom eyes. On Chelsea, however, they were more. They were deep oceans I suspected could shipwreck lovesick boys. She was one of those innocent heartbreakers who probably didn’t even realize her own power. One look was enough to elicit fantasies of her draped in nothing but her silky black hair.
Oh what I’d love to do to that delicious, lithe body. It cried out to be touched and caressed…and fucked. Oh, damn. I needed to stop. If she knew what I was thinking, she’d probably slap me. Yet, she was completely unaware of her effects, and sat with her shoulders hunched down as if she didn’t really want to be noticed. I didn't understand it.
“Are you telling me you just came here to watch?” I asked. “I’ve heard some people really like that.” I wiggled my brows just to razz her more than I already had.
She scowled and said, “You gave me an open invitation to use the pool.”
“That’s right, you just have to swim with me this morning and then the pool’s all yours whenever you want it.”
She pursed her lips, inhaled a breath, and deliberately set her coffee mug on the small table next to her lounger. As she moved, my eye caught a slight tremble in her hand. She stood up from the lounge chair and shimmied out of her jeans. It was a good thing I was leaning against the side of the pool. The sight of her long legs stepping out of her jeans was enough to arouse me again.
She left on a pair of black, cotton panties that hugged the curve of her ass, dipping low on her hips and a t-shirt with the faded logo of a popular band across her breasts. I liked it. My breath caught in my throat at the thought of how the t-shirt would look wet. My cock twitched. The fabric was thin. And white. Damn. It twitched again. Jesus, woman, you’re killing me.
I watched in awe as Chelsea took a few quick steps toward the edge and dove over me into the pool. A few seconds later, she popped up out of the water and slicked back her hair.
I stared at her, and she grinned. “What? You never said I had to be naked.”
Damn. She was right.
“Fair enough, but all of that clothing is just going to create drag. You’ll never beat me in a race that way,” I said.
To my disappointment, she stayed far enough under the water that I couldn’t get a good look at the wet t-shirt. It billowed out with the buoyancy of the water instead of clinging to her skin. Damn you, buoyancy.
The disappointment must’ve been readable on my face, because she laughed and took off across the pool with long, sure strokes. I caught up with her and tugged on her foot but she kicked free and kept swimming. After a few more laps, I grabbed her foot again and worked my hands up her calf. When my fingers brushed the back of her thigh she stopped in the middle of the pool.
“You warmed up?” I asked her as I reluctantly released her leg.
“Warmed up for what?” she asked, treading water and eyeing me suspiciously.
“Enough to race.” And enough to fuck you until you scream, sweetheart, I added in my head. She had no clue how hard she was making this for me. I blew a breath into the surface of the water and said, “I’m looking for a challenge, and from what I’ve seen so far, you’re the perfect one.”
“Fine,” she said. “Are you better at sprints or distance swimming?”
“Distance.”
“Then I’ll race you one length of the pool,” Chelsea declared.
There was a wicked flash in her eyes and I wondered if she was flirting with me, or if it was something else.
We slowly swam to the far wall. I stood up in the shallow water and watched her eyes darken as they scanned my chest. I forced my breathing to stay even as her look trailed lower into the water. I usually enjoyed when women looked at my body, but with Chelsea, something about it was different.
I forced myself to focus. “Alright. Here’s the deal. I’ll agree to your sprint if you grant me one condition.”
She dragged her eyes back up to mine, and I could see that she was enjoying the view. It confirmed my suspicion that little Miss Oregon had a wild side she was suppressing, and I found the thought to be a huge turn on. I really wanted to be the person who drew that out of her.
“What condition is that?” she asked warily as she straightened.
Fuck me.
Well that’s what I wanted to say because we were in the shallow end of the pool now, so as she stood, the wet t-shirt clung to the ripe curves of her breasts. No bra. At last I could see her nipples, hardened against the cloying fabric. I imagined peeling it off and up over her head, watching her tits pull up with the wet shirt and then drop with a soft bounce. Her hands would come down on top of my shoulders, and I could catch her hard against me, feeling those nipples press into my chest.
“My condition is that you take off that shirt.” I had to clear my throat before I could speak again without my voice cracking. “It’ll just create drag. I don’t want you to accuse me of cheating when I win.”
A glint flashed through her eyes again, and I smiled. There was a bright, competitive streak in Chelsea and I liked that, though I wasn’t sure what exactly she was competing for at the moment.
“I get to say ‘go’?” she asked.
I nodded and held my breath as Chelsea reached for the hem of the shirt just under the surface of the water. She peeled it up slowly and revealed the flat expanse between her panties and her belly button. She rolled her hips back and forth as she worked th
e shirt up higher, and then paused as the first soft flesh of her breasts was exposed.
I stood rooted to the spot. My jaw relaxed and my lips parted instinctively. I was held in place, mesmerized by the pert curves of the undersides of her breasts, just waiting for what would happen next. Then in the next delicious moment, I felt a hot surge race to my groin. I was standing with my hands on my hips and the water nearly up to my waist, and just as I wondered if a full erection would break the surface of the water, Chelsea ripped the shirt off in one quick move.
“Go!”
She was a quarter of the way across the pool before I realized what had happened. I dove into the water and chased after her. The thunder of our kicking and the splash of our strong strokes echoed across the courtyard as I tried to catch her.
Chelsea was fast, and she hit the wall one stroke ahead of me. I saw the quick flash of her smile, and then she dove straight down into the deep end of the pool. I took a deep breath and went after her. I opened my eyes to watch Chelsea in front of me. She was beautiful and sexy, a nymph, free and easy in the water. I could see her near-naked body, long arms and legs swirling in suspended animation under the water, moving with a natural grace, her silky black hair floating and trailing behind as she swam.
I held my breath as long as I could, then I had to surface. Chelsea rose right in front of me and smiled as she blinked away the water.
“Couldn’t catch me? That’s too bad,” she said.
I reached out to encircle her slick body, but she slipped away with a bubbling laugh. The victory of the race had made her bold. She flipped on her back, flashing her breasts at me, and held one small foot up in the air in front of me, taunting. I dodged after it and pretended to miss until she was almost to the other wall.
When she realized I had her cornered, she stopped with a delighted squeal. Her only defense now was to splash me, so she slapped the water hard and sent waves of white water over me.
