I am still not LJ Smith:( and I'm sorry it took me so long to update, but I hope it is worth it!
Jenny's POV
The drive back to my house is actually one of the best I've had in a while. I start singing at the top of my lungs and Julian seems enthralled, his frosty hair whipping around in the wind and his bright eyes shifting colors in the sun.
When I pull into my drive way I look at him expectantly. He looks at me through his long lashes.
"So? Does that give my world any points?" I inquire, mentally crossing my fingers that he says yes.
Julian works his mouth. "It might give it one or two," he finally replies. I let out a small sound of joy and fling myself over the center consul to hug him. I have surprised myself and Julian as well as he jerks in surprise to catch me from falling all over him.
"Sorry," I mutter, once I realize what I have done and pull myself back to my own side.
"If that remains the response every time your world gets a point, it might have a sporting chance after all," Julian says playfully with a sly grin.
I crinkle my nose, but I am secretly happy.
"Come on, let's go inside. I have another idea for my world to get some more points," I exclaim, opening my door and locking the car once Julian gets out.
I unlock the front door and note how weird it feels to willingly let Julian into my house. I almost run up to my dad's room to get him some swim trunks, when it suddenly occurs to me that he can probably conjure up his own clothes. I suddenly feel ridiculous for giving him my dad's clothes this morning.
"What are you thinking Jenny?" Julian asks, sweeping my hair from my face with tender fingers.
"I'm thinking that you didn't actually need those clothes this morning," I say, gesturing to his outfit.
Julian smiles a wolfish grin. "But, you gave them to me, how could I say no?"
I shake my head, exasperated by how sweet he can be without even trying. With Tom, he always acted like I should be thankful when he put in the effort to be sweet. With Julian, he just is.
"Well, can you put on some swim trunks, or something?" I ask, waving my hand around.
"Can the 'or something' include wearing nothing?" Julian inquires, his voice faking the innocence of an angle while his lips smile like the devil.
"No!" I blurt out, my cheeks turning pink as I turn to run up the stairs to put on my own suit.
"Many people swim naked, my Jenny!" He calls after me, laughter in his voice.
"I'm not your Jenny, and therefore you do not swim naked with me!" I call back.
Julian's POV
I stand in my black trunks, leaning languidly against her counter as I wait for her to come down. When she does, the sun itself seem to turn and be a spotlight on her. She has a towel wrapped around herself, but the promise that the towel will soon be coming off is intoxicating. I grin at her and she eyes me with caution, seeming to realize belatedly how bad of an idea swimming with me could be.
"Ready?" I ask her.
She bites her lip, driving me crazy. "I guess so," She answers, leading me to her backyard where her pool is. We make it outside and the air is warm and smells of grass. The smell means more to me when I think about how she grew up with this smell. How it is probably one of her favorites even if she doesn't notice it. I file away that information for later.
When I look back at Jenny she has mischief in her eyes and I can't help but grow excited. She slowly lowers her towel and I wonder if she knows just how dangerous of a game she is playing.
"Jenny," I growl. This makes her drop the towel entirely and my body seems to hum in appreciation.
Jenny looks at me through lowered lashes as she slowly prowls over to me. My arms yearn to reach out and just take her, but I want her to come willingly, and right now she looks very willing. Anticipation killing me, I stand perfectly still until she is right in front of me.
She purses her lips and closes her eyes, moving forward. I close mine in response and reach for her, only to find her hands being slammed against my chest as I flay backwards into the pool. I curse as I hit the water.
I hear Jenny's golden laugh through the water and grin myself. She wants to play and I do love a good game. I flash out of the water and right behind her. She is still bent over laughing such hearty laughs that her eyes are tearing. I take a moment to enjoy the sight before wrapping my arms around her and picking her up.
Jenny squeals, but not a terrified one, a playful one and then she is being thrown in the pool.
"Julian!" She snaps once she pops out of the water.
"Never mess with a shadow man," I say, crossing my arms.
Jenny slowly smiles and then splashes me.
I push my water soaked hair from my eyes and glare at her.
"What are you going to do about it Mr. Shadow man?" she teases.
I grin a terrifying grin and then flash back into the pool right in front of her. She takes in a breath of surprise, before moving ever so slightly closer to me. That is all the motivation I need.
I scoop my arms around her waist and she easily wraps her legs around me in the water. We stare at each other for a moment and then our lips are together. She tastes like chlorines and sunshine and happiness and I can't think of any place in all of the worlds that I'd rather be.
After a few glorious moment of our lips moving together I let her come up for air. She gives me a mixed look that doesn't leave me feeling entirely unhopeful, before splashing me again and diving into the water to get away.
I ready myself to chase her when a sudden disturbing thought comes to mind, "This world may actually have a sporting chance after all,"
I hoped you guys liked it! Please let me know what you think or if you have any ideas for what great things about the world Jenny should show Julian!
