The Beach House Read Free Page A

turned sideways, put her hand on her
flat belly, examining herself. Like many women Jenni accomplished
that dichotomy of thought more common than each individual
realized. In private she considered herself hot, in public
believing her looks less than average. Perhaps because of the way
people treated her. Looking at herself, her high breasts
self-supporting despite their size, her lean belly and long legs,
the neat tuft of hair covering her sex, she considered she looked
pretty good. Jenni knew in company her confidence would leach away,
eroded by Mark’s words and actions. She resolved to dismiss all
doubts, dismiss the years of verbal abuse which had grown so
endemic she hardly noticed the constant denigration. Looking at
herself in the mirror she allowed herself to believe in her
beauty.
    Jenni turned again, twisting to stare over
her shoulder, noticing the way skin tightened along her side,
outlining the lower ribs. Good ass, she thought, round and tight,
narrow hips and slim thighs. A horizontal ledge showed between her
legs and she leaned forward, putting her palms flat on the floor,
shocked at the wave of arousal crashing through her as she stared
back between her legs at full pussy lips, shivering at the sight
and knowing she was not doing herself any favors.
    Turning herself on was going to get her
exactly nowhere other than back on the bed with her hand between
her legs. Temptation whispered in her ear, and on another day she
might have given in. She frequently resorted to pleasuring herself,
at least every other day. Mark seemed not to care about sex
anymore, and when he did the act was always short and brutish,
often as not accompanied by acts of minor violence.
    Today was different and Jenni knew the
reason why. Today was Paul’s birthday. Today he turned eighteen,
and although Jenni acknowledged her thoughts were foolish she
couldn’t help wondering if there wasn’t something she had to offer
him. Foolish, because absolutely nothing – nothing – was
going to happen. The hopeless fantasy warmed her, making her wet
between the legs, and she nourished that warmth, allowing the
arousal to seep through her body, stiffening her nipples and
bringing a flush to her neck.
    Tuesday through Friday were good days, quiet
days when she would go to the beach and check everyone had what
they needed, nothing was broken or damaged, ask if anyone needed
help or advice. Dressed in cut off denims and a tank top, her
mismatched bikini worn beneath, a change of underclothes in the
pickup, she parked behind the Harper house at eleven. As she came
around the side she found them on the porch. Paul had his long legs
up on the railing, binoculars to his face. Kate and Tim drank
coffee, working their way slowly through a pile of fresh chocolate
brownies.
    “Hey, Jen, come and have a birthday
brownie.”
    She laughed. “I don’t want to spoil the
party.”
    “Since when could you ever spoil anything,”
Kate said. “Come up here. Paul, get Jenni a coffee.”
    Paul dropped his legs off the rail and went
inside. He came back a minute later with a plain white mug
billowing good fresh coffee aroma. The smell hit Jenni and she had
no choice but to sit and savor.
    “How’s the swimming,” she said to Paul.
“Think you can beat me now you’re an adult?” She held his gaze,
trying to communicate something even though she wasn’t exactly sure
what message she was trying to send.
    “Oh yeah, I’m so much older than when you
beat me yesterday.”
    “You’re going to try though.”
    “What do you think?”
    She sipped her coffee and nodded. “I think
you are.”
    “Are you swimming now?” Kate asked. “Because
Tim and I need to go into town after lunch, so if you’re going to
stay for the birthday lunch as well, Jen, you’d better swim
now.”
    “We can always do both, Grams,” Paul said.
“Before and after lunch. Once Jenni’s tired I might stand some sort
of a chance.”
    “In your dreams, young ’un.” Jenni