Part 13 (1/2)

Wish I Could Say I've fallen for the perfect girl, but that would be a lie. Or at least a gross exaggeration.

There's a lot about Jenna to love.

The way she looks, of course, all curves and frothiness.

Cotton candy. Or c.u.mulus clouds.

And when she turns her focus on you, brother, you are king and she is part lady-in-waiting, part concubine. You want to put her up on a pedestal, as long as she's naked. We have gotten naked a time or two, and Lord help me, that girl has shown me things most grown women would blush at.

All that stuff goes in the plus column.

In The Minus Column Loitering beneath the sweet fluff, the wide-eyed faux innocence, is something hard. Maybe even just a little bit scary. A fallen angel, perhaps. A creature of the heavens, surviving in earthly shadow.

I don't see that part of her very often.

Just a b.i.t.c.hlike snap at someone she might consider compet.i.tion.

A misplaced remark, revealing under- belly. But never directed at me. At least, not yet. There's something else, too. Something harder to define.

It has to do with the way she can s.h.i.+ft between demanding total attention to turning herself off to the rest of the world. Blanking out everyone else completely. Even me.

It's A Small Price To pay for spending time with her.

Because, despite her few shortcomings, I think I'm in love with her. It sure feels that way when I'm with her.

I never want to let her go. She even has me trying new things-crazy things I'd never do on my own.

Today we're going to the Ultimate Rush Thrill Park at the Grand Sierra Resort.

Not sure what the rush is in miniature golf and b.u.mper cars, but we'll see. First Sat.u.r.day in March, the sun is out but the air is still pre-spring crisp, so when I pull up in front of Jenna's house, I'm not expecting to see her dressed the way she is. Then again, it is Jenna, so why am I surprised that she has chosen b.u.t.t-clinging shorts and a low-cut sweater that leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination?

At least she brought a very small, very tight leather jacket. ”d.a.m.n, girl, you sure you're going to be warm enough? Kind of chilly out.”

She s.h.i.+mmies into the pa.s.senger seat.

Smiles. Yeah, but you know how to keep a girl warm.

I can't help but admire what her push-up bra is pus.h.i.+ng up. ”Not sure who's keeping who warm, but let's go.”

The Ultimate Rush Is more than a little obvious as soon as we pull in and park.

I've driven past the Grand Sierra a few times, and for some reason I never really looked at what these tall white towers were. Namely, truly frightening thrill rides, especially for someone like me, who is not especially fond of heights. ”I thought we were playing peewee golf and driving go-carts.” A scream pulls my eyes past the winds.h.i.+eld just as the backward bungee jump yanks a couple in a small cage some seventy feet into the air. ”Uh... that doesn't look fun.”

Sure it does. And just in case you need some liquid courage, I brought this. It will keep us warm, too.

She pulls a flask out of her purse, offers it to me. Cinnamon schnapps. Careful. It's got a little bite.

Alcohol and backward bungee jumping?

Sounds like a bad combination to me. ”I don't know...”

Come on, she purrs, taking a sip herself before urging the flask into my hand. It will take the edge off.

Slow burn the edge off is more like it.

Cinnamon schnapps is like cinnamon cough syrup. Thick and too sweet, despite the signature Red Hot flavoring.

Liquid flame trickles down my throat.

”Lord, girl.” It comes out a raspy whisper.

And I can feel a sticky smolder creep into my empty stomach.

Yet I help myself to another nip before handing back the flask.

”Your mama should have named you Delilah.”

Huh? She takes a long pull and doesn't even cough as it goes down. What a girl. A crazy, soon-to-be drunk girl. ”You know, as in Samson and Delilah?” The rumble in my belly tells me I really need to eat.

Jenna shakes her head. Samson is, like, in Greek mythology, right?

We studied that in fifth grade. She smiles.

”Actually, the story is in the Bible and...

oh, never mind. You hungry? I am. Let's get food and then...”

Two people on a giant rubber band slingshot past the window, shrieking.

It doesn't look fun either. ”Then we'll see.”

Jenna Knows A good burger restaurant inside the Grand Sierra. We have to walk through the casino to get there. I hook my arm around her waist, claiming her. Not to mention keeping her a little more steady on her feet. She rocks slightly, exaggerating the sway of her hips.

Heads turn and every old pervert in the place looks at me with envy.

Jenna puffs up on the attention. Did you see that guy? I thought his eyeb.a.l.l.s were gonna pop out of his head.

I should feel proud, right? So why does my face flush, fever-hot, and blood roar in my ears? ”Do you have to shake your a.s.s like that? Those dudes probably think you're a hooker.” Immediately, an apology springs to my lips. But, schnapps or just because it's her, Jenna couldn't care less. Hey, you got it, flaunt it.

She's so cute, I don't want to argue and spoil the day. But I really do wish the only guy she played flirt with was me.

Instead she flaunts her way to Johnny Rockets, exposes five-star cleavage to get us a better table a little quicker.

If it wouldn't be too, too obvious, the host would probably walk backward, to better enjoy the view.

Our order is taken in record time, although the waiter lingers, making suggestions, awash in Jenna's sensual aura.