Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 148704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 744(@200wpm)___ 595(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 744(@200wpm)___ 595(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
It’s no more than an hour later that I find myself laughing hysterically at something a guy named Neo says and doubling over when another named Matt acts out the scene Neo shared.
Apparently, Matt works at the bar Crew manages, and he came equipped with a shitload of stories to tell.
It’s closer to six now, the sun’s still beating heavily above us, so I quietly leave the group conversation in search of something to drink. Deciding on good ole H2O, I walk over to the fan plugged in on the patio.
Lifting my hair, I let the slightly cooler air blow along my neck for a few minutes.
My eyes travel the yard, from the grassy area on one side to the pool and lawn chairs on the other, noting how people casually go from one group to the next, some even shouting across the space to get whoever’s attention it is they’re after. There’s a sense of comfort among them all, making it appear they’ve known each other for years. Maybe they have.
A blond guy standing next to a girl Layla introduced as Toni catches my eye, saluting me with a wink before looking back to her, and that snags twin number one’s attention. Julius looks over, grinning around the neck of his beer bottle, and he doesn’t look away.
“You might be in a T-shirt and jeans with polka dot shoes, but you’ve got a bathing suit dangling from your bag, and those little flowery strings alone are keeping the single men here locked onto your every move.”
I look at Crew, but he continues facing forward.
He takes a small sip from what looks like lemonade and continues, “They’re waiting for the moment you disappear, and hoping when you come back, it’s all you’ve got on.”
My stomach dips with an unfamiliar sensation, a mix of nervous excitement sprinkled with something a lot like cool confidence, but I don’t allow it to spread.
I swallow. “So why tease me earlier?”
Crew’s quiet a moment before he says, “I’d tell you if I knew.”
He meets my eyes, and then he’s gone.
A little over an hour later and everyone has migrated toward the water.
I’ve been sitting along the edge in the shallow end for about fifteen minutes, laughing at the poorly played game of volleyball happening in the center, when Julius lowers himself beside me.
“So…” He dangles his feet as I am, nudging me with his solid shoulder.
“Yeah,” I drag out with a sigh. “Awkward, and I vibe sometimes.”
“Hey, it was pretty memorable, and is that not the point?” That grin of his grows into a smirk.
I eye him as I take a small sip from my freshly popped soda can. “What makes you think I want you to remember me?”
“See, that’s the beauty of it, Davis the Virgin.” He leaps down then, submerging his body in the water before popping back up. He brings his hands up, wiping them over his face, and then runs them through his hair, purposely flicking the cool water along my thighs. “It’s the ones who don’t try for the attention who end up earning it.”
“Well, if you would be so kind and point yours in another direction, that would be great.”
“And why would I do that?”
“Because there is no way a girl like me could handle an ego like yours. You’re a Polo model gone rogue, and I’m more on level with the dude from the insurance commercials.”
He barks a laugh, gaining the attention of a few of his friends swimming nearby. Crew flicks his eyes from Julius to me but moves them back to Willie just as fast.
“See. Shit like that…” Julius darts forward, and before I realize what’s coming, I’m already lifted and lowered into the water.
I gasp as the chilled water swashes over my heated middle, my gaze settling on his.
He’s shorter than Crew by a few inches, so I don’t have to stretch my neck as far up with him directly in front of me. Water droplets roll down the tattoos covering his bronzed skin, and while I do my best not to follow the path they take, my best is a solid C minus.
“It’s shit like that,” he repeats in a tantalizing tease. “That guarantees I won’t forget the sweet, not quite shy… virgin.”
I smack him in the chest, and he laughs good-heartedly, slowly backing away.
“I’m pretty sure it’s the virgin thing.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re right.” He winks, disappearing under the water, and takes off to the other side.
Shaking my head, I breathe a little sigh, a small smile on my lips. I know he’s kidding. While the whole virgin thing was probably a shock, mainly because of the way I casually confused it for my name, he’s not mocking me. He is simply a big fat flirt, and honestly, I’m proud I can recognize the difference.