“Uh… sure.” Except I’m not sure—at all.
The girls all hug each other goodnight, and Lily whispers in my ear before she lets me go, “Hey, are you okay going with Braden?”
“It’s fine. He’s been better tonight,” I respond.
“Well, let me know if he gives you any trouble.”
“Don’t worry. I can handle him.” I assure her.
We all pile into our carts, and once we’re alone, neither one of us speaks, creating an uncomfortable silence. But since I began the last conversation, I’m leaving it up to him this time. Seconds later, my patience is rewarded.
“Are you ready to call it a night, or do you want to go for a soak in the hot tub?” Braden asks as he parks the cart in front of his building.
“With you?” The shock in my voice is evident.
“Yeah, with me.”
“Can you behave?” I ask teasingly.
“That depends on whether you want me to.” He side-eyes me from the driver’s seat.
“I think I’ve been crystal clear on that,” I say, stepping out of the cart and facing him.
“I don’t know… there’s always room for interpretation.”
My hand goes to my jutted hip. “I beg to differ. What part ofstop hitting on medid you not understand?”
The infuriating man chuckles. “The part where your body reacts every time I do.”
“It does not, and if it looks that way, it’s because I’m repulsed.”
We walk around the cart and meet on the sidewalk.
“I’ll let you pretend for now. So are you joining me or what?” He holds his hand up, halting my reply. “And before you answer—yes, I’ll behave… until you’re ready for otherwise.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine. Against my better judgment, I’ll meet you out there.” I give in, walking away before he utters more nonsense.
The question on repeat as I change into my swimsuit is:Why did I agree to this?I continue second-guessing myself while putting my hair up and checking my makeup because whether I’m interested in the guy or not doesn’t change the fact that I’m still female and want to look my best.
I’m a nervous wreck on the way out, and I shouldn’t be. It’s not like this is a date or anything. We’re simply two guests at a wedding who aren’t ready to call it a night. No big deal. It means absolutely nothing. It definitely doesn’t mean I’m into him.
I’ll need to keep repeating this because when I make it to the hot tub, I’m instantly regretting my decision. This was a bad idea.His chest is above the waterline, and holy hell, is he ripped. Not only is he an Adonis from the neck up, but he has a body to match.
Shit. I’m in trouble.
Braden
I’m making progress. That she even considered joining me in the hot tub was a surprise, and when she finally said yes, I about fell over. Now it’s just a matter of playing my cards right. Regardless of what she says, I think she enjoys my dirty suggestions. Her body gives away what her words don’t.
However, it’ll still take some finesse to win her over. The right amount of naughty and nice should do the trick. I’ll start with nice tonight and move on to the naughty tomorrow.
Thankfully, I’m already in the water by the time she makes her way out because when she steps shyly around the corner, appearing as if she’s wearing nothing but the towel, my swim trunks immediately tent. And then when she drops it, holy shit, I could’ve busted a nut.
The strapless bikini leaves little to the imagination. A thin scrap of material barely covers her perky little tits, her nipples pebbling from the cool night air. Too bad she’s facing me and not giving me a view of that ass.
“Hi,” she says timidly, slinking into the water as far from me as possible.
“I was starting to think you ditched me.”
