Turning to him, I say, “Honestly, if I thought I could balance that thing on my own, I’d be saying yes to a solo ride home right now.”
“This swimsuit thing is a real deal breaker for you, isn’t it?”
“My mumkini? Nah,” I say sarcastically. “Totally excited to strip down to almost nothing right now.”
“We’ve already established you’re empirically beautiful, so no more excuses. Trust me. You’ve got everything in exactly the right places, Ms. Lewis. Now strip off your clothes, unless you want to bike home later with soaking-wet trousers.”
Well, when he puts it that way, how could I say no? Am I drooling? I think I might be drooling. This is truly pathetic.
I turn toward the trees with my skirt in hand so I can strip down and adjust my boobs without him seeing. While I’m in the bushes, I peek at him. He’s standing facing the sea, instead of trying to see me. What a gentleman.
A totally delusional gentleman who thinks I have everything in exactly the right place. Maybe he’s severely nearsighted? That would explain it. Or he’s a mum-bod chaser. Or he has some sort of cellulite fetish, and he’s certain my legs are covered with cottage cheese. Oooh, that’s probably it. For my ego’s sake, I’m hoping it’s the nearsighted thing.
Okay, skirt on. Boobs up as high as they go. Deep breath. Force legs to move.
Nope. They are not listening.
Hmmm…how long will it be until the sun sets? Like an hour?
Oh, just go, Brianna. For eff’s sake.
CHAPTER 21
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Leo
I wait, watching the waves roll in, fighting the urge to turn around and check on her progress. She’s so bloody hard on herself, which to be honest, is rather irritating. Here she is, a lovely young woman with some delightful curves falling into the stupid trap of thinking only thigh gaps and stick arms are attractive, when in reality, women are attractive, period. Skinny, curvy, older, younger, they all have something appealing. They’re just so much softer, warmer, and more beautiful than the males of the species.
Brianna, especially. The way her eyes light up when she’s surprised or amused. Those long eyelashes and her full lips that I can’t help but want to feel against mine. I have an idea of how she would feel against me, but I better not think about that because these swim trunks aren’t exactly going to hide any obvious signs of my attraction.
A blur of movement to my right interrupts my thoughts, and it takes me a second to realize it’s her, running at top speed toward the water.
“Last one in’s a rotten egg!” she calls over her shoulder.
Well hello, Ms. Lewis, running in a short purple skirt and halter swim top.
I sprint to catch up with her, hoping that will stop the blood from rushing to a certain area where I don’t want it. Seconds later, the warm water splashes against my shins as I watch her dive under the water headfirst.
She comes up a few metres away and turns, her hair slicked back as she laughs. “I win!”
Diving under, I come up right next to her, exhilaration zipping through me from my fingers to my toes. “No fair, I didn’t know we were in a race until it was half over.”
She stretches her arms out behind her, using them to propel her farther out into the sea. “I still won.” Pointing to a buoy, she says, “Race to that buoy. Loser has to do all the pedalling on the way home.”
Without waiting for an answer, she takes off, her arms cutting through the water like she’s an Olympian. I laugh for a second before I pursue her, wanting very much to catch her, spin her around, and kiss her hard on the mouth.
Damn, she’s fast. I think she’s going to beat me. I pump my legs with fury, but it’s no use. She’s got me.
She reaches the buoy first, slapping it before turning to me and cheering. “Victorious! Looks like you’ll be pumping, and I’ll be riding later.”
I stop in front of her and give her a scandalized look. “I’ll most certainly say yes to that.”
Her eyes fly open. “That came out wrong. I meant you’ll be pumping me… No! Shit. Not pumping,pedalling.The pedals. Of the bike. I’ll be riding the bike, and you’ll be pedalling it. Not me.”
Closing her eyes, she scrunches up her face for a second. When she opens her eyes, she stares down at the water and says in a small voice, “Yay, I won.”
I burst out laughing, and she splashes me while she tries not to laugh.
