I swat at him, laughing despite myself. "Try to be serious for once."
"Iamserious," he says, grip tightening at my waist. "Deadly. Don't believe me?"
"I don't know. I want to."
He hums, more thoughtful than offended. "What would convince you? Want me to get your name tattooed?"
I flick water at him, making a face. "You hate tattoos. You said you'd never do it."
"Exactly." He rolls his eyes. "Which just proves how much I likeyou."
"Okay, but it only counts if it's visible. Not like—" I wave vaguely under the water, "—the crack of your ass."
His eyes flare wide in mock horror. "That would be incredibly painful. True commitment."
I shake my head. "Doesn't count."
He shrugs, unfazed. "Fine. Your call. Arm? Neck? My face?"
"God, no." My lips brush his cheek, just shy of his mouth, close enough to steal his breath. "Not your face. Not your neck."My hand drifts lower, pausing right above the trouble. "Or anywhere at all, actually."
That does it. In a flash, he has me pinned against the pool corner, water lapping high as he lifts my leg up, and I throw my arms around his neck.
"Say my name again, the way you did before," he says, sliding halfway inside me under the water.
I gasp, dropping my head on his shoulder. "Ben."
"I like how I sound in your mouth..."
And then we're gone again, wet-faced, kissing, half-dissolving into each other as the night spins into oblivion.
Until something catches my eye.
The second I notice it, my head twists to hide behind Ben's body.
We've been watched the whole time.
21
Ben:How are the cannoli?
Me:Did you intentionally stuff them beyond decency? They look X-rated
Ben:You were the inspiration. You bring out the best in me
Me:I knew you were going to make them btw
Ben:I know you knew
Me:And how exactly would you know?
Ben:Saw you in the fridge door, stalking me. You look ridiculously cute when you're trying not to sneeze btw
Me:Deleted. Denied till the day I die
Ben:Classic you
Me:I'm loving the cannoli though
