“Give me a swig of that,” Vee said, taking it from him. He winked at her, and she grinned. “You horny?”
“Vee, baby, I always am.”
I cringed. Vee and Callum? I mean… they were party animals, so it made sense. I shook the thought away as I grabbed my duffel. Lo already went inside, and I took a minute to breathe in the fresh air.
“Hey.”
Dean appeared behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist as he lifted me. “You smell good.”
“Put me down.” I swatted at him, laughing. I spent the night with him last night, and it had been just like the hotel: amazing, hot, sweet, and perfect.
He spun me around and cupped my face, his gaze sweeping across the front as his lips curled up. Then he kissed me. “Mm.”
“Had to sneak that in?”
“Yes. Who knows if we’ll get alone time ever with this crew.”
“Fair point.” I grinned at him. I loved how he stared at me, like he took mental notes of every part of my body that he would recreate later. “We’ll see how many items I can knock off the list tonight.”
“You know my plans.” He winked.
“You two, get in here. We’re doing shots and then going out on the lake.”
“Seems like a smart choice,” I said. “Drinking and swimming.”
“We’re gonna sit on rafts and float, and I’m gonna stare at your ass in a swimming suit.” He reached down and squeezed my butt. “Mm, I love this.”
“Knock it off, Romano.” I walked away from him, swaying my hips more than usual. I went inside, and my mouth dropped. This place was insane. Windows everywhere, beautiful woodwork, a bar top. Callum held a tray of shots as he passed them out, and I stood next to Oliver.
“You know about this secret place?”
“No. I’m kinda pissed it took until senior year to learn.” Oliver clinked his glass with mine. “What kind of friend hides this?”
“To our summer before senior year!” Callum yelled, and we all took our shots.
Music played, more shots were poured, and I laughed more than I had in months. Minutes turned to hours, and one drink turned to three. Things were getting silly.This is what I wanted. This was what I missed.There was an impromptu dance party where Oliver got way too drunk and danced on the bar.
Vee cheered him on to strip, and he did.
“Holy shit.” Lo appeared next to me, her cheeks red from drinking. “This is happening.”
“I can’t stop watching.”
Oliver removed his shirt and tossed it at Vee. She caught it and swung it around her head like a helicopter. “More, more,” she shouted.
Oliver then removed his shorts and thrusted in his boxers.
This was wild.
I wore my two-piece bikini that tied in the front and really showcased my ass. It was one splurge I bought a few months ago but never wore it to actually flirt with someone, and I loved how every time I found Dean’s gaze, it was on my ass.
Vee pulled Lo into a dance, and the second she was focused on Vee, someone pulled my finger.
“Come with me,” Dean said, his voice a whisper.
My stomach swooped as he held my hand, guiding me through the house and into the backyard. It was dusk, so fireworks would start soon. It was light enough to see other houses near them but dark enough to maybe make out? That was what I wanted. “Kiss me, Romano,” I said, running my fingers over the waistband of his swimming suit.
“Plan to.” He walked us to the dock, and he stopped and crossed his arms. “Take off your suit.”
