I knew Lala would’ve told him about what happened with the boy in the dorm. It wasn’t that she was sharing a secret, I didn’t keep it so, but I never brought it up. It had made me nervous, and I think my sister thought that some people needed an explanation, so they didn’t think I was weird if I acted skittish.
“Is Andrey your friend that you’re here with tonight?” There had been another guy I hadn’t met before, a man with the most beautiful skin I’d ever seen, and eyes the colour of midnight.
“He is. He has a couple of gigs too, then he’s leaving mid-August to shoot a movie, but we can get some fun times in before that. It’ll be good if you’re around lots.” His finger danced on my shoulder.
I willed myself to feel something, some bite of attraction. He was gorgeous, potent with his boyishly bad beauty, and he’d never been an arrogant prick like some of the models Lala had hung out with.
“I’ll be around. It’ll be fun.” It would be. Days out on the boat, trips to Formentera, maybe to the mainland too. But my heart wasn’t racing like it had before, in Tommy’s dark bar, and my skin didn’t feel like it was on fire as it had when Tommy had been a few feet away.
“Good.” His word was whispered. “Are you free tomorrow night? I’d like to take you out, just the two of us. Let’s leave this lot to their debauchery.”
I smiled, mirroring his. “I’d like that.” Because I would. Even if that thrill wasn’t there, Monty was attractive, interesting. Tommy wasn’t in my league, I had to accept that, or try to at least.
“So would I. Can I surprise you with somewhere?”
I nodded. “I like most places on the island.”
“What if it isn’t on the island?”
My laugh surprised me. “Even better. Just let me know what to wear.”
His eyes glistened and his smile was dirty. “Anything you want. Or nothing at all. I think I’d prefer nothing, if I’m honest.” His feather touch slid down my arm and this time my skin tingled.
I felt relief. I didn’t want to spend my summer pining over a man who would likely tie me in knots of frustration. Monty was straightforward. Easy-going.
And he didn’t brood.
“We’ll save nothing for another time.”
“I’ll pretend I’m not disappointed.” He lounged back in the seat, his hand still on my arm, trailing over to my back.
I needed to know what a kiss would do, whether it would make my world tremble like it had with Tommy earlier. Tipping my head towards him was a simple move. It angled my face, so my lips were closer to his, my intent obvious. Permission granted.
It didn’t bother me that Monty had kissed Lala, probably more. We went to a fairly small school and the pool to fish from wasn’t huge. I didn’t think about my sister as his lips met mine. I didn’t think about what anyone would say if they saw us, or if someone took a photo and it ended up in the gossip columns.
I wanted to say I didn’t think about another man, as Monty’s tender kiss became more possessive, his tongue begged entry and I gave it.
I wanted to say Tommy was nowhere near my thoughts.
They would be lies. Beautifully crafted lies.
Monty may have owned my lips, but my head was filled with someone else, someone who’s brutal kisses made Monty’s feel too sweet, too tender. There was no roughness against my skin from dense stubble, or stolen touches that I gave willingly. Two weeks ago, I’d have welcomed Monty and his careful caress, but now, I needed more.
I wasn’t fragile glass, destined to crack from the simplest of heavy touches. I never had been.
“Monty! Jay! Come do shots!” The call was from one of Monty’s friends and it broke the weak spell we’d cast.
I felt relief rather than regret, the light buzz having completely worn off, and it hadn’t been replaced from being drunk from the kiss. I knew that give it a few dates, give it a few days since Tommy, and Monty would be what I needed.
“You want shots?” His hand lingered on the small of my back, a possessive touch that I wasn’t sure I liked.
“Maybe a couple.” Followed by water.
I heard Lala laughing, and saw her caught between two men, one of them Carl, the other someone I didn’t know. Her hand was on Carl’s chest, the other guy had his hand on her hip.
“I’ll grab us a couple of shots each and bring them over.” Monty’s hand dropped lower, brushing the top of my ass, before removing it completely.
Lala looked over and grinned, probably having seen the kiss.
