"Wait, I think I saw you earlier at the bar, actually! Were you actually there?"
Jasper nods, easing up. "Yeah, I was!"
"Right, right—" I say, chuckling. "We are in the line. I was the one with my hands around Rava's neck. He was rubbing my arm, remember that?"
Jasper lets out a little laugh. "Yeah, yeah, I saw you!"
My smile drops. "Good. Then if you've got even a little bit of a fucking brain, you'll understand that Rava is not someone you get to play your desperate little games with. Have some fucking respect. Jesus Christ."
Rava's eyebrows jump. Jasper opens his mouth to speak. "You're hovering around him like a lost dog, and I've let it go. I've watched you stare at him like he's candy and you forgot your fucking manners. You lean in every goddamn second like maybe if you breathe enough of his air he'll fall into your lap."
I point at him. "I've been nice. I've let you talk. I even let you sit next to him.Touchhim. But if you don't back the fuck off—" Pause. Lean closer.
"—I will make sure the next guy you crush on doesn't even look your way again."
Jasper just sits there, stunned. I tilt my head. Smile again. "I think your friend's calling you," I say, nodding toward the girl from earlier. "You've left her alone for so long. Why don't you go check on her? Go on. Like the good boy you are."
Jasper stands up, brushing sand off his shorts. He doesn't look at either of us. "Damn," he mutters. "I don't have the energy for this." He shakes his head once. "You win, alright?"
I lean back on my elbows, cocky as hell. "There wasn't a competition to begin with, you fucker."
He doesn't answer. Just walks off. "Enjoy the party," I call after him. Cheerful.
When I turn back, Daisy, Lorenzo, and the guy from the tree are already watching. I flash them a thumbs up like I just won a round of Mortal Kombat. They all return it at once, grinning.
Daisy mimes wiping a tear. Lorenzo claps. I turn back to Rava. "Give me your hand."
He doesn't ask questions. Just gives it to me. I grip it and pull him up to his feet. "Come on," I say, already walking. "Let'sgo over there. I'm not letting our literal family watch us make out."
We head toward the water, feet sinking into the cool sand. Rava looks at me like I've grown wings or dropped out of the sky.
"What?" I ask, narrowing my eyes, water lapping around our waists. He grins. "That is so hot."
"Hot?" I scoff. "I almost strangled him."
"Exactly, that’s hot," he says. I shove him lightly, splashing water between us. "Don't laugh. Why didn't you say something to him?!"
"I wanted to see when you'd lose it," he shrugs, smug. "Good thing I waited. That was incredible." He steps forward. His hand finds my chest. Then my jaw.
He kisses me. Soft at first. I melt.
God, I'll never get tired of those lips. I grab his face with both hands and kiss him harder, hungrier. It turns messy fast, mouths open, tongues sliding, his breath catching between kisses.
We sink deeper into the sea. My hands move down, gripping his ass, pulling him in flush against me.
"Feel that?" I murmur against his mouth.
Rava laughs, his forehead against mine.
"In cold water?! That'sactuallyimpressive."
I smirk. "You bring it out of me, sweetheart."
34) Take It, Angel
Gio
We are still in the sea. The water is warm around us. But I'm burning. From the inside out. He's so close I can feel his breath against my mouth. His lips almost touch mine.
