Max was always someone who never took anything too seriously. Whenever it was just him and I he would laugh and smile, acting like the life of the party. But I saw how reserved he was with others. I wanted them to see him how I did back then. Looking at him now, cracking jokes with a goofy grin, it's nice to see that little boy came out of his shell.
When we make it to the rest of them, they’ve already started setting everything up. A large blanket has been laid along the beach with separate bags and coolers on each corner. Zane is stabbing several umbrellas into the sand, lining them up for a continuous shaded space. Kade’s blowing up floaties, Ryder’s pulling out drinks, it all seems… excessive.
Is this how it’s always been, or have I changed that much over the years, I’m no longer used to the basics?
Picking my spot somewhere near the middle of the fabric, I glance at my phone. It’s twelve-thirty and I have an hour and a half until I’m due to meet my target. The walk over there shouldn’t take more than fifteen minutes, but what the hell am I going to use as an excuse to take off?
After an hour of lounging in the sun, my guys are in various states around me. Max and Ryder are volleying a ball back and forth in the water, while Kade—forever the techie—scrolls on his phone beside me. Zane has wandered off in search of a bathroom, and this gives me the perfect opportunity to look for a way out.
There’s a guy off to the side, whom I’ve noticed keeps glancing my way. Whenever I shift positions, or stand, his eyes lock on me and I can feel his stare like a permanent vibration against my skin. Now, I may be an assassin, and I may be in a constant battle with my inner darkness… but I’m not blind. I know I’m fucking hot and can pull almost anyone’s attention. So I use it to my advantage.Unashamedly I might add.
Standing up to brush the sand from my dress, his eyes follow me once again, but this time I’m coming for him. With a little more sway in my hips, I wander over to the hottie in the red trunks.
“Hey,Sugar. Didn’t think I’d miss you lookin’ my way, now did ya? Is there something you wanted to ask me?” Sidling up to him, he jumps to his feet, eyes lingering against each part of my skin on the way up. I bite my lip, stretching my one arm across my body to hold onto my elbow, pushing my chest up into a better view.
“Just wondering which one of those lucky bastards gets to call you his,” he replies, a soft grin curling on his face. I smirk, tipping my head back and leaning into his chest so my lips are brushing against his ear.
“Oh, Sugar. No one claims me.” My tongue darts out, licking at his earlobe in a teasing touch. Goosebumps rise against his skin as his breath falters. Drops of sweat gather along his hair line, gliding along the rigid lines of his jaw.Temptress strikes again.
“Well then. Maybe I can interest you in—”
“Hey, babe. We’re all headed to get something to eat. You comin’?” Ryder asks, cutting off the handsome man in front of me. Possessively throwing his arm around my shoulders, he slides himself into the place directly beside me. Shooting him a glare, I wonder what the hell he’s trying to prove, now that he’s smashed any and all chance I had to use this guy.
“Yup. Will meet you over there, Ry,” I grit out with a tight jaw.
He nods, jogging back towards the others and the parked food truck, as I close my eyes and let off a sigh.Fucking damn it.Already knowing what I’m going to find, I flutter open my eyes and sure as shit, there it is. The scowl.
“Wasn’t aware there was a difference betweenbeing with someoneandclaiming…,” he jeers, his eyes narrowing with a look of contempt as he grabs his stuff and huffs off.
I turn on my heel, my own gaze locked. Shooting eye daggers at the back of Ryder’s over-inflated, egotistical head. My feet slamming against the sand and causing it to fly up as I head straight for him.
“What the hell was that?!” I shout when I enter his space bubble.
“What are you talking about, Bear?”
“That little show you just put on,Ry.”
His face scrunches, one brow raising and one furrowing. Giving me a look like I’ve just sprouted a third arm. The smallest curl of a smile hints at the corner of his mouth and the moment my eyes track it, I burst.
“You fucking cock-blocked me, you asshole!” My hip pops to the side, and my arms cross over my chest as I heave each breath through my lungs. We are not children anymore. I’m a grown ass woman and if I want to play with a new toy, I can!
“Who? That fool? Please. He probably doesn’t even know how to handle a woman, let alonepleaseone,” he scoffs, the grin on his face getting wider. He turns, facing the others once again, who at least have the decency to look scared.
“Oh? And what, you do?” I snarl, closing the distance between us so I’m directly against his chest. My finger poking into his pec as I enunciate my words. “We’re not playing whack-a-dick here, Ry. You can’t just storm in and swat away any guy I talk to anymore.”
His mouth opens and closes like a gaping fish, but it’s clear he has no idea how to respond. Both of us just stuck staring at each other as if it’s become a competition. Luckily, the alarm on my phone goes off, vibrating against my hand.
I need to leave soon if I’m going to make it on time. Trying to get away with the beach hottie took nearly all of the spare time I had, and it didn’t even work!Thanks a lot, Ryder. Way to play knight in shining armor at the wrong damn time.
J’s debt still hangs over my head and this is the only way out. There’s no way I’m fucking this up and still owing him, which means it’s time to get rid of my unwanted body guards.
With a quick look around, I see my next plan to get away. It’s a long shot, but it’s all I’ve got right now. My eye’s fix on the tip of Max’s shoulder, clocking the familiar shade of ruby red. A defined contrast to his tanned skin. This will be a weak excuse at best—especially for my standards—but I might be able to slip away without them suspecting a thing.
“Max-a-million, my darling,” I begin, dropping the stern face I’d been carrying for a gentler, playful smile. Skipping to his side, I latch onto his arm and tilt my head to the left, staring into his warm chocolate eyes. “Have you not learned, even after all these years, what a bottle of sunscreen looks like?”
My fingers trace over the reddening surfaces, following the curve of his shoulder down and across his chest. His eyes mimic my movement, and a small shiver wracks through him even with the sun’s blazing heat against his skin. His Adam's Apple bobs with an audible swallow, as he wets his lips and once again meets my gaze. The tension between us is rising, and I can’t help it when my eyes flicker to his mouth. It looks soft, inviting, and I have to tense my thighs to control the heat pooling low in my gut.
“I-I forgot,” he stutters, flushing with red on the tips of his ears.
