“Don’t tempt me,” I warn him. “Besides, all these things are so obvious. They’re things I liked years ago, too – things that everyone knows.”
“Then let me find out what you like now,” he says, leaning closer. He gently presses his lips between my neck and my shoulder, and my body shivers at the contact.
“You’re burning,” he says, pulling away slightly, sliding his sunglasses on and glancing at my shoulders. “You’re boiling.”
Another shiver climbs up my spine at the mention of those words from his perfect mouth. The same mouth that just touched me.
“Don’t you use sun cream?”
“I hate being smeared in that stuff. You know that.”
He smiles. “Yeah, I know. You see? I’m very informed when it comes to you.”
“Let’s just say that you’ve studied, but you’re falling behind. For example,” I say, leaning in towards his ear, “you don’t know that I like being on top.”
Nick splutters on his beer, starting to cough.
“Well, you said you wanted to know what I like now, so…”
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fall asleep now without that image in my mind.”
I know I shouldn’t have done it, but I can’t help myself. With Nick, I’m just…me. The girl who likes sport, who runs barefoot through the grass. The girl who laughs, who knows how to have fun. Someone who’s light-hearted, who lives in the moment.
With Nick, I’m just Casey.
And it’s exactly what I was missing.
“Not until you prove to me exactly how much you like being on top.”
“Er…” Someone clears their throat behind us.
“I don’t want to interrupt this…er…discussion…”
“What do you want, kid?”
“Do you seriously like being on top, Casey? Because, you know, if you like…”
“Hey!” Nick springs to his feet, planting himself in front of Evan.
“Look, I’m not a loser like him. I don’t need help to get a girl. Besides, I’m young, I’m strong…talented…”
I burst out laughing. “I’m sure you are, Evan. But maybe we can talk about it in a few years. What do you reckon?”
“Counting on it,” he says, winking at me.
“Do I have to come over there and rip your balls off?” Nick threatens him.
Evan stands his ground, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. He looks at Nick, satisfied.
“Anyway, I came here to tell you that we’re about to have a match.”
“Who?”
“I have to take down Ryan, and I need a team.”
“A team?” I jump to my feet, too. “I’m ready.”
“Obviously, you’ll be on my team, Casey.”
