“Didn’t wanna disappoint you,” I said, sipping my own drink as we picked at the remains of our lunch. There was still beer and cake, but Hayden was already sitting back against the tree trunk, relaxed, one hand on his stomach.
It’d keep.
I crawled over to settle in next to him, humming happily as he curled an arm around my waist, resting my head on his shoulder.
This was nice.
“This has been a great summer,” Hayden said.
“It’s been two weeks,” I pointed out. “Not exactly a summer.”
“More of a summer than I’ve had in a long time,” Hayden countered. “Can we focus on thegreatpart?”
“We can focus on the great part,” I said. I was still thinking about how little time we had left, but I was determined not to ruin today.
I let my eyes fall closed as the waves crashed on the shore, sea birds calling to each other, a light breeze rustling through the leaves, and just the faintest hint of Hayden’s heartbeat under my ear.
The sound of Hayden’s phone going off almost broke my goddamn heart.
He fished it out of his pocket, frowning at the screen.
I sat up, grudgingly accepting that playtime was over, he had to get back to the real world, and we’d at least had a nice couple of hours.
“Where are you going?” Hayden asked.
“You’re busy.” I shrugged. “I don’t wanna be in the way.”
“You’re not in the way,” he said.
Then the most magical, surprising thing that’d happened all summer happened right in front of me.
Hayden tossed his phone into the picnic basket and closed the lid, settling back against the tree trunk and holding his arm out. Welcoming me back.
“It can wait,” he said. “This can’t.”
I swallowed, hesitated for a second, and then shuffled back to my spot, snuggling a little closer to him this time, even in the midday heat.
Hayden held me a little tighter, tilted his head back, and let his eyes fall closed.
I didn’t understand howanyonecould think he didn’t love them. He hadn’t said it, but he didn’t have to.
Everything he’d just done was the equivalent of screaming it at the top of his lungs. I’d never felt more like I mattered to someone in my entire life.
“Gimme half an hour,” he said. “And then we’re going swimming.”
24
Hayden
I hadn’t plannedon breaking out the tiny, lime green speedos Marissa had sneaked into my luggage under any circumstances, but Wes and I were alone, and Iknewhe’d get a kick out of them.
Right now, chest-deep in sun-warmed water with his legs around my waist, I was very happy with my decision.
Wes tasted of salt and lavender lemonade as he kissed me, fingers threaded deep in my wet hair, humming into my mouth. I could feel his hard-on rubbing against my stomach as I slipped my fingers into the back of his rainbow-striped swimming trunks, thighs tightening around me as I brushed a sensitive spot.
He’d been planning to teasemeall day, but two could play at that game.
“How are you so hot?” he asked, eyes dark, pink tongue darting out to lick his lips as he leaned back to look at me.
