‘Then just tell me what you mean,’ I reply, trying to keep the exasperation out of my tone.
‘What I mean.’ He pauses, inhales, and sits forward again, threading his arms around my waist, his mouth at my ear. ‘Honestly? I want nothing more at this moment than to take you upstairs, make you lose the attitude and the bikini. Watch your face as I fuck you into some semblance of understanding. Fuck whatIfeel right into you.’ The end of his sentence draws off into a growl.
I almost convulse on the spot. My body shudders, his words a heat rushing through my bloodstream, swimming just under the surface of my skin, igniting in my mind and exploding in my core. My skin feels inexplicably alert, and I have a sudden urge to make this right, this thing between us. To make it better. And, obviously, on a more fundamental level, I just want what he wants. And I want him.
The towel falls to the bed as I stand and hold out my hand.
‘Come on, then.’ I try to take all emotion—excitement, trepidation, the urge to yellwheeee, out of my voice as his dark-lashed eyes make a slow progression up the length of my body, hooded eyes finally finding my own.
‘To?’
‘I’d tell you to take me to bed or lose me forever but the line’s a bit dated. A bit over-done.’
‘Are you making improper advances, Miss Saunders?’ His expression softens but is still a touch unsure.
‘Consider this a note from your teacher: See me. Upstairs.’
‘What about your friends?’ he asks, smile widening a touch.
I make a face as though considering this, then, ‘I’m not much into the group thing. Besides, my flat doesn’t have room.’
As he laughs, probably against his better judgement, he rises and takes my outstretched hand. Towering over me, a long finger tilts my chin.
‘Restitution?’ Fire still smoulders in his gaze, though his mouth is still a touch amused.
‘What? Oh, maybe in that case, someone needs to spank us both.’
His tentative smile transforms into a heart-stopping grin, like the rays of the sun breaking through a cloudy day and disappearing almost as quick. One minute my feet are on the tiles, the next they’re in the air as I find myself over his shoulder, arms hanging across his back as his large hands hold me by my knees.
‘Hey, put me down!’ I squeal as he moves towards the pool. For a mad moment, I think he’s going to launch me into the water and I’ve just gotten dry! Grabbing the waistband of his shorts, I cry, ‘No, Kai. Please not again!’
‘I love it when you beg.’ His voice is just a touch too loud, and he slaps my bikinied behind for emphasis.
‘Oi!’
Loosening my grip on the waistband of his shorts, I push my palms against the flat of his back to raise my head, desperate to hang onto the remaining fragments of my dignity. Girls giggle and guys snigger as we pass through their ranks. Matt is among them, looking seriously put-out as Kai bounds away, with me bouncing against his back.
‘You kids take care,’ Niamh calls in obvious delight.
I flip her the bird as best I can.
