Page 54 of Revv

He holds my gaze for another second, like he’s making sure I mean it, then let’s go of my ankle and moves behind the board.

“Lie down.”

“I can sit.”

“You’ll fall.”

“I haven’t yet.”

“You almost did thirty seconds ago.”

“That was because you distracted me.”

His grin flashes, quick and cocky, as he braces one hand on the back of the board and gives it a small push toward shore. “Good to know.”

I narrow my eyes at him, “Revel.”

“Lie down, Mama.”

I mutter something in Spanish under my breath but turn onto my stomach, arms stretched along the board.

He pushes us back toward shore.

The closer we get, the louder everything becomes again. Music. The crew yelling. Someone cheering when Talon dives into the water fully clothed.

By the time we reach the shallows, my head is clearer.

Not clear, clear .

Just enough to know I let Revel lick my thigh in the middle of the ocean.

He holds the board steady while I slide off.

My feet hit the sand, and water pushes around my hips.

Revel stays close behind me.

Too close.

“So, you gonna pretend that didn’t happen too?” His mouth brushes close to my ear, voice low enough to send another stupid shiver through me. “Pretend you’re not still aching for me to finish what we started?”

I turn and plant a finger against his chest. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

He laughs, all smug and satisfied, then lifts the board and tucks it under one arm. “Course you don’t, Mama.”

I walk toward the beach without looking back, but I can hear him following through the shallows, close enough that I can feel him there anyway.

The crew spots us the second we reach the towels.

Bexley pushes herself up on one elbow. “How was the lesson?”

“I learned nothing.”

Revel drops the board beside Reign’s. “She’s a difficult student.”

I flip him off without breaking stride, and everyone starts laughing.

I grab my towel, wrap it tight around my waist, and head for my bag before anyone can look too closely at my face.