Page 22 of Infatuated
She nods but doesn’t answer. Something’s not right, though; I can feel the unease rolling off her body. She tilts her head up, the sky is completely dark now. She points out a few of the large constellations, and when her finger dips lower to the horizon, she points out Cassiopeia.
“Do you know her story? How she came to be?” I ask, taking both her hands in mine.
“She pissed off Poseidon, saying she and her daughter were more beautiful than the sea spirits. I forget what they’re called, though.”
“Nereids.”
Her face lights up. “Guess you already know the story. Why am I even telling you?” she chuckles.
“Because I like when you talk. It makes me happy.” I take a small step closer, wanting to have her scent around me.
“Thanks.” Her smile fades as she continues. “This is happening so fast. I really like you, but I’ll leave in another week. It’s not fair.”
I lift a hand to her cheek and brush my knuckles along her fair skin. “We haven’t done anything yet we can’t take back. We’ll take it slow. Like you said, we have a week left, and it’s not like we can’t stay in touch, you know, if you want. The internet is great.” I smile wide, showing her my perfect teeth and hoping to see her smile.
We both look up right as a shooting star passes above our heads. “Make a wish,” I whisper into her ear.
She closes her eyes, her lashes fanning against her smooth skin, and presses her lips into a thin line as she concentrates. She blinks them open and looks at me.
“What’d you wish for?” she whispers.
I grin. “I can’t tell you that; otherwise, it won’t come true.”
I want more time with this girl. That’s my wish tonight. It’s not even about sex at this point. I mean, it would be great to get this boner to go away, but it’s more than that. There’s something about her that intrigues me. I want all the other guests to go away so I can focus on her for the rest of the time she’s here.
Her scent fills my senses as I roam my eyes over her body. She squirms under my attentive gaze. Even in the darkness, I can see her fidget. I brush my lips over hers, and she gives me a breathy sigh, her hands squeezing mine. I do it again, just to hear that sinful sound flow past her lips. She’s a drug. Everything about her draws me in, my own personal high.
My phone buzzes, effectively ruining the moment. I glare at the screen in annoyance. It’s Dad telling me to come back. We’ve been gone for almost two hours, and it barely feels like any time as passed.
“Gotta head back. It’s getting late.”
Molly and Holden are wrapped around one another—again.
“Hey, get a room,” I call out. Holden extends his middle finger in my direction and continues to kiss her.
When we get back and walk the girls to their cabins, I get a chance to talk to Holden. We divert into the barn for a few minutes alone.
Kade, my horse, snorts at our intrusion, but when he hears my voice, he calms down and goes back to gnawing on some hay.
“Be careful with her, Holden. I’ve never known you to get involved with a guest. What’s different about her?” I stroke Kade’s mane, distracting myself from the question I really want to ask.
“I’m being careful. She’s the one who came on to me. Told me she’s looking for some fun and then, when we were taking a break from riding, came on to me. She’s hot and bored. Her dad wanted to try his hand at being a cowboy. She’s going through a ‘screw you phase’.” He shrugs. “Not my problem. I’m just the lucky bastard who’s getting his dick wet.
“What’s going on with Lana? You guys seem to be spending a fair amount of time together. You hook up with her yet?”
I shake my head. “No. Although, we walked by the barn today and heard how much fun you and Molly were having. Maybe choose somewhere a little more private next time. There are too many guests around that could have heard you.”
He rolls his eyes, even though he knows I’m right. “All right, Ellis, spit it out. Clearly, something’s on your mind.” Holden gives me his full attention and crosses his arms.
I run my fingers through my shaggy brown hair. “I really like this girl. She’s fun, smart, and actually has a passion for something besides shopping. It’s a nice change. I just…” I huff out a breath.
“Just what?”
“I don’t want to fuck it up and get attached. I don’t need another girl trying to control me. She leaves next week. We’ll never see each other again.”
“So, do what I do—fuck and run. I’ve been trying to teach you my ways for a while now. Are you finally ready to learn? You don’t have anyone tying you down.”
Holden has such a calm demeanor about him. I don’t know how to float through life without a care in the world as to the opposite sex. Maybe I’m soft because I was with Kasey for so long and thought it was love. She was just using me, though. I see that now. She wanted the football player boyfriend, and I was more than willing to jump into that role.