Page 23 of The One

She poked the middle of my chest. “Same goes for you.”

“You don’t want any guys touching me?” I smiled.

“Oh my God. I can’t with you.”

I pulled her closer, laughing. “I hear you, and you have nothing to worry about.”

“It’s funny, you know I hate beer, but every time I smell it on your breath, I like it a little more.”

I’d only had one, and I wouldn’t have more than two, not when I had to drive, which I’d done today. I was surprised she could even smell it.

“Tell me what else you like.”

Her gaze lifted to the top of my face. “How your hair is so black that it has hints of blue.” Her fingers followed her eyes, touching the strands that were on my forehead. “And how, when you kiss me, this roughs up against my skin and burns and tingles at the same time.” She was now on my scruff. “And how your lips are always so soft.” Her thumb swiped across the top and bottom one. “And the way you smell, a combo that’s like wood and liquor, married together in the most delicious way.”

“You can thank my mom for that. She puts a few bottles of that cologne in my stocking every year.”

“Don’t ever change it.”

“Keep going.”

She leaned up on her elbow. “My favorite part is that whenever your hands or arms are on or around me, I feel like nothing could ever get through. A shield of protection, I guess you could call it. And I love that so much.”

“I wouldn’t let anything in. Ever.” I held my lips close to hers as I spoke. “You never have anything to worry about when you’re with me.”

“And I love that I feel as though it’s just us, regardless of where we are or what we’re doing. We’re currently surrounded by a beach full of people, and I wouldn’t know there’s a single person on it.” The back of her fingers stroked my scruff.

“My presence alone makes you feel that way?”

“And your eyes. It’s more than just a gaze or stare, it’s a feeling. When we were in class, I knew whenever you were looking at me. This crazy rush would come through me, and my skin would break out in goosebumps.”

I traced up her neck. “Just like it is right now.”

“You make it hard for me to breathe.” She stayed silent for a moment. “Rhett … what if I told you I don’t want to spend the day at the beach?” Her eyes were changing the longer she looked at me, almost appearing devious.

“I’d say, let’s go. I’ll take you wherever you want.”

“Really?”

I huffed, surprised she even questioned it. “Really.”

She filled her cheeks with air, as though she was trying to hide her smile. “I need to make sure my sister can get a ride home. I’ll be right back.”

She pushed herself up from the towel we were sharing, and I watched her walk toward the water, where Penelope was splashing in the waves with my quarterback. Timothy had dumped his girlfriend for the summer, and I wasn’t surprised at all that he’d set his sights on Penelope. According to my team, Penelope was the hottest girl in the school, which meant Lainey was too—they were identical to everyone but me. But my guys wouldn’t give Lainey that title—they knew I’d kill them if they looked at my girl in that way.

I stared at Lainey’s ass the entire way to the surf; the small bottoms of her suit covered the middle of her butt, but the outer edge was showing.Fuck. The way it led to her sexy, bare back with her long hair hanging down the middle of it was making my dick even harder. I adjusted myself within my trunks and sat up, holding my bent knees close to my chest.

Lainey only had to step a few feet into the ocean before Penelope came running over to her, my quarterback joining them. He listened to them for just a few seconds before he turned his attention to me.

I waved him over, and once he was close enough to hear me, I said, “Take care of Penelope today.”

He stood in front of my towel with his hands on his hips. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Lainey and I are leaving, so I’m just asking you to watch out for her. Make sure she gets a ride home and gets there safely.” I nodded at him. “You know what I’m talking about.”

“I’ve got her. Don’t you worry.”

“You promise?”