But what I’ve never had with anyone besides Marshall is that exciting buzz of attraction.
You know the one that makes your nerve endings come alive whenever they’re near?
That one that makes your knees weaken when they look your way.
And makes speaking to him awkward because you’re afraid you’ll say the wrong thing.
Or worse, you won’t be able to speak at all.
He’s the only guy I’ve ever been so anxious around. It took me a long time to force myself to stop caring what he thought and push past my nervousness. I’m finally at the point where I’m comfortable interacting with him, and I relish any opportunity where I can give him shit about anything. It’s always fun to put that asshole in his place.
But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit how my pulse has a tendency to speed up when he’s near. Whenever my eyes land on him, a hum of appreciation runs through me, and it’s taken a lot of practice to master not letting it show. I won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing I still harbor feelings for him. I’ve never told Maddie about that night, and I probably never will.
We stay on the beach until the tide rolls in and we’re forced to leave. Stepping on the back deck of our temporary abode, I shake the sand out of my towel before hanging it over the railing. Setting my beach bag on a chair, I take my damp hair from the ponytail, shaking the salt-coated length free. God, I need a shower and to get out of this sandy bikini.
“Hey, neighbor,” a deep voice calls out. I spin around to find a tall, blond god standing on the deck at the house next door.
“Hi.” I smile, my eyes doing a quick scan of his golden, muscular torso. “Are you the neighborhood welcoming committee?”
“Today, I am.” He winks, walking to the railing closest to me. I do the same until we’re separated by only about fifteen feet.
“I’m Clover. It’s nice to meet you.”
“I’m Kent. It’s very nice meeting you, Clover. Where are you from?” He focuses on my face, and I’m impressed with his ability to avoid checking out my boobs.
My fingers grip the white composite railing. “Boston. My best friend, Maddie, and I are here for vacation. What about you?”
“I’m from Connecticut. This place belonged to my grandparents, and now it’s mine.”
“Oh, nice… about the house being yours… not your grandparents passing away,” I clarify, and he chuckles.
“No worries. They’re actually still around. I mean that they’re alive, not that they’re haunting this house.” His blue mirth-filled eyes tease as well as his words.
I laugh. “I didn’t think you meant your house was haunted, but hey, that would be pretty cool if it were.”
He tips his head. “Did I say it wasn’t haunted?”
I nod my head. “Uh huh, it’s too late to go back now.”
“Well, if haunted houses are your thing, would I be wrong to assume you like horror movies?”
“Nope, you wouldn’t be. I enjoy them very much.”
“How would you like to come over for dinner and a movie?” he asks.
I’m not usually tempted to spend time with someone I don’t know, but he’s already so likable. “I’d love to, but it’s our first night here. This is supposed to be a girls only vacation…” I trail off, shrugging. I don’t want to be the girl who casts her best friend aside for a hot guy. Kent makes it difficult not to be tempted to do exactly that, but I care too much about Maddie to treat her so poorly.
“How about tomorrow night, then?” he persists with a charming grin.
God, he’s like the epitome of my ideal guy in looks and personality. Maybe I shouldn’t waste this opportunity. What if I regret it later?
Besides, I know Maddie would want me to accept the invite.
“Come on. Say yes. My family has owned this house for generations without any mishaps. I promise I’ll escort you safely back home right after the movie.” At least he’s not assuming he’s getting lucky.
“Okay,” I relent. “Tomorrow night. What time?”
“Six o’clock sharp. Come on over to the deck. I’ll be out here waiting.”
“Can I bring anything?” I question.
“Just yourself. I’ll take care of the rest.” He smiles.
I step backward from the railing. “I’ll look forward to seeing you then.” Turning, I walk toward the nearest slider, scooping my beach bag up on the way. Right before I step inside, I peer back at Kent, finding him standing there watching my every move. I wiggle my fingers in a wave, disappearing from his view as I step inside.
Lying on a chaise on the deck off my room, the ocean breeze wafts over my skin. Staring out at the dark sea, listening to the waves rumble into shore, I could stay right here forever.
But you’d miss seeing Marshall.
His gorgeous face pops into my head. Groaning, I try to immediately dispel the image, but there’s no such luck. And being the asshole he is, he overstays his welcome.
Giving in to my weak moment, my brain brings up the memory that’s both my favorite, and my least favorite, as if it happened yesterday and not four years ago...
“Maddie, you might as well admit you like him. It’s not like I can’t tell.”
“Fine. I’ll admit I think he’s hot, but I’m not dumb. Shaw is Marshall’s best friend, how do you think that would go over?” she asks.
I nudge her with my elbow. “There’s only one way to find out.”
She lets out an incredulous harrumph. “Not likely.”
I pop my shoulders up and down in a quick shrug. “Whatever. Do what you want. I’m not gonna harass you about him. There are plenty of boys to choose from. Shaw Masters isn’t the end all be all.”
Not like Marshall is.
I’ve been crushing on my best friend’s older brother for the past year, and there doesn’t seem to be any way to put an end to my attraction. No matter how hard I try to squelch these pesky feelings I have, they persist.
And it’s not like he’s ever encouraged me.
I spend a lot of time at the Winters’ household, and Maddie’s dad treats me like I’m part of the family. While Marshall barely acknowledges my existence, aside from an occasional grunt or a chin raise in my direction. What can I say? Maybe I have a thing for gorgeous guys who ignore me.
Groaning internally, I roll over to my stomach. “I’m gonna run downstairs and get a snack. Do you want anything?”
“Sure.” She nods. “Bring me something good.”
“I got you.” I slip from the bed and pad across the wooden floor on bare feet. Doing my best to be quiet, I head down the stairs and into the dark kitchen. I don’t bother turning on the overhead light since there’s a small one already on above the stove. Reaching inside the freezer, I grab two ice cream sandwiches and step back, allowing the door to swing shut.
“What have we here?” a deep voice questions.
“Aah,” I shriek, dropping both ice creams.
Marshall steps forward, chuckling. My eyes take in his thick, tousled hair. I’ve always wondered what those dark locks would feel like between my fingers.