Chapter Five--If I'd Know That Would've Happened...

Yeah, you’re meeting the definition of anti-social here. She’d much rather sit at home and read, than go exploring this big wide world.” Lola patted my arm affectionately.

Carmen cleared her throat. “There’s nothing wrong with that. Too many humans aren’t worth the air they breathe.” Syber elbowed her. “What? Oh, yes. People.”

“So,” Lexi said after an awkward moment of silence. “What else do you do besides read?” She purred. And I mean purred.

I started to answer, but Lola laughed. “You’re seeing the original Martha Stewart here. She cooks, oh-my-God, does she cook. But never with a recipe. That’s the only wild thing she does, creating something of nothing. Her fried chicken is simply orgasmic.”

“Okkkay,” I mumbled under my breath.

“What? You’re a domestic goddess, what can I say? It has been beyond a pleasure living with you these past four years. One day, you’ll make a man a king, I swear.” She eyed Kalvyn.

I leaned into her. “Laying it on a little thick, aren’t you? And really, I can speak for myself.”

Lola ignored me, and dug into her beach bag, coming up with a bag of chocolate almond cookies. “Jackpot. The girl baked, like all week for this trip.” She tossed the bag into the center of the circle, just shy of the fire pit. Try one, just one, and you’ll know heaven.”

I rubbed my temple, blushing profusely as they compiled. I’d kill her. She wasn’t done. That evil glint in her eye said more than enough. My comfort ratio plummeted to zero.

“Oh, these are awesome!” Sadie moaned through a mouthful of cookies. She tossed one to Quinn. “Eat.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Distracted by his fire, he absently chomped, then paused. He shoved the rest into his mouth. Enough said, I suppose.

Kalvyn nabbed one, breaking the morsel in half and held the other out to me. “Dessert before lunch. I agree, you know how to treat a male.”

I playfully pushed him, the immoveable chunk of man that he was. Mischievousness looked good on him. Mind you, I hadn’t seen anything yet that hadn’t.

“Dogs are ready!” Quinn announced.

“Burnt logs of processed meat product you mean,” Roman said.

“Whatever, they’re still edible,” Quinn shot back.

“I think I’ll pass.” Lexi dragged the bag closer. “I got cookies, I’m good.”

Carmen pffted her. “I don’t think so. You will be sharing, if you know what’s good for you. That’s the only well-cooked food on this beach.”

Lola laid back, perched her glasses on the bridge of her nose, far too pleased with herself.

Quinn served me a relatively un-charred hotdog before anyone else, completed with all the fixings, and a cold beer. I offered Kalvyn some, and he leaned into me, tongue catching a smear of ketchup on my finger, then going in for a bite.

“Opportunist,” I said.

“When opportunity knocks…”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Lexi watched us with a dazed smirk.

Lola and Carmen knee-deep conversation about high heel shoes. Which were better, boots or open toe, the latest fashion. Syber and Kalvyn chatted me up. About baking, books I liked, movies they binged this week… We never ran out of things to talk about.

An hour passed in the blink of an eye.

I stood and stretched, back tight from staying in one position too long.

“I’m going for a swim,” I said to no one in particular.

“I’m down for that,” Quinn replied, nudging Carmen. “You need to cool off a bit. You’re looking mighty hot.”

“Shut up,” she said with an amused glint. Friends with benefits?

“Lola?” I nudged her with my foot.

She rolled over. “Quality tan time, girl. Go forth and get wet.”

“Right.” I stilled as Kalvyn and Lexi leapt to their feet in smooth motions, mirroring each other.

“To the water.” Lexi pumped her fist into the air.

I hooked my thumbs in my shorts and stepped out of them, trying not to think how built and beautiful Carmen appeared as she padded down to the water. Too late to second guess my bikini. I should’ve chosen a one-piece, covered in an oversized t-shirt

I turned and collided with Kalvyn’s sun-soaked chest. He braced me with strong, warm hands.

“Damn,” he said after a long exhale.

I skirted him, careful to examine my feet as I headed for the water. Once I was far enough away, my breath expelled in short gasps.

Quinn tossed Lexi into the lake and dove in after her. Carmen shook her head, wading in to the waist, running her fingers through her long blonde hair. She looked over her shoulder, and a small smile touched her mouth. Her attention shifted from Kalvyn to me, then back.

“I like you,” she said to me. “Much better than the other Kalvyn brought around.” Speechless, I stared back. “You should come to my site this evening. We plan to party until dawn. Bring the loud mouthed one. I like her as well. Says what’s on her mind and doesn’t care what others think of her. I respect that.”

Startled, I nodded. “Will do.”

She stared down Kalvyn with a disproving tilt to her lips.

“Good. We need better company around here.” She disappeared under the water, as her compact body glided under the lapping waves.

Kalvyn’s arm touched mine. “I’m impressed.”

I craned my neck, battling the sun with a hand over my eyes. “Why?”

“Carmen hates everybody who isn’t her own. In an hour you managed to get an invite. That hasn’t happened before.” His head bent.

I thought he might kiss me. I had no business hoping for such a thing, but I was anyway.

My lips parted, tongue swiping over my bottom lip. At his sides, his hands clenched. His pupils dilated, swallowing up those unusual green irises. Bewildered by him, the lapping waves tickling my ankles, I leaned into his chest. His throat worked as he swallowed.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispered.

Kiss me, kiss me, please, for the love of chocolate and sex, kiss me.

He shook himself and straightened. “You wanted to go swimming.”

“Yeah, that was what I wanted.” I enunciated each word with care.

Cue his brilliant mischievousness. “Audiences aren’t my thing. Is it yours?”

Now that he said it, I was quite aware of too many gazes set on us. Everyone froze, making me feel one hundred percent more awkward than before. Lola grinned at us, eyes far too knowing.

“Why am I so drawn to you?” I blurted. I chastised myself. Who even said something like that!

“I have my suspicions, Katrina,” he said. Suspicions? Say what? “Just know the attraction goes both ways.”

I positively glowed. Shaking my head, I sloshed by him. He caught me in his arms, thre