“But I do.”
“Why?”
“Because you look like a guy who needs a watermelon.”
“I need more than that.” I raise my brows, and she tilts her head like she’s trying to solve a riddle. I guess, in a way, she is. This entire activity is stupid, but at least I’m getting to talk with her. The other models seem to be enjoying it anyway.
“Like what?”
“If you want me to take a fine watermelon,” I pretend to slap one. “off your beautiful hands,” I grab her wrist and pull her to me. “I’ll give you something far better than money.”
“And what’s that?” Her deep emerald eyes blink up endearingly at me. We no longer need to pass the mic because the space between us is scarce.
“Spend the night with me, and I’ll buy one of your watermelons.” She raises her brows in shock, and her mouth parts so slightly that I think her alluring lips are only for me to see.
“Deal.” She nearly whispers, and Lamé begins to clap, which makes everyone holler and cheer for us. It pulls me out of the moment, not just because it's abrupt and I’ve forgotten where we were, but because Lydia pulls away quickly, stepping off the stage and disappearing back into the crowd before I’ve had a chance to say another word. I hand the mic back to Lamé, who slaps me on the back and has me rejoin the crowd.
He goes on to explain what our papers said, and I tune him out as I look around at the faces to try and spot Lydia’s. She’s not here. I'm positive she’s gone off somewhere, and now I’m confused. Why did she rush off so quickly? This was only a game, though my offer to her still stands.
I am near the edge of the crowd as the next pair climbs the stage to perform their improv skit. That’s when I notice the fresh footprints in the sand. I know Lydia wasn’t wearing any shoes when we arrived at the beach, and it’s the only barefoot footprints leading down the beach. After glancing once more at Lamé to make sure he’s distracted, I follow them, quickly walking around the rocks and continuing until they’ve stopped and I see her. She’s sitting in the sand, knees pulled to her chest, looking out at the ocean.
I calmly walk to her and sit down, shoulders touching as I mimic her stance.
“You should go back to the group.” She studies the sky like there’s something she’s missed in its cloudless blue depths. I snort a laugh.
“Youshould go back to the group.” She doesn’t find this as amusing as I do— her bossing me around when she’s also in the wrong. “Did I do something to piss you off?” I frown, noticing her eyes look red.
“Were you crying?” I whisper, and she shakes her head, looking away from me again.
“I’m fine.”
“That wasn’t what I asked, Lydia.”
“Well, that’s how I answered. Get over it.”
I cock my head at her curtness. “Why are you so fucking stubborn?”
“Oh, I’m stubborn.”
“Yes.” I narrow my eyes at her. “You nearly let me make you come in public, only to ice me out afterward. You’ve barely touched me, even though we’re supposed to bebuilding chemistry.You–”
“You could have kissed me.” Lydia glares at me defiantly.
“I want to know you want me to kiss you.”
“I–oh, for fuck’s sake. Romeo–”
This timeshe’sthe one who kissesmebefore I’ve had a chance to say that part of the reason I’ve barely touched her is because I’m increasingly worried that she’s put me under some kind of spell or drug–she makes me feel insane. I don’t lose this kind of control with women, ever. But I don’t get a chance because Lydia is kissing me. I pull her astride me instantly in the sand, opening my mouth for hers as I run my hands over her breasts, her waist, down to her hips as I kiss her like my life depends on it.
Everything is spinning, and all I want is her. All I hold on to is her. I could fuck her right here— I’m gonna fuck her right here.
15
KIRA
What the fuck am I doing? I kissed him–I shouldn’t have kissed him. I should have kept teasing. Keeping a distance.
But I want it.I want him so fucking bad. I want every single one of his touches burned into my skin as I sit here suspended between disbelief and longing. I want the way he makes me feel to last forever. I feel like all I’ve ever known is violence, blood, and manipulation, and Romeo just makes me feel alive. Like a living, breathing human instead of an obsessed killing machine.