The top of my head barely reached his shoulders. Leo towered over me and was more than twice my size with his broad chest, massive biceps and forearms, and long, athletic legs. He was perfection in every way, aside from all the women drooling over him as they walked past us. I could do without all the ogling eyes on him. But then, he was totally every woman’s wet dream.
So why was he here with me? Scarlett Smith dated cute, respectful, sometimes boring men. Not that I was dating Leo. I wasn’t sure what was happening between Leo and me other than Laney pushing me to let him deflower me. I shivered when the firmness in his shorts flitted into my head. I didn’t even want to imagine how it would fit inside my virgin pussy.
Laney pointed at the Ferris wheel. “We should ride it. Get it over with.”
“Okay.” I made a sad face, then craned my neck to look up at Leo. “We were going to do thisthingas sort of a tribute and good-bye to our best friend, Erin.” I swallowed, trying to not get emotional again. I was sure my face was blotchy. My eyes burned and were probably puffy. I must have looked god-awful. “I think we should part ways here.” Yeah, I was chickening out on sleeping with Lifeguard Leo. Pathetic, I know. I just didn’t want to embarrass myself with someone as… experienced and sinfully beautiful as him.
“What? I thought we were doing our own thing?” He leaned into me, placing his large hand on my cheek. I relished the feel of his touch, his scent. I should be so lucky to be with him, but I couldn’t.
“It looks like there are plenty of available options. You won’t be going home alone, I assure you.” My eyes darted around.
He pinched my chin. “I don’t want any of them—only you.” He kissed me again.
Like a silly, weak schoolgirl, I melted into him and even moaned. Leo’s lips and the taste of his tongue were so intoxicating I couldn’t help but get carried away with him again. It was a shame this was where we ended, but it would be one of my best memories ever.
Laney tapped my shoulder as if annoyed. “Enough, you two. We’re riding the Ferris wheel. If you’re still here, Lifeguard Leo, you can figure out how to get her to take you home.” She sounded snippy, but I wasn’t sure if it had to do with Leo not picking her or with me for changing my mind about him.
I sighed. “Honestly, Laney.”
“Deal. Go, do your thing. I’ll be waiting for you.” He kissed me once more.
“Fine. Whatever.” I slipped out of his arms and let Laney take me by the hand away from Leo.
As we got situated in our cart, my lips tingled and I throbbed down low. Neither were everyday occurrences for me. I rather liked the way I felt. It helped divert my mind off the excruciating pain in my heart and from almost drowning earlier. Thankfully I hadn’t swallowed much water because Laney grabbed me right away after the guy hit me.
“How are you doing?” Laney patted my knee, and the softer tone in her voice tore open my heart.
The ride started and I held her hand. “My heart hurts. I want this pain to go away, but that’s stupid. We just lost our best friend last week. I imagine we’re going to be sad and hurt for a long time.” The sting of tears returned. God, I hated crying so much.
“I don’t mean about Erin. Earlier could have been bad, Scar. I could have lost both of my best friends within a week of each other.” She swallowed thickly, and so did I.
“I just remember darkness, then light, thenhim.”
“Lifeguard Leo?”
“Yeah. What is going on, Laney? This day has turned into the craziest I’ve ever had.” My brain could hardly process everything that had unfolded today.
“I won’t argue with you. First, the funeral, then you almost drowned. Now you have this super-hot guy who seems to be fascinated with you.”
I snorted, rubbing my finger under my nose. Her comment nearly made me laugh, and thankfully, my tears instantly dried up. “He’s not. You said it yourself, he’s a manwhore. I’m just another conquest. A notch on his bedpost.”
“I don’t think so. Guys who only fuck women don’t hang with them. They don’t comfort or talk to them. They just have sex. Nothing more.”
I gazed at the Pacific Ocean. It was an enchanting sight from the top of the Ferris wheel. Sun rays bounced off the blue waters, making it shimmer and sparkle. Laney’s words tumbled through my head as the wind blew through my red hair, which was probably knotted and wild.
Why would Leo be interested in me? I was nothing but a hot mess. Heck, even on my best day I couldn’t live up to some of the beach bunnies. Maybe it was sympathy. He did seem like a really nice guy, despite being a bad boy surfer.
“Even if he did like me, it would never work. We’re too different.”
“Opposites attract.”
“My parents would hate him.”
“You’re an adult. It doesn’t matter what they think.”
She had a point, but… “It does to me. You know this.”
“Scar, why are you being difficult? You have a charming, stupidly sexy man who wants to sleep with you. Give this dude your V-card and enjoy the experience.”