“I’m wet all over,” I tease, hoping to lighten the mood and elicit a more positive reaction from him.
Wrong thing to say. His eyes darken, his jaw tightening. Surprised by my own boldness, I can’t help but feel a thrill of excitement at his response.
He tries to resist the attraction, but the tension is palpable as we exchange glances.Is it just me, or is his breathing more pronounced than it was before?
I try to ease the increased tension with a soft smile.
“It was a joke. Because I was swimming. In the water. Which is wet. See?”
“Ha. Fucking. Ha.”
Okay, so he’s not one for jokes then.
That’s when it clicks.
It’s my grumpy next door neighbour.
Shit.
Does he recognise me without my clothes on? He already seemed to dislike me, and now he’sreallypissed.
Double shit, because he reallyisgood looking. Why is that this gruff, growly, grumpy arsehole does something I don’t quiteunderstand? Clearly, it’s the bump to the head messing with my judgement.
But you fancied him before today, Lani…
“Is your board okay?” I ask, trying to be nice and drag my thoughts out of the wet, sandy gutter. Away from the growing chemistry between us.
I should be more concerned about whether his board has given me a concussion, but I don’t want to be on bad terms with the boy next door all summer. Three months can be a very long time if neighbours are at war. Plus, I’d hate to put my grandmother in an awkward position once she returns.
“Probably dented. You better not have cracked it. If she starts taking on water, you’ll owe me for a new board,” he warns, but there’s a subtle shift in his tone. Maybe he’s notquiteas annoyed as he was?
“Be sure to let me know,” I reply, a hint of flirtation creeping into my voice, and he smirks.
“Oh, I will. I know where you live,” he retorts, his gaze briefly wandering over me. The way he says it sends an unwelcome shiver through me.
Issues, Lani, you’ve got ’em in spades.
The proximity between us sparks something undeniable, just like when I first laid eyes on him, and it makes me even more eager to get up. “Can I get up now?”
He hesitates, then gruffly tells me, “No.”
“I’m fine,” I insist, even though I’m fairly sure I’m not. I mean, I’m not quite seeing double, but there’s definitely a haze around his silhouette that’s swimming in and out of focus.
“I don’t want to risk you puking on me,” he teases, one corner of his mouth twitching. “You’ve done enough damage for one day and it’s not even six in the morning yet.”
His eyes leave mine and catch on something in the distance. When he returns his gaze to mine, it’s different. Somethinghas changed. His expression becomes more guarded, almost shuttered off completely.
Asserting myself, I push myself to a seated position, swallowing down the overwhelming nausea that threatens, and forcing my neighbour to move backwards to avoid being headbutted by me.
“Look,” I say softly, crossing my arms over my chest even though it pushes my boobs right up. His gaze drops to my chest and I flush. “I’m sorry that I fucked up your ride, your board,andyour day, but it was an innocent mistake. One which I’m paying for, and it won’t happen again. You don’t have to be quitesomean to me about it all.”
Shock registers on his face and for a moment his expression softens, but then his dark eyes harden.
“Clearly, you’re fine,” he mutters gruffly, before turning and stalking away.
I watch him walk away, feeling a mixture of outrage and attraction. It’s impossible to deny the magnetic pull drawing us closer, and I can’t help but wonder what will happen between us next.
But it’s not the same.