Page 33 of The Expiration Date

Yup, the cover up is staying on.

But apparently, Anna has other plans.

“Aidan, hi! I’m gonna start warming up out there. I think your girlfriend needs some help applying her sunscreen.”

Instigator. Even though I feel super hot inside, I know that I probably look like a ghost right about now, as I feel the blood drain from my face. No way is Aidan Stone going to rub sunscreen all over my practically naked body. But what other choice do I have?

Act the part.

This is something a boyfriend would do.

As Aidan reaches his final destination, AKA the spot right next to me, I reluctantly hand over the SPF. Anna winks at me and starts running out to the court to greet the rest of the wedding party, including Robert who catches sight of me and Aidan sitting next to each other. His stare is interrupted by Julia, who throws her arms around Robert’s neck and starts making out with him. Stupidly, my feelings revert back to three years ago. I thought the upset stomach wouldn’t show up again, seeing them together. I thought last night was the last time I would feel my insides twisting in unbearable positions.

My intrusive thoughts come to a halt when the cool sensation of lotion hits my warm skin.

“Stop,” Aidan whispers in my ear, causing goosebumps to travel along my entire body. I’ll blame the cool sea breeze.

I furrow my brows. “Stop what?”

Aidan lets out a small laugh. “You think I need to see your face to know that you are closing in on yourself with your thoughts?” Damn, he’s good. “Stop comparing yourself to Julia. She has nothing on you, Hales. Trust me.”

I stay silent as he continues to rub lotion along the length of my back. Those intrusive past memories dissolve and I shudder a little when he slides his hands underneath the string of my bikini top and grazes the very top of my bikini bottom. This is uncharted territory, yet Aidan is quickly discovering it. And the scary thing is–I don’t hate it. It is terrifying how comfortable I am becoming every time Aidan touches me. Quick! Call the Academy! He could definitely win an Oscar for this performance because right now, he is convincing me this is real. I am discovering that Aidan has the innate ability to ground me in a way that no one else does. He always brings me back to the present and magically, my worries scatter into oblivion, even if only for a moment.

I hear the click of the sunscreen cap and Aidan clears his throat. “Okay, Swann. Are you ready to kick some ass?”

He stands up and reaches his arms down, helping me up. I take his hands and he lifts me off the ground with great ease. I wipe excess sand sticking to the back of my sweaty thighs. “Ready.”

The next thing I know, a squeal leaves my mouth as Aidan lifts me over his shoulder, my ass hanging in the air, my face in line with his butt. I try flailing my legs, and through a laugh, I plead, “Aidan, let me down.”

“Not a chance, Hales. Besides, I’ll do this all day if I could see that look on Robert’s face stay there for the remainder of the weekend. Like he wants what I have.”

I glance over. Robert’s expression is pure jealousy. Even though that wasn’t the intention, it is a little satisfying that the tables have turned. Now he is looking at me with someone else like that.

About an hour later, Aidan and I block the last spike from the opposing team. Icing on the cake? Robert was the one who attempted the spike.

“Dammit!” Robert yells out of frustration. Aidan has been shutting him down all game. It was seriously a sight to see two grown men volley back and forth as intensely as they did. Only once did Robert have a one-up on Aidan and his victory dance lasted for maybe a second before Aidan served the ball and it landed right in front of Robert’s dumbfounded face.

I could tell how defeated Robert was progressively getting during the game. It was always a tell that his nostrils started to flare. For a moment, I thought the sun was getting to him, but then I realized his face was turning red out of pure anger. That’s another thing about Robert. He hates to lose.

I turn to Aidan and high-five him. “You were absolutely ruthless! Robert doesn’t know what to do with himself. It’s almost unfair how good you are at volleyball.”

“Well, you know what they say, ‘All’s fair in love and war.’”

Before I can process what he just said, Aidan playfully scoops me up from behind and twirls me around, holding me so tight that he inadvertently tickles my sides. Did I mention that I am extremely ticklish? I squeal like a fricken teenager and start laughing so hard.

“Oh my god, put me down Aidan!” I plead between laughs. “You’re tickling me! Stop! I seriously can’t catch my breath!”

He lowers me to the ground and turns me around so I didn’t have the choice but to look directly at his Captain America (post super soldier serum) body. If I thought I was out of breath before, I was wrong. He lifts my chin up slightly and brushes the slightest kiss along my lips. Just enough to make my entire body liquify. How could the slightest brush of his lips cause my body to react this way? Scientific studies should be conducted on the phenomenon that is Aidan Stone.

“Out of necessity,” he says. It’s hard to read him with his sunglasses on, but I could’ve sworn he said that with a sarcastic tone.

“Right.” I can’t help but feel slightly disappointed. All of a sudden, I don’t want it to be out of necessity. I want it to be just because. “Out of necessity,” I repeat.

I look across the net. A pissed-off Robert glares at me and Aidan. Julia is at his side, attempting to console him, but it seems to have no effect on him whatsoever.

“I like your tattoo, by the way,” Aidan whispers in my ear. “A rainbow suits you.”

I quickly cover the side of my torso. I forgot I was wearing a bikini that almost bares all. Usually my tattoo is covered by my bra strap. Not that I’m ashamed of it or anything, I just don’t really want people to ask questions about it.

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