Page 68 of No Summer Hotter than You

“Shouldn’t you be more excited about this as my girlfriend?” Anthony asked, showing off his cute puppy eyes.

He sure loved to forget that I was his fake girlfriend. Yet, I didn’t bother correcting him this time. I had done it enough times already and I supposed it didn’t matter much since we only had to fake it for another week.

Evelyn and Kelvin would leave soon and there would be no more pretending.

“No,” I answered. “If you lose, you usually win the next time you two race or compete or whatever. Then vice versa with Andy as well. It’s nothing new.”

Anthony scoffed and sat on my bed. “Ah, c’mon, Shoua. You’re no fun. Are you going to kiss me when I win at least?”

“No.”

He pouted. “Seriously? Even just a quick peck on the cheek for show in front of Evelyn and Kelvin?”

I struggled to reply for a second and then sighed. “Fine. But only if you win.”

That answer seemed to make Anthony giddy as his light eyes twinkled into bright honey golden orbs. His cheeks flushed even brighter.

“Then I’m going to win.” His voice was firm with certainty, making my face hot. “I’m going to hop in your shower. We should head out to pick everyone up in thirty.”

I nodded stiffly and shooed Anthony into the bathroom. I quickly put on some light skin care and a little bit of mascara. I couldn’t wait to jump into the lake when we got there. I have always hated summer, and this summer had been hotter than last year, making me constantly want to cool down. So, a swim in the lake sounded perfect. I was also looking forward to a cooler wardrobe. The only clothes I was bringing were light and breathable, aside from a workout bra and spandex shorts for hikes.

“You look pretty,” Anthony said, startling me. His voice was light, airy, and soft. His eyes were on my face as he took in my light makeup and the way my hair tied up in a bun. “I like it when you put your hair up so I can see more of that beautiful face.”

I didn’t even hear him come out of the bathroom. I quickly blinked at him as he stood at the door with my towel wrapped low around his waist again. He looked teasing.

He continued to scan me from head to toe with an audible, sharp inhale. His gaze danced over every single inch and crevice of my body. For a split second, it almost looked as if he was envisioning me naked as I stood in front of him in a thin summer dress that hugged the lack of curves I had, especially with my thick middle. But his eyes immediately returned to mine, gleaming brightly.

“And you smell good—like always,” he said softly.

He approached me slowly and soon he was towering over me as we stood mere inches from one another. He pushed my hair out of my face and grazed his calloused fingers against my neck right along the skin where his teeth scraped yesterday. A soft whimper caught in my throat, and his lips tipped into a smirk.

“When I win against my brother in our little competitions, remember to kiss me like I’m all yours. Because I’ll kiss you as if you’ve always been mine.”

“That’s if you win.” I could barely breathe out my answer.

He chuckled so low it vibrated through my body and went straight to the desire that pooled between my legs this morning. I clenched involuntarily as if his hard cock was in me, and I almost moaned. Instead, I let out a shaky breath I knew he heard clearly.

“Oh, baby, I will.”

CHAPTER 27

anthony

“So why did you two leave early last Saturday night?” Jonathan asked loudly.

While the others were in different cars, Shoua, Jonathan, Kelvin, and me weren’t even on the road for ten minutes before he started blabbering his mouth. He popped this question shamelessly and talked like he wasn’t stuck in the back seat with Kelvin.

“My boots were killing me,” Shoua replied right off the bat. “We had to go home.”

“Oh, really?” Jonathan said, almost sounding concerned. “What a bummer.”

It looked like Shoua and me weren’t the only ones putting on an act. He was usually inquisitive and could always smell bullshit. But I guess he was holding himself back, because this wouldn’t have been his usual response. He always had something cheeky to say. I guess he was restraining himself a bit with Kelvin in the car with us.

“Why?” Shoua asked. “Did something happen?”

“Nope, that’s why I asked why you both went home so early,” Jonathan said. “I thought something happened to you two.”

I could see him wiggle his brow at me through the rearview mirror and held back the urge to shake my head. Shoua shifted nervously in her seat as an awkwardness hung in the air. Jonathan had clearly made the mood uncomfortable. Shoua and I were holding hands, and I brushed my thumb over her knuckles, trying to act like the doting boyfriend instead of the nervous wreck I was.

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