Page 25 of Flawless

I hear her moving around in the bedroom, but rather than checking on her, I head back out the front door to give us both the space that both of our unexpected appearances require.

As I walk along the beach, a couple of ladies catch my eye, and they both walk my way.

“Hey, we were just looking for a final partner for a game of volleyball. You care to play with us?” the raven-haired woman asks.

“I uh...was just going for a quiet walk.”

“Come on. I promise it will be loads of fun,” the other woman with braids says.

Glancing back at the cottage, I think about Danica. I’ve spent most of my days hanging around that cottage watching Italy and Brazil both progress in the FIFA tournament. When I haven’t been doing that, I’ve been meditating, cooking, working out, and mapping out a plan for my future.

The last thing that I need to do is be at that cottage right now. I need a distraction to keep my thoughts off Danica for as long as possible.

“Please,” they both beg, pouting their lips out.

Laughing, I say, “Okay, okay. You’ve got me.”

Both women grab one of my hands and tug me in the direction of the volleyball game. When I arrive, a cheer goes upas everyone excitedly jumps into position glad that the other team found another member to start the game.

After a rousing game of volleyball where my team won two games but lost three games, I’m sweaty and tired but feeling good.

“Hey,” Amaris, the woman with the braids, catches up to me and touches my wrist. “A few of us are getting together tonight to just unwind. I think you’d be a wonderful addition to the group. Why don’t you come back and join us tonight for a bonfire down here?” Amaris asks.

“I won’t make any promises, but I’ll see what I can do,” I say, smiling down at her. “What time?”

“Around eight. Just before it gets dark, and the temperatures cool down.”

“I’ll definitely try to make it.”

She smiles, and a dimple winks in her left cheek. “Okay, I’ll be looking for you,” she says.

“Should I bring anything?”

“No, just you. Oh, and we’ll probably do a little swimming under the moonlight. That’s always tons of fun. So, bring your swim trunks...or don’t,” she says with a suggestive smirk and a twinkle in her eyes.

I laugh, and she waves goodbye as she walks backward, backtracking down the beach to where her friends are.

Turning away from her, I run my fingers through my hair. I don’t mind hanging out with them on the beach for a bonfire and having a little fun. What I don’t want is to lead Amaris on in any way. She was a little bit touchy-feely during the game and all smiles.

Maybe that’s just her way. I don’t want to read anything into it that I shouldn’t, but I didn’t come here to jump into anything else with anyone, not a relationship or casual sex.

By the time I arrive back at the cottage, I see Danica lying out on the back deck off the kitchen. She looks to be getting a tan, and she’s got earbuds in.

While I don’t want to scare her, I want her to be aware of my presence. She’s lying out in nothing but bikini bottoms with no top, and she’s lying on her belly with her breasts pressed flat against the mauve and yellow striped towel that she’s resting on.

I tap on the glass doors leading to the deck. She doesn’t respond, and I tap again a little harder.

This time, she turns her head and looks up at me. I can’t read her expression because she’s wearing dark-tinted sunglasses, but she isn’t smiling.

“Hey,” I say, opening the door. “I was just about to make me something for lunch. Are you hungry?”

I know that this is her cottage, and we have to get along, but I don’t know why I’m making peace with her. I guess it’s just in my nature to be at peace with people and not at odds.

Slowly, a smile takes over her face, curving those gorgeous plump lips that I once loved to kiss.

“Sure. I love your cooking,” she says, sitting up and allowing her sun-kissed breasts to be dazzled by the sun.

I swallow because while I didn’t come here looking for anything, I cannot deny the strong attraction and feelings that I have for Danica and have always had.

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