Page 65 of Revved up & Ready

I have to physically bite my tongue to keep from shooting him down.

Realizing he won’t get a response, he asks, “Still good? Anyone need new drinks? Snacks?” When we all answer no, a devious look takes over his face, and he backflips into the water, splashing Allie and me.

“He’s such aboy,” Allie laughs, wiping water from her face.

When he comes to the surface, his oversized smile is out in full force as he swims straight for me.

“You got me all wet,” Allie complains, splashing water at him.

He folds his arms on the pool’s edge, his elbow brushing against the scarred side of my leg. In the direct sunlight, the scars are more visible than usual, but fortunately, he doesn’t seem to notice. “Yeah, I have that effect on women,” he says, leaning over to kiss my knee. “This one, anyway.”

Hedoeshave that effect on me, and it’s a problem because it’s getting harder to know what’s for show and what’s real with him.

“Ew,” Allie says. “You guys are cute.”

Cam pushes off the wall and starts tugging lightly on my calves. “You gonna come play with me? Or do I have to play with myself all day?”

“Ew,”Allie repeats.

But I snort a laugh. “Sometimes I wonder if you hear the things that come out of your mouth.”

“Oh, I hear them,” he says, flashing me a giant smile.

“I’ll comeswimwith you in a little bit,” I say.

He comes toward me again, and I think he’s about to pull me into the water, but he braces his hands on either side of my legs and launches himself up until his elbows are locked, our faces level. “Don’t take too long,” he says, leaning in to give me a kiss. It’s only the second time he’s kissed me, and it’s sweet and simple, but my blood heats just the same.

It’s been two weeks since the first time he kissed me—the only time he’s kissed me. Since then, it’s like he’s turned up the charm—something I didn’t even know was possible. I’ve always figured he probably flirts with every woman—although I struggle to think of examples of him making teasing remarks or rubbing his hand across the lower back of anyone else.But it’s getting harder to believe this is all fake for him.

As he swims away, I turn to Allie with a bewildered laugh. “Allof that works for me.”

“Perfect for each other,” she shrugs. “Totally called it.”

After a day spent in the pool and sunshine, everyone’s quick to split off to their rooms for bed. Even though my body carries the bone-tired feeling a day like this demands, the second Cam and I are both in bed, my brain refuses to shut down.

I don’t think he’s asleep yet, but he’s lying flat on his back with his arms propped behind his head.Who sleeps like that? Is he actually comfortable? Is he sleeping?Rolling onto my side, I adjust my pillow.Maybe that’ll help.

“Trouble sleeping?” Cam asks, without opening his eyes.

Even though he didn’t whisper, I do. “I’m sorry. Am I keeping you awake?”

“You’re great, don’t worry,” he answers—but doesn’t answer my question.

So, I am keeping him awake?Doing my best to lie still, my eyes catch on a tattoo I haven’t asked about yet. Maybe it’s because this is what we did the one other time we shared a bed, but I can’t help myself from asking, “Is that aHot Wheelscar?”

He’s still for a moment, then a smirk curves his lips, and his blue-green eyes open as he turns onto his side so he’s facing me. “It is,” he says, holding his arm out for me to analyze the tattoo.

On the upper half of his forearm, just below his elbow, there’s a little black and yellow sports car with flames coming out the back.

“You gonna tell me about it?” I ask, tracing the ink with my fingertip.

“Sure. I saw something similar on a flash sheet and decided to get it as a '69 Camaro because I had this toy as a kid.” His chuckle is low. “And also, I like that there’s a sixty-nine-joke hidden in there.” It’s a less meaningful answer than any of the others he’s given me, but it still suits him. “Honestly, sixty-nine’s not even my favorite thing, but I love a dirty joke.”

“Not your favorite?” The words slip out before I’ve thought about them.Why would I ask him that?

The smirk that hasn’t left his lips lifts a little higher. “I prefer being able to focus all my attention on my partner when I’m going down, let her revel in it without having to worry about me. But sometimes the moment calls for something different. You know?”

I donotknow,but can I tell him that? Will he judge me?His sincere eyes hold mine, and I can’t imagine he would.Keeping a secretis on my list, but I don’t want it to be thisone. “I actually haven’t ever done that.” My heart races with the admission.

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