Page 6 of Love Without Control

“A blast. How about you?”

“Amazing trip. I’ve seen so much wildlife here. I was hoping to see some turtles nesting though.”

“Turtles don’t nest here till May, and it usually runs through October,” I said, and she shook her head.

“I’m the one majoring in wildlife & fisheries. How the hell do you know more about turtle nesting than I do?” she questioned and then waved her hand. “Never mind. I forgot you’re the trivia queen of our group.”

“I’m full of useless facts,” I agreed with a laugh. “Not to mention, I’m a little obsessed with animals, especially turtles. Plus, you’re just a freshman. I’m sure you’ll be able to blow my knowledge out of the water once you get into your higher-level classes. I think it’s really cool that you want to be a game warden. I don’t think I’ve ever met a female game warden.”

“There are quite a few women that work for Texas Parks and Wildlife. Most of them are biologists and/or conservationists though.”

“And you’re double majoring, right?”

“Yep, also doing criminal justice. That’s what my dad did.”

“I’m kinda following in my father’s footsteps too, though I want to be more on the marketing side of our family’s business.”

We approached the bar, and a different bartender slid down to wait on us. “Six bottled waters, please,” Holly told him and he placed them in a small bag so we could more easily carry them.

Once Holly and I returned to our group, we all downed our waters before joining the dancing crowd once again. I giggled my way through a not-so-great salsa with a guy named Billy, who had the most adorable British accent, and then joined Juliette and Emersyn for a head-banging rendition of an old Ratt song.

“One more margarita before the bar closes!” Madalynn announced, and five minutes later, I was guzzling the tangy beverage to soothe my dry throat. I had never yelled and laughed so much in my life.

“I can’t wait for karaoke tomorrow night,” Juliette said, licking some grainy salt from the rim of her plastic cup.

“I can’t sing worth a shit, but horrible karaoke is the best,” I replied with a laugh.

“Eviiiiiiiie!” I turned at my name to find Felipe jogging toward me with a big grin on his face. “Hey, girl. You’re mine for the last dance,” he insisted, and I drained the rest of my glass, tossing it into a trash can as he grabbed my free hand and dragged me toward the dance area.

The booming beat faded away and morphed into a slower song, “Be Without You” by Mary J. Blige, and Felipe pulled me against his hard body. He really was handsome.

“This has been so much fun. They should do beach parties every night,” I proclaimed.

He nodded his agreement, moving our bodies together to the sultry music. “They should. You’re American?”

“Yes, what about you?”

“I’m Mexican. I’ve been to Texas a few times though. Is that where you’re from?”

While I was gloriously tipsy, I wasn’t drunk enough to give away too much information. “I’ve been there too,” was all I allowed.

Felipe brushed his lips across my cheek before whispering in my ear. “You are so beautiful, Evie.”

“Thank you,” I replied as our bodies swayed to the music.

“I’d love to spend more time with you. Can I come back to your room?”

I internally startled at his bold question, but I guessed it wasn’t that bizarre. People hooked up all the time at these vacation resorts, though that wasn’t me.

“That wouldn’t be a good idea. I have a roommate,” I lied.

“Maybe I could come back tomorrow night and we could take a moonlight swim. Or are you leaving tomorrow?”

“No, we’ll be here till Sunday.”

He nuzzled at my ear again. “Hmmm, that gives us two more nights together then.”

Felipe was being awfully presumptuous. He was cute though. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to hang out with a good-looking guy for a couple nights.

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