Page 33 of One Night Seduction

My eyes meet hers as I nod sincerely, meaning every word.

“It’s fantastic. May I see more?”

She doesn’t say anything, but I notice her posture perk up slightly as she begins scrolling through the images she took, each just as unique and beautiful as the last. I’m no art major by any means, but I can admire a beautiful picture and understand the skill and raw talent it must take to see what others can’t and then capture it, delivering it on a silver platter for those less inclined.

When she’s gone through them all, she lowers her camera to look up at me with insecurity that doesn’t belong in those clear blue eyes.

“You’re extremely talented, Arianna.”

“Thanks,” she says, her eyes dropping to the floor like she isn’t truly accepting the compliment.

Before I can think better of it, I catch her chin with my fingers, tilting her head up to meet my gaze.

“I mean it,” I emphasize. “Talent like yours…it’s a gift. You need to believe that.”

She swallows roughly as an earnest look touches her face. I don’t realize that my thumb is gently stroking her chin until she blinks hard, looking away and ripping us back to reality.

“I’m gonna head inside,” she says as she climbs to her feet, tucking her camera protectively in her grasp as she makes her way towards the house.

Without an ounce of shame or remorse, I watch her go, memorizing every single step until a solid wooden door cuts off my view.

Chapter Thirteen

Arianna

I walk inside as quickly as I can manage while still appearing like I’m cool, calm, and collected. Even if I’m anything but. That was more…intense than it should have been. Right? That wasn’t just me? Wasn’t all in my head? The way he spoke to me, the way he looked at me. It stirred up things inside me that I had no right or no way to feel, let alone process. So, like the little chicken shit I am, I ran.

When I step inside the house, a messy golden head of hair pops out from the hallway, grinning ear to ear.

“There you are! Get in here! We’re gonna play beer pong!” Ty says happily.

I arch one eyebrow but let out a laugh as I follow him towards the rec room.

“It’s like eleven in the morning, Ty.”

He shrugs. “It’s a game, and we’re on vacation. Societal expectations for drinking are null and void.”

He has a point, I guess.

Looking around the room, I see that Ty has covered the pool table with some cardboard boxes so the beer doesn’t spillon the felt. All the cups are arranged on either side, and he’s topping off the last few before coming up to me. He practically bounces on his feet as he drops a kiss to my nose that has me giggling.

“You’re way too amped for this.”

“I’m the king of beer pong, I suggest you be on my team.”

“Oh yeah?”

He raises his eyebrows playfully as he turns to the room where Uncle Tom, Aunt Marissa, and my mother are hanging out on the couch.

“Who wants to play us?” Ty challenges.

Marissa and Tom look at him before shaking their heads.

“It’s too early for that shit.” Marissa laughs as Ty rolls his eyes.

“Lame.”

My mom turns up her nose at Ty as she busies herself with her phone once more.

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