Page 17 of Never Gonna Lie
“I’m heading inside. I’ve got a headache.”
Dad turns toward me. “Okay, pumpkin. Emma and I are going out for a few hours, something about needing a new dress for dinner.” He rolls his eyes as he smiles. “We’ll be back later.” He turns his attention back to James. “Think you can behave for a couple of hours while I’m gone?” Dad arches his eyebrow.
James looks directly at me, his eyes a dark whirlpool as he mumbles, “Can’t promise anything, Drew.”
Chapter Twelve
JAMES
Motherfucking cunt!
I’m waiting for my dick to soften because right now, if I get out of this pool, Drew’s gonna get a fucking eye full, and he’s sure to have questions.
The fuck is wrong with me? Women throw themselves at me all day, every day. I don’t have a shortage of women, so why the fuck does my dick decide to only wake up around Raven motherfucking Carter?
My heart hasn’t stopped pounding since she asked if I was going for a swim with her. My dick was already at half-mast as she stretched out lazily on the deckchair. I had to sit up to hide my growing erection. Watching her walk away? I needed a cold fucking shower.
I removed my T-shirt and jumped in, hoping the water would wake up the common sense that had decided to up and fuck all the way off.
Things got weird after the kiss, and I’m not surprised, disappointed, but not surprised. I acted like a dick that night, telling her it was amistake when all I wanted to do was haul her back into my arms and kiss the shit out of her again.
But she’s Drew’s daughter, therefore, so off limits even God can’t touch her.
Having her in my arms after I’d dragged her under the water was its own kind of hell. I knew I should’ve pulled away, but the connection with her was too strong, too intoxicating to move. The urge to run my hands over her body, to hear what she sounded like as my tongue traced every inch of her curves—Ah, fuck. I’m the worst kind of asshole. I’m a fucking disgrace.
I run a hand through my hair, trying to expel the thought of Raven from my fucked up head. I’m just glad Drew interrupted us before anything could’ve happened. He’d fucking kill me if he knew about the kiss. If he found out I’d done any more than that? I’d be wiped off the face of the fucking Earth—James Smith, who?
Raven gives me one last glance before walking into the house, leaving me with her dad. Finally managing to calm my raging dick down, I blow out a breath and heave myself out of the pool.
Grabbing a towel, I’m vaguely listening to Drew as he talks. “Uh huh,” I reply, distracted.
Drew huffs. “Are you even listening to me?” he asks, eyeing me suspiciously. “What’s gotten into you?”
Still watching where Raven had walked off to, I grumble, “Nothing.”
Of course I’m lying through my fucking teeth.Everything’sgot into me, and it starts with his fucking daughter. Excusing myself, Drew gives me a strange look as I grab my shit and storm back to the house.
Entering my room, I chuck everything on the bed and throw my head back, hands coming up to rub my eyes. I’m nearly fucking thirty-seven years old, for Christ's sake, Raven shouldn’t be on my radar. I’m an old man, and she’s soyoung.
Heading for a shower, I vow to stop thinking about Raven in any capacity other than one of my best friend’s daughters.
Dinner was a quiet affair. Drew’s head was lost in work. Emma made small talk with Raven, but she just grunted every so often while pushing her food around her plate, so Emma gave up. The scraping of cutlery against china set my teeth on edge as I barely touched my own dinner, too busy focused on the woman sitting across from me.
Once everyone finished, we went in different directions—Drew, no doubt, back to his office. I didn’t feel like working, so I didn’t follow, heading to the living room instead. I need a moment to breathe, to figure out why Raven’s got under my skin even though I promised myself I wouldn’t think about her.
Sitting on the large cream sofa with a harsh exhale, I slide my phone out of my shorts, checking my messages.
Caleb
Anyone around tonight? I’m bored. There are only so many assignments I can grade before wanting to off myself.
Theo
What he actually means is that he wants us to go to Strokes so he can sit and stare at hot chicks while they work… I’m in *smirky face emoji*
Caleb
Fuck off, Theo. We’re not all dirty bastards like you *eye roll emoji*
