Page 20 of Like You Know

He looked over his shoulder,not at all startled by my presence, and held his finger to his lips. I raised a brow as he hunched over and reached for the window.

Was this guy seriously trying to break into someone’s room? And who the fuck did he think he was, shushing me?

Before I could tell him off, he straightened and stepped out of the garden bed, his hands cupped in front of himself as if he was holding water.

“Check it out!” He grinned, stepping closer.

I leaned forward and rolled my eyes. “Seriously? Jet, those things are everywhere.”

A little gecko rested in his hands. He stared at it as if it were some mystical creature no one had ever laid eyes on.

“Yeah, I know.” He shrugged. “This is my first time out of the country, if you don’t count that unfortunate trip to Mexico. I’ve never seen one up close. I’ve been trying to catch one since we got here.”

Well, shit. Now I felt like a privileged bitch, and a judgmental one at that. I shouldn’t have assumed he was being shifty, trying to break into someone’s room.

I shuffled closer, and our arms brushed as we gazed at the little lizard darting around on Jet’s palms.

“Cute little guy,” I said softly.

Jet lifted his gaze to mine, and I realized how close we were. The cicadas continued to trill, and the last rays of sunlight disappeared as we stood there, staring into each other’s eyes. Subconsciously, I licked my lips, and Jet’s gaze shot to my mouth. I started to lean in and—

The gecko leaped out of Jet’s hands, the sudden movement startling us both. He stepped away as the little creature scuttled into the garden and disappeared under the foliage.

Jet cleared his throat. “Shall we? I’m starving.”

He started walking before I could reply. I fell into step with him, willing my heart to stop hammering as we walked the rest of the way to the beach in silence.

Thankfully, the staff started serving food just as we arrived, and I grabbed a seat among my friends while everyone was distracted. The last thing I needed was for Harlow to tease me about showing up with Jet. Especially since my heart was still beating that little bit harder after our near-kiss.

“Holy shit, this is amazing!” Hendrix announced between heaping mouthfuls of barbecued lobster and conch. A chorus of agreement went up from everyone at the long table that had been set up in the sand for us. It was piled high with fresh seafood and sides of all kinds, while a bartender mixed tropical cocktails at a makeshift bar off to the side. The legal drinking age in the Bahamas was eighteen, but no one gave a shit that some of us hadn’t had that birthday yet.

The jovial mood only continued to get more fun as the night wore on. Jet was seated at the other end of the table with Drew and some of the other boys, and I irritatingly couldn’t stop glancing in that direction through dinner.

“Damn, you got it bad,” Harlow said, keeping her voice low. I shot her a warning look and glanced around to make sure no one had heard.

Donna leaned across the table. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this into someone. Ever.”

I took another glance up and down the table, but the only other person listening in was Mena. She had her chin propped on her hand as she stared at me with love-heart eyes and an excited grin.

“You bitches better drop this right now,” I said in a low, even tone as I lifted my mojito to my lips. “I have a reputation to uphold.”

That got some laughs out of them, but they dropped it, thankfully. I forced myself to keep my eyes away from the guy at the end of the table while I finished off my drink.

Everyone was half-drunk by the time they brought out dessert and cheese platters, and the roaring bonfire gave everything a warm glow. Someone turned the volume up on the music, and a few of the girls started dancing around the fire.

The night was still, the sky clear, the stars shining bright beyond the tall flames licking up at the sky. The sound of waves softly lapping at the sand was only just audible under the music. There was something electric in the air.

When the staff had cleared the tables and left us to our own devices, leaving only the bartender, Nicola announced she had enough molly to get us all fucked up three times over. I knew we’d flown in a private plane, but bringing that amount of drugs internationally was still ballsy as fuck.

At least half the group decided to partake. Hendrix and Donna, who’d been making out on the cushions by the fire for a good half hour, declined and left—probably to go have kinky sex in their room. To my surprise, Mena decided to try some.

“I’ve never done drugs.” She shrugged, but I could see the nervousness in her eyes. “Seems like as good a night to try as any.”

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to.” I lit a cigarette and leaned back in the sand. “I’m not having any. Because I don’t feel like it. Don’t let these assholes peer-pressure you.”

She gave me a kiss on the cheek. “They’re not. I’m curious.”

“All right.” Harlow sighed and got to her feet, holding her hands out for Mena. “Let’s get you high. I’ll take care of you.”

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