Page 48 of Be My First

As soon as Luca leaves, Eli says, “Juno, what the hell has gotten into you?”

She stands up and takes her hat off, placing it on her chair. “I have no idea what you’re referring to.”

Declan just snorts.

“He’s referring to how you are flirting with every male within a hundred miles,” Keene answers.

Juno rolls her eyes, “Every male?”

She whips her coverup over her head, revealing the tiniest bikini underneath. I quickly pull my eyes away.

“The only man you haven’t flirted with on this trip that isn’t literally related to you is Bode.” Eli gestures toward me.

She’s lying on the chaise now, arm over her head. She looks like a fucking goddess right now, and I’d like to be anywhere but here.

She laughs. “Bode?”

My stomach lurches.

“I don’t flirt with Bode because he’s impossibly boring.”

Everyone’s eyes turn to me.

“Ouch,” Declan says.

“Yeah. You don’t have to bruise a guy’s ego like that,” Keene says.

“He went with you on your Vespa adventure. He can’t be that boring,” Eli says.

“Thanks?” I respond.

“Oh, he’s boring.” She puts her sunglasses back on and lets her head drop back onto the lounger.

Well, I’d rather all of them think I’m too boring to flirt with than think I’ve been hitting on their sister whenever we’re alone.

“I don’t think you’re boring,” Keene whispers.

“Thanks,” I say.

“Who is going swimming? There are some caves up a head.” Declan stands up and takes off his shirt.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Juno calls.

Everyone gets out and swims for a bit. Those with little ones don’t last long. Juno points to a cave and says, “I’m going to explore this one.”

I don’t think anyone else heard her, but she swims away. Dammit. I’m not letting her go alone. I swim after her. Once I swim through the opening of the cave, she sees me.

“Are you following me, Bo?”

I don’t answer.

She pulls herself out of the water and sits on a rock. The light coming in from the opening of the cave makes the water look the brightest blue I’ve ever seen.

“Why are you so afraid of me?” she asks.

I just tread water in front of her without answering.

“We’ve already had this conversation,” I say eventually. She pouts her lower lip and then stands up. Water drips down her body. I can’t keep myself from envisioning licking it right off her skin.

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