I can see the contour of every muscle, every little shadow where one defined bit meets the next. I sweep my eyes over him involuntarily, from the broadness of his shoulders to his pecs, to his perfectly formed six pack and then the obvious 'v' that disappears under the bottom of his wetsuit. Add to the image little droplets of water pearling against his skin...
"Like what you see?" He winks again.
"About as much as I like vomiting after too many drinks on a Saturday night," I quip.
"It's okay, Lexy, I don't mind you looking. You can touch if you want." The challenge is in his eyes and I look upwards as if anyone up there could help me.
Which is silly, because clouds can't help.
"I'm not a touchy person, but thanks for offering."
"See that's a shame," he says in a lower, more sensual voice. "Because I am."
He runs his finger down my spine and I shiver, then curse myself.
"Like that, huh?"
"I'm ticklish?" I answer, but it comes out as more of a question.
He roams his eyes over my body shamelessly. "I bet you're ticklish in all sorts of places."
A faint blush creeps onto my cheeks and I look away.
"You're a pig," I say to him.
"Me?"
"I'm not talking to anyone else, am I? Unless, of course, you have an imaginary friend there. Although, that would make sense considering the apparent size of your ego."
Alec surprises me - he laughs. I look at him out the corner of my eye and raise an eyebrow.
Was it really that funny?
"Oh, Lexy." He sighs, wrapping a casual arm over my shoulders. "I can see we're going to be great friends."
"We will be." I shrug his arm off. "If you're lucky."
ALEC
This girl is feisty as hell and it's doing crazy things to my brain... And my body.
Not to mention the way she looks in a bikini, all that toned muscle, sexy curves and flawless skin.
Fuck. I hook my arms round my knees. I feel like a damn thirteen year old with his first hard-on over Megan Fox.
My foot taps as I try to focus on anything but her. She's Vi's granddaughter. She's off limits. Besides, I can tell she's not the kind of girl who goes for just one night. No, she wants the real thing.
It's a pain in the ass when all I wanna do is chuck her over my shoulder, take her behind the rocks and show her what she's missing out on.
~
ALEXIS
Jen calls me later that evening after I finish helping Grammy with the dishes. Apparently, there's a bonfire on the Bay tonight and Carl and Alec are dragging her along so would I please go and keep her company?
I agree, of course. Dad lectures me about under-age drinking, using protection and coming home at a reasonable time. Mum is delighted I'm not moping anymore – not much, anyway – and Grammy is excited that Alec will be there.
Meaning I will have spent practically the whole day with him.
I gently remind her that I'm not looking for a boyfriend, much less a summer romance, and grab my bag.
Dad reminds me again about under-age drinking. I remind him I'm eighteen in two weeks, therefore I'm aware about alcohol.
"Be careful, love." Mum says as a black 4x4 pulls up outside.
"Mum, we live in London. I'm sure I can handle a few hours on the beach in a sleepy, out of the way village." I roll my eyes.
Her eyes darken slightly and she touches my shoulder. "Just because you're in a sleepy village, doesn't mean it's any less dangerous than a big city."
I know there's a story behind her words, and of course I'm curious, but I know now isn't the time to talk about it. Instead I nod, smile and kiss her cheek.
I walk down the path and turn back to wave as Jen opens the back door of the car for me, and Mum is gazing after me with her hand on the cheek I just kissed. I raise a hand in goodbye and get in.
As we pull away, she waves goodbye and shuts the door.
"So, that took a while." Jen raises her eyebrows questioningly.
"Reminding me about under-age drinking," I grumble.
"You aren't eighteen yet?" Carl turns from the front seat.
"Nope. Two weeks." I sigh. "I'm an August baby."
"No alcohol for the little under-age girl then!" He fist bumps Alec.
"This 'little under-age girl' is a city girl who could probably drink your sorry ass under the table," I retort. Jen giggles next to me.
"I'm not challenging a girl to a drinking contest," Carl scoffs.
"What's the matter, scared?" I lean forward slightly.
"Not at all. But you're the newbie round here, and I wouldn't want you showing yourself up."
"Alec?" Jen asks. "Up for it?"
"Na, same as Carl. Gotta give her a chance to get used to this little village," he replies.
"Fine." She sits back and we share a glance.
"Plus she's under-age, and I don't wanna get in trouble if she ruins her Jimmy Choos or something."
"Two weeks!" I slap a hand against the back seat as he pulls up near the Bay. I can see smoke rising into the air and by the noise that drifts through the open car door as Carl climbs out, the party has already started.
"I'll make you a deal," Alec says as he opens the door for me and helps me out. "When you turn eighteen, we'll have this drinking competition. Because then you're an adult and responsible for your own actions."
I look up into his stormy eyes and he quirks a brow. My breath hitches and I nod.
"You have yourself a deal." I reply, stepping away from him as he smiles, showing his dimple.
My heart flutters slightly and I follow Jen down to the beach, wondering what on Earth I'm doing being so attracted to such a cocky guy.
~
Alec slings his arm over my shoulders for the second time that day.
"What are you doing?" I look up at him and realise it was a mistake. He's looking down at me and the light from the fire is dancing over his facial features.
Making him even more attractive.
I hold his gaze and nudge him when he doesn't answer.
"Sorry." He shakes his head slightly and smiles at me. "You see that girl, over there?"
"'Over there' isn't exactly informative."
"Two o'clock, beach-blonde hair. More fake tan than the crew from TOWIE."
"You watch The Only Way Is Essex?" I look at him in shock.
"Let's not go there tonight. Do you see her?"
"Hair bigger than her brains? Eyes that are looking at me like she wants to cut me in half?" I question, looking at the girl.
"Er, yeah, her."