Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“You want a fresh club soda?” he asked me.
“No thanks. I’m good for now.”
It was ninety-two degrees outside, so the hot tub was empty as it sat perched up on a large rock that overlooked the pool. Beside it was a waterfall that came from yet another large rock.
“Trev,” the deep voice I instantly recognized from earlier called out.
Trev groaned and turned around slowly to face Blaise. “What?” he asked, annoyed instead of terrified.
“Inside. Now,” he demanded. “Bring your phone.”
“I’m in the middle of a party,” Trev replied. “See the people?”
Blaise’s expression didn’t change. “Get the fuck inside with your goddamn phone before I end this party.”
Trev slammed his glass down on the bar. “Fuckin’ asshole,” he muttered.
Blaise stood there, waiting for Trev to move, when Trev’s hand touched my arm.
“I won’t be long.”
Blaise’s angry gaze shifted to me for a brief second, then back to Trev. “You move fast.”
“So?” Trev replied and stormed past Blaise toward the house.
When they disappeared inside, Saxon leaned closer to me. “Want to swim? That hot tub isn’t going to be very refreshing in this heat.”
He was right, of course, but there was one problem. I couldn’t swim. This was the first swimsuit I had worn since I had been nine years old. Even then, I didn’t swim. I played in the sprinklers at the different apartments we lived in. Dad didn’t take us to lakes or pools. There had never been vacations or summer activities in our house.
“I can’t swim, and besides, I think I’m overdressed for that pool.”
I’d decided to just be honest. He would find out eventually. I was living in his house, and it was the summer in Florida.
His brows drew together. “Really? You can’t swim?” he asked.
“No, Saxon. I like to lie about things that are embarrassing,” I replied sarcastically.
“Yeah, good point. Sorry.” He looked thoughtful as he stared out at the water. “We have a pool. I mean, you’ve seen it, I’m sure. It’s not this impressive. How about you let me teach you how to swim?” he said as his gaze shifted back to me.
I wasn’t so sure how I felt about that. What if I couldn’t swim and drowned while he was trying to teach me? I was about to ask him to let me think about it when Declan appeared by his side, wrapping her body around his arm—or at least, it looked like she was trying.
“You didn’t come back in the water.” She pouted up at him. “Jeremey had to become my base during war.”
Saxon gave her what looked like a forced smile. “Sorry.”
She glared over at me with clear hatred. Of course, it was my fault Saxon had left her. I wanted to roll my eyes.
“I was just going to get another drink,” I said, needing a reason to leave this situation.
Not waiting on Saxon’s response, I stepped away from them and went to get another club soda. As I stood behind a few other people in line, loud voices carried out over the pool area, and I turned to see three guys who were clearly older than college students. The crowd parted for them as if they were royalty, or perhaps they moved out of their way because they were scared. Two of the guys had on cowboy hats while the third one had a buzz cut. Their jeans and boots made it clear they weren’t here for the pool party.
“Shit,” the guy in front of me muttered under his breath as he looked their way.
“You’re just jealous,” the girl beside him said to him.
“Whatever,” he replied, then walked off, leaving her standing there.
She laughed at him, then went back to watching the three older guys.
“Looks like we might be interrupting something,” the one in the black cowboy hat said with a smirk.
I thought no one was going to say anything when Saxon stepped out of the crowd. The guy with the buzzed hair looked at Saxon.
“Shit, Sax, haven’t you realized you’re better than this crowd yet?” he drawled.
“Gage,” he replied with a smile. “Didn’t know you were back from your leave.”
He ran a hand over his almost-shaved head. “Just got home yesterday.”
Then, Sax held out his hand toward him. “It’s good to have you back.”
The guy he’d called Gage slapped his hand in Sax’s, and they shook.
“You grew up. ’Bout damn time,” the guy replied with a grin.
“Hell yeah, he grew up,” the guy wearing a brown cowboy hat said, then slapped Sax on the back. “You should see him breaking in the mustang over at Moses Mile. Regular fucking badass.”
“You can stay,” the one wearing a black cowboy hat said loud enough for everyone to hear. “The rest of you can go,” he then said, glaring out over the crowd. “Except that one.” He pointed to the topless redhead. “Bring those double Ds right on over here and sit in daddy’s lap.”