“You do realize you’re a Greek right?”
I shrug. “So, I’m a hypocrite. Sue me. Are you really going to stand here and continue trying to convince me to go for him, or are you going to take your fine ass over there before one of our sisters shoots their shot?”
“Oh, my God, you’re right.” Quinn fluffs her hair and adjusts her boobs. Yes, she actually shifted her girls around before glancing at me with an expectant look. “How do I look?”
“Hot! Go get him.”
She gives an excited squeal before taking a deep breath and marching toward him. Deacon drifted back to his friend group a little while ago, giving me a much-needed respite after everything he and Reed had unloaded. A part of me wants to help. I feel a little responsible for what he’s going through, but a bigger part of me really doesn’t want to get involved. I don’t want an excuse to seek Dominique out. If I do … I don’t know. But it isn’t going to be good. I’m angry and a little hurt, though mostly angry. This is the second time something like this has happened between us and both times he ghosts me.
What the hell is his problem? I’m not asking for a relationship or even a repeat event. All I’m asking for is some human decency. It’s really not too much to ask.
But, whatever. This is Dominique I’m talking about here. I turn and grab a water bottle from one of the coolers and head for the pool. There’s a pink sprinkle, donut-shaped floaty with my name on it.
One of the Alpha Ze guys helps me maneuver my way onto it without jumping into the pool because not gonna lie, that water is cold.
I’m laying back, enjoying the music and chatter around me when something in the air shifts. I don’t know how else to describe it. Sunglasses firmly in place, I turn my head to the side just in time to see my brother and—would you look at that—Dominique, arrive.
For a second, a flash of panic hits me square in the chest and I look down at myself. Fuck. I’m dead. So dead. When Dominique sees what I’m—hold on. I cut that thought off and scoff. What am I even thinking? Fuck what Dominique thinks. Quinn was right. I look hot. No way in hell am I going to let that asshole shame me for wearing this suit. I’m going to own it.
I track their progress through the yard, grateful no one can see my eyes because I’m totally staring. Aaron, being the friendly guy he is, dives right in on the fun and joins a few of the guys at one of the backyard games the girls must have set up. The one where you toss hacky sacks at an angled board and try to get it through the hole.
“Hey, what's that game called?” I ask one of the guys swimming next to me. I’m not sure what his name is. He hooks his arms over the side of my floaty and looks to where I’m pointing. “Corn hole,” he tells me, and then instead of swimming away, which was what I’d been hoping for, his eyes do a slow and obvious perusal of my body. “I’m Ignacio, but everyone calls me Iggy.”
“Hey. I’m—“
“Kasey!” A familiar voice barks out my name. Well, that took longer than expected.Not.
I turn my head to find Dominique, arms folded over his chest and dark eyes ablaze. He’s not wearing sunglasses like virtually everyone else here, so I can spot his glare from the edge of the pool and offer him a little wave. His nostrils flare.
Dressed in black jogger pants that taper at the ankle and a white crew t-shirt that hugs his broad shoulders and impressive chest, I have to fight the urge not to lick my lips. Has he always looked this good? Who am I kidding? Yes.
He’s wearing his usual red Beast Mode sneakers, but he’s changed his hair. For as long as I’ve known him, Dominique’s kept it braided back over his scalp. Sometimes they’re thick braids. Other times they’re thin. But for the first time, there are no braids. Sometime this week he got his hair cut and damn, it looks good on him.
A line up and fade make his features appear sharper, and he’s added a razor part design. Two parallel lines that start at his temple and slant up enough to form a peak before curving down and back. Almost like a lightning bolt.
“I didn’t think this was really your scene.” I keep my tone casual, my expression carefree. I know people are watching, the girls already trying to figure out how we know one another. This is exactly why I didn’t want him and the other guys here when I moved in. They draw too much attention.
“Get out of the pool.” His voice is hard.
“Pass. I’m enjoying it here.”
I swear steam comes out of his ears.
“Kasey—” There's a warning there. One I should probably listen to, but where is the fun in that?
“Dominique,” I retort.
His jaw is tight, a vein bulging in his neck. This is too good. Apha Ze guy—what was his name again? Oh, right, Iggy—is still clinging to my floaty, but his eyes keep bouncing back and forth from me to Dom and then back again.
“Hey,” I draw his attention.
He turns, expression a little nervous. Well, shit. That won’t work. I turn my smile up a notch and shift to my side which gives him a better view of my breasts. “Sorry. He’s so rude. I’m Kasey.” I pick up where we left off, suddenly interested in chatting with the guy.
He swallows hard, eyes locked on my chest.
“So, what year are you?” I ask, and right as I’m about to trail a finger over his arm Dominique snaps, “Rojas. Off limits. Get your ass away from her.”
Iggy jumps back as if he’s been electrocuted and makes quick work of following Dom’s orders. “Yeah, man. Of course. I was just, uh, making conversation. You know?”
