“You guys ready to get your asses kicked?” Beth says, pulling my attention from Sienna. Though my eyes are still glued to her, only slightly turning my head toward Beth to acknowledge she’s spoken.
Sienna and Beth burst out laughing, and I realize that neither Alex nor I has said a word, and I’m sure it’s been longer than what would be socially acceptable for a response.
Beth links her arm in Sienna’s, and they head toward the center of the water balloon field, surveying how many water balloons we’ve set up. Spoiler, it’s a shit ton. When they walk away, I can’t help but watch Sienna’s hips movewith each step. Perky titsandass must mean she’s either an angel or was sent by the devil to destroy me. I don’t think I have a mind to care about which one it is right now if it means getting my hands and lips on that soft, glowy, tanned skin of hers.
“You’re so fucked.” I turn to Alex, who looks at me with one of those smug grins he loves so much.
I look from the women to my brother, and plaster on my own smug grin. “Bet you I’m not the only one who’s fucked.” His nostrils flare in response, and he walks away. I’d put money on the fact that he’s going to be extraAlextoday, just to show off for Beth.
I gather myself before joining the others in the middle of the yard, mentally preparing for being around Sienna in this temptation-filled state today.
“Nice of you to join us, Theo,” Roman says. I throw a middle finger his way in response. I’ve taken up a spot next to Sienna, and as the breeze blows again, her strawberry summer scent wafts my way. I curse myself for taking such a deep inhale.
What is this woman doing to me?
“The only rule we have is anything above the neck is off-limits,” Leo explains, pointedly looking at me.
I roll my eyes. “That was one time when I wastwelve. Give me a break.”
Beth starts a conversation with Leo and Roman about the strategy for their team. As they’re talking, Sienna leans into my side, whispering, “I’m surprised to see you wearing the shirt. But I must admit, brown is a good color for you.” Looking up at me, she smiles, and I swear I heard a hint of an innuendo in her tone.
Unable to help myself, I lean in to whisper in her ear, “And blue is a perfect color on you, Angel. But I must admit, that bikini would look better on the floor.” I end my sentence by squeezing her hip lightly, allowing my thumb to travel beneath the string on her bikini bottoms. Her chest begins to rise and fall at a rapid pace from my touch. My erection threatens to spring to life again at the sight.
The high-pitched ring of a whistle yanks Sienna and me from our bubble, and the air around me chills from our lack of proximity as she pulls away.
“Fuck, I always forget he has that,” Alex says, startled.
“Let’s play! Get ready to lose, fuckers,” Leo booms as he and Roman rush to their side of the yard. Alex and I follow, grabbing our bins and running to our side of the yard, tucking behind our barricade.
Dropping our bins, I realize Sienna isn’t with us. One look back, and I see she’s frozen in the middle of the yard, along with Beth. Muscle memory kicked in for the rest of us, but I realize now that we forgot to explain the initial rush to the two of them. Although they did have the right mind to grab a water balloon each. I laugh as they stand in the middle of the field, as if they are in an old western duel. They stare each other down, but neither one of them has thrown the first balloon.
“Go get your girl. I’ll cover you,” Alex says.
I do my best to ignore the warmth spreading in my chest at the thought of Sienna being “my girl” as I run to the center of the yard. Sweeping Sienna off her feet, literally, I throw her over my shoulder. She squeals, and I laugh as I feel the break of a water balloon on my back.
Turning around to face Beth, now balloon-less, I say, “You might want to run. I wouldn’t want you left out in the open when Alex has perfect aim.” Her eyes go wide for a second, and she books it to her side of the yard when a balloon breaks at her feet. Leo and Roman are already laughing behind their barricade when she joins them.
Setting Sienna down, we crouch behind our barricade, and she playfully slaps Alex and me on the arm.
“What’s that for?” I ask as Alex and I continue to laugh.
“You guys didn’t tell me you were just going to take off!”
“I’m very sorry.” I gently place my hand on the side of her neck, cupping her jaw. “I’ll be sure to remind you of that next time.” I wink at her before handing her another water balloon.
I’m not thinking when I say the words, but I don’t regret them. I haven’t laughed this hard in a while, and it’s nice to see my brothers having so much fun with Sienna and Beth around. Warmth overcomes me at the thought of Sienna joining us next summer.
It’s just the heat. You couldn’t possibly haverealfeelings for this woman.
As I say the words in my head, I watch Sienna enthusiastically listen to Alex as he explains the strategy we use every year to beat the other team, and I know I’m nothing but a liar.
20
SIENNA
Back in Theo’s room after a long shower, I can’t wipe the smile off my face. After winning the water balloon fight, no thanks to me, we had an early dinner, and I ran to the shower afterward. Okay, not exactly, but I did excuse myself politely. After today's events, a cold shower was needed.
Watching Theo run around in a soaked T-shirt that basically fit him like a crop top was enough to make me need a shower. Thinking about the way he effortlessly threw me over his shoulder and hauled me back to our barricade had me swooning. I shouldn’t be surprised, given his muscle mass. I never thought of myself as the type of woman who would be turned on by a man doing something so barbaric as throwing me over his shoulder, but I feel a rush of heat between my legs at the thought of it happening again.
