Staring at the way sunlight catches the faint sheen of sweat across his shoulders. The way his abs flex slightly when he shifts to turn a page. The way a few strands of his dark hair keep falling across his forehead no matter how many times he pushes them back.
He looks relaxed in a way I’ve rarely seen him—that almost-smile playing on his lips, as if he’s perfectly content just being here with me instead of in the pool with Ethan or on an excursion with everyone else.
He pauses at the end of a paragraph and glances over at me, one brow raised. “You’re not even listening,” he murmurs, his voice warm with amusement. “You’re distracted.”
“I’m listening.” I lie, my eyes drifting shamelessly down to the defined lines of his chest and abs, following the faint trail of hair that disappears beneath his waistband.
Heat blooms low in my belly. I remember exactly how those muscles felt under my hands last night. I shift on the lounger, thighs pressing together without meaning to. He notices. Of course he does.
His eyes darken, and his voice drops. “You’re staring.”
“I am,” I admit, not even trying to hide it. “You can’t look like that and expect me to pay attention to a fictional man when the real thing is right here.”
Milo closes the book slowly, marking the page with one finger. “Keep looking at me like that, and we’re not making it to the rehearsal walk.”
I bite my lip, fighting a smile. “We still have time.”
“Not enough time for what I want to do to you,” he says, leaning closer so only I can hear. His breath brushes my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. “But tonight… after the rehearsal dinner… I’m going to take my sweet, sweet time with you.”
A fresh wave of heat rushes through me. I swallow hard. “Promises, promises.”
He reaches over and brushes a curl from my forehead, his thumb lingering on my cheek. The touch is so gentle it makes my chest ache. “Not a promise, Sienna. It’s a fucking guarantee.”
My heart does that stupid, fluttery thing again. I lean into his touch before I can stop myself. “You’re getting dangerously cocky, Milo.”
He chuckles softly. “You like me cocky.”
“I like you,” I admit, the words slipping out before I can catch them.
Before he can process my words, Aria’s voice carries over from the pool. “Sienna! Milo! You two coming in, or are you just gonna sit there eye-fucking each other all afternoon?”
My eyes roll before I can stop them. “We’re reading. It’s very cultural.”
Aria snorts from her giant unicorn float. “Cultural… sure. Get your asses in here!”
“We’re good,” I reply, waving her off. “Go float somewhere else.”
Ethan paddles up beside her, resting his elbows on the edge of her float, his grin turning wicked. “Oh, they’re too busy being cute. Should we help them?”
Before I can protest, a big splash of water flies through the air and lands on my legs. I squeal as cold droplets hit my skin. “Ethan!” I yelp, sitting up straighter.
Another splash follows, catching Milo’s shoulder. He laughs, closes the book, and tucks it safely into my bag so it doesn’t get wet. The thoughtful little gesture tugs at my heart.
“What’s the matter?” Ethan pouts sarcastically. “Scared of a little water?”
“You two are dead if you splash me again,” I warn, though I’m smiling.
Aria and Ethan are laughing hysterically, already scooping more water with their hands and aiming it at us, but not yet splashing us.
“Come on. Just one dip,” Aria pleads, fluttering her lashes. “You’ve been glued to that lounger all day. I want to spend time with my beautiful sister.”
Milo glances at me. “They’re not going to stop.”
He’s right. Another splash lands directly on my thigh. Aria and Ethan laugh, egging each other on to make another big splash to get us into the pool.
“I’m comfortable,” I insist.
Before I can blink, Milo stands and bends to scoop me up bridal-style, one arm under my knees, the other behind my back. I let out a squeak as my arms automatically wrap around his neck.
