Page 27 of Sand in My Boots

Wonder has her head cocking to the side. “Then your little sister.”

“Gross.” The word pops out of my mouth beyond my control. “Again. Never. Not once did I ever think of you as my sister. Ew.” For good measure, my body revolts at the thought with a full shudder. Because ew.

She studies my face, looking for what, I’m not sure. Evidence I’m telling the truth? Confirmed when she says, “I don’t believe you.”

“I’ve never given you a reason to distrust me. Why would I start now?”

“I-I’m not sure.” Her answer isn’t resounding honesty, and disbelief leaks into her features. “We should go.” Unlike last time, she doesn’t move, her feet firmly planted on the sidewalk. Her shoulders heave with weighty breaths, indecision making each one heavier.

“Go where?” I press, wondering where exactly she thinks we go from here.

“Not . . . here.” She flicks a wrist between us, then out to the side.

I know where I want to go, but I’m not positive it’s the best idea. In fact, the only thing I’m certain about is that it’s probably the worst idea ever. Doesn’t mean I’ll keep it to myself.

To rile her up, I slide closer. “I believe there was an invitation to your suite’s shower. That offer still on the table?”

“We shouldn’t.” It’s not convincing.

“What if we should, Jude?”

The moniker breaks her, like I knew it would, and why I used it. To gain admission.

Her mouth opens, as if she wants to say something. Probably to refute my words. But it closes without her voicing anything. I wish I could read her mind, to know what she’s thinking, to know if there’s any inkling of giving in to what I want.

Before I can speak again, she presents her back, trudging away from me, leaving me standing there at a loss for what’s happening. Seems like it’s par for the course with this relationship these past two days. Despite my brain coaxing them to move, my feet stay planted. It’s not until she looks over her shoulder and mouths, “You coming?” do I kick it into gear.

“Not yet,” I mumble. “But you will be.”

Chapter 9

Juli

Five minutes to call a rideshare.

Thirty minutes back to the resort.

Three minutes to my room.

Over the course of the last forty minutes, a barrage of emotions swelled through me. Hunger. Lust. Fear. Desire. Envy. And the one leading the pack—need.

I crave Cameron. In every way. Like I need my next breath. That’s how strong the feeling of want courses through me. My body hums with anticipation and a bit of trepidation.

Is this a mistake? Most definitely.

Am I going to stop it? No way in hell.

Not even the sky threatening to unleash a terrible storm could derail this train of yearning. Not even knowing there’s only tonight. A repeat of a night we shared years ago. Not weighing what it will take to recover from this. Nothing’s stopping this.

The door barely closed behind us, Cameron traps me against the wall. His arms bracket the sides of my face, locking me in place. As if he didn’t, I’d disappear.

No need to worry there, buddy. I ain’t going anywhere.

“We should start with a kiss.”

“You won’t hear me complaining.” To prove myself, I push to tiptoes, meeting him halfway. Or at least part of the way.

His legs widen, his head dips lower, and his arms still surround my face. Our breaths come fast, in tandem with each other, both wanting what’s about to happen. If only one of us would make the first move. Join our lips.