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“You thought it might take mefive minutesto figure it out?” she shouts, suddenly irate.
“Whoa, whoa! I mean, it was an over-under situation, and I wanted to give you plenty of time. Knowing Luc, he probably waited to arrive just before class started to give you a disadvantage.”
Bianka glances down at me from the corner of her eye again, her expression shifting into amusement. “Okay, he did do that. But seriously, I do not need five minutes in the same room with either of you.”
My grin broadens. “I never doubted you. That’s why I took the under.”
Turning, I glance above the window ledge to see where we are. The on-ramp for the highway is already in the rearview mirror, so I slide into my seat and buckle up.
“Thanks for driving. I figured your car would be the less conspicuous one since my family won’t necessarily know to follow it.” I don’t like that this is Bianka’s first impression of me on a date.
Normally, I would pick her up in my car, take her to one of Chicago’s finest restaurants, then maybe to a play afterward because I know that’s her jam, but this is how I keep her at Rosehill until she graduates.
Bianka shrugs. “Ilya didn’t buy me this car so it could sit in a garage. I love driving.”
“You look sexy doing it,” I say, earning her adorable blush that makes me smile.
On our hour drive to Waukegan Harbor, Bianka and I chat and laugh as she first regales me with the story of Lucca’s devastating failure and how she spotted the signs right from the moment he entered the room.
When she wonders aloud about Ellie’s acting partner being sick on the same day, I mention that I might have paid the guy a hundred dollars to put on goggles and pretend to be Lucca in his reserved lab for the afternoon–just to be safe, but mainly so Lucca could spend time with Ellie unhindered. A bonus for doing me a solid.
That draws a wholehearted response from Bianka as her head drops back, her mirth bursting from her in unfettered laughter that lasts nearly a full minute and makes me smile painfully wide.
As the drive flies by, we move on to other easy topics, and I’m reminded of just how engaging Bianka is. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a conversation unhindered, and it’s nice to realize that we still have the comfortable rapport we built over the summer after freshman year.
While struggling to stay away from her for two years, I’d grown more enthralled by her attributes I could appreciate from afar–her natural beauty, her flare for fashion, and her love of life that seemed to flow from her boundlessly. But really connecting with her, that was what I’d been missing for the past two years.
When I finally direct Bianka off the road toward the docks of Waukegan Harbor, her eyes light with excitement.
“Are we going on a boat?” Her voice rises an octave, making me chuckle.
“Good guess, though, from your outfit, I was starting to wonder if Ellie had dropped hints ahead of time.”
Bianka shakes her head. “She knew, and she didn’t tell me?” Her tone sounds wounded.
“Ididn’t tell her. But I don’t know what kind of pillow talk she and Lucca are into, and I’m not about to ask. You just dressed like you’re ready for a day at the beach.” As she gets out of the car, I eye her skinny jeans and crop top appreciatively.
“Iamready for a day at the beach. But I’ll take any excuse of a hot day to wear my favorite Versace top,” she says with a coy smile.
I grin. “Well, good. But I also bought you a swimsuit for the day.”
Twining my fingers with Bianka’s, I lead her down to the dock and our awaiting yacht. Bianka gasps when I stop next to the luxury boat with a classy covered dining area and cushioned seating in the back that accompanies a flat sunbathing pad.
Our driver and professional chef I hired for the day–all paid in cash so my father won’t find out and the staff won’t know my name–already standing at the front of the boat, ready for us to board.
“You like it?” I ask as I step onto the boat and offer Bianka a hand.
“Like it? I love it. How did you even pull this off?” She accepts my help, her delicate fingers clasping mine as she skips aboard with ease.
“Talent and ingenuity.” I smugly blow on my nails and shine them on my shirt, drawing a bubbly laugh from the beautiful brunette, who I get to myself for the rest of the day.
As we settle in, our driver brings the boat’s motor to life and pulls away from the wharf. He takes us out about twenty minutes from the harbor to a quiet beach on Lake Michigan. It’s a tiny strip of fine sand without another soul in sight, perfect for a secluded date away from either of our families.
As soon as the boat anchors, I ask if Bianka’s up for a swim, and she agrees readily. While I change up top, she uses the small lower quarters to change into the bikini I bought her. She comes out a few minutes later clad in a black keyhole halter top and matching bottoms.
I release a low whistle as she emerges. Suddenly, I’m aware of the fact that I’ve been dreaming about this girl for two years, and on our first date, I’ve all but stripped her down to her underwear. I would kick myself for tempting my less chivalrous side if I weren’t so thoroughly enjoying the view.
The blush that colors Bianka's cheeks and all the way down her neck reminds me of my manners. She might be smoking hot, but I want to be better than my father, who uses women for their beauty and station, ignoring what else they have to offer.
