CHAPTER TEN
Blair
Ishift on my towel as Zane finishes his drink and wipes below his lip, catching the last drop with his finger before licking it dry. My mind drifts, imagining what else he could do with that tongue, and my toes curl into the sand.
As I’m watching him, a sharp pain shoots through my lip and I silently gasp, releasing the flesh from where it’s trapped between my teeth, glancing away before Zane notices.
They weren’t kidding when they said absence makes the heart grow fonder. Or in my case, it’s made the lust grow stronger because I have never wanted Zane more than I do right now. And my mind is drifting into dangerous territory.
Especially with my brother sitting a few feet away.
“Any idea where your teammate Bianci will go in the draft?” Cade asks Zane, and my eyes bounce between them.
Zane purses his lips before his mouth lifts into a smirk. “How much?”
“What?” Cade frowns.
“You made a bet with your dad, didn’t you?”
“What? No. I…” Cade trails off, shaking his head with a laugh. “Okay, I bet him fifty bucks that Bianci goes to Philly.”
“Philly?” Zane’s eyes widen but he schools his features. “I mean, yeah. Good thinking.” He bites back a grin and I burst out laughing.
“I think you just lost fifty bucks, Bro.”
“What? Why? Where do you think he’s going?” He bounces his question to me, a little cockiness to his tone.
“It’s true that Philly needs fresh blood in their defense, but their tackles are strong. They’re likely to pick Fisher as their number one. I’d have my money on Bianci going to Dallas. They haven’t had a decent tackle since Rover retired two seasons ago.”
Zane chuckles beside me. “I hate to say it, Caden, my man, but I think Little B’s got you beat.”
Cade eyes Zane suspiciously before his gaze snaps to mine. “You fuckers,” he groans. “You told her to say that, didn’t you, Zane?”
“Really, man? When? Your sister just got here. I’ve been with you the entire day.”
Cade frowns but he can’t argue with the truth. At least, he can’t argue with what he believes to be the truth. Not that we were talking much during our moment in Zane’s truck.
“Dad told you then.” Cade continues to sulk, and I raise my hands in innocence.
“I had no idea about the bet, Cade. You’re acting like I’m clueless about football.”
“No,” Zane cuts in before Cade can argue. “He’s acting like a guy that hates losing. We all know you’re a freak when it comes to stats and knowledge, B. It’s one of the reasons we love you.”
“Probably the only reason,” Cade quips and the two of them laugh to themselves while my football-loving heart beats out of my chest.
Love.
Zane used the word “love” and while sure, it was said in a very platonic, sisterly like manner, it was still music to my ears.
Zane doesn’t use that word lightly. Ever. It’s not his thing.
But every moment we spend together brings me closer to feeling it from him, even if he never voices the word.
Cade moves the conversation on to other potential draft picks, and I give my two cents when I can, but the second his crush arrives, the conversation is over. She’s not that interested in football and when she’s around, neither is Cade.
“What about a swim?” he asks with renewed enthusiasm, his eyes bouncing between us, secretly hoping we’ll say no.
“I’m enjoying the sun,” I say with a shrug and Zane shakes his head.
“Not right now. I’m expecting a call,” he lies, waving his phone for reinforcement. At least, I assume it’s a lie because Cade shoots him a wink before setting off toward the ocean.
“And they were finally alone,” Zane jokes when they’re out of earshot, his gaze firmly locked on the beach in front of him.
“Unless you count the other forty or so people lazing around in the sand.” I lie back as the words leave my mouth, shielding my eyes from the sun.
Zane chuckles quietly, and when the sound hits my ears, I uncover my eyes, anticipating his smile.
And he does not disappoint.
The way his lips curl, paired with the sparkle in his eyes, should be illegal. Bad boys aren’t supposed to have alluring smiles like that—they’re dangerous enough.
But they do. They all do.
Especially Zane.
It’s that exact smile that sucked me in almost two years ago. Before that, I was only ever interested in good guys. The ones that finish their homework before taking you out. The ones that bring you flowers on a first date and fumble their words as they try to impress your parents.
Zane is none of those guys. He’d rather get drunk than do homework, he has more tattoos than one should have at almost nineteen years of age, and he even has his nipple pierced.
Not that we’ve ever discussed that. He did it before Christmas, and I’ve been pretending not to notice. But my God, does it add to his appeal.
Zane’s the type of guy that gets into fights easily. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks about him and he doesn’t conform.
To the outside world, he’s a bad boy.
Hell, I even call him my bad boy because he’s running around with his best friend’s little sister. With me.
But he’s not a bad boy at all. He’s far from it.
If he was as bad as he believes himself to be, he’d be willing to risk a relationship. Without regret. Like I am. But he won’t.
He’s one of the most decent humans I know.
And one day, he’s going to figure that out and his world will never be the same.
My chest tightens as I think about that notion.
God, I hope I’m around to witness it.
“You’re making it really hard for me to keep my cool, Little B,” Zane interrupts my thoughts, and I’m snapped from my stupor to find I’m staring at his abs, my lip once again trapped between my teeth.
I huff out a laugh. “Well, maybe if you gave me some love, I wouldn’t have to be daydreaming about it. This is on you, Fitzpatrick. The ball’s in your court.”
“Little B,” he warns while I laugh at the tension building in his gaze.
“I know.” I fill in the space before he can. “When we’re in college together, we’ll find it easier to be alone.”
Zane’s getting his own dorm room next year so we won’t have to sneak around anymore.
“Exactly.” He snaps his fingers. “But if you keep looking at me like that, your brother’s going to kill me before we get the chance.”
“He’s weak. You can take him.” I wave off Zane’s concern and he snorts in amusement.
“That may be true, but if it’s a fight to the death, I’m gonna back down. I have a sister, remember? I know how I’d feel.”
I do remember. As much as I love Sierra, sometimes I wish they weren’t related. If Zane had a brother, he might be more willing to corrupt me.
“Okay, fine,” I reluctantly concede. “I’ll stop openly staring at your gorgeous body. But you have to do something for me.”
“Anything.”
“Put a damn shirt on or get out of my view.”
“No can do, Little B.” He winks. “It’s too hot for that.”
With a groan, I drag my T-shirt over my head and lie back down, throwing an arm over my eyes as I softly arch my back, putting my bikini-clad breasts on full display. Two can play at that game.
Zane’s laughter cut off, and I bite back a victorious grin, struggling not to giggle.
Not so easy now, is it, Zane? “How long is it until college?”