Chapter 12
TWELVE
SUMMER
Santi and Kiri picked me up about an hour ago, and the counselors all parade around the bar with a joy that feels contagious. Maybe I’ve become a little too closed-off, these people seem great, even if they are younger than me by at least a decade.
Kiri’s got on a sparkly top that makes her dark skin glow, her locs are tied on top of her head, and her daisy dukes make her legs look a mile long.
Her boots are glittered too, practically blinding everyone on the dance floor.
She pulled Santi into the fray of bodies not long ago, and he’s smiling and moving along with her.
I will not be participating in that.
Instead, I’ve had my eye on Indy and the blonde–Lucy–from the other night. They walked in with smiles and hellos, as the couple behind the bar waved them over. Placing drinks in their hands, they hurry off to a table and sit, eyeing the room.
Indy’s wearing a dress, a flowy thing in a pale blue that contrasts against her skin so prettily. Her hair’s glossy, flowing straight down her back. Her boots though, they surprised me. Dyed pink leather with little bees burned into them.
Whatever Lucy says makes Indy blush, a thing I’ve come to realize is one of my favorite things about her. How expressive she is.
“Just go talk to her already,” River says, knocking my shoulder with theirs. “She needs to have some fun, and I think you’re just the person.”
Their comment makes my eyes narrow, “Why do you think that?”
They shrug, taking a sip of their drink, “You seem like a no-strings type of person.”
I nod, understanding dawning. River thinks I’ve got no intentions of staying here after camp ends, and they aren’t wrong, but thinking it makes me pause. My stomach bottoms out, and I’m left there to shake off the hope that tries to take flight in my chest.
Staying would be a mistake, after the things I’ve done…
I couldn’t ask someone to give themself to me wholly, and expect them to stay, without offering anything in return. It’s human nature to want more, and I can’t offer that. Best case scenario, Indy and I have a fling until the summer’s over, and then I leave.
Easy.
We’re both adults, we both have desires. And clearly we’re attracted to each other. Even if she doesn’t want to admit it to herself, I’ve caught her staring, and blushing when I flirt. She wants to act like there’s nothing there, but there is.
By the time I’ve talked myself into walking over to their table, Santi comes swaying my way.
“Come on, Summer,” he says, pulling the beer from my hands and downing the rest. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he pulls me into the mass of bodies moving to some upbeat, overplayed, pop song.
“I don’t dance,” shaking my head, I let out a nervous laugh. “Ever.”
“Don’t be a party pooper!” Kiri hollers, reaching out with both hands. “It’s easy, just sway.”
Shaking my head harder, I take a step back, hoping to get off the dance floor before getting boxed in.
“OW!” There’s a yelp from behind me, and a soft foot under mine.
“Shit. I’m sor–”
The green eyes staring up at me as I turn strike me to my core, making my heart pound in my chest. “Fuck.”
Indy’s brows turn down and her arms cross over her chest, making her tits press even harder against her dress, damn near spilling out.
Goddamn.
I’d like to do dirty, dirty, things to those.
“Fuck’s right,” she snaps, backing up and sitting on the first available stool. Lifting her foot, she tears off her boot and massages her toes. “Watch where you’re goin’ next time.”
“I didn’t know you were behind me,” I rationalize, shit like this must happen all the time at a bar. Not that I’d know, seeing as I tend to avoid most crowded places.
“Obviously,” she bites, shoving her foot back into her boot and standing to her full height. She’s still a good few inches shorter than me, so it’s kind of adorable how angry she looks. “Are you gonna say sorry, or what?”
“I could, but I think I’d rather prove it. Actions over words and all.” My smile spreads, earning a hitched breath from her lungs.
Her eyes roam over my face, lips softening in a perfectly ‘let’s get out of here’ kind of way, and before I lose my nerve I grab her hand and pull her out of the bar through an entrance I’m pretty sure was marked employees only.
“What the hell are you–”
But I don’t let her finish. The door closes and I’m pushing her against it, her back thuds against the metal and she gasps, the sound laced with what I’m praying is desire.
“I–” My mind goes blank. I can’t think, can’t ration or reason with myself. All I know is I’ve had an overwhelming need to know her from the moment I saw her ethereal beauty looking up at the stars, and it’s only gotten harder to ignore how my body pulls me into her orbit.
“I really want to kiss you, Honey,” I admit, licking my lips and watching her face for any sign of distress, but I think she wants me just as much as I want her.
She lunges forward and wraps her arms around my neck, surprising me with her willingness to take what she wants. Her lips land on mine, soft and plush, and oh so fucking eager.
My hands dive into her hair at the base of her neck, as our lips open and tongues come out to play.
Positioning her just right, I sweep my tongue through her lips and grip her hair, giving it a soft tug.
The sound she releases into the night air has my body igniting.
Pressing my lips against hers harder, she melts in my arms.
She’s kissing me.
“Please let me take you home,” I breathe, kissing her again.
Her hands unwind from around my neck and she looks away, looking back at me with her teeth pressing firmly into her bottom lip. Stepping back, I feel my arms slip away from her plush body, and my stomach sinks to my toes, already knowing the answer she’ll give.
“I can’t,” she says, turning around so fast her hair brushes my face as she retreats back inside the bar.
I’m left there, standing outside of the bar, with a dripping cunt and a bruised ego.