Chapter Five #3
I grip the board behind me. “You’re unbearable.”
“And you’re still sitting here letting me touch you.”
His fingers slide a little higher before stopping.
The teasing leaves his face, but the heat doesn’t.
“When are you gonna stop fighting it, Mami?”
“I’m not fighting anything.”
His thumb moves once more over the inside of my thigh.
My knees pull in before I can stop them and I know immediately by the way his pretty mouth pulls into a smirk that he noticed.
“Your mouth can keep lying, Mama,” he says, voice low. “But your body’s fucking terrible at it.”
He smiles and runs his hand over his head. Saltwater trails down his face and neck, catching in the stubble along his jaw.
My eyes drop, following the tiny droplets of water, dragging my teeth across my lip.
His chest is half beneath the water, tattoos dark against wet skin.
When I look back up, he’s watching me.
I look away toward the horizon.
“Like what you see, Mama?”
“Yeah, the sunset is beautiful tonight.”
“Pretty sure it wasn't the pretty sunset that had you biting your lip like that.”
A wave rolls under us, stronger than the others.
The board tips.
I grab for balance, but my weight shifts too far.
Revel catches my thigh with one hand and the edge of the board with the other, steadying me before I slide off.
My breath catches, but his hand stays on me.
I should move it, but I don’t.
When he looks back up, the laughter is gone, replaced by that same heavy look from my driveway.
His thumb brushes closer to the edge of my bikini and I inhale sharply.
“Revel.”
“Tell me to stop.”
“I am.”
“No, you’re saying my name.”
His fingers slide down my thigh, not up, but the slow drag makes my whole body react.
I hate him for noticing.
I hate myself more for wanting him to do it again.
He turns his head.
Before I understand what he’s doing, his mouth touches the inside of my thigh.
Just above my knee.
The contact is quick, warm against wet skin.
Then his tongue drags over the saltwater there.
I gasp and jerk my leg back.
The board rocks hard beneath me.
Revel catches it immediately, one arm bracing across the front while I grip the sides.
“Jesus Christ.”
His grin returns, slow and wicked.
“You’re fucking insane.”
“Little bit.”
“You can’t just lick people.”
“Not people, but I can lick you.”
“No, you cannot.”
“Could’ve fooled me.” He smirks knowingly.
I push at his shoulder with my foot, and he catches my ankle before I can knock him away.
“Let go.”
“You’re going to tip yourself over.”
“I don’t care.”
“You will when you hit the water.”
“It’s late.”
He glances toward the sunset. “It’s not that late.”
“Take me back.”
His expression shifts slightly. Not hurt or angry, just more careful as he watches my face.
“You sure?” he asks, voice lower now.
“Yes.”
He holds my gaze for another second, like he’s making sure I mean it, then let’s go of my ankle and moves behind the board.
“Lie down.”
“I can sit.”
“You’ll fall.”
“I haven’t yet.”
“You almost did thirty seconds ago.”
“That was because you distracted me.”
His grin flashes, quick and cocky, as he braces one hand on the back of the board and gives it a small push toward shore. “Good to know.”
I narrow my eyes at him, “Revel.”
“Lie down, Mama.”
I mutter something in Spanish under my breath but turn onto my stomach, arms stretched along the board.
He pushes us back toward shore.
The closer we get, the louder everything becomes again. Music. The crew yelling. Someone cheering when Talon dives into the water fully clothed.
By the time we reach the shallows, my head is clearer.
Not clear, clear .
Just enough to know I let Revel lick my thigh in the middle of the ocean.
He holds the board steady while I slide off.
My feet hit the sand, and water pushes around my hips.
Revel stays close behind me.
Too close.
“So, you gonna pretend that didn’t happen too?” His mouth brushes close to my ear, voice low enough to send another stupid shiver through me. “Pretend you’re not still aching for me to finish what we started?”
I turn and plant a finger against his chest. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He laughs, all smug and satisfied, then lifts the board and tucks it under one arm. “Course you don’t, Mama.”
I walk toward the beach without looking back, but I can hear him following through the shallows, close enough that I can feel him there anyway.
The crew spots us the second we reach the towels.
Bexley pushes herself up on one elbow. “How was the lesson?”
“I learned nothing.”
Revel drops the board beside Reign’s. “She’s a difficult student.”
I flip him off without breaking stride, and everyone starts laughing.
I grab my towel, wrap it tight around my waist, and head for my bag before anyone can look too closely at my face.
This is why men like Revel are dangerous.
Not because they’re loud, cocky, and born knowing exactly how to get under your skin.
Because they make every bad idea feel fun. Easy. Worth it.
Right up until you’re walking away, trying to remember why saying no ever felt like the smart choice.
And the worst part?
I can still feel his mouth on my thigh.