Chapter 27
Alex
“Yo, Lena! We're going to the beach next weekend. Want to come?”
Elena, who was resting with her head on Alex's lap, opened one eye to look at Nina. In the last few days, she'd become clingier. Not that he minded. Whenever they were together, she found excuses to touch him. The fact that she initiated the physical contact herself was new. It felt so good.
“Uhm, it depends. I'm not going camping or sleeping in the sand if that's what you have in mind.”
The princess was not a fan of nature.
“No,” Sophie assured her, laughing. “My grandparents have a flat there.”
Alex knew she wouldn't be able to refuse. Nina and Sophie had wormed themselves into her life, and they had no intention of letting Elena slip away. She was part of the trio now. Nina looked at her with a kicked puppy face, and Elena agreed.
“Okay, I’ll come. How do we get there?”
“Alex can drive us,” Nina suggested, grinning.
Alex blinked once before sighing. “Did you really just include me in your plans without asking?”
“You can't refuse! Don't you want to go to the beach with Elena?”
She waggled her eyebrows and Alex rolled his eyes. Nina knew what she was doing. Of course, he would love to go to the beach with her. Seeing her lying in the warm sand in nothing but a bikini was a sight he didn't want to miss. Don't think about that now. He shrugged.
“Yes, but I had no intention of including you in the equation.”
“Meany.”
Nina pouted, and Sophie patted her head in sympathy. Elena sat up to face Alex.
“You don't have to come.”
Alex pursed his lips. “Why’s that? Are you planning on hitting on other guys? Is that why you want me to stay?”
She tucked a strand of orange hair behind her ear with an innocent expression. This girl was a demon with the face of an angel.
“Maybe. What happens at the beach stays at the beach.”
Alex flicked her on the forehead. “Do that and you can take the bus to school.”
Elena fell against him and held his arm. “I don't know how to flirt with you, so how am I going to do it with others?”
“Not the answer I was hoping for.”
***
Nina and Sophie were already in the back seat when Elena added her suitcase to the trunk. Alex watched in amazement. They were going to Oostduinkerke for a weekend, yet they’d all taken enough to travel for a month.
“How long are you planning to be away?”
“A woman always has an outfit for every occasion,” Elena replied, closing the trunk.
Once the car was loaded, Alex drove off. Elena took something out of her bag, and Alex had to look twice, and still, he couldn't believe it.
“What's Neighomi doing here?”
“Neighomi goes where I go. It's not up for discussion.”
The dancer swept her long hair back over her shoulder while the ridiculous stuffed animal rested on her lap, its glittery gaze riveted on the road. Nina poked her head between their seats to see the unicorn.
“A plushie!”
“It’s so cute,” Sophie added.
Elena hugged the unicorn tighter. Alex was starting to regret buying that thing. He'd bought it as a joke, but Elena had grown attached to the silly country-singing unicorn with a purple mane. Maybe he should have listened to Audrey's advice and bought a stuffed pony instead.
“It's a gift from Alex.”
“That explains a lot,” Sophie laughed.
Throughout the journey, the girls sang along to a Disney playlist Elena had put together. At times, they tried to get Alex to sing with them. The excuse of having to concentrate on the road saved him.
When they arrived at the apartment, Nina ran into the living room and threw herself onto the leather sofa. The apartment was spacious and soberly furnished.
“Wow! Your place is gorgeous.”
Sophie picked up Nina's suitcase and disappeared into a bedroom. “Let's set up the beds.”
Elena and Alex followed her into a room with two bunk beds. Alex watched the beds, doubtful.
“I don’t care what you do, but I sleep with Lena,” he said, letting his backpack fall on one of the lower beds.
“And risk having the beds creak at night?” Sophie shot back, her arms folded. “I don't think so.”
Alex sighed. He always felt more at peace when she slept next to him. The little blonde left the room to fetch some sheets. Elena put Neighomi on the bed above Alex.
“Seriously, why did you bring that thing with you?”
“Be nice. Her life isn't easy. She's mute now.”
“Did you take the batteries out?”
“You can't imagine how annoying it is to hear her singing and giggling through the night.”
She took her toiletry bag out of her suitcase, along with a beach towel, before turning back to him with a smile.
“I like having her with me. It’s reassuring because she reminds me of you.”
Alex frowned. Sure, it was sweet that she was keeping Neighomi close to her, but at the same time, he wondered.
“But I'm here, so you don't need it.”
“A girl always needs her unicorn. You wouldn't understand.”
***
At the beach, Nina and Sophie removed their clothes and shoes before rushing to the water.
Elena and Alex laid out the towels and parasol.
Once settled, Elena positioned herself under the parasol with a dog-eared version of The Silmarillion.
Unlike the others, she kept her clothes on.
The most surprising of all: she was wearing long pants in the sweltering heat.
Alex left her alone at first, but noticed how often she glanced at the water.
“You don’t want to swim?”
“I think I'll skip this year.”
She did her best to look carefree—it didn’t fool Alex. What was bothering her? Elena had the body of a goddess, sculpted by countless hours of dancing. What could possibly make her so self-conscious?
“What are you trying to hide?”
She looked up from her book, her lips pursed. “Of course, you figured that out.” Elena put her book away. She knew Alex wouldn't let her go until she'd come clean. “I guess I don't want people to see certain parts of my body.”
“Do you really care what strangers might think of you?”
“Fine! There are certain parts of my body that I don't want to see.”
Alex knocked his knee against hers. “Regretting old tattoos?”
A laugh left her lips. “I wish. I still have a big scar on my knee from the accident.”
“Are you ashamed of your scar?”
“I'm not ashamed of it, but it reminds me every day of what I've lost. When it’s covered, I can almost forget it's there. And it's ugly. I don't want you to see it.”
That explained why she never wore anything but long pants or dark stockings.
“Are you really going to waste your vacation because of a scar? I wouldn't judge you for something like that.”
Elena hesitated, then finally gave in. She took off her clothes.
Once she was wearing only her white bikini, all her self-confidence evaporated.
Alex found himself unable to react. Elena was even more beautiful than he'd imagined, and he had imagined what she'd look like.
Her body was muscular yet curvy in all the right places.
Her pale skin looked incredibly soft, and he had to restrain himself from reaching out.
He looked down at the scar. The damaged skin ran the length of her knee.
Elena sought Alex's gaze, hoping to find comfort there.
“Don't worry about it. It’s not as bad as you think.”
“You’re saying that to make me feel better.”
“Yes, but I mean it.”
Alex wanted to devour her. That mark only made her more beautiful. How could she not know? He bit his tongue. She wasn't ready to hear that. Not yet, anyway.
Sophie returned, dripping from head to toe. “Oh boy. You didn't tell me you were that hot.”
Perfect.
“See?”
“What?” Sophie wondered.
“Her scar.”
Her mouth turned into an oh. Elena stirred under the attention.
“I hadn't noticed.”
“Listen to Sophie.”
***
Elena was applying a fresh layer of sunscreen.
The more she rubbed every inch of her skin, the more agitated Alex became.
He couldn't stop staring at her; she was gorgeous, even when she wasn't trying.
Her smooth skin, her shiny hair... The more he looked at her, the harder it became to look away.
She was half-naked, and right there, only inches away from him.
In front of this siren, his self-control was crumbling.
Alex wanted her. He wanted all of her. And he couldn't help wondering what she tasted like. He wanted to kiss her. Everywhere.
Realizing that he was fantasizing about her, he raised his head.
His neck and cheeks flushed at the mischievous grin Elena gave him.
Alex cleared his throat and stared at the ice-cream truck.
He did his best not to lose face, but he knew Elena understood.
She knew what kind of images were playing in his head.
She knew how much he wanted her. Because he'd been ogling her like a starved dog in front of the most delicious buffet.
Elena turned her full attention to him. Her eyes sparkled.
“Am I turning you on?”
Sadistic as she was, Elena positioned herself behind him, pressing herself against his back. Every inch of bare skin, every curve, every breath. He felt everything. Elena placed several small kisses on his neck. Alex took a deep breath. A shiver ran down his spine, and his hair stood on end.
“Want me to take care of you?”
Her voice was deeper, like melted chocolate.
Alex bit his lip. She wasn't serious, was she?
A warmth formed in his belly, and he knew he had to do something while his head was still clear.
At least, clear enough. Not touching her was torture.
If he let himself be tempted, he wouldn't be able to stop.
He abruptly moved away from Elena and stood up.
She fluttered her eyelashes as if nothing had happened.
This was all a game to her, and Alex was at her mercy.
“We're going swimming.”
Without giving her time to reply, he headed for the water. He really had to cool down. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Sophie staring at him, confused.
“Alex, wait!”