Page 3 of Forever Cursed

“The special edition of that princess book she enjoys so much.”

I don’t have many great qualities, but I’m proud of my gift-giving ability. The copy Gwen has is worn, tattered, and old. I know she’ll never part with it, but she deserved a new, pretty edition. Even if all she does is look at it.

“She’s right. Chrissy won long before you guys ever stood a chance.”

“So, last night was?—”

Gwen leaps off her towel and launches herself at Ash, shutting him up instantly.

“I’m going to throw up,” Zack mutters as I fight back the reflex to gag.

“I think it’s sweet.” Rome grins as he watches the two of them smiling and laughing. “We all know Ash has been through a lot. He deserves this.” Rome gestures toward them. “It’s nice to see him smiling again.”

I thought my heart melted when Rome gave Gwen his present. It’s completely disintegrated now. I can’t fight the grin that spreads across my face.

“Hey, Chrissy.” Rome’s tone is soft, eliciting chills along my skin.

When I meet his gaze, a lump forms in my throat. He offers a half smile, his lips gently curved. His green eyes gleam with natural warmth. I don’t allow my eyes to trail over his sculpted body. I’ll lose all of my motor functions if that happens.

“Hi, Rome.” And there goes my ability to talk.

My voice lodges in my throat, and nothing I can do frees it. Rome has me in the palm of his hand, and he doesn’t even know it.

“Hi Zack, how are you? I’m great, thanks for asking,” Zack asks himself, but his words go in one ear and out the other.

It’s not until Rome breaks eye contact that I remember to fill my lungs with air.

“Zack? When did you get here?” Rome teases, and I can’t help but snicker.

Rome’s eyes flicker in my direction, my cheeks reddening in milliseconds.

“Stay away from her.” Zack’s tone drops, and I swear, Rome gulps. “She’s cursed.”

Leaping off my towel, I run at Zack, who screams like a five-year-old girl.

“You’re dead!” I shout, hurling myself on his back and rubbing my fist in his messy black hair.

“Get her off me! She might be contagious!”

Another set of hands wraps around my bare waist. Rome’s deep, husky chuckle sets my body on fire.

“Chrissy can’t be cursed; just look at her face.”

His muscles are pressed against my back, and I’d give anything to feel his chest against mine, to feel his lips, to see his eyes darken in lust.

“Drop her. She’s dangerous,” Zack orders playfully.

“Rome would never drop—” I land back on my beach towel with anoomph.

“Ash, are you coming?” Zack calls out.

Ash and Gwen return, and after giving Gwen a loving kiss, he heads down the beach with Rome and Zack.

“Are you okay?” Gwen asks with a hint of laughter.

Watching Rome strip off his tee, I shake my head. “Definitely not.”

Chapter Two

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