Page 16 of Snapshot

Dex laughs. “Listen, Lennox. There’s a whole other world down there. It’s unbelievable. When you’re diving, it makes all your actual problems seem so small. There’s a peaceful harmony in the ocean that is so intricately perfect that you start thinking that humans don’t know what the fuck they’re doing up here. When I’m fed up with this world, I find solace in the one below. It’s a freedom you can’t explain.” He holds my gaze. “You just have to experience it.”

I swear he could tell me to jump off a bridge or take a nap in a bonfire with that look on his face, and I’d do it.

“Okay, fine,” I say. “Teeny, tiny baby steps. One lesson to start. And I want actual reports with statistics about theunlikeliness of a shark encounter before I even consider getting in the ocean.”

“You got it,” he replies quickly, a triumphant smile on his face.

I push against his shoulder. “Well, see? There you go. Already filling the big shoes. Jacob could never get me to agree to a lesson. He tried.”

“Ah, well good to know you like me more than Jacob Hayes. I’m honored.”

I flash him a smartass smirk. “I didn’t say I like you more. I’m just implying you’re way more persuasive.”

“Really? Why’s that?”

He drags his tongue over his dark pink lips, wetting them, causing a wave of desire to shoot up my thighs.I shouldn’t.I promised myself that from here on out, I’d only go for guys who ask me out like cordial gentlemen. Three dates,thenthey get dessert. It’s not because I’m a prude. I’m just trying to weed out the assholes and heartbreakers.

But Dex is so tempting that it’s hard to find my self-control at the moment. I’m no match. He’s tall, muscular, tan, with raven-colored hair. His dark hair makes his light eyes pop. I’m such a sucker for hazel eyes. Weak for deep dimples. Completely powerless for a man who’s witty and smirks like that.

I don’t believe in instant love. But I do believe in chemistry. And yes, I believe it’s chemical. Like a physical feeling. Stupid, giddy, butterfly tingles. The kind of overwhelming attraction that makes all reason leave your brain. Two people are either destined to have it or not. Love takes time to grow, but chemistry explodes right out of the gate.

And if my hunch is right, Dex and I most definitely have chemistry.

I place my hand on his knee with no hesitation. My fingertips are on the warpath up his thighs, telling him exactly what’s onmy mind. “My hair is getting your shirt all wet,” I say in a cracked whisper that’s mostly from nerves, but it comes out sort of dangerously sexy. I roll with it. “Maybe you should take it back now.”

I close my eyes and put my mouth on his, but instead of full, warm lips fervently kissing me back, I feel him pull away.

“Wait,” he says.

Dex has fantastic reflexes. He dodges my kiss and catches my hand so quickly that, at first, I don’t even register it’s his rejection. “That was me trying toNetflixand chill.” I try to sound playful, but now the nerves bubbling under my skin aren’t from desire. It’s from embarrassment.

“I’m flattered. I really am. But I’m serious about the diving stuff.”

“Is there a no-sex oath for scuba divers I’m unaware of?”

He laughs, which makes me relax a little. I really like the way he laughs. It starts with his eyes first. They crinkle in the corners, and then his lips catch up, spreading into that charming grin. Then there’s the rich baritone of the sound.

“Look, if I can be honest, I haven’t made a lot of friends here. I normally don’t have much in common with people, but you’re easy to talk to. I like you.”

“Those are all good things, right?”

“Yeah, great things.” His expression turns solemn, and I know he’s about to say something I don’t agree with. “But in my experience, sex is the best way to fuck up a budding friendship. And I guess what I’m saying is, as much as I’d like to see you naked, I think I’d prefer to see you again tomorrow. Is that okay?”

“Oh, yeah, that’s actually…nice. We can go slow. I didn’t mean to give you the wrong impression here.” The flood of excitement returns, making the hairs rise on the back of my neck. I thought Dex would be a fun night, but now he’s sayingall this stuff about seeing me tomorrow. What are the chances that he’s actually a freaking decent guy?Thank you, universe. I was due for a little good luck.“I’m not usually a hook-up kind of girl. I think I kind of got caught up in the moment. But, full transparency, I’m a relationship junkie. So, it's great if you want to slow down, hang out tomorrow first, and see where things go?—”

“I’m not,” Dex interrupts. He sucks in his lips, a look of remorse on his face. “I’m sorry. I’m not a relationship junkie, to borrow your words.”

This conversation is giving me whiplash. Hope, then bitter disappointment swinging like a pendulum back and forth with every verbal exchange. “Oh, so you meant see me nakedorsee me tomorrow.”

“Right.”

An uncomfortable ache balloons in my chest to the point it might burst. I’ve had guys pretend to like me, sleep with me, and then never call again. But this is a brand-new form of rejection. It was a little sneaky, and quite frankly, I feel led on. But maybe I led myself on. I knocked on his door. Asked to use his shower. Climbed on his bed. I’m the one who misread every single sign.

“It’s nothing personal. I’m just not dating right now. And I don’t want to be another guy to waste your time.”

I raise my brows at him.Oh, come on. That seems like a lazy lie.A guy who looks like him is nevernotdating. But it’s not my business.

“Okay. Well, thanks for your honesty.” I show him a clipped smile.

---