Page 20 of Becoming His
I offered as she nodded thoughtfully, chewing on her lip. Elijah was one of those dark and broody types, always deep in thought and preparing for a zombie apocalypse or something equally nerdy. I loved him, but he wasn’t the most social of humans. I noticed he seemed to blank Ray, though, and when I brought it up, he seemed genuinely surprised, clearly not seeing the issue. She put her hands on her hips and looked at me with exasperation, groaning out loud.
“This is the first party you have ever been to; tell me you aren’t wearing that.”
She teased, her mouth curving into a smile. I was about to explain that I had been rudely awakened when Elijah opened the kitchen door, half-naked like he had been in the garden catching some rays. He grinned at me and then noticed Ray, suddenly studying her fingernails intently.
“Morning, girls. Does anyone want any food? Or do you have somewhere more pressing to be?”
He leaned against the stairs while I shrugged, walking up the stairs to get dressed. I heard Ray scurrying up after me, hissing at me not to leave her with Elijah ever again. She was so dramatic!
“He’s my brother Ray. He lives here.”
I explained as I frowned at the clothes strewn around the room. I picked up a black swimsuit; I’d rather die than wear a swimsuit. All that pale flesh on display—nope.
“He looks at me like he hates me.” Ray pouted as I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
“Elijah doesn’t particularly like anyone, don’t take it personally.”
I pulled on my swimsuit before pulling a pair of denim cut-off shorts and slipped a silver kaftan on top, admiring how the outfit flattered my curves. I bit my lip nervously as Ray whistled.
“Nice outfit. Is it new?”
It was one of Connie’s cast-offs, but I couldn’t be bothered to explain it, so I just nodded. I slicked on mascara and ran my hands through my hair before slipping on some sandals and sunglasses. Done. I opened my door to see Elijah coming up the stairs as he took in my outfit.
“So that’s two dates and now a party? Who are you, and what have you done with my sister?”
His eyes flashed playfully before they came to rest behind me on Ray.
“Erm, what?Twodates?” She demanded her hands on her hips. Elijah smiled softly before turning towards his room.
Fucking Elijah!
“Let’s go. He’s not with it.”
I felt somewhat protective of my pretend date with Bailey, especially the kiss. All he was doing was teaching me things, and I didn’t want to admit that.
“Jesus. I was worried for a second there. So anyway, today is going to be amazing. We can laze on the beach, listen to music, and even meet a hot college guy or two.” She grinned wickedly as she drove towards the beach, her fingers tapping on the wheel to the music blaring from her stereo. I sighed as I watched the view from the window change from suburban to beach life, catching glimpses occasionally of the ocean through the gaps in the buildings as we passed. Twenty minutes later, we were heading down to the seafront, hearing the music and shouts from the party. I glanced at Ray with worry, and she smiled reassuringly. She grabbed my hand and squeezed it as we neared the crowd spilling into the sea from the shore, and I blinked when I realized how busy it was. Luckily, I was still holding Ray’s hand as we weaved through the crowd of people, bare-chested guys with sunglasses dancing with scantily clad girls as they drank from plastic cups, dancing to music from unseen speakers. Eventually, we reached the bar where Aurora sat, surrounded by her friends. She saw us and waved enthusiastically, and I cringed when the people with her turned to see who she was waving at, especially when I felt a pair of dark green eyes locking onto us with surprise.
Reuben.
I felt Ray freeze momentarily beside me as he gave us a lazy smile before turning back to Aurora. I squeezed Ray’s hand this time as she leaned over and hugged her sister. I stood awkwardly, hoping I was blending into the crowd, when I felt Reuben’s voice near my ear.
“Nice to see you, Annabelle.”
I felt goosebumps from where his breath had touched my skin and swallowed.
“You too.”
I tried not to look at him, especially as I felt all the girls around us staring daggers at me. Instead, he gazed at me as he sipped his beer, slipping his sunglasses on. He didn’t seem aware of the attention he commanded. Instead, he watched me with interest.
“How have I never seen you before, then suddenly I see you twice in one week?”
I opened my mouth to speak when I heard Ray interrupt coolly,
“Hey, Reuben. Excuse us.”
As he nodded softly, she pulled me away into the crowd, pressing a bottle of water into my hand, which I took gratefully as I was forced to squeeze past a couple that was slowly becoming one.
“I can’t believe he blanked me,” Ray grumbled, flicking her hair with annoyance. “What did he say to you?” She shouted over her shoulder as we finally reached a space near the sea, the water stopping not far from my feet. I slid my sandals off and dipped my toes in the cool water gratefully as I shrugged.
