Page 69 of Those Summer Nights (Sweet Cravings 2)

“And now?”

I finally saw my lifeguard approaching. “And now I’m on team me.”

She followed my gaze. “Or are you on team hot lifeguard?”

I smiled. “I think they might be the same team.”

“Really? You’re dating him?”

I didn’t really know what we were. But I’m sure we’d talk about it more tonight. “We haven’t really had that talk yet.”

“You’re so lucky.” It was like she hadn’t even heard my response.

A month ago I felt like the unluckiest girl in the world. But now my life had done a 180. I did feel lucky.

“Hey,” J.J. said as he leaned against the counter. His eyes traveled to my lips for the briefest moment. “Any chance you can skip out a few minutes early?”

“Yes!” Becca practically screamed next to me.

I glanced over at her and laughed. She was clearly as awestruck by J.J. as I was. “Thanks, Becca. Are you working tomorrow’s day shift too?”

She nodded.

“I’ll see you then.” I pulled off my apron and left as quickly as possible so that J.J. wouldn’t notice Becca drooling. But before I stepped out of the little shop, Keira and Rory walked in.

For a second I froze. I was about to skip out early and my bosses had caught me red-handed. But instead of reprimanding me, Keira just elbowed Rory in his side and then winked at me. Why was she winking at me?

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I was just…”

“It’s fine.” She waved her hand through the air. “Just for the record…I totally predicted this. Now go have fun with your lifeguard.” She winked again.

My lifeguard. I laughed. I guess there was no sense in making up some lame excuse. Keira didn’t seem to care that I was leaving a few minutes earlier. She just seemed happy for me. Which made me smile. “Thanks.”

As I pushed through the door, a bout of nerves hit me. Would J.J. kiss me hello? Would he hug me? Would he try to hold my hand? Would he not touch me at all?

"Hey," I said quietly as I stepped out into the sun.

He smiled brightly. Seeing his smile immediately calmed my nerves. It was proof that he had enjoyed last night as much as me. He didn't wake up regretting what had happened either.

Instead of giving myself an opportunity to do anything weird, I just started to walk. As I passed him, he immediately slipped his hand in mine. I tightened my fingers around his and swallowed all the words rolling around in my head. Especially the “I missed you” that kept threatening to spill out.

We walked in silence, hand in hand down the boardwalk. It was already pretty busy since the 4th of July crowd was mostly still in town. I was trying to look anywhere but at him when he started talking. And I swore he said he missed me, but I couldn’t be certain. I looked up at him. “What did you say?”

“I said I missed you today, Jellyfish Girl. I’m used to you being at the beach with me on Tuesdays.”

My heart felt like it was going to explode. He had said no more games last night. So why was I keeping what I wanted to say locked up? “I missed you too. I’d spend every second with you if I could.” Oh crap, too honest?

But he just smiled.

God, I wanted to kiss his perfect lips again.

When we turned down the street that his apartment was on, I was relieved to get away from the crowds. But then with each step closer to his apartment, my heart started to beat faster. J.J. had told me to bring a swimsuit. Which meant we were either heading down to the beach in a bit, or his pool. He did not say we were going to have super hot sex again. But I couldn't help but think we'd be doing that too.

He didn't say a word to me as we walked into his building. Or as the elevator doors slid open. Or when we stepped on.

But soon as the doors closed, he leaned against the side of the elevator and pulled me against him. His hands trailed down my back and stopped just above my ass. "Hey," he said. His voice sounded so sexy. Maybe he had no intention of swimming or going to the beach. I could feel his erection through his swim trunks. Maybe we were just going to have mind-blowing sex all night instead.

I smiled up at him. I wasn't going to protest that at all. I closed my eyes and tilted my head up so that he'd kiss me.

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