Page 41 of Love You Like This

A dark-haired older man approaches the table with an absolute bombshell of a woman on his arm. Stephen stands and gives both of them a hug. They’re vaguely familiar, and then it all clicks when I hear their names, Thomas and Brianna. I met them briefly at the wedding, he’s a friend of Stephen. The hosts and our server bring over a table, so we can all sit together.

The conversation thankfully turns from college. Both Xander and I try to politely pay attention as our parents catch up with the newcomers to the table. But each of us keep sneaking looks at the other.

I force myself to stop looking at his face and decide to turn my attention back to the pink and orange horizon. People walk hand in hand along the beach as merchants carry their wares off for the day. A young couple catches my eye as they chase their toddler through the sand, their laughter carrying over to us.

“Cute kid,” Xander remarks.

“I know.”

“Do you think you’ll want them someday?”

I pull my gaze from the family back to him. “I don’t know. Maybe. Not until I’m well established in my career, though. You?”

He shrugs a shoulder. “I’ve never thought too hard about it, but I’d probably be okay with having one someday. When I’m in my thirties or something. I haven’t been around kids, though, so that might change my mind.”

I nod and watch as he lifts his beer to his lips. How have I never noticed how full they are before? His eyes stay on me the entire time he takes a drink. I watch as his fingers skim some of the condensation off the bottle as he sets it down. The back of his hand is covered in a web of thick veins which only serves to remind me of the one running the length of his shaft.

Just like that I’m thinking about his dick again. Fucking hell.

How am I supposed to pretend I didn’t feel it nestled against me in the pool today though? I didn’t even realize I was arching into him until his bulge grazed my pussy, sending hot waves of need under my skin.

It was crazy how instantly I wanted him. Like a switch flipped inside my body and he went from someone who’s becoming a friend to me to the forbidden fruit I can’t stop fantasizing about. My nipples pebble beneath my dress as he looks at me with matching intensity in his gorgeous hazel eyes.

As dinner winds down, Thomas and Brianna invite our parents out to a bar for a few more drinks. While I could join them, I need space from Xander. To breathe and get my head on straight. This growing infatuation could turn into something more if I don’t get a handle on myself.

“I think I’ll just go back to the house,” I tell everyone as we walk out onto the sidewalk in front of the restaurant.

“Xander, why don’t you go with her so she’s not alone,” Stephen says.

“I’ll be fine by myself,” I start to protest.

“No.” Stephen holds up a hand. “It’s never good to split up on your own in a foreign country.”

He’s not wrong.

“It’s not a problem.” Xander walks over beside me. “I’m tired from earlier anyway.”

Stephen looks him up and down closely. “You did mention that wipe out surfing. Thomas is right here if you want him to look you over.”

Thomas narrows his eyes and looks Xander up and down. “What happened?”

“Nothing. Literally just had my ass handed to me by a wave.”

“Did you hit your head?”

“Nope.” Xander waves him off.

“If anything changes, let me know, and I’ll swing by tomorrow to check you out.”

“I’m fine.” Xander steps behind me and wraps his hand gently around my bicep. “Our ride’s here,” he says as a sedan drives up.

Mom gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Be safe. Text when you get back to the house.”

The car is compact, so after I get in and slide across the back seat, I can still feel the heat radiating from Xander. His thigh brushes mine several times, and my hoe body lights up at each innocent touch like the lights on the Vegas strip. I would pull out my phone to bring up the group chat and distract myself, but the last thing we were talking about was how big his dick was. I don’t want him to glance over and see.

The silence between us lingers. He doesn’t seem bothered by it in the least though, as he opens the surf forecast app on his phone to check conditions for tomorrow. As we enter the gates of the community of beach houses, I look out into the night sky. The moon is full above us, shining silvery light down. It’d be a gorgeous night to walk on the beach.

The car pulls up to the house, and after thanking the driver, we walk up to the front door. We still haven’t exchanged any words, and despite my own internal struggle about my changing feelings for him, it’s not an uncomfortable silence. He closes and locks the door behind us as I walk down the hall toward my room.