Barely Breathing (The Breathing #2)(108)

"That's right," I noted, "you've never seen me in a bathing suit before. This is actually the first time I've worn it." We'd gone to the beach a couple of times last summer, but I was still in a cast. I ended up wearing shorts and a tank top since I couldn't go in the water.

"We'll definitely be going to the beach this summer," Evan smiled. I couldn't help but look past him at Analise who was watching us, her eyes darting away quickly when I caught her. And I knew Drew was as well, with his elbows out over the sides and a beer in one hand.

"Hey, Emma," he offered, raising his bottle in the air. I nodded with a small smile before looking away.

Sara was across from us, talking to Jill and Natalie. She called Analise over to join them. Analise couldn't refuse, and I knew Sara had done it on purpose. Thankfully a few more people entered and sat between Evan and Drew. This could not get any more awkward.

"I think I need to convince my parents to get a hot tub," Evan said, running his hand over the top of my thigh, causing me to inhale quickly, but no one noticed. They couldn't see under the water. "They can put it out by the pool that we never use."

"That's right, I've never actually seen your pool uncovered," I replied, taking a hold of his hand that was teasing the inside of my thigh. My face couldn't have been any redder, but that wasn't noticeable either in these conditions.

"Evan," I scolded under my breath, squeezing his hand.

"Sorry, it's the bikini," he defended with an amused grin. "It's too tempting." He leaned over and gave me a soft kiss, his wet lips, sliding over mine. It was brief, but enough to incite a stutter in my chest. I almost forgot we weren't alone for that one second. Then I opened my eyes and saw Drew over Evan's shoulder and sat up a little straighter.

"Analise isn't watching you anymore after that," Sara said lowly. I hadn't noticed that she'd moved next to me. "You're making it steamy in here." She laughed and nudged my knee with hers.

"Did everyone see that?" I asked her, suddenly very aware of the number of people around us.

"No, just those who shouldn't have been watching."

I let Evan keep his hand on my knee, and I refrained from kissing him, despite how tempting it was as the moisture clung to the smooth, sharp lines of his face, down his straight nose and over his slightly parted lips. I had to keep reminding myself that we had an audience, even though the steam made it difficult to see across to the other side.

His thigh brushed against mine, and my breath faltered. He squeezed my knee and I looked up at him. "This is torture," he said, leaning in closer. "Maybe we should get out of here. My parents aren't home."

My heart fluttered, and I smiled. "Really?"

"Really," he said, his breath tickling my lips. "Let's go."

"Okay," I said, biting my lip, wanting to lean in a little closer to taste the water running over his mouth.

"You go first. I'll meet you by the door." He leaned back, and I had to gather myself for a moment before turning toward Sara, who was talking to a girl on the other side of her.

"I'm going to leave with Evan," I informed her. "I'll text if I'm coming to your house, okay?"

"If," she stressed with a knowing look. "Water too hot for you?"

"Something like that," I grinned widely, standing up and moving toward the steps. I couldn't look back because I knew my thoughts were transparent, and no one needed to see what I was thinking.

"Leaving?" Drew asked from behind me as I wrapped the towel around my chest, the heat from the hot tub evaporating into the cold, damp night.



       
         
       
        

"It's getting kind of crowded," I answered, barely giving him a glance.

"Did you get your sweater? I left it on your porch."

"Uh, yeah, thanks." I said vaguely, catching sight of Evan approaching behind him and hoping he hadn't overheard Drew.

Drew noticed Evan as well and said, "It was good seeing you again," before walking through the sliding glass door that led into Jill's parents' bedroom.

"See you in a little bit," I told Evan over my shoulder before heading toward Jill's room. I gathered my clothes and entered the bathroom, my heart beating so fast I was lightheaded. I tried to take calming breaths, but I was too nervously excited.

My phone fell out of my pocket when I picked up my jeans. The red light was flashing to indicate I had a message. I picked it up from the floor and slid my finger over the screen. The excitement drained instantly when I saw the missed call and voice message from my mother.