“Let’s go,” she commanded. “Time to get my mack on!” With that, Carly threw her shoulders back and stalked her way down the beach. She was like a lioness hunting her prey. Poor Cole was going to have his hands full.
“Hi, Cole,” Carly practically purred as she sauntered up to him.
Cole looked up, his eyes landing first on Carly. Then, as they found Bri, he smiled.
“Well, hello, ladies! It’s nice to see you again. Bri, and um, Carly right?” He smiled at Bri again.
“Nice to see you, too, Cole,” Carly tried for a sexy smile, but it came out more like bared fangs. “And you remembered my name! You must have been thinking about me,” her voice dropped suggestively.
Bri couldn’t believe how forward Carly was being. Well, actually she could. Cole looked like he couldn’t quite believe it either. He seemed to be struggling with an appropriate response. Bri decided to step in and save him the trouble.
“Or,” she turned to Carly. “It could be that we were just here a couple of days ago. Even you could remember something for three days.”
“But still, I must have made an impression,” Carly eyed Cole seductively.
“Oh, I’m sure you made an impression all right,” Bri murmured, causing Cole to laugh. Carly turned a menacing smile at her cousin.
“Don’t you have something to do, or a book to go read?” Carly’s voice was tight with anger. “Like, now!”
Bri eyed her cousin for a moment. But her desire to see Carly humiliate herself won out over her pride. She smiled sweetly at Carly.
“And so I do.” She picked up her beach bag and gave Cole an apologetic smile. His eyes begged her to stay, but she just winked at him, and hoped he was prepared for what was coming. She felt his eyes follow her as she left.
Bri walked a little ways down the beach. She stopped when she was far enough away not to look like she was eavesdropping, but close enough that she still could. This was a show she did not want to miss. She began to set out her things as she listened.
“So, Cole,” Carly attempted to regain his attention. “You didn’t answer my question.” When Cole turned back to her with a blank look, she sighed. “Were you thinking about me?”
“Oh, um, I don’t... really...” Bri heard Cole’s voice trail off as she slipped out of her tank top and board shorts. She adjusted her black bikini before chancing a glance at Cole. Sure enough, he was watching her, the goofy smile on his face telling her he liked what he saw. Bri quickly glanced at Carly, who was glaring daggers at her. She pretended she had no idea what they were talking about and proceeded to apply some sunscreen. When the talking didn’t immediately resume, Bri knew Cole was still watching her. Feeling a little smug, she laid out on her towel. Her sunglasses allowed her to watch Carly and Cole without being obvious.
“Cole? Cole!” Carly had to shout to regain Cole’s attention.
“Oh...uh,” he shook his head to clear it. “I’m sorry, what were you saying?”
Carly gave him a predatory smile.
“Look, Cole, we could go on playing this game all day. But I’m leaving in a few days, and I don’t really have time for games. So, I’m just going to lay it all out for you.” She took a step closer to him, intentionally invading his personal space. “I like you, Cole, and I’m pretty sure you like me, too. I think we could have some fun together. You know, some no strings attached, no commitment required, kind of fun.” She ran a finger down his chest. “If you’re interested.”
“Look, Carly, I...”
“Shhh,” she put a finger to his lips and leaned in close to his ear. “Just think about it,” she purred, and then turned, removing her sarong as she walked away. She threw Cole a suggestive look over her shoulder, before joining Bri on the sand.
“And that,” Carly said smugly, laying herself out on her towel, “is how you do it. Give him ten, fifteen minutes tops, and he’ll be over here begging for it!”
Bri could only shake her head at Carly’s antics. The girl was completely clueless. But, wanting to see how things played out, Bri didn’t dispute her.
An hour and a half later, Cole still hadn’t come “begging for it”. And each minute that passed, Carly grew more and more agitated and angry. From the look in her eyes, Bri could tell something was brewing in that tiny brain of hers, but Bri wasn’t sure she wanted to find out what it was.
Bri had spent her time much more enjoyably. She had been watching Cole, trying to judge his reaction to Carly’s offer. At least, that’s what she told herself. Wanting to watch him had nothing to do with the way his board shorts hung low on his narrow hips, or the way his white t-shirt accentuated his broad chest. She had been sneaking glances at him on and off, and from what she could see, he wasn’t remotely interested in Carly’s proposition. This, oddly, made Bri feel better. She was secretly worried that Cole would fall for Carly’s fake hair, fake tan, and fake personality and jump all over the chance for a little action. She was relieved to find he wasn’t that shallow.