Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy

“Or … we could leave it off.”

“Evan.”

“You’re no fun.” I sit at the edge of her lounger and reach for her bikini strings. I’ve had worse jobs.

“Does this happen to you a lot? Catching cougars and rich college girls in various states of undress?” Her tone is dry.

“This is exactly how every one of these projects start,” I say solemnly, tying the thin strings of her bikini. “First time I’ve had a hard-on in front of my uncle, though, so that’s a whole new level of family trauma.”

“You could have warned me,” she accuses, turning to face me once she’s adjusted herself. “Dropping in without notice was sneaky on your part.”

“I didn’t know you’d be here,” I remind her. “I was planning to help myself to some underwear and be on my way.”

Gen just sighs.

“You know, this whole topless scheme of yours—”

“Scheme? I didn’t know you were coming,” she protests.

I ignore that. “Reminds me of that field trip senior year,” I finish, not even pretending I’m not watching the little beads of condensation that fall off her water glass and travel down her chest as she takes a sip.

“What field trip?”

“Don’t play dumb. You know exactly what I’m talking about.” That trip was pretty damn unforgettable.

Her lips curve slightly before flattening in a tight line. “How about we don’t go there?” she says with another sigh.

“Go where?” I blink innocently. “The aquarium?”

“Evan.”

“It was raining that day. You were mad at me because you said I was flirting with Jessica in math class, so you showed up the next day for the field trip in a white tank top with no bra to throw yourself at Andy What’s-his-face. So we get off the bus in the rain, and then everyone’s catching an eyeful of your twins.”

There’s a long beat, during which I can see her resolve crumbling.

“You stole me a T-shirt from the gift shop,” she says grudgingly.

I hide a smile of satisfaction. So easy to get her to join me on this trip down memory lane. “Because I would have had to break Andy Fuck Face’s nose for staring at your tits the whole trip.”

Again, she pauses. Then, “Maybe I thought it was hot when you got jealous.”

My smile breaks free. “Speaking of jealous …”

Her expression goes cloudy. “What?”

“I saw the murder in your eyes at the bonfire the other night.” When she doesn’t take the bait, I toss out another lure. “You know, when I was talking to that college chick.”

“Talking?” she echoes darkly. A familiar hint of murder glints in her eyes before her lips quickly curl in annoyance—directed at herself.

I know Genevieve, and right now she’s kicking herself for showing weakness. So, as expected, she deflects.

“You’re referring to the girl whose boyfriend beat you up?” Gen flashes a saccharine smile. “The one who only pretended she wanted to get with you to make her man jealous?”

“One, you’re not allowed to look that gleeful at the idea of someone beating me up. Two, I didn’t get beat up—that dude’s crew had to carry him away, in case you didn’t notice. And three, if I’d wanted to get with her, I would’ve gotten with her.”

“Uh-huh. Because from where I was standing, it looked like you tried to shoot your shot and she left with her boyfriend.”

“Tried? I wasn’t trying.” I tip my head in challenge. “Genevieve. Baby. We both know I have no trouble convincing women to take their clothes off.”

“And he’s modest too.”

I wink at her. “Modesty is for guys who don’t get laid.”

I’m gratified to see her swallow. Christ. I want to fuck her. It’s been so long. Too long. Doesn’t matter how many girls I hooked up with in Gen’s absence. No one compares to her. No one gets me as hot, makes me as crazy.

“Well, since seduction comes so easy for you, why don’t you skedaddle and go find someone who wants to be seduced?” With a bitchy flick of her eyebrows, Gen picks up her water and takes another sip.

I snort. “Stop pretending like you don’t want to rip my clothes off and fuck me in that pool.”

“I don’t.” Her tone is confident, but I don’t miss the flare of heat in her eyes.

“No?” I say, licking my suddenly dry lips.

“No,” she repeats, but her confidence is slipping.

“Really? Not even a teeny, tiny part of you is tempted?”

Her throat dips as she gulps again. I see her hand trembling slightly as she puts down her glass.

I lean closer, breathing deeply. The salty, sweet scent of tanning oil is rich in the humid air. I want to rip her top off with my teeth and wrap her hair between my fingers. She tries to act like she’s so above it all, but I can see her pulse thrumming on the side of her neck, and I know she feels the same insatiable need.

“Meet me later,” I say without forethought but then commit to the idea. “Our spot. Tonight.”

She’s impassive behind those silver reflective sunglasses. But when she bites her lip and hesitates to answer, I know she’s considering it. She wants to say yes. It’d be so easy. Because we’ve never had to try to be together, it’s just natural. Our tides always flowing in the same direction.