“Sheesh,” Rhea said. “The tension between you two.”
I turned to face her again, my heart racing far too wildly. “Rhea, don't. I can't go there.”
“Why not?”
“Because I made a promise to myself.”
“One based on that lowlife, scumbag’s actions, not one based on what could actually be good for you. Fuck Rob. You're really going to let that prick ruin your holiday?”
“I'm not going to letanyprick ruin it.”
Her eyes slid to Henry again. “I think there's more to him than any of us know just yet.”
I couldn't help scowling at that. I'd spent a little time with him here and there—more so than the other girls—and I'd definitely seen glimpses of something else along the way. But when and how had Rhea noticed? Had Bailey seen something in him too? As far as I knew, all Henry had ever been around my friends was... bristly.
“What makes you say that?”
Rhea shrugged. “I have an inkling, that's all. You know, like when you first started dating Rob, and I warned you to be careful.”
She had. Rhea had taken an instant dislike to my ex from the moment she'd met him, only warming to him over the years for my benefit, no doubt. She'd pushed her gut feelings aside because, at the time, he'd been who I thought would make me happy.
How wrong could I have been?
“Cohen wants you, Bee. Whether he's ready to admit it or not, he likes what he sees.” She leaned closer to me. “Maybe, just maybe, the two of you would be good for each other. Loosen each other up a little.”
“That's… not a good idea.”
“No? Then, why are your cheeks all flushed at even the thought of it?”
My heart raced even harder, imagining the moment Henry pressed not just his body but his lips against mine. The feel of his strong hands pulling all of me towards him. The sounds he'd make if I jumped up into his arms and wrapped my legs around his waist.
“Huh,” Rhea said. “Thirty-degree heat and your nipples suddenly look like they could cut glass again. That’s quite a problem you keep having there, Bee.” She looked up at me, knowing she’d made her point.
“I'm heading for a swim,” I told her, not waiting for any response before I jumped up and walked away, though I didn't miss the small chuckle she set free. I could have sworn I also heard the word 'denial' thrown in there somewhere. I just didn't have the energy to confront her about it.
Trying not to fall over, I strode into the ocean as quickly as I could, and even though the cool waves took my breath away the moment my shoulders went beneath the surface, I welcomed the distraction as I treaded the water, desperate to put Henry and my apparent lack of control to the back of my mind. I had no idea how I’d gotten into this state of mind so quickly, but I took the time alone to focus on the horizon while reminding myself why I’d flown out to Mykonos in the first place.
At least that had been the plan until I heard someone wading through the waters behind me.
“Rhea.” I groaned. “If you’re here to taunt me some more about H?—”
“Hey.”
I spun around to see Henry's narrow waist, toned stomach, and broad shoulders growing closer, while I stood there, neck-deep, feeling that annoying prickling of nervous excitement washing over me again as I let my feet hit the seabed and took him in.
So much for me pushing him to the back of my mind.
“It okay if I join you?” He ran his wet hands through his hair, pushing it away from his forehead to reveal those deep eyes I'd been trying desperately to escape. “I can’t handle playing third wheel to those two back there.”
I glanced over his shoulder to find Rhea propped up on her side next to Jace, the two of them looking unusually cosy as they faced one another. Even from here, I could see their laughter flowing easily as though they didn’t have a care in the world but each other.
I envied their freedom.
“Or I can go swim over there away from you if it's a problem,” Henry said when I didn’t answer, bringing my attention back to him.
The moment our eyes locked, I struggled for breath again.
What the hell was he doing to me?
