“You would if you were alone with a guy,” I added. “Say...Lucas.”
She let out a dreamy sigh. I swore my roomie was going to combust if she didn’t get her hands on Lucas soon.
Ajax drizzled the alcohol down her chest as Tab leaned back slightly. Then like a thirsty dog, Erik lapped up every drop of liquid as he tried to capture one of her nipples in his mouth.
But Tab was quicker than him. She tittered, adjusting her swim top. “If you want this, then you’ll have to work harder than that.” Then she let Ajax do the same, licking the alcohol off her.
The other guys at the small gathering didn’t jump on that train. Some of the girls in the pool shook their heads.
From what I could see, Ryker didn’t even look at what his buddies were doing with Tab. I got the feeling he was either still looking at me, or maybe he was sleeping. Either way, he seemed bored out of his mind.
The party was chill compared to the one the previous night. Even the music was tame with a soft beat and low volume.
The Tab scene wore off quickly as she disappeared into the house.
I needed to get back to the dorm and do some studying, but I knew Vicki wouldn’t want to leave yet.
“I feel like I’m at a tropical resort,” Vicki said. “You wouldn’t find a place like this in Maine.”
I didn’t know anything about Maine except it got cold or stayed cold most of the year in that neck of the country.No, thank you.I’d had my fill of that kind of weather going to school in Michigan.
I relaxed into the cushioned lounger, the alcohol beginning to affect me. Maybe Ryker had the best idea. A nap by the pool seemed like something I could get into.
Lazily, I scanned the property. Nice shrubs, colorful flowers, ceramic frogs and turtles, and other planting pots decorated the landscape around the yard. In the distance, a handful of trees stood tall. Lucas had called the place a ranch, but when I pictured a ranch, I thought of horses and other farm animals. The James’s property had lots of land, an expansive one-story home, a small pool house that sat behind Ryker, and an Olympic-sized pool but no horses or animals.
“How’s your head?” Vicki asked.
“Headache is gone finally.” We’d both slept in. “But I’m going to the bathroom.” Pushing my sunglasses up on my nose, I rose then slipped my feet into my flip-flops.
Lucas had told me to wear my bathing suit and to dress casual. So Vicki and I had. I had on my swim top, jean shorts, and a sheer cover-up that fell to my waistline.
“I think I’ll talk to Lucas,” Vicki said.
Just as I stood, Beverly walked out of the house with Tab on her heels. I swung my gaze between the two and realized that they had to be related. I would guess Tab was younger. Both had blond hair, blue eyes, and were similar in size. But that wasn’t why I thought they were related. Their rounded faces, thick lips, and even the shape of their eyes said they came from the same parents.
“Is that Beverly’s sister?” I asked Vicki.
She shrugged. “Not sure. But I would say yes.”
I suddenly felt the need to leave. I didn’t need Beverly taking pictures of me and sending them to my father, especially since I was innocent and nowhere near Ryker.
“I’m still curious if she’s working for my dad,” I muttered. I knew she would deny it if I asked. And right now, I didn’t care. I had to use the bathroom. “I’ll be right back.”
Vicki hopped up. “Ryker’s head is turning our way.”
I doubted it was because of me. He was probably looking because Beverly had just come in. Still, I stuck out my chest. I had a small frame, but my boobs weren’t small at all. I bordered on a D cup, and frankly, I didn’t like that my breasts were big. I’d always thought they didn’t match my size-four body.
One of the only compliments I’d gotten from my stepmom, Arlene, was about my breasts. “You should be proud of those,” she’d said to me not that long ago.
“So maybe Beverly is here to tell you if you got into the sorority,” I said to Vicki.
Vicki had gone through the recruitment process during the week, and she was waiting for word on whether or not she was in. I would be happy for her if she got in, but I would be sad too. I didn’t want to lose her as a roommate.
“I doubt that. She doesn’t go out of her way to track down potential candidates to give them news. Anyway, I’ll be at the bar.” Vicki skirted a few chairs until she was sliding onto a stool at the island while Lucas piled meat onto a plate.
Beverly and Tab wound their way around the pool and over to Ryker.
Inwardly, I growled as I trailed Vicki. “Lucas, where’s the bathroom?” I asked.
