From Gods by Mary Ting Read Free Book Online

mumbled.
    “Should I take her to the hospital instead?”
    Before he could answer, Skylar mumbled. “No…no…Mom...go home.”
    Kayla understood. Skylar was right. Skylar’s mom would insist on her going home. Their summer would be ruined for sure. “Okay…okay, but don’t go in the water again. Why were you in the water? You don’t like to go in that deep.” Kayla was so mad at Skylar, but now was not the time to scold her, so she softened her tone.
    “Let’s help her up. I’ll help you take her home,” Nick said, already standing.
    Kayla’s eyes teared up, wiping them away before peering up to Nick. “Thanks.” What she wanted to do was bawl. If anything happened to Skylar, she didn’t know what she would do. She was more than her cousin…she was her best friend.
    Effortlessly, Nick pulled Skylar up, and Kayla threw her beach towel around her. With her arms around Kayla’s and Nick’s shoulders, she looked like a rag doll being dragged.
    “Mon…sss…er,” Skylar managed to say.
    “Skylar, don’t talk. You almost drowned.” Kayla was disturbed. She couldn’t understand how this could’ve happened. Skylar was always careful…almost too careful. There were a few sports Skylar didn’t like, and swimming was one of them, especially in the ocean. What the heck was she doing? Kayla blamed herself, and swore she would never bring her cousin to the ocean again.
    “Dou…g,” Skylar mumbled.
    “Is Doug her boyfriend?” Nick asked, chuckling.
    Kayla flashed a “be quiet” look to Nick. “We’re almost there,” she said to Skylar. “Rest. Don’t talk.”
    The bonfire was out, and Nick’s brothers and their company had gone. Smoke from the fire lingered, and a few empty bottles were buried in the sand. Nick grabbed his bag, slipped into his T-shirt, wrapped a beach towel around his waist for privacy, and quickly changed from his trunks into shorts. After they settled into Kayla’s car, they drove to her house.
    Not bothering to rinse the salt water off Skylar, Kayla helped her change out of her swimsuit into the shorts and tank top she always wore to bed, and tucked her in. Then she went to her bedroom where Nick waited for her.
    He had spread himself across her bed, looking irresistible with his arms behind his neck to support his head. Kayla inhaled sharply, wondering if she should kick him out or ask him to stay until her mother came home. Being that it was past midnight, her mom was surely on her way and her decision was made.
    Nick patted the bed, beckoning her to lie next to him. She did as told, but she suddenly became shy, realizing she was still in her bikini. She had taken off her beach dress, meaning to change into something comfortable after she had taken care of Skylar, but she had forgotten. Being shy rarely happened to her. She didn’t know if it was Nick being in her room, or her mom on her way home, or if it was her cousin almost drowning tonight. Whatever the reason, she wasn’t in the same mood he was in.
    “Umm…I think we should call it a night. My mom is on her way home.” Kayla pulled in her lips, giving him half a smile, not wanting to disappoint him.
    Nick frowned and pouted. “Okay…how about a kiss good-bye?” His fingers trailed from her cheeks, to the side of her neck, over the curve of her shoulder, and finally down her arm.
    “Are you trying to seduce me?” Kayla moaned softly, taking in the pleasurable sensation, trying to suppress the heat that rushed through her body.
    “You’re still in your bikini. Easy access, you know. How am I to contain myself with a beautiful, half naked girl lying next to me?”
    Kayla blushed. He’d called her beautiful. “You’re containing yourself pretty well.”
    “You spoke too soon.” Nick reached in, kissing the pulsating veins down her neck. At the same time, he positioned her right leg over his hips and ran his hand up her legs to the curve of her behind.
    Maybe I won’t be able to contain myself, she