Page 20 of Savored Sins
As we bob silently up and down in the gently rippling water, Zeke studies me. His expression’s changed, and I get the feeling that some kind of wall has come slamming down, however silently.
“It’s dark,” he says. “I’m going to head in.”
I swallow hard, feeling weirdly crestfallen. “Yeah. Me, too.”
We swim back to the dock, and I hang behind. The magic of whatever moment we were in has vanished, and dark or not, I’m not climbing up that ladder naked for Zeke to see.
But Zeke doesn’t have such qualms. When we reach the dock, he grips the handles of the ladder and pulls his bronzed, glistening body from the water, climbing the rungs without a look behind. I stifle a gasp, avert my gaze.
“Enjoying the view down there?”
“What? No—no, I didn’t?—”
I’m staring off toward the other side of the lake, but I hear Zeke laugh. “It’s okay. Feel free to stare—I don’t mind.”
And with that, I hear him grab his clothes and shoes and walk lithely back down the dock. Only when the padding of his feet on the heavy wooden slats grows softer do I finally chance a glance in his direction.
He’s far enough away that I don’t feel like an absolute creep, but close enough that I can clearly see the solid, sloping muscles of his back. And his tight, glorious ass. Holyhell, does this guy have a perfect ass.
The problem is, Zeke may not mind me staring… but I do. Because as much as I’m trying to fight it, I’m getting more and more lost in his charm. And there’s nowaywe could ever work.
But I’m still like a moth to a light—hopelessly captivated by everything he does, everything he says. I want more. Because whether he realizes it or not, Zeke sees me.
And I’m starting to think maybe I can see him too.
ten
ZEKE
Will: How’s the job search going?
Zeke: It’s not.
Will: So you’re just gonna mooch off Autumn Carroway indefinitely. Got it.
Zeke: Nah, bro. I’m gonna have that TV show. Remember?
Will: Oh, for duck’s sake.
Will: *suck
Will: FUCKING A!
Zeke: Careful, Hulk. You might wanna lie down.
Ican’t stop thinking about last night.
Like, I don’t know if it was the fact that Autumn actually took me up on my little dare and got in the water naked with me, or if it’s that she knew exactly what I was talking about when I brought up Will’s expectations. Not only that, she acted like she understood. Like she’s been there, too. I mean, I can only imagine—given what she’s said about that Patrick fucker and his cheating ass.
And speaking of ass—there’s nowayAutumn wasn’t staring at mine as I walked completely naked across the yard and back to the cabin. That was a favor to her. A little farewell, if you will.
It’s not like she got to see anything else while we were in the water. And neither did I—as tempted as I was to sneak a glance. I kept myself under control this time. I hope I can do the same tonight when it’s just me and Autumn inside that big old house of hers, sitting together in the quiet and the dark while we wait for the ghosts to come out and play.
God, I want to see that tattoo of hers. Want to run my tongue over it.
But right now I’m back to real life. I’m down at the pier, almost finished filming my TikToks for the week, and catching up on my tan—which isn’t hard to do when my followers pretty much demand I appear shirtless in every video. I mean, who am I to say no? I give the people what they want.
I’m right in the middle of explaining to the camera how the ghost that I first went viral making out with crossed over right after the fact. In truth, there’s never a shortage of pier ghosts around here since so many people have drowned over the years, never having finished living, butthatparticular spirit’s unfinished business was to kiss a hottie. Like, I can’ttalkto any of the spirits—whichdoesirritate the hell out of me, thank you very much—but I’m pretty sure that’s literally all this chickneeded. Because as soon as we finished making out, she sort of… disintegrated. Into beautiful, shimmering light.
