29. Ciaran

29

CIARAN

I had every intention of changing into the wetsuit and sneaking out through the back of the property, but when I looked outside and found someone throwing a Frisbee to a friendly-looking chocolate lab, I changed my mind.

Slipping into my swim trunks, a T-shirt, flip-flops, and a pair of sunglasses, I stepped outside and followed the barking dog. Someone threw the Frisbee back my way and I picked up when it went long. Jogging to the thrower, I passed it back.

"Hey, thanks," he said. I placed him at twenty-one or so. He was taller than me, with brown hair and bright green eyes that reminded me of emeralds. In a way, he reminded me of Drew. He wore nothing but swim trunks, with a glistening, chiseled chest that begged to be touched. I think my stare was a little too obvious because I caught his wink. Well now. "Ciaran, right?" he asked.

"Yeah." I ran a hand through my hair. For the most part, we were partially hidden by the small cluster of palm trees. The lagoon pool curved inward, ending in a grotto-type pool tucked inside an alcove. It wouldn't take more than a minute for someone to come around the corner, so it wasn't like we were fully secluded.

I wasn't sure why, but something about my interacting with him felt illicit. The fact that he was good-looking didn't hurt, either. "I don't know everyone's names, sorry," I said.

The corner of his mouth lifted. "I'm Jason Strickland, captain of the men's swim team. We met the other night." Apparently I had a question in my expression, which made him chuckle. "Pirate's Cove? We danced around the bonfire and got a little close. Any of that ring a bell?" Jason asked, appearing bemused.

Again, it felt like I wasn't in on some secret.

"I, uh," I stammered, not wanting to fully admit the rest of the explanation, "was told I got a little drunk that night. I don't remember much. I hope I didn't end up doing something stupid."

Jason chuckled again, causing a dimple to appear in his cheek, and I blushed for some stupid reason. Why was he having such an affect on me?

"You're cute when you're embarrassed."

"Um, thanks," I stammered again, my face flaming hotter. I was not good at this. Jason was making it very clear he was interested and I was acting like a twit.

"No, Ciaran, you didn't do anything stupid, but I'll be happy to fill in the blanks if Matty didn't. Buster," Jason said, referring to the dog, "will come back once Matty stops bribing him hot dogs."

I turned around to find Matty doing that very thing. Buster and another dog, a Golden Retriever, were gulping down the scraps while their tails wagged. I noticed that Joan was talking to Matty and a second later she pointed my way.

Why did it feel like she was tattling on me?

Jason held up the Frisbee. "Want to go a few rounds before giving me a private tour?"

A burst of nervous butterflies exploded in my stomach. A tour wouldn't hurt, right?

I didn't want to say yes, but I didn't want to say no, either. Part of me appreciated the fact that Jason wasn't beating around the bush.

"Maybe. It depends on how good you are at Frisbee, Jason."

Jason's smile could melt snow. "You're about to find out, Ciaran."