Page 7 of My Sunfall

And I’m not even talking about his body. I let my eyes trail over him from under my lashes, hoping he won’t notice how I am checking him out. His body is something made of sin, all hard ridges and lean muscle. His flawless skin is glistening under the sun. Unlike the usual tattoos that others in his trade favor, his front is ink-free. But I have seen him shirtless enough times to know that his back is adorned with midnight-black ink, a snarling demon reaper with its wings outstretched over his shoulders. It is beautifully executed and mesmerizing, and so different from his bright persona that I can’t help but wonder how he came to get it.

I realize that I have been staring for way too long and heat creeps up my neck. I hastily look away from the way his abs shift under his bronze skin while he wiggles on his towel to find the best position. My throat goes dry as he stretches under the sun like a lazy cat. A very big cat, more like a panther. Having him so close instantly makes me nervous and self-conscious. I may have inherited the slender build from my mother’s side, and people might say I am cute or even pretty, but I’m aware that with my short frame and small bosom, I’m far from the tall, busty models Lucas is used to dating. I pull my legs up and hug my knees, feeling suddenly shy. I look over my shoulder, weighing if I should go inside under the guise of getting something to drink. As if he sensed my inner battle, he grabs my wrist and blinks up at me.

“Stay, bella.”

I tense at the endearment he gives his groupies. “Don’t call me that, I already told you that I don’t like it.”

He gives me another of his panty-dropping grins and I glare down at him. He releases me and holds up his hands in an appeasing manner. “Okay, okay, sorry. But stay, it’s so nice and peaceful out here.”

I huff. “It would be even more peaceful for you if you stayed here by yourself while I go get a drink.”

“You crush my heart. You know what I mean.”

I roll my eyes but this time I can’t contain my smile. “Fine, but if I wither away from thirst, it’ll be your fault.”

“Then join me in the pool, it’s nice and wet.” He winks.

I glare at him again although heat creeps up my face. I am not innocent by any means, but his easy flirtation makes me shy. I know that he doesn’t mean it like he is interested in me. Flirting and charming is his way of expressing himself, it’s his second nature and he directs it toward anyone, female and male alike. And people flock to him like planets gravitating around the sun. He is blinding them, pulling everyone into his bright orbit. It’s endearing and annoying. Once again, I am teetering on the edge of being either exasperated or amused by his sunny personality.

“A penny for your thoughts.” His quiet voice makes me jump.

Shit, I had been watching the water for a while, lost in my thoughts. I shrug my shoulders. We have been friends for over a year, and I have found that I can easily share my thoughts with him.

“Just thinking. About the sun, actually.”

“The sun?”

I glance at him, my mouth curling into a smile. “You remind me of Phoebus.”

He blinks, caught off guard. “Phoebus?”

“It means the bright one, referring to the sun or Apollo the sun god.”

He whistles low and a grin spreads over his face. “Of course I am.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re unbearable.”

“Accurate, though.” He leans back and stretches, locking his hands behind his head and making his biceps coil under his bronze skin. I gulp—I could definitely use that drink now.

“Being compared to a god usually does that,” he declares smugly.

“Get over yourself,” I huff. “It wasn’t even meant as a compliment.”

He squints up at me. “Wait, isn’t that the guy from that tragic French novel you’re always trying to make me read?”

“Yes, the captain of the guard in Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre-Dame.”

He scoffs. “Well, thank God I’m not Quasimodo, the hunchback.”

“Believe me, Quasimodo was the best of them. Phoebus was the…womanizer.”’

“What?” He gasps theatrically. “Are you saying I’m a manwhore?”

“Your words, not mine,” I shoot back with a saccharine smile.

Something flashes behind his eyes, but it’s so brief that I don’t know what it was, or if I imagined it. In a blink his grin is bright and carefree again.

“I prefer enthusiast,” he declares, loud and unapologetic.