His Summer Toy

Episode Three

The next morning, I space out during the morning ice breakers that we do to get to know each other. Rebcca has to elbow me more than a few times to get me to pay attention as my eyes focus on a now smiling Lily. She goes from group to group, assisting them as they all try to fit on the smallest piece of folded up paper.

After that, we are each assigned duties around the camp. I am assigned setting up the lake, which Lily will not be supervising, thank God.

I throw myself into helping stack paddle boards, string up flags for the obstacle course, and unpack supplies from the shed. Anything to keep my hands moving and my thoughts far, far away from last night.

I’m adjusting the ropes on the floating dock with Rebecca when a shadow falls across me.

“Hey,” a low voice says.

I look up to see Kai.

He’s in board shorts and a white tee, sunglasses pushed into the messy waves of his hair. His hands are in his pockets, casual.

But his mouth is tilted in that same knowing smirk from before. Like we share a secret. Like we’re in on something together.

I grip the rope tighter, glancing away from him. “Hi.”

“You get lost last night?”

My heart lurches as my eyes shoot toward Rebecca, now panicked. I had told her that I had fallen asleep and that’s why I never showed.

Rebecca looks between the two of us, her eyebrow raising slightly as she smiles at me. Great, now she thinks I went to hook up with him instead of going to the party last night.

“I am going to see if Julian needs help with the paddle boats.” She points over toward the lake.

“What do you want?” I ask, my voice low, still afraid of being overheard. I had been hoping we would pretend it never happened. Maybe he is here to make sure I don’t tell his mom.

“You should be more careful at night, Cami.” My name on his lips does something violent to my stomach. “There are things out here that like to bite.”

“Is that a threat?” I turn away, my grip on the life jacket I am holding tightening. He takes a step toward me, I can feel the heat from him on my back even though he isn’t standing that close.

“Do you want it to be?”

“What do you mean?”

“You stayed for quite a while last night.” He replies, his voice dropping lower. “You seemed intrigued.”

I swallow hard, hating the flush that creeps up my neck. “I didn’t mean to. I just… got turned around.”

Kai laughs under his breath. “Sure you did.”

I turn to face him, finally, needing to take control of his situation. “What do you want?”

He studies me, head tilted like I’m some puzzle he’s halfway through solving. “I want you to admit it turned you on. I saw it on that pretty little face of yours.”

My stomach flips. Where did he find the nerve to say this to a complete stranger? Is he not worried I am going to tell his mother about this? Or about last night?

He steps closer, slow enough that I don’t realize how near he’s gotten until I can see the faint scar near his collarbone. His sunglasses are still pushed into his hair, his eyes unshielded and fixed on mine.

“Do you want to know what she said?” He asks, voice barely above a whisper. “When I had her on her knees?”

I don’t respond. I can’t.

He leans in, and I feel the heat of his breath against my ear. “She begged.”

Goosebumps erupt across my skin.

“I could make you beg too,” he says softly. “If you asked me nicely.”

My breath catches.

I step back like I’ve been burned, the life jacket slipping from my hands and hitting the dock with a dull thud. “You’re disgusting. I don’t even know you. And now you’re trying to cheat on Lily?”

“Cheat on Lily?” He laughs, shaking his head. “We aren’t exclusive, not that I need to explain it to you. I was bored and she was horny.”

“She is your mother’s age. She is your mother’s friend, right?”

“Way to sound judgmental.” He replies, but the smirk is still on his face, not looking like I offended him.

“Can I go back to work? This isn’t a conversation we need to be having.” Not to mention, I am rather uncomfortable. I don’t need to know anymore about my boss’s s*x life. I liked what I did know about Lily and the fact that she sleeps with her friend’s son has already tainted that.

“I’m bored,” he says, unbothered, straightening up. “And I thought I was in for a long, boring summer. Until I saw the curiosity and need on your face last night.”

I take a step back, my face burning now as I look away from his eyes. I thought he was going to beg me not to tell his mother or apologize. How did this situation happen?

“I don’t know what you thought you saw…” I begin, stuttering a bit. “But I was nothing but shocked last night. I’m sorry I walked in on something private, but I think you have the wrong idea.”

Kai’s eyes narrow just a bit, as if he’s measuring how far he can push. “You sure?” He asks. “Because the look on your face last night wasn’t one of shock. Maybe at first, but you stood there for like five minutes.”

I suck in a sharp breath. “Because I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Because I was frozen, not turned on. Don’t flatter yourself.” It sounds like a lie, I hear it. And with him this close, all I can think about is my fantasy last night.

He laughs again, and it’s quieter this time, like he’s amused that I’m fighting him. “You’ve got a mouth on you,” he says. “I like that. Does it do anything else?”

I take a step back. “You need to leave me alone. Whatever this is, whatever game you’re playing, I’m not interested.”

“Maybe not yet,” he replies. “But you will be.”

My jaw tightens. “You don’t know me.”

He finally straightens, that cocky calm never fully leaving his expression. “That may be true, but I know you are curious. I know that this conversation probably has your panties soaked. We are alike, you and me. I can feel it.”

My breath hitches and I tighten my thighs together, knowing he is right. Despite myself, I am soaked. He turns and begins to walk away.

“I’m serious. If you come near me like this again, I will say something.”

He stops walking away at that, glancing back at me over his shoulder. “Don’t worry, little owl. Next time, you will be coming to me.” He chuckles, running his tongue over his lips. “Or should I say, for me.” He lowers his sunglasses onto his face. “Have a nice day, Cami. See you soon.”