Temporarily Mine

26

JOSEPHINE

Since Friday night, Hero hasn't stopped touching me when he's near, and he makes sure he constantly is. It's like when he teased before about getting to be the possessive boyfriend and keeping me within reach, that's exactly what he's doing.

He'll go from holding my hand to moving my hair, touching my waist or arms, anything.

Today, we're at Caper Cliffs, rock jumping and barbecuing, so it's been snapping the strap of my bikini top or running his palms across my arms, but this afternoon's touches are lingering, slow and far more deliberate.

It could be because we're basically naked in nothing but swimsuits, so the heat of his body radiates to mine even more than normal or maybe I'm imagining the lasting effect of his fingertips because I want them to drag a little lower and stay there for a while.

"Girl," Mandy whispers in my ear. "You need to stop, take a dip in the water, something."

My frown finds her.

She rolls her eyes. "Your lady boner is showing so hard right now, and don't look, but the little bit of padding your suit top has isn't hiding the rocks poking out behind them."

I can't help it and a loud laugh leaves me, gaining the attention of the others climbing on the rocks to the side of us.

Cassie shakes her head, shouting, "What crazy shit is she whispering to you over there, Josephine?!"

I give a playful shrug, and the others smile. "Ah, nothing that isn't true."

Mandy and I laugh, and like I knew he would, Hero jumps down off the rocks and stalks my way. Shirtless, trunks hanging nice and low over those magical hipbones.

Hipbones I have a sudden urge to trace with my fingertips.

It really is too damn bad our friends didn't take the hint when we tried to sneak ahead of everyone to higher ground for some privacy, but no. Suddenly they were all eager to start jumping and came with.

The only person who stayed down at the bottom is Felix so he could get the barbecue going.

"Do I go or do you need me to stay and be the fire extinguisher?" she whispers.

I laugh, pushing to my feet and dust off my ass.

Hero slides up, raising an expectant brow at Mandy who winks and takes the spot I vacated.

His attention shifts to me, and he moves in, planting his hands on my bare ribs.

Always touching.

"What'd I miss?" he asks.

"Oh, you know, Mandy being Mandy, and advising I jump into the water before I... jump on you."

His frown is instant. "That's some shitty advice."

I laugh, dropping my head back, and his chest rumbles with a low growl.

"You keep giving me your neck like that, I'm gonna take it."

I lean in. "Maybe I want you to."

He has the tip of my ponytail in his hands in seconds, tugging, forcing my head back as far as he wants it.

"Oh, hell no!" Kathrine  shouts. "If I can't get Felix to run off with me, you don't get none either."

I turn to smile, but my eyes shoot wide.

She and Cassie are rushing for us.

My hands fly from Hero just in time for them to block me in.

"Back off."