eyes don't lie

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"I really don't need a swimsuit. I just won't go in the lake." I say, my cheeks burning as Nathan and I stand in front of the range of swimwear on display. Nathan shakes his head and looks at me, the mischief returning after the distance he put between us and the store we bumped into his father at.

"How about I leave, you choose, and we don't talk about it?" I go to speak but he has already walked away and I heavy sigh, before turning my attention back to the swimwear.

'Guess there's no point in fighting it...'

I scan the different styles and colours, twisting my lips slightly while I think. I feel a presence beside me and try to focus on the clothes. When no leather scent follows from the person beside me, I tense slightly and try to hurry up. A fresh scent lingers from the person, with a hint of musk underneath it.

'Why do all the men here smell good?'

"Do you need some help?" The voice is deep and gruff, as if he shouted a lot. I glance over to him, meeting a pair of piercing crystal blue eyes that shine with one word: trouble.

I offer a small smile, shaking my head, "I'm good, thanks." I turn back to the racks, scanning and fiddling with one of the swimsuits. The guy is still hovering, looking through of the rails himself so I take a moment to have a look at him properly.

His hair is a rich brown with two locks of blond either side of his face, all tied back with hair tie. With his hair pulled back, I get a better look of his chiselled face and angular jaw that flexes as he scrutinises the swimsuit in front of him. A bright orange t-shirt clings to him like a second skin, revealing a lean physique but defined muscles tight against the material; paired with white jeans, the way he has put himself together should be illegal.

'How are the guys here hotter as well?'

I am used to people gawking at the guys in Greece, they paraded around the island shirtless most days. But the guys here are fully dressed and could kill me with a singular look apparently.

"Take a picture gorgeous, it lasts longer." His eyes whip around to me, and I feel my cheeks radiate with embarrassment as I turn back to the rail. A chuckle vibrates the air around him and I swear I feel that cage of butterflies ready to burst. I whip my head back to the rail before he can lock me in with another look. My eyes glide across the selection, a riot of colors and patterns, each piece vying for attention under the bright fluorescent lights. I weave through the racks, slowly moving down to create some distance between me and this stranger, no matter how handsome he may be. My fingers brush over various fabrics as I search for something that catches my eye. And then I see it: a white one-piece swimsuit, with a heart cutout right in the middle of the breast area. The design is sweet, and I find myself drawn to it, imagining how it would look against my sun-kissed skin. I reach out to touch it, feeling the smooth fabric beneath my fingertips.

"Pretty cute, huh?"

The voice startles me, and I whirl around to find that the guy is standing next to me again, a playful grin on his face. His bright blue eyes are alight with amusement; my cheeks flush with embarrassment, caught off guard not just by his sudden appearance, or my lack of perception to my surroundings and his approach, but also by the fact that I'd been staring at him moments before.

"Uh, yeah," I manage to stammer, my eyes darting away from his piercing gaze. I feel him step closer, his own hand reaching out to the fabric, electricity spreading through me at his closeness. I dare to glance up, seeing a thoughtful expression on his face, before his face turns to look at me. I look away, my head turning to the floor as I look either side of me.

'No escape, and no sight of Nathan.'

"It would look great on you, you know," he says, his tone casual compared to how my heart and stomach feel in his presence. The blush deepens slightly on my cheeks, the heat travelling down my neck. I keep my head ducked, looking straight down at the floor, his feet slightly behind me but still either side of mine.