Chapter 6
FIVE YEARS EARLIER
SIENNA
"Are you not going to get in? The water feels great," I say, my heart racing and a shiver of nervousness running through my body. God, help me. That man is really attractive: tanned skin, golden brown hair, and stunning blue eyes that look like a deep ocean. It seemed like if you stared into them too long, you'd get lost in them. His body looks like a sculpture made by the gods, with broad, strong shoulders, muscular arms, and a perfectly defined chest and abdomen. And let's not even talk about that incredible "V" shape that descends below his jeans, which fit perfectly over his wide, firm hips. The beauty of that man is almost surreal.
"Of course I'm getting in; it's just that... I was planning to do it without my jeans," he says, twisting his message. His words make me roll my eyes and focus my gaze on him.
"Relax, I would never do that with you here," he replies, and a new feeling settles in my chest. Would he not do it with me, but would with other women? That thought annoys me more than it should.
"What?" I ask, unable to contain my astonishment.
"I'm sorry, I just…"
"Don't say anything else, please. And for your information, I'm not a little girl; I'm fifteen. You can swim however you want," my anger rises with every word. I may be a little girl in his mind, but I don't want him to see me that way. I still recognize the presence of a woman in me. With a swift turn, I plunge into the water; he can do whatever he likes. I came here alone.
I swim underwater until I feel my lungs begging for air. When I finally surface, I start to float. The warmth of the sun blends with the water, giving me a comforting heat, and I feel the vitamin D filtering through my pores. It's a moment of complete relaxation, but my peace is suddenly interrupted when I feel myself being pushed under. I start to flail, hitting the water in search of the surface. Finally, I manage to get up and find myself all flustered, my heart racing. Before me is Corbin, smiling like a boy who has just pulled a prank. Although I would want to be annoyed, I can't help but feel somewhat relieved, so I pretend to be angry.
"He's really beautiful when he smiles," I think to myself, trying to hide my reaction.
"Still mad?" he asks, with the same mischievous smile.
"If I wasn't before, I am now. And just so you know, I was offended. Are you going to push me under again or are you done?" As I say the last part, I watch him frown as he bites his lower lip. I can see his mind working, and his attractive gaze tells me more than he could express.
"Probably. But I want to apologize to you; my intention was never to offend you. I know you're not a little girl," he confesses.
"It's fine. It's no big deal," I reply with a small smile, hoping that all this misunderstanding will dissolve.
"So, friends?" he says, extending his hand with a genuine expression on his face.
"Sure, why not?" I hesitate for a couple of seconds, doubting if I really want to touch his hand. I bite my lower lip, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.
"I'm not going to bite you, Sienna. Now, if that's what you want, I could make an exception," he tells me, accompanying his words with a playful smile that makes me involuntarily smile back. I stretch out my hand, and as I shake his, I feel an electric shock coursing through my body, producing sparks of an unfamiliar energy. I quickly let go and stare at my hand, stunned by what I just experienced.
"All good," he says, his voice filled with curiosity.
"Yeah, sure," I respond, trying to hide the surprise in my tone, as I splash a bit of water in his face, laughing in hopes of easing the tension.
"You shouldn't have done that," he warns me in a serious, humorless tone, which makes me regret my little joke.
"You wouldn't hurt me, would you?" I raise my eyebrows, watching him pause as he thinks about his answer.
"Never. But this is a declaration of war…" he replies, a playful spark in his eyes.
"Wait! No!" I shout, interrupting him before he can finish, as I begin to swim towards the shore, feeling the need to escape his friendly threat.
We spend the afternoon playing on the beach, and I like this relaxed, carefree guy. Even though his gaze sometimes conveys pain and sadness, a void that makes me want to discover how to help him, simply enjoying the present moment is enough. I find something special in him, something that I feel could fill that void, but I'm sure there's still much to discover. The connection that begins to form between us is something I couldn't have anticipated, and a part of me starts to long to know him better.