Never Forget (Memories)

dramatically.
    "Oh, baby. Poor baby," he teases. Jen shoves him and glares at me but I can see the small curve of her lips. I grin again and watch the banter play out between the two.
    It's clear they love each other - they're playful but gentle. It's a beautiful thing to watch.
    "Not saying hi then, Lexy?" Alec flicks my shoulder.
    "Hi, Alec." I turn back and smile at him.
    "Hi, Lexy." He winks at me and I roll my eyes. "What was the eye roll for?"
    I raise my eyebrows at him. "Jen's already told me about your.. Reputation, so that flirty, dimply smile flirty thing you got going on isn't gonna work on me."
    "Who said I was flirting?" He asks innocently, but the gleam in his eye tells me he knows I've called him out.
    And he likes it.
    "Your eyes say it," I reply, "it's glaringly obvious."
    He leans back on his elbows and I get a good view of his body.
    I try not to look, but when faced with such beauty it's hard not to look, right?
    I can see the contour of every muscle, every little shadow where one defined bit meets the next. I sweep my eyes over him involuntarily, from the broadness of his shoulders to his pecs, to his perfectly formed six pack and then the obvious 'v' that disappears under the bottom of his wetsuit. Add to the image little droplets of water pearling against his skin...
    "Like what you see?" He winks again.
    "About as much as I like vomiting after too many drinks on a Saturday night," I quip.
    "It's okay, Lexy, I don't mind you looking. You can touch if you want." The challenge is in his eyes and I look upwards as if anyone up there could help me.
    Which is silly, because clouds can't help.
    "I'm not a touchy person, but thanks for offering."
    "See that's a shame," he says in a lower, more sensual voice. "Because I am."
    He runs his finger down my spine and I shiver, then curse myself.
    "Like that, huh?"
    "I'm ticklish?" I answer, but it comes out as more of a question.
    He roams his eyes over my body shamelessly. "I bet you're ticklish in all sorts of places."
    A faint blush creeps onto my cheeks and I look away.
    "You're a pig," I say to him.
    "Me?"
    "I'm not talking to anyone else, am I? Unless, of course, you have an imaginary friend there. Although, that would make sense considering the apparent size of your ego."
    Alec surprises me - he laughs. I look at him out the corner of my eye and raise an eyebrow.
    Was it really that funny?
    "Oh, Lexy." He sighs, wrapping a casual arm over my shoulders. "I can see we're going to be great friends."
    "We will be." I shrug his arm off. "If you're lucky."

    ALEC

    This girl is feisty as hell and it's doing crazy things to my brain... And my body.
    Not to mention the way she looks in a bikini, all that toned muscle, sexy curves and flawless skin.
    Fuck. I hook my arms round my knees. I feel like a damn thirteen year old with his first hard-on over Megan Fox.
    My foot taps as I try to focus on anything but her. She's Vi's granddaughter. She's off limits. Besides, I can tell she's not the kind of girl who goes for just one night. No, she wants the real thing.
    It's a pain in the ass when all I wanna do is chuck her over my shoulder, take her behind the rocks and show her what she's missing out on.

    ~

    ALEXIS

    Jen calls me later that evening after I finish helping Grammy with the dishes. Apparently, there's a bonfire on the Bay tonight and Carl and Alec are dragging her along so would I please go and keep her company?
    I agree, of course. Dad lectures me about under-age drinking, using protection and coming home at a reasonable time. Mum is delighted I'm not moping anymore – not much, anyway – and Grammy is excited that Alec will be there.
    Meaning I will have spent practically the whole day with him.
    I gently remind her that I'm not looking for a boyfriend, much less a summer romance, and grab my bag.
    Dad reminds me again about under-age drinking. I remind him I'm eighteen in two weeks, therefore I'm aware about alcohol.
    "Be careful, love." Mum says as a black 4x4 pulls up outside.
    "Mum, we live in London. I'm sure I can handle a few hours on the beach in a sleepy, out of the way village." I roll my eyes.
    Her eyes darken slightly and she touches my shoulder. "Just because you're in a sleepy village, doesn't mean it's any less dangerous than a big city."
    I know there's a story behind her words, and of course I'm curious, but I know now isn't the time to talk about it. Instead I nod, smile and kiss her cheek.
    I walk down the path and turn back