Saturday: Perfectly Right
Who: Trevor and Taryn When: Evening Where: Downtown Darkwater, then Johnson Beach, then the Spencer Residence
Trevor had been exceptionally nervous at the beginning of the evening. Seeing Taryn dressed up so beautifully for their little date that wasn't a date had set his heart alight with happiness. She'd made herself up for him. But he'd contained himself as usual while complimenting her. Dinner at his favorite little Italian place had been delicious and filled with light conversation that he was happy to let Taryn dominate. He hung on every word she said, genuinely enjoying her company while trying not to think about whether or not his plan was going to work.
After the meal was paid for, he drove them down to the beach as it was getting close to time for the big fireworks display to start. He opened the car door for her, then went around to the trunk to pull out a large beach towel, two folded up beach chairs and a small cooler that contained a chilled bottle of wine and two carefully packed glasses.
"I'd found a perfect spot yesterday, but on the way in I noticed it had already been claimed. Do you have any preference for our firework viewing locale?" Trevor asked her as he carefully slung the cooler's strap over his shoulder and tucked the chairs and blanket under his other arm.
Taryn was pleasantly surprised with Trevor suggested dinner together. She expected to spend the evening with friends, but had no qualms about canceling them again for her brother. They rarely spent time together, and she wanted to take advantage of it, especially now that she knew his so-sad story about his unrequited love. If there was anything she could do to cheer her brother up, she wanted to do it. So she pulled on one of her blue summer dresses, pinned her hair up and wore a pair of comfortable sandals. She absolutely loved going out to eat, and since it was Trevor, Taryn didn't feel self conscious at all while she ate her pasta. She put away every bite, chattering on the whole time about this, or that. Nothing spectacularly interesting, but he seemed so attentive that Taryn happily babbled on until it was time to leave for the beach and the fireworks that Darkwater had been advertising all week.
When they arrived, Taryn reached down to pull her sandals off so she could walk through the sand in her bare feet. The day had been lovely, and the sand was cool under her toes. Breathing in the salty air, she briefly wondered if Noah would be around, but decided not to run off to look for him. She was here with Trevor and she already knew how her brother felt about Taryn's object of affection. "We can go over there," Taryn said, pointing down the beach a bit. There were people here and there, but she wasn't exactly looking for any place private. "Let me carry the cooler or something," she offered, reaching out to help him. "Since you've got the chairs."
"Take the towel," Trevor said, relenting on his thoughts that he ought to carry everything for his lady... well, not his lady exactly. She wouldn't be happy if he didn't let her help, though, so he handed her the rolled up towel and readjusted the chairs under his arm. "I wasn't sure if it would be easier to see the show lying down or lounging in chairs."
Taryn took the towel, huffing just a little that he wouldn't let her carry more, but that was Trevor. Always the gentleman. She began to lead him to the spot she wanted, unconcerned with how they ought to be positioned for the fireworks. "We can set up both! That way we can watch them however we feel comfortable, right? I'm so full of pasta though, maybe I'll just lie down and watch them." She wondered if Trevor wished he was with someone else. Taryn couldn't help but think with the dinner, and the beach and fireworks, it would be the perfect date night. Maybe if she had been able to get a hold of Noah, but that hadn't worked out. She smiled over at him. "I'm sorry you're stuck with me tonight. I know it probably would be been a nicer evening if you were on a date."
It was like a stab at his heart, but Trevor just smiled through it as best he could, attempting not to look pained. He hated to play the assumption game, but he had to wonder if she weren't projecting her own feelings about the evening onto him. "It's sort of a date," he said as he followed her, his flip flops kicking up little sprays of sand behind him as he walked. He should've taken a cue from Taryn and taken them off at the car. "We made plans to go out for an evening on this specific date."
"Silly, you know what I mean," Taryn said with a giggle. She stopped in the spot she found preferable and then shook out the towel to lay it on the sand. "Don't be a smartass." Lowering herself to the towel, Taryn curled her legs up underneath her, since she was wearing a dress, and then patted the spot beside her. "Come sit with me. If you dare chance getting sand on your clothes, that is."
"I was just..." Trevor started to defend himself, but this wasn't an issue he wanted to press right now, he realized quickly. "Being witty. But I'll stop. Sitting with you is far better than witticisms that fall flat." He took his sandals off next to the chairs after setting them upright behind the blanket, then sat down next to Taryn, leaning back on his elbows. He really didn't care if he got sand on his khaki slacks or his plum colored button-up shirt, which he'd worn untucked and partially unbuttoned over an undershirt. It was the closest he ever really got to genuinely casual clothes, but he had still wanted to look nice enough for their outing. For Taryn.
Smiling, Taryn glanced down the beach, to where she knew the fireworks would be set off. There was quite the crowd around, which was nice to see considering the kind of week it had been. "You're so much nicer to me than Torin is. I love that." Bringing her legs out from underneath her, she stretched them out and mimicked Trevor's position. Breathing in again, Taryn relaxed and looked over at the cooler. "What did you bring? I'm hoping it's alcohol." Maybe some rum, or something equally as delicious.
"Then you won't be disappointed," Trevor said with a smile at her. He really wasn't sure if she'd appreciate wine over some other beverage, but it was a fruity white dessert wine that was perfect for after a meal like the one they'd just had. And it was certainly classy enough for the pair of them. He reached over and flipped the top on the cooler open, producing the bottle for her to look at. "I tried to pick something I thought you'd enjoy, but if you don't end up liking it I'll make it up to you next time." Everyone had different tastes in wines after all.
Surprised and pleased, Taryn sat up and clapped her hands together happily as Trevor pulled out the wine. "I'll totally like it, I promise. How often do I get to drink wine?" Unless their parents were having a fancy pants dinner party, then she was always allowed one glass. And the parties she went to always had kegs and fruity drinks, never any wine. "Pour me a glass?" This was so much more fun than giggling with her girlfriends at the marina. Although that was fun too, depending on who she was with.
Trevor put the wine bottle back down in the cooler while he unwrapped the glasses and set them on the sand next to the towel. Then he got the cork screw from the zippered compartment on the front of the cooler and opened the bottle carefully, sitting up straighter to do so. Once he'd poured the first glass he handed it to Taryn, then poured a glass for himself and set the bottle upright in the cooler, the cork half sticking out of the neck. If Taryn wanted more, he'd pour some for her, but he'd have to stick with the one glass since he had to drive later. "Should we toast to something?"
Taryn took the wine from Trevor with a smile. "I don't know. I guess we could toast to us, because we're... well, awesome." Taryn shrugged and leaned back on one hand comfortably. "We could toast to how successful you're going to be once your novel is finished. We could toast to the start of summer, or something equally as cheesy." She couldn't help but think how this would have been a really romantic date, either for her, or for Trevor. She sort of felt bad that he was wasting this kind of energy on her, when she had a feeling he was thinking about his unrequited love.
"How about all of the above?" Trevor suggested, smiling brightly back at his sister. He lifted his glass toward her. "To a wonderful summer, future success and us." It was certainly something he could happily drink to. He just wished, utterly selfishly, that one day Taryn would realize what he'd really meant in this moment and not be upset by it.
"All of the above then," Taryn said, reaching up to tap her glass against his before she took a long sip of her wine. She wasn't with a date, so she didn't have to be dainty. Leaning her head back so she could look up and see the stars, Taryn sighed contently and closed her eyes to enjoy the breeze coming off of the ocean. "Seriously, Trev, you're going to make the world's best boyfriend someday. This is like, what every girl wants on a date, you know? Dinner, the beach, wine and fireworks. In different circumstances, it's totally romantic."
Trevor was glad he was drinking from his own glass as she spoke. It gave him time to school his expression before he joined her in looking up at the night sky. The power of the stars was somewhat diminished thanks to all of the nearby light pollution, which made the smaller stars invisible, but also made it easier for them to see one another in the poor light. He looked over at her as she star gazed, admiring the long curve of her neck, her graceful profile, her adorable ear, the way a few strands of hair had escaped from being pinned back. He'd always preferred her hair down cascading over her shoulders and framing her face, but no matter what she did with it he still found her incredibly beautiful.
Taryn felt Trevor's gaze on her and she looked over at him with a small smile. "You believe me, right?" She didn't expect him to comment much on her gushing, since Trevor was not the boastful type, but she definitely wanted to make sure he knew she meant every word. It sometimes amazed her how much potential Trevor had. He was of course talented in every way, and so gorgeous. She felt like he should have a harem of women, and yet at the same time, Taryn didn't want to share him with anyone else. He was elegant, but had that boyish smile she loved so much, when she actually saw it. Her exes tended to take her to a boring movie and then a cheap restaurant or diner rather than doing anything like this. Not that she was comparing this to actual dates. Or at least she was trying not to. Taryn fell silent, studying Trevor in the dark. She wasn't sure what she was looking for, if anything, but words were eluding her for once.
"I'd like to," Trevor said with a note of sadness to his voice, though he was still smiling, his eyes on hers. There had been plenty of times in the past in which he'd wanted to kiss her. To really kiss her. But none of them compared with the all encompassing desire to do so now. It seized his chest and he had to force himself to look away and take a sip of his wine. "But it's not very likely I'll be able to be a boyfriend. As long as I've been putting Mom and Dad off, I've no doubts my future will hold a brief engagement, then marriage."
Taryn's gaze flickered back to the stars when he looked away from her. She didn't like the feeling in her chest when he said he would be engaged and married. Of course she knew it was coming. It would be coming for Torin too, once he graduated. That's when the nagging would begin and more female cousins would be visiting the house. Taryn was lucky enough, she still had a couple years. But... it really bothered her to think of her brothers married. Trevor more so, probably because he was the oldest and would get engaged first most likely. Why did it always come around to these thoughts? She was worrying about it more now than she had before. "I think you've still got time," Taryn assured him after sipping more of her wine. "Mom and dad haven't mentioned anything lately, have they? Maybe they'll just leave you alone for a couple more years."
"No, they haven't mentioned anything recently. But I'm afraid that's simply because they've been too busy with their own affairs to meddle in ours," Trevor said and glanced down at his glass. He swirled the wine around a little before taking another, longer sip. It had such a light, fruity sweetness to it that he almost wished he'd chosen something dryer to suit his actual mood instead of the mood he'd hoped their evening would have.
"Maybe they'll stay busy," Taryn suggested hopefully before she drank more. She knew her limits with alcohol, for the most part, but the wine was delicious and sweet and it was hard not to just knock it all back and ask for more. Grinning to lighten the mood, Taryn reached over to nudge his arm playfully. "I don't even have any affairs for them to meddle in. I bet Torin does though. And you totally should. I keep having this overwhelming urge to do something completely scandalous. Live a little before high school is over and adult life consumes me."
Trevor unceremoniously tilted his head back and downed the last half of his wine, then set his glass on the sand next to his sandals. The word 'scandalous' put his own desires at the forefront of his mind. But he'd be a madman to suggest any of that now. Or ever, he supposed. If things between them were going to grow and deepen then they would just have to happen naturally or not at all. He laid back down on the towel with one arm under his head and the other over his chest. "Life doesn't have to end on your wedding day, Taryn. Not if you'd put that energy toward finding Mr. Right instead of Mr. Right Now." He continued to gaze up at the stars, wondering how close it was to the start of the fireworks display but not wanting to move to check his watch. "When I marry, if I can somehow marry the woman of my dreams, I want that to be the beginning of a fabulous, exciting life. Not the end of whatever this... bachelorhood is supposed to be."
She nearly pointed out that he felt the woman of his dreams was unattainable. Her advice was pretty blunt, and she knew Trevor would never take it, so she managed to bite her tongue. She drank the rest of her wine and then reached over him to grab the bottle so she could pour herself some more. She loved wine. Especially fruity wines that didn't have such a bitter, alcoholic taste to them. "I want Mr. Right Now. Because if I never find Mr. Right, I'll be stuck with Mr. Dummyhead that mom and dad chose for me. Maybe Mr. Right Now will become Mr. Right. There's so many what ifs and maybes. And your bachelorhood could be a lot more exciting if you wanted it to be," she pointed out as she poured the wine, letting it get near the top of the glass before she stopped and set the wine unceremoniously in the sand beside her. "You're just picky, and so focused on your novel. Not that there's anything wrong with that."
"I'm not focused on my novel right now," Trevor pointed out, turning to look at her again finally. His thick brows were drawn together, giving him something of a sad puppy expression. "I'm focused on you." And he was. So entirely that it made his chest ache. "And I'm glad you like the wine. It's very good, isn't it?"
"And I love you for it," Taryn replied happily as she took another drink of her wine. Licking her lips of the taste, she nodded. "It's really good. I'll try not to drink the whole bottle." She shifted a bit until she could rest back on her elbow and not spill the wine everywhere. She liked that Trevor was paying attention to her. She just didn't understand why no one else would. Was she suddenly hideously unattractive? Or annoying? Lately she couldn't get a real date if her life depended on it. But things shouldn't always be about her, as much as she thought they should. Looking over at Trevor, Taryn smiled at him again. "And I'm focused on you too. Spending a nice evening with my gorgeous brother."
Trevor felt so close to having everything he wanted, but still so far away. It was such a slow, bittersweet torture. "Careful, Tar, you'll inflate my ego to dangerous proportions," Trevor said with a slow smile, trying to lighten his own mood with a little humor. A loud pop and a flash of colorful lights caught his attention and he glanced over toward the water. The fireworks had begun and they were just as beautiful as always, glittering in the sky and reflecting back off of the waves.
Laughing, Taryn moved her foot to brush against his. "You deserve an inflated ego. You're far too grounded for how unbelievably amazing you are." When the fireworks started, she looked up, drinking her wine and enjoying the colors and sound. It reminded her of years past, when she used to come with her parents, or with Torin. She missed doing things as a whole family, but they were all older now and everyone was always so busy. By the time she got through to the end of her glass, she was feeling giggly and a little lightheaded, so she set her glass down in the sand beside the bottle. Scooting down, Taryn laid beside Trevor, wrapping an arm around his waist and resting her head on his shoulder. "This is the best night ever," she murmured. And sadly, it was probably ten times better than if Noah had been there with her. He wouldn't have taken her to dinner first, or brought wine. But that was okay. She was perfectly content with this.
Trevor jostled her just a little as he moved his arm from its place on his chest to slide it under her and around her shoulders, pulling her a little closer. He tilted his face down for a moment, pressing a kiss to her hair, then looked up at the colored bursts filling the sky again. "We should do something like this again," he said thoughtfully, as if he hadn't already been planning on it. "See if we can top the best night ever."
Humming happily in her throat, Taryn squeezed Trevor to her. He was so solid and warm. And smelled like boy, even if he was her brother, he still smelled so nice. "We could do something to make this night better," Taryn said, watching the fireworks above them before she lifted her face to look at him. "Something really fun and stupid."
"I'm afraid to ask, but what did you have in mind?" Trevor arched a brow, but her happy expression was catching and he smiled up at her in spite of himself. Yet again he just wanted to make that space between them disappear, press his lips to hers, but no. He couldn't be so rash and foolish and risk pushing her away. Not when she was so comfortable against his side and genuinely happy to be with him. He just hoped her silly idea didn't involve swimming naked in the ocean. There were far too many people around for that sort of thing and it wasn't exactly to his taste.
"I don't know," Taryn admitted with a soft giggle. She probably would have wanted to go jump in the ocean if not for the fact that there were so many people around and Taryn didn't feel like showing her goods to everyone and their mother. "Anything I suggest'll be really stupid and involves nudity." She had to bury her face against his side to muffle the increasing number of giggles. Taryn thought maybe she should have just stopped at one small glass of wine. She could probably get away with silly things with Torin, but Trevor was on a completely different level. Taryn always felt like she had to be super smart around him, or at least act smart. Closing her eyes, Taryn sighed comfortably. "We don't have to go home, do we? We can just stay here until sunrise and let people think really inappropriate things."
Trevor chuckled at her comment about nudity and her fit of giggles. She was completely tipsy and it was adorable. And, while he did care what people in general thought about him, he certainly didn't care what anyone thought about the two of them while they were together. He had too many supposedly inappropriate thoughts on the matter himself. "We can stay here as long as you like. Or we can go somewhere else, but we don't have to go home until you're ready to. It's Saturday night, after all."
"Where else would we go?" Taryn asked, opening her eyes to look up toward the sky again. "We're stuck here. In Darkwater, I mean. I guess we couldn't really leave. And I don't know where we would go in town. But I like it here with you, because I don't have to share you with anyone." She was more than willing to be selfish about that tonight. "Oh! But when we go home, we should go swimming. Or I can go swimming. I love it when it's dark outside and just the pool lights are on." The wine was making her more babbly than usual, but she doubted Trevor minded it. If Torin was home, maybe she'd drag him out to the pool with her, because she couldn't see Trevor swimming so late if they were home.
"We could go swimming together at home," Trevor said happily as he ran his hand slowly over the softness of her shoulder and upper arm, amused that she thought he wouldn't want to swim with her. He wouldn't pass up a chance to see her in her bathing suit, water dripping from her hair, down her slim shoulders... and he really needed to not think about that right now. Fireworks. The beach. Trees. The drive home would be exceptionally boring. He put his mind on anything and everything dull and commonplace he could think of to keep himself from getting any harder. The last thing he needed right now was a damned full blown hard on.
"You would go swimming with me?" Lifting her head up, she grinned excitedly. "Because that would be so much fun. I get Torin to swim with me sometimes, in the middle of the night, when it's clear in the sky and no one's around. But you know how Torin hates getting his hair wet." They always had fun together, when they weren't scratching and clawing at each other's faces, anyway. Sometimes when she swam by herself, and it was late enough that she knew her parents were sleeping, Taryn went skinny dipping. She would likely laugh until it hurt if she ever got caught, but that was okay. Amused, Taryn reached up to run her hand over his forehead and back into his hair. "I like you like this. Away from your room and your computer."
Trevor's eyes closed at her touch, taking in the feel of her fingers on his skin and hair. He slowly opened them again and gazed up at her. It was too bad her ideas of stupid, scandalous fun didn't involve kissing him with those gorgeous lips of hers. She was so beautiful when she was happy like this, and he felt happy that he was the one who'd helped to make her light up like that. "I like being away from my computer and my room if it means being with you. And yes, I'd love to go swimming with you later. We can leave Torin out of it since he'll just be prissy the entire time."
"I'm totally not in the mood for prissy," Taryn agreed, resting her head back down on his chest. It was nice listening to his heart beating. Although it was beating kind of fast, but not fast enough to prompt questions. "You should be with me more often too, if you like it more than your computer. No one wants to be second best to a computer, anyway." She was all about cuddling next to her brother, breathing in his familiar scent, listening to the fireworks exploding above them. Taryn felt... nice. And maybe something else, but she couldn't quite put a finger on how to describe it. "You smell nice," she murmured, closing her eyes again.
"So do you," Trevor said, leaning down again to kiss her hair and breathe in the scent of her shampoo again. He didn't even really care about the fireworks anymore. He was far too absorbed in cuddling with his sister, running his hand affectionately over her arm and feeling her warmth and weight partially on him. It was probably a good thing he'd only had a little wine, he realized, or else he might feel ridiculously bold instead of just comfortable.
Taryn absently noted that he kept kissing her hair. It made her feel warm and she returned the gesture, although her lips only managed to catch the side of his throat since she would have to move to get to his actual hair, and Taryn had no energy to move yet. "You are officially my favorite brother," Taryn said, her lips still brushing against his throat before she smiled and stifled a giggle. "Don't tell Torin, because he'll come into my room later and throw a temper tantrum over it."
"I'm very good at keeping secrets," Trevor said, though his voice was a little strained. He swallowed hard and tried to will his suddenly raging erection to piss off. Thankfully it was mostly dark and she had no reason whatsoever, innocent or otherwise, to reach down there. But oh how he wished she did. Only no that would be bad. Very bad. Just as bad as her her lips on his neck, or maybe worse. He had to pull himself together or his perfect evening was going to be ruined entirely.
"I know you are," Taryn said before smiling again and whispering in his ear, "You kept your love a secret for years, remember?" Of course she was talking about his mystery lady, and the fact that he had supposedly been in love with her for years without Torin or Taryn knowing about it. Or their parents, for that matter. Completely oblivious to any arousal or discomfort he was feeling, Taryn kept her arm around him, and her ankle hooked over his. Honestly, to anyone walking nearby who might see them, they looked like lovers. But Taryn had always harbored a strange affection for her brothers, and she wasn't ashamed to show it, even in public.
"Uh huh," Trevor said, feeling suddenly like he was thirteen again and noticing girls were attractive for the first time. Taryn had such sway over him that he felt completely helpless to regain control of the situation, let alone himself. Her warm breath tickling his ear just made things ten times worse. It was like she had absolutely no idea how amazingly sexy she was. He focused on what they were talking about, though it didn't help much. Maybe he could try to steer the conversation somewhere bland. Then she would get bored and be ready to go home. "So... I can guarantee he won't find out I'm your favorite for at least a few years."
"You're a better secret keeper than me. I'd totally tell him just to rub it in his face, if I were you." Taryn nuzzled his neck, closing her eyes and smiling contently. The wine made her want to burst into giggles, even though there was nothing to giggle about! It was probably a good thing he was driving. Her hand came up to rest on his chest and she opened one eye, finally letting a tiny bit of laughter escape her lips. "Your heart is about to come out of your chest! It's like... pounding." Pushing herself up on her elbow so that she was above him, Taryn smirked and studied his face. "What are you thinking about? Your lady?"
"Yes. You've caught me," Trevor said, his face scrunching up a little. He wasn't happy about having to phrase it like that. He didn't want her to think his thoughts were anywhere but on her, because they weren't, no matter that she was the lady in question. Taryn didn't know that and Trevor was beginning to doubt she ever would.
"It's okay," Taryn assured him, planting a noisy kiss on his cheek. "I forgive you." As usual, Taryn was completely oblivious to the fact that she was the woman on Trevor's mind. It completely eluded her that Trevor was interested, and it never occurred to her that he could be. All she could think about was how stupid this woman who didn't want her brother was. And while she wanted to find someone gorgeous and intelligent for Trevor, she also wanted him to stay single forever, just so she could keep him for herself. Her hand stayed over his heart where she began to tap it gently with her nails. "I wonder if I ever make any guy's hearts do this."
"Of course you do," Trevor said, his pained expression remaining. He tried to focus on breathing like a normal person instead of letting his thoughts stay on how terribly wonderful it would be if he just kissed her right then and there after admitting that she was the one making his heart race. Such fantasies of sweeping her off her feet and into his arms were dangerous delusions. Especially at the present moment.
"Mmmhmm." Maybe she sounded a little doubtful, but Taryn knew she could turn men on. She was attractive, and fun! She had past experiences with men that absolutely told her she could probably get whatever she wanted if she acted a certain way. Taryn's gaze lifted to his face and she arched a brow, sitting up a bit more at the expression on his face. "Are you all right? I'm not annoying you am, I?"
"You never annoy me, Taryn. I'm just trying not to think about you making anyone's heart pound in his chest," Trevor said with a small sigh. He ran his hand down her arm affectionately and smiled up at her a little sheepishly. It was terribly difficult for him to school his expression when he was still so damn turned on, still wanting to kiss her so she'd know he wasn't agitated with her, but enamored.
Taryn was silent for a moment before she returned his smile with a small one of her own. "That's okay. I don't want to think about you having that reaction on anyone either. But if you would have brought her out tonight, like this? She would have been crazy not to fall in love with you." She laid back down next to him and kept her palm on his chest, closing her eyes again. "But I have to admit, I'm glad it's us and not you and her. I would have had to sit at home and pout, because I'd probably be jealous."
"Only probably jealous?" he teased with a small smile. Trevor took his arm from under his head and laid his hand on top of hers, his thumb stroking hers gently. His other hand held onto her shoulder again now that she'd resettled. "And what if she didn't fall in love with me after a night like this? What could I do?"
"Probably really jealous," Taryn amended with a smile of her own. It was probably the wine talking, but it was really comfortable being there with him. His body was warm, the stroke of his fingers on her arm soothing. Taryn kept it to herself, but for a moment she pretended like Trevor was hers, and this was a real date. It wasn't the a shameful feeling by any means. It was actually kind of... nice. It wasn't the first time she'd had that thought around her brothers but she never ever voiced it. Her friends would have found it disgusting, since they didn't know the history of elementals. At Trevor's question, Taryn opened her eyes, but didn't look up at him. "I... guess that would all depend on how much she meant to you. If I were her, what would you do now? After the fireworks were over and it was almost time to say goodnight?"
"I'd kiss her and tell her how much I love her," Trevor said softly after a moment. But his brows furrowed as he thought about it some more. He wouldn't do that right now. It was too much of a risk. Too important to chance with heartfelt revelations. He was too damn scared of the consequences. "I... no. I wouldn't do anything that could ruin the evening for her. I'd take her out again, another time, and show her again that she meant the world to me, as best I could without actually saying it. And I'd keep trying until she grew to love me too. Or until she found someone else to love." He swallowed hard, a lump suddenly in his throat. And finally he was no longer aroused, instead rather depressed at how bleak his stupid plan sounded when he said it out loud.
Taryn was about to respond to his first answer, finding that much more appealing than his second. That was the problem with Trevor. He wasn't spontaneous, or a risk taker. Of course Taryn might have thought differently if she knew who he was really talking about. "Not all women are that perceptive," Taryn said gently. "You can try to show her as much as you want, but sometimes it takes more than that. Have you tried to do this for her in the past? Have you ever told her how you feel?" Knowing her brother, it wasn't likely. She smiled faintly and a giggle caught in her throat. "Do you know how obvious I've tried to be with guys in the past? And they just didn't get it until I finally felt bold enough to tell them what I wanted? Maybe she has no idea how you feel because she thinks you're unattainable."
"No, it's not like that, Tar. I know she doesn't think that way about me. It's complicated. Too complicated for me to blurt out my feelings for her," Trevor said and shook his head slightly. He stared up at the sky, searching it for some kind of magical answer to his problem.
"Maybe you're the one making it complicated." Sighing loudly, Taryn pushed herself up, using the hand on his chest for leverage. Her head was swimming for a moment and once the dizziness passed, she patted his chest. "C'mon, practice on me. Sit up and pretend I'm her. Pretend like this whole night was meant for her, and now the time's right for you to tell her how you feel. The fireworks are over, the moon and stars are out and you're sitting together by the ocean. What would you say to her? Don't blurt anything out like a ding dong, just... follow the mood you've set between you and tell her how you feel. Er, me. Since I'm her." She didn't know why she was encouraging Trevor so much. Probably because it killed her to see him so lovelorn. And maybe she could help him, even if she inwardly disliked whoever this woman was.
Trevor sat up and took one of her hands in his, skeptical that this was going to help at all. If anything it was only going to make him feel worse. He shouldn't have said a damn thing about being in love with anyone. He should have just made up something and brushed off whatever it was. Trevor couldn't even remember why he'd said what he had, other than not wanting Taryn to be upset over some other foolish thing he'd said. For someone so intent on working with words, he was certainly terrible at verbalizing anything.
"Taryn, I can't do this," Trevor said and glanced out toward the water. Now that the fireworks were over, most of the people near them had vacated their spots on the sand. Being more alone with her like this made it even more difficult to bear, and now she wanted him to "practice" with her? He swallowed hard and looked at her, shaking his head yet again. So what if he was a great coward. He just couldn't bear the thought of this going farther than it should. For practice's sake. Or because she'd had a little too much to drink.
She assumed he couldn't because she was his sister, and would feel silly. Taryn wanted to push him, because that's what she did, but at the same time, they'd had a fun evening and she didn't want to ruin it by annoying him. "Okay... I don't mean to pressure you," Taryn said after a moment. "I just want you to be happy and I thought I could help." She kept ahold of his hand and brought it up to her lips so she could kiss it. "It hurts to see you unhappy."
"Being with you makes me happy," Trevor said, even though it wasn't entirely true at the moment. Being with her right now left him feeling more conflicted than usual, but he'd been dealing with it so long that it just seemed sadly natural in a way. He pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head again, finding it the only way he could get around his urges to really kiss her. "I'm just sorry I've been too busy being selfishly aloof to spend as much time with you as I've wanted."
Why, oh why couldn't Torin be more like Trevor? She spent more time with Torin, and they were almost always bickering at one another. Trevor never bickered with her, or called her names. And she made him happy. It was too bad Trevor wasn't a distant cousin, because she would be making sure he was proposing to her the moment she graduated. "It's okay," Taryn assured him, wrapping her arms around him to hug him tightly. "We'll just make more time for each other. You're much more fun than Torin anyway. Definitely not as moody or prissy," she teased.
"I'm always here for you. Any time you need me, just let me know and I'll drop whatever I'm doing," Trevor said, his cheek pressed against her hair and his eyes closed. He wished they were home, lounging somewhere warm and comfortable and completely private. Just holding one another like they were now, only with the vague promise of something more being possible. "No matter how great or small the reason."
"Wow, I'm totally going to remember you said that," Taryn murmured, holding him tightly against her. Trevor had always seemed like the kind of brother who spent time with her because he felt obligated to. He was so focused on his writing, that Taryn hardly ever asked him to do things with her, but maybe now that was changing. She was selfish when it came to her brothers' time with her, and if Trevor was going to offer to be around more, she would take him up on it. "Same goes, you know."
"I love you," Trevor said, both wishing she could feel just how much he meant those words and dreading her realizing the depth of his affections for her. Life would be so much easier if he could just tell her the truth of his feelings without consequence. But that idea was a fantasy.
Smiling, Taryn pulled back to look at him, bringing her arms from around his body to cup his face. "I love you too." Leaning in, she kissed the tip of his nose before releasing him. "You think we should head back? I really want to swim for a bit! At least until the wine finally gets me sleepy."
Trevor had to take a moment to collect himself, to not lean in and kiss her on the lips. He closed his mouth, which had been partially hanging open as if he were about to say something, then nodded and smiled. "That sounds perfect," he said as he turned away from her enough to wrap the glasses back up and start packing everything away again.
Taryn rolled away to stand up, swaying only a little as the wine made her head swim. She reached down to gather the wine bottle to hand it to him. "This has been a really great night," Taryn told Trevor, smiling as she brushed loose hair from her face. "Much better than anything else I would have been doing. Next time I'll take you out somewhere."
"How modern of you," Trevor said with an amused smirk. He stood up after putting the wine bottle away with everything else and folded up the chairs they'd never used. Honestly, though, he really hoped she wouldn't drag him to a dance club. Though he'd go wherever she wanted to go, regardless of his own feelings on the venue. "And I'm glad you've had fun with your boring brother. I was a little worried you'd be bored all evening."
"I'm a modern woman," Taryn reminded him with a curtsy and a smile. She wasn't thinking about where she would take Trevor, although Vapor wasn't likely to be on the list. Trevor would probably just stand there and avoid touching people. Although it would have been fun to see him try and dance, as unlikely as that was. "You're not boring, sweetheart. I love spending time with you. You took me to an awesome restaurant, and then the beach. There was wine, and fireworks. It was better than anything my boyfriends would have done for me."
"That's because all they'd want to do is get in your pants. Or under your dress, as it were," Trevor said dryly. He shook out the towel now that they were both off of it and rolled it up again. He didn't want to dwell too long on her and any boyfriends she'd had or would have in the future. That would only make him moody.
Laughing, Taryn reached out to take the towel from him so she could carry it again. "Well, they're not very successful, obviously. Maybe if they did something like this for me, it'd be easier." Maybe she was just a romantic at heart, because it baffled her as to how any girl could spend a night like this with someone like Trevor and not be head over heels.
"Don't expect me to send them any anonymous tips," Trevor said. He arched a brow at her, completely unhappy with the direction their conversation was taking. Then he grabbed his sandals, the chairs and cooler and headed back toward the car.
"Anonymous tips are no fun," Taryn said with a mock pout. "Guys should be able to figure this out on their own, you know? Do they really think I want to eat a greasy burger at some noisy fast food restaurant? Seriously. And then they pay for my movie, so obviously I should put out at the end of the date. Or give them a blow job or something." She snorted loudly. "That's so not happening." Although she would have with Noah, but that was different since he was a man and not an immature boy from school.
Trevor grimaced, glad that he was looking in the direction of his car versus directly at Taryn. Was he really so different, then, from those other boys and men? Not that he wanted only sexual gratification for his efforts. No, that wasn't true at all. He wanted everything from her. Love, companionship and of course sex came along with that. But he couldn't help feeling a little guilty for his little deception. It wasn't entirely a means to an end, of course, as he loved to spend time with her in any capacity, but ...there was a part of his perfectly planned evening that was dishonest. "Men can be quite moronic when it comes to lust and love."
"No kidding." She made a face and followed him with a slight bounce to her step. "But that's okay. I'm not always looking for love, although it would be awesome when it does come along. I just want someone who isn't going to use something special like a nice date just to get laid at the end of it." Taryn slipped an arm through Trevor's, hugging it to her as they made their way back to the car. "Before this new woman. Or old woman, I don't know. Were you ever in love before?"
"No," Trevor said simply, glancing down at Taryn as they walked through the sands. He'd had a small crush on a water elemental in high school, but she'd only been interested in sex, not a relationship. At the time that had ended up being fine with Trevor since she wasn't a metal elemental. It had never been love, however. "And I don't think I will ever love anyone else as deeply."
"You're such a romantic," Taryn sighed, resting her head against his arm. "I like that about you. You're like... the prince in someone's fairy tale. I think you got all the romance genes, because Torin is so, like, the opposite." It was nice leaning against him, because she was sure she'd be wobbly if she was trying to walk on her own. Hopefully she didn't fall asleep in the pool! "Does it ever bother you? I mean, people like to experiment and try new things. Isn't it boring to be in love with only one person? Does that make sense?"
"I think heartwrenching is the adjective you're looking for," Trevor said. It was far from boring. Annoying, perhaps, when he was feeling particularly cynical. Lonely, most days. But generally it was painful in the best and worst sort of way. "Considering she doesn't feel the same way about me. But I can't shut off my feelings for her. I've tried numerous times. And yet I still feel compelled to see her, to spend time with her, just so that I may have the small joy of her company, her smile, the way her eyes light up when she's happy." He cut himself off, knowing he could wax poetic about her charms until the sun came up. Or until he'd said too much and made it perfectly clear he was speaking about Taryn herself.
Taryn digested all of that, sighing inwardly. She tried to imagine a guy thinking that way about her, and she all but melted. Maybe some boys at school did, but what did they know? And it was probably boys she would never be seen in public with anyway. Even the boys she would be seen with, like Cian, didn't want to date her. Ugh. "You're so smitten," Taryn said after a moment. "I love seeing you like this.... not miserable! But... in love." She wanted to know who this woman was! A name, a face, something. Something so Taryn could track her down and help somehow. "Do you see her often?"
"Not often enough," Trevor said, attempting to choose his words carefully so that they were true but also vague. He knew very well that Taryn was clever, even though he felt like she often played dumb for her own reasons. They'd reached the car again and he went about opening the trunk and packing it again. He'd deal with the sand tomorrow.
She hummed softly in her throat, shaking the rolled up towel once more to get rid of any excess sand before she set it in the trunk. "What's her name?" No one could claim Taryn wasn't persistent. Or determined. Or stubborn. She was nosy as hell and liked knowing everything, even if it was none of her business. But she totally considered Trevor to be her business, and the fact that he wouldn't give up much information still annoyed her.
"Taryn," he sighed, annoyed and agitated that she was pushing for specific details that he didn't want to lie about but simply could not tell her. Only, technically, he just had. He scrambled for words to tack onto what he'd said. "I can't tell you that. You... you wouldn't approve." He closed the trunk and walked around to the passenger side of the car and held the door open for her, his sandy sandals in one hand.
She wouldn't approve? That was a new piece to the puzzle! Taryn slipped into the car and put on her seat belt as she waited for Trevor. Once he was inside the car, she shifted toward him, her eyes intent with determination. "Why wouldn't I approve, Trev? Is she not an elemental?" Somehow she doubted that was it. Trevor was pure when it came to bloodlines. There's no way he would ever allow himself to fall in love with a non-elemental. "Oh god," Taryn said before he could answer her. "Ugh! It's not one of my friends is it?"
Trevor looked over at her with a blank face save for one arched brow. He didn't even know how to begin responding to that. Maybe playing into her assumption that he was interested in one of her friends would throw her off the trail enough to help him? But, no, that would only make her think he'd lied to her if the truth ever did come completely to light. "You do know her. And she's your age. But she's not any one of your girlfriends. I also think you know me well enough to know that she's an elemental." He turned the car and headlights on before backing out of the parking space. "Are you going to keep asking me questions about her until I can't take it anymore and blurt out her name?"
"I don't want to annoy you with questions," Taryn responded, turning back against her seat and folding her arms against her chest. Hearing some real answers hadn't seemed to help quell her curiosity. In fact, it just... irritated her for some reason. If Taryn knew this girl, and she was Taryn's age, that likely meant that Taryn went to school with the girl - unless he meant her real age of nineteen. Either way, it made the girl seem more real, and Taryn felt a fresh burst of jealousy soar through her. It felt like a different kind of jealousy. The kind that made Taryn want to track the girl down and threaten her to leave Trevor alone, even though this mystery girl clearly was. Pouting a bit, Taryn fell silent and stared out the window.
It didn't take Trevor long to realize she was pouting, and instantly he felt the need to make her happy again. Only nothing he could think of to resolve the situation would help. He could only see the truth make things so much worse. He turned the radio on low to provide a little background noise between them instead of uncomfortable silence. "It wasn't my intent to upset you. And I'm not trying to play games by keeping her identity a secret from you," he said after driving on for a few minutes. "I had thought..." He frowned at the road. No, he couldn't say that. He couldn't word it that way. And he was quickly running out of steam on what felt like the right things to say to put the mood of the evening back where he wanted it to be. And it didn't help that the more they talked, the more certain he was that she should never know. That he had no hope left. "I was right about her being unattainable, Taryn. And while my feelings for her might not change, I genuinely believe I have no chance with her. So there is no reason for us to keep discussing her. No reason for you to even know who she is. Especially not when there is no good that can come from you knowing. So can we please talk about something happy? What about that author friend of yours?"
"If you're so certain you have no chance with her, then what difference does it make that I know? At least if you tell me who she is, I can put her down and tell you how you deserve so much better," Taryn pointed out after a moment of silence. "And I don't think talking about Noah is something happy, really. I already know your feelings about him, and honestly, I'm pretty sure he's not interested in me the way I am with him. Or was. I don't know." She shrugged, wishing she wasn't so moody. But her emotions tended to shift with the wind and she couldn't always help it. Licking her lips, Taryn leaned back against the seat, lowering her hands to her lap and closing her eyes as she breathed in to calm the dizziness. "It's not that you won't tell me anything, Trev. I just wish I could push you harder, and make you fight for something the way you told me to. But on the other hand, I don't like thinking about you with someone else. It makes me feel... I don't know. Not good."
Trevor's heart wanted to leap into his throat, but he was driving and didn't have time for ridiculous feelings like that. His hands gripped the steering wheel more tightly. That was a funny way for her to phrase things. That was all. It didn't mean what he wanted it to mean, he was sure of it. "With someone else?" he asked, keeping his tone light, questioning, merely curious.
"Yeah." Taryn swallowed, more because her throat was dry from the wine than anything else. "Another woman, you know? I refuse to believe there's any out there good enough for you. And what happens when you do get engaged?" Opening her eyes, Taryn turned her head lazily to look at him. It was possible the wine was making her more talkative than she usually was, but right now she didn't care. "You're devoted to someone else, and I have to share you. I don't like that thought."
"I don't like the thought of having to share you either, Taryn. Not with some random man with a boat that you may or may not care about and want to sleep with. Or with some not-so-random man our parents will eventually choose for you." Trevor was letting his emotions take hold of him anyway, unable to stop himself entirely. He took a deep breath and glanced over at his sister, who looked tired and somewhat miserable. Yet still terribly beautiful. He wanted to pull over, hug her, tell her everything would be all right between them. But he just kept driving, not sure if he should chance saying more.
Taryn stared at his profile, trying to read his expression, even though her eyes were heavy from the energy she'd spent that day. And the alcohol. "You're just being big brothery," Taryn murmured before facing the front again. "Which is okay, and I totally get where you're coming from." It was just different for her, for some reason. No one could really understand the affection and possessiveness she felt for her brothers. Sometimes Taryn didn't really understand it herself.
"Does it bother you? I'll keep those thoughts to myself if it does," Trevor said, catching her tone and taking it to mean she was upset. Or getting more upset, which wasn't his aim at all. "I'm sorry, I wanted tonight to be perfect, but I keep saying things I probably shouldn't."
"No, it doesn't bother me." And it didn't. Not really. Sure, she got annoyed when they got uber protective, but that didn't happen all that often. "Maybe I'm just being little sistery too. I don't know. I don't know what I'm trying to say." Taryn shrugged and then closed her eyes again. "And you don't have to worry about Noah. He's not going to sleep with me. I could probably like, show up naked at his door and he'd still probably say no."
"Would it make you happy if he did sleep with you?" Trevor asked, attempting to keep a neutral tone, but coming off with more of a cold edge. He frowned a little but fought it, keeping his eyes on the road. It wasn't easy being entirely selfless where Taryn was concerned, but he was beginning to think that would be the only way could get through life without feeling like his heart was being slowly pulled out of his chest.
Giggling softly despite his tone, Taryn opened her eyes and looked at Trevor. "I don't know. Maybe. I've just had... not the best of luck with boys so far this summer. I only kissed one guy in Italy when we were there, and that was like, all. And then back home, it's like I'm repulsive or something. A popular guy at school didn't want me, and then Noah's... I think he's just being nice to me." She felt silly telling Trevor about it, because it was really shallow of her to be whining about her lack of dates lately. "I guess I feel like... I don't know. No one wants me. Which kind of sucks."
"Would you be happier if you were sure at least one guy wanted you?" Trevor asked. He glanced over at her again, an eyebrow arched slightly. This had to be madness, utter and complete madness, but he just couldn't stand seeing her so down over feeling unwanted and unattractive. He knew she'd just take any compliments he paid her as brotherly platitudes and brush them off.
"Well, duh," Taryn replied with another choked giggle. "But I know how selfish and shallow that sounds on my part. It's not like my world revolves wanting guys to want me. I'm just used to guys asking me and stuff, you know?" She groaned and covered her face with her hands. "Ugh, that sounds shallow too!"
Trevor sighed and smiled a little, relieved that it didn't sound like she felt it was the end of the world if she didn't have at least one guy fawning and drooling over her. He reached over and rubbed her shoulder gently. "There's nothing wrong with wanting to be desired. And I know that's not the only thing you think about."
Of course she wanted to be desired. Everyone wanted to be desired. Taryn knew that. It was just a blow to the ego when you're constantly desired and then suddenly... you're not. "It must just be a slow start to the summer," she muttered, explaining it away to herself. "If it really bugged me that much, I would just go out with a boy from school who I know would die to go out with me." Maybe that's what she'd do! At least to get her confidence back. Taryn reached up to take Trevor's hand from her shoulder so she could entwine their fingers together. "Sorry for being so mopey. We had a great night... I won't ruin it with my own love life complaints."
"Sometimes it helps to get things off your chest," Trevor said, brushing off her self deprecating comments. He didn't mind listening to her problems, even if he did have a hard time keeping his comments to himself. "I just want to make sure you're happy. So if there's anything else I can do tonight to help you not be mopey, say the word." He gave her hand an affectionate little squeeze. "You still want to go swimming once we're home?"
"I'm happy," Taryn promised. Happy enough, anyway. She was just going through boy withdrawal. Noah didn't count, since he wasn't wrapped around her finger like all the others were. Not that she couldn't keep trying to convince him he wanted to be. But when a man tells you that she's not allowed to touch him below the waist? That's a pretty obvious sign right there. Bringing his hand up to her cheek, Taryn rested against it with a sigh. "Yes. Go swimming with me. That will make me unmopey, I promise."
"Did you get a new bathing suit this year? If so I don't think I've seen it," Trevor said, attempting casual conversation now that he felt in the clear from needing to spill his secret. He tried his best to ignore the soft warmth of her cheek and hand, instead focusing on the road. They were almost home, but he had to keep an eye out for deer and other animals as they headed up through a heavily wooded area.
Taryn laughed softly and lowered his hand so she could see him properly. "I get a new bathing suit every year. You can tell me how fabulous it is." Her tiny red bikini that she had worn out a few times already. All of her bathing suits barely covered her body, except for the ones she wore around her parents to avoid being lectured. "And you haven't seen it because you're always holed up in your room, silly."
"Clearly you should have stopped by and given me a fashion show so I wouldn't miss out," Trevor said with an amused smile. He still had the same swim trunks he'd bought the year before in some busy neutural toned madras type plaid that had been hot at the time. He hadn't bothered to go shopping for a new pair yet this year, even though he did try to to remain fairly fashion forward.
"Oooh! Well, I'll remember that the next time I go shopping. Just remember you suggested it," Taryn teased. "Or I'll just take you shopping with me, and you can see all my outfits when I try them on. Wouldn't you just be the coolest brother, ever?" Torin would get up and leave if she dragged him along, since he liked shopping as much as she did. No way would he sit there and watch her model clothes. But Trevor? He just might!
"I'd like that," Trevor said, laughing a little at her enthusiasm. He wasn't sure if she was just joking or not, but he really would like to do that some time. Shopping wasn't his favorite thing in the world, since it could be so tedious, but he did enjoy fashion to an extent.
Taryn gripped his hand tightly. "I'm holding you to that! Verbal promise, Trev and verbal promises are totally binding and unbreakable." Oooh, she was so taking Trevor shopping with her soon. He could tell her how beautiful she looked in everything and carry her bags for her. "Best brother ever," she murmured, reaching across the seat to hang onto him gently.
"We should go some time next week, if you're not already busy. Another not-a-date date," Trevor offered as he turned onto their street finally. He was ready to get out of the car, or at least park it, before she did something crazy like climb in his lap. Not that he would've minded her being on his lap, but it just would not have been safe at all.
As they pulled onto their street, Taryn pulled back from Trevor, feeling much better now than she had a few minutes ago. Funny how quickly small things could switch her moods back and forth. "I'm never busy when it comes to you, Trev." She grinned and thought about the way he worded it. "Not a date, date? You know, if you think about it, you're like my non-boyfriend boyfriend. With tonight, and taking me shopping. You can be my summer non-fling fling." Taryn giggled, because it sounded funny coming out of her mouth.
"That sounds fun," Trevor said, amused even as his chest clenched up on him uncomfortably. To be so close, yet so far away, was abject torture. But he'd take what he could get. Whatever small amount of genuine closeness she'd give him he'd gladly accept. Maybe things would work out yet. Maybe all wasn't completely lost. He just wished he could know for certain without risking everything. "I could take you out every weekend."
"You think so?" She was sure Trevor would get bored, hanging out with her so much. She and Torin could only spend so much time together before they wanted to pull each other's hair and scratch. But Trevor? She didn't think he even had a temper. "You don't think it's totally desperate of me to use my brother as my pseudo-boyfriend?"
"Are you trying to pseudo-dump me, Taryn?" Trevor asked as he pulled the car up into the driveway, put it in park and turned it and the headlights off. He unbuckled his seat belt and turned to her, giving her his best puppy dog eyes. "It's not using me if I'm willing. Don't break my heart." He picked up her hand again in both of his and kissed her fingers gently, his lips lingering against her skin a little longer than was likely appropriate. But he felt he could get away with it in the name of their little game of pretend.
Arching a brow when he kissed her knuckles, Taryn smiled softly at him, since it was a really lovely gesture. And his lips felt nice on her hand. "You know I would never break your heart," Taryn murmured, vaguely noting that his lips were pressed against her fingers a lot longer than they should have been, but she certainly didn't mind it. Trevor was just far too good looking to really pull away, or even look away. And he was being romantic, even if he was playing along with her. "Your lips are warm." It was an absent sort of observation, since she was busy watching his face rather than making any attempt to get out of the car.
"Your hands are soft," he said, lips brushing against her skin as he spoke, eyes on her face. He pulled away a little, still holding her hand between them and not wanting to let go. It would be so easy right then to lean in and kiss her, taste her lips, play it off as part of their little game. But that would be taking advantage of her and the thought sank like a weight through him. She could take advantage of him and use him all day long, and he would be happy with that, but the reverse could never happen.
She curled her fingers over his hands that still held her. It suddenly felt really warm in the car, but Taryn was chalking that up to the weather outside, and the wine she'd had earlier. It still didn't explain how her fingers were tingly, and she was kind of sort of turned on. "You're too nice to me." Her voice was just a tiny bit hoarse from her dry throat and she shifted in her seat, knowing full well she should be embarrassed somehow from where her mind was wandering. Trevor would likely be appalled if he knew what she was imagining. Taryn could have frank conversations with Torin without worrying at all what he thought, but Trevor was very different.
"There's no such thing," Trevor assured her softly. He licked his lips without thinking much about it, because his mouth and lips both suddenly felt very dry. Trevor didn't move other than to run his thumbs over her hand, so much smaller and more delicate than his own. He thought about the wine, and how they could finish off the bottle while swimming since there wouldn't need to be anymore driving involved. And focusing on that was the only thing that kept him from kissing her, even if thinking about her in a tiny bathing suit was sending the wrong messages to the lower region of his body.
It was probably best for her to pull away and get out of the car, because Taryn's muddled thoughts were becoming extremely dangerous and erotic. Being out there alone with him, having him touching her that way? It was... she supposed inappropriate? But elementals were so much more different - and superior - to regular humans. With their culture, it was expected and natural to marry within family, even if it was rare for actual siblings to be thrust into a relationship. And here Taryn was picturing herself crawling onto her own brother's lap and doing horribly naughty things to him. Had she had that much wine? Because it was such a bad idea. He was Trevor and he was in love with someone else. She didn't want to do that to him, or herself.
Licking her lips, Taryn very gently pulled her hand from his and managed to smile. "Ready to go swimming?"
"Absolutely," Trevor said, smiling back at her before straightening up in his seat reluctantly. "Do you want me to grab the wine?" He wasn't concerned with getting the rest of their things from the trunk right now. He'd deal with that before the weekend was over. For now he just wanted to get inside, get comfortable and go swimming with his sister while attempting to not be turned on by how minuscule her bathing suit was sure to be.