Everything I Need by Natalie Barnes Page B

Placing my hand over my heart, like I have just seen a ghost, I catch my breath real quick. My eyes slowly start to travel up Tristan’s chest, which looks like it’s straining against the material of his shirt. When my eyes finally reach his, I know my naughty plan to make him suffer is starting to work. Holding back my smirk, I notice Tristan’s eyes devouring me. His mouth is slightly open but he recovers himself quickly.
    Crossing my arms, knowing it pushes my breasts up a bit, I give him a look like I’m impatiently waiting for him to move. His mouth is now set in a hard line and he narrows his eyes at me. He takes one step closer to me, almost invading my personal space again. Shit!
    He says nothing, just glares down at me before side stepping out of my way, moving toward Caleb and Dave. I’m not even going to look back at him. He could be waiting to see if he got some kind of reaction out of me and I don’t want to give him that satisfaction.
    Trying to remain intact after what just happened, I continue through the door. Once I’m back out into the vast room again, I see Ryan making his way over from outside. His jet-black hair is dripping and he’s pulling a sleeveless shirt over his head.
    “What up?” His quiet voice speaks first. Giving him a half smile, I nod.
    “Hey,” I say back to him. Ryan glances over his shoulder and with his thumb, gestures to where the pool is.
    “It’s fucking nice.” He laughs a little then walks past me, going into the room with the other guys. Ryan doesn’t say too much, unless he’s drunk. I barely hear that guy speak. It’s usually the quiet ones that you have to keep your eyes on. I know he’s harmless, but the other guys, excluding Tristan, all have cracked some kind of jokes by now, yet he just sits back and watches. Well, not really watches. I think most of the time he’s in his own little bubble.
    I step out back to check the pool area out. Wow! I know I already thought of it before, but shit . . . it is just like the fucking blue lagoon out here. Pulling out my phone, I take a seat at the ledge of the pool, dipping my legs into the cool water. Ryan was so right. It is fucking nice. Warm but not too warm, it can still cool you down from being out in the sun. Sliding my finger across my phone, I tap on Benny’s face. It rings a few times before he picks up.
    “Hey, hon! Sorry about that. I was actually just stepping into my room, perfect timing.”
    Smiling, I start swirling my legs around in the pool causing the water to cyclone around my legs.
    “This place is so unreal. It’s like paradise here. How was your day?”
    I hear him sigh on the phone. 
    “Long.”
    Aw my, Benny’s usually so upbeat, I wonder what happened today for him to sound this way?
    “Did something go wrong?” I ask him softly, trying to comfort him. He picks up on my tone and instantly tries to change the tone in his voice.
    “Oh no! Nothing for you to worry about. Just long, is all. I’m glad it’s over and I’m glad you called. I wish I was there with you.” 
    “Me too, babe,” I agree with him.
    “Hey . . . I know it will be a while, but once your next tour is done, let’s try and go somewhere. I haven’t vacationed with you yet and I think that’s exactly what we’ll need when everything is done.”
    I couldn’t agree more. I nod my head excitedly, even though he can’t see.
    “Oh, babe! That would be so awesome. Yeah, it will take a while, but I would love to share this experience with you. I wish you were here . . .”
    If Benny was here right now, I don’t think Tristan would be having this effect on me so much; maybe the only reason why he is, is because I may just be lonely and reminiscing about the man I wanted him to be. That’s a lie . . . I would still be having these feelings. Fuck!
    Scooting myself backwards so I can get up, I place my free hand down on the cut rock slab and push myself up. I need to keep talking. Clear my mind of thoughts of