OWN (EBOOK): Beautiful Sinner Series by Elena M. Reyes

Author:Elena M. Reyes
Language: eng
Format: epub

16

Five and a half years ago…

I’M FLOATING, water lapping at my bikini-covered breasts while the sun warms my cheeks. The shore isn’t far from where I am, and yet, I hear the group laughing—the loud music playing—as if I were sitting among them.

Instead, though, I’m in my own world.

Thinking. Daydreaming. Eyes closed while tipping my head back; I pretend I’m somewhere else.

Living in Miami is fun, and exciting at times, but to me, it’s still not home. I miss Tampa, my family, and my friends there. I miss being accepted and not looked at like a favor they’re doing. Like someone who tags along without being truly invited.

Not all do. Just a small few, but they matter more than most.

No one is outright rude, but you get that feeling. A look—a fake smile. If only they paid attention to where my eyes always wander. Who my smiles are really for.

Not that I don't understand; after two years, I’m still an outsider to them. Or maybe I try too hard.

Luna is as possessive as Thiago.

Natasha is protective of her family.

The rest follow the leaders.

While Ivan continues to ignore my crush. Yet his secret smiles when no one is looking give me hope. That maybe he sees me too.

“What’re doing, Mermaid?” His voice comes from behind me, close enough that I feel his warmth on the back of my neck, and at once, goose bumps rise on my skin. Shivers rush through me. “Why are you out here by yourself?”

“Because I enjoy my solitude.”

“I don’t like it.”

“But I do.”

“What if I forbid it?”

That makes me turn, meeting his warm, soft eyes. Like he understands more than I want him to. “Why does it matter?”

“It does.”

“That’s not—”

“Come with me,” he interrupts, hand raising to push a few wet strands of hair back and off my neck. Those fingers linger there and then trace from my neck to jaw before cupping my face. “You shouldn’t be out here.”

“Why don’t you stay with me instead?” It’s hard, but I fight the urge to nuzzle my face into his palm. “Maybe take a swim further out?”

“Swim?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.” His thumb traces over my cheeks before dropping and Ivan moves back, running a rough hand down his face. “Just promise me you’ll stay close.” I nod, but his eyes narrow. “Use your words, Mermaid.”

“Why do you call me Mermaid?” I answer instead.

“Does it matter?” While the response could be taken as rude, his expression is playful, his grin delicious. “Would it make you happy to know?”

“It would.” More than he could ever know. Since we met, that’s been his name for me, much to the annoyance of almost every girl in our school. Rarely does he use my first name. It’s always Mermaid this or Sirenita that, and in Spanish, it sounds sinful coming from him.

This crush controls me. Ivan De Leon is my weakness.

“Miss Ibarra, I call you Sirenita because you remind me of a movie my little cousin used to watch on repeat.” Once again, he steps closer.

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