That one summer

Aurora

Heat pooled between my legs. Orion moved my hair to the back covering my head and grabbed my neck turning my face towards him. Damn, he was doing it better than Aaron and he did not even know Aaron is a fictional character from one of my favourite books.

We were so close that if either of us moved we could kiss and call it accidental. Orion could probably hear my heart beating at the speed of the bullet train. I found myself angling my body towards him and moving my arm on his chest. It was hard underneath, both his chest and my seat.

I had never seen him so up close. Ocean blue eyes with hints of grey, a tiny mole at the corner of his right eye, a trimmed beard covering his defined jawbone, and those bloody kissable lips. My fingers automatically went up to brush his beard.

"Wouldn't your parents come looking for us?"

Orion was playing with the hem of my dress right where the slit begin. If he moved his hand any higher he could probably feel the heat radiating out. He muttered "I don't think so." and brought his lips to the base of my neck leaving a ghost of kiss.

He observed me for a moment before helping me get up and my gaze voluntarily went down. The shorts were not helping cover anything.

He smirked "You like what you see?"

My head snapped up "What! I was not looking there, I was just looking at your shoes."

He laughed as he placed a kiss on my cheek and ran a thumb on my lower lip. "How about you go ahead to the cellar, I will catch up in a bit."

With that, he went off inside the house leaving me all alone in the backyard flustered. After gulping down my drink I went towards the wine cellar.

The cellar was beautiful, made of bricks, wood finishes, and warm lighting. As I entered, there was a huge wall that had photos hanging of everyone. As I started to walk towards the sound, a photo caught my eye. In the photo, there were three young boys and one tiny girl playing on the beach. Which I assumed was Everly and the rest of the guys. They stood proudly in front of a huge sand castle.

I smiled and entered the room next to it. Everyone was playing cards on the table and it seemed the stakes of the game were pretty high. I saw Lina & Declan sitting at the back on a sofa. Lina never enjoyed playing cards since she always lost even though we had taught her an ample amount of times. As I walked towards them I saw Everly give a flick on Rhys's forehead and Rhys looked in pain.

"What was that for?" I asked Declan as I sat next to Lina, making her shift closer to Declan.

"They both have an inside game going on for as long as I remember. Whoever loses first gets a flick on their forehead, it does not matter if the other loses in the next round. And up until now, Rhys has gotten hit ten times,"

"Ouch."

Lina handed me her glass of wine "Exactly what I needed." Declan excused himself for a phone call.

"So, what happened out there? It took you so long and also you look like a tomato."

I touched my face, it was hot "I am just tipsy." Lina raised her eyebrows at me.

"We will talk once we get back. Promise. Are you ready to leave?"

Lina nodded "Okay, where is Orion?"

As I shrugged my shoulders, he entered the cellar all nonchalant. Whereas my mind was a mess. The game was in its final stages and we walked over to the table. It was on the final leg between Juniper and Everly. Juniper won that and I pulled her into a hug. "Congratulations!"

As Lina pulled Juniper into a hug I walked over to Everly "Well played, Juniper is a pretty good player and that you gave her a tough fight makes me want to buy a drink."

Everly winked "It's a date then. Also, call me Ev."

I gave her a quick hug and over to Orion's parents when he came and stood beside me. "Thank you for today, it was amazing!"

Grace pulled me into a tight embrace "Well I am glad you enjoyed dear, and I hope we get to have a day out soon. But how about you guys stay over for the night?"

"We have had a long day today but I will count you in on a day out soon."

"Alrighty then, off you go and get some good rest!"

After a series of hugs, we stepped out of the door. The parents were still in the cellar, Rhys and Declan stepped out for a walk after saying goodbyes and a promise of longer lunch breaks next week. Everly disappeared into her room.

Orion pulled me aside "I think it's time we exchange our numbers."

I held on to my clutch like a life jacket, after today I did not want to do anything that would blur the lines. "Why do you need my number, we hardly ever talk."

He was shy for a moment before rubbing the back of his head and putting the other hand in his pocket. "Well, maybe I want to talk. What if my parents ask for your number, what do I do then?"

"You can save anybody's number under my name, in case they ask. Since it is pretend only." It hadn't meant to come out so harsh, but I wanted some time to process everything that happened today.

Orion studied my face for a second before he held his hand out. I knew there was no point arguing at this time and I rather get back to our guest house quickly.

I huffed as I placed my phone in his hand. He quickly added his number and gave himself a ring. I took back the phone and started walking towards my friends when Ev stepped out in jogging gear.

"Good night Orion!"

"I will drop you guys back." I looked back at Lina & Juniper.

"It is only a twenty-minute walk and we really need the fresh air. And you have already done enough for today"

Juniper chipped in "Yeah, we do, plus the weather is so nice."

"If you are so adamant about walking, I will follow you guys until you reach the guest house."

I glared back at him "That is some creepy behaviour Mr Wrong."

Ev snickered next to me. "That is creepy Rhino."

His eyes widened at that and glared at Ev giving an I will kill you look.

There were actual tears in my eyes as I laughed "Your name is Rhino."

"He had once dressed up as Rhino."

"God Ev, I will find a secret about you and let everyone know." Orion looked straight up at Ev.

"Good luck with that!" She turned around to us "I will walk with you guys to the guest house and jog to the beach."

I nodded and we started walking away after waving to Orion. I turned around once to see that he was still looking towards us, I smiled and turned around.

As we turned the corner, my phone lit up.