Silence (Silence #1)(30)
I was sat between Cole and Jasper, who had been talking about cars constantly. I watched the in-flight movie, You’ve got Mail, to occupy myself.
“Bet I pull more girls than you!” Jasper said to Cole, gaining my attention. For a second I almost had a mini heart attack, until I realised that even if there wasn’t something going on between Cole and me, he still wouldn’t take up a bet like that. It wasn’t his style.
“I know you will, man. I’m not planning on screwing everything with a pulse.” Cole discreetly brushed his leg against mine; reassuring me that he didn’t want anyone else.
Jasper looked disappointed.
“You’re young, Cole! You should be getting as much as you can, from whoever you can!”
I scrunched my nose in disgust. Why on earth would women sleep with Jasper when it was obvious that he didn’t want anything else from them? Unless he led them on.
“You’re a pig, you know that?” Cole retorted.
Jasper laughed and nodded. “Yeah, but a sexually frustrated pig I am not! Don’t worry, we’ll go out and find you a nice blonde.”
As Cole stared blankly at Jasper, I started to find it amusing too. Poor Cole, he wouldn’t hear the end of it.
As the plane started to descend, I felt lighter; like my problems had been left behind in England. I smiled, looking out of the window at the Italian airport.
We retrieved our suitcases quickly and made our way to the hotel. The taxi drove up the mountain and stopped at our gorgeous little hotel. It was set into the mountain, only about one third of the way up. The swimming pool stretched to the very edge of the mountain. I couldn’t wait to get in the pool and look out across at the landscape.
A tall, skinny, and very glamorous woman greeted us as we strode into the entrance. She wore high-heeled black sandals and shocking red lipstick: the type of woman that made guys fall at her feet and women sick with envy. Confidence oozed from her perfect, white smile.
“Hello and welcome,” she said in a thick Italian accent. “My name is Carmella, and I’m going to be showing you to your rooms.” Her English was almost as flawless as her looks.
“Thank you,” Dad responded politely, giving her that warm smile that won over absolutely everyone he met. Carmella helped us to check in and handed out our wristbands that showed we were all-inclusive. Mine and Cole’s were the only ones with holes punched into them – for people under eighteen. Which clearly irritated Cole. I knew he was hoping to get an adult one.
“Let’s unpack and meet by the bar in half an hour?” Mum suggested, once Carmella left us.
Jenna nodded. “Sounds great!” She waved over her shoulder as she ushered David out of Mum and Dad’s room – the last room we were shown around.
My room was connected to my parents, but it also had its own entrance, so I could come and go whenever I wanted. I dumped my suitcase on my bed and opened the balcony door. Stepping out into the warm air, I sighed. The view was beautiful. To my right were the mountains. Right at the top they were covered with a dusting of thin, white cloud. To my left was the sea. The sea abroad was so different to the sea in England – always more exotic somehow – but still had the same calming effect on me.
Someone knocked on the door. Reluctantly, I forced myself away from the amazing view and answered the door.
“You’re not ready,” Cole stated, pointing to the warm England clothes that I was still wearing.
I smiled and ripped the zip of my suitcase open and grabbed a pair of denim shorts and blue tank top. Holding one finger up, I told him to wait and went into the bathroom to get changed.
Checking my reflection in the mirror, I despaired. My hair was a mess from the sudden change in temperature. Please don’t let my hair be like this for the whole two weeks, I prayed. Pulling the hairband off my wrist, I tied my hair in a loose bun and got changed.
I yanked the bathroom door open, eager to grab a quick drink with our parents and then get down to the beach. My jaw dropped when my eyes landed on Cole; he was lying on my bed swinging my bikini top around his finger. Oh, no! Jumping forward, I swiped it out of his hand and shoved it back inside my suitcase. My face felt like it was on fire. I wanted to kill him!
Cole burst out laughing. “You should have seen your face,” he choked out, blocking my arm as I tried to hit him.
“Sorry. Couldn’t resist. You ready now?” He pressed his lips together, trying, and failing miserably, to stop himself grinning.
With a deep sigh, I stalked out of my room, trying not to smile myself. Seconds later, he grabbed my hand. “Sorry, but that is one sexy little bikini!” I slapped his chest and closed my eyes, wishing the ground would open up and swallow me whole. I liked when he said things like that because he made me feel normal, but it also made me nervous.
He laughed again, and then I felt his lips press against the side of my head. Looking up, I smiled happily and nudged his shoulder.
“Drink, then sea,” he said and pressed the button for the lift.
The beach was beautiful, the water was a clear aquiline blue, and soft golden sands stretched out as far as I could see. There were people dotted around the beach, lying on colourful towels, and children running around, building sand castles. A few people were swimming in the sea and playing with large beach balls. I wished I’d put my bikini on under my clothes so I could go in the water too.