My Aussie Guy - Liz Lovelock Page 0,40

where we stand, even though I know deep down I’ll walk away with a broken heart.

But what’s life without a little heartbreak?

“You’re teasing me in these togs.”

I screw my face up at the unfamiliar name. “What are you talking about?”

Aiden laughs then pulls me in for a kiss. I want to pull back because we’re in front of everyone, but I don’t.

“What do you call them?” He tugs at the strap of my swimmers giving me a hint.

“Ah… it’s called a swimsuit. What even is the word togs?”

Our bodies move together with the waves of the ocean. My arms wrap around his neck while feeling his smooth skin against mine, which is so smooth to the touch.

“They’re togs… you know… swimwear.” He shrugs.

“You just sound like you’re making words up now,” I tease.

“Come off it. I call them togs. Do you know what a cyclone is?” His question causes another puzzled look. When I don’t answer, he tells me, “You call them hurricanes.” My mouth forms an O as I register the familiarity.

“It just sounds weird. I mean, we all speak English, but the way you speak is very…” I pause, looking for the right word.

“Bogan,” he ends the sentence.

“What is a bogan?” I can’t help the laughter the word causes.

“Very Australian. Some of us refer to ourselves that way because we’re so laid-back.”

“Sounds like a silly word.”

“I guess you could say I’m from Venus and you’re from Mars.” He leans in and steals another kiss.

“I guess so, but at least you don’t kiss like a fish.”

Aiden throws his head back, laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Parker asks as he and Addison make their way over to us.

“I’m making fun of Aiden and his weird words. He calls swimsuits togs.”

Parker chuckles, and Addison’s expression is the same as mine was when he told me.

“Now, that’s just weird,” Addison says as she swims up to Parker. I make a move, slipping my legs from around Aiden’s waist. He grips my leg to stop me and pulls me back against him. I turn to him, and when I stare into his eyes, they shine with a bright light.

“It’s not that bad. All right, so your football is Gridiron. Australian football is definitely not how you fellas play. You’ll have to watch one of our games to really understand. I say lollies… you call them candy. We say holiday… you say vacation. We simply say, ‘I need to use the toilet.’ You guys say ‘restroom’ or ‘bathroom’… it’s so proper.” Aiden holds his nose up in a posh way. I splash water at him, laughing.

“Proper my ass,” I say.

We spend the next hour bobbing around in the beautiful water. There’s more teasing on Aiden’s part and laughter from the both of us.

“All right, it’s time for this wrinkled girl to get out,” I say.

Addison and Paislee murmur in agreement.

I’m sure Dane and Paislee have been fighting the urge to mount each other. The way they’re looking at one another, like they’re a pair of hungry wolves who want to devour each other’s swimwear, brings a grin to my face.

“What are you smiling about?” Aiden’s hand wraps around my waist from behind and pulls me back to him.

Twisting my head, I whisper into his ear, “Paislee and Dane. They’re struggling with this ‘no touching’ business.”

Aiden nods. His warm breath hits my ear again, which causes tingles to dance down my spine. “I’d hate to not be able to touch you like this. To feel your body pressed against mine.” His lips press on the bare skin of my shoulder. Even though I’m in cool water, my body turns hot with his words and his touch.

I climb off him. “Tame yourself, Aussie guy,” I joke and start swimming for the shore. Addison and Paislee are already hitting the shallower water and walking out, so I race to catch up with them.

“Look at you and Aussie guy getting all cozy,” Addison coos.

Nothing could wipe the smile from my face. “I’m listening to the wise words of Paislee and ‘just enjoying him.’” I nibble my bottom lip.

“You pair need a room, that’s what you need,” Paislee shoots my way.

“Look at you, getting all hot and bothered, not being able to touch your man,” I say, and Paislee’s mouth drops open then forms a thin line.

“Shut up,” she grumbles.

Addison laughs. “Why don’t you simply talk to Parker and tell him?”

Paislee is already shaking her head before Addison has finished her sentence. “No way. I’m sure it would cause more problems