Dragon Fire Academy 1 First Term an RH academy romance - Rachel Jonas Page 0,49

on Rayen’s face just about made me break out into a sweat. “Yes, you.”

“But I don’t have my suit,” I shared. “I didn’t grab it because I didn’t know I’d need it.”

“You got undies, don’t you?” he blurted, suggestively eyeing my skirt, as if imagining what I wore underneath it. When I didn’t answer right away, he reached for my bag.

This guy had some serious boundary issues.

“Wait,” I called out, placing my hands over the zipper right before he peeked inside. “Of course I do, but I’m not swimming in them.”

This statement seemed to confuse him. I guessed it was because he was a bit more free-spirited then most and couldn’t quite grasp the concept of modesty.

Paulo entered the room and walked straight to his dresser, rummaging through the top drawer.

“I’m pretty sure that itty bitty bikini you own leaves much less to the imagination than your skivvies,” he pointed out. “Unless … you’re scared.”

My lips parted and heat touched my face. “I’m not scared of anything,” I shot back.

Paulo’s deep, menacing chuckle nearly made me shiver. It wasn’t until after grabbing trunks from his drawer that he turned to face me again. The vibration from his heavy steps moved up my legs, sending rhythmic pulses through my entire body when he came closer.

“If you’re worried about ruining your delicates,” he said breathily, “… we could always just wear the outfits we were born with.”

Just the thought of it—him and the others wearing nothing but their beautiful, flawless skin—made me shiver.

Rayen laughed, bringing my attention to him next. “Easy, Paulo. Don’t forget she’s a royal. Doesn’t take much for them to get all bent out of shape and clutch their pearls.” His tone was teasing, but not in the sense that I felt bullied.

Actually, the only thing I felt was … hot.

Very, very hot.

It was written all over their faces that they didn’t think I had it in me to strip down, that I was too uptight to let go, be free. While, they were mostly right about that, I had to remind myself that I’d started a new chapter of my life, had turned over a new leaf.

And this Noelle … wasn’t going to back down.

“Fine, whatever,” I sighed.

Their jaws practically hit the floor when I undid the clasp on the side of my uniform skirt and slid it down my hips. Four sets of greedy eyes stayed glued to me as I pushed the pleated material down my thighs, and then finally let it hit the ground. One by one, I undid the buttons on my blouse after loosening my tie. The center of my chest and torso were exposed, and I don’t think the guys had blinked even once.

Realizing I was the only one showing flesh, I paused and let my gaze travel the length of their bodies, armored with muscle and beautiful, sun-kissed skin.

I knew I might live to regret this question, but I asked it anyway.

“Are we swimming or what, guys?”

Chapter Fourteen

Noelle

The next second, three removed their shirts so fast you’d think they had caught fire. All except Ori.

“She should rest,” he asserted. “She took quite a blow to the head tonight.”

“What she needs is to loosen up,” Paulo reasoned, not backing down.

Maybe realizing he was outnumbered, Ori eventually put his hands up as one majorly judgmental stare passed over us all, and then he left the room. The others didn’t pay it any attention, but I couldn’t help but to wonder why he was always so stoic.

So closed off from the world.

My blazer came off next, then my shirt, until I was standing in nothing but the white silk trimmed in lace that covered my boobs and butt. I turned to find Kai gawking at my chest like usual, and I nearly burst out laughing when he tried to turn away. His Adam’s apple bobbed when he gulped silently.

Paulo and Rayen weren’t so discreet with their staring, though. I breathed deeply, noting how none of them moved to change into their trunks. It became apparent that the new plan was to just jump in with their shorts.

Flashing me the sexiest hooded stare, Kai gestured toward the door with a nod when it was time to go. We all left Paulo’s bedroom and then exited through the front door. The brightly burning torches lit our path to where we stopped halfway down the dock. Peering into the water, it had grown so dark now—a factor I hadn’t anticipated would bring on a bout of panic,