Without You (Love Wanted in Texas 1)

Luke looked at her and tilted his head. “Taylor, you’re a beautiful young woman. The problem is, you don’t know it, and that makes you even more beautiful. Those Italian bastards would stop at nothing to get in your pants. No. No way are you going to Italy for a year.”

We all started laughing.

Taylor stared at Luke. “You’re not my dad, Luke.”

He looked back over at her and smiled. “No, but I say one comment about you in front of your dad, and he’ll lock your ass away for the next five years.”

Maegan and Grace busted out laughing as the rest of us chuckled. Even Taylor giggled. When I looked over to Libby, she was staring at Luke until her phone went off. She pulled it out and smiled.

Must be Zack.

Luke was laughing, but when he glanced over to look at Libby, his smile instantly faded. Libby stood up and began walking off toward the water as Luke watched her.

“Do you want to sneak away?” Lex whispered.

I looked at her and grinned. “Do you even have to ask?”

She bit down on her lower lip and looked around. “When?”

“Once everyone starts heading to bed, we can go for a walk along the beach. I have a bag packed behind the guys’ tent.”

Her smile grew bigger. “Look at you thinking ahead.”

I winked. “Hell yeah.”

“Wow, I’m exhausted. Must be all the sun from today. I’m turning in, y’all. Isn’t that one girl we met today having a big beach party tomorrow at her place? What was her name? Cassidy? I’m down for a good beach party,” Grace said as she stood up and stretched.

“Oh yeah, I forgot that she mentioned having a big party.” Lauren jumped up. “I saw some really good-looking guys hanging around her place today.”

Grace made a little fist-pump action. “Good, I need to get laid.”

Luke jumped up. “What? What the hell did you just say, Grace?”

Grace rolled her eyes. “Please, don’t even go there. How many girls have you hooked up with during the two days we’ve been here?”

Luke looked back to where Libby was standing. She was now talking on the phone to someone and laughing.

“None,” Luke said.

Grace shrugged her shoulders. “Well, look at you. I’m impressed. Wear those shorts again tomorrow, big brother, and I bet they’ll be lining up for ya.”

She walked past Luke as he glared at her.

Everyone but Lex and me started getting up and heading to the tents. I watched Libby.

“I’ll stay out here and make sure Libby is okay, Will,” Colt said.

“Nah, that’s okay, Colt. I wanted to spend some time with Lex.”

Colt shook his head and said, “Remember, my dad could come at any moment. Keep your hands off my sister.”

“Colt, knock it off!” Lex said.

Colt smiled and headed toward the tent. I glanced over and saw Luke standing there, looking at Libby. She was now off the phone, but she was staring off into the black night sky.

“I’m, uh…going to say good night to Libby,” Luke said, barely above a whisper.

I stood up, held out my hand, and helped Lex up. “Let’s go for a walk, Lex.”