Chapter five: Shirtless in hotels? (Avery's POV)

We had been at the airport waiting for our car for an hour. The hotel delayed the car that was supposed to come to pick us up. 

So far, so good. Not. 

"Finally," Soph shot up. We followed her out and got into the cab. "Why was there such a delay?" Soph interrogated. 

"Sorry, Ms. We had another group to pick up and there was some confusion with the cars," the driver apologized. "I'm William, I'll be your driver during your stay with us," he smiled. 

We all sighed and leaned back in our seats as he drove us to the hotel. Then we finally got there and headed right in. "We'll have your luggage sent to your rooms, have a good day," he greeted before we took our handbags and went inside. 

We reached at 11:30 pm. We should've reached a lot earlier than that. We headed to the front desk to get our room keys. I got mine first and I was on the third floor. 

"What do you mean?" Lia asked the receptionist, snapping me out of my daydream. 

"We're very sorry but all three rooms have been booked on three different floors," the guy shrugged. 

"Let's just pick, I'm tired," Sophia sighed. "I'll take the 1st floor," Sophia shrugged. 

"No, I want the first floor!" Lia argued. 

"While you two figure that out, I'm gonna go to my room," I sighed in exhaustion. I headed to the elevator and leaned against the wall, resting my eyes. It dinged open and I snapped my eyes open in confusion. 

I never pressed the button. 

I looked forward and my breath got caught in my throat. 

He tilted his head to the side and chuckled while stepping inside. "You didn't press any button," he pointed out. I cleared my throat awkwardly before pressing the button to the 3rd floor. "3rd floor? Me too," he smirked. I noticed that his trunks were wet. 

Did he go for a swim this late? 

"You just pop up wherever I go?" he smirked. 

"You just roam around shirtless in hotels?" I asked back. 

He chuckled while nodding as the elevator slowly moved up. "What're you doing here?" he asked. 

"I'm here with friends for a vacation," I huffed.

 "In Rome?" he questioned. 

"Aren't you here for the same thing?" I arched an eyebrow at him while taking my hat off and running my hand through my hair. 

"You are deadly," he chuckled while looking me dead in the eyes. The elevator opened and I got out immediately. He followed me and when I stopped at my room, he did too. 

I turned to him with an arched eyebrow. 

"I'm two doors down if you ever need anything," he smirked while walking backward before disappearing into his room. I went into my room and collapsed on my bed with a groan. 

You have got to be kidding me. 

~~~~~ 

After tons and tons of jet lag, I finally managed to get to sleep, only to wake up at three in the morning here. I groaned before standing up and going into my little balcony. I looked left to see Ryder standing in his, smoking a cigarette. I rolled my eyes before watching the beautiful view. 

"Not into smoking?" he asked and I turned to him with a blank look. "Or smokers?" he asked. I rolled my eyes and he tossed the cigarette. "You know," he hopped over and into the balcony between ours. 

"What are you doing?!" I asked in shock as he hopped over into mine. 

"Mystery is only attractive to a certain point. Not even telling me your name is a little much," he stood really close, towering over me. 

"Who says I'm trying to attract you?" I scoffed. 

"I do," he answered smugly. 

"Well, you're wrong," I took steps forward until his back hit the railing. "And you're in my room. So get out," I stood on my toes so we were eye to eye before he smirked down at me. 

"Jesus, you're really hot," he chuckled. 

"I would've preferred a more genuine compliment but alright," I shrugged before going back into my room, locking the balcony door before waving him goodbye and closing the curtains. 

He is crazy. 

~~~~~ 

I woke up the next morning to the hotel room phone ringing. "Hello?" I answered sleepily. 

"Get your ass out of bed, we're going swimming, meet us at the pool," Lia's voice rang through my ears before all I heard was the dial tone. I checked the time on my phone. 

It's noon?!

I slept in till noon? Good lord. 

I sighed before getting myself out of bed and brushing my teeth, washing my face. I opened my suitcase and grabbed one of the bikinis. It was a dark blue-ish, green bikini. I went into the bathroom, pulled on the bikini and pulled denim shorts on top before heading out with my keycard slipped into my phone case. I slipped my phone into my back pocket and left. I closed the door, making sure it was locked and turned to the left when I heard another door close. I sighed and closed my eyes, leaning my head on the door. 

"Hey," he smirked before pinching my waist. 

I jumped before glaring at him. "What?" I huffed while speed walking into the elevator. 

He got in with me. "That's a nice bikini you've got," he flirted. 

"Yeah, it's not coming off so quit dreaming," I smiled at him sarcastically before the elevator dinged. I got off to see Lia and Soph sitting on sun loungers, asking for some food. I walked over before he could stop me and I sighed as I took the lounger in between. 

"What's up?" Lia asked while sipping on her drink. 

"Nothing," I shook my head while lying back. 

"Is that Colton?" Sophia whisper yelled. 

"They're here," I sighed. 

"Who's here?" Lia asked. 

"All three of them," I looked in their direction. They were on the sun loungers on the other side of the pool. Ryder lay directly opposite me, staring right at me. 

It's a shame he's such an asshole, he has a pretty face. And body. 

"Oh," Lia shrugged. Props to her for being loyal to her cheating prick of a boyfriend. 

"Oh God," Soph sighed, leaning her head back. 

"Soph," I sat up while clearing my throat. 

"What?" She had her eyes closed. 

"Don't look now and don't freak out, but Colton's c- hey, Colton!" I smiled while holding my hand up, blocking the sun. 

"Hey," he nodded at me. "Who's your friend?" He glanced at Soph while sitting on my seat. 

"Oh, this is Sophia. Sophia, this is Colton," I gave her a pointed look. 

"Hi," she smiled while sticking her hand out. 

"Hey," he shook it with a grin. "You caught my eye," he squinted at the sun while smiling at her charmingly. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. 

"Really?" she chuckled. We're both really good at hiding feelings so we're able to pull it off and act calm when we're panicking. Exhibit A. "Why is that?" she arched an eyebrow at him. "Is it the hair?" she smiled. 

"Might be," he laughed while nodding. "I'll see you around," he smiled at her. 

"See ya," she smiled back. Once he got up and left, she freaked out. "Oh, my God. Holy shit, did that just happen? Did that just happen, Avery?" she sat calmly but she was on the verge of squealing. 

"Yes, it just happened," I laughed. 

"Oh, by the way," he came back and we shut up. "Ryder's asking about you. Are you ever gonna tell him your name?" he chuckled. 

"Why don't you tell him?" I arched a brow at him. He shook his head with a smile before going back. 

"You still haven't told him your name?" Soph asked. 

"Nope, and I don't intend to," I sighed as Lia's phone rang and she answered. 

"Hi, babe," she grinned. 

Sophia and I gave each other pointed looks before getting up and going into the pool. "He's staring at you," she mumbled as we took our shorts off. 

"Let him," I shrugged before sitting on the edge, and slipping in while Soph just dipped her legs in. I placed my arms on the floor, resting my chin on them. 

"You know he's not gonna give up," she laughed while looking down at me. 

"I know," I nodded. "You know his room is two doors down from mine," I groaned. 

"Fate, huh?" she teased. 

"Please," I scoffed. "You do think he's hot whether you say it out loud or not," she rolled her eyes at me. 

"Well, they're all hot. It's what they're known for," I rolled my eyes. 

"Do you think he's figured out who you are yet?" she asked while getting into the water. We turned around and leaned against the wall, watching Ryder and Colton who were watching us. 

How great. 

Has he figured it out yet? 

"I don't think he's figured it out yet," I said while looking at him. "But he will."

I just know he will.

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Chapter four <3

Heated chapter coming up so if you know me personally, get tf out of here