Read Online The Ex Trials (Falling for Autumn #3) by Heather Topham Wood - Free Book Online

the last time I had seen him shirtless. His board shorts rode low on his waist, displaying the small smattering of hair below his belly button. My skin prickled with goose bumps although I was the farthest thing from cold.
    Regaining my focus, I stared at the t-shirt in confusion. I had slathered on sun block before laying out. My skin was slightly flushed, but definitely not anywhere near sunburned. Not to mention I’d been hiding under an oversized beach umbrella for most of the day. “I think I’m good.”
    “All right, but don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he said and shrugged.
    “I think he’s more concerned with how much skin you’re showing, than your sun exposure,” Autumn teased.
    I glanced down at my skimpy red two-piece and gave Cole a mock affronted look. “You do realize that Saint Maarten is made up of clothing-optional beaches.”
    “Oh no Casey, if you go topless, Cole might buy you a snowsuit to wear for the rest of the trip,” Autumn said.
    Too many unresolved feelings lingered between us and I could see him struggle to laugh it off. His sense of humor had obviously been collateral damage of our breakup. “I’m going now,” Cole said with a huff.
    “Leaving so soon?” I called as he strode away. I held up the shirt. “Thanks for the souvenir!”
    Autumn laughed, before resting her head contently on my shoulder. “You seem more like yourself today.”
    “Sorry about the weirdness yesterday. Cole and I talked last night and I think we’re good now,” I said quietly, watching Cole stride back down the beach. Gracefully, he swam back out to his abandoned Jet Ski.
    “You’re going to try with him again? He’s obviously into you. Blake told me that despite Evan egging him on all night, he kept mostly to himself. Not exactly the rock-god player I met when Delia first got together with Levi,” she said.
    “Maybe we’re just both being seduced by the locale. Once we leave paradise, we still have the same problems as before,” I said morosely.
    “I don’t get why you broke up with him, Casey. There was no fizzling out between you two. You still have crazy chemistry with him,” she said.
    “Autumn, my dear,” I said, tilting my head to meet her eyes. “I have crazy chemistry with any man. It’s part of the perk of being a sex goddess,” I said and did an exaggerated shimmy.
    Autumn barked out a short laugh. “You just wait.”
    “Wait for what?”
    “Do you think you’ve already had good sex? Wait until you let Cole break down your walls and you finally admit you love him. Then, tell me how the sex compares.”
    “Ugh, Autumn, you’re not turning into one of those kinds of women are you? The ones who think you can only have enjoyable sex if you’re lying on your back missionary style while whispering I love you between thrusts,” I said teasingly.
    “No, but if that ever happens in the future with Blake, you’ve officially ruined it for me.” She added sarcastically, “Thanks a lot.”
    “That’s what I’m here for,” I chirped.
    Lexi came over to stand in front of us. Nervously, she pulled on the strap of her black swimsuit. “Hey, I’m just going to steal Casey for a minute.”
    I gave her a questioning look. I sensed Lexi was trying to sound natural, but the way her eyes jumped around made her appear frazzled. “What’s up?”
    “Let’s just talk in private for a sec,” she said, flustered. To Autumn, she explained, “Just some top secret maid of honor stuff I have to run by Casey.”
    Begrudgingly, I climbed to my feet. Whatever Lexi had to tell me better be important if she was forcing me out of my sunning spot. I tossed on the shirt Cole gave me over my swimsuit and subdued a smile. No matter what happened between him and me, I’d be keeping the shirt for a very long time.
    Autumn waved us away while picking up a paperback she had brought along. I followed Lexi down the beach as she hurried across the sand. I huffed and puffed behind her, meanwhile