Kinley

“It’s a first date!” Anavrin exclaims. “You should wear a dress.”

“We’re going to play miniature golf, not going dancing,” I argue, perusing my closet. My first date with Campbell is tonight, and I’m freaking out a little.

“Then go with a sundress. Ooh, this red and white one is cute!” She pulls a sundress from my closet, then a pair of strappy sandals. “And these match perfectly!”

“I think you’re more excited about this than I am,” I laugh, accepting the clothes and changing into them.

She drops onto the edge of my bed and watches me straighten my hair. “Don’t ruin my chance to live vicariously through you. I’ve sworn off men. You know this.”

After she caught her last boyfriend screwing her step-sister, I can’t say I blame her. “Uh-huh, so you’re not here hoping for a chance to meet Marcus Singleton.”

“Ah.” Her mouth falls open as she feigns offense. “I’m here to help my bestie prepare for her first date in over six months.” She falls onto the bed, rolls on her side, and grins at me. “If I just happen to run into a dark-haired rock god who falls deeply in love with me and takes me away from this place, it’ll be a total coincidence.”

I bend over and slip my sandals on. “Good luck with that.”

“Is he picking you up? Because the paparazzi are still outside the gate.”

“No, I said I’d meet him there.”

A frown appears on her face. “Have you been out since the whole Zya Day thing? And those pictures of you and Marcus on the beach?”

Standing in front of the mirror, I give myself a last once over. This dress really is pretty. I should wear it more often. “No, but the paparazzi won’t know my car, and my windows are tinted. It’ll be fine.” I glance at the clock. “I’d better get moving.”

Anavrin walks with me down to the lobby and out to the employee parking lot. Her head is on a swivel the entire time. “He doesn’t come out much during the day,” I tell her, laughing at her pouty face. Part of me doesn’t want them to meet because Anavrin is a classic beauty. Thin, blonde, blue eyed with big boobs. It’s stupid since I have no claim on him and I’m on my way to a date, but after that kiss, I don’t like the idea of him and my best friend.

“Be careful, girl. Text me if you need a way out and I’ll fake a friend emergency!” she calls, getting into her car.

“I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know how it goes,” I promise.

It’s early evening and you’d think these people would have more to do with their lives than crowd around Foxhaven’s gates day in and day out hoping for a shot of a celebrity, but no. It takes a few minutes for me to follow Anavrin’s car through the narrow driveway with people screaming and trying to see who is inside. Finally, we reach the end of the drive and she gives a wave, turning in the opposite direction.

At least no one followed me, not that I really expected them to.

Foxhaven is situated between two small towns, one more populated than the other. It doesn’t take me long to get to Sanlawn, the larger of the two, and pull into the lot of the Putt-a-Rama. Campbell steps out of his truck when he sees me exit my car and strides over to me with a wide smile.

“Hi, I’m glad you could make it.”

He’s cute in a pair of jeans and a polo shirt. “Thanks for asking me. I haven’t been here in years.”

The date is going well. We get to know each other a little, chatting and laughing over the fact that we both really suck at mini golf. We end up letting more than one group play through, so we don’t hold up the crowd of kids and teenagers behind us.

Campbell is really nice, and I want to like him, but I can already tell there’s nothing there. No connection. Maybe because some lonely rock star won’t get out of my head. The story Holt told me last night made my heart break for him and shoved away some of the preconceived notions I had when I met him.

All those stories of trashing hotel rooms, fighting, and fucking everything with a pulse had my guard up from the beginning, but now, I think maybe that was unfair. Look at all the stuff those same sources have written about me.

It still shouldn’t matter because we could never be anything. I know that. He’s a rock star who travels more than he’s home, and my home is here. In a few months, he’ll be gone.

“What’s going on over there?” Campbell asks, and I realize I’ve been lost in my thoughts again. The guy probably thinks I’m crazy.

“Sorry, what?”

He gestures to the chain link fence surrounding the course, and a curse falls from my lips. A small group has gathered, and they aren’t kids or people here for a good time. They’re taking pictures.

“Is this because of that video where you kicked those reality stars out?”

“Probably,” I sigh. It occurs to me that this may bring some crap down on him as well and he doesn’t deserve it. “We should go. I’m sorry.”

He smiles at me. “Don’t apologize. I knew I was dating a celebrity.”

Laughing, I get to my feet and grab my purse. “God help me if I’m ever a celebrity. I didn’t know what I was letting myself in for having one at Foxhaven.”

He takes my hand as we head to the exit. “I hope we can do this again when things calm down for you.”

“Me too. I had a really nice time with you.”

The beaming smile on his face falters when we spot the crowd outside the doors. We step outside, and he wraps an arm around me as people get right in our faces with cameras, shouting questions. “Ms. Matthews, are you having an affair with Marcus Singleton?”

“Is it true you’re having his baby?”

“Do you care that he’s cheating on his girlfriend while she’s in Paris?”

“Are you proud of being Marcus’s side chick?”

We get a few steps before three bulky men shove their way through to us, and I recognize the security labels on their clothes. “Ms. Matthews, come with us. We’ll get you home.”

“Get him to his car and make sure he isn’t harassed,” I insist, tilting my head toward Campbell. I look up at him. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know this would happen. Thanks for today.”

“It’s okay,” he says with a shrug. “Most excitement I’ve had in months.” I drop a kiss on his cheek, and he’s led away by one of the security officers. I’m glad to see no one follows him. No, he isn’t what they’re interested in.

“Homewrecking slut!” Someone screams before I’m hit in the head with a paper cup full of raspberry slushy. The shock of cold makes me gasp, and I’m hustled into a dark luxury car with blacked out windows.

“Are you okay?” the officer beside me asks.

“Yeah, wish I could say the same for my dress. I guess I have to leave my car here.”

“One of the guys can drive it back,” he offers.

I hand him my keys, and he hands them to the man in the passenger seat. They drop him off across the lot at my car, and we head home.

“Thanks for the rescue.” It’s then I wonder where the hell they came from. Security stays at Foxhaven and escorts Holt. “Were you following me?”

“Mr. Singleton has arranged for a security detail to remain close to you.”

My first instinct is to be pissed. No one told me I was being followed, and I should’ve had a choice. But considering I’m wearing at least sixteen ounces of slushy that’s now running down between my boobs, it was clearly a good call.

I send a text to Campbell asking him to let me know that he got home safely and apologizing again for the scene. Then I slump down in my seat and wait to get home. I’m sure there will be pictures of me with Campbell everywhere by tomorrow and the thought is exhausting.

Maybe I need to rethink my plan for Foxhaven. Celebrity clients might bring in more money, but it may not be worth the madness that accompanies them.

Harriet knocks on my door and calls my name. Ugh, please no more drama tonight. “Come in!” I yell, not moving from my place on the couch where I’ve been sulking for an hour.

“I just wanted to check on you. Clark told me what happened today.”

“Bastards ruined my dress.”

Harriet chuckles and sits beside me.

“I know Dad wanted Foxhaven to start catering to wealthier clients, but I’m not sure it’s going to work out.”

She looks me in the eye. “You feel like you’re letting him down?”

“Is it that obvious?”

Sighing, she pats my leg. “Your father had a lot of ideas for this place, honey. Some good and some bad, and I’d be the last to try to figure out which fit which category, but I know he made one sound decision. He left this place to you. He did what he set out to do, build a successful business and pass it on to his daughter. He will always be a part of this place and its history, but the future of it is up to you. If you want my advice—”

“I do,” I reply. “I always do.”

“Stop thinking about what he would want and run things the way you think is best. Do what’s right for your business, but also for yourself, because I know what he wanted most was for you to be happy. And child, you don’t seem very happy lately.”

I wrap my arms around her and give her a big hug. “Thank you.”

“You can come and talk to me anytime, you know that.”

“I know I haven’t been around much.”

“Of course not,” she says, getting to her feet. “You’ve been too busy getting chased by paparazzi and making out with rock stars.”

My mouth drops open. “How did you know I kissed him?” Please tell me there wasn’t a video of that.

“You just told me.”

“Dirty trick,” I grumble.

“Just be careful around that one. If you let your vagina make the decisions, your heart will suffer the consequences.”

We both crack up, and she heads for the door. “He’s a great tipper though, and his room is never too dirty, so he can’t be all bad,” she says before leaving.

Damn, if he’s winning over Harriet, he must really be turning on the charm.

I’m tired of sulking in my suite and some fresh air sounds good. I don’t bother fixing my hair or anything since it’s late and I’m just going to sit on the back deck where I can see the stars reflect in the lake. Some tranquility is just what I need.

The lobby is empty when I step out of the elevator, except for Brandy, who works the desk tonight. She gives me a wave, then goes back to whatever game she’s playing on her phone. The night air washes over me, fragrant with honeysuckle, as I exit the back doors onto the deck.

I walk to the railing and close my eyes, taking it in. The warbly screech of tree frogs battles with the chirp of crickets, and the occasional cicada puts them both to shame. When the wind changes directions, I can smell magnolias and freshly cut grass.

“Are you stalking me? Because I’m completely okay with that.”

Holt’s voice makes me jump a mile, and I turn to see him sprawled in a lounger in the shadows at the edge of the deck. “Holt! Are you trying to make me pee myself?” I snap, waiting for my heart to slow back to a normal rhythm.

His deep laughter fills the night. “Ah, no, that wasn’t my intention.”

“I guess I’m jumpy.” I take a seat in the lounger next to his.

“I heard you had a tough night. I’m sorry.”

Shrugging, I lay my head back. “I just need to give it time to blow over.”

“Kinley.” The serious tone of his voice makes me look at him. “I can arrange to stay at another hotel and put out some excuse that won’t make Foxhaven look bad.”

I’d like to say I didn’t even consider it, but I do, for a few seconds. “No, I’m no quitter.” My phone is uncomfortable in my pocket, so I pull it out to place it on the table when I remember I asked Campbell to text when he got home. It’s been on silent, and I see a message from him.

Sighing, I set the phone aside. It’s for the best since I didn’t feel a connection anyway, but still, it sucks.

“Something wrong?”

“Nope, Campbell just dumped me by text. Well, I guess it isn’t being dumped when you only had one date that got cut short.”

Holt is quiet for a few moments before he speaks up. “I’m sorry. But really, what did you expect from a guy named after canned soup?”

My chest shakes from trying to hold back laughter I finally let free. “You know, I didn’t even notice that. And I grew up on Campbell’s tomato soup.”

“Chicken noodle was my jam.”

“Ugh, that stuff smells like sweat.”

He laughs, shaking his head. “That’s gross, bug.”

I should probably be offended by the nickname he’s given me since bugs aren’t exactly sexy, but for some reason, I like it. “It is,” I agree. A firefly lands on my palm, and I flip my hand over, letting it crawl around.

He watches me for a minute. “So, you’re an antisocial moth that attracts fireflies?”

“The air is thick with them tonight. Reminds me of catching them in a jar when I was a kid.”

“I never did that. I had a friend who showed me you could squish them and smear the light on your finger to make a glowing ring, but it seemed kind of nasty.”

My mouth falls open. “And psychopathic! What was the kid’s name? Jeffrey Dahmer?”

“I didn’t say he ate them,” he laughs.

“Actually, fireflies are cannibalistic. They sometimes eat each other.” Yeah, Kinley, that’s what a normal person would talk about, cannibalistic fireflies. Smooth.

“Hmm, beautiful and ferocious.” His gaze travels up my body. “Sounds familiar.”

Warmth runs over me from his compliment, and after hearing his story, it occurs to me he probably didn’t do a lot of the carefree childhood stuff I did. “I’ll be right back,” I tell him and hurry inside. It doesn’t take me long to find an empty jar in the hotel kitchen and punch some holes in it.

“What are you doing?” he asks when I return.

“We’re catching fireflies. Get up.”

To his credit, he doesn’t argue, just gets to his feet and follows me down off the deck. I make a right and lead him into the empty field. It’s not going to be difficult to catch them. They light up all around.

“Got one!” I cry, holding it carefully so I don’t squish it. “Open the jar.” I put the bug in, along with a chunk of wet grass.

He lays the lid on top without screwing it on, and places it on the ground. We take off in different directions after more. I’ve added maybe ten to the jar to his two. “Did we find something you aren’t good at?” I tease, as he returns with cupped hands.

“You’re about to eat those words. Help me out here so none escape.” I open the jar, and he opens his hands a bit over the top of it. A few drop in while more crawl around his knuckles, trying to escape. I brush them into the jar and keep my hands around his like a wall while he deposits about ten more inside.

Giggles spill out of me as two crawl across my palm, tickling me, and he smiles, his gaze locked on mine, our hands still touching. It’s one of those moments. It feels the same as last time, and I can’t help but look at the plump lips that felt so amazing on mine.

Until a firefly gets loose, lighting up just as it lands on his lip. He sputters, swatting it off while I step back, laughing. Moment killed. It’s probably a good thing. “You bully. Trying to eat a defenseless little firefly.”

I take the jar, and we head back toward the deck. “It’s not my fault that even bugs are attracted to me.” He flashes me a charming smile that women all over the country dream about.

I sit on the top step of the deck and place the jar beside me. The movement makes my bra shift a little and it catches on my nipple ring for a second, making me give a little gasp.

Holt looks at me, and I shrug. “Nipple ring caught on my bra.”

His jaw drops open. “You have your nipples pierced?”

“Yeah.”

“Let me see.”

“Fuck off,” I scoff, laughing at him.

“I’ll show you mine.”

“Yours aren’t pierced.”

He runs a hand over the back of his neck, smiling down at me. “No, but I’ll stick something through it right now.”

Laughing, I shake my head. “Just sit down.”

“What do you want to do with them?” he asks, gesturing to the jar of fireflies, and taking a seat on the step below me.

“If we put a chunk of apple in, they’ll stay alive a couple of days, then we can release them. Half the fun is keeping the jar in your room at night, so you can watch them light up in the dark.”

We sit in silence for a bit, just enjoying the night. He leans back against the step I’m sitting on and the ends of his long hair brush my leg as the wind tosses them around. “How long have you been growing your hair?” I ask.

“Too long,” he groans. “I’m not supposed to cut it.”

“Says who?”

“Sully.” He glances up at me, the corner of his mouth tipping up. “Women like it.”

“That sucks. You shouldn’t have to maintain a certain hairstyle.”

He runs a hand through the dark locks. “You have to admit, it’s sexy though,” he teases, making his brows raise and drop in a goofy way.

“Stop fishing for compliments,” I laugh. A mist starts to roll in over the grounds, and I yawn. “I should get to bed.”

He nods and looks up at me. “I’m sorry your date got ruined.”

I’ve had a much better time with him tonight than I did with Campbell. “That’s okay. I’m not really worried about dating right now. My friends have been encouraging me. They mean well. I think they just want to know I’ve recovered from my dad’s death, that I’m getting back to normal.”

“It takes a while,” he says. “You’ll feel like everything is fine and then something will bring the grief back. But those moments get farther apart as time goes on. Don’t let anyone rush you into stuff you aren’t ready to do.”

His words are reassuring. He lost his mother suddenly, so he understands how I feel better than my friends do. “I’ve been thinking about the question you asked me, about whether running Foxhaven is my dream.”

He rests his arm on the step, and it presses lightly against my leg. “And?”

“I don’t know. I never considered anything else. I’m content here, but I’d kind of like to travel and see new things. I love the lake and our little beach, but I’ve never seen the ocean.”

He stands up, turning to face me. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah.” His stunned stare makes me self-conscious, and I pick at my shorts. “Dad was busy running the resort.”

“That’s a travesty. Everyone should see the ocean. Surely, you could take a week away.”

Shrugging, I pick up the jar and stand up. “I suppose I could, once I get the new manager broken in.” I give him a pointed look. “I’m kind of trapped here for a while now, you know, being a homewrecking slut and all.”

His lips stretch into a smile I can feel in my stomach. “I’m trapped too. We’ll just have to entertain each other.”

My mouth opens to provide an excuse, but I close it again. Why the hell not? I like him, and he clearly likes me. And he’s right. We’re both stuck in a situation we aren’t happy about. “I’m still not sleeping with you,” I reply with a smile.

“Nah.” He takes the jar of fireflies when I hand it to him. “We’ll be way too busy having orgasms.”

“Good night, Holt.”

“Night, bug.”

Despite the flirting and teasing, Holt behaves himself, and we spend the next few evenings together. As expected, new photos start making the rounds, one of which shows us in the hotel pool. I have to wonder who took that because it was almost one a.m. when he texted me to meet him there. Since I promoted the assistant manager to my old manager position and hired a new assistant manager to take her place, I’ve had a lot more time, and I don’t have to drag my ass out of bed early anymore.

None of the photos have been scandalous, since we haven’t done anything except spend time together, but I know his manager doesn’t like it. Holt couldn’t care less, so I’m not worried about it.

A folded piece of paper hangs on my office door when I go to open it.

What the hell does he have planned? A duel? The guy has lost his mind. So why is there a smile on my face? My desk chair creaks as I take a seat and get out my phone to text him.

A thought suddenly occurs to me and I reply.

My day drags by because I’m eager to find out what kind of crazy thing he has in mind for a duel. Water guns maybe? A few minutes before seven, I’m standing in front of my closet, trying to decide what to wear, when I send him another text.

My next text is the middle finger emoji and he replies.

By the time I throw on a tank top and shorts, and make it down to the gazebo, I expect him to be waiting, but instead there’s another note on the steps.

Two large Nerf guns wait on the gazebo bench, along with a pile of foam darts. There’s no sign of him when I look around, so I grab the biggest gun and load it with darts, stuffing more in my pocket.

He’s still nowhere to be seen when I head out of the gazebo and into the woods. I get just far enough away to watch the gazebo and hide behind a tree. My plan is to ambush him when he goes to get his gun. Anticipation puts a smile on my face, and I fight the urge to laugh and give away my hiding spot.

A couple of minutes go by, and he still hasn’t showed at the gazebo to get his gun. A branch cracks behind me, and I turn just in time to see the foam dart before it bounces off my arm.

Where the hell did that come from? He didn’t even… Shit, he already has his gun. There was nothing saying he had to go to the gazebo to take the second gun. He tricked me. My head jerks back and forth, but I can’t see anything, and the only sound is the wind through the trees and a rumble of thunder in the distance.

He knows where I am, but I have no idea where he’s hiding. I step around the tree and take off. Excitement rushes through my bloodstream, and I feel like a kid again, running through the woods playing hide and seek. When I duck behind another tree, I see a flash of black. He should’ve tied his hair back because the increasing wind just gave him away.

Pretending I’m still looking around for him, I make my way closer to where he hides behind a copse of bushes. My finger waits on the trigger. When I’m just a few feet away, he fires at me, and I dodge it, then shoot two darts his direction. One bounces off his chest and the second taps his forehead.

“Head shot!” I cry, running again.

It’s not hard to follow me since I can’t stop laughing. Call me immature, but this is so much fun. I stop and crouch down behind a large cedar tree to catch my breath. I could swear I heard him right behind me when I was running, but he’s nowhere to be seen. As I’m trying to decide which way to run, a dart flies down and lodges in my hair.

My gaze follows its path up to where he sits on a branch a few feet away. The crazy bastard climbed a damn tree and just waited for me to step out.

Satisfaction is stamped on his face as he points his gun at me, and I point mine at him. “Not fair! I’m not a climber!” I laugh.

“Two to two,” he reminds me.

A crack of thunder breaks over our heads, and we both duck instinctively. “Get out of that tree before you get hit by lightning, you psycho!”

He grins down at me. “A duel then, back to back, at three paces.”

“Fine! Just get down!”

He climbs down, dropping to the ground in front of me, and another rumble of thunder rolls across the sky. It’s getting darker by the second. “Three steps, then shoot,” he says.

Giggling, I put my back to his and we count as I take the biggest steps I can.

“One, two, three,” we count together.

I turn and fire as fast as I can, but the asshole isn’t right in front of me. His last step was to the right and his dart nails me in the shoulder while mine falls to the ground.

“Cheater!”

He runs over to grab my hand, and we rush through the trees as a few drops start to fall. “I said three steps. Never said in what direction.”

“It’s going to pour. We’ll never make it back to the hotel in time,” I laugh, pulling him toward the gazebo. We barely step inside and the sky opens up.

He takes a seat on the bench and crosses his arms. “Okay, a deal is a deal. Let’s see them.”

My hands tuck into my pockets. “See what?”

“Don’t play coy with me. I won fair and square. I get to see your nipple rings.”

“Fine,” I sigh, pretending to be put out. A flash of lightning illuminates the eager expression on his face. One hand remains in my pocket as I slowly, inch by inch, start to raise my shirt. His gaze is locked on my chest, so it takes him a moment to realize I’ve pulled my hand out of my pocket and opened it in front of his face. Two tiny silver hoops lay in my palm.

Understanding dawns on his face and the corner of his mouth lifts. “You think you’re pretty clever, don’t you?”

“What?” My face couldn’t be more innocent. “You said you wanted to see my nipple rings. Here they are. You can even touch them.”

In a flash, he’s on his feet, and I find myself with my back against the wooden beam in the center of the gazebo. His hips pin mine, and his soft hair sweeps down my cheek as he bends his neck to murmur in my ear. “You know that’s not what I want to touch.”

Heat races outward from my center, and any comeback I might’ve had is stuck in my scrambled brain. He’s everywhere, his firm body, the heat of his skin, his masculine scent. And I want to wallow in every bit of it.

His lips brush over my neck, and I shiver. When he brings his head back up, I can see the lust in his eyes. This man could have any woman he wants with the wave of his hand, but he wants me. I’ve never had someone look at me like he is, with hunger and longing. Before my brain can interfere and remind me why this isn’t a good idea, I bring my palm to his raspy jaw, and kiss him.

The feeling that shoots through me when he slips his tongue between my lips is so powerful it’s almost painful. Something snaps inside me, and I let go of any reservations or fear and just feel him. His hand wandering down my back to cup my ass, the way his hot breath dances across my skin when he starts kissing down my neck, his firm thigh lodged between my legs, every bit of him is a marvel to be explored.

I tug at his t-shirt, and he grabs the hem, pulling it off in one smooth movement. It’s dim, but not too dark to admire the lean, carved chest in front of me. My fingers can’t resist the scattering of dark hair across his chest, or the thin happy trail that starts just below his muscular abdomen.

A crack of thunder shakes the ground, but a tornado could wipe out the whole area right now and I wouldn’t notice.

He kisses me again while slipping his hands under my tank top. He cups my breast over my thin bra and runs his thumb across my nipple. I stiffen up a little when he starts to pull my shirt off.

“Someone might see.”

Pausing, he smiles at me. “Look around, bug. It’s pouring. And getting darker by the second.”

He’s right. Rain falls in sheets, pouring down around the gazebo like a curtain, throwing us into our own little hideaway. “I’m not having sex without a condom,” I tell him. I may be ready to throw my self-control out of the window, but I haven’t completely lost my common sense.

He reaches into the back pocket of his jeans, removes his wallet, and pulls out a condom.

“Well, you just have an answer for everything don’t you?” I tease, and he chuckles.

I’m scooped up and carried to the large round bench in the center of the gazebo and I’m suddenly glad I thought to replace the cushions this summer.

His lips land on mine again, and any other random thoughts are extinguished as we undress each other. Our movements grow more frantic, touching, tasting, exploring one another with hands, lips, and tongues. I’m so worked up I almost come when he runs the tip of his finger over my clit.

I can feel his smile against my neck when I cry out. “I’m just getting started,” he murmurs in my ear, slipping a long finger inside me. Between that and his thumb rubbing circles on my clit, I’m gone. My eyes fall shut, and I squirm underneath him until I’m seized by an intense, pulsing orgasm that leaves me shaking.

He groans when I wrap my hand around his cock, and give it a few long, slow strokes. A hiss escapes him when I rub my thumb over the head, then just under it in the spot I know drives men crazy.

Grabbing the condom lying beside us, I rip it open, then slowly unroll it down his length, while staring into his dark gaze. He crawls over me as I lie back on the bench, and that orgasm has done nothing to quell how much I want him. It’s so surreal. Lying in my bed, I’ve thought about this, having his body looming over mine, and it’s just like I fantasized. A bulging bicep where he holds himself aloft on one arm, his hair hanging down around his face, his cock poised at my entrance.

His expression is strained as he asks, “Are you sure, bug?”

“Fuck me,” I breathe.

My words make him groan, and I join in as he pushes inside me in one firm stroke. The next moments are ones I know will stick with me my entire life. Thunder rumbles and rain falls all around us as he fucks me with steady, mind blowing strokes. He isn’t too rough or too easy, and we move together like we’ve done this a million times before.

He’s confident, graceful, and relentless. We shift positions, and he bends my knee up near my face, moving his hips at an angle while I grip his ass. “Yes, god, don’t stop.”

My head whips back and forth a few times as I try to handle all the sensation building so fast. He kisses me, then his voice is in my ear again. “I can feel you getting ready to come. Let it go.”

His words send me over, and I moan my way through the long pulsating waves that pull me under. His strokes grow uneven and frantic for a few seconds before he buries his face in my neck and finds his own release.

We lie like that for a minute, and I close my eyes, enjoying the buzz still running over my skin. Finally, he raises his head, gazes into my eyes, and drops a sweet, gentle kiss on my swollen lips. “You okay?”

“Better than okay,” I assure him.

The rain starts to let up, so we have to break the magic by getting dressed. He pulls me down onto his lap and wraps his arms around me. “I really like you, Kinley. Tell me this doesn’t have to be a one time thing.”

“Amis-amants,” I murmur.

He looks down at me with a cocked eyebrow.

“It’s the French way of saying friends with benefits. Makes it sound a little more classy.”

“Amis-amants. I like it. Can you speak French?”

“Not a lick. I heard that on a TV show.”

Chuckling, he plants a kiss on my neck.

“Can you agree not to sleep with anyone else? I know this is nothing serious, but—” He kisses me quiet before I can point out I don’t want some groupie’s disease.

“Nobody else. Same goes for you.”

“We’ll just have fun for the summer.”

“Absolutely.”

I drag my fingers over his stomach, tracing a scar I noticed when we were naked. It’s a slightly raised half circle that cuts through his navel. “What happened here?”

“I crashed on my bike when I was ten. Got impaled on a piece of metal from a fence.” He grins at me. “Good thing women find scars sexy.”

“Yeah,” I scoff. “Because you really needed help in that department.”

We stay cuddled together for a while until the rain slows to a drizzle and fog starts to roll in. He keeps an arm around me on our walk back to Foxhaven.

Maybe I’m being stupid getting into any kind of relationship with him, even a friends with benefits situation, but as he turns to smile at me before getting on the elevator, I know one thing.

It’s a mistake thousands of other women wouldn’t hesitate to make.