I’ve been around beautiful people for a long time, but Eli failed to mention Tampa seems to grow their own breed of hot chicks. Fucking hell, that girl is gorgeous.

Her deep blue eyes are hypnotizing, her dark hair is the most beautiful shade of chocolate brown, and those plump lips have my balls tightening.

“Did you meet Kristin?” Eli asks when I walk over with the beers from the wet bar.

“Could’ve warned me she’s hot as fuck.” I laugh as I take a seat.

He smirks. “All of Heather’s friends are hot.”

“Good to know. What’s her deal?”

I’m hoping Eli reads between the lines of what I’m asking. If I’m going to spend some time hanging around Tampa, it would be nice to maybe have some company.

Eli studies me and sighs. “I wouldn’t get any ideas, Noah. She’s had it rough, and I’m not sure you’d have a chance in hell. Plus, Heather will have your nuts in a jar if you played any kind of games. And she just got out of a pretty fucked-up marriage. Kristin isn’t a girl I’d chase if I were you.”

“Right.” I look through the window and catch a glimpse of her smile. The way her whole face looks brighter before she throws her head back and laughs without any reservations.

Eli clears his throat. “Don’t be stupid, Noah.”

I give him a look that causes him to laugh. “Maybe casual is what she’s looking for.”

“I’m warning you.” Eli’s eyes are serious. “She’s not a girl you fuck around with. She’s got two kids, a piece-of-shit husband, who is going to make her life hell through their divorce, and if you hurt her . . . I’ll beat the shit out of you before Heather has a chance to.”

The threat doesn’t go unheard, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to stay away from her. Instead of saying that to him, I take a swig of my drink and keep my eyes forward. The last girl I had this strong of a pull toward was my high school girlfriend. I loved Tanya with everything I was, and if she were still alive, she and I would be married. I know that in the depths of my soul. She was taken too soon, leaving me unable to move on.

“Shots!” Heather yells as she and Kristin bounce out of the house, halting our conversation.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Eli grumbles. “Baby, you know you can’t hold your liquor.”

Heather laughs and curls up on his lap. “Kristin and I did four already!”

Kristin sits on the lounge chair next to me and sips her margarita. “You’re such a lightweight, Heather.”

“Whatever, Eli likes what happens when I drink.” She runs her finger from his lips down to his chest. “Don’t you, honey?”

He laughs and looks at me. “This is going to be a very interesting night.”

I look over at Kristin and can’t help but agree. “It seems so.”

The girls continue to drink and do shots through the next hour, but then Eli takes the bottle back into the house, cutting them off. Now they’re dancing—sloppily. Kristin tries to move her body seductively against her friend, but they keep giggling and almost falling over.

“I should stop this, but I’m having trouble forcing myself,” Eli mutters before taking a swig.

“You stop it, I’ll kill you,” I warn.

“That’s my soon-to-be fiancé you’re watching.”

“No,” I reply, keeping my eyes on the brunette. “I’m not.”

Heather moves behind Kristin, giving me a clear view of Kristin’s body. Her hands are on her hips, swaying back and forth.

Kristin pulls her lip in between her teeth as she drops low while watching me.

Fuck me.

Every muscle in my body wants to go to her, grip those hips, and have her touch me. Eli’s words ring in my head, keeping me exactly where I am, just staring at her.

I’m going to need a cold shower.

They dance for a few minutes, laughing and falling over, and Eli and I both shake our heads. Girls are a fucking odd breed. You’d never see guys do this crap, but when a chick does it . . . it’s hot as hell. Kristin’s eyes lift to me and she gives me a coy smile.

She’s really fucking beautiful.

Heather’s arms wrap around Kristin’s neck and they sway together. Both giggle as they whisper something.

“Want to share with the group?” Eli asks.

“Nope. Girl talk,” Heather replies.

Kristin sticks her tongue out at him and spins her around. “Yeah, girls are talking. No penis input allowed.”

Eli snorts. “I’ll be inputting something later.”

“I’m so tired,” Heather complains as she rests her arms on Kristin’s shoulder. “I need to lie down.”

Eli stands with a groan. “Come on, baby. Let’s get you to bed.”

“I’m not tired yet,” Kristin juts her bottom lip out.

“I’ll watch her,” I say without a second thought.

Eli sighs. “Remember what I said.”

“You know me. I’m not that guy.” I’m not a dirtbag. I would never fuck around with a girl who is this drunk, but more than that, I wouldn’t betray our friendship. Friends and acting don’t go hand in hand most times, so I wouldn’t do a damn thing to screw up my and Eli’s camaraderie.

He nods, grabs Heather, and carries her inside.

“Want to dance?” Kristin asks hesitantly.

Very fucking much, but it would be a bad idea. “Why don’t you come sit?” I suggest.

She huffs dramatically, which makes me smile. She’s so goddamn adorable. “Fine. Party pooper.”

“Did you call me a party pooper?”

“Yup! Every party has a pooper, and that’s what you are.”

I’m not sure I’ve ever been called that. I move over to the couch area where she stands. “You know, this isn’t even a party. It’s just two people.”

Kristin places her hands on her hips and sticks her tongue out. “Party pooper.”

I seriously hope she remembers this in the morning. “What would make me more fun then?”

She taps her lips and looks around before her legs seem to give out. I catch her in my arms, and her hands rest on my bare chest. Those blue eyes stare at me with desire swimming in them. It’s good to know I’m not the only one feeling this. My dick reacts, and I try to think of anything but the feel of her skin. Neither of us makes a move, I hold her, and she lets me.

Kristin’s fingers slide back and forth on my shoulder. “You’re so pretty,” she slurs. “I wish I was pretty like you.”

“You’re breathtaking,” I reply.

Maybe I don’t want her to remember.

Maybe I want her to forget this whole thing because I shouldn’t have her in my arms still. I should’ve let her go, but my arms won’t move.

Her soft fingers move over my pec, and I’m doing everything I can to stop my cock from going rock hard, but her floral scent is too much.

“Kristin . . .” I rasp her name.

She pushes her hips forward, feeling my erection, and her eyes widen. “I-I—” She takes a step back. “We should . . . umm . . . do it.”

Now it’s my turn to be shocked. “Do it?” I’m not sure she means what I mean. Even if she did, there’s no way I’m touching her tonight. I’d like her to remember everything when I have her.

“Yes. The interview,” she clarifies.

“Now?”

“I’m a good worker,” Kristin says and starts to walk, holding on to the chairs as she goes. “Professional through and through.”

“Why don’t we wait until you’re sober?”

She spins around and laughs. “I’m not drunk, you are.”

“Pretty sure you’re toasted, sweetheart.”

“Why do you have two noses?” Kristin’s head tilts to the side as one of her eyes closes.

This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I’ll play along. When she resumes her walk, I follow her, wondering what the hell she’s doing as she moves around the backyard.

“Is that part of the interview?

“What interview?” Kristin stops walking. “Oh! Yes. You should sit.”

I don’t argue. I sit in the chair, hoping she’ll do the same.

“First question, what is your next job?”

I shrug. “Not sure yet. I’m deciding what to do next.”

Since we wrapped on filming the series finale of A Thin Blue Line six months ago, I have way too much time on my hands. I’ve had a few casting calls but haven’t decided if I’m going to take a new job right now.

My agent wishes I’d move quicker, but I’m single, rich, and want to enjoy my life for a bit.

Kristin huffs. “Are you hot?”

“I’d like to think so.” I smile.

Her eyes bulge, and her cheeks turn bright red. “I didn’t mean it like that! I mean like, hot, outside hot. I’m so hot.”

“I agree.” I’m hot, she’s hot . . . I’d like if we were both sweaty hot together, but I’ll have to settle for drunk innuendoes.

She’s still standing and takes a step back. “Are you flirting with me?”

“Maybe.”

“You shouldn’t flirt with me.”

I know this, but it’s too fun watching her react. “Okay, I’ll stop.”

“Okay, because you’re totally hot, and I really want to kiss you, but that would be bad, right? I shouldn’t want to kiss you. You’re drunk, and I’m drunk, and that would be wrong. I don’t do wrong things. I’m a good girl who follows the rules.” She rambles almost as if she’s forgotten I’m here. “Plus, I have to write about how sexy you are, which would be tooooootally awkward if we kissed. However, your lips are lickable. I would lick ’em.”

I grip the armrests to get up, and Kristin takes another step back. “Careful,” I warn as she gets close to the edge of the pool. “Come sit.”

“My husband . . . well, ex-husband-to-be”—she sighs while shaking her head—“says I’m not a great kisser anyway. Not that I ever did much right for him. I was really good in bed in college. I had a guy tell me I was the best lay ever.”

“Kristin,” I warn as she goes back further while rambling about things I’d like not to think about since I just got my cock under control.

She rolls her eyes and throws her hands in the air. “How do you go from the best ever to nothing? It has to be him, right?”

“You’re going to fall in the pool.” I try for a more direct warning this time.

“It must be because I’m totally a good—” Her eyes meet mine, and I watch her fall backward with a squeal.

Damn it. I rush over as she comes up for air.

“Shit, shit, shit!”

“Give me your hand.” I smile as she grumbles.

“I’m all wet,” Kristin notes.

“That’s what happens when you fall in.” I hold both hands out and she swims to the edge of the pool to grab them.

“My clothes, too! I’m so getting fired.”

Kristin places her fingers in my palm, and I start to pull her up. However, she falls back, and I lose my footing, causing me to go headfirst into the pool with her. I get to the surface quickly, only to find her giggling uncontrollably.

“You fell in, too!”

“You pulled me in,” I say as I splash her.

She leaps into my arms, and my heart races. “I’m sorry.”

“It was worth it.” She wraps her arms around my neck and her legs around my torso. There is no way in hell I’ll stop her this time. I don’t give a shit about right and wrong or friendships. I want her. I want to kiss her.

Kristin’s eyes stay on mine, her breathing accelerates. My hands are splayed against her back and then her eyes close. The urge to close the distance between us and kiss her is strong, but I don’t. Instead, I let her lead it. If she kisses me, I can’t be at fault, right?

Sure. We’ll go with that. It isn’t as if I’m the sober one and know better . . .

Her lips come closer, closer, until her head lolls to the side and falls onto my shoulder.

Okay, that was unexpected.

“Hey,” I say softly, but she doesn’t respond. I can honestly say this is a first.

Her legs go limp around me, and she lets out a loud snore against my ear. “All right,” I say as I lift her in my arms. “You’re asleep. In the pool.” I push her hair back, and she sighs as I pull her legs up into my arms and hold her against my chest. We get to the stairs, where she becomes dead weight as I climb out of the water. Her arms and head hang down, but I know she’s breathing thanks to the loud sound escaping her mouth.

I carry her to the chair and place her there.

Now what?

Eli’s house is fucking massive, there’s no way I can carry her up those damn stairs without falling. I’m not in my twenties anymore. Hell, I’m pushing forty.

Still, I can’t leave her here soaking wet and passed out drunk.

Thankfully, it’s hot as hell in Tampa, so I don’t have to worry about her freezing to death. I’m not sure what the protocol is here, but I don’t think she should sleep in her clothes. The idea of undressing her doesn’t exactly seem right, either.

I’m an actor, a damn good one, and I can put myself in a role. Sure. I’m her gay best friend and don’t give a shit about finding whatever is underneath these clothes. I’m not attracted to her in the least. That’s my role.

I’m a goddamn idiot.

Sliding down the strap of her outfit, I focus on anything but the way her skin feels against my fingers. I don’t concentrate on the humming noise that she lets out when I repeat the motion on the other side. Hell, I don’t even register the uptick in her breathing when I graze the top of her breast to pull the one-piece whatever the hell this outfit is down her body.

My eyes look to the wall as I remove it from her long, toned legs, praying to God she’s got something on underneath. If she’s naked, I’m fucking done.

When I look back, I’m grateful she has a bikini on. “Noah,” she moans.

“I’m just getting you out of the wet clothes. It’s okay.”

“Okay,” Kristin rolls over as I get it off her feet. “You’re so hot.”

Kristin is back to snoring and pulls her legs up. I grab two towels off the table to cover her with. Her tiny fingers grip the edge of the towel as she tucks it under her chin.

I push back the hair from her face, and her eyes open just a little. “I’ll stay out here with you,” I say, not even sure if she’s awake.

“Camping is fun.”

My lips form a smile as I rub my thumb against her cheek. “Yeah, camping sure is.”

I head inside to change and grab a few blankets. I have no idea if it gets cold during the night, but I’d rather not take a chance. When I come back outside, I place one over her and then settle into the chair next to her.

I may have to stick around Tampa a bit longer than I thought.