I’m up hours before Frank. Not that I got much sleep the night before. Thoughts of his hands on Violet kept me up all night long. Did they have sex while they were out shooting his stupid guns? Did she like it?

“Violet doesn’t even like guns,” I mutter to myself as I load the blender up with diced pineapple.

“What was that?” a voice asks.

Frank comes out of his room, blinking sleepily. His hair sticks straight up, and his boxers are barely hanging onto his hips.

“I said put some clothes on.”

I turn the blender on so he doesn’t have the chance to answer. Frank says something, but the loud whirring covers his voice.

“Sorry,” I mouth.

He scowls and yanks the milk from the fridge. With my smoothie beyond properly blended, I stop the blender and fill my glass.

“Violet and I had a good time yesterday.”

I keep my face neutral. “And we’re going to have a good time today.”

Frank chugs the milk straight from the container.

“Did she tell you anything about what we did?”

“We talked.”

I turn away. “We texted” would be more accurate. And only to make plans for this morning.

Frank keeps blabbering on.

“Yeah, she really had a good time. She loves my guns…especially one in particular.”

I would laugh at the awful metaphor if it weren’t for the anger filling me. So, they did have sex. Or at least, that’s what Frank wants me to believe.

I swallow a mouthful of smoothie before turning around.

“I’m sure you charmed her with your stories of binge-watching crime TV and spending every day sleeping in till ten.”

Frank glowers and lifts his chin threateningly. “Check the clock. What time is it?”

I glance at the digits over the stove. “Nine-thirty.”

“That’s what I thought, punk.”

I roll my eyes and finish up the smoothie. “Have fun at work.”

Shrugging into my bike jacket, I grab both of my helmets.

“Where are you going?” Frank demands.

I catch his eye. “Where do you think?”

Blowing him a kiss just to piss him off, I leave.

The street Violet gave me is a familiar one, meaning I don’t need help from GPS. Her house is in a neighborhood I’ve always liked—it’s not the retreat I dream about, but as far as town living goes, it’s nice. I pull my bike into the drive and pause for a moment to take the house in.

You did good for yourself, Violet, I think.

Half the people in our graduating class are still working dead-end jobs and grumbling about how hard they have it. But not Violet. She’s struck out on her own, turning her passion into a living.

Before I can get off the bike, the door opens, and Violet appears on the porch. Her hair is in a braid and she’s wearing jeans and a suede jacket. The sight makes me inhale sharply.

“Hey,” she calls.

“Hi,” I choke out before clearing my throat.

She checks out the motorcycle as she walks over to me. I get ready for the compliment, but it never comes.

Figures. I smirk to myself. That’s Violet. She’s not going to give up anything that’s expected.

“You look good.” I hand her the extra helmet, and she slips it on.

“Thanks. Where are we going?”

“Thought we could ride down to the beach.”

“Sounds nice.”

There’s no enthusiasm in her answer, which irritates me. I’m fucking dying to know everything that happened between her and Frank yesterday, but I have at least a shred of self-respect and don’t plan on begging for anything.

“Wrap your arms around me,” I instruct as she climbs onto the bike.

She does, shuffling close so that her chest is pressed against my back. With her arms around my waist, she fits perfectly against me. I can feel the hair on my arms standing up as I slowly take the bike out onto the road.

The adrenaline and sense of freedom that always comes with a good ride fills me up, encouraged by Violet’s presence. As we take the exit onto the highway running alongside the coast, a weird pang of nostalgia hits me.

We could have been doing this for years, I think. Hanging out, having hot sex…

And all with my best friend.

Or, the person who used to be that.

If only I could just keep driving. I’d take Violet far away from here—away from Frank, away from all the stress and worry.

What am I thinking?

Since I fucked up by not staying in touch, I just have to deal with the way things have turned out. Violet’s not interested in my friendship anymore. She’s made that pretty clear.

But at least I can enjoy the time we’re having together.

I take us far away from the city, going past the resorts, shopping centers, and mansions facing the open water. The farther we drive, the lighter I feel. The asphalt slips under my wheels, and the horizon welcomes me.

Though I didn’t tell Violet about today’s plan, there’s a secret spot I’m taking her to. I’ve known about it for years, but it’s always been my special spot, a place I go to just chill and be alone.

Pulling off the road, I park the bike on the side of a little, rocky dip. We’re hidden from the highway, the zooming noise from the cars the only indication there’s a road nearby.

Violet climbs off the bike with shaking legs. Pulling her helmet off, she winces.

“Man, I’m sore.”

“Yeah, that can happen,” I laugh, dumping my own helmet and stretching my arms above my head.

“Hm.” She smiles at me, but there’s something uncertain there.

Is she thinking about Frank?

My chest tightens.

Grabbing her hand, I lead her down the hill. “Come on.”

She doesn’t resist. “Where are we going?”

As we hit the sand, I take a right, keeping close to the trees and thick foliage. The tree line curves in a bit, and I follow it, stopping at a collection of flat rocks.

“Here,” I finally answer.

Violet does a three-sixty. We’re in our own private alcove, hidden from the rest of the world but with a great view of the sea. We could even go skinny dipping, and no one would see us.

“Wow,” she coos. “This place is amazing.”

“I know, right?” I cross my arms in satisfaction and watch her face. She’s still taking in the area like she’s stepped into a wonderland. “I’ve been coming here for years.”

The awe in her eyes dies. “You never brought me here.”

“Yeah.” I avert my gaze. “I am now, though.”

She doesn’t answer, and I sneak a peek to see her digging the toe of her shoe into the sand.

The ocean sings with the crashing of its waves, but today, the sound doesn’t calm me like it usually does.

“You brought me here to win the challenge,” Violet says. I open my mouth to say it’s more than that, but she cuts me off. “It’s all right. I was the one who pitted you two against each other.”

With her thumbs hooked in her belt loops, she looks up at me from under golden lashes. For a second, it’s like no time has passed at all. She’s the same girl I left on this island eleven years ago.

God, I’ve missed her.

I didn’t even know it till now, but something about being out here, away from everything and everyone else…I don’t know. It has an effect I didn’t see coming.

“I brought you here because I thought you would like it,” I say. “And…okay, because I want to win the bet.”

Violet smiles, the somber tone broken.

“I can’t lose my bike.”

She laughs. “It’s a nice one.”

“Been working for it for years.” I stare her down. “And I also can’t stand the thought of Frank having you to himself.”

She loudly inhales, her chest rising high and her eyelashes fluttering. I take a couple steps closer, and Violet has to lift her face to look at mine.

“You mean a lot to me, Violet,” I softly say. “I never stopped thinking of you as my best friend, even though we didn’t talk. I just want you to know that.”

Her eyes glisten, but if she’s close to crying, I can’t tell, because they’re dry a moment later.

“That’s sweet of you, Sean. Thank you.”

I don’t know what I was expecting, but her response makes me feel shitty. I keep the frown checked, though. This morning is about us. I know it’s not easy for her to get time away from the gallery, and I want to make the most out of our few hours together.

Cupping Violet’s face, I press my lips to hers. Her mouth opens slightly, her sweet and delicious breath coating my tongue. I take my time, kissing her slow and steady. She leans forward, pushing the toes of her shoes into the sand. The soft grains give under her, and she stumbles forward a bit.

“Careful,” I chuckle, wrapping my arms around her.

She smiles, blush creeping across her cheeks. Again, I’m struck with a weird sense of how right this feels.

“I want a house surrounded by nature,” I find myself saying. “Kind of like in this area, but more reclusive.”

Violet looks at me closely “That sounds nice.”

Is there more there? It seems like she wants to ask me something else. Instead, she kisses me again.

This time, the flames are stoked right away. I cling to the loops of her jeans and pull her harder against me.

Continuing to kiss, I turn her around and walk her to the shade of the trees. Taking a quick pause, I pull off my leather jacket and lay it across the sand.

Violet’s on me in an instant, her hands and mouth just as needy as mine, and we fall to the sand. The jacket does hardly anything to keep us clean, but we don’t care. Stretching out on my back, Violet climbs on top of me, her round hips wiggling against my aching cock.

Her sweet tongue laps against mine, and I undo her pants and push them off of her. With her ass exposed, though, I suddenly find I want to take things slower. We only have a little bit of time together. In fact, I never expected this second day. That means I need to make it count.

Holding Violet gently against me, I run my tongue in a slow circle inside her mouth. She whimpers in pleasure—a sound that makes my heart flip.

Why do her noises sound so perfect?

Violet frantically twists my shirt in her hands and rocks forward, sliding her mound across my rough jeans. She still has her panties on, and I can tell even through my pants that they’re soaked through.

Working my hands up her back, I cup her neck as I nibble my way down her throat and to the top of her chest. Violet moans again, and lightning runs up and down my shaft. What I’m feeling is more than just a need to bury myself in her, though. I want to make her mine, to have her say my name and know that she belongs to me.

Slowly, I pull the jacket and shirt off of her. There’s no bra underneath, just round, pert breasts ready for the taking. Sucking in a sharp breath, I massage them slowly. Violet closes her eyes and pushes her chest forward. I can’t take my gaze off of her as I slowly twist and pull at her tight nipples.

Instead of making every touch I give her quicker and harder, I slow it all down. I want to prolong her pleasure, to take her to the point of unbearable pleasure and need.

Violet moans softly, bouncing a little against my hips. “Sean,” she gasps.

Her eyes are still closed, face twisted in rapture.

I don’t answer. My lips are too busy sucking on a nipple. With one hand wrapped around her waist, I wiggle the other one between us and languidly stroke the wet line of her panties. Her whole pussy throbs under my hand, and Violet shimmies her hips against me again.

Opening her eyelids, her lust-filled eyes fall on mine. She looks like she’s in a trance, lost to the entire world. I keep teasing her gently as she unzips my jeans and pulls out my cock. The warmth and gentle touch of her hand makes me nearly lose my mind, and I drop my head against the sand.

Violet knows just what she’s doing. With her eyelids heavy and her lips parted, she watches my face as she slowly pumps my length. Electric pleasure rips through me, and it takes every bit of self-restraint I have to not jam her down on my cock right now and fuck her till she’s breathless.

Pushing her panties to the side, I slip two fingers inside her. Her eager muscles grab at my digits, sucking me further in. As I slowly fuck her with my fingers, I tease her clit with my other hand.

Violet’s head rolls back in pleasure, and her grip on my cock strengthens.

“Sean,” she murmurs, so low my name is barely a whisper.

Hearing that does more to me than I could have expected. Pulling my fingers out of her, I take hold of her panties and rip them apart. As the pieces fall onto the sand, Violet gasps in surprise, her hand momentarily stopping its stroking.

“Oh my God,” she says. “Did you…?”

“Yeah,” I rumble. “Get on this.”

My hands on her hips, I lower her down onto my cock, parting her tender folds. Violet slides all the way down, taking each inch of me. She bites down on her bottom lip, releasing a long and low moan. Keeping my hands on her waist, I slowly pump up and down.

After a minute, Violet places her hands on my chest and looks into my eyes.

“Let me,” she whispers.

I can’t answer. The intensity in her eyes has stolen my breath. All I can do is lay back and watch as she rides me like a pro, her hips smoothly rolling back and forth.

Her breathing gets quicker, a sign that she’s close to the edge. Palms on her hips, I rock up just the slightest bit as she continues to ride me. I want to be as deep in her as I can be when she comes, buried all the way inside so that there’s no doubt about who she belongs to.

Suddenly, I feel it. Her pussy clings to me with a vice-grip. Violet gasps, her rocking turning into up-and-down bouncing.

“Come for me,” I tell her, our eyes locked.

And she does, exploding with a cry that’s music to my ears.

As her orgasm subsides, I flip us over, so that she’s on the ground and I’m on top. The leather jacket protects her hips, but other than that, it’s sand all around.

Violet’s lips are puffy, her cheeks flushed, and her eyelids heavy. I cover her mouth with mine, kissing her slowly. Pressing one hand against her cheek, I use the other one to lift her leg up at an angle. As I slip into her, she drops her face to the side. I can see the pleasure there, evident in the way she rubs her lips together and seals her eyes shut.

Gently, I thrust in and out, making each movement as slow as I can. Violet’s breaths become harsh again, and she wraps her arms around my neck, keeping me close to her. As my cock takes care of her, I lightly run my teeth along her earlobe and down her neck. The delicate skin there tempts my tongue, and I take a small bit in my mouth and suck away.

She’ll have a mark for days. Every time Frank sees it, he’ll know I put it there.

“Kiss me,” I tell her.

She complies right away, turning her face to mine and sending her tongue between my teeth. Our tongues rock against each other, mimicking the motion of our hips. She’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted. Vanilla. Berries.

Home.

At this moment, I need her like I need oxygen. Dropping my other arm, I lift both her legs, pushing them up so I can have full, unhindered access to her body. I keep my weight pressed forward, my chest hovering right over Violet’s as I slowly take care of her.

She’s gasping my name, clinging to my back.

You belong to me.

The words are on my lips, but I keep them checked. Instead, I focus on what I need to do, the pleasure I want to give Violet.

I can feel her tensing up, her nails biting into my back as she comes a second time. This time, I let loose, releasing my seed deep into her. We come together, our lips locked.

With my orgasm subsiding, I still against her. Violet shudders, and I kiss her gently on the cheek. Our exhales mix, and, for one moment, everything is perfect. I’d be a fool to ever climb off of her.

I want her. In a real way.

The realization hits me like a ton of bricks. Of course. How come I never realized it before?

Maybe I’ve never been interested in serious girlfriends because I was ignoring the plain and simple truth. There’s only one woman who’s worth having around, and I let her slip away years ago.

“Sean,” she whispers against my jaw.

“Mm?” I graze my lips along hers.

“My legs are sore.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

Gently, I release my hold and climb off of her. With her hair all messy and the red spot on her neck from my sucking, she’s more beautiful than I can ever remember her looking.

“God, you’re gorgeous.”

Violet gives me a wary look. “Really?”

I seriously nod. “Yes.”

Her gaze softens before she quickly looks away and grabs her clothes.

I zip my pants up and watch as she dresses. Not knowing when I’ll be able to get her alone again has a rock forming in my gut.

This isn’t right, these games. What are we doing? What if I lose?

Or, what if I win? What if Violet does get a baby in her—my baby—and then spends the rest of her life avoiding me?

I thought before that I would be fine with that, but the truth is that I’m not. Suddenly, that dream house in the woods is looking pretty lonely.

“I’m sorry.” The words tumble from my lips.

Violet’s standing, just finishing putting on her jacket. She turns, looking just as surprised as I am. Again, words fell out of my mouth without any planning. How come that’s always happening around her?

“Oh. For, uh…what?”

The apology gets all tangled in my throat, and I almost don’t let it come out. No pussy bullshit, though. I already began this apology, and now I need to finish it. My dad taught me that a man who doesn’t open his heart up and at least try to be kind isn’t a real man at all. So, here I go.

“I’m sorry for the bet. That was a stupid thing to do.”

She blinks rapidly, surprised. “Don’t worry about it.”

She has to be kidding.

“I really am.” I stand up, but keep the distance between us. “It was a—”

“Sean. It’s fine.” Violet raises her eyebrows and smiles, but there’s something fake about it. “I mean, it’s worked out well for me.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. At this rate, I’ll be pregnant in no time.”

She turns away and starts dumping sand out of her shoes.

My gaze falls on the ocean. There seem to be all kinds of words bouncing around in my head, but I can’t get a firm grip on any of them. Apologizing was supposed to mean something, was supposed to bring us closer together.

And Violet just brushed me off like it meant nothing.

But what else can I expect? Just as she’s already made clear, the primarily objective here is impregnating her. Everything else is an afterthought.

It doesn’t matter how much I still care for her.

“You ready to go?” I ask.

My whole torso is tight and heavy, my body resisting the idea of dropping Violet off at her house.

“Yeah.”

She gives me another one of those less-than-genuine smiles, the mood the polar opposite of what it was ten minutes ago.

When we were on the sand, Violet secured in my arms, I felt closer to her than I’d ever been…closer to her than I’d ever been to anyone.

And now, that’s all gone.

I want to shout, to tell her that this is all wrong. Maybe a traditional relationship isn’t what either one of us needs, but there has to be something else that’s right, something we never considered. A life that belongs to just the two of us.

The words won’t come, though. Violet’s already walking away, kicking her way through the sand—and there’s nothing I can do about it.