You’re looking a little red there,” Zeth says, eyeing me when I fall down on the towel next to him.

I look down and rub at my sensitive skin. My shoulder is already starting to peel.

We’re at the beach. It’s Kelton and Rose’s last day here, and I’m sad they’re leaving. They’re fun and nothing like my friends here. Sure, Kelton looks tough on the exterior. His dirty blonde hair is pulled up in a bun, and he has more tattoos than Zeth, but he’s been nothing but nice to me. It’s sad my mom would look at people like them as if they were scum, like she’s better than them, but they’ve treated me better than any of my so-called friends.

And Rose, she’s the sweetest girl I’ve ever met. All I had to do was play with her in the pool, and she acted like it was the best day of her life.

“Yeah, I should’ve brought the heavy duty, waterproof SPF,” I say, rifling through my beach bag. “Oh, the perks of being pale.”

Our hands brush when he reaches in the bag and pulls out the bottle I’m looking for. He holds it up and gestures for me to turn around. I do as I’m told. He squeezes the lotion in his hand, and chills run down my arms as he spreads the lotion down my back.

“Kelton seems nice,” I comment.

“He’s one of the best guys I know. Thank you for letting them stay with you. I looked around for places for them to stay, but they were all expensive as shit.”

“It’s been nice having them here. I like seeing the other side of you.”

“What side?”

“The caring guy, the one a four-year-old girl looks up to as her best friend.”

Rose comes barreling towards us, as if on cue. “Uncle Zeth,” she shrieks, sand flying from her feet. “Come build a sand castle with me!”

Her blonde hair is pulled back in a French braid I did earlier, and she’s wearing the cutest Frozen bathing suit I’ve ever seen. Apparently, Elsa is her favorite person in the entire world.

She holds out her hand, not even giving him the option to say no. She calls the shots with the guys. I’ve noticed they can never go against her. It’s adorable.

Zeth finishes off my back and jumps to his feet. He grabs her around her tiny waist and throws her over his shoulder. She cracks up in laughter as he runs towards the ocean. He snags the buckets she has sitting close to the water and starts packing them with sand.

Kelton takes Zeth’s spot next to me. “Don’t break his heart.”

The sound of a can opening cuts through the awkward silence.

“What?” I ask, even though I know what he’s saying. I could never break Zeth’s heart because he’ll never give it to me. The only reason he’s hanging out with me is because I’m a convenient lay. He’d never give a girl like me the time of day otherwise. I’m inexperienced. I’m naïve, and I’m sure as hell not sexy.

“Don’t break his heart,” he repeats.

“I don’t know what you’re …”

He interrupts me. “I know something is going on between you two.”

I wince, ready to get up and kick Zeth’s ass.

“Don’t blame it on him,” he says, reading my mind. “Anyone that sees you guys together would know. You can’t take your eyes off each other. You look like it’d kill you to be apart.”

My heart plunders. There’s no way Zeth looks at me like that. He only cares about getting pussy. He’s told me so countless times. All I am to him is a willing vagina. His friend is mistaking his desire for real emotions. Kelton is so wrong.

“We’re just friends.”

He nods. “I get that, but friends can always become more. And I’m not just talking about sexual benefits. I’m talking about a real relationship–boyfriend, girlfriend type shit.”

I bend forward on my knees and grab a can from the cooler. I suddenly feel dehydrated, like I’m overheating. I pop it open and take a long drink, almost finishing off the entire thing before replying to Kelton.

“It’s not like that,” I finally say. “Not only has he never had a girlfriend, he was very clear that he didn’t want one. He was close to screwing my best friend.” I pause and frown. “Well, my ex-best friend. She stopped being that when she screwed my boyfriend.”

“How many boyfriends have you had?”

“Well, only one.”

“You’ve had one serious relationship. He hasn’t had one. Not that big of a difference, sweetheart.” He taps my leg. “I’ve known him for years, since we were kids, and I’ve never seen him like this with anyone. He’s trying to put up a front because he doesn’t want you to hurt him in the end. He thinks he’s not good enough for you. Give him a chance, and I promise you’ll see he’s worth the risk.”

My attention moves to Zeth. Rose pours a bucket of sand over his head, and he laughs before grabbing it from her and filling it up with water. She tries to run away, but he snatches her and spills it over her head. Rose’s face lights up, and she squeals in excitement.

“And thanks for letting us crash at your place,” Kelton says. “I hope you visit California sometime. You’re always welcome.”

I run my fingers through the sand. “I’d like that.”

I shut my eyes, thoughts of having a family with Zeth trailing through my mind. My stomach flutters. Even though it’ll never happen, it’s nice to fantasize. He’s using me while he’s here. He’s leaving soon, and I’ll be stuck trying to find someone that can even come close to making me feel the emotions he does. Someone who wants me to be me and doesn’t judge me for it. Someone who makes me feel like I’m on top of the world.

* * *

“Come on,” I say, flashing Zeth a flirty smile. “I want to show you something.”

I grab his hand and use all of my strength to try to pull him up the stairs. He laughs at my sad attempt and starts to follow me. I try my hardest to walk seductively down the hallway, but I’m not sure how sensuous I actually look. I’ve never been one of those girls who oozes sex appeal.

“Your bedroom?” he asks, stopping in the doorway.

I drop his hand and walk backward. “I want you to fuck me in here.”

His dark eyes radiate.

“In my bed.”

He rubs his forehead. “I thought we were going to think outside the box, princess? Don’t get me wrong; I’m more than willing to fuck the shit out of you in here, but I also want you to open yourself up to new things.”

“I’ve never had sex with anyone in my bed. I was always scared to bring Cam up here, but I think it’s time for me to see how this bed holds up.” I walk across the room and plop down on my bed. “Don’t you think that’s a good idea?”

“I think you’re a fucking genius,” he says. “What do you want your lesson to be today?”

I spread my legs as a show and hold my finger to the corner of my lips. “I’m thinking oral?”

Eagerness flickers in his eyes. “Oral? That sounds like a perfect plan for today’s study session.”

His gaze drifts to my mouth. I scoot back, telling him to come closer, and he climbs on my bed. He captures my lips with his and slips his tongue in my mouth.

I push his chest to move him back, and settle myself on my knees, not wasting any time unzipping his jeans. I need to see him … to taste him.

“What are you going to do with me, baby?” he asks. His eyes focus on me dragging his jeans down his legs.

“I told you, oral.”

I squeeze my thighs together and tremble with need at the sight of his bulging erection in front of me. I was clueless what to do last time I took him in my mouth, but he’d eased me into it. I knew he enjoyed it by the sounds falling from the back of his throat. I want to make him come apart like he does me. I want him to get off in my mouth.

“Don’t fucking call it oral, Addison,” he says, stopping my mouth from getting any closer. “Tell me you’re going to suck my cock.”

I pull in a deep breath and articulate each word. “I’m going to suck your cock.”

“Then get to it.”

I take his cock in my hand, pump it up and down, and grin at the feel of him hardening under my fingers. I swallow hard, my mouth watering, and take him in my mouth.

“Suck me good.”

I glance up at him. “How do you like it?”

“Use those plump lips. Move them up and down my cock. No teeth. And don’t forget about my balls.”

I did this with Cam a few times before we started having sex, and I hated it. He’d practically shove his cock down my throat until I choked. Eventually, I hated giving him blowjobs so much I gave him my virginity to get out of them.

He pulls in a deep breath through clenched teeth when I lick his swollen tip that’s begging for attention. “You’re going to enjoy sucking me, I promise. And if you do a good job, I’ll return the favor by licking your pussy until you soak my tongue.”

Holy shit. My panties just flooded.

I focus on working his cock in my mouth, taking tips from him on how he likes it. I’m surprised how much licking his delicious cock is turning me on–surprised I’m enjoying it.

I put more work into it when I notice his breathing grow heavier. I glance up and notice beads of sweat dripping around his hairline. He’s close. I want him to do it in my mouth. I want to know what he tastes like.

I feel a slight pain when he snags my hair, presses his fingers against my scalp roughly, and pulls me away from him while I try to fight it. I sigh and push him back when he releases me.

“What the hell?” I scream. “Why do you keep stopping me?”

“Because I’m not fucking busting in your mouth.”

“Why? I want to taste you.”

“I want to feel your pussy. If I go in your mouth, it’ll take me a few minutes to get back up. I’m not wasting any time. I’ll let you taste my cum another time, but it’s not happening right now.”

“Oh.” The word pops out of my mouth, and I feel stupid.

A rush of shock smacks into my chest when he yanks my legs up. He doesn’t give me any warning before dipping his head between my thighs. My nerves tick while he devours me, slipping his tongue in and out of my heat quickly. I can feel the sensations running through my body everywhere.

He gets me off once… twice … or three times … I can’t keep up. His tongue feels amazing. He’s an expert at this.

He snatches a condom from his pocket, and when he slides inside me, I feel more alive than I ever have. The arousal and thrill of this is taking me over. My leg muscles burn when he grips my ankles and rests them on the top of his shoulders. I stare at him while he focuses on our connection between my legs. I bring myself up to look and lose my breath. The sight of him driving in and out of me is the sexiest damn thing I’ve ever seen.

The slapping of our bodies and our loud moans take over my bedroom.

“Do I feel better than him?” he asks, slamming into me harder, his voice tight.

I don’t answer him. I can’t answer him.

“Does my cock feel better than his?”

“Yes,” I cry out.

“Then fucking tell me.” His eyes are heated, ready to set me on fire.

“It feels better … so much better … you fuck me so much better.” My breaths are coming out in spasms, my heart is beating like I’m on a rollercoaster, and I’m close to letting it go.

“Fuck yes.”

He picks up his pace. More thrusts, more moans, more sensations. I never want this to end. My headboard is smacking into the wall, my bed creaking with every drive of his cock, but I don’t care if anyone hears. This is what I’ve seen in the movies. This is what it’s like to have sex right, and I’m enjoying every minute of it. Who knows how much longer Zeth will be here.

He keeps slamming into me until I come apart. I yell to the ceiling and try to catch my breath. I hold my legs up higher, giving him that extra push, and he grunts out his release.

“Wow,” I breathe out. “We were … very vocal.”

He slides out of me and gets up to toss the condom in the trashcan next to my desk. “Vocal is good. It’s nice to know how a girl likes being fucked, how good your dick feels inside her, and how much more she wants. Do you not like it when I tell you how good your pussy is?”

“I loved it,” I rush out without even thinking. Dear God, that sounded too school-girl-ish. “I mean …”

He grins. “You loved it, don’t try to retract now.”