I glared, playing along, then hit the minute mark on the microwave. “I’m still trying to decide if I like you or your irritate me.”

Her sharp intake of breath told me that the last thing she wanted was for me to leave — even though her body language said that if I got too close to the fork I was losing a ball.

The microwave dinged. I went to the table, ate my food in silence, then when I was finished went to the sink, washed the remains off the plate then placed it carefully in the dishwasher. I wasn’t an invalid. I knew how to do my own dishes. Besides, Alec kicked my ass if I didn’t pick up after myself. Swear, when the dude was stressed he was organizing silverware.

A few drops of water sprayed on the counter tops so I cleaned those off too and went and sat down.

Nat’s lower lip trembled a bit. Uh oh. What did I do? I immediately cringed, was she the type of girl who just spontaneously burst into tears when people actually did what was expected? Like dishes? Shit. I could not handle tears.

“Sorry.”

Time to make her laugh. “I swear!” I pounded the tabletop and threw the dishrag against the sink. “It’s always the same.” I almost knocked the chair over when I tugged it out and sat on it. “Either girls want to screw my brains out or they think I’m a freaking idiot.” Only partially true. Okay so I played the idiot. Whatever. “Like I don’t know how to get my own food or iron my own clothes?” Fine, so Alec ironed some of my shit, but who cares? “As if everythings been easy on me, no struggles, nothing. Just a damn golden boy with a damn golden guitar.”

“I-I’m so sorry!” Nat put her small hand on mine. It was warm. I liked it. I immediately cataloged that moment as one of my favorites ever. Girls rarely held my hand. Hell, the last time I’d been hugged… well it had been a while. Odd, how much I’d missed such a simple touch. “I didn’t mean to assume anything.”

“Are you actually apologizing miss high and mighty?”

“Yes?” Her brown eyes were hopeful.

“Good. Because I was totally kidding. I love my life and probably deserve to be kicked in the balls for almost making you cry.”

Her eyes narrowed and then she just freaking lunged at me like a damn shark! Holy shit. I was a seal. A fluffy seal. And I was about to get eaten.

We tumbled to the floor.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love it.

God, her hips perfectly against me.

“So, that’s how it’s gonna be huh?” I asked, muscles flexing as the shark held me down. Devour me. Please, please, please.

She nodded.

“Fine.”

“Fine!”

The poor thing didn’t weigh enough to stand a chance. In a flash I flipped her onto her back and straddled her. Yeah. This was what I wanted. What I needed.

“Not that I didn’t deserve to get my ass kicked.” I smirked then leaned down so my lips grazed her ear. “But I kind of like this position better.” I rocked against her — only teasing, swear.

And then she tried to wiggle out from underneath me.

Oh. My. Hell.

Had her mom not been in her office I would have screwed her right there. She had no idea either — that’s how innocent the girl was. Nope, she just kept moving against me like the friction wasn’t making me want to go all caveman on her and rip her clothes apart with my teeth.

“And better, and better.” I chuckled as she kept moving.

Her face flamed red.

Beautiful.

She yelled for me to get off. Making me laugh harder.

Unable to help myself, I leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Math?”

Her eyes locked with mine. And caught. I knew that expression; half the battle was already won. And later on tonight? When I kissed her? Yeah. It would be all over with. Alec? Alec who?

I helped her to her feet and couldn’t help but finally feel a bit of relief. Finally, things were going my way. Finally, it wasn’t about him. The forgiveness I’d been withholding started to slink away. I made a mental note to thank him — for finally allowing me to have one thing that wasn’t his.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Alec

GREAT. SO NOW Nat thought I was some drug addicted reject — or sex addict. Take your pick.

I kicked some of the sand in front of me and cursed loud enough to wake up some of the neighbors.

Why did he have to be attracted to the exact same girl that stole my breath away? And I wasn’t kidding — she literally made my breath catch to the point where I almost started choking when I was in that kitchen. And then Demetri had gone and embarrassed the hell out of me.

I checked my watch. It was nearing ten and Demetri still hadn’t come home. I went back into the house and up to my room. I’d gotten used to watching the waves while I wrote music. It helped calm me down.

I should have known the calm wouldn’t last.

Because the minute I opened the upstairs window, I saw two figures running out of the house next door holding hands.

Demetri dragged Nat across the beach and started stripping once he reached the water. Her laughter danced from the shore up to my window like a siren’s call.

Unable to look away, I tortured myself and watched as Demetri went knee deep in the water then, cursing, came running back to Nat, tackling her to the ground.

I wanted to close my eyes. But apparently I was into inflicting pain on myself, so I kept my gaze steady as Demetri’s head lowered.

“Shit.” I braced my hands on either side of the window frame. What the hell did I expect to happen? She’d reject him? The famous Demetri Daniels? Right. The last time he got rejected by a girl was when he was three and it was our cranky babysitter who was partially blind in one eye and had a snaggle tooth.