Amina

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There was a beehive near my ear.

“Ah!” I gasped, gazing around, disoriented. My cheek was resting on something silky—I sat up, remembering I was in Bach’s bed. The buzzing continued in the blankets. Reaching under the dark cloth, I pulled out a sleek phone. The screen blinked with messages, and though I’d never spy on someone intentionally, I couldn’t unsee what was in front of me.

Becky K: Hey, you awake?

Dee Bell: You looked so hot last night!

Sandy Cadilia: Call me ASAP!

Becky K: Chat me later, babe.

Becky K: <3 <3

My stomach rolled in on itself. Fuck. Who are all these people? They were distinctly feminine names. Are they women that Bach has... I could barely finish my thought. But right then, sitting naked in Bach’s bed, I felt very, very stupid.

This was a bad idea. Of course it was. Sleeping with the guy who oversaw your future never ended well. Plus, Korine would smack me for breaking my word. Bach was a bad boy through and through, and I’d happily jumped on his dick last night.

Groaning, I dropped his phone, then buried my face in the pillows. Why am I so weak? I’d been set on resisting that man. I’d lasted a whole, what, two days before doing the nasty with him? Speaking of which... I tossed the pillows aside to confirm I was alone in the room.

Where had Bach gone? This is his house, I’ll have to face him eventually. Scrambling around, I found my dress and under-garments, then tip-toed towards my bedroom. Could you do a walk of shame in your own residence?

One long, extra-hot shower later, and I was feeling nearly human. Leaving the bathroom, I halted a few feet from my bed. I'd tossed the glittery purple dress there when I'd entered. It looked too much like the discarded husk of a giant bug, all wrinkled with the hollow inside exposed.

I'd worn it last night and felt powerful. Beautiful. None of that same strength entered me as I hung the dress in my closet, hiding it away. It was a painful reminder of my hook-up with Bach. Focus on moving forward. Grabbing some blue jeans and a red shirt, I fluffed my short hair until it was semi-dry.

I might have lingered in my bedroom all day if my stomach didn't rumble.

Wandering around downstairs, I crossed through the bright and sunny kitchen. The clock on the microwave blinked nine o'clock. Someone had left a jug of orange juice on the counter next to some flaky pastries.

Snatching one, I nibbled it as I paced the room. Where was Bach? Or Violet? I needed someone to tell me what to do next—they'd been the ones planning my entire schedule since I'd arrived.

Licking blueberry jam off my thumb, I glanced around at where the hallway extended beyond the kitchen. Curious to explore, and too anxious to sit still, I walked softly as I could in my black converse sneakers.

The tile morphed into thick, white carpet as I moved along. Then the room widened on all sides, becoming a rounded space with some painted glass windows and a small bar with three stools on one side. The wall behind the gray bar-top was made up entirely of glass; sapphire blue water sparkled behind it.

An aquarium without fish? Baffled, I walked behind the bar. There were two thin speakers, an array of drink glasses, and a small fridge. Cracking it open, I saw rows of beer bottles next to cans of soda.

Will anyone care if I have a drink? Money dripped from every crevice of this place. A single can of soda wouldn't harm their bottom dollar. Taking the can, I sat on a stool, spinning lazily as I sipped. There were more speakers along the curve of the ceiling. This had to be some kind of party space.

Twisting, I came around to face the pane of glass again. Something dark moved in the water. I leaned over the bar, focusing with interest. Maybe there were fish in this aquarium after all.

The object came closer. I spit out some of my drink. I didn't see fish, I saw a person. They were long, lean. The sun-dappled water highlighting the ink that traversed their limbs.

Bach.

He was swimming with long, perfect strokes. I'd thought he was graceful when he walked, but the man was a dancer in the water. Watching him, I forgot to breathe. I had to force my lungs to work, the rest of me involved in eating up this half-naked god.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. I warned myself to relax. This was getting to be too much. A god? Come on, that was going over the top. He was in amazing shape, and sure, his eyes were a deeper green than wild pine trees could hope to be...

But he was human,

like me.

However, sitting there and watching him exist, I didn't feel like we were the same. Bach spun, suddenly looking at me through the glass. I studied his curious face. He winked, bubbles rising as he kicked out of view. Pushing my knees together, I shivered—then instantly scolded myself. Don't you DARE desire a round two in his bed!

I'd seen the texts on his phone. I knew this guy's game.

I was done playing it.