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He doesn’t deserve it.
“How have you been, princesa?” He tips his head forward, and a loose curl tumbles onto his forehead.
hoping to shake off the simmering embers landing in my stomach from his mere presence. I’m still a woman with eyes, and it’s as plain as day that there’s undeniable chemistry crackling around us like a hair dryer tossed in a full bath. Dangerous, maybe even deadly.
my gaze snags on his deep-brown eyes trailing over my body with the speed of honey gliding down a liquor bottle. His attention finally settles on my face, and I swallow hard.
With each passing moment, Nico seems to further disregard the distance between our bodies. I can’t help but watch the way his hand edges closer to mine as he slightly sways to the music. A shiver rushes up the backs of my knees. His hand is veiny and long-fingered. He could probably fist my hair and neck only with his palm. Fucking hell.
What would it feel like to have his muscular arms pin me against the mahogany bar top?
I sit on the bar top in front of Nico. His arms are closed around me. His abs press against my bare knees.
We watch each other, peering through a silent stretch as if we’re both looking for something. Something we can’t have.
“Gotta be honest, I’ve missed that little laugh of yours.” Nico’s grip on me doesn’t loosen, and we stand pressed together for the longest time we have ever touched each other.
“We already agreed that we shouldn’t.” His eyes track from my mouth to my gaze and back. “I know.” But as we break away, it’s hard to remember why.
My eyes connect with Nico’s. He gives me a wide grin, and I can’t help but do the same.
There’s not a single person, animal, alien, or living thing that can deny it: Lily Rodin is absolutely fucking gorgeous.
I can’t figure out what happens to me when I see her. My heart’s rhythm becomes languid in my chest, each beat thudding slowly, and my throat dries. I let my gaze greedily slide over her shoulders, down her hourglass waist, then settle on her curvaceous ass.
Truthfully, no part of her body compares to her achingly beautiful face.
There was no denying that I wanted her, even if only for the sake of quenching an urge.
Nothing is to happen between you. Goldfish have an easier time remembering where they are than either of you have recalling the name of the person you last slept with. Do not make things awkward. I’m planning to marry Avery, and you will not fuck it up for our family. Apparently, Lily and I were flirting the moment we laid eyes on each other.
My eyes return to admiring my friend from afar. Just a bit longer can’t hurt. It would be a crime to not appreciate an untouchable goddess. Besides, what’s the harm in a quick goodbye before my long trip to the airport tomorrow and my summer away? “Beautiful,” I say.
Fucking hell, she somehow gets prettier every time I see her up close. She glances back toward the ocean when I join her. “It is.” “I meant you.”
The way her lips drag slightly at the edges makes me want to take my response back.
If I were being honest, I’d tell her how much I want her and how annoyed I am that I can’t have her.
Sure, it’s a long shot that she’d ever agree to go with me, and maybe exchanging my first class ticket for two economy seats on a whim after visiting her at the Mademoiselle wasn’t my best idea, but it’s obvious Lily needs a break.
I smile wickedly, tipping my head toward her. We’re inches from touching. A gust of wind would cause her to tumble into me—if the elements decided to play favorites.
summer looks really good on you.”
“You, Lily, are the muse behind every season.”
The way her gaze slips off the obsidian sky and down my bare torso tells an entirely different story. Watching her fight wanting me has never felt so sweet.
I lean close to her ear to whisper, “Make a wish.” To my surprise, Lily practically sews her eyes shut and purses her lips. The slope of her petite nose wrinkles in concentration. Ah, fuck it.
Hey, universe. You’re obviously running through the motions here, and I already have everything I want, but if this isn’t entirely bogus, maybe cut Lily some slack? Okay. Thanks.
For some reason, the idea of her abandoning my side sends a slash of regret through me.
“It would be amazing,” I call to her. Her face softens when I close the distance she put between us. “What would be?” “Us. Together. In bed.”
Our bodies are inches away from touching. I want to close the space between us so badly, and sink into her just for tonight.
“For you, princesa, I’d be on my knees, eternally at your service.” Lily holds my gaze. My heart pounds against my ribcage. My palm cups her jaw, and she lets me. I slide my tongue across my lips, and Lily watches as if I’m a ticking bomb.
Lily shatters the tension. The slick, wet clasp of her teeth pinches into my bottom lip. My body is entirely rigid. She tugs me closer. Her tongue traces over my flesh, and when she’s had enough of a taste, she releases me. “Fuck,” I manage to breathe onto her lips. She smiles. I fall apart.
Oh, God. My head’s completely lost. This is a million times better than I ever imagined.
I roughly grip the hair at her nape with an unusual possessiveness. “I know you like how much I talk about you.”
The spiraling need to claim every square inch of her builds with each passing second. Fucking hell. This can’t be real. She can’t be real.
The entire moment could’ve been scripted for a film. Falling stars and perfect words. He wanted to kiss me, and I let him because it felt almost romantic. I can’t recall the last time I had a first kiss that good.
Nice isn’t the word I’d use to define the chemistry we had last night. Maybe phenomenal, exceptional, unforgettable.
The only things I want to be friends with right now are her lips, her skin, and the taste of her.
“Smart girl.” She’ll be more comfortable there.
Her body presses into me, transporting me back to last night. My breath hitches. This is going to be a long flight.
Good for you, beautiful.”
“You’ll be the first to take me international.” A rush of excitement floods through me. “I’m honored to be your guide, madam.” I stretch my arm into the air and fold my palm behind my neck. “It’ll be a blast, I promise you. We’ll do all the touristy things, and you can spend hours on the beach.”
I lean toward her and hand her my unwrapped blanket. “I’d let you gag me if you didn’t like listening to me talk so much.”
Her eyes wander out the window, following the fading tarmac as the plane takes off, and all the while, I watch Lily. I’m glad we swapped seats.
“Earl Grey, a teaspoon of honey—there’s actually two, but I know you’d refuse to admit you put more than one in here—and of course, it’s piping hot.” Okay. Weird. How could he even remember that?
Just friends. Friends who flirt for fun. Friends who show up with tea in the morning. Friends who won’t be locking lips beneath the stars ever again. I’m not fooling myself, am I?
“True, you’re here.”
He releases a laugh that sounds like his entire soul is pouring out of him. Full and passionate. Is that what Nico would be like in bed? I need to fucking stop.
“Montauk, last summer. You said verbatim, ‘Breakfast is the foreplay meal of the day.’ If I recall the morning correctly, you claimed you’d never skip such an important event.” The previous rush of curiosity brims my mind. Has he been keeping notes on me?
The corners of my lips tug upward. “I stand by my words. One should never skip foreplay.” “It’s the best part of the day.” Nico trails behind me, and I can almost hear his smile.
