More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
“It’s to celebrate our friendship. You know, after last night, I th—” “Nico,” I deadpan. “Did you get me a fuck buddy bracelet?” His brown eyes practically glimmer. “Interesting way to describe it. Does that mean you’ve also been thinking about doing it again?”
“I’ve been up all night thinking about…” He shrugs one of his shoulders at me. “You.”
Pro: - Great sex (maybe some of the best sex I’ll ever have). - Inspiration for novellas (not necessary, but always a good thing to have). - It’s Nico (no introduction period). Con: - Best sex I’ll ever have (very dangerous; being dick-whipped is not an option). - It’s Nico (self-explanatory).
“I guess you’re ready to admit that you were jealous last night.” His smirk returns. “I don’t get jealous. I simply don’t like to share.” “So, no threesomes?” “No threesomes.” “Really?” I eye him scrupulously. “Not even with Susana?” “Only want you.”
The depths of me awaken with an unquenchable desire to piss him off so I can hear it again.
He swipes a few frizzy strands of hair out of my face. I only now realize he hasn’t let go of my fingers the entire time we were standing here.
I’ve found myself looking forward to this Sunday—the only day of the week I can spend with Lily, uninterrupted. We’ve been in Brazil for about two weeks now, and I haven’t stopped craving her.
One thing I know for sure is that I want her to spend the summer with me. Maybe that mysterious obligation is the reason she’s making excuses not to stay?
I’ll be cleaning sand off of myself for hours, but the ecstatic shine in Lily’s eyes is worth every second.
“I don’t like people staring at what’s mine.”
Fuck. She’s so out of my league. Actually, she’s probably out of everyone’s league.
Lily Rodin may be the only person who can leave me buried six feet deep in the ground and have me grinning like a fool. It may be a selfish request, but I don’t want our fun to end any time soon.
But I don’t want to be casual with Lily. I can’t keep treating her like anyone else. She means more to me.
Nerves strum in my chest at her sternness. She’s going to leave, isn’t she?
Besides, I like having you here. It makes me happy.” My heart beats loud and steady as I clear my throat. “And I—I want to care about someone other than myself for once.” The words slip out, and I mean them.
My heart sinks deeper into my chest. She was scared and alone because of me.
Nico digs some more, and I anxiously anticipate what ridiculous option he’ll present next. I’ve never had a man be so involved in my outfit choices. Earlier this morning, I got out of the shower to find my new favorite pair of denim shorts and a black tank top on my bed next to a tray with a cup of tea on it.
“An eight!” Nico’s warm palms connect with my cheeks, pulling my face up to his. “We’re in there looking at skimpy bikinis during a full-blown Mayday situation?”
Think ahead?
“I’m trying, Lily.” My eyes remain on the condensation rolling off our pitcher of water. I’m trying. The words drop through me one by one before collecting in the pit of my stomach.
“I know.” Nico brings his glass to his lips, and our stares remain locked as he finishes drinking. “It’s why learning to take care of you is much sweeter.”
I kinda like this version of Nico. Assertive. The way he took charge today was hot. It’s a side I haven’t seen outside of the bedroom, and I like it.
“Making you happy makes me very happy.” “Adorable.”
“Lily, I’ve been on a hundred adventures, but if I only get this one with you, I want to make it special. See the world through your eyes.” Definitely not something a friend says to a friend. Especially not when that something has sent my heart into a chaotic rhythm. Ah, fuck it.
“I like that.” She nods approvingly. I’ve never needed anyone to sign off on my tattoos, but Lily liking them makes me warm inside.
What would you do without me?” The reality of the question isn’t something I want to consider because, truthfully, I don’t want to know what life will look like come September.
“Your obsession with my ass is bordering on unhealthy.” Yes, I am entirely obsessed with her ass. And her perfect breasts. Her curves. Her dark hair. Her achingly gorgeous pout. Every fucking inch, Lily.
She turns around reluctantly, and I’m thrilled to touch her again.
“You know, pretty girl”—I work my hands into the muscles of her neck—“every time I see a new freckle on your skin, it becomes my friend. They’re all my friends.” Lily’s body goes rigid. I wish I could see the look on her face. “I’m going to need to start writing down all your one-liners,” she says.
Now we’re talking. “And what exactly have you discovered about yourself while reading, princesa?” Or writing. Or blogging. Whatever you spend hours doing while handcuffed to your laptop. Handcuffs? Now that could be fun to read about.
shake out my body, trying to dispel the rage worming its way around my veins. The idea of anyone ever thinking of someone in such an awful way makes me sick. Especially when that someone is mine. Lily. I mean Lily. Not what’s mine. I need to get it together. If she’s fine with her past, I’ll have to be too. But while it’s up to me, no one will ever treat her like that again.
“Go ahead. I haven’t forgotten about rule number three,” I remind her. No one else. “When I make a promise to you now, Lily, I intend on keeping it.”
Happy trail. Yeah. Follow the trail. Mhmm. Happy woman. Happy trail.
“Have you been talking to anyone?” he asks. No. Of course not. “You know what, I—I don’t want to know,” he says.
As I’ve said, the only person I want to be with is you.”
Okay, dude, play it cool. You aren’t a dog in heat. “Happy to see me?” Her siren stare bounces from my hard-on to my open mouth. So much for playing it cool. “Always.”
I’ve jumped out of planes, scuba dived in open water, and bungee jumped with a broken harness, and nothing gets my heart racing more than her touch. Absolutely fucking nothing.
“To rule number four?” I stutter out. There’s no fucking way.
My body shudders. I know what Lily is referring to.
“You look so fucking beautiful, Lily.” The water mists her flushed skin. “My breathtaking, stunning girl.”
“I never said I don’t like it. With the right person, I enjoy it very much, and I haven’t wanted someone like this in so long.”
Another smile from her. Another desperate inhale from me.
“Every single day.” I manage a breath. “Every time you said we’re just friends, I’ve thought about fucking that word off your gorgeous lips.”
The only woman I’ve ever craved is kneeling for me, making me feel like an absolute god. I’m concerned this is a dream, but when I look down, Lily’s still there: a goddess, my goddess.
“My perfect little slut.” I fist the black strands of her hair, dragging her attention to me as I constrict in her throat. “So lovely on your knees for me.”
That’s it. I’ve died. I’ve died and gone to heaven.
“What’s that, beautiful?” “You’re my little slut,” Lily jests. She’s fucking perfect. I hoist her up, pressing every exposed part of her flesh into me. “Only for you, love.”
“You.” My lips tug into a grin as she eyes me, slowly sipping on her bubbles.
“So, you know, the princess treatment, as you’ve put it, is only for you. Not because you gave me something, but because you’re my princesa.”
The question hits me with a wave of surprise. “I don’t know. I like making an effort for you.”
