“Remember when we used to fuck in the pool?”
I laugh breathlessly. “Yeah, I remember.” My voice shakes. “We had a lot of fun… until we didn’t.”
Removing my shorts and underwear, he slides them down to my knees before he kneels, pulling one leg free and placing it over his shoulder. His lips brush my inner thigh, teasing, before his tongue flicks across my clit. He kisses me softly before shoving his tongue inside me.
“Oh, fuck, Daniel,” I moan, gripping his hair, tugging at the strands as if they’ll steady me. I ride his face while his tongue devours me, my leg thrashing on his shoulder.
He stands, urgency radiating off him, shoving his pants and underwear down just enough for his cock to spring free. My breath stutters out of me as he shoves me back against the bathroom door, lifting my leg again and slides inside me, stretching me so deep my knees nearly buckle in my heels.
His mouth brushes my cheek as he murmurs, “let me remind you what you’ve been missing… since it seems like you forgot.”
I cling to him, arms locking around his neck as he pounds into me, raw and hard. His mouth crashes into mine, tongues tangling.
“Look at how fucking needy you are,” he growls against my lips, each thrust harder than the last. “Just be with me, beautiful, I promise I’ll give you whatever you want.”
“I can’t…” I moan, my words spilling between gasps. “I promise… you don’t want… me. Let’s just… enjoy… the moment.”
His pace alters. With a curse, he pulls out, letting my leg drop.
He shoves himself back into his pants, running a hand down his face. “Fuck, Jainey.I just wantyou. I don’t care about just fucking you in a bathroom—I want all of you. And everything that comes with you.”
I stand stunned, my chest heaving, wetness still pooling between my thighs. I slowly pull my thong back into place, sliding my shorts over damp skin, not even caring how wet I still am.
“I’m sorry, Daniel.” The words leave me soft but truthful, steadier than I feel inside. I don’t even know why he gets to me like this. Maybe it’s his looks, maybe it’s the lifestyle, maybe it’s all of it together—but whatever it is, it has my mind and body catching feelings I shouldn’t be catching.
“I already told you I just got out of a long relationship—I’m not ready for another one. You’re fucking amazing, but I’m fucked up. I don’t even deserve someone with a lifestyle like yours.” I wave my hand around the fancy bathroom, the whole damn house basically proving my point.
He holds my gaze, jaw tight, blue eyes darkening with a want that makes my stomach twist. “As much as I want to fuck the shit out of you right now—I want you to give us a try even more.” His words cut through the air before he moves me aside, unlocking the door, and walks out without looking back.
Why does he even like me so damn much? I’m a walking red flag nowadays and yet he still looks at me like I’m something worth fighting for. Then he just walks out—like he trusts me not to leave, even though running is the one thing I’m good at.
Sighing, I pull my lipstick from my bra, twisting it up to reapply in the mirror, watching my reflection harden. Pressing my lips together, I fix my outfit, and smooth my hair.
The timing is all wrong. Maybe if I would’ve met him before I let Jacob play with my heart—things would be different. But he’s too perfect in all the ways I used to dream about. My heart’s still bruised, too torn up to hand over anything real. He deserves more than the broken pieces I’ve got left to offer.
And let’s be real—if were to fall in love him and it doesn’t work out, he’ll take everything from me.
Not physically, but mentally.
I can already see it. Me trying to hold it together while he walks away untouched, nothing broken but his heart. He’s got that power, and the kind of money that doesn’t budge when shit starts to fall apart. Meanwhile, I’d be the one losing sleep, focus and loosing myself.
Again.
Walking into his world would be a whole different kind of gambling. His lifestyle—money, status, people who move like they’ve never had to struggle a day in their lives—that’s not me. I’m built for cocktail parties and fake smiles. As much as I want to be sometimes. I come from figuring shit out on my own, keeping my head up even when everything around me falls apart.
And sure, part of me wants to see what it’s like to live easy for once. But the other part—the part that’s had to rebuild too many damn times—knows better. And I’m not trying to lose myself in someone else’s comfort again.
I wish I could meet that version of me—the Jainey who doesn’t overthink every little thing, who lets herself feel without fear. But sadly, she’s long gone. I’m not about to ruinthe night by replaying his words in my head until they guilt me.
I fix my face, and step back into the noise like nothing happened—because if there’s one thing I’m good at, is pretending I’m fine.
? ? ?
Stepping back into the noise, the music slams into me again. Bass rattles through the floor, lights flashing against faces. The air’s thick with heat and perfume and another smell I don’t think I want to know.
I glance around the packed house but don’t see Arina anywhere. I make my way out back, relief hitting me the second I spot her standing alone in line at the bar.
“Where the fuck have you been?” Arina demands, shaking her head with that knowing look.
