I watch as a sailboat tacks into the wind, the sails billowing then catching as they’re pulled taut. I feel like that too–tense, taut, fighting against a new pressure. My knee is going full-throttle again and I can’t help it. Most people would say I’m typically a ball of excited energy, but today it’s fully and completely anxiety fueled. I can’t believe this has happened. I can’t believe Iletthis happen. Again, most people would say it’s surprising it hasn’t happened before now. ‘Most people’ have a lot of opinions about me. Noah included, no doubt.
Noah.Shit.
I glance at my phone, checking the time, before letting my mind wander back tohim. The … father of my child. Oh my God.
???
I feel the gradual warming of the early morning sun on my exposed back long before I allow myself to open my eyes. Eventually, my full bladder starts to make itself known and I force myself to crack an eyelid, taking in the smooth, hairless chest upon which my face is pressed.
Oh.Oh.
I pull away slightly, blinking both eyes open now against the rising sun and I realize it’sNoah’sperfectly muscled pec that I’ve been drooling on. No surprise he’s meticulously groomed–of coursehewould shave his chest. I drop my head back against him, taking a few deep breaths to center myself. I’m lying on top of him, our legs intertwined, his arms wrapped tightly around my middle.
And we’re both totally naked.
How do I know that outside of the dawn sun heating my backside and the breeze ruffling my hair against my ribs? Oh yeah, it’s the hard press of his massive morning wood against my belly.
Yep. I hooked up with Noah Gardner last night.
And now that I’m waking up it’s starting to come back to me … and I remember just how great it actually was. Like, so great. Who knew that tightly wound Noah had it in him? Well, he had it inme,I chuckle to myself–and more than once too! The guy has staminaandmoves. Go figure.
I lie there for another minute basking in the comfort of his arms. I don’t usually stick around for the cuddling part, but this feels really good.Hefeels really good. And he smells amazing. All manly and shit, like fresh soap and sweat. Mmmm.
I let out a contented sigh, and it’s then that I realize I’m grinning.
While cuddling naked with Noah Gardner.
What the actual fuck am I doing?
This is bad.
This is … not good. Not good at all.
Up until a year ago, everyone hated him. And by everyone I mean me and my extended friend group, mostly all from high school and led primarily by Aidan Walker. Noah was the captain of our school’s rival football team, and a general dick to deal with growing up. Before he helped rescue Piper and became Aidan’s partner on the force he was definitely considered the enemy. But then Aidan started warming towards him, and eventually, we all did. And I’ve gotten to know him pretty well these last few months while working together as part of Piper and Aidan’s bridal party. Turns out, he’s actually a pretty decent guy–apart from the giant stick up his ass. But that aside, I’d like to think that we’ve become friends.
And I want to keep it that way.
Geez, I must have beenreallydrunk last night to have let this happen, no matter how hot the guy is. And, okay, yeah, I admit he’s smokin’ hot–but there’s a reason I usually only hook up with summer guys, tourists in town for the season, and that’s to avoid situations exactly like this. I’ll have to see Noah at practically every social gathering from now on, and I don’t want things to be strained between us. I mean, sure, I’m no stranger to an awkward morning after, but I usually don’t have to see those guys again once they leave town, and I really can’t stomach seeing the look on Noah’s face when he wakes up to findmesprawled across his chest. I doubt he would have let this happen either if he weren’t also drunk.
I gaze up at his face now, so peaceful in repose. He looks younger, the sharp planes of his handsome face somehow softened. His forehead is smooth, with only the faint lines from his usually furrowed brow visible between his dark eyebrows.
I sigh. As much as I’d like to believe that we’re friends now, I know what he must think of me. What everyone thinks of me. Loose, promiscuous … slutty. Maybe he wouldn’t say that to my face–most people don’t–but I hear the whispers. I’ve heard them all my life.
Like mother, like daughter.
I normally don’t let them get to me. I’m not ashamed that I like sex. I do what I want and I don’t let myself feel bad about it. I’m free, and I’m happy, and screw the uptight nosy people in this town. But … Noah. For some reason, I don’t like the idea of him thinking that about me. Of him thinking less of me in any way, really …
That’s it.
I can’t face him.
Not yet, anyway. Sure, we’ll have to talk about this at some point, but not now. Not this morning.
With one more deep inhale of his tantalizing scent, I reach around and gingerly detach his arm from my waist. He groans, his other arm pulling me more tightly against his body. The movement causes his cock to shift against that sensitive spot at the apex of my thighs and I suck in a breath as wetness begins to pool there. Then I freeze … holding that breath as I wait to see if I’ve woken him. But he settles back into the sand with a sigh, loosening his grip until his arm falls away. I take the opportunity to climb off of him, oh so carefully, and then back away slowly on my hands and knees.
Reeeeeal classy, Luce.
Glancing around I find my dress a few feet away. It’s flung against a rock at the water’s edge, the hem wet and dancing in the waves lapping gently against the shore.
