II: The Poolside Rejection

I had just moaned out loud. Carter heard me moan!

“Oh god, forgive me,” I gasped,

I spun around so fast I nearly fell.

Carter caught me, his hands firm against my waist. He had no idea that his touch sent a jolt of pure electricity through my spine, threatening to undo me right there on the kitchen floor.

“Easy,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble.

“Thanks,” I stammered, my heart hammering against my ribs. “I—Savannah was just here. She was worried Chase wouldn’t show.”

“Chase is here. We came together. He’s out at the pool with her. I figured I’d take the scenic route through the front door.” He stepped around me, moving toward the fridge with that predatory grace of his. He snagged a beer and turned back, holding it out. “Forget that weak stuff. This is the real deal.”

I reached for it, but he didn't let go. His hand curled over mine, his palm scorching my skin.

“I’d better open it for you, love,” he suggested, his gaze locked onto mine. My breath hitched. Was he flirting?

Oh, god.

I didn’t know how to play this game, how to be the girl who could handle someone like Carter. It was safe when he was just the unattainable player jumping from girl to girl.

I’d kept my fantasies buried deep, never daring to let my friends know that while they swooned over my brother, I was starving for a look, a touch, a single moment of want from his douchebag double, Carter.

Today, he wasn’t just looking. He was feasting.

“You have such soft hands,” he whispered, his thumb tracing the sensitive skin of my wrist. Before I could process the move, he lowered his head and pressed a searing kiss into the center of my palm. My knees nearly buckled.

I sucked in a shaky breath, my nipples aching and hard, pushing aggressively against the thin fabric of my bikini. I wanted to cover myself, but I forced my hands to stay at my sides.

Let him see.

“Are things… good between you and Savannah?” I blurted out. My voice was barely a thread of sound as he turned to grab an opener.

“Yeah. Why do you ask?”

“You’re just…” My cheeks flamed, my throat tight. “Never mind. I’m reading too much into things.”

He turned back with the bottle already open. His eyes tracked the movement of my chest, his gaze heavy and possessive. “Oh, you’re not, love. You look too good today. I can’t bring myself to look away. Old habits don’t die easy.”

My internal world shattered into a million sparks of glee. He was flirting. WITH ME.

I chuckled, trying to keep it demure, though my heart was sprinting. “I asked about Savannah. What about my brother?”

Carter went still.

That calm, dangerous silence settled over him. He waited until I took a slow sip of the beer before speaking.

“You’re an adult, Halley. You choose what you want to do with your body.” His eyes dropped, traveling with agonizing slowness from my lips, down to my chest, and lower.

I was naked under his scrutiny as he traced the curve of my waist.

“And with a body like that, you’ve earned the right to be reckless. So, be.” Carter took a long swig, his throat working in a way that made my stomach clench with a desperate, dark hunger.

“There you are, babe!”

Savannah slammed into the kitchen. Her eyes narrowed as soon as she spotted us. She didn’t wait for an answer, she immediately latched onto Carter’s arm. “Is Halley boring you with her lectures on loyalty?” she sneered at me.

“Nope. She’s been an interesting host. Come here.” Carter pulled Savannah in.

His eyes never left mine.

He kissed her. A deep, wet, moan-filled collision of mouths, but his eyes stayed wide open, fixed on me.

It was a silent, taunting dare: This could be you.

This game Carter was playing was new and I loved it.

My conscience screamed for me to leave, but my hormones were screaming for him to stay.

“I need to find Tyler,” I muttered, the jealousy burning like acid as I walked away.

Savannah had no idea what had just happened under her nose

***

I found Tyler in the pool, but the water didn’t cool the fire raging inside me. I climbed in, ignoring his greeting, and surged toward him. I grabbed his hair, forcing his mouth to mine. It was a desperate, hungry act of defiance. He kissed me back, surprised, but when I tried to push my tongue into his mouth, he pulled away.

“That’s not how to kiss,” he complained.

“Stop being so careful!” I snapped, my patience gone.

“Why are you making this a big deal? We’ve always been like this.”

I didn't answer. I just stared at him, my mind flashing back to Carter’s heavy, hungry gaze. I needed an outlet. I swam closer, my fingers trailing over his wet chest, before plunging my hand beneath the surface to find him. He jerked at my touch, and I felt him swell, hard and demanding.

“I don't need the party, Tyler. I need you.” I leaned in, desperate to lose myself in anyone but the man who was currently burning me from the inside out.

Tyler blocked me, his palm firm against my lips. The rejection stung worse than a slap. “I need some space, Hal. See you at school.”

He shoved off and climbed out of the pool, leaving me in the water, shaking with a cocktail of humiliation, leftover lust, and a rage so cold it made me want to scream. I climbed out right behind him, my skin tight, my body aching, and my mind already plotting exactly how to make Carter feel the same level of torture I was feeling now.