Chapter 4

Denver

I never meant to look at Eunice that way. Not once in the five years I'd known her.

She was always just Paulo's kid sister, quiet, sweet, trailing behind her cousins with those shy smiles and soft "hi's," treating me like another safe, overprotective big brother. Off-limits. Untouchable. End of story.

Then came last year's Valentine's party.

Paulo texted me out of the blue: "Bro, drive Eunice and the girls? You've got the car, and you're the only one I trust."

I laughed at the irony, me, the guy with the filthiest reputation on campus, the "trusted" one. But I said yes. What harm could it do?

Then she walked out of the house in that fucking dress.

One look and something in me broke wide open.

Deep red, skin, tight, hugging every goddamn curve I'd somehow been blind to. Hair down, lips painted, eyes sharp and grown. She wasn't a girl anymore, she was pure, walking sex. Heat slammed into me so hard my cock twitched against my zipper.

Half of me wanted to throw my jacket over her, shield her from every bastard at that party—especially ones like me.

The other half wanted to drag her into the backseat, hike that dress up, and ruin her completely. Smear that lipstick across her mouth while I fucked her slow and deep, make her moan my name until that sweet innocence shattered.

I shoved it down. Hard.

She only knew me as Paulo's reliable best friend. And Paulo? He'd put me in the ground if I ever touched her. Brother code plus best-friend loyalty—that's a death sentence.

So I played it cool the entire drive. Ignored how the hem rode up her thighs when she sat. Pretended I didn't see her stealing glances at me in the mirror. Acted like my pulse wasn't hammering every time she said my name.

I thought I could bury it forever.

Tonight proved me wrong.

When Paulo mentioned everyone was hanging at their place, I didn't hesitate. Told myself I was just there for the guys, but that was bullshit. I was there for her.

The second I walked in and saw her halfway down the stairs—oversized shirt, tiny shorts, bare face, hair messy from staying in, she stole the air from my lungs.

She looked soft. Fuckable. Like she'd just rolled out of bed and had no idea how bad I wanted to put her back in one, my bed—this time with my face buried between her thighs.

If we weren't in Paulo's house, if her brother wasn't ten feet away laughing with the others, I would've pinned her to the nearest wall, kissed her hard enough to bruise, felt her body go pliant while I ground my cock against her until she was soaked for me.

But I couldn't. Not there.

So I kept my hands in my pockets, smiled like nothing was wrong, chatted with the group.

Inside, I was already scheming.

I needed her alone. Not to take her yet, fuck, I wasn't that far gone, but somewhere I could look my fill. Let my eyes drag over her body without pretending I wasn't starving for it. Somewhere the leash on my control didn't feel so tight.

That's when I made my move.

Turned to the group, casual as hell. "Why crash here? Come to my place. Pool's lit, parents are gone, plenty of booze. Better vibe."

Paulo grinned. "Fuck yeah."

The cousins cheered.

I glanced up the stairs. "Someone drag Eunice along too. She's coming."

They laughed, already texting her.

I didn't hide my smirk when she finally came down, swim bag over her shoulder, cheeks pink like she'd fought it but lost.

Perfect.

She was mine for the night.

The second I climbed on the back of her scooter, I was done holding back.

Every excuse to touch her, I took. Hands on her waist, thighs bracketing hers, chest pressed to her back. Fuck, her scent hit me like a drug. warm skin, faint shampoo, that soft, woke-up smell that made me picture her naked in my sheets, hair tangled from my fingers.

My cock was rock, hard the entire ride, pressed dangerously close to her ass. One shift and she'd feel it, know exactly how bad I wanted to bend her over the seat and sink inside her right there.

But I didn't want to scare her off.

Not yet.

At the pool, I couldn't look away.

She tried to hide under a loose T-shirt, but the second she hit the water it turned sheer, clinging to every curve like it was painted on. Nipples hard and visible, waist narrow, breasts full and begging for my mouth.

My dick throbbed painfully. All I could think about was dragging her into the shadows, peeling that wet shirt off, sucking those tight little peaks until she whimpered my name.

But she caught me staring—kept sinking lower in the water, avoiding my eyes, trying to disappear.

That twisted something in me.

I didn't want her hiding. I wanted her wet, breathless, and spread open for me.

So I got the others drunk inside, made my excuse, and slipped out.

Found her alone on the far bench, half-hidden in the dark, knees drawn up, soaked shirt plastered to her body like a second skin.

Exactly where my filthy mind had already pictured her.

I approached slowly, deliberately. Every step measured. Every heartbeat loud in my chest.

"Denver?" Her voice trembled. Her eyes widened.

I lowered myself beside her, leaving space—but not too much. Just enough to let her know I was here. Let her feel me. Let her know she had nowhere to hide.

"Yeah," I murmured. "It's me."

My gaze locked on hers. Dark, possessive.

"You've been avoiding me all night, Eunice," I added, soft, slow, dangerous.

"Thought I'd catch you before you vanished again."