Yvette's POV
I slipped away from my friends as soon as I got the chance to, and right now I'm somewhere less noisy, somewhere closer to the shores, where I can listen to the sound of waves lapping and crashing against stones. It's not like I hate parties, or other people's company. It's just that this is one of those times where I'd rather sit in silence and read my one of favorite ebooks. No one will notice I'm gone anyway. They'll be too busy soaking up attention from men to care. This part of the beach is not as quiet as I imagined though. It's quite faraway from the main party venue, which means it's not illuminated by any tiki torches, only by the light of a full moon. Which also means some partygoers have chosen this place to be the site of intense make out sessions. The night air still carries strains of the traditional beach music as I pick my way in search of a comfortable place to sit, wincing as I hear moans and smooch sounds coming from a particular shadowed corner. "Elvis! Yes! Don't stop!" A female voice pants raggedly. She's probably on all fours, bikini panties tangled at her knees as "Elvis" slams her from behind. I'm already aroused thinking about it. Gosh, I chide myself. Stop these dirty thoughts if there won't be anyone willing to fuck you. It doesn't help that I've had only one boyfriend in my entire life, even as I turned thirty last month. Random hookups too were as rare to me as gold dusts, since I spend most of my free time on my couch closest to the window, either binge watching N*****x or shopping for books on A****n. I've learned not to bother with any of that. Afterall, most men want the sexy, daring, seductive kind. The baddies. The kind of women most book heroes end up with. Not the girl with the cutesy, girl-next-door vibe with coffee stains down the front of her baggy tees, or the woman whose everyday attire consists of collars and hair ruthlessly scraped away from her face in a bun, courtesy of my job. And it's kind of exhausting assuming the 'hot girl' role in clubs just for male attention. "Hey you." A hand catches my wrist. I must have been so lost in my own head I did not even hear him approach. "Why are you coming this way by this time of the night? It's incredibly lonely out here." I look around me immediately those words left his mouth. It is indeed lonely. Devoid of all living creatures except for restless crickets that supply a terrible cacophony capable of making my bathroom off key singing sound like heavenly music. Did I wander this far without realizing it? "Umm… I'm just seeking some alone time." "Really?" Comes the rich baritone of his voice. Not too growly, but deep enough to stir something up inside me. But he sounds amused, like my alone time is some fancy concept I made up to stay away from others in favor of lonely places like this. Like he's being entertained by a delusional sixth grader. And it irks me a whole lot. "Yes. Really. I was just going to find somewhere quiet to read. Now if you'd excuse me…" I try to pull away, but his hand fasten around my wrist in a tighter, vise-like grip. He snakes his second arm around my waist and hauls me hard against himself. He smells like some musky, expensive aftershave, and the scent is on the heady side. Exciting. Spicy. Crap. Is this what I should be thinking about at this moment? How good this stranger smells? "Quite valiant, aren't you, traipsing around alone at the darkest parts of this beach," He murmurs into my ear. I should be afraid, but instead my skin is firing up with need. "Unaware of the lurking predators waiting to pounce on preys like you." I feel the cool touch of his fingers under my halter neck backless romper, just above my ass. My heart thrashes around in my ribcage, suddenly overcome with a new fear. Am I about to get assaulted? "Let me go!" I screech, twisting around, trying to break free, clawing at his face. My elbow catches on his lower lip. I hear him swear, but I'm too focused on my escape to care. The stranger trips me with his legs, and I fall bum first on the sand, my phone flying away from my hands. He flings himself on top of me and holds me down with his entire body, pinning both of my arms above my head with a single, large hand. Panic washes over me. I've had some men attempt to manhandle me before, but none of them have ever come this close to actually force themselves on me. He slides a hand up my bare laps, stops a few inches under the hem of my cloth and lowers his lips to mine. This is it. He's going to have his way with me. And no one would ever know… "And this is what happens to women who think they are brave enough to roam lonely places on their own," He says, his mouth hovering above mine. "You actually can't fight off a predator with your bare hands and a phone." He launched himself off me to his feet, holding a hand out to me. I grab the offered hand, and he pulls me to my feet. "I'm really sorry if I scared you. My name's Jeremy. What's your own name?" "Yvette," I reply, glancing around for my phone. "Here," Jeremy hands me my device, and the flower crown I did not even remember was on my head. "I believe this is yours?" "Yes, thank you." I drag my fingers down my hair to get rid of the sand. "You should have gone back to your room, Yvette, not here. Palm Paradise might seem peaceful, but people actually get raped here." "And you decided to give me an exclusive lesson on how assaults happen. Thanks a lot." "Whoa, are you mad at me? I'm really sorry. I haven't tried this on another person before…" "For a while back there, I thought you were actually going to assault me," I cut in. "Hell no. I don't force myself on women. It's usually the other way round," he grins, locking his fingers over the back of his neck. His biceps flexs at the action, uncovered to full view since he's wearing a sleeveless tank top. I scoff. "I don't mean it as a compliment, but you were really good at acting like a horny prick." "Ouch," Jeremy scrunches up his face like I physically hit him. "Try joining Hollywood, will you? I'm sure they'll have use for that talent of yours." "Considered it, but no thanks." His eyes twinkle under the moonlight. It is bright enough for me to tell he is infact, very good looking. Not an exaggerated sort, but definitely attractive. He lightly takes my elbow and pulls me back towards the party arena. This is the part where I thank him, I guess… "Thank you. A lot of other men would have seized the opportunity to screw the free ass." It tugs at me to think about how considerate he was just a while ago. How kind. Though in a very unconventional way. You don't see many kind men these days, especially those who are kind to strange women. He laughs. The timbre of his voice is like music to my ears. "You just had to put it that way." "It's of no use whitewashing it. What where you doing there by the way?" He sniffs. "You wouldn't believe this, but some chick bailed on me at the last minute." "Aha," I scoff. "I'm being serious though. What book were you going to read once you get your 'alone time'?" He air quotes 'alone time', earning a sidelong glare from me. "You think that's a joke?" "No, no, no. Not at all, Yvette. So? Which book is it?" I look up at him, at his easy smile. It took great fortitude not to swoon. "Do you read?" "Except for some Shakespearean poetry my English teacher shoved down my throat in high school, no. But who knows, I might use some book… recommendations." "Then there'd be no need mentioning this one to you." We were drawing closer to the party now, and the luau music is getting even louder. Awash in the tiki lights, Jeremy's eyes glow a fiery brown. He leans so close I can see the freckles on the bridge of his nose. "Don't be shy. I won't judge if it's some dirty Mills and Boon romance chicklit." "What…?" I find my face heat up in embarrassment. But the thing is, he would have hit the mark if he met me on the plane yesterday with a copy of Crash. Except it isn't a Mills and Boon romance chicklit. "Bingo." "No, you ass." He cackles, while I bite down on my bottom lip, fighting hard not to laugh. "You know, you're really cute. Especially when you blush. I mean it as a compliment." Oh. It's like a ball of warmth exploded in my belly, filling my entire insides with a giddy sensation. It would not have meant anything if some other random fellow said it, of course. It's from Jeremy. The guy I'm beginning to get attracted to. Could this mean he feels the same way about me? Another lazy Jeremy smile spread across his face as his hand came up to my hair, shivers that have nothing to do with the sea breeze shooting down my spine. "Just some bits of sand," he explains. Right now I don't want his hand in my hair if he's not going to tilt my head back and kiss me. I want those hands elsewhere. On my laps, stroking. On my ass, squeezing. If he pins me to the ground again, I won't fight back. Because I'd rather be under him at this moment than anywhere else.Damien's POV "Man, this is wild," Glenn comments, looking at the photo on his phone. That photo is basically what everyone is talking about and boy, do they have different versions of the story to entertain us with. The cheating tramp who left home with her kid to cavort with a lover. A runaway baby mama who stalks her ex-lover to Palm Paradise. And those aren't even the worst of them. The stories are so creative I could laugh. Except there's nothing hilarious about them. "And the comments were just so nasty. It's a good thing the picture was taken down," Matt put in beside me, raising his cup to his lips to take a swig of beer. Yeah, I bet. Nasty comments directed at an innocent woman who probably has no clue about this. Rage surges through my veins on her behalf. I wonder how this would be for Lisa, as society's usually harsher to the women in situations like this. If only I can get my hands on whoever uploaded that picture. I imagine putting my hands around their neck, squee
Lisa's POV I wake up to a ding from my phone at the bedside table. I yawn, then roll languidly to the side of my bed to pluck it up and squints at the screen. It's a W******p notification. Selena added me to a group called 'The Wedding Train'. With a string of all kind of emojis she could lay her fingers on attached. Bride emoji, love emojis. Brrr. Selena: Rise n' shine, bitches!!! Breakfast downstairs for everyone by 8! Jeremy: huh? TiffanySpicey: Okeydoke! I sit up quickly on my bed and rub my eyes. Sunlight is pouring in from the wide window that offers a terrific view of the sea and beautiful sunrise. I breathe, breathe, breathe in the salt breeze, then burrow back into my covers. I hadn't realized the pre-wedding getaway Selena had in mind involved everyone, including the groomsmen. Including Damien. I don't feel up to eating with them right now. Especially after that stunt Damien pulled on me last night. "What the hell was that for?" I whirled on him the moment we left
Lisa's POV "Hey! Lisa! Damien! Over here!" Selena's shrill voice rents the air as she waves us over to the terrace. "Hi." I wave back, exchanging a couple of greetings with a few others. Glenn is looking at me like he's a wolf and I'm red meat, or maybe I'm just imagining it. The sun is mild, but it might be playing tricks on my eyesight. A low Japanese table replaces the lilac table I saw yesterday, and has already been set for eleven with platters of soft-scrambled eggs, smoky bacon, potato and cheddar hash, sour cream coffee cakes, toast bread, slices of avocado, apples and frozen berries. It's like food for a small county. "Hey man," Damien goes over to exchange handshakes with Wade. "Good to see you," Wade greets. "Wow," I breathe, settling down atop the only available, soft velvet cushion beside Damien, and put Willow on my laps. She coos at the sight of food, and reaches out with grubby hands to snag herself an avocado slice. I pull her against me, as far away from
Yvette's POV The breakfast is over, but some people are still lingering by the terrace, discussing mostly about Damien's revelation. "I knew this day would finally come, trust me." Glenn is saying to Jeremy and Tiffany. "The day Damien would make some chick his baby mama. Turns out this chick is pretty as hell. He's so lucky, man." Wow. I don't know what to make of that. Speaking about his friend that way when Damien is just a couple of feet away, speaking with Lisa, Willow in his arms. Or perhaps that's how male friendships work. I don't know. I don't give it much thought. My eyes and thoughts and attention are all on Jeremy. He was good looking yesterday under the light of the tiki torches, but he looks even better now that I see him in the light of day, curly caramel hair spilling onto his forehead, the high cheekbones, the full lips. His brown eyes are twinkling the same way they usually do, but not with mischief. They are dreamy as he talks animatedly to Glenn about
Lisa's POV Ally Rose took everyone to what looked like a private sand volleyball court, apart from the rest of the beach. A grove of lush palm trees are outlined against the azure of the sky, ruffled slightly by the salty ocean breeze. Sun rays peek through the leaves to dance around in patterns on the sugar white sands I wish I can taste. My first impulse is to flop down on these cushion-y grounds and snooze my way through the game. Especially when… "Hey," I lean in to whisper to Yvette, who happened to be closest to me. "I have not even the teeniest idea how to play…" "I know right. Me too," Yvette concedes, fiddling with a halterneck strap of her one piece peacock blue swimsuit. " I never had a chance to try out for the volleyball team back in school." A sigh slips past my lips. I know, I know, Selena can be a bit controlling sometimes. "Girls." Selena stops in her tracks and suddenly wheels on us, balled fists stuck on her hips. She's wearing oversized Prada sunglasses
Lisa's POV His lips are as soft as feathers as they meet mine. And sensually warm. His large hand comes up behind me to steady me, to pull me even closer to him. Like the last time we kissed, it isn't really a kiss. More like a prolonged peck. Yet I feel a damp ache pooling in between my thighs, and hear my heartbeat rise to a tempo. I ease back on my heels, but Damien follows me, filling the gap in between our mouths, and pressing me tighter to himself, so tight I can feel the ridge on his groin again my lower stomach. Oh. It's like all the desire I've been holding back unleashes themselves on my senses. I snake my arms around his neck and rub against him like a cat on heat, moaning against his mouth. He groans, a deep guttural sound that intensifies the heat in the apex of my thighs, and I part my lips, letting him delve his tongue into my mouth. I remember not wanting this. I remember avoiding any kind of intimacy with him. But this feels so right, and so wrong at once, but I de
Damien's POV Most of the ride was spent silent, and with Lisa huddled in the passanger's seat, an ice pack pressed to the ugly bump beside her right eye, a loose fitting tee I found amongst her possessions hiding most of her delectable body from view. I am not used to fearing for another, or being especially terrified for Lisa either. She had always been to me an unattainable goddess that belonged to my brother, only to be glimpsed at at rare moments, and to be venerated at those times. But watching her tumble heavily onto her side made my own heart lurch just as painfully, in a way I have never experienced before. Made me realize that this goddess is just as human, as fragile. And left in me a fierce urge to shield her from any form of harm. At least for my brother's sake. Liar, liar, pants on fire. A voice jeers in my head. You want her, that's why. You desire her. We manage to climb up the spiral staircase, with Lisa leaning heavily on me, and locate her room. I wrench ope
Lisa's POV It is already well past dusk when I open my eyes, as the sky is already inky black with night. I am on my bed, alone. I slap my head over my forehead. The headache is gone. Alongside the body pains. And Damien. Though he had thrown a blanket over me. A groan escapes my mouth at the thought of him. At the thought of what happened earlier today. I finally told him. I told him how I felt about him all those while. But I told him a half-assed lie. A lie that rolled off my tongue like a mudslide. Quick and unpremeditated. A lie that I was too afraid to take back. I like him. I still do. But for some reason I don't understand, I couldn't tell him. I sit up and take a pillow, pressing it hard to myself in a hug. Back at the volleyball court, when Damien rushed over to take me home, I was kind of glad I fell. I wanted us to finish what we started under that palm tree, especially when we'd have the whole house to ourselves. My core had throbbed and twitched with anticipatio