Strangers Not Strangers

Palms on the counter, I brace myself. Now, gazing into my eyes in the bathroom mirror, I exhale slowly. I'm starting to hate Tyler. I know he's the reason we're stuck on this island.

Aaron said we're vacationing for the weekend at his Aunt Delihah's home, who is Tyler's mom. I've never asked what she does for a living, but her mansion is here. The city is only a twenty-minute ferry ride away, but we're completely isolated. Other properties are throughout the island, but each home is secluded.

Aaron always acts like he wants quality time, but everything we do includes Tyler. I figured I could handle a weekend getaway with the both of them, but I just learned we're stranded here for two weeks because Tyler supposedly forgot the boat schedule.

Aaron and I met during my sophomore year in college. He's attractive and intelligent with lots of swag, so we hit it off great. We hadn't been on three dates before Tyler started tagging along.

Banging on the door jolts me out of my thoughts. I shout, "Just a minute," as I fix my hair and touch up my makeup. This person is still knocking when I snatch the door open. Some drunk guy groping his crotch slurs out, "Damn, baby, I know you want to stay fine, but can a brother pee?"

Through a pursed smile, I nod and then exit the bathroom. Back on the deck, I pan across the crowd to find Aaron. As I head his way, I feel eyes. Glancing to the right side of the beach, I capture a vision of a beautiful man with his smoldering honey-brown eyes fixed on me. I was tipsy, but his alluring gaze sobered me up. Now blushing, I drop my head.

Feeling his drawing gaze discreetly, I try to glance his way, but he's still staring with an undiscerning smirk when I hear, "Ajay!"

It's Aaron motioning for me to hurry up. Now focused on him, he grabs me by my waist and pulls me close for a sloppy kiss. Squirming, I peck his lips, saying, "Okay, Aaron, you're drunk."

Soon, he's grinding on me to the beat of the music and kissing on my neck. Unconsciously, I find myself glancing towards the beautiful man, hoping he's not watching, but he is and still displaying that sexy smirk. Aaron's being over-aggressive, so I pull away, chuckling, "C'mon Aaron, stop it. You're making a scene."

"That's why we're here. I'm horny, let's go upstairs."

This drunk, entitled Aaron, is annoying. His family is pretty wealthy, which is a blessing and a curse. After grappling with Aaron briefly, he huffs, "Forget it. I need another drink. Ty, you want something? Ajay can get her own drink since she wants to play chaste tonight."

Waving him off, I fix my mid-drift shirt that he pulled up, exposing my bra. Once I looked up, Tyler was gawking my way while he answered, "Yeah, get me whatever you get."

Face twisted, I roll my eyes away from him and catch my guy still watching. Tyler's still lusting my way, so I scoff, "Why are you staring at me?"

"I'm sorry," he says, snickering, then covers his mouth. I'm still frowning while he glances towards the kitchen, looking for Aaron, asking, "How long have y'all been dating again?"

"Tyler, you know better than I do. You've been dating me just as long." I sneer.

Glassy, he says, "Right, two years. I know he's my cousin, but you're beautiful, Ajay. Aaron has never committed to anyone. You deserve better."

Now flustered by his innuendo, the only answer I can come up with is, "Well, talk to Aaron."

Soon, he leans in, whispering, "Please don't think I'm disrespecting my cousin..."

The sleaziness makes me want to gag. Moving away, I say, "Tyler, you're drunk, and where is Aaron?"

More people came to the party, packing the pool area. Still upset by Tyler's words, I'm stomping towards the kitchen when someone grabs my hand. It's my guy. Instantly, a grin grows across my face. He's tall, so he towers over me. The music is blasting, so he leans into my ear, still holding my hand, and says, "Hi, I'm Jude. What's your name?"

Jude is even more gorgeous up close. His skin is a nice caramel tan and blemish-free. Those mesmerizing eyes and heart-shaped lips he gave a slight lick to before he spoke awakened every sensual area of my body. Bashful, I answer, "Ajay."

"Nice to meet you, Ajay. It's loud over here. May we go somewhere quieter?"

Giving a final glance towards the kitchen for Aaron, I sigh, "Sure."

Now, walking outside the house's perimeter, Jude leads us to the front door. I ask, "Do you know Aunt Delilah?"

"The owner is your aunt?"

"Uh, no, she's my friend's aunt. How do you know her?"

"I don't," he chuckles, then continues, "Let's go closer to the ocean. There's a guesthouse."

Once we reach the guesthouse, walking past an opened window, we hear faint cooing. Jude heads towards the front door with a finger pressed against those kissable lips. Feeling like a naughty child, I giggle into my hand.

The voices are louder, so Jude motions for us to tip-toe. Still holding in my laughter, we try to sneak past a bedroom, but curiosity causes me to peek inside, and I do a double take. Realizing it's Aaron, I gasp.

Some woman is shirtless and on her knees, giving Aaron oral sex. Shocked and disbelieving, I whimper, "Are you kidding me?"

Unfortunately, this woman is stunning. Our eyes locked, but she looked at Jude and then dropped her head in shame. Covering her breasts with her removed shirt, she stands and then goes into the adjacent bathroom.

My eyes widened as far as they could stretch when I glanced up at Jude, who was dazing toward the direction she went. My tears are flowing as I shift my focus to Aaron. Aaron snatches up his pants and then leaps off the bed towards me. Hand over my mouth, I rush out of the room sobbing, but Aaron grabs me.

"Get off of me!" I yell as I snatch away.

"Baby, listen to me..."

"No! Don't touch me!"

"Ajay, please! I think my drink got laced! Ask Tyler! I swear, I couldn't even find my way out of the kitchen..."

I'm steadily moving away, so Aaron reaches to grab me again, but Jude pulls me, saying, "She doesn't want to be touched.

Aaron shrieks, "NOBODY ASKED YOU SHIT! Ajay, who the fuck is this?"

Teeth gritted, Aaron lunges towards Jude, but Jude doesn't as much as blink. Unmoved, he stands, glaring at Aaron with a smug smirk. Feeling vindicated, I jump in front of Aaron, yelling," The nerve of you!"

"Ajay, please. I love you. My being here is a big mistake. I swear I don't even remember how I got here! Please, hear me out!"

Although I love Aaron, the disappointment is overwhelming right now. Jude had moved further away, just watching. From humiliation, I rush over to Jude, grab his hand, stammering, "Let's go!"

Immediately, Aaron sprints over and snatches our hands apart. Through a slight gnash, Jude murmurs, "Dude, this is your only and final warning."

"Or what?" Aaron shouts. Releasing a loud exhale, Jude walks away, but I shove Aaron back and go to Jude.

"It's like that, Ajay?"

Merely shaking my head, I answer, "I think my drink was also tampered with. I guess I'm about to make a mistake, too."

Immediately, I follow behind Jude up the stairs. Infuriated, Aaron starts galloping towards us but misses a step and goes tumbling down. He's up and right behind us from pure adrenaline when I slam the door in his face.