~Kai~ Benny snuggled closer to me. Her naked body, warm and smooth, kept my own awake. I badly want to jerk off or at least get under a cold shower. But Benny had one arm draped over my chest, legs tangled with mine, and kept me in place. Her cheeks lay on my bare chest, and her breath tickled the hair on my chest. Don’t even get me started with how good she smelled. She smelled of sex, something sweet, and everything unholy. I waited for her to fall deeper into her slumber before gently untangling our limbs. ‘What the fuck am I doing?’ Sitting at the edge of the bed, I stared at her naked form and lifted the covers to her chest. ‘I don’t fucking know.’ Benny is a demilitarized zone, and I set my head willingly for the guillotine by touching her. Klaus was the executioner. I closed my eyes and rubbed a hand over my face. I could see Klaus’ burning gaze once he found out I touched Benny. He’s like a brother to me, but Benny is practically the princess of the Martinelli clan. A lo

~Kai~ The words were on the tip of my tongue. This thing between Benny and me was anything but ‘all fun’ for me. My words obviously affected her. I better choose my words wisely around her from now on. She could lie, but her eyes showed a mixture of surprise and pain. But before I could set the record straight, my phone vibrated on the counter. Like a child caught with one hand inside the cookie jar, my heart leaped in my throat. If Klaus had called yesterday, I would pick up the phone in a heartbeat. Benny glanced at me with furrowed brows when I let the call move to voicemail. Klaus would want me to call him ASAP. I know the drill. “Is that okay with him?” Benny asked. “What?” I tossed the potatoes in the bowl, making sure I seasoned them well. Benny removed her mittens, leaned on the counter, and sipped her coffee. “You ignored his call and let it go to voicemail,” she said over her cup. Satisfied that all the potato wedges were evenly seasoned, I set aside the bowl. I n

~Benny~I have little clothes to choose from, so I settled for white denim shorts, a gray vintage shirt I bought from the wharf, and my ever reliable sneakers. Since Kai said it would be an afternoon stroll, I tied my hair in a high ponytail and put light makeup on.I stared at myself in the mirror. This look is not something I would wear on a first date.My forehead creased. ‘Is this a date?’‘Should I ask Kai if this is a date or if he’s just being nice to me?’Grabbing the plaid long-sleeve shirt from the bed, I walked out of the room. Whether this was a date or not, I didn’t want to be that girl who takes forever to get ready.‘We’re cool,’ I thought as I rounded the corner to the living room. But my breath snagged when I saw Kai leaning on the open door. He was scrolling through his phone and holding a bouquet of roses. My footsteps were light, which gave me time to study him. He was sporting a dark rose-printed shirt, the first three buttons undone, tucked into washed-off jean

~Kai~I meant what I said, but I packed a tent just in case things went my way. I didn’t want to seem too eager, but a guy could hope, right?Four solar lamps hang on the oak tree, casting pale yellow light on my task. I’ve assembled hundreds of tents in my lifetime, but this one is proving to be a testament to my abilities. My hands fumbled with the rods. I feared I might have ripped the material at some point, but I nonetheless secured the tent.Benny sat crossed legs on the picnic blanket, hugging a pillow. The fire still burned. The orange glow illuminates the storm of emotions in her eyes.Pausing at the edge of the blanket, I offered her a hand.She stared at it, bit her lip, and a moment of hesitation crossed her face. She held all the reins tonight. It would suck if she changed her mind and chose to go home. I’d nurse the worst kind of blue balls in the history of mankind, but I’d do as she asked. She blinked it away and placed her hands in mine.She had already cleared out th

~Benny~ Catching himself, Kai pulled out of me in a swift and efficient motion, rolling onto the side. I grimaced, my center gaping at his absence, already missing the feel of him. ‘You’re mine,’ he said. What did he mean by that? Is it his claim on me or a claim on my first time? Like a trophy, a prize? I heard of men collecting women’s virginity, listing them down like it was a game. As though deflowering women gave them bragging rights, a boost to their ego. The desire and electricity between us occupied my attention, and I hadn’t considered the aftermath. Discarding the condom, he sat up and stepped out of the tent in all his naked glory. We left the tent entry open, the slow fire crackled outside. His actions felt too distant, colder than the wind coming from the ocean. Where was the attentive and caring guy from before? Vulnerability enveloped me. I reached for my shirt and sat up, tugging it on. I raked my hair and took a few calming breaths. My heart hammered in m