h.e.l.l, this craving is scary.

Every nerve in my body is on end, wanting to absorb him, and I can't stop my heart from wanting the same. As he moves his hand between my legs, his fingers run along my thighs, and I don't freeze like I would if anyone ever came close to touching my thighs. I'm too busy kissing him, flying on the cloud he is providing for me. Which, again, is wrong. I promised I'd never let my guard down with anyone ever again, but I left that sucker outside apparently, because his hands are all over me and I'm not stopping him.

I'm urging him for more.

He moves his big, strong hand along my center, and his breath is harsh against my jaw, matching mine. I feel his knees come up against my back, and that confuses me until he pushes me back, my head hitting his shins softly as his mouth trails down the center of my body. He licks along my belly b.u.t.ton, and my body tenses up as my arms dangle above my head. When he pushes me farther up his legs, I almost freak out, until his hands take ahold of my thighs and he buries his face between them.

Crying out, I jerk up but he has me pinned, only my upper half jerking and thrashing beneath that torturous mouth. He doesn't open me up. He tongues my lips as if his mouth is playing hide-and-seek with the bundle of nerves that has to the potential to send me into oblivion. When he finds it, my cries are loud and obnoxious as I writhe against his legs. He doesn't stop, though. He's relentless, his mouth on one mission, a mission I very much like.

He slides one finger inside of me, and I take ahold of my b.r.e.a.s.t.s, squeezing them as I gasp, my body squeezing him in turn. "So f.u.c.king tight," he says, his voice almost teasing. "How many people have you been with?"

"Really?" I gasp. "That's really a question you need to know the answer to right now?"

Instead of answering me, he takes my c.l.i.t between his teeth, causing me to scream. Lifting up, I slide my fingers into his hair, squeezing to make him stop. He doesn't, though. There is no way he's only slept with seven people. How does he know that things like this drive girls mad?

"Seven people? I don't believe you've only slept with that few," I accuse and he laughs against my p.u.s.s.y.

"I slept with a much older lady the last time," he whispers against my lips. "I learned a few tricks."

Well, thank G.o.d for that lady! I am having no problems reaping the benefits.

"Now, answer me."

He bites again, not hard, but enough to send me arching against his mouth. "Fine! Four people."

"Mmm," he says, curving his tongue along my c.l.i.t ever so slowly. Gasping for air, I want to know why that matters, but really, nothing matters. Lying back on his legs, I dangle as he tortures me in the most perfect way. I squeeze my b.r.e.a.s.t.s, as some kind of leverage, I guess, and his name falls from my lips more than once. It fuels him, I notice, makes him go faster, and I don't know how much more I can handle.

When his finger starts to move in and out of me, I'm a goner. It's as if I'm in an ejector seat, flying through the sky. My release rocks me to my soul. As I tremble, he holds me, still ruthlessly licking me to the point I'm sitting up and curving my body over his head, hoping to make him stop. I bite into his back, and he cries out against my p.u.s.s.y. But then he is chuckling, his hands gripping me tightly. I don't know why, but I laugh too, leaning back and meeting his heated gaze.

"I can't get enough," he whispers as his finger trails up my belly to my breast, swirling around my t.i.t. "You taste like Momma's apple pie."

"I love apple pie," I admit and he grins.

"Me too." He winks before reaching up and opening the drawer again. There must be a spotlight or something because the whole room is illuminated and I'm able to watch him as he sheaths himself. He goes to roll us over, but I don't want that. I want to please him, the way he has me. Directing him inside of me, I slide down his thighs until he is fully inside me.

I swear it's like his c.o.c.k is in my throat, he fills me so completely.

Groaning against my neck, he squeezes my hips with his fingers and we don't move. Both of us are adjusting to the tight fit and the overwhelming burst of pleasure from it. He is perfect. I swear it. And when he slowly moves me up the length of him like I weigh nothing, and then brings me back down, my plan of pleasing him is gone, and I'm his toy.

He can do whatever he wants.

And he does.

Soon, his rhythm picks up, each thrust deeper and more fulfilling. I feel on top of the world. My face is flushed and hot, my body the same, but I don't care. I just want more. I feel it building, I feel everything tightening up, and I'm going to let go. His body is smoldering against mine, everything is so taut, my chest is hurting from my heart wanting to come out. And s.h.i.t, I can't take any more...but then he stops. Opening my eyes, I meet his heated gaze.

"s.h.i.t, you okay?" he asks, his eyes full of worry. "I'm not hurting you?"

I shake my head, confused. "What?"

"You look pained," he says and I smile.

"No, it's f.u.c.king good," I breathe, and he grins before leaning over to take my bottom lip in between his teeth. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I grip his shoulders as he starts to slam back into me once more. The springs of the trampoline have to be helping because his thrusts become harder and deeper each time, building. It's not long before I'm pressing my nose to his, crying out as my o.r.g.a.s.m rocks my body once more.

"Jace," I sob just as his fingers grip into my skin, his own breath coming out hard and harsh.

"Yeah, baby, I'm here," he groans, rocking into me, his c.o.c.k throbbing inside my body.

To my surprise, his release causes mine to last longer, and my body shakes hard against his. It's so good as we still, a tangled mess of legs and arms. There is no way I'm moving. Seconds turn into minutes as we catch our breaths, staring into each other's eyes. Still, I refuse to move. Thankfully, he moves first, lying back and taking me with him. I fall to the spot beside him, right where I started, as he pulls the condom off and throws it in the trash, never leaving my side. That could come off as very player-ish, but the trash can is literally right beside us. I may not know him, but I do.

In a sense.

A sense I can't explain.

But also, a sense that could lead to something I don't want.

No reason to even think of that right now.

Not when I'm cuddling.

With Jace Sinclair.

I'm not a hundred percent sure what just happened.

An hour ago, I thought I was about to have mindless, fun s.e.x with some hot-a.s.s chick.

Now, I guess that is what I did, but... Why does it feel like it was something so much more?

I look over at her, and she looks so small in my arms. But she also feels like she belongs in my arms. She meets my gaze with a sleepy grin, and I smile back as I suck in a deep breath. Soon, I find myself channeling my inner Jayden. I want to start saying some sweet, corny bulls.h.i.t about real love and feeling so connected that I can't ever let her go, but that can't be true. This was s.e.x-fun, raunchy s.e.x-that's all. So I swallow those thoughts back down quickly before they escape and I verbally vomit all over her.

But f.u.c.k, she makes it tough to swallow.

Reaching up, she runs her fingers along my jaw, her eyes on mine as she works her bottom lip. She does that a lot. Especially when she's thinking. "I'm dead."

My face breaks into a grin as I nod slowly. "That's one way to put it."

"Do we have to get up right now? Isn't that the way one-night stands work?"

I shrug. I've never actually had a true one-night stand, and I refuse to give more truth to her statement about my not being a player, so I say, "We can do whatever we want."

"What do you want to do?"

"Nothing but lie here with you."

The side of her mouth quirks as she moves her finger along my lips. "Don't get attached."

"Wouldn't dare," I say. But it's a lie.

I would dare. h.e.l.l, she could double dare me and I would do it. I don't know why, but this girl has me in knots. f.u.c.ked-up knots that I don't want or need right now. She was spot-on when she said this wasn't in my plans. I had a motto, a slogan for how I wanted this year to go: Leave my heart on the bench and f.u.c.k until I can't see straight. Or something like that. This girl is making me want to put my heart in the game and throw all caution to the wind.

It's so cliched, but I can't help it.

It had to be when she called me on my game. That must have been the moment I decided I wanted nothing more than to know every single thing about this girl. Because how did she know that about me? We haven't even known each other long, but when she looks at me, I feel like she knows exactly who I am. My deepest, darkest secrets. And that's weird. Crazy, even. Man, what is wrong with me? I wanted to be more like Jude before Claire, hit it once and never want anything else, but I'm acting like Jayden. Wanting all of her instead of a piece. That's so him, but really, I want to be me.

I'm just unsure of who I am.

As she cuddles into my side, I watch as her eyes slowly fall shut and her breath evens out. Apparently, she isn't having an internal battle like I am, and I admire her for that. She's something. Not only is she gorgeous and quick, she f.u.c.ks like a dream. I've been with a decent number of women, and my sister-in-law's best friend Delanie was by far the greatest lay of my life. That was until this thin-framed girl came along. I've never felt what I felt when I was deep inside Avery, and it worries me I'll never feel it again with anyone else.

Just her.

Pure ecstasy.

Closing my eyes, I inhale deeply, trying to shake these unneeded feelings and wants.

But it's no use.

So I try sleeping instead.

I jerk awake what feels like seconds later to someone slamming against the door.

"Open up, Sinclair! I'm tired."

It's Markus.

Blinking, I realize my back aches and there is a crick in my neck, while one side of my body is covered with heat. s.h.i.t, I forgot where I was for a second there. But when Avery stirs beside me, I remember exactly where I am and how I don't ever want to leave. She glances up at me, confused, and I move my finger along her lips.

"Sorry," I say before clearing my throat. "Hey, bro, not now. Go somewhere else."

"Dude! You've had the room all night. I want to sleep in my bed. I don't care someone is in there with you. I won't look at her... I promise, I do! Just come on. Someone puked on the couch."

"Ew," Avery says from beside me and I nod.

"Not my problem, bro. Now, go away," I say before cuddling against her.

"a.s.s!"

"Jerk," I call back as she grins against my lips.

"I can leave," she whispers, threading her fingers through my hair.

"No, don't."

Her brows rise, her sleepy face breaking into a grin. "Oh wow, Jace, that dripped with l.u.s.t," she accuses and I smile at her. Her face is illuminated by the sun that is coming up. We must have slept for longer than I thought, and she probably does need to leave before everyone wakes up, but I don't want her to.

"Yeah," I say roughly. "Don't leave."

She doesn't seem to agree. "But I probably should before everyone sees me do the walk of shame."

"There is nothing to be ashamed of," I remind her and her lips curve.

"You're right, but still, I don't want anyone knowing I'm the eighth notch on Jace Sinclair's bedpost." She gives me a cheeky wink and I chuckle. She's a cute little thing for sure, and soon my grin matches hers as I shake my head.

"Sure, but you're number one on my trampoline." That has her body shaking against mine before she wraps her arms around me tightly. "Also, if I walk you home, it isn't a walk of shame for sure."

She gives me a doubtful look. "You, Jace Sinclair, the Bullies' captain, are going to walk me home?"

"You know a lot about me, and I know nothing about you."

She shoots me a playful grin. "I like it that way."

I wrap my arms around her and nip at her nose. "I'll find out what I want in due time, but you ain't doin' no walk of shame. I'll walk you home."

She grins, her cheeks bursting with color. "And you say you're a player."

"Shh, I am."

"Oh, of course," she giggles, running her nose along my jaw as silence fills the room. "But maybe just a few more minutes before we do that."

"Yeah," I agree, holding her tightly because I think we both know what happens when we walk out that door.

This is over.

And even though she claims she doesn't want this to continue after we leave my room, I think she does. She just doesn't think she does, and I bet it has to do with the wickedest of the wicked. As much as I want to ask her about that, I know I can't. I have to tread lightly with this girl, get in where she can't push me out.

Hold the f.u.c.k up. I want that?

No, you don't, I tell myself. You want to f.u.c.k b.i.t.c.hes and light trails. You are not a one-woman man! You are a wanderer, a hang your hat everywhere kind of guy. Kick her off the trampoline and tell her good riddance. Be more cynical. This isn't what you want. What if it goes south, and it will... She's obviously not into it. She has one foot out the door; you're bound to get hurt. Remember the pain, remember the heartache Mom and Lucy went through? Hold on to that. You don't want this.

I hear myself loud and clear, so why isn't that pep talk working?

It's just that it feels right. Believe me, I'm not one of those people. I don't think there is a person out there for everyone. I think everyone is just trying so hard to find that someone and be happy, but then they settle for whatever comes because it's what society wants. They want you to get married, have babies, and die. But then, I can't really say that and believe it because of Jude and Claire and Jayden and Baylor. Those are relationships that were mapped out in the stars. They were meant to be together and live and be happy. Oh s.h.i.t, I sound like Jayden. f.u.c.k. So what the h.e.l.l do I think? What the h.e.l.l do I want?

What the h.e.l.l is wrong with me?

Nineteen years. Nineteen years have pa.s.sed and I haven't met anyone who had me wanting more. Even with Delanie, it was nothing more than really great s.e.x. I didn't get awestruck in her presence or want to gobble her up and never let go. Just lying next to Avery has me wanting to morph my body into hers so I'll never be away from her. Insane, right? A little creepy? I know! So why? What the h.e.l.l happened to me? Why is this happening?

"Do you have any more condoms?" When I open my eyes, her heated gaze is staring into mine. "Figured one more time for the road."

I have no clue what is going on, but I do know I can't get enough. I don't even answer her. I reach up, grabbing a condom out of the drawer as her hand trails up the length of me. Her hands are like soft velvet along my skin. Every spot she touches, white heat appears and then gooseflesh rises. She does something to my body no one has ever done before, and it's the most amazing thing I've ever experienced. As my c.o.c.k stands at attention, her fingers run circles around the base of me, her gaze holding mine.

"Only if you want to, that is," she whispers and I can't answer her. My heart is in my throat. My body is so tight, I swear it's about to snap as she takes the condom from me. Wrapping her hair around my hand, I pull her to me, kissing her long and hard as she grips my c.o.c.k in her small, delicate hand. When her tongue pushes into my mouth, I'm breathless from the taste of her. She tears her mouth from mine and I think it's to put the condom on, but then her mouth is on me...and, yeah, I'm dead.

"Oh f.u.c.k," I gasp as she sucks me to the back of her throat, her fingers dancing along the base of my c.o.c.k. Arching into her mouth, I watch as her eyes close. Her face flushes as her hair drapes along my thighs, and man, she's gorgeous. Her shoulders are thin, and her skin is blotchy with red marks. I hate them. Her skin is too soft, too beautiful to have those hard spots from our lovemaking.

Oh Jesus, did I say lovemaking?

f.u.c.k me.

But before I can dwell on that for long, she moves her mouth up and down me in a rhythm that has my toes curling and my back arching off the trampoline, wanting to go as deep as I can inside her hot mouth. Slipping my fingers into her hair, I love how long it is, how softly and perfectly it wraps around my fingers. As she increases her rhythm, I can't help it, I thrust into her mouth, unable to get enough. When she gags, though, I pause.