"It's like being in a desert and you see no sign of water for miles and miles. Then, suddenly, you see a gla.s.s of water." I laughed as she let out an overdone gasp and continued her dramatic monologue. "You weep in relief. And there's really only one thing you can do. Only one smart thing to do. You're gonna drink that s.h.i.t up real quick, especially since you can't see any other water in sight."

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you done?"

"I could keep going, but I think you get my point. Man, I see why you get dramatic all the time, it's fun!" she exclaimed as a rare smile took up residency on her face.

I rolled my eyes but laughed my agreement. "There's one flaw there, Sher. Looking for a h.o.r.n.y guy in a club is like looking for a piece of hay in a haystack. It's sort of expected."

"Yes, but looking for a h.o.r.n.y guy who you actually want to have s.e.x with is more difficult." I came to a stop at a light; we were only a couple minutes away from the club. "And if what Alara told me is true-"

"It's not."

"About you two flirting," she continued like I hadn't said anything.

"We weren't."

"And that you're attracted to him."

"I'm not," I said, slightly exasperated.

"And that he couldn't stop staring at your a.s.s."

"He wa-" I cut myself off and looked over to find her smirking. A honk from the car behind me forced my eyes forward and I pushed the gas pedal once more.

I shrugged, only internally reveling in the fact he'd been staring. "Well, it's a fabulous a.s.s."

"Right. So what's the problem?"

"Uhh, did Alara happen to mention how we've only run into him twice and yet he's managed to imply I'm a tramp, I'm stupid, I'm boring, I'm vapid, I'm-"

Sherry rolled her eyes. "I seriously doubt that. Stop being so dramatic. What's really stopping you?"

"Nothing."

Sherry hesitated for only a moment before speaking. "Look, I know how much you care about your image. You want people to be impressed by you, and if initially he wasn't-"

"That's not why." But even as I said it, I frowned. It was true, I didn't like to be immediately judged, but who did? "So if he said those things to you, you wouldn't be offended?" I asked as I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye.

"Not as offended as you. I'd probably take it as more of a joke. But if he attacked something I was naturally conscientious of, like how you're concerned about your image, then I'd probably be offended."

"What are you naturally conscientious of?" I asked. Despite having known Sherry for almost four years, Alara and I still felt like there were a lot of things we didn't know. And as she waved away the question, I reminded myself once again that we might never get answers. Sherry let you see what she wanted you to, nothing more, nothing less.

As we pulled into the Swerved parking lot three minutes later, I wondered if there were some people we'd only ever know half of.

I hated myself for searching him out. And I hated myself for being disappointed about not immediately finding him. But Sherry had me thinking, and now that she had that d.a.m.n a.n.a.logy in my head, I was so d.a.m.n thirsty, realizing how much I missed s.e.x.

But would I be able to do it?

Caleb was the only person I'd ever been with, so even though Sherry had a point, that I was attracted to Damien, it would still be weird.

I didn't want a boyfriend... I mean, who the h.e.l.l would after everything that'd happened? But apparently my v.a.g.i.n.a didn't get the memo, because I definitely still wanted that part of having a boyfriend. I'd never dated before Caleb, never slept around, never did... anything, really. All my knowledge and experience started and ended with him. And with him, I learned how much I loved s.e.x. It wasn't a secret, and I wasn't too proud or prudish to admit it. Or to admit that p.o.r.n and my vibrator were not getting the job done lately.

The thought of having a one-night stand was daunting, but it was the only solution I had at this point. Because clearly the only reason I was still thinking about Damien was because I was severely s.e.x deprived.

Making my way to the bar, I ordered a soda, much to the dismay of the bartender. I took my time drinking it as I looked around the club once more. This time, I got lucky. I found him right away. He was standing at the other end of the bar with someone who looked like a coworker. I licked my lips as he raised a gla.s.s to his mouth and I watched his throat bob as he swallowed. My gaze traveled from his neck to the tight grip his shirt had on his impressive chest, all the way down to the jeans covering his thighs. He looked just as delicious as he had the two other times I'd seen him, his tattooed arms peeking out of his T-shirt and the muscles flexing every time he moved. Without giving it anymore thought, I marched over to where he stood.

He blinked in surprise when I stopped in front of him.

"Can I have a minute?" I nodded my head toward the corner a few feet away.

Before Damien could accept or refute, his friend slapped a beefy hand on his shoulder and said, "You can go for the night. Have fun." His tone was flirty and suggestive.

Damien smirked and opened his mouth to respond, but I wasn't sure I wanted to hear it. Ignoring both men, I dug my nails into his arm as I gripped his bicep and dragged him away. He winced before reluctantly following me. Once we reached the corner, I reluctantly let go and stretched out my fingers.

"You were kind of an a.s.s when we first met."

"Don't sugarcoat it, sweetheart," he said dryly.

"That is sugarcoating it."

His lips tipped up into a warm smile.

"I miss s.e.x." He chuckled at the delivery. "I find you attractive and despite you being an a.s.s, you're only mildly annoying." He raised his eyebrows as his smile widened even further.

"I didn't hear a question," he taunted.

"Wanna f.u.c.k?" I asked bluntly.

He let out another amused laugh and looked me up and down. "You drunk, sweetheart?"

"Aww, you said 'sweetheart' with only a tiny bit of sarcasm and malice this time. I must be growing on you." I nudged him in the stomach. "But no, not drunk. Not even mildly intoxicated." His eyes flared with l.u.s.t as I licked my lips and ran my hands down his solid chest, settling them against his abdomen. The smirk he wore held less amus.e.m.e.nt and much more promise, causing b.u.t.terflies to take flight in my stomach. He leaned forward and his cheek grazed mine as he put his hands on my hips.

"You think you can handle me?" he whispered before gently sucking my diamond stud earring into his mouth. Holy s.h.i.t. Some of those b.u.t.terflies definitely just died from crashing into each other.

"I can handle anything, sweetheart," I whispered before backing up. "The question is... can you?" I quirked an eyebrow before turning around and walking toward the door. "I'll make it easy on you," I hollered back, still not looking at him. "If you think you can, follow me. If not..." I trailed off as I reached the door and stepped through.

I followed. Of course I followed.

My decision had been made the second I saw her. I had been standing at the bar when I caught her eye-f.u.c.king me. She was wearing a dark blue dress that showed off her curves, and the only thing that made it possible for her to move was the seductive slit that ran up the side, stopping high on her thigh. Paired with black heels that made her legs look miles long, and of course I f.u.c.king followed. I adjusted myself before walking through the door.

She was standing in front of a tiny car, twirling her keys around her middle finger. "Mine or yours?" she asked as she nodded at her car.

Frowning, I looked around her at what could only be described as a matchbox car. "You want to do it here?" I asked, bringing my eyes back to her.

"Yup. I have a friend waiting inside." She seemed a little nervous, but it lasted only a second, and it was gone so quickly I couldn't be sure. Now, she was only looking at me with pure want and heat.

I nodded toward the back of the lot. "Mine's bigger."

Naomi smirked as she stepped in line next to me. "That's what they all say."

We made it to the car and I immediately dropped into the pa.s.senger seat, reclining it back as far as it could go. She straddled me and quickly shut the door, her hands landing on the top of my jeans. She undid the b.u.t.ton and zipper, before shimmying her dress up to her hips. Both my hands went to her a.s.s-her bare a.s.s-and I groaned at the contact.

"Tinted windows," she noted. "It appears this car was made for s.e.x."

"Or I strongly dislike a glare." Bringing one hand around front, I smoothed my palm down her exposed thigh. She shuddered as I lightly trailed my fingers back up until I reached the edge of her thong. My eyes narrowed on her chest and I watched her breathing accelerate as I lightly dragged my knuckles over her damp panties. Reaching down to free me, she began stroking me while dropping soft kisses on my neck. I shoved aside her underwear and gently ma.s.saged her c.l.i.t before slowly moving my fingers down and back up. My other hand, still on her a.s.s, skimmed around and up her ribs before roughly grabbing her breast, a complete dichotomy to the soft pressure I was exerting below. Soft pants filled my ears as she gradually started grinding against me.

"Was I right?" I murmured, trailing kisses down her neck until my face was directly in her cleavage.

"About?"

I nipped the skin between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. "Am I bigger?"

Her throaty laughter echoed throughout the car. "It's not all about size, it's about how you use it... and that has yet to be proven." Naomi punctuated this with a tight squeeze that had my head dropping back and my eyes shuttering closed. We both continued our a.s.saults, her getting wetter, me getting harder, until I felt I would go mad. She must've been thinking the same thing because we both removed our hands at the same time.

I reached down and grabbed my wallet, extracting a condom and rolling it on, while Naomi quickly pulled down her dress and bra, freeing her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. She gripped my shoulders as I shoved her thong aside and settled myself against her entrance. We both groaned when she immediately began lowering herself. Her nails bit into my shoulders and my hands palmed her delicious a.s.s once more.

When she was fully seated, a beautifully bright smile overtook her face as she mouthed, "Wow."

I grinned back, but it quickly died as she began rotating her hips in a tortuous circle. Grabbing my hands, she removed them from her backside. I went to protest, but before I could she held them to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, all while she continued rocking back and forth, rubbing her c.l.i.t against me.

"Yes," she moaned as I pinched a nipple, her rocking becoming faster. Leaning forward, I banded one arm around her back and brought her freed breast directly to my mouth. Her gaze was heated as she watched me lick my lips before slowly sucking her pink, taut nipple into my mouth. Naomi shuddered and I began thrusting upwards, abandoning her other breast as I carefully placed a hand on her head to avoid her hitting the roof.

"How am I using it?" I whispered against her ear when her forehead fell to my shoulder.

"I-it's"-pant-"okay"-pant-"nothing"-pant-"impress-AHHHHH!" she cried out as I shifted slightly and began f.u.c.king her harder. She lifted her head and her gaze burned into mine as her hands roughly weaved through my hair until she had the tie in the back undone. Using my freed hair as leverage, she grabbed two fistfuls and held me close. My gaze shifted from hers as I caught sight of her bouncing b.r.e.a.s.t.s, sweat dripping between them and landing on our slapping skin. I reached down to pinch her c.l.i.t as my hips moved faster and my o.r.g.a.s.m got closer. The tingles increased until the pressure was blinding, becoming almost painful to hold in.

"Oh G.o.d." Her voice was loud and uninhibited, and I was on the verge of coming before her-something that never happened.

"I can tell you're the type of woman who likes to be difficult." I watched her eyes roll into the back of her head before she focused on me. "But I really need you to come." Her jaw hardened as she delayed her pleasure and I grinned in response, despite my own pain. When it became unbearable, I firmly, yet carefully, grabbed her neck and brought my lips to her ear. "Come. Now," I growled, punctuating it by rubbing tight circles over her c.l.i.t.

Naomi bucked as she cried out against my shoulder and her o.r.g.a.s.m rippled through her. The thought that my words did that to her, coupled with the sound of her loud cries, pushed me over. One... two... three thrusts later and I stiffened before shuddering out my own release. My body went limp as Naomi continued to ride out the waves, all the while making loud breathy noises that were getting me hard all over again.

"As I was saying..." She paused to pant out a breath as she continued slowly rolling her hips into mine, refusing to deny herself any amount of pleasure. "Nothing impressive." I grinned widely before I placed a soft kiss on her shoulder. I felt her shudder as I moved my nose along the curve of her neck, inhaling the delicious scent of her fruity body wash, a combination I couldn't quite decipher.

Closing my eyes, I let the relief course through me. The s.e.x had been incredible, and it wasn't because my hand was the only action I'd seen in years. It was more than that. It had never felt that good before. And the reason was simply... her.

We stayed silent as our bodies relaxed and our breathing returned to normal. I opened my eyes and stared straight at Naomi, watching her shift and begin to put her bra and dress back in place. She shuffled off me and climbed into the driver's seat, where she finished adjusting her outfit.

"Thanks," she said in a weird, put-on tone. I frowned as I dealt with the condom, tucked myself back in, and zipped up my pants. It was clear she was a little freaked out. And that made sense since I got the feeling she wasn't a one-night stand kind of girl. She was a relationship kind of girl.

My long hair fell forward, creating a curtain between us. I was pushing it behind my ear when I started talking. "Look, I-"

My thought was abruptly cut off as a car door slammed. I jerked my head to the left, just in time to see her turn around and walk away from me.

What the h.e.l.l?

My scowl deepened as I reached for the door handle.

"Hey!" I shouted the minute my own door slammed shut, echoing through the silent night. My post-s.e.x brain was a little jumbled as I tried to organize my thoughts. Turned out, it didn't matter. By the time I got around the front of the car, Naomi was gone.

I had been in a p.i.s.s poor mood ever since Naomi bolted from my car a couple nights ago. Add that to the fact that today was Valentine's Day, the most pointless day in the history of the world-whether you were dating someone or not-where I spent the better portion of my day tattooing about half a dozen couple tattoos, which was half a dozen too many, and I was one grumpy a.s.shole.

I wanted something more than casual. Obviously having a one-night stand wasn't the best way to communicate that, but I thought I'd have the chance to explain.

I'd had casual s.e.x before, but that was years ago when I was in high school, and actually, it was the only kind of s.e.x I'd had. Of the handful of girls I'd been with, no one had been special, no one had stood out; and yet after only three encounters with Naomi, I felt done for. She was smart, funny, and gorgeous, and I couldn't imagine how much faster I'd fall after a couple dates.

But between work and Ellie, I hadn't had a chance to track her down yet. And I would, because despite the fact she left me high and dry, it didn't change my feelings.

"Hmm..." I looked up to see Ellie exiting her bedroom, wearing a baggy T-shirt and her gray thigh-high socks with little orange foxes all over them.

"What?"

"No whistling. Ohh... and a scowl. What happened? Did Claire compare your artwork to Nate's again?"

I scoffed. "'Course not. People only make that mistake once."

"True." She smiled at the humor I tried, and apparently succeeded in, injecting into my voice. "So what's the matter?"

"Nothing." I shook my head as I stood up and grabbed my keys. "I have to get to Swerved."

"Okay, well, have a good night," she said softly, a trace of insecurity in her voice.

I made it to the door when I turned around. "This isn't about you, Ells."

"You promise?"

"Yeah." I walked back to where she stood and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. She relaxed against me and gave me a quick hug.

"Love you, D."

I smiled for the first time in two days. "Love you too, kid."

"You actually wham, bam, thank you ma'am-ed him?" Sher asked on a laugh after I relayed everything. I hung my head, because yes, that was exactly what I'd done. Or I guessed it'd be more like pursued, screwed, thank you dude-ed? I shook my head; I was getting off track.

Truthfully, I was still confused about what'd happened. Sherry had been great about dropping the subject when I found her after my little rendezvous with Damien two nights ago, but now she wanted details.

"I didn't plan to," I finally answered. But that night, right after I came down from the most spectacular high I'd ever had, I had been way too emotional to stay put.

That had been the first time I'd been with anyone since Caleb and I broke up... only two months ago. I didn't feel guilty for it happening too soon. I did, however, feel guilty for not feeling guilty.

It had been amazing s.e.x. I couldn't deny that. But it had also been the most impulsive thing I'd ever done, and nothing about it reminded me of the s.e.x I was used to. And yet... it felt right.

"We never even kissed," I added as she took a turn away from the mall.

I hadn't realized that until after I'd left. But Damien and I made sure our lips never met, like we both had known what it was-s.e.x-and what it wasn't-the start to a Nicholas Sparks novel. That could be the only reason, right?