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  "For one, you keep calling me Alexis. Other than that, you did nothing. You don't matter to me. Never did. Never will."

  "Whatever."

  I turn and head up to my room. I gave her a chance to get whatever's bothering her off her chest. I wanted to clear the air, but instead, she wants to keep up the bullshit and go for the queen bitch award. That's fine by me. I don't need another friend anyway. It doesn't matter that she's Coop's sister. The girl has something so far up her ass I'm surprised she could bend over into those positions earlier without breaking. I need to get out of here, away from her before I tell her where to go.

  I sit on my bed, angry, frustrated because I'm still thinking of her. She's full of shit. I saw something flare in her eyes when she looked at me, and it sure as hell wasn't indifference. My blood boils inside me. How has she managed to light my fuse in such a short time? The way I see it, I have two choices in how this next week will go. I can do as she asks and ignore her completely, just look at her as someone I don't know that I'm splitting rent with. Or I could get to know her again, and get to the bottom of her attitude.

  The problem is that even if she was a total stranger, especially if she was a total stranger, I'd want to spend time getting to know her. I'd want to use every minute I can to feed the fire in her eyes, and make it burn hot and reckless. Bend her will. Break it. But she's not some girl I just met, and I'm warring with myself about what to do with Lexi.

  I change out of my clothes and throw on a bathing suit. There's a reason I'm here on the beach. It's to relax and have a good time, not get hung up on my best friend's sister. My urge to get her to talk to me wanes a bit as I remind myself of that little fact.

  Lexi's nowhere to be seen when I go back downstairs. I call her name, but there's no answer. I can't help myself from going back up to see if she's still in the house. I need to know my mere presence didn't run her off.

  The door to her bedroom is closed. I listen for a minute outside her bathroom. The steady stream of water pelting against the tile betrays her location. I think of her in the shower, lathering up her sun-kissed skin. I feel the effects of my thoughts in my shorts. I'm not just attracted to her, I'm possessed by her. Fuck this. I grab a towel from the linen closet outside her bathroom. An afternoon of bikini watching should be just what I need to get my mind off Lexi.

  *

  I'm done with this girl. We're not even here a full day and she's pissed me off more in this short time than I can remember anyone doing in my entire life. Each time I go near her she snaps with a biting comment or a snarky answer. She won't talk to me, won't accept anything from me, including my help lugging her bags from her car into the house.

  "I don't need charity, party boy." She said as I offered to take the last of her bags up to her room.

  "I think you misunderstand sweetheart." I move in close to her, not sure what effect I'm trying to garner, but sure I'm going for something. "I can see you're more than capable of doing it," I allow my eyes the pleasure of journeying over her body. "I'm being nice, because believe me, I'm no fucking altruist." I answer before going up to take a shower.

  I didn't see her before I left, didn't ask her if she wanted to have a drink with me. I just want to get away from her. Lexi even fucked up my afternoon of babe watching. Instead of enjoying the view, I couldn't get her off my mind. Eventually I had to move to a more populated area because I kept looking back at the house wondering what she was doing and if she'd bother coming out,

  Walking alone down the boardwalk to the bar I look like a nut case cursing Cooper.

  "Fucking scumbag had to go to fucking Italy. His word means nothing. Not a fucking thing. Piece of shit can't even commit to a vacation with his friend. Instead he leaves me with his bitch of a sister."

  I need to pull it together. I'm here for me. I've been working non-stop, and I've been looking forward to this break. It's a vacation, and already it feels like anything but. Maybe I should just throw in the towel, pack my things and leave. Or maybe I should get drunk and go home with the hottest girl in the bar and wipe Lexi Sutton clean out of my head.

  Chapter 4

  Lexi

  I can't stand that cocky son-of-a-bitch. I should've just said no. Should've told Cooper to find someone else to shack up with the party boy. The ass didn't even know who I was out on the beach this morning. How could he not recognize me? I know it's been over five years since we've seen each other face to face. But still, he's had to see pictures on Facebook, or from Cooper. He has to have seen what I look like!

  Noah's just an ugly reminder of my past. To him I'll never be more than Cooper's fat, hideous little sister, and for that he could fuck himself. And fuck himself hard. I spent enough time soothing the sting his words left when I overheard him talking to my brother about staying away from the fat girl that repulsed him. The girl that he couldn't look at without feeling the urge to vomit. I should be grateful to him, thank him for that wake-up call because that day changed my life. That day I decided to take ownership of my body and stop filling it with empty calories. From that day forward, no boy ever made me feel like a fat girl that wasn't worth his time.

  "Want to do something, maybe go out tonight?" He asked in the late afternoon.

  "I'm going out tonight, but it sure as hell isn't going to be with you," I answered before trekking the last of my belongings up to my room.

  I think that finally put him off, which is good. I don't want to see that he has a sweet, charming side. He fooled me once with that, holding doors open, acting like he wanted to hear what I said, and flashing those adorable dimples at me whenever I'd walk into a room. Then I found out what he really thought.

  Relief washed over me when I heard Noah slam the door behind him. Good. I don't need his kindness, or the lusty looks he's been giving me all day. Those hungry looks leave me teetering on some sort of invisible beam. I need to keep my focus, keep my body tight and rigid, because if I lose myself in his eyes for even a minute, I might fall harder than I can handle. And then I might not be able to get back up. Ever.

  Time to forget about Noah York and his blue/ green eyes. Time to forget about how he looked at me on the beach this morning. Time to go drink him out of my mind.

  *

  As soon as I walk in, I push my way over to the bar and order a drink. Guess who's at the other end talking to a flirty blond? The dim lights and loud music aren't enough to disguise him. I'd recognize those beautiful eyes anywhere. Those eyes that are focused on the girl beside him twirling her long blonde hair around her pointer finger. The thin, blonde looks nothing like me. The thought makes my stomach queasy.

  "Whoever said mermaids are the most beautiful creatures by the sea never laid eyes on you."

  My eyes dart to the right, straight into a set of dark eyes. Dark eyes on a handsome face that are attached to a lean body I'd like to see more of.

  "That has to be the worst pick-up line in the history of the world."

  "Can't be that bad, it got you talking to me."

  "All you had to say was 'hello.'"

  "I thought about it," he smirks. "But, a girl like you needs more than a simple hello. A girl like you needs a lit up sign with neon lights. A girl like you deserves the works."

  "Lay it on a little thick? You got my attention. Cut the bullshit unless you want to lose it."

  "You're new here."

  "Visiting. Vacationing. I'll be here for a week."

  "A week huh? Do you have a name?"

  "Lexi. And you are?"

  "Shot with cupid's arrow."

  "Okay, I'll see ya around," I turn and make like I'm walking away.

  He grabs my arm to stop me. "Fine. I'm Drake. Are you staying close to the beach?"

  I shrug. "Not too far, why?"

  "There's a volleyball tournament this week. Why don't you come watch me?"

  He rambles on about the tournament like I give a crap; like I have nothing better to do on my vacation than watch some guy with an overinflated ego smacking a b
all around. But he is easy on the eyes. Not as good looking as Noah though. Whoa, Noah? Why am I comparing guys to him? As if he's just a regular guy I could be interested in and not a playboy that could singe my hair and melt the skin right off my body with a single look.

  Once the thought pops into my head, I raise my eyes. I can't stop myself from looking at him. I don't expect to catch him looking back at me. His stare is penetrating, intense. I feel it burning into me, branding me. A funny fluttering picks up in my belly. I want to go over there and yell at him, tell him not to dare look at me while he's talking his way into another girls pants. And then I realize this gnawing feeling I have watching him with her is jealousy. I'm jealous that he's interested her.

  "So you'll be there?"

  I flutter my eyelashes at Drake and offer him my sweetest smile. Now that I know I have Noah's attention, two can play at this game. "Sure, what time?"

  "My first match tomorrow is at two. It's play till you lose, so I'm counting on you to be my good luck charm.

  "If I'm any luck at all, I'll try to make it good," I say suggestively touching his shoulder with my hand and giggling like I've seen so many idiot girls do.

  His eyes drop to the low neckline of my tank top. I can almost see him salivating as he picks up on the vibe I'm sending.

  His voice drops. It's low, gravely, and full in insinuation. "Want to head out of here and go for a walk on the beach?"

  "Not tonight, Drake. We just met. Besides, give me something to look forward to."

  Fuck! What am I doing? I cringe inside. This isn't me. I'm not this type of girl, the type that will just meet a guy at a bar and sleep with him, so why am I acting like I am? I don't have to prove anything to anyone. Especially not Noah.

  My eyes look for him once again. His body is turned toward the girl by his side, his eyes are focused on her. He flashes a warm sexy smile for her. Right now she's all he sees. She's his whole world, and it makes me hate him more. Her hand is on the side of his face, and she's leaning in, like she's going to kiss him. I hold my breath, not wanting it to happen, wishing I wasn't here to see this. But I don't pull my eyes away. I watch to see what he does. He pulls back, and I can breathe again. My eyes flicker to Noah's hands. He's tapping his glass with his pointer finger. Bingo. That's my cue.

  "Sorry, Drake. I've got to go. I'll see you tomorrow."

  I don't wait for him to respond. Instead I get up and make my way toward Noah.

  Chapter 5

  Noah

  I lost her. Damn it. She already caught me staring while she talked to that ass-hat. I spotted her the second she walked through the door. She captivated me with the ocean of chocolate waves rolling down her shoulders, stopping just before those perfect, round tits, and her soft full lips that I'm yearning to feel wrapped around me. My eyes continued down her body to her too short shorts. I see the way they hug her hips, cling to her curves, and I know even though I can't see it right now they're highlighting that perfect ass. That ass I got a close up view of this morning. I didn't want to give her the satisfaction of having her catch me staring again, so I turned my whole body toward Jeannie, and now I lost Lexi. Damn it!

  "There you are, party boy!"

  Surprised, I turn toward the playful voice, knowing it's her. Before I can say anything or react, she pushes herself between me and the girl I've been speaking to for the last forty-five minutes and presses her lips, her whole body against mine. She has my complete attention as my hands slip to her waist, like this is the most natural thing in the world; like I've held her and kissed her a million times before. I pull her against me, afraid if I loosen my grip even a little, she's going to slip away.

  "Thank you for keeping him company." She breaks away much too soon, and turns to Jeannie who's gaping at us open mouthed. "My Noah is such a flirt!" Lexi taps my nose with her pointer finger, her other hand moves up to the back of my neck. "But I wouldn't want him to change one bit. It keeps things interesting."

  "Jerk," Jeannie mutters under her breath before moving away from us. I don't care because I'm floored that this beautiful, sexy creature in my arms came over out of the blue, and kissed me. It's not enough. I want more. I want to explore her mouth, take my time tasting her, touching her in places she doesn't even realize she wants me to touch.

  Lexi drops her hands and turns from me.

  "You can get your paws off me now," she says, rolling her eyes, all playfulness gone from her voice.

  Confused, I don't let go. Instead I tighten my grip and lean toward her. I brush my nose along the side of her face, grazing her soft skin, breathing in the fresh, clean scent of watermelon. Every other girl in here smells sweet, but Lexi, she's mouthwatering.

  I hear the hitch in her breath, and feel the twitch in my pants. I want to brush my lips along her jaw line, drop them behind her ear and onto her neck. I want to kiss her all over, make her moan my name, but I don't. I can't.

  I'm still shocked she came to me. She kissed me. While my body is screaming for more, I'm worried if I go for too much, too fast, I'll scare her off.

  "I said hands off!" She pushes at me.

  I take one of her hands in mine and entwine our fingers. I can't let her go. I won't.

  "First tell me why you did that," I speak directly in her ear so that only she can hear, making sure she feels my warm breath against her skin.

  Her body stiffens. She's uncomfortable. I called her out, and I have no idea how she's going to react.

  "You'd been talking to her for a while."

  "You noticed," I say with a smile more out of surprise than cockiness. I run my free hand up her back, and under her hair. I hold her head close to mine, pinning her soft green eyes down with my own, not allowing her to pull away.

  "Hard not to, you were directly in front of me. I saw you back away from her and you were tapping your glass with your finger. The tapping thing, it's what you do when you're uncomfortable."

  I'm fucking floored. I can't believe she knows that. I haven't seen her in five years. Five fucking years, and she still remembers that little nuance. I didn't even realize I did it, not until she just said it, and she's right.

  I meant something to her once. I must have. At some point I meant a hell of a lot if she paid that much attention. Then why turn into such a bitch? I could think of only one explanation. Without having a clue I did it at the time, I hurt her.

  "You thought she was the reason I was uncomfortable?"

  "I think she wanted to go home with you, and I don't feel like having to spend the next week getting rid of her because you're too much of a pussy to be straight and tell her you're not interested."

  I hate the cold, indifferent tone she's using. How can fire burn so bright in her eyes when she's looking at me one minute, then extinguish completely the next?

  "So you didn't want to help me? You were just helping yourself?"

  She swallows hard and looks away as she nods. "Exactly."

  She's lying. I know it. I feel it. I bring my mouth to her ear again. "I think you're lying, Lexi."

  "Don't flatter yourself, party boy."

  She pulls away from me hard and fast, and heads for the door. I follow on her heels and take hold of her hand.

  "To keep up appearances," I say as she glares at me. It works. It keeps us connected, keeps me by her side.

  Once we're far enough away from the bar and the overspill of people on the boardwalk she stops and looks at me.

  "You can let go now."

  Her attitude is back at full force. Looking at the moonlight reflected in her hair, I can't believe what a beautiful woman she grew up to be. She looks like perfection, my idea of it anyway. She looks like a girl I could fall for. A girl I'm already falling for. My mouth goes dry as I realize what's happening.

  "What if I don't want to?"

  "Listen, party boy--"

  I stop and snake my arms around her waist, pulling her up against my body. "Why do you keep calling me that?"

  She pushes against me, try
ing to break my hold and create distance.

  "I know you, Noah York. I know who and what you are. On the beach this morning and in the bar just now you proved I'm right. You're still the same shallow bastard that used to drag my brother to parties every weekend so you could go get laid. You're the same jackass looking to sweet talk a smooth path to your next piece of ass."

  "No." Her tone is sharp, cutting. It tells me she means every word she just said. But why? "You've got it wrong, Lexi. That's Cooper. Not me. The parties were his idea. I would've been just as happy staying home and playing video games. He dragged me."

  "I know my brother's no angel," she said still struggling to break my hold on her. "But he had no reason to lie to me. Not about you. Not about this."

  "Alexis." My voice comes out sharper, sterner than I mean it to. But I'm angry that she thinks I'm such a douche. If this is the image I'm up against, I'm not sure a week is long enough to convince her otherwise.

  "Why do you think you're here instead of Cooper? Where do you think he is right now? In Italy enjoying sex-a-palooza. Selene's not his girlfriend. Not in the conventional sense. Meanwhile I'm not just here. I'm here with you."

  "I know. And I know if you had your way you'd be here with some hot . . ."

  I can't hear this coming from her anymore. She misunderstands, and words are failing me. I can think of only one way to show her what I mean. I bring my mouth down hard against hers. This isn't at all like the quick sweet kiss she initiated at the bar. This one is meant to ignite the passion I see in her eyes when she looks at me, and keep it burning in her belly. This one is meant to communicate how much I want her right now. Her hands push against my chest as she struggles to break free, but I hold her tighter. My tongue pushes between her lips, demanding its way into her mouth.

  Her hands move from my chest up, over my shoulders. She's holding me, pulling me to her with the same urgency my tongue has as it dances around her mouth. I cup her face in my hands as I pull back, certain I've melted at least a thin layer of ice between us. She may not trust me, but the way she reacted to that kiss tells me she wants me.