“You’re awful.”
“It’s true, though.”
She sighed and leaned into me. “I guess I’m just going to die alone, then.”
It was my turn to laugh. “You’re a little young for that, Addi. Give it some time. You need to find the right guy.” I turned my head and kissed the top of her head. “You’re too amazing to be alone forever.”A week later, I was in turmoil. Addi was suddenly everywhere. Everything about her was different. She was prettier, smarter, sexier. Her smiles taunted me. Her body tempted me. Her laughter was low and sultry.
I spent so much time in the cold water of the lake, even my father was beginning to notice. Every time I would see Addi, my dick would spring up, and I had no choice but to escape to the water to settle him down. I started avoiding her, unsure what to do about my feelings and how they had changed toward her.
Unable to sleep one night, I padded down to the beach, listening to the sound of the water. The breeze was light and felt good on my bare chest, the sand cool under my toes as I walked. I leaned against a pile of rocks, admiring the moon hanging high in the sky. I startled when a soft voice broke through my thoughts.
“Couldn’t sleep either?”
I turned and met Addi’s eyes. She was sitting five feet from me, cross-legged on a large, flat rock. I had been so deep in thought, I hadn’t even noticed her.
I noticed her now. Her hair was up, loose curls hanging around her face and shoulders. Her skin gleamed in the moonlight. She was wearing a baggy shirt and leggings, one shoulder bare. She was sexy and beautiful, and in that single moment, everything became clear. I was totally in love with her. I always had been. It was all I could do not to groan out loud.
“Uncle Bent know you’re out here? Alone?” I asked, my voice low and gravelly, even to my own ears.
She shook her head. “He had to go back to the city. Mom is asleep. Everyone is. But I was restless.” She shrugged. “I’m perfectly safe here, Brayden. Even Uncle Aiden admits that.”
The grounds were protected with a private fence and gate. There was a security system in place. I knew all that, and still, I didn’t like it.
“No swimming alone,” I snapped.
She huffed and scampered off the rocks, crossing her arms. “I’m not stupid, Bray. I know that.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what your problem is or why you’re mad at me, but when you stop being a jerk, let me know.”
She turned to leave, and I grabbed her arm, spinning her back to face me. I was shocked to see the tears in her eyes. “What? Why are you crying?”
“Why do you suddenly dislike me too? You’ve been avoiding me all week!”
“I don’t dislike you,” I replied. “That’s the problem!”
“What?”
I didn’t think; I only reacted. I yanked her into my arms and covered her mouth with mine and kissed her. She flung her arms around my neck and kissed me back. I slid my hands to cradle the back of her head, and deepened the kiss, groaning when her tongue touched mine. I lifted her to the rock, stepping between her legs, and for endless minutes, we explored each other. Learning and tasting. Our tongues stroked together, our breath mingling. I was aware of everything. How she fit against me. The subtle shiver that ran through her body as I touched her. The air surrounding us, the sound of the waves. How her nipples brushed against my chest. She fit against me seamlessly, melding against my chest. She tasted of chocolate and moonlight and all things Addi. It was a life-changing kiss for us both.
Breathing hard, I broke away. Our eyes met and held, hers wide and shocked, mine pleading and determined.
“I don’t want you dating Todd or Derek or anybody else.”
“Oh,” she breathed out.
“You’re mine, Addi. You have been your whole life. No one knows you the way I do. No one will ever understand you like me.”
“But you’ve never…” She trailed off.
“I didn’t know. Until this week. But it hit me. That’s why I’ve hated every guy who looked at you twice. Why I go crazy thinking about someone else kissing you. Holding you. Because you’re mine. You belong to me.”
She swallowed, the tears spilling over her cheeks.
“What?” I asked again, wiping away the wetness. “Tell me.”
She gripped my wrists, a shaky smile ghosting her lips.
“I thought you’d never figure it out.”
Laughing, I kissed her again.The next week was filled with ups and downs. I was on a high the next morning until I saw Addi on the beach. She looked pensive and upset.
“What’s wrong?”
“We can’t do this, Bray.”
“Do what? We’re not doing anything wrong,” I insisted, yanking a hand through my hair.