“I dare you to defy your last name and have some real fun.”
I stared at him, and something within me stirred.
He shook his head before I could reply. “Go on, find your man,” he said. I watched him leave and unsteadily navigate the spiral staircase.
Color outside the lines.That didn’t exist for a girl like me when my life was monochrome. Plus, the lines were more like large Manhattan blocks. Large enough to keep me happy... for now. I pushed the thought away and, after a brief search upstairs that turned up empty, I descended the staircase toward the private pathway to the beach.
Summer was here. If the lines were claustrophobic, I wouldn’t have any sense of them now. I was away from Manhattan and my controlling mother and brother whose arguments with Dad had reached a new high.
I kicked off my heels as soon as my feet hit the sand. It squeaked cool between my manicured toes. The salty, warm air blew my wavy hair off my face, and each step I took, my foot kicked up sand around my ankles. The ocean roared and dragged back the sand. I took in the small group of people gathered along the dune, but none of their faces were Hunter or Grace.
Ugh.I gathered my dress up and held it so it didn't get ruined.
Maybe he doubled back to the house to check on me.
I shook my head.
Walking some more, I noticed another group ahead.
Strange noises pricked at my ears. What was that? Seriously suspect moaning and groaning noises caught the wind and traveled in my direction. The last thing I needed to witness were strangers getting it on, but I needed to pass. A large group was further ahead, and I was sure it was Hunter with Grace and Dane. So I bent down as I approached the two shadows on the sand, trying to hide in the tall grass.
“Oh, Hunter,” a woman’s voice moaned.
No, please, no.Immediately, I froze and peered between the tall grass.
He sat on the dune, his back to me. There was no mistaking the mustard shirt he had on. A woman sat on top of him, her skirt hitched up around her thighs as she straddled him, moving back and forth. I gasped, then quickly pulled my hand across my mouth. It was too late. She heard me and immediately stopped fucking him. Her stare locked on me. Then Hunter turned. Everything was happening in slow motion, and it chained me to the sandy bed.
“Lourde?”
My heart pounded, and anger flooded my veins. I dropped my heels. The thud pulled me out of my nightmare. Then I started to run.
“Fuck, get off me,” I heard him say, followed by a shriek, then, “Lourde! Fuck! Wait.” I was already putting the distance between us with every step I took. I pushed further, my thighs burning with each lunge forward.
“Wait, Lourde,” he yelled, but I was faster and leaner than him. He wasn’t catching up to me. Tears lapped my cheeks, and my hair flung across my face. Not again. This can’t be happening again.
Déjà vu. Why me? Why do all the men I’m with cheat? Was it me?
I tripped on something in the sand, hurtling forward. Pain shot up my ankle, and I doubled over. Shit!
Hobbling back up, I didn’t care how much it hurt. I had to keep going. Quickly testing my weight on it, I let out a gasp of pain but knew it wasn’t broken. Keep running, you fool. Just run.
I don’t know how long had passed, but I couldn’t run anymore. My ankle throbbed, and my eyes clouded with tears. I’d run past the house and further away from Hunter and my friends.
Regaining my breath, I slid out my phone from my clutch. I tried Pepper, but her cell went to voicemail. Dammit. My last shot was Grace. It rang until it rang out—double shit.
All my stuff was back at the house. I could get it, but he might be there. Then what? I didn’t have anywhere to go. Everything was booked out for the summer well in advance.
I wiped away the tears that stung my cheek. My brother would know what to do. I couldn’t decide anything this frazzled. I clicked on Connor’s name. After two rings, he picked up. “Lourde, what time is it?” He sounded half-asleep. Of course, he was. It was after midnight.
“I’m sorry, I need your help.” I burst out crying again.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” No longer sleepy, concern laced his voice.
“I’m okay. Hunter and a girl were at the beach, together… fucking!” The last word came out in an angry yell.
“That little weasel, I’ll fucking kill him. Are you with the girls?”
“No, that’s just it. I didn’t want to go back to the party, so I just ran. I tried calling them, but they didn’t pick up.”
Silence rang down the line, then after a moment, he spoke, “Barrett.”
“What?”
“Barrett’s in the Hamptons. Text me your address and wait right there, okay?”
“Wha—”
The line went dead. I texted my location like he asked and waited.
Barrett’s in the Hamptons.I sucked in a breath.
Almost immediately, my phone beeped.
Connor:You can stay with Barrett. He will be there in five.
Barrett? He was here?I was a miserable mess. I flashed back to my debutante, where he found me outside after finding a cheating Josh. Then the feeling of his brawny arms as he pulled me over the gearshift and onto his lap made me forget my ex. I thought he wanted to kiss me with the way fire burned behind his eyes. But I was so wrong. When he didn’t make a move, I ran out, beyond humiliated.
Now he was coming to my aid again. How embarrassing. I swear I’m not a lousy fuck.
I wiped away the tears, ran my fingers through my hair, and stared down at the bright shade of tangerine on my manicured bare toes. Shit! Some lucky girl was about to score a pair of two-thousand-dollar heels come sunrise.