Alex leaned in, his lips brushing my ear, his voice dipped low so only I could hear him. “You always get quiet when you’re tipsy. Like there are secrets you’re not ready to tell.”
My mouth curled. “Maybe I am. Or maybe I’m just waiting for someone to ask the right question.”
He grinned, eyes glinting, hand sliding higher on my thigh, thumb pressing circles that made my pulse skitter. “What if I already know what you want?”
My breath hitched, that reckless edge inside me lighting up. I let my knees drift apart, let his fingers inch beneath the hem of my dress, just enough to feel the promise.
The rain hammered harder, the world outside a black sheet, storm swallowing the beach whole.
Sydney raised her glass. “Somebody turn up the music. This weather is depressing.” Her words slurred a little, cheeks flushed, eyes bright.
Sabrina giggled, shoving Shane’s shoulder. “We should play a game. Truth or dare or something dirtier.”
Alex’s grin widened. “That’s dangerous territory. Some of us have a lot to confess.” His eyes locked on mine, daring me to answer.
I felt Caiden’s gaze, heavy, dragging my attention. He slouched against the wall, bottle dangling from his fingers, jaw set tight. He had that look. The one he wore in Colorado, the one that promised violence or salvation and made me crave both.
The thunder outside rolled, and my heart lurched with it.
I saw Blake’s eyes for a second, cold and empty. I shivered, wanting to blame the vodka, the rain, the memories chewing holes in my chest.
Shane stood, stretching. “If we’re playing games, I need another drink first.”
Sydney whooped, “Fill me up too. And Amelia. She needs to loosen up.”
Alex squeezed my knee, voice a mock whisper. “Not sure it’s possible to loosen her up much more.” The room exploded in laughter. I flushed, but I didn’t pull away.
A song pulsed from the speakers, the bass thick enough to feel in my bones. The lyric slipped into the haze,“You’re bad for me, but I want you all the same.”
I could feel Caiden’s attention burning into my skin, my whole body tuned to the ache of being seen and wanted and judged.
I let my head fall to Alex’s shoulder, let his hand that was hidden tease the edge of my panties. His breath was hot at my temple.
Before I could answer, Caiden spoke, voice heavy and thick with something sour. “Why don’t you just fuck her right here, man? We all know that’s where this is going.”
The words landed like a slap. Sabrina stopped pouring. Sydney’s laughter died out. Shane glanced between us, mouth tight.
Alex tensed, then smirked, not backing down. “Jealous much, Baxter? Or are you just pissed because you never learned how to ask nicely?”
Caiden’s smile was cold and crooked. “I don’t ask. Not for things that belong to me.” His eyes cut to mine, daring me to call his bluff, daring me to run.
My heart thundered, fear and want twisting together. The storm screamed against the house, the darkness outside pressing in.
For a second, I wanted Alex to save me, to be the good guy, the safe one. But all I could feel was the pull to the dark corner, the place where Caiden waited. A storm I’d never truly escaped, not even now.
I laughed and reached for another shot, letting the burn mask the emptiness. It was easier to let myself get lost than admit I’d always pick the darkness. Easier to let Alex touch me and pretend I didn’t want Caiden’s hands instead.
The vodka was running out, and so was the night. My skin felt too tight, my thoughts a broken carousel.
Rain, Blake’s eyes, Caiden’s hunger, Alex’s heat. I leaned into the chaos, praying the storm would last forever, because I didn’t know what I’d do when the morning came.
The storm raged outside, rain screaming against the windows and wind rattling the old frame of the beach house.
Sydney lounged at Sabrina’s feet, head thrown back, her laughter wild. “This weather’s fucking biblical,” she said, raising her glass. “We’ll be swimming out of here by morning.”
Sabrina grinned, propping her chin on Shane’s shoulder, her cheeks flushed, eyes liquid-soft. “Maybe we’ll see the sun again. Or maybe we’ll be mermaids by dawn.”
Shane started telling a story about a fishing trip, Sabrina curled into his side, Sydney howling at every punchline. The music wound through it all, a slow, dirty hip hop beat, lyrics whispering about sin and skin and wanting what you shouldn’t.
