TakingChances

byAnnOmasta

Dedication:

Thisbookisdedicatedtoyou,wonderfulreader.Ifeelgratefulforyou
everysingleday,andmyhopeisthatyouwillenjoythisbook.Happy
reading!

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Chapter1

“Thekissstartedsoftlythenslowlybuiltinintensity.Hislipswere
smooth,andhistonguegentlygrazedmine.Iuntuckedhisshirtand
easedmyhandsuphisbacktohisstrong,smoothshoulders.”

Ipausedtorefillourmargaritaglassesfromthepitcherandchuckled
atmybestfriend,Courtney.Herbig,blueeyeswerewideopenand
shewasleaningsofarforwardthatIfearedshemighttoppleover.
Shewasnormallytheonewiththesexystories,soIwasenjoying
havingoneofmyown,foronce.

WewereseatedatourusualtableforourSundaynightritual–tacos
andmargaritasatJoe’sBar&Grill.Joe’swasanisland-themed
restaurantthatremindedmeofthethatch-roofedeaterywheremy
parentsusedtotakemewhenwewentonourannualtrektothe
FloridaKeys.EventhoughJoe’swaslocatedinHarborShores,
Michigan-aboutasfarfromthetropicsascouldbe-itwasusually
teemingwithpatrons,bothlocalsandtourists.

Joeletushavethebestseatsinthehousewithafantasticviewofthe
lake,eventhoughweweregiven“familypricing.”Courtneyhad
beenawaitressattherestaurantforovertwoyears,butJoeknew
nevertoschedulehertoworkonaSundaynight.Ourgirls’nights
weresacred.

Courtneygrabbedthepitcherfrommyhandandquicklysloshed
moreofthefrozenconcoctionintoourglasses.“Goon,”she
demanded.

“MyfingerswereshakingasIunbuttonedhisshirt.”OnlyCourtney

knewofmyinsecuritiesinthebedroomandthereasoningbehind
them.Shenodded,encouragingmetocontinuewithmyplay-by-
play.

“Irefusedtogiveintomyfears.So,Iranmyhandsalonghisflat
absandoverhischestasIremovedhisshirtandtossedittothe
floor.AsIkissedhisneckandnibbledonhisear,heundidthe
buttonsatmyshoulderandloweredthetopofmydress.That’s
whenhediscoveredthatIhadn’tbeenabletowearabrabecauseof
theopenbackstyleofmydress.Ithinkhelikedthat.”Ismiledand
chuckled,rememberingthelookofaweinhiseyesashegazedat
myamplebreasts.

“Ibethedid!”Courtneyhootedwithlaughter.Shelookedterrific,as
usual,withherblondepixiehaircutandhuge,skyblueeyes.She
oozedsexualconfidence,butshehadadmittedtomeonmorethan
oneoccasionthatshewastotallyjealousofmychestiness.My
boobswere,infact,oneofmyonlybodypartsthatIfeltwereabove
average.

“Heusedjusttherightamountofpressureasherubbedhisthumbs
overmytautnipples.Thenhebegankissingandlickingand
nibblinghiswaydownme.Mywholebodyquakedwhenhesuckled
onmybreast.Iranmyfingersthroughhishairandarchedmyback
towardhimashegentlytuggedonmynipplewithhisteeth.”

“Everythingokaytonight,ladies?”Joeasked.Neitherofushadseen
himapproachthetable,andwewerestartledbytheinterruption.

“We’refine.”Courtneysnappedthewords,causingJoetoholdup
hishandsinmocksurrenderashemadeaquickretreat.

Courtneyletoutadeepbreathasifshe’dbeenholdingit.“Geez,
Abby,thisstoryismakingmehorny.I’mgoingtohavetofindahot

guytohookupwithandworkoffsomeofthissexualtension.”

IwonderedforthehundredthtimeifCourtneyeverwantedamore
seriousintimaterelationshipthanthebootycallsandonenight
standsthatshecurrentlyenjoyed.Sheseemedtobecontentwithher
life,soIhadneverpushedtheissuewithher.

“So?”Courtneypromptedimpatiently.

“WherewasI?”Iasked,perplexed.

“Nipples,teeth,tugging,”sheremindedme.

“Oh,right.Hishandsglideddownmyhipsandundermysilk
panties.Inonesmoothmove,heslidmydressandunderwearoff.I
steppedoutofthemandstoodbeforehimwearingonlythose
ridiculousLouboutinheelsthatyoutalkedmeintobuying.He
seemedtolikethatview,too.”

“Theyarefabulousshoes.I’mgladtohearyoufinallyputthemto
gooduse.Didyouwearthemthewholetime?”

Inodded,smiling,beforecontinuing.“Istruggledtoundothesnap
ofhisjeansasheeasedmebackonthebed.Heliftedoneofmylegs
andrubbedmyankleashebegankissinghiswayupmycalf.He
gentlyrubbedhishandsalongtheinsideofmylegs.Thenthose
magicalthumbsbeganmassagingcirclesuptotheapexofmy
thighs.”

Istoppedtotakeabite.“Damn,don’tstopnow!”Courtney
commanded.Ihadalreadyshoveledthefoodin,soIdida“mouth’s
full”motionatherandcontinuedchewing.Atherexasperatedlook,
Igulpedthebitedownandcontinued.

“Hislipsandtonguefollowedthepaththathishandshadtaken.I
becamesoworkedupthatIwaswrithingandbrazenlypushing
myselfuptowardshim.Hisheadwasbetweenmylegsasheused
hisfingerstospreadmewideopen.Hepausedforamomenttolook
upatmewiththemostgorgeousgreeneyesI’veeverseen.He
lookeddirectlyatmeandutteredthewords,‘You’resobeautiful.’I
waspantingandachingwithneedashebegantolowerhismouthto
me.”

“Uh-huh,”Courtneysaid,urgingmeonwhenIpaused.

“Thenthealarmwentoff.”

“O-M-Geeee!”Courtneyscreechedasshepretendedtobangher
headonthetable.“Itwasalladream?You’vegottabekiddingme.
Whathappenedonyourblinddate?”

“Thedatewasadud.Hespentthewholeeveningcomplainingabout
hisexes,andthenhewantedtosplitthecheck.Imeansplitthe
checkdowntothepenny-asin,Iatemoreoftheappetizerthanhe
did,soshouldpayformorethanhalfofit.”Irolledmyeyes.“He
definitelywasn’ttheguyofmydreams.Oranyoneelse’s,”Iadded
somewhatcontrarily.

I’msuremyeccentricboss,Annie,hadmeantwellwhenshesetme
upwithMarcus,tellingmethatshewassurehe’dbetheloveofmy
life,buthewasclearlynotthemanforme.“Maybethereisn’taman
that’srightforme,”Igrouched.

“Pleasetellmeyouusedthebattery-operatedgadgetIboughtyouto
finishofftheworkthatdream-guystarted,”Courtneysaid.She
narrowedhereyesatme,assessing,thensaid,“Icantellyoudidn’t.
You’retoogrumpy.There’snothingwrongwithavibrator,Abby.It
caneasesomeofthattensionthat’sbeenbuildingupforwaytoo

long.”

“Youmeanforever?”Iquipped.

Courtneysmiledatme,butitdidn’treachhereyes.Sheknewhow
sensitiveIwasaboutthissubject.Afterall,howmany28-year-old
divorceeshadneverhadanorgasm?Ifeltliketheonlyone.

“Icantellwhereyourmindisgoing,sojuststop.”Courtneygave
methelookthatsheuseswhenshemeansbusiness.“Don’tgodown
thispathagain.Thereisnothingwrongwithyou.Thattwo-pump-
and-dumpbastard,whowasmarriedtoyoufortwoyearsbutdidn’t
takethetimetolearnhowtopleaseyou,istheonewhoshouldbe
feelingbadabouthimself.”

Isnortedwithlaughteratthenameshehadcalledmyex-husband
thenstartedgigglinguncontrollably.“Youaretheonewhoneedsto
stop.You’regoingtomakemargaritashootoutofmynose.Where
doyoucomeupwiththisstuff?”

“I’vebeensavingthatone,waitingfortheperfecttimetozingit.”
Shegrinnedandliftedherglasstoclinkwithmine.

Chapter2

AsIgotreadyforworkthenextmorning,IwasthankfulthatIhad
remainedcoherentenoughthenightbeforetodrinkabottleofwater
whenIgothome.Courtneywouldappreciatememakingherhave
oneasapreemptivestrikeagainstahangoveraswell,eventhough
shewaspissyaboutitatthetime.Thesecondpitcherofmargaritas
mayhavebeenabitmuch.

Idownedacoupleofaspirinandanotherbottleofwaterforthe
slightheadacheIhad.ThenIsnuckintoCourtney’sroomand
quietlyleftthesameitems,alongwithapieceofbutteredcinnamon
breadandsomeorangeslices,onherbedsidetable.Shelookedso
peacefulandsweetlyingthere.Itmademewishtherewasawayfor
metomakeherseeinherselfallofthewonderfulqualitiesthatI
sawinher.

Onawhim,Itiptoedthroughhergirlybedroomandwenttoheren
suitebathroomtograbafuchsialipstickoutofherenormous
makeupcase.Idrewahugeheartonhermirror.InsideitIwrote,
“Youmakeeverythingbetter.”

Sinceitwassuchabeautifulday,Idecidedtowalktowork.Ileft
the100-year-oldlakesidecottagethatCourtneyandIsharedand
headeddowntheshoresideofthesidewalk.Thebreezeoffthelake
wasalittlechilly,butthesunwasshining,andthelakewascalm.I
feltgreataboutleavingthoselittlepick-me-upsforCourt.

ShewasalwaysquicktosaythatIhadsavedherlife.Whenshehad
arrivedinHarborShorespennilessandalone,Ihadtakenherinand
givenheraplacetostay.Iknewthetruth,though.Sheistheone
whohadsavedme.

Shehadarrivedinourquainttownjustafewmonthsaftermy
parents’deathsinthathorrificcaraccident.Theyhadbeentaken
fromthisworldintheprimeoftheirlivesduetoacarelessdrunk
driver.Ihadjustleftmyex,Larry,afterwalkinginonourrealestate
agent,Trudythefloozy,suckinghiscockinthelivingroomofour
condo.Wehaddecidedtosellourcondoandmoveoutofthecityin
hopesoffinallystartingourfamily.Instead,Imovedaloneto
HarborShorestothecute,lakesidecottagemyparentshadleftme.

IsupposeIshouldthankTrudybecauseIhadbeenunhappyinmy
marriageforalongtime.Ithadnevercrossedmymindtoleavehim
though,becauseIfelt,asmyparentshadfelt,thatmarriageis
forever.SeeingTrudyonherknees,withherfaketitsbolsteredup
bymycouchasshecuppedmyhusband’sballsinhernastyhands
withtheirblood-red,cheap,press-onfingernails,andherbrightred
lipsslidingupanddownhisdick,sealedthedealformeongettinga
divorce.Icouldn’terasethathideousmentalimage,nomatterhow
hardItriedtoun-seeit.

WhenIdescribedthesceneIhadwalkedinontoCourtney-
includingthesightofLarrywithhisheadtippedback,mouthagape,
lookingatmewithaglassy,uncaringstare-unwantedtearshad
startedtowellinmyeyes.

Courtneypattedmykneeandsaid,“Honey,that’sjusthead-face.
Theyallgetitwhenthey’regettingablowjob.”Thenshedropped
herfaceintoanexactreplicaoftheblanklookLarryhadgivenme,
andwebothwhoopedwithlaughter.

Thememorymademesmile.ThemessageIhadleftonCourt’s
mirrorwasperfect.Shereallydoesmakeeverythingbetter.

AsIwalkedalongthelakeshore,Inoticedthattouristswerestarting
totrickleintotown.Itwasmid-April,stillearlyforsnowbirdsand

vacationers,buteachyearthetourismseasonseemedtobestarting
earlierandlastinglaterintothefall.Forasmall,quiettownlike
HarborShores,Michigan,thatwasgreatnewsforthelocal
businesses,likethetrendyshopthathademployedmesinceI
movedhere.

AssoonasIopenedthedoortoEck,Meck&Dreck,mywacky
bossAnnieattackedwithquestions.“Howwasit?Didyoutwohitit
off?Wasitloveatfirstsight?Areyougoingoutagain?Whyaren’t
youtellingmeallaboutit?”

“Iwaswaitingforyoutotakeabreath.”IsmiledatAnnie.She
lookedlovelytodaywithasunshineyellowscarftiedinherunruly,
redcurlsandabohemianskirtflowingaroundher.IntypicalAnnie
fashion,shewaswearingturquoiseConversehigh-tops.The
combinationwouldnotbeflatteringonmost,butsomehowshe
madeitwork.

ShelookedsohopefulthatIhatedtodisappointherbytellingher
aboutmylessthanstellardatewithMarcus.Idecideditwouldbe
besttoripthebandageoffquickly.“It’sano-go,”Isaid.

“Notevenonemoredate?”shetried.Tohercredit,whenIshook
myhead,sheletitdropimmediately.“Noworries,”shesaidasshe
breezedpastme.“Plentyofsardinesinthecan.”

Ichuckledatthemottoshehadchosen,asuniqueasAnnieherself.
Anniehadbecomelikeasecondmothertomewhenmyownmother
hadpassedaway.Shehadbeentheretohelpmethroughthe
completedevastationofthelossofmyparents,andthecrumblingof
mymarriageinawaythatonlyamothercould.

SheknewthatthemoneyfrommyinheritancemadeitsothatI
didn’tneedtoworkforfinancialreasons.Ineededtoworkformy

sanity,though,andsheinsistedonpayingme.Onthesly,Isetaside
almostallofthemoneyIearnedfromworkingintoamutualfund
forCourtneyorAnnie,shouldtheyeverneedit.Itfeltgoodtoknow
thatthetwowomenIcaredmostaboutwouldneverhavetoworry
aboutmonetaryproblems.

Ibeganturningonthemyriadoftwinklelightsthatdottedthestore
asAnnieproppedthebrightpurplefrontdooropen,jinglingthe
bellsonthehandleandyellingdownthesidewalk,“Tchotchkes!Get
yourone-of–a-kindartsy-fartsytreasureshere!”

Asusual,peoplecouldn’tresistAnnie’smagneticcharm,andit
wasn’tlonguntilthestorewasbustlingwithactivity.Ilikedbeing
busyandhelpingpeoplefindtheperfectgiftforalovedoneora
specialsouvenir.Itwasterrificgettingtoseepeoplewhentheywere
attheirmostrelaxedandhappy.

IsmiledasIwatchedAnnieopenahugecardboardboxthat
containedthenewteapotlinewewouldbecarrying.Theceramic
teapotswereanimalshaped,andtheywerebeautiful.Annie
exclaimedovereachonelikeachildonChristmasmorning.“Look
atthegiraffe!Oh,Ithinkthedolphinismyfavorite!Suchbeautiful
colorsonthisparrot!Oh,Abby,look.Thecowhasacalf.”She
bubbledwithuninhibitedjoyasthecrowdthathadgatheredaround
herleanedintoseewhatshewoulddiscovernext.

Suddenly,Ifeltalmostoverwhelmedwithgratitude.Courtneyand
AnnieweretwoofthemostwonderfulpeopleonEarth,andthey
weremyfamilynow.IwashealthyandhadaterrificjobthatI
loved.Myparentshadleftmeamagnificentcottagewithinstepsof
thebeachinabeautifultown,whichIhadbeenabletoescapeto
aftermydivorce.Iwasanincrediblyluckylady.

Theonlythingmissingwasamaninmylife,butwhoneededoneof

those,anyway?Inmybriefhistorywiththem,theyseemedtobefar
moretroublethantheywereworth.

Chapter3

ThenextmorningwhenIstumbledintomybathroom,Ifounda
messagescrawledinpretty,lightpinklipstickonmymirror.“Say
‘Hi!’toacuteguytoday.”Thewordswerefollowedbyahuge,
winkingsmileyfacewithlongeyelashes.

Oh,Courtney,Ithought,IjustcametotheconclusionthatIdon’t
needaman.Ileftthemessageonmymirror,though,asareminder
tohavefunandnottakethingssoseriously.

SinceIhadthewholedayoff,withnospecialplans,Idecidedtogo
foraworkoutinthepark.Afteraquickshower,Idonnedmycapri
yogapantsandasportstank,thenIcoatedmyexposedskinwith
sunscreen.Iknewmymotherwassmilingdownonmeforthat.She
hadalwaysinsistedonmoisturizingandprotecting.Ipulledmy
thick,brownhairbackintoasimpleponytail,skippedmakeup
(otherthancherryChapstick,ofcourse),andtiedmybrightpurple
tennisshoes.

Lookingatmyreflectioninthemirror,IdecidedthatIwasasolid
sixwithmyglossy,chestnuthairandbigbrowneyes.Iwasn’tgoing
towinanybeautycontests,butwithmake-upandasexydress,I
couldpassforasix-and-a-half,maybeaseven.AtleastIwouldn’t
scareanyoneoff.“ReadyasI’lleverbe,”Isaidtonoonein
particular,sinceCourtneylikelywouldn’trolloutofbeduntilitwas
timeforthelunchshiftatJoe’s.

Buster,oneofCourtney’sstraysthatshewasconstantlytakingin,
shiftedhisheadalongthefloortowatchmego.Itoldmyselfthatit
wouldbeamuchbetterworkoutwithouthim,butthespottedbasset
houndhadsuchsweet,sadeyesthatIcouldn’tresisthim.

“Doyouwanttogo?”‘Go’musthavebeenthemagicwordbecause
hethumpedhistailtwiceandstartedtomaneuverhissquatlittlelegs
inanattempttogainenoughtractiontostanduponthehardwood
floor.ItwassuchanoperationthatIwastemptedtogohelphim,
butinsteadIgrabbedtheleashandwaitedforhimtojoinmeatthe
door.Lookingathispudgylittlebody,Idecidedthatalackoffood
wasdefinitelynotaprobleminBuster’slifebeforeCourtney
rescuedhim.

IsetmyiPodtoplay“BrownEyedGirl,”whichwasthesongmy
Dadusedtosingtome.AsIwalked,Irelishedthememoryofhim
usingatoothbrushforamicrophoneasheserenadedme.Busterand
ImadeourwaytotheparkatBuster’space.IfoundthatIliked
beingforcedtoslowdownalittle.ItfeltlikeIwasalwaysrushing
somewhere,eventhoughIdidn’tknowwhyIwashurrying.Habit,I
guess.

AlmosteveryonewepassedsmiledatBuster.Icouldseewhy
Courtneyhadfallenforhimsoquicklyandtakenhimin.Hewas
cuteinadroopykindofway.Unlikethatawfulyellowcat,Tabitha,
whoskitteredofforhadahissingfitanytimeIcamenear.Ithink
Courtneybelieved,atfirst,thatIwasmeantoTabbehindherback.
Nowthatwehadbecomesoclose,CourtneyknewthatIwould
neverintentionallyharmananimal.Thatcatjustdidn’tlikemefor
somereason.SheprobablyjustwantedCourtalltoherself.

AsBusterandIwalkedalong,Iliftedmyfacetothesunand
enjoyedthelightbreezeoffthewater.Itwasatrulygloriousday.I
heardhimbeforeIsawhim.“Buddy,come!”heyelled.Justthen,a
biggoldenretrieverbarreledtowardshimwithanorangeFrisbeein
itsmouth.Iwaswalkingupbehindthem,soIcouldn’tseeifhewas
a‘cuteguy,’buthisbroadshouldersandgreatasssuggestedthathe
probablywas.

Whenthedogreachedhimandhebentdowntolovinglyruffleits
earsashetooktheFrisbee,Imadeasnapdecisiontosayhitohim.
Itwascompletelyoutofcharacterandto-the-moon-and-backoutof
mycomfortzonetowalkupandspeaktoastranger.Ikept
remindingmyselfthatitwasonlyonewordasIforcedmyselfto
walktowardshim.

WhenBusterandIgotwithinafewfeetofhim,hisdoggavea
quick“Woof!”ingreeting.Heturned,andIwasmetwithoneofthe
mostgorgeousmenIhadeverlaideyeson.Hisdarkhairwasjusta
smidgetoolong,andheusedaneleganthandtoswoopitbackoff
hisforehead.Andthoseeyes–theywerethemostamazinggreen
eyesI’deverseen.Theymaynothavebeentheeyesfrommy
naughtydream,buttheywerefantasticanddrapedbylong,dark
lashesthatmostwomencouldn’tdreamofhaving,evenwiththe
helpofmascara.Hetookmybreathaway.

Ifeltcompletelytongue-tied,andweweretoocloseformetojust
walkawaylikeIhadn’tintendedtospeaktohim.“Ummm,”I
stalled.Jeez!Whatiswrongwithme?Mybreathwascomingfast
andIcouldfeelmyfaceflushing.Ihadtodosomething.Afterwhat
seemedlikeaneternity,butwasprobablyonlyafewseconds,I
finallygotthewordout.“Hi,”Imumbled,crossingmyarms
awkwardlyandintendingtomakeaquickexit.

“Hi!”herespondedandflashedmewithagrinthatjustabout
bowledmeover.Hewaswayoutofmyleague,andIjustwantedto
getawayfromhimbeforeIembarrassedmyselffurther.Ofcourse,
Busterchosethatmomenttoplophisbuttonthegroundandsitfora
spell.Icoaxedhimwitha“ComeonBuster,let’sgogetatreat!”I
whistledandtuggedathim,butthedamndogrefusedtobudge.

Handsomemanandhishappy,energeticdogstoodtherewatching
thewholeexchange.Bothofthemhadbiggrinsontheirfaces,

lookingextremelyamusedatmypredicament.Takingmercyonme,
themanfinallysaid,“Itdoesn’tlooklikeyouaregoinganywhere
forawhile.I’mSeth.SethDavis.”Heextendedahandtoshake
withmine.

“AbigailBrown,nicetomeetyou,”Isaid,shakinghishandgently.
Nicetomeetyou??Mythoughtsscreamedatme.Howclever.Itried
topushthenegativeself-talkoutofmymind,butitseemedtobe
justasstubbornasBuster,whowaspantingandlollingonthe
groundasifheintendedtostaythereindefinitely.“ComeonBuster.
Weneedtogo,”Itriedagain.

Busterfinallyharrumphedandstartedtheprocessofstandingup.
SumptuousSeth,asIhaddecidedtocallhimsilentlyinmyhead,
surprisedmebysaying,“Wait.”

Thisgavemeanexcusetopauseandlookdirectlyathim.Hewasa
sight–alltall,darkandhandsome,butthatstandarddescription
didn’tdohimjustice.Hewasallofthosethings,buthewasalsoone
ofthemostruggedlygood-lookingmenIhadeverseen.Hisjeans
andteeshirtweresnugenoughtogiveahintofthetight,tanbody
thattheycovered.Ilickedmylipsandrealizedthathisfullattention
wasfocusedonme.Itwasalmostasifhewaswaitingformetosay
something.Ohno!Didheaskmeaquestion?

“Huh?”Iasked.Oh,waytodazzlehimwithyourwittyrepartee,Ab.

Hedidn’tseemtobephasedbymyinnerturmoil.“IsaidthatBuddy
andIwerejustgettingreadytoheadtoTreats,thebakeryonBeach
Street.Wouldyouliketojoinus?”

Iknewtheplacehewastalkingabout.Itwasalocalfavorite.They
hadafewalfrescotablesthatoverlookedthewater.Peopletook
theirdogsthereallthetime.Thebakeryevenofferedspecialtydog

treats,andtheykeptwaterbowlsoutsidefortheircaninevisitors.

Ididn’thavetothinkaboutit.“I’dloveto,”Iansweredinstantly,
andthefourofussetoff.

Thatiswhenithappened.Hewassohandsome,andIwasso
nervousthatmydiarrheaofthemouthsetin.Istartedchattering
non-stopandcouldn’tseemtostopmyself.

Itonlytookafewminutestowalktothebakery,butbythetimewe
arrived,Ihadalreadytoldhimaboutmyjob,Courtney,andthatI
wasdivorced.TheonlythingsIknewabouthimwerethathisname
wasSethDavis,hewassuper-hotandhehadadog,namedBuddy.

Ifinallytookabreathoncewehadarrived,andSethtookthat
momenttosay,“Ifyouwanttostaywiththedogsandgrabusa
table,I’llgoinandorder.Whatwouldyoulike?”

“EnglishBreakfastteawithcreamandsugar,please.”

“Comingrightup,Ma’am,”hesaidbeforeflashinghisamazing
smileatmeanddashinginside.AsIfloppeddowninanavailable
chair,Ishookmyheadindisbeliefatmyincrediblefortuneandthe
waymynon-stopramblingwaslikelyruiningit.

“I’mgladyou’rehere,Buddy,”Isaidtothedog.Hethumpedhis
tailuponhearinghisname.“IhaveactedlikesuchanassthatI’m
quitecertainhewouldsneakoutthesidedoorifhedidn’tneedto
getyouback.”

IttookquiteawhileforSumptuousSethtocomeback.Ialmosthad
myselfconvincedthathehadleftoutthebackentranceandwould
comebacklatertocollecthisdog.Itookadeepbreathandvowed
nottobeatmyselfuplikethis.Ifhewasgone,Iwasn’tanyworse

offthanIwaswhenIstartedmywalk,Irationalized;andifhewas
stillhere,Ineededtoslowdownandlethimdosomeofthetalking.

MybreathhitchedalittlewhenIsawhimopeningthedoortocome
outtoourtable.Hewassodamngoodlooking,andIcouldn’t
believehewasherewithme.Iclearlywasn’ttheonlyonewho
noticedhowhandsomehewas.Everywoman-andevenamanor
two-gawkedashewalkedpast.Sethdidn’tevenseemawareofall
theattentionhedrew.

Hehadhishandsfullwithtwocups,apinkbox,andawhitebag
filledwithbakerygoodies,soIstartedtogetuptotakesomething
fromhim.Inthatmoment,BusterlungedfasterthanI’deverseen
himmove.HemanagedtotanglehisleashwithBuddy’s,which
causedBuddytotrytodartaroundmetogetoutoftheway.My
legsbecametangledintheleashesjustasIwastakingasteptoward
Seth,andIstartedtofallforward.Ifellface-firstintoSeth’schest.
Hecaughtmebywrappingbothofhisstrongarmsaroundme–
somehowbalancingthedrinksandgoodies-anditfeltlikeheaven.

Humiliationquicklycreptinashehelpedmegetuntangledandback
tomychair.“I’msuchaklutz,”Imuttered,shakingmyhead.“And
youcaughtmeandmanagedtokeepaholdofallthestuffinyour
hands,”IsaidasIblewonmytea.

Sethbroughtawarmblueberrydoughnutoutoftheclassicpink
bakeryboxandsetitonanapkininfrontofme.“Itcouldhave
happenedtoanyone,”hereassuredmekindly.Thenhechuckled,
“I’veneverseenabassethoundmovethatfast.”

“Iknow,right?Iwonderwhathewasafter.”

“Well,Ihatetorewardhimforalmostknockingusbothdown,butI
didenjoycatchingyou.”Hiseyestwinkledashegrinnedatme.He

liftedtwodogtreatsoutofthewhitebakerybag.“Doyouthinkhe’d
preferpeanutbutterorchicken?”

“Fromthewayhelicksourjarscleanwhenwearedonewiththem,I
knowhe’safanofpeanutbutter.”

Sethleaneddowntogivethedogstheirbone-shapedcookies,andI
tookadeepbreathtocalmmyself.ThenIshiftedtheconversation
andstartedaskinghimsomequestions.Ilearnedthathewasaboat
builder,thathelovednatureandthathewasn’tjusthandsome.He
wasalsofunny,smart,andsweet.

Mr.Finley,thegrandfatherlybakeryowner,stoppedbyourtableto
seeifweneededanything.WhenheleanedoverSeth’sshoulderto
refillthehotwaterinourteamugs,hecaughtmyeyeandwaggled
hisbushyeyebrows,makingmesmile.

IkeptlookingforthefatalflawthatmustbepresentinSeth,butI
suredidn’tseeone.Withthislevelofperfection,womenmustbe
throwingthemselvesathimallthetime.Itdidn’tmakesensefor
himtobespendingtimewithme,whileseemingtoenjoyhimself.I
almosthadmyselfconvincedthathewasgaywhenheaskedifhe
couldseemeagain.

ImadeavaliantattempttocontroltheexcitementinmyvoiceasI
respondedthatIcouldprobablyworkhimintomybusyschedule,
textedhimmycellphonenumberandtoldhimgoodbye.ThenI
proceededtofloatoncloudnineallthewayhome,thinkingabout
whatafantasticdaythishadturnedouttobe.

Chapter4

“Thankyou,thankyou,thankyou!”Isaid,grabbingCourtneyand
huggingherassoonasshewalkeddownstairs.

“Umm,you’rewelcome,”shesaid,huggingmeback.“What’dIdo
thatwassogreat?”

“YousuggestedthatIsayhitohim,andheissohandsome,butI
didn’tknowhowhandsomeuntilheturnedaround.He’ssodreamy
thatitnearlytookmybreathaway,butit’snotjusthislooks.He’s
alsokindandfunnyanddown-to-earth,andhehasagolden
retriever,”Igushed,breathless.

Iknewthegoldenretrieverpartwouldwinherover.“Well,anyguy
whohasagreatdoglikethathastobesomewhatokay,butslow
down.Whoisthisguy,andwhatdoyouknowabouthim?”

Itookamomenttoenjoyhowprotectiveshewasofme,andthenI
startedabouttellingherallaboutSumptuousSeth.Courtneyliked
mynicknameforhim,butdecidedthatSSwasmucheasiertosay.

“SSdoessoundgreat,”Courtneyadmitted.“Justbesafeandonly
meethiminpublicplacesatfirst.Youneverknow.Hecouldbean
axmurdererorsomeotherkindoffreak.”

“We’recomingtoJoe’sonFridaynight,soyoucancheckhimout
foryourself.Letmeknowifyouthinkhehasdeadbodiesburiedin
hisbasement.”

Webothsnickered,butthenCourtturnedserious.“Imeanit.You
haven’tbeenoutinthedatingworldforawhile,andit’sajungleout
there.”

“Technically,I’veneverbeeninthedatingworld,otherthanthat
fiascoofablinddatethatAnniesentmeon.”Ihadbeensoawkward
withmypimplesandbracesinhighschoolthatboyshadbarely
glancedatme.LarryandIhadmetduringmyfirstweekofcollege.
Irememberedthethrillingfeelingofrealizingthathewasactually
flirtingwithme.

Larrywasn’tSumptuousSethhandsome,buthecertainlywasn’t
unattractive.Intheinitialstagesofourrelationshiphehadbeen
attentiveandsweet.Hehadcompletelysweptmeoffmyfeet.We
datedtheentiretimeIwasincollege.Duringthattime,wehadsome
seriousmake-outsessions.Iregularlygavehimhand-jobsandhad
evensuckedhimoffafewtimes,butIwasdeterminedtoremaina
virginuntilmarriage,evenifIwasonlyatechnical-virgin.

ThesummerafterIgraduatedfromtheUniversityofMichigan,we
gotmarried.ThatwaswhenIlearnedaboutmyinabilitytoorgasm.I
lovedthatCourtneywassowillingtoblameitallonLarry,butdeep
down,Iknewthetruthwasthatinthoseinitialmonthsofour
marriage,Larryhadtrulytriedtopleasureme.Whenhehadhis
fingersordickinsideme,itfeltgood(sometimesreallygood),butit
neverquitesentmeovertheedge.

Wehadexperimentedwithdifferentpositions,lubricants,nipple
stimulation,watchingpornandwatchingourselves,butnothing
worked.Wedecidedtotrydifferentlocationstospicethingsup.We
fuckedinthecar,onthefloor,onthecounter,outside,onhisoffice
desk,intheshower,inarestaurantmen’sroom,atagoodfriend’s
party.Whateverwecouldthinkof,wetried.

Thefinalstrawcamewhenwerentedasleazymotelroomand
agreedtomeetthere.Feelingnaughty,Ihadgreetedhimwearinga
trenchcoatwithnothingunderneath.Hehadrippeditoffmeandwe

spenttheentirenightgoingatithard.Oursweat-slickedbodies
madesmackingsoundsashepoundedintomefrombehind.
Suddenly,hesurprisedmebyslowing,thenstopping.“Youcouldat
leastfakeit,youknow,”hegrowledinmyearbeforeshovingoutof
meandslammingthebathroomdoor.

IfeltlikeI’dbeenslapped.Icouldn’tbelievethathewouldeven
suggestthatIfakeit.Howwouldthatmakeanyonefeelbetter?
Fromthatnighton,oursexlifeconsistedofaweeklymissionary-
stylesessionofhimgruntingandrammingintome,whileIcounted
theceilingtilesandwaitedforittobeover.

“Youstillinthere?”Courtneywaswavingherhandinfrontofmy
face.

“Sorry,IguessIgotcaughtupthinkingaboutthepastforaminute.
Idohaveaquestionforyou.”

“Shoot,”CourtneyencouragedmewhenIdidn’timmediately
continue.

“Well,asyoumentioned,Ihaven’tdatedinawhile.So,Iwasn’t
surewhatthecurrentprotocolis.Imean,Iwaswondering,um.”

WhenIpausedagain,Courtneygavemeacuriouslook.“Spitit
out.”

“Whenshouldwedoit?”Iaskedher,squeezingmyeyesclosedin
embarrassment.Iopenedoneeyetogaugeherreaction.Shewasn’t
laughing,soIcontinued.“Iwon’tbeexpectedtoputoutonthefirst
date,willI?”

“Probablynot,”shereassuredme.“Ifallgoeswell,akisswitha
littletonguewouldbeappropriate.Maybeevenalittleoutsidethe

shirtboobyaction.Ifallgoesfantastic,andyouwanttobanghis
brainsout,Idoubthewouldcomplain,though,”shelaughed.

Icouldhandlekissing.Itwasgoodtoknowhewouldn’tlearnofmy
sexualfailingsonthefirstdate.WhenCourtneystartedtoleavethe
kitchen,Icalledouttoher.“Wait.WhatshouldIwear?”

Courtneysmiledassheputherarmaroundmeandsaid,“Youhave
askedtherightperson.Let’sgofindyouacuteoutfitthatshowsoff
yourperfectta-tas.”IshookmyheadasIfollowedher.

Chapter5

TimeseemedtoslowlycrawlbywhileIwaswaitingforFriday.
Whenitfinallyarrived,mynerveskickedintohighgear.Allweek,I
hadbeenwritingpick-me-upreminderstomyselfonstickynotes,
andtheycircledmymirror.Itookamomenttoreadthroughthem.
Breathe.Youareanintelligentwoman.Don’tchatternon-stop.
Smile.Donotworry.Youareworthy.Youdeservetobehappy.
Theyweresimple,butreadingthemhelpedmecalmdown.

IsmiledatthenewonethatCourtneyhadaddedinthecenterofmy
mirror.Havefun.Itookasipfromtheglassofchilledwhitewine
thatshehaddeliveredtomybathroombeforeleavingforhershiftat
Joe’s.

SinceIstillhadoveranhourbeforeIneededtomeetSethatthe
restaurant,Idecidedtotakeabubblebath.Thewineandbathmust
havebeenjustwhatIneededbecauseIwasalmostcalmasIdonned
mydenimminiskirtandthev-neck,lightpinkteeshirtthat
Courtneyhadchosenfortheoccasion.Istillcouldn’tbelievethat
shehadloanedmeherfavoritecowboybootswiththepastelflowers
swirlingaroundthem,buttheylookedfantastic,andgavemejust
theextraboostofconfidencethatIneededasIwalkedtoJoe’s.

Joe’swasoneoftheonlyfull-service,waterfrontrestaurantsin
town,anditwasbustlingwithactivitywhenIarrived.Thankfully,
Courtneyhadpromisedtosaveusatable.Sheranovertogreetme
assoonasIwalkedin.“Youlookfantastic!”shegushed.“Heisn’t
goingtobeabletokeephishandsoffyou.”Herenthusiasmwas
contagiousasshecoveredmyeyesandledmeovertothetablethat
sheandInormallysharedongirls’night.

“Ta-da!”sheyelledwhensheremovedherhandstorevealhowthe

tablehadbeentransformed.Twinklelightssparkledfromabovethe
boothandalongthebackofthetable,alitcandlecreatedasubtle
glow,andabouquetoffreshwildflowershadbeenplacedinawater
glassatthecenterofthetable.

“Oh,Court.It’sbeautiful!Youtreatmelikeaprincess,”Isaidwith
wateryeyes.

“Youdeserveonlythebest,”shewhisperedinmyearbeforesliding
uptothebartograbatrayofdrinksforoneofhertables.

IknewwhenSetharrivedbecausethegroupofladiessittingacross
frommestoppedtalkingandturnedtogazeathim.Hewalkedtomy
tableandgrinnedatme.“You’reevenmorebeautifulthanI
remembered.”

IblushedandthenchuckledasCourtneywalkedbehindhimfanning
herselfwithahand,andsilentlymouthingthewords“hubbahubba.”
Shewasright.SethlookedlikeaGreekgod,andIcouldnotbelieve
hewasherewithme.Hisdarkhairwasslightlydamp,asifhe’djust
gottenoutoftheshower.Hewasclean-shavenandsmelledlikeIrish
Spring.Hisblackteeshirtwasjusttightenoughtoshowoffhisflat
absandbulgingbiceps.And,speakingofbulges,hisjeanswere
snugenoughtogiveatantalizinghintofhisjunk.Ihadtoprymy
eyesaway.

Ashesatdown,hecommented,“Wow,itlookslikewescoredthe
bestseatsinthehouse.”

Igrinned,“Iknowpeople.”

Courtneystoppedbywithaquick,“Hi,I’mCourt.Takegoodcare
ofmygirlorwe’llhavewords.”Shewaggledawarningfingerat
Sethwithasmile,beforehustlingofftohernexttable.Shehad

arrangedforoneoftheotherwaitressestotakecareofus.Thathad
surprisedmeatfirst,butbeingherthoughtfulself,shehadprobably
figuredIwouldbemorecomfortablewithoutherstoppingbythe
tableperiodicallyallevening.

SethandIsplitabottleofwhitewinefromalocalvineyardandan
appetizerplatterfulloffried,fabulous,fatteninggoodies.Thenwe
toppeditalloffwithabrowniesundae.Itwasaperfectevening
filledwithinterestingconversation,laughter,andgreatfood.

Sethsurprisedmebyturningtowardsthebarandasking,“Howlong
doyouthinkitwillbebeforeyourfriendandthebartenderhook
up?”

Igavehimasidewayslook.“Courtney?AndJoe?He’sherboss,”I
responded,shakingmyhead.

“Well,they’vebeengivingeachothergooglyeyesallnight,”he
countered.

Isatbackinmyseat,thinkingthatoneoverforaminute.Couldhe
beright?Courtlovedsexandmen,butshehadnevershownan
interestinkeepingonearoundformorethanacoupleofdates.AsI
contemplatedit,IrealizedthatshedidactdifferentaroundJoe.Ihad
alwayschalkedituptohimbeingheremployer.

IwatchedJoeworkingthebarwithhiscustomarylaidbackease.He
waskindofcute,withhisslightlyscruffy,dirty-blondehair.His
styletendedtowardsteeshirtsandflip-flops,whileCourtwasa
glamourgirl.“Hmm,”IsaidaloudasItiltedmyhead,pondering
him.

Sethcoughed.“Pleasedon’tgazeatanotherguywhileyouareout
withme.You’regoingtogivemeaninferioritycomplex.”He

smiledafterhesaidittoletmeknowhewasteasing.

“Well,thenyoubetterworktokeepmyattention,”Iretorted
quickly,openlyflirtingwithhim.

“Let’sgetoutofherethen,andfindsomeplacewhereIcanhaveyou
alltomyself.Howaboutawalkalongthewater?”heasked.

“I’dloveto,”Iresponded,decidingtogivemorethoughttothe
CourtneyandJoeidealater.

AsSethpaidJoeatthebar,Courtneyslidbehindmeandwhispered
inmyear.“Don’tdoanythingIwouldn’tdo.”

IchuckledasIturnedtoherandasked,“Whatwouldthatbe?”

“Thereisn’tmuchthatwouldbeoff-limitswiththatfinehunkof
man,”shemumbledunderherbreathasIturnedtoleavewithSeth.
“Havefun!”Sheyelledthewordstobothofus,asSethputagentle
handatthesmallofmybackandguidedmeoutoftherestaurant.

Chapter6

Wewalkedhand-in-handalongthesandyshore.Thenearlyfull
moonglimmeredonthewater.Itwasunseasonablywarm,soeven
thebreezeoffthewaterwasn’ttoochilly.Iwaspleasantlytipsyand
happierthanIeverrememberedbeinginmyentirelife.

IwasinmyownworldwithSethandbarelytooknoticeofthe
couplewalkingtowardsus,untilthemanspoke.Iwouldhave
recognizedhisvoiceimmediately,evenifhehadn’tcalledmebythe
nicknamehehadusedtheentiretimethatweweremarried,despite
thefactthatIdidn’tcareforit.

“Abracadabra.”Hedrewthewordout.“Workingyourmagicona
newfellow,Isee.”

Sethsmiledandintroducedhimself,extendinghisarmtoshake
hands.

IalmostfeltsorryforTrudytheskankwhenLarryintroduced
himselfasmyhusband.“Ex-husband,”sheandIinterjected
simultaneously.

“Right,ofcourse,weallknewthat.Whatgoodfortune,toruninto
youonourlittleweekendgetaway.”Ihadtoforcemyselftorefrain
fromrollingmyeyesathisbroadinterpretationofthewords‘good
fortune.’

“Well,asyoucansee,”Larrysaidloudlyandwithabigsmileashe
pattedTrudy’sslightlyprotrudingbelly,“I’vebeenbusysincethe
divorce.MyLittleLoveMuffinandIaregoingtobetheproud
parentsofLarryJr.inafewmonths.”

IfeltlikeIhadbeenpunchedinthestomach.NotbecauseIstill
caredaboutLarry,butbecausethispregnancyprovedthatIwas
barren.Throughoutourmarriage,Ihadlongedforachild.Iwanted
tobeamothermorethananything.Larryhadbeenagreeablefrom
thestart,andwehadneverusedbirthcontrol.Asoneyearrolled
intotwo,itbecameapparentthatsomethingwaswrong.

Ihadalwaysbelieved,deepdown,thathewastheonewiththe
fertilityissue.WheneverIbroachedthesubjectwithhimtobe
tested,hebecameirateandinsistedthatIwastheonewhose
equipmentdidn’twork,soIwasprobablytheonewhocouldn’t
conceive.

IhadnevergoneforthetestingbecauseIwantedtoholdontothe
hopethatIcouldconceiveachild.Thebabybumpprotrudingfrom
Trudy’stoo-tight,leopardprintmini-dresswasproofthatIhadbeen
thereasonwecouldn’tgetpregnant.Notonlydidmyladypartsnot
knowhowtohavefun,theydidn’tevenknowhowtodowhatthey
weremadetodo.Ifeltbrokenandsad,andIwantedtogetaway
fromthesetwo.

Ididn’tevenknowwhathadbeensaidasIstoodtherereeling,andI
didn’tcare.“Okay,takecare.Buh-bye.”IgrabbedSeth’sarmand
stalkedoff,wonderinghowLarrywasstillabletoruinthingsfor
me.

Sethwaiteduntilwewereasafedistanceawaybeforesaying,“You
stillcareabouthim,huh?”

“Larry?Ick,no!Ijustwascaughtoff-guardwiththewholebaby
thing.”IwasdeterminednottoletLarryandTrudyruinmy
wonderfuldatewithSeth.Iwouldthinkaboutthedireimplications
ofLarrybeingabletoimpregnateTrudylater.Tonightwasabout
Seth,andIwasn’treadyforittoend.Iwantedtoforgetallabout

Larryandhisbabymommaandthoroughlyenjoymytimewith
Seth.

Inwhatwaslikelytheboldeststatementofmylife,Iturnedtohim
andsaid,“Howaboutshowingmeyourplace?”

Sethwasclearlysurprised,buthesmiled.“It’snotmuch,butIdo
havebigplansforitsomeday.”

“I’msureit’sgreat,”IsaidasIlockedarmswithhimandmarched
himbackupthegravelpathtotheparkinglotofJoe’s.

HeshowedmetoadarkgreenJeepWranglerwithnodoorsand
helpedmeclimbin.Aswedrove,Iclearedmymindasthewind
whippedthroughmyhair.Itwasaclearnightandthereseemedto
beamillionstarstwinklingaboveus.

Iwassurprisedwhenheturneddownawoodedlanethatangled
towardsthelake.SethseemedalmostnervousasheparkedtheJeep.
“Itoldyouitwasn’tanythingspecial.”

Idon’tknowwhatIhadexpected,butitwasn’ttheAirstreamtrailer
thatsatbeforeme.“Oh,”Igulped.“It’snice.”Itcameoutalmost
likeaquestion,eventhoughIhadn’tmeantforitto.

Oncethesurpriseworeoff,andIbegantolookaround,Irealized
thatthiswastheperfectspotforSeth.Thelotwasfulloftreesand
hadabeautifulviewofthelake.Attheedgeofhislandwasahuge
polebarnwhereSethbuilthisboats.ItwasanidealplaceforBuddy
toroamInoted,ashecameovertogreetmewithasniffbefore
takingofftochasealeaf.

Sethhadbuiltanamazingcedardeckonthefrontofthetrailer,so
wesatdowntorelaxandtalkinhisrockingchairs.Ilookedoutover

thewaterandsaid,“Okay,thisreallyisnice,”withmoreconviction
thistime.

“Thetraileristemporary.Ijustfellinlovewiththelocation,soI’m
goingtobuildhereoneday,”hetoldme.

“Buildityourself?”Iasked.“Doyoualreadyhaveplans?How
excitingtobeabletomakeitexactlyhowyouwant.”

“Noplansyet.”Hebecamequiet,andIwonderedifhewasgoingto
elaborate.Helookedrightatmewiththosegorgeousgreeneyesand
said,“I’vebeenwaitingfortherightwomantocomealong,sowe
candecideonourdreamhousetogether.”

Ialmostmeltedonthespot.WhatIwouldn’tgivetobehis‘Ms.
Right.’Hewasabsolutelyideal,andIdidn’tfeelworthyofbeing
withhim,butIdecidedtoenjoyeverymomentIhadwithhim,even
ifitmeantIwasjusthis‘Ms.RightNow.’

Iblurtedout,“Wanttotakethispartyinside?”Iwonderedwhere
thisnewfoundboldnesswascomingfrom.

“Oh,uh.”Heranhisfingersthroughhishair.

Hedoesn’twantme.He’sjustbeingnice.Myinnervoicepanicked.

“I’mnotexactlyprepared.”Atmyperplexedlook,heelaborated.“I
didn’tthinkwe’dbeinthissituationtonight,soIdon’thaveany
condoms.”

“Oh.”Relieffloodedoverme.SinceIhadn’thadsexuntilIwas
married,Ihadneverhadtoworryaboutcondoms.Infact,I’dnever
seenoneotherthanduringthebananademonstrationthateveryteen
suffersthrough.“Okay,wedon’thaveto.”Ipausedbeforeadding,

“ButIknowIdon’thaveanydiseasesbecauseIgottestedafterI
foundoutLarryhadbeenwiththatho-bagwesawtonight.”Ho-
bag?!?Mymentalcriticscreeched.Howclassy.

Helookeddownatmeandsmiled.“IknowIamdisease-free
becauseIalwayswearacondom,butIdon’twanttogetyou
pregnantonourfirstofficialdate.”

“Apparently,Ican’tgetpregnant,sothat’snotanissue.”Ilooked
down,determinednottoletnegativethoughtscreepinandruinmy
nightwithSeth.

That’swhenwhathehadsaidreallybegantosinkin.Ifhealways
woreacondom,thenminecouldbethefirsthoo-hathatthisperfect
man’spenistouched.IwassurethatIwouldspendalotoftime
beingupsetaboutthefactthatIcouldn’tconceiveachild,butIhad
justdiscoveredtheonlybenefitofit,andIwasn’tabouttoignore
thisopportunity.Withoutwastinganymoretime,Ilungedathim.

Hecaughtme,andIwrappedmylegsaroundhiswaistashekissed
mehungrily.HethrewthedooroftheAirstreamopenandwe
toppledinside,laughingintoeachother’smouths.Wewereonthe
floor,andIwasstillstraddlinghimwhenhetiltedhisheadback,
breakingourkiss.“Idon’twanttoruinthiswithsex.”Thenhe
addedgently,“You’vehadalottodrinktonight,andIdon’twantto
takeadvantageofyou.Areyousureyouwanttodothis?”

Touchedbyhissweetthoughtfulness,Iplacedbothhandsonhis
cheeksandlookeddirectlyintothosepiercinggreeneyesasIsaid,
“I’veneverbeenmoresureofanythinginmywholelife.Nowhurry
upandriptheseclothesoffme!”

“Yes,Ma’am.Happytooblige,”hesaidinmyearashenuzzledmy
neck.HeeasedthepinkteeshirtovermyheadasIworkedtofree

himofhisclothes.Myeyesopenedwideinsurpriseasheundidmy
brawithonequickflickofhislong,capablefingers.

Wewerestillinthedoorwayofthetrailerwithourlegshangingout.
Itshouldhavebeenuncomfortable,andIshouldhavebeen
concernedthatsomeonewouldseeus,butmymindhadbeentaken
overbymybodyandmybodyhadbeentakenoverbypleasure.
Whateverhismouthwasdoingtomybreastmademeacheformore,
andhishandwasslowlyworkingitswayupmyleg,pastthehemof
myminiskirt.

Iranbothofmyhandsoverhim.Ihadmanagedtodisposehimof
hisshirt,buthisjeanswerestillintheway.Igotthemloosened,and
Iloweredthewaistbandofhisunderwearsothathesprangout.
Instantly,Iwrappedmyhandsaroundhim.Hisskinwasvelvety
smooth,andhewasrockhardandhuge.Iranmyfingersalonghis
lengthandmoanedwithpleasureatthefeelofhim.

Hegrabbedmyhandsandpulledthemtohislipsforakiss.“Abby,
thatfeelsamazing.Alittletooamazing,actually.”Asherolledus
over,heinformedme,“Iamagentleman,andgentlemenalwayslet
ladiesgofirst.”

Ialmostconfessedthathedidn’thavetobotherwithtryingto
pleasureme,butIforcedmyselftostop.

Heloweredhishandstoundomyskirtandquicklyyankeditoffme.
Hecuppedhishandovermysoakedpantiesandgroaned.“You’re
sowet.”

“Foryou,”Iwhisperedinhisear.Iliftedmyhipsandherippedmy
pantiesdown.Ipantedashisfingerssliddownthefrontofme.He
slowlyspreadmeapartandbeganmakingslowcircles.Mylegsfell
wideopen.Hisotherhandplayedwithmynippleuntilitwasahard

nub,andhegentlykissedmeonthemouth.Itwastoomany
wonderfulsensationsatonce.IfeltlikeIwasgoingtoexplode.

Myhipsbeganbuckingoftheirownaccord.Ididn’tknowwhatwas
happening,butIknewthatIdidn’teverwantittostop.Mynerve
endingswereelectrifiedandmybreathwascomingfast.Iturnedmy
headtotheside,unabletothinkofanythingbuthowgoodthisfelt.
Mybreathcaught,andpleasuresurgedthroughme.Ithrewmyhead
backandgasped,mouthwideopenasthefirstorgasmofmylife
rippedthroughme.

Justthen,Sethplungedintome.Hismoanofpleasurespurredme
on,andmybodycontinuedthrashingwildlybeneathhim.He
reachedahanddownbetweenustoruboverme.Thefrictionofhis
finger,alongwiththefeelingofhiscockdrivingintome,sentme
overtheedgeagain.AsIpulsedaroundhim,Sethpumpedfaster
andgroanedashecame.

Hecollapsedontopofme,stillbreathinghard.Hewashotand
heavy,anditfeltwonderful.Astherealityofwhathadjust
happenedsankin,Ibegantolaugh.

“Laughteratatimelikethisisn’tgreatformyego,”Sethmuttered.

“I’mnotbroken!”Isaid,stilllaughing.

“Broken?YouthoughtIwouldbreakyou?”

“No,Ithoughtmyladypartsdidn’tworkbecauseIhaveneverhad
anorgasmbefore.”

Seth’seyeswidenedinsurprise.“Never?”WhenIshookmyheadin
answer,hesaid,“Icanvouchthatyourladypartsworkquitewell.
Now,itsoundstomelikeyouhavealotoforgasmingthatyouneed

tocatchupon,andI’mjustthemantotakeonthistask.”Hehada
bigsmileonhisfaceasheadded,“Ifyou’reupforit.”

Inoddedandgiggledashepickedmeupandcarriedmetotheback
ofthetrailer.Afterhetossedmeonthebed,weremovedtherestof
ourclothes,andhekissedhiswayupmybodytoliebesideme.

Heplacedhislipsonmyforeheadinagentlekiss.“I’mgoingto
recuperatealittle,butfeelfreetowakemeassoonasyou’reready
toraisethattotalorgasmcount.”

“Willdo,”Iagreed,asIsnuggledintohisnaked,perfectbody.I
couldn’tbelievethatIhadjusthadsexwiththisamazingman.I
smiledatmythoughtsasIrealizedthatifIhadknownthatorgasms
feltthatfantastic,Iprobablywouldhavebrokendownandtriedout
thevibratorthatCourthadgivenme.

WhenIfelthisbreathingsteady,Iquietlygotuptofindmycell
phone.IsentaquicktexttoCourt,‘Won’tbehometonight.’Iadded
asmileyfaceafteritsoshewouldknoweverythingwasokay,since
itwasn’tatalllikemetostayoutallnight.

AsIstoodthere,naked,breathinginthefreshair,Icouldnotstop
smiling.Whatamarvelousnightandawonderfulman.Itwassucha
relieftoknowthatmybodywascapableofthatmuchpleasure.

Iwantedtopayhimbackinsomeway.Isnappedmyfingersasthe
ideacametome,andIsnuckbackintohisroom.Hewasgoingto
wakeupwithhisdickinmymouth,andIwasgoingtogivehimthe
bestblowjobofhislife.

Beingagentleman,hewashappytoreturnthefavor.

Chapter7

Iawoketothedelectablesmellofsizzlingbacon.“Couldyoubeany
moreperfect?”IaskedasIdevouredthesightofhimworkinginthe
kitchen.Iwatchedthemusclesinhisbarebackflexasheturnedthe
bacon.Cladonlyinperfectfittingjeans,helookedcompletelyat
easeinthekitchen.

WhenheturnedtohandmeamugofEnglishBreakfasttea,he
asked,“Creamandsugar,right?”

Icouldseebythecolorofitthathehadalreadyaddedthe
ingredients,andIwasbeyondtouchedthathehadremembered.“I
hopeyoudon’tmindthatIborrowedashirt,”Isaid,indicatingthe
long,navyblueteeshirtthatIwaswearing.

“Lookswaybetteronyouthaniteverdidonme.”Hesmiled.“Mind
butteringthattoast?Thenwecanheadoutsidetoeat.It’sabeautiful
morning.”

Hewasright,thesunwasglisteningonthewaterandtheairwas
freshandclear.Weateincompanionablesilence,andIkeptfinding
myselfgazingathim.Hewassohandsomeitalmosthurtmyeyes.
WhenhetossedhislastbiteofbacontoBuddy,thenflashedasmile
atme,anideapoppedintomyhead.

Itwasstillearlyandthisplacewassecluded,otherthanthelake.I
didaquickscananddidn’tseeanyboatsorothersignsoflife,soI
walkedoverandstooddirectlyinfrontofSeth’schair.Hesat
forwardtopresshischeekagainstmybellyinawarmhug.His
handsslidunderthelongteeshirt,andhequicklydiscoveredthatI
hadn’tbotheredwithpantiesthismorning.“You’regoingtobethe
deathofme,woman,”hegroaned,buthelookedupatmewitha

hugesmile.

“Thirdtimeisthecharm,right?”IaskedasIclimbedontohischair,
straddlinghim.Ipulledtheshirtovermyheadandenjoyedthelook
ofpuredesirethatwashedoverhimashegazedatme,fullynude,in
theearlymorninglight.Iwasnormallyonetohidemynakednessin
thedark,butSethmademefeelsafeandsexy.

Heranhishandsdownmybarebackandcuppedmybottom.My
headfellbackashekissedmyneck.Iroseuponmykneesand
archedmybacktoallowhismouthfullaccesstomybreast.When
hebitlightlyonmynipple,pleasureshotthroughmeandIletouta
whimperofdelight.

Hishands,stillcuppingmyrear,begantomoveforward.Heslidhis
fingersalongtheslicksurfaceatthefrontofme.Iwaspantingwith
need.“Iwantyouinsideme.NOW.”

IworkedhisjeanslooseandsmiledwhenIsawthathehadoptedto
skipunderwearthismorning,aswell.HeraisedusupsoIcould
lowerhisjeans.ThenIeasedmyselfontohimwithagroanof
satisfaction.

Istartedridinghim,circlingslowlyashisfingersworkedtheir
magiconme.Ileanedmyheadback,closedmyeyes,andletthe
pleasurewashoverme.Thechairrockedtoourrhythm.

Ishiftedtheangle,tookhiminsidemeallthewaytothebaseand
enjoyedthesensationofhavingtheheadofhispenisrubthemost
sensitiveareadeepinsideme,whileheusedhisfingersonmy
sensitive,swollenclit.

Whenheloweredhisheadtotakemybreastintohismouth,myhips
beganpumpingfaster.Iletoutacryofpleasureasmybody

shudderedaroundhim,andIfeltthehotburstofreleasefromhim.

Afterafewseconds,Sethexclaimed,“Nowthat’saphenomenal
waytostartaday!”

Stillbreathinghard,IclimbedoffhimtoretrievetheteeshirtIhad
tossed.LaterIwouldprobablybesurprisedandslightlyembarrassed
byhowbrazenIhadbeen,butrightnow,Iwasjustsatisfiedand
happy.

“Lastoneintheshowerisarottenegg!”Igoadedhimbefore
runningupthestairsandintohistrailer.Ihadn’tquiteanticipated
howsmallthetrailer’sshowerwouldbe,buttherewasnoturning
backnow.

IhadthoughtthatnothingcouldbesexierthanSeth,butIwas
wrong.Slick,soapySethrubbinghishandsovermeinatight
showerwasasighttobehold.Thestallwassosmallthatournaked
bodiesweretouchinginalltherightplaces.

WhenIfelthiserectionpokingtowardsme,Iwasalreadywetand
readyagain.Iusedmyhandstoguidehiminashebackedme
againstthewall.Isighedwithpleasureatthefullfeelingofhaving
himinsidemeasthewarmwaterbeatdownonus.

Sethlookeddownandgavemealong,deep,wetkiss.Iwrappedmy
legsaroundhimandbeganthrustingmybodyontohisforallIwas
worth.Ipushedmycheekintohisshoulderaswebothcameloud
andhard.

Istayedintheshowerafterhegotouttodryoff.Mybodyfelt
slightlysore,butasrelaxedasalimpnoodle,anditwasfabulous.

Beforeleaving,Ifoundapink,heart-shapedPost-Itpadinmypurse.

Ijotteddowntheword“Wowza!”andleftthenoteonhisbathroom
mirrorforhimtofindlater.

Thatwasbyfarthebestnightofmylife,Ithoughtashedroveme
home.Forthefirsttime,abitofdoubtaboutmytimewithSeth
begantocreepitswayin.Whatifitwasn’tanythingspecialfor
him?Whatifit’sthelasttimeIseehim?Iwatchedhimdrivingand
smiled.Evenifwedon’tseeeachotheragain,thiswassoworthit.

Whenwestoppedinmydriveway,hekissedme.Itwasn’tjusta
peck.Itwasareal,toe-curling,perfectamountoftongue,feelitall
thewaytoyourhoo-ha,kiss.“WhenwillIseeyouagain?”he
asked.

IslidoutoftheJeepandsaid,“Textme,”beforewhirlingaround
andheadingintothehouse,beaming.

Chapter8

Icouldnotstopsmiling.Lastnighthadbeenthebestofmy
existence.Itfeltlikeagiantweighthadbeenliftedfrommy
shoulders,knowingthatmybodywascapableofexperiencingso
muchpleasure.NowIcouldseewhatallofthefusswasabout.

TheonlymaronourperfectnightwasseeingLarryandlearningthat
IwasthereasonheandIhadneverconceivedachild.Ihadwanted
ababyforaslongasIcouldremember,andIwouldnotgiveupon
thatdream.PerhapsIwouldjustneedtoexploreotheroptions,like
adoption.Idecidedtoputoffthinkingaboutitfornow.It’snotlike
Ihadtobeinabighurry.Iwantedmylifetobemoresettledbefore
Imadeaplanformychild.

SettledwithSeth?Thepossibilitypoppedintomyhead.Iattempted
tonudgeitdown,realizingthatImightbeskippingaheadwaytoo
quickly.

Iranupthestairstwoatatimetowardsmybedroom.AsIrounded
mydoorway,Tabitha,Court’sbitchycat,skitteredoutoftheroom
asifIhadjustkickedher.“Well,ifyouhatemesomuch,whatwere
youdoinginmyroom?”Istuckmytongueoutather.

IwalkedoverandaddedtwomorePost-Itreminderstothe
collectiononmymirror.Slowdown.Enjoythemoment.

Justthen,Courtpeekedherheadaroundthecorner.Hershort,
blondehairwasaspikymessandtheratty,fadedlavenderrobeshe
waswearinghadseenbetterdays.Inspiteofthat,shelooked
adorable.“Ithinkyou’reincapableoflookingbad.”Iwrinkledmy
noseather,playfully.

“What’sgoingon?”shecroakedinasleepyvoice.“Tabcame
runningintomyroomlikethedevilhimselfwaschasingher.”She
rubbedtheyellowcat’searsasTabithaglaredatmefromherarms.

“Ihadtheaudacitytowalkintomyroomwhenshewasinhere.
Thatiswhat’sgoingon.Idon’tknowwhyshehatesmeso,”Iadded
asIwalkedovertomycloset.

“Maybebecauseyouhateher.”Courtneystartedtoshuffleoff,but
stoppedandturned,eyesnarrowed.“Howwasyourall-nighterwith
SumptuousSeth?”

“Good,”Isaidquickly,tryingtokeepitlight.

Shetiltedherhead,studyingme.“YouhadaBigO!”shesquealed.

“Afew,”Iadmitted,laughing.“Itwassoamazing.Heisso
amazing,”Igushed.

“Itoldyoutherewasnothingwrongwithyou.Itwasjustthat
pencil-dickedex-husbandthatcouldn’tpleaseyou.”

IconsideredtellingheraboutseeingLarryandlearningofthe
floozy’spregnancyandmylatestfailure,butIdecidednottoruin
thishappytime.

“Lookatyou,glowing,”Courtneyteasedme.“Orgasm-ingagrees
withyou.”

“Ithinkorgasm-ingagreeswitheveryone.”IlaughedasIwentto
mybathroomtogetdressedforwork.

BeforeImadeitfullyinsidethedoorofEck,Meck&Dreck,Annie
hootedfromacrossthestore,“Ohhoney,hestokedyourengine,

didn’the?”

Ilookedaroundtomakesurewedidn’thaveanycustomersbefore
answeringher.“Ihavenoideawhatthatmeans,butyeah,hesure
did!”ThenIasked,“AmIwearingasignorsomething?Howdoes
everyoneknow?”

“Nosign,”Annieanswered,breezingbyandpattingmycheek.“It’s
youraura.It’sabsolutelyradiant.”

Ididn’tknowaboutthisaurabusiness,butIfeltflippin’fantastic.
Checkingmyphonehadbecomelikeanincessanttic,though.I
checkeditforaboutthefortiethtimeinthelasthour.Stillnothing.I
brieflyconsideredturningitoffandbackontomakesureitwas
working,butIdecidedthatwouldjustbesilly.

Iboughtasandwichandtookittotheparkonmylunchbreakinan
attempttogetmymindoffitforawhile.Couplesstrolledbyhand-
in-handandridingbikes.Ismiledatthemandcheckedmyphone.

Iconsideredsendinghimatext.Icouldinvitehimonadate.
Nothingsaidthatagirlhadtositaroundandwaitforaboyto
contacther.Istartedthetextnumeroustimes,butdeletedeachone.

Intheend,Iputthephonebackinmypurseanddecidedtowaitit
out.Thankfully,hedidn’tmakemewaitlong.Myphonestarted
ringingbeforeIhadfinishedmywalkbacktowork.Ipanickedand
almostdroppedit.Ihadn’tbeenexpectingacall.Icouldthinkabout
awittyresponsetoatext,butI’dbeonthespotonthephone.What
ifIsaysomethingdumb?IhadalmostdecidednottoanswerwhenI
orderedmyselftopullittogether.

“Hi,thisisAbby,”Isqueaked,myvoicetoohigh.

“Hi,Gorgeous.It’sSeth.”Hisvoicewaslowandsexy.“Iwantedto
seeifyou’dliketogotoacharityauctionwithmenextSaturday
evening.It’sablack-tieevent.Ishouldwarnyou,though,”he
added,“mywholefamilywillbethere.”

ThethoughtofSethwearingatuxedomademymouthwater.The
factthathewasinvitingmetoaneventwithhisfamilywasso
excitingthatmykneesalmostbuckled.“I’dloveto,”Imanagedto
getthewordsout.

Ifocusedmyattentiononthedetailsofwhereandwhen,whilemy
mindreeledwithexcitement.ThenIagreedtomeethimthereand
hungup.

“Annie!”Iscreechedrunningintothestore.“Weneedtofinda
fabulousdress.”

Chapter9

Wedecidedonanelegant,black,form-fittingcocktaildress.When
pairedwiththesuper-high,shiny,blackstilettosthatCourthad
loanedme,thelookwasclassicandstunning.IjusthopedIdidn’t
falldown,especiallyconsideringwhatIwaswearingunderneathmy
ensemble.

Thethigh-highs,garterandracythongwerenotmytraditionaltype
ofundergarments.Itmademefeelsexy,though,toknowhow
scantilyIwascladunderneathmydemureoutfit.Ishiveredin
anticipationasIimaginedhowSeth’seyeswouldsparklewhenhe
discoveredmynaughtysecret.

AsIclimbedthestepstothemuseum,IwishedagainthatSethhad
pickedmeupinsteadofaskingmetomeethimhere.Ihadwaited
untilfifteenminutesaftertheeventstarted,hopingthattherewould
beplentyofpeoplehere,soIcouldslipinunnoticed.Idespised
walkingintopartiesbymyself.

Thegreatroomofthemuseumhadbeentransformedintoa
sparklingfairyforestandtheeffectwasmagical.Six-foottall
mushroomspaintedredwithwhitepolkadotswerescatteredaround,
giantcolorfulbutterfliesdangledfromtheceilingandtheentire
roomhadanoverhangofmossthatdrapedbetweenenormoustrees
thattoweredovereverything.Therewerewhatappearedtobea
milliontwinklelightsglimmeringfromallangles.

IgaspedasItookintheamazingtransformationoftheroom.ThenI
felthimmorethansawhim.Myeyesweredrawntohim.Sethwas
standingbythebar,lookingdashinginablacktuxedo.The
gentlemanhewaswithwastalkinganimatedly,butSethwasn’t
payinganyattention.Hewascompletelyfocusedonme.

Hiseyesboredintomeastheyslowlytraveleddownmyentire
body,thenbackuptomyeyes.Thehaironmyarmsraisedashe
openlyperusedme.Mywholebodytingledashiseyebrowslifted
andhislipsturnedupslightly,indicatinghelikedwhathesaw.

Iwantedhimthenandthere,butIforcedmyselftolookaway.This
wasneitherthetime,northeplaceforrippinghisclothesoff,butI
vowedtogethimnakedsoon-verysoon.Ifelthimwatchingmeas
Ifoundaseatatatablethathadadirectviewofwherehewas
standingnearthebar.

IgrinnedasIdecidedthatitwastimetotorturehimalittleand
makehimwantmeasmuchasIwantedhim.Knowingthatmy
cleavagelookedfantasticinthisdress,Ideliberatelydroppedmy
blackclutchnearthechairIhadchosen.ThenIslowlybentto
retrieveit,givinghimafull,longviewofmydanglingbreasts
nearlyburstingoutofmydress.

IhadthesatisfactionofseeinghismouthfallopenasIraisedback
up,eyesrivetedonhis,tolethimknowthepeepshowwas
exclusivelyforhim.

Whenthewaitercameby,IorderedaPepsi,notwantinganyalcohol
tobenumbingmybodywhenSethwasinsidemelater.Feelinghim
watchingme,alongwiththeunfamiliarsensationofthethong
pressingagainstmeintimately,hadmewetwithanticipation.

Iattemptedtomakesmalltalkwiththeguestsatmytable,butallI
couldthinkaboutwasSethandhowmuchIwantedhim.Hiseyes
werelikeamagnetformine,andeverytimeIglancedathim,he
wasopenlylookingatme.HelookedatmeasifIwastheonly
womanintheroom,anditmademefeelsexyandcompletelyhot
forhim.

IturnedtothankthewaiterwhenhebroughtmyPepsi.Thatiswhen
Isawthesignattheauctioneer’spodiumthatread,TheDavis
Family’sFreetheWorldofCancerGala.IbrieflywonderedifSeth
DaviswaspartoftheDavisfamilywhowassponsoringthis
amazingparty.Hecertainlydidn’tseemlikehecamefromthatkind
ofmoney.

WhenIreturnedmyattentiontohim,Ifoundthathiseyeswerestill
rivetedonme.Therewereplentyofbeautifulwomenheretonight,
sothewayhewasfocusedcompletelyonmesentathrilldownmy
spine.

Lookingathim,Ipickedupmyglassandusedmytonguetoslowly
swirlthestraw.Hisfingerstightenedaroundhisglassandhiswhole
bodytensedasifhehadjustsuckedinairashewatchedme.I
relishedthethoughtthatIcouldcausethiskindofreactioninhim.

Iturnedinmychair,crossingmylegssothatatinybitofthegarter
peekedout.Itoyedwithitabsently.WhenIchancedalookathim
again,thegentlemanwhohadbeentalkingtohimhadgivenupon
gettinghisattentionandleft.Sethwasleaningagainstthebar,alone,
watchingeverymovemyfingersmadeonthegarter.

Iglancedaroundtheroom,wonderingifanyoneelsewaswatching
theshow.Nooneappearedtoevennotice,exceptforSethwhowas
totallyengrossedinmyeverymove.Iinchedmydresshigher,
exposingmoreofmythigh,asIcontinuedrubbing.

Ahandsome,oldergentlemanwalkeduptoSethandsaidsomething
inhisear.Sethnodded,gavemeaquickwinkandfollowedthe
man.Astheywalkedofftogether,Ilookedattheirshouldersandthe
waytheyeachmovedanddecidedthatthemanwaslikelySeth’s
father.

SinceSethwasevidentlybusyforafewminutes,Iexcusedmyself
fromthetableandlefttheballroomtofindapowderroom.Once
inside,Ilockedthedoorandcheckedmyappearanceinthemirror.
Mycheekswereflushedpinkfrombeingsoturnedon.Iwas
normallymyworstcritic,butlookingatmyreflection,Ihadto
admit,Ilookedsexy.

Justthen,aquickknockonthedoorstartledme.“Justaminute,”I
called.

“It’sme.Letmein.”Hisvoicewasdeepandsexy.

Itwistedthedoorknobtounlockit,andhecamein.Theairbetween
ustingledwithelectricityasheclickedthelockbackintoplace.
Thenhelungedforme.

Iwatchedhiminthemirrorashestoodbehindme,kissingmyneck
andbareshoulder.Histhickpeniswashotandhard,pushinginto
myback.Ireachedbehindusandgrabbedhisass,pullinghiminto
me,notwantinganyspacebetweenus.

“I’vewantedtogetmyhandsandmouthonthesetitsallnight,”he
growledintomyearasheloweredthezipperonthebackofmy
dress.

Hiswordsshockedmeandturnedmeon.Myentirebodywas
thrummingwithexcitement.

“Fantastic,”hewhisperedashewatchedinthemirrorwhilemy
breastssprangoutofthetopofmydress.Hebroughtonehandupto
playwiththem,whiletheotherhandeasedupmythigh,raisingmy
dress.Hetracedhisfingersalongthegarter,followingthesamepath
thatIhadteasedhimwithearlier.Webothwatchedinthemirror,

completelyaroused.

Bythetimehecuppedhishandoverme,mythongwascompletely
soaked.Ipushedbackintohim,pantingwithneed.Hishugecock
pressedintomybackashisteethnibbledonmyear.Ireached
behindmetopalmhimoverhistuxedopants.Whenhesmoothed
hisfingersupanddownthefrontofme,Imoanedwithpleasure.
“Mmm,Seth.”

Hefroze,asifsomeonehaddumpedabucketofcoldwateronhim.
Hebackedawayfrommeandranhisfingersthroughhishair.“You
knowSeth?”heasked.

Iwascompletelyconfused.Didhehavemultiplepersonalities?I
knewhewastoogoodtobetrue.Myfacemusthaveregisteredmy
lackofunderstandingbecausehetossedtheexplanationoverhis
shoulderonhiswayoutofthebathroom.“I’mhisidenticaltwin,
Sam.”

Chapter10

Identicaltwin?Mymindreeled.HowcouldSethhavefailedto
mentionthat?AndwhathadIjustdone?Thankgoodnessithadn’t
goneanyfarther,butIwouldneverbeabletofaceSamagain.

Andwhatabouthim?Iwondereddisdainfully.Washejustgoingto
screwastrangerinthebathroom?Well,heisaguy,mymind
retorted.AndIwastotallycomingontohimoutthere.It’snotlikea
mantoturndowneasysex.

Icaughtaglimpseofmyselfinthemirror.Myboobswerehanging
outandmydresswasaskew.Iquicklywentoverandsnappedthe
lockintoplacebeforesomeonewalkedinonmeinthisstateof
completedisarray.

Isplashedcoolwateronmyfaceandpattedmychestwithadamp
papertowelinanattempttocalmdown.Neverinmywholelifehad
Ibeenthatexcited,orthishumiliated.Whatadifferenceafew
secondscanmake.

AsIattemptedtofixmyappearance,IthoughtaboutSam.Hereally
wasidenticaltoSethphysically,buthewasdarker,moredangerous.
Thebathroomhadfeltelectrifiedwhenhewasnearme.Itouchedup
mylipstickandvowedtosteerclearofhim.He’sexactlywhatI
don’tneed,IthoughtasIbreezedoutthedoor.Iwas,however,
preparedtogiveSethanearfulfornotwarningmeabouthim.

Returningtothegreatroom-turnedfairyforest,myeyeswere
immediatelydrawntoSam.Hewasstandingnearthestagewitha
bevyoflovelyladieshangingonhiseveryword,includingalife-
sizedBarbiedollwhohadherarmpossessivelycurvedaroundhim.
Ishookmyhead,immenselygratefulthatourfoolingaroundinthe

bathroomhadstoppedwhenithad.

“Theresheis.”Sethapproachedme,smiling.Hehadadark-haired
beautywithhim.Thewoman’senormousgreeneyeswere
accentuatedbythelongest,thickest,blackeyelashesIhadeverseen,
outsideofamagazine.Shewasstunninginherfloor-length
midnightbluegown,andIrecognizedthefamilyresemblance
immediately.“Abby,thisismysisterJessie.Jess,meetAbby.”

“Abby!Sethhastoldmeallaboutyou.It’sgreattomeetyou.”
Jessieextendedherhandandflashedadazzlingsmiledirectlyatme.
Sheseemedfriendlyandkind,andIlikedherimmediately.

“You’llhavetotellmewhathesaid.”Ismiledtryingtohidethe
rushofexcitementIfeltatfindingouthehadmentionedmetohis
sister.“AndIhavetonsofquestionsforyouaboutwhathewaslike
growingup.”

“Ihaveplentyofanswers.”ShegaveSethanornerygrinbefore
adding,“Iknowallofhissecrets.”Thenshefingerwavedatmeand
saidtotrackherdownlater.

Aftersheflutteredoff,IturnedonSeth.“Toldyoursisterallabout
me,huh?”

“Shehasahugemouth.I’llgetevenwithheroneofthesedays,”he
addedinmyearashekissedmycheek.“SorryIwaslate.Didmy
familytakegoodcareofyou?”

Icoughed,thinkingofhowSamhadalmosttakencareofme.I
wasn’tsurehowtobringthatparticulartopicupwithSeth.Ifinally
settledfor,“ImetyourbrotherbecauseIthoughthewasyou.You
didn’tfeeltheneedtomentionthatheisyouridenticaltwin?”

“Didn’tImentionit?”Heseemedtrulysurprised.

“No,I’mpositiveIwouldhaverememberedthat.”Itriedtofigure
outhowtocontinue.Howdoesonetellherloverthatshealmost
bangedhistwininthebathroom?Itwasn’taproblemthatIhad
encounteredbefore,soIwasn’tatallsurehowtobroachthesubject.

“Youreallydolookexactlyalike,”Ihedged.

Hesmiledasheanswered.“Weareidenticalontheoutside,except
forascarthatSamhasonhisshoulder.We’reverydifferentonthe
inside,though,”headded.“Oh,andI’molderbyafewminutes,
whichreallygetshisgoat,”hechuckled.

ItwasclearbySeth’sexpressionhowmuchhelovedhistwin.My
eyesweredrawninvoluntarilytoSam.Hewasn’tlookingatme,but
somethinginsidemefeltlikeherecentlyhadbeen.Ididn’tknow
howtotellSethwhathadhappened,butIknewIneededto.The
wordsjustwouldn’tforminmyhead.Ithadbeenanhonestmistake.
Iknewhewouldn’tbeangry,butIcouldn’tbringmyselftotellhim.

Maybewewilllaughaboutitsomeday.Mymindwashopeful,
probablyalittletoohopeful.

Sethaskedmetodanceandwhiskedmeontothedancefloor.I
spentthenextfewsongswithmyheadagainsthisbroadshoulder,
relishingthefeelingofbeingenvelopedinhisstrongarms.

IfeltthathewasnearbeforeIheardorsawhim.“MayIcutin?”
Sam’svoicewasdeepandclear,andsosimilartoSeth’s.Seeingthe
twoofthemstandingtogetherlikereflectionsintheirdashing
tuxedosnearlytookmybreathaway.Theywereperfection.Seth
gaveamockbowandwalkedaway,unawareofthetension
radiatingfromme.

Sam’seyesslowlyperusedmefromheadtotoe,andthenbackup
again.Mybodyburnedunderhisgaze.Icouldfeelmynipples
puckeringundermydresswhenhiseyespausedatmybreastsand
hismouthturnedupslightly,knowingly.Whenhefinallymadeit
backuptomyeyes,heheldopenhisarmsininvitationashelifted
hisbrowsandsaid,“Shallwe?”

Ididn’twanttobeinhisarmsagain,butIcouldn’tcauseascene.
Hiseyestwinkledashesensedmyreluctance.Thatbastardis
enjoyingmakingmeuncomfortable,mymindscreamedasIvowed
nottolethimseehowmuchheaffectedme.

Istiffenedmyselfintoaformaldanceposeasheexpertlyguidedme
aroundthedancefloor.Mybodywasacutelyawareoftheplaces
wherehetouchedme.Thenerveendingsinmyhand,lowerback,
andwaistwereallteemingwithactivity.Iconsciouslyslowedmy
breathingbecauseithadbecomequickandshallow.Iattemptedto
keepmyfaceapassivemaskastherestofmybodybetrayedme.
Myeyesscannedtheroom,desperatetolookanywherebutatSam.

Hedrewmeincloser,andIsuckedinmybreath.“SinceIdidn’tget
punchedinthejaw,Iamassumingyoudidn’ttellSethaboutour
littletrystinthebathroom,”hegrowlednearmyear.

“Itwashardlyatryst,”Isnarledbackathim.“Morelikean
unfortunatemistake.”

“Ididn’tfinditunfortunateatall.Infact,Iratherenjoyedmyself,
untilyoucalledmebymybrother’sname.”

Hehadtheaudacitytogrin.Thenhecontinued.“Idon’tgenerally
sharemybrother’stasteinwomen,butwithyouhedidokay.”

“Okay?!?”Ispluttered.ThenIliftedmychin,decidingnottolethim
pushmybuttons.“Youknow,insteadofratingme,youmightthink
abouthowhurtSethwouldbeifheknewaboutus.”

“Us?”heasked.“So,nowwe’rean‘us’?Ididn’tknowyoucaredso
much.”

“YouknowwhatImeant.”Iglaredathim.Thismanwas
exasperating.

Heleanedforwardtowhisperinmyear.“WhenI’mfondlingmy
date’sfaketitstonight,I’mgoingtobethinkingaboutyourreal
ones.”

Thatdidit.Mymouthfellopen,appalled.Myeyesfeltlikethey
mightpopoutofmyhead.Iwhirledawayfromhimandheadedfor
thebar.Ineededaglassofwine.Pronto.

“Yourbrotherisapig!”IsaidloudlywhenJessiehoppeduponthe
barstoolnexttome.

“Itakeityou’vemetSam,”Jessiechuckled.“Yes,hecanbeabitof
apig.Buthecanalsobegenerous,andkind,andhilarious,anda
painintheass,butIlovehimtopieces.Ilovebothofthemto
pieces,”shegushed.Sheleanedinasiftellingmeasecret.“You
definitelypickedtherightonetodate,though.Sethistherealdeal,
andSamleavesbehindatrailofbrokenhearts.”

Bythewayherwordswereslurringtogether,Icouldtelltheglassof
winesheorderedwasn’therfirstoftheevening.“Ithinkthat’swhy
Samsettlesforthenever-endingstreamofgold-digging‘I’girls,”
shecontinued.

“What’san‘I’girl?”Iaskedher.

“Oh,youknow,”shewavedherhandaround.“CandiwithanI,
TerriwithanI,SandiwithanI,CamiwithanI.Theparadeofleggy
blondeswithenormousjugsthatheshowsupwithalwaysintroduce
themselvesthatway.”Shemimickedshakingahandandbegan
flutteringhereyelashes.“Hi,I’mBambiwithanI.”

Shestartedcrackingupatherownjoke.Herlaughterwas
contagious,andIsoonhadthegigglesaswell.Iwasenjoyingbeing
withherandlaughingatherdespicablebrother.

“Youknowwhatelse,”shewenton,leaninginfurther.“Hedoesn’t
everkissthemonthelips.Theyallthinktheyaregoingtowinhim
overandmarryhimandtakehisfortune,buthegetstiredofthem
afterafewdatesandsendsthemalongtheirmerryway.Then
POOF,”shesnappedherfingersforaddedaffect,“hefindsanother
onejustlikethelast412.”

Ihadthefeelingshewouldn’tbetellingmeallofthisifshewasn’t
tipsy.IwonderedwhySamtreatedwomenliketheywere
disposable.Thankfully,Ididn’thavetoworryaboutfiguringhim
outbecauseIhadSeth,andhewaswonderful.Idecidedtoseewhat
Jessiehadtosayabouthim.

“Sotellmeaboutyoursweetbrother.”Inudgedherelbowgently.

“Theyarebothsweettome,”shereplied.“ButsinceIknowyou’re
talkingaboutSeth,he’soneofthegoodones,Abby.Pleasedon’t
hurthim.”

Hersuddenrushofsinceritysurprisedme.“Iwon’t,”Ireassured
her,andImeantit.

“Speakofthedevil.”JessiesmiledatSethashecameupbehindme

andwrappedhisarmsaroundmyshoulders.“I’llletyoutwobe,
sinceyou’vebarelyseeneachotherallevening.”Withthat,she
hoppedoffherstoolanddisappearedintothecrowd.

“I’malmostafraidtoaskwhatyoutwoweretalkingabout.”Seth
slidaroundandploppeddownonthestoolJessiehadjustvacated.

“You,asamatteroffact,”Ianswered.“Yoursisterseemstothink
ratherhighlyofyou.”

“MaybeIshouldn’thaveinterruptedthen,butIfeellikemysiblings
havehadmoreofyoutonightthanIhave.”Iattemptedtopushthe
unwantedthoughtofSamhavingawholelotofmeinthebathroom
outofmymind.“Isitmyturntogettohangoutwithyou?”Seth
asked,battinghisdarkeyelashesplayfully.

“Absolutely,”Ianswered.“Canwegetoutofhereordoyourfamily
dutiesrequireyoutostaylonger?”

BeforeIfinishedthequestion,hehadalreadydownedthelastofhis
drinkandwasstandingup.“Let’sgo.I’vebeenwantingtoripthat
littleblackdressoffyouallnight.”

“Deal.”Istood,takinghishand.Asweexited,Itriedtoignorethe
electrifyingchillthatwentupmyspine.Iknew,withoutadoubt,
thatSamwaswatchingmeleavewithhisbrother.

Chapter11

IlookedinmyrearviewmirrortomakesureSeth’sJeeppulledout
ofthemuseumlotbehindme.Wehaddecidedtogotomyhouse,
andIwassuddenlynervousabouthavinghiminmyspace.

Courtneyhadworkedthedinnershifttonight,soshewouldn’tbe
therewhenwearrived,butshewouldbecominginlater.Iwasn’t
surehowtoletherknownottodisturbus.IwonderedifIshouldtie
a‘wearescrewingourbrainsout’scarftothedoorknob,butdecided
thatwasalittlecrass.Shewouldjusthavetodrawherown
conclusionswhenshesawSeth’svehicleparkedinourdriveway.

IwashornierthanIeverrememberbeing.Infact,Ibriefly
consideredpullingoverandhavingmywaywithSethinhisJeepon
thesideoftheroad.Ipicturedmyselfclimbingthroughthedoor-less
driver’ssideandmountinghiminonesmoothmove.Icouldhave
himinsideme,easingthisachingdesirewithinseconds.Itappedthe
brakes,butatthelastminutedecidedthatwewouldhavemoreroom
tofoolaroundathome.

Irefusedtoacknowledgetheideathatthisextremerandinessmight
beinanywayrelatedtomyencounterwithSaminthebathroom.
Besides,Itoldmyself,IthoughthewasSethwhenwewereinthere.
AnylustthatIfeltforSamhadtobeduetothefactthathelooked
exactlylikehisbrother.

Eventhoughitonlytookafewminutestodrivetomyhouse,itfelt
likeaneternity.IwassoexcitedthatmyfingersshookasItriedto
workthekeysinthelockofourmahoganyfrontdoor.WhenI
managedtoopenthedoor,Busterthumpedhistailacoupleoftimes,
butdidn’tbothertogetup.Tabithalitoutoftheroomasifhertail
wereonfire.

AssoonasSethshutthedoorbehindus,Iturnedandpushedhim
backagainstit.Ikissedhim,plungingmytongueintohismouth.
WhenIreacheddown,Ihappilydiscoveredthathewasalreadyhard
andready.Hisgroanofpleasureatmytouchincreasedmyurgency.

“Ineedyouinsidemenow,”IpleadedasIworkedtoloosenhis
tuxedopants.Ifreedhimandwrappedbothhandslooselyaround
histhickcock,enjoyingthevelvetysmoothnessasIstrokedupand
downthelengthofhim.

Hewhirledusaround,liftingmydressandyankingmylacythong
down.Isteppedoutofthepantiesandleanedmybackintothedoor
asheliftedmeoverhim.Myhandguidedhimtomyopening.Iwas
soslickwithdesirethatheslidrightin.Itiltedmyheadbackand
wrappedmylegsaroundhimashekissedmyneckandstarted
circlinghiships.

Heheldmeagainstthefrontdoorwithonearmashisotherhand
reacheddowntoruboverme.Iwasstrungsotightthatafewquick
brushesofhisthumbovermyclithadmeconvulsingaroundhim.I
criedoutasIcamehard,wrappingmyarmsaroundhisneckand
rammingmybodyontohisdickwitheveryfiberofmybeing.His
orgasmwaspowerful,andheyelledmynameashisbodytightened
andhespilledintome.

Westoodtherelikethatforseveralseconds,breathinghard.Once
mybrainstartedtooperateproperly,Imarveledathowstronghe
mustbetohaveheldmelikethat.Iwasn’talargewoman,butI
certainlywasn’tawaif.Ipreferredthewordcurvy,andhehadheld
mewithonearmandaverylargepenis.Impressive.

Afterheloweredmyfeetbacktothefloor,Ididahandmotion
indicatingtherestofthehouse,beyondtheentrywayandsaid,“So,

thisismyplace.”

“Iloveitsofar,”hereplied,andwebothchuckledaswe
straightenedourclothes.

Chapter12

WhenIshowedhimthekitchen,hegrabbedahalf-emptypackage
ofNutterButters.“I’mstarving,”headmitted.“Wesnuckoutofthe
auctionbeforetheyservedtherubberchicken.”

Ihadseenthemenuandknewitentailedfiletmignonandother
fancy-schmancycuisine,butwashappiertobesharingstalecookies
withSeth.AsIpoureduseachaglassofmilk,Idecidedthatthis
wasagreattimetoaskabouthisfamily.“So,SethDavis,areyoua
partoftheDavisfamilywhoputonthatfabulousshindigtonight?”

Heseemedalmostembarrassed,buthenoddedandanswered.“Yes,
it’smymom’spetproject.Mygrandmotherdiedofbreastcancer
whenIwasyoung,andmygrandfatherlosthisbattlewiththroat
cancerafewyearsago.”Hesighed,butcontinued.“Itreallytooka
tollonMom.Shebecamedepressed-tothepointthatwewere
concernedthatweweregoingtoloseher,too.Then,oneday,she
decidedtofightback.Shecamedownstairstobreakfastdressedand
enthusedaboutstampingoutcancer.Shestartedplanningthefirst
fundraiserthatmorning.Itwasahugesuccess.Sincethen,she
makessureitgetsbiggerandbettereveryyear.”

Itwasthemosthe’dsharedwithmeabouthisfamily,andIwas
impressedbyhismother’sperseverance.“Whatawaytoturnthings
around.Yourmothermustbequitealady.”

Hesmiledwithpride.“Sheis.Mywholefamilyisamazing.You
metJessieandSam.Theyarethebestsiblingsanyonecouldaskfor,
andJessie’slittlegirl,Katie,isthelightofmylife.Icallher
Katiedid.Ican’twaitforyoutomeether.”

Thoughtswereflyingthroughmyheadashespoke.Iwassurprised

tolearnthatJessiewasasingleparent.ThewaySethspokeofhis
niecemademefallforhimevenmore.Iwastouchedthathewanted
metomeetherandthrilledbytheconfirmationthatheassumedwe
wouldkeepseeingeachother.Inoticedthathedidn’tmentionhis
father.Thatseemedalittleodd,butIwasevenmorecuriousabout
Sam.Ithoughtthismightbeagoodtimetofessupaboutmyrisqué
incidentwithhimintherestroom.

“I’dlovetomeetKatie,”Iansweredhonestly.Ipausedforafew
seconds,andthenIdovein.“Ican’timaginehavinganidentical
twin.”

Sethsmiled.“Ican’timaginenothavingone.SamandIgiveeach
otherahardtime,buthe’smyotherhalf.”Heshookhishead.“That
soundedweird.We’renotsoulmatesoranything.”Hegrinned
beforecontinuing.“Idon’tknowhowtoexplainit,butthereisn’t
anyonewhoisthereformeorunderstandsmelikeSamdoes.He
evensavedmylifeonce.That’showhegotthescaronhis
shoulder.”

Iwascompletelyintriguedandwantedtoknowmore.“Goon,”I
encouragedhimwhenhestopped.

“Whenwewereincollege,wewerepartyingwithagroupoffriends
onaboatbyalittleislandoutonthelake.Thewaveswerereally
startingtokickup,sowedecidedtoheadin.Theanchorwasstuck
andwecouldn’tgetittocomeup,soIdoveintoswimdownand
loosenit.Ididn’trealizetheplacewhereIdovewasashallowridge.
Ihitmyheadhardenoughtoknockmeout.Therestofthepeople
ontheboatweretoowastedtorealizeIdidn’tcomerightbackup,
butSamknewsomethingwaswrong.Idon’tknowifitwastwin
intuitionorwhat,buthejumpedinandgrabbedme.Whenwe
surfaced,abigwavewasrollingin.Samputhimselfbetweenme
andtheboat,andhewasbody-slammedintotheladder.Ifhehadn’t

sensedthatsomethingwaswrongthatday,Iwouldn’tbealive.Ifeel
likeIowehimeverything.”

Theconversationhadtakenaseriousturn,sohelightenedthemood
byadding,“Doesn’tstopmefromteasinghimaboutbeingyounger,
though.Hehatesthat,”hechuckled.

Ismiled,butcouldn’tgetthepictureofthatpigofamanjumpingin
tosavehisbrotheroutofmyhead.SethobviouslythoughtofSam
asahero,butIwasn’twillingtothinkthathighlyofhim.Iwanted
tothinkofhimastheassthatIknewhimtobe.Anyonewouldjump
intosaveasibling,Itoldmyself.Itdoesn’tmeanhe’snotajerk.

“Well,I’mgladhewastheretosaveyou,orIwouldn’tbeabletodo
this.”IleanedovertogiveSethasweet,slowkiss.Iwastryingto
thinkofawaytosaythatIhadalmostfuckedSaminapublic
bathroom,butmymindcouldn’tfocusonanythingbutSethwhen
histonguebeganswirlingaroundmine.

Sethpulledbackandasked,“DoIgettoseeyourbedroom?”Iran
forthestairsandgiggledasheplayfullygrabbedmyrearend,
followingclosebehindme.

Weslammedmybedroomdoorshutandgrabbedeachother,
gropingtoremoveclothesaswefellintomybed.Ididn’tgiveSam
anotherthought.Ispenttheentirenightrollingaroundnakedwith
Seth’sgloriousbodyinatangledmessofsheets.

Chapter13

IawokealoneandimmediatelymissedthefeelingofSeth’swarm,
bareskinagainstme.IturnedtofindalavenderPost-Itnoteonthe
pillowbesideme.Ithadagiantheartdrawnonitandwassigned
simply,“S.”

Hehadobviouslybeeninmybathroomandseenmycircleof
encouragingremindernotesonthemirror.Awaveof
embarrassmentovercamemeasIrealizedhowsillythatmustseem
tosomeonewhohadeveryreasontobecompletelyself-confident.

Shakingmyheadatmyselffornotrememberingtotakedownthis
humiliatingdisplayofmyinferioritycomplex,Ipaddedintothe
bathroomandaddedSeth’shearttothemirror.Hehadseenoneof
myquirksandhadn’tlefttheroomscreaming.Infact,hehadadded
asweetnoteformycollection,soIdecidedtodomybestnotto
worryaboutit.

Istretchedandgrinnedatmymussedreflection.Ilookedlikea
womanwhohadspenttheentirenightcuddlingandscrewing,which
isexactlywhoIwas,anditfeltgrand.

IwasinsuchagreatmoodthatIhadtoshareitwithsomeone,soI
wenttoCourtney’sroomandpouncedonherbed.Tabitha
scamperedoffthebedassoonasshesawmecoming,thenwhirled
aroundtogivemeaquickhissbeforestalkingoutoftheroom.

Courtpulledherpillowoverherheadandtoldmetogoawayunless
Ihadbroughtcaffeinewithme.Ichuckledathermorning
grumpinessandburrowedunderthecoversbesideher.Whenshe
finallyopenedoneeyetolookatme,shesaid,“Youlooklike
you’vebeenwell-fucked.”

Ihadneverheardthattermbefore,butitdescribedmeperfectly.So
Iresponded,grinning.“Verywell.”

Courtgruntedasshefloppedoveronherside.“Ihaven’tbeenwell-
fuckedinoveraweek.Orevendecently-fucked.Orso-so-fucked,”
shegrouched.“Iguessmyvajayjayhastolivevicariouslythrough
yoursnow.”

Ismiledather.“Youknowaone-weekdryspellisn’treallythat
bad.”Idecidedthismightbeagoodtimetodelicatelybringupthe
Joeideatogaugeherreaction.“Ifitreallybothersyou,though,
maybeyoushouldlookforalongertermrelationshipwhereyouget
well-fuckedbythesameguyonaregularbasis.”

“Ican’tseemtofindamanthatIcanputupwithforanylengthof
time.Besides,”sheadded,“spendtoolongwithoneperson,andit
quicklytransformsintogettingboring-fucked.I’mnotinterestedin
thesameold,sameoldfortherestofmydays.”

Idecidedtojumpinwithbothfeet.“Yes,butifyou’rewith
someoneyoureallycareabout,thatcankeepthesparkalive.For
instance,whatifyouwerewithsomeonelikeJoe?”

Iwatchedherreactioncloselyandwassurprisedtoseehereyes
soften,eventhoughherwordscontradictedthem.“Joe?!?He’smy
boss.Thatwouldbetotallyinappropriate.Besides,hewouldnever
beinterestedinsomeonelikeme.”

“Sincewhendoyoucareaboutinappropriate?Andwhatdoyou
meansomeonelikeyou?Someonewhoiskind,loving,generous,
gorgeous,funny,smartandsweet?Yeah,whywouldhebe
interestedinsomeonelikethat?”Irolledmyeyestoemphasizethe
sarcasmofmylastcomment.

“You’rebiasedbecauseyouloveme.”Sheshovedmyarm
playfully,butthenturnedserious.“Joedeservestobewithsomeone
betterthanme.Someonewhoispure,good,andsolid.”Shepaused
tolookatme.“Someonelikeyou.I’mwhitetrashfromthewrong
sideofthetracks,andIhavethephysicalandemotionalscarsto
proveit.”

“Sweetie,Iwishyoucouldseeyourselfthroughmyeyes.Ihatethat
youhavethiswarpedviewofyourself.Youarethemostamazing
personIknow.”Webothhadtearyeyes,soIgrabbedthetissuebox
fromherbedsidetableandsatitbetweenus.“Joeseesit.”Inodded
inconfirmation,atherquestioninglook.

Aswehugged,Idecidednottoruinthisgreatconversationwithany
talkaboutmylewdencounterwithSamatthemuseum.There
wouldbeplentyoftimetotellheraboutthatfiascolater.

Lighteningthetoneofourconversation,Courtsaid,“Ifyou’regoing
towakemeupatthebutt-crackofdawn,theleastyoucoulddois
bringcoffee.”

IshookmyheadatherasIgotup.“9:30ishardlythebutt-crackof
dawn,LazyBones.”Itossedthewordsovermyshoulderonmyway
tomakeherbrew.ThenIduckedandeasilyavoidedthepillowshe
threwmyway.

Chapter14

IhadjustdeliveredCourtney’scoffeeandreturnedtothekitchento
scroungeupsomebreakfastwhenSethcalled.“Iknowit’sshort
notice,”hestarted,seemingalmostnervous,“butwouldyouhave
anyinterestinjoiningmeatmyfamily’sweeklybrunch?”He
pausedasecondthenadded,“Youreallydon’thavetoifyoudon’t
wantto.Iwouldn’tgoifmypresencewasn’trequired.”

“I’dloveto,”Iresponded.“When?”

“Pickyouupinanhour?”

“Sure.”Itriednottoletthepanicringthroughinmyvoiceaswe
saidourgoodbyes.AssoonasItouchedtheEndCallbutton,I
screechedupthestairs,“Court!Whatdoesoneweartoafancy
Sundaybrunch?”

“HellifIknow,”shegrouched.Clearlyhercaffeinehadn’tkickedin
yet.Itookthestairstwoatatime,sowecouldhavethisdiscussion
inperson.

Ipeekedaroundthecornerofherdoorway.“Help.Hiswholefamily
willbethere,andIhavenoideawhattowear.”

“Hemusthavetheserioushotsforyou,callingforanotherdatehalf
anhourafterheleaves,”shemumbled.“Yougonnabebackintime
forgirls’night?”Shelookedaccusinglyatme.

“Ofcourse!Iwouldneverbailonyouforaboy.”Itwasusually
Courtturningawaymentomaintainthesanctityofourweeklygirl
time.ThiswasthefirsttimeIhadthechoice.Notthatitwasa
choice.IlovedspendingtimewithSeth,butSundaynightsatJoe’s

withCourtwereoursacredritual.

Sheseemedtothinkaboutitforasecond,thenshehuffed.“Allright
then.”Shestarteddigginginthebackofhercloset.Shewassofar
backintoherclosetthatIwonderedwhatrelicshewasgoingtopull
out.“Don’tlaugh,”sheorderedasshesurfacedwithadressthat
shockedme.Itwaswhitewithaflaredskirt,whichwascovered
withbrightlycoloredflowers.Thelowcutbodicewasadeeppurple
andithadalarge,brightpinkbelt.Itwasperfectformybrunch,but
sonotCourtney.

“It’sbeautiful!”Isaidhonestly,smilingandtryingnottolaughat
mymentalpictureofCourtneywearingthisensemble.“It’sjustnot
exactlyyourstyle.”Itriedtobetactful.

“Iwentthroughaphase,”sherolledhereyes,“butI’venever
actuallywornit.”Shedovebackintoherclosetandthistimecame
outwithapairofstrappysandalswithjewelsthatmatchedthe
flowersonthedress.

Ishookmyheadather.“Perfect.Thankyou.I’msogladIgaveyou
theroomwiththebigcloset,”Isaid,givingheraquickhug.ThenI
grabbedmygoodiesandrantomybathroomtoshower.

Forty-fiveminuteslaterIcamedownstairslookinglikesomeone
whobrunches.MyhairwasinacutetopknotandIhadevenputon
makeup.Ihadthepinklipsandcheekstoproveit.Thedressand
shoesreallywereperfect,exceptforonetinyproblem.Well,notso
tiny.Courtney’schestwasnowherenearthesizeofmine.Ihad
managedtosqueezemyupperhalfintothedress,butalloftheextra
fleshhadtogosomewhere,andithadchosentobillowupandout.I
hadfidgetedwithmyboobsforfiveoftheforty-fiveminutes,and
thentriedtoconvincemyselfthatnoonewouldnotice.

“Whoa,yourcuprunnethover.”Courtneygrinned.

Iwhirledaroundandstartedtoheadbackupthestairs,humiliated.
Myclothesweren’tnearlyascuteasCourt’s,butatleastmytits
stayedinthem.

“Wait!Youlookfantastic.I’mjustjealous.He’snotgoingtobe
abletopryhiseyesawayfromyouoryourfantasticjugs.”

Iturned.“Areyousureit’snottoomuch?”Iasked,grabbingthem.

“It’sjustright,”shereassuredme.“Nowlet’sgositonthefront
porchswingbecauseIwantafrontrowseatwhenheseesthem.I
meanyou,”shequicklyamendedwhenshesawmyconcernedlook.

Shewasn’tdisappointed.WhenSethhoppedoutofhisJeepand
walkeduptogreetus,hiseyesnearlypoppedoutofhishead.Iwas
embarrassed,butthenhesmiledahuge,sweet,happy,sexysmile,
andIwastrulygratefulformybodacioustatasforthefirsttimein
myentirelife.

“Youlookfantastic,”hesaidsincerely.“Readytoroll?”

“Let’sgo,”Isaid.Decidingtoenjoythisalittle,Ibentdown
pretendingtofixsomethingonmyshoeandlookeduptoseehim
openlygawkingdownthedeepcleavageIhadjustbaredtohim.I
stoodandturnedtogrinatCourtandgiveherathumb’s-upbefore
walkinghand-in-handwithSethtohisJeep.

Chapter15

EventhoughIhadfiguredoutthatSeth’sfamilywaswealthy,Iwas
notpreparedfortheestatethatwepulledinto.Thestonemansion
wasmassiveandgorgeous,withcleanlinesandaclassiclook.The
housepaledincomparisontothegrounds,though.

TheperfectlymanicuredyardhadthefeelofanEnglishgardenwith
anabundanceofcomfortablesittingareas,brightflowers,and
quirkyfountains.Ilaughedinsurpriseaswewalkeddownthebrick
pathtothebackyardandacharming,winkingbabyelephantstatue
sprayedamistofwateronus.

Sethshookhishead,“Mymotherenjoyssearchingforthemost
whimsicaloddities.”

“Weshouldintroducehertomyboss,Annie,”Ianswered.“She’s
themostwhimsicalpersonI’veevermet.Theywouldprobablyget
alongfamously.”

ItseemedlikeSethwasabouttodisagreewiththatwhenheopened
thegatetothebackyard,whichcausedmetocompletelyforget
aboutourconversation.ItwasthemostbreathtakingsetupIhad
everseen.Fromtheamazingviewofthelakeandmarina,tothefull
outdoorkitchenandinfinitypool,thiswasabackyardthatwas
meanttobeinmagazines.

Myeyesdrankitallin,andthenIfelthim.Hehadjuststeppedout
oftheslidingglassdooratthebackofthehouse.Ididn’thaveto
looktoknow.Thehaironmyarmswasstandingupandmybody
felttingly.Isweptmygazequicklypasthim,justtoconfirmwhatI
alreadyknew.Samwasstandingthere,lookingamazinglygorgeous,
justlikehisbrother.Heliftedhisglassingreeting,andSethnodded

athim.

Seth’smotherwalkedovertowelcomeus.Janicewasclassyand
lovely,andIfeltlikeafrumpstandingnexttoher.Shetsk’dmefor
stealingSethawayfromthecharityauctionbeforedinnerhadeven
beenserved,andIstartedstammeringmywaythroughan
explanation.Sethgallantlysavedmebysayinghehadwantedto
leaveearly,duetoaheadache.Thankfully,sheseemedtobuythat.

Janicetoldmetomakemyselfathomeandglidedofftocheckon
thecaterers.Ishookmyhead,ponderingtheideathatanyonehad
caterersforaweeklyfamilybrunch.ItwasbeginningtofeellikeI
hadsomehowstumbledmywayintotheKennedycompound,yet
theyallseemedsodown-to-earthandlikable,withoneglaring
exception.

Samwasmakinghiswaytowardsuswhenalittlegirlcamerunning
tohimatfullspeed.“KitKat!”hesaidashepickedheruptotwirl
heraround,bothofthembeaming.That’skindoflikable,Iadmitted,
grumblingsilentlytomyself.

Jessiewalkedupthepath,carryingaBarbiebackpack.“Abby,I’m
sogladyou’rehere,”shesaid,smilingkindly.Thensheleanedinto
whisper,“Itwillgivemeabreakfromhavingtoattempttomake
smalltalkwiththelatest‘I’girl.”Shesnickered,noddingherhead
totheleft.

Ifollowedhereyesandsawthelongest,tannest,mostperfectpairof
legsI’deverseenstickingoutfromaloungechairbythepool.I
couldn’tseetherestofherfrommyangle,butcouldonlyassume
thatthesegorgeouslegsbelongedtoSam’sdate.Idon’tknowwhy
mystomachdidalittleflip-flopatthatidea.

SamsetthelittlegirldownandshequicklyranovertogreetSeth.

Hekneeleddowntoherlevelandsaid,“How’smylittleKatiedid
today?”

Iwatchedhertellhimabouthermanyadventuressinceshehadlast
seenhim.Shetalkedanimatedly,andheseemedtohangonevery
word.Thelittlegirlhadhugeblueeyesandlongblondehair.She
didn’tlooklikeherdark-hairedmotheranduncles,butshehad
inheritedtheirstrikingbeauty.

Suddenly,shetooknoticeofme.“Who’sthat?”shedemanded.

Jessiejumpedintoanswer.“Katie,thisisUncleSeth’sdate,Abby.”

Katiesquintedhereyes,lookingmeover,thengavea‘humph’and
askedSethtopushherontheswing.Hegavemyhandasqueeze
beforefollowingthelittlegirltodoherbidding.

Hermotherchuckledandsaid,“Don’tmindher.She’sjustnotused
toSethbringingwomenaround.That’susuallySam’sforte.She’ll
warmuptoyouonceshegetstoknowyou,”shereassuredme.“She
doesn’tusuallybotherwithSam’sfriendsbecauseheneverkeeps
themaroundlongenoughforustogettoknowthem.”

IwonderedwhySethdidn’tbringwomenaroundmoreoften,but
Samwalkeduptojoinus,soIdidn’thaveachancetoask.“Hello,
ladies,”hegreetedhissisterandme,slinginganarmcasually
aroundJessie.

Beforewecouldanswer,theblondegoddessintheloungechair
bellowed,“SamDarling,thewaitstaffhasn’tbotheredtocheckon
me.I’mparched.Wouldyoubeadearandhavesomeonefetchmea
mojito?”

“Ofcourse,”herespondedandturnedonhisheeltogotrackdown

someone.

Jessieraisedhereyebrows,butrefrainedfromsayinganythingabout
theexchange.ShesmiledasshewatchedSethplayingwithher
daughter.

“He’sreallysweetwithher,”Iobservedaloud,thinkingsilentlythat
hewouldmakeaterrificfathersomeday.

“Heis,”sheagreed.“Theybothare.”WewatchedSampersonally
delivertherequestedmojitobeforewalkingbacktowherewestood.

“Areyouawaiternow?”Jessieteasedherbrother.

Samshruggedashoulder.“Shelikestobepampered,andIhumor
her.”

Thehaironmyarmswasalreadypricklingfrombeingthiscloseto
him,sowhenhiselbowbrushedlightlyagainstmine,Ialmost
jumpedoutofmyskin.DidIhatehimsomuchthatheliterally
mademyskincrawl?Iwondered.Itdidn’tfeellikehatred,though.
AsmuchasIwantedtodislikehim,Iknewthatdeepdown,Ididn’t.
ItmustjustbeconfusionbecausehelookssosimilartoSeth,I
decided.IrefusedtothinkaboutthefactthatIdidn’thavethis
strongofaphysicalreactionwhenSethwasnearby.

“I’llgorescueSethfromkidpatrol,sohecanspendsometimewith
you,”Jessiesaidtomeassheleftfortheplayset.

Samturnedandmyskinheatedashiseyesboredintome.With
everypore,Icouldfeelhowclosehewas.“Aloneatlast.”He
grinnedandraisedhiseyebrowsatme.“DidyoutellSethaboutus
yet?”

“Ididn’tfeelitwasimportantenoughtomention,”Ilied.

“Ortooimportanttomention,”heguessedcorrectly.

Hewassocockyandinfuriating.Iwilledmybodynottoreactto
him,evenasIcouldfeelmybarely-coverednipplespuckeringasif
theywerereachingouttohim.

Hiseyestravelledslowlydowntomybreastsandlingeredthere.I
prayedthatmyerectnipplesweren’tvisiblethroughthetopofmy
dress.

Sethwalkeduptous,savingmefromSam’sintensegaze.He
casuallyputhisarmaroundme,completelyunawareofthetension
vibratingbetweenhisbrotherandme.“Hi,Gorgeous,”hesaid
givingmeaquickpeckonthecheek.IsmiledatSeth,gladforthe
distractionfromSam.

Allthreeofushadourattentiondivertedwhenthelong-legged
beautyarosefromhersunbathingchair.Icouldn’tblametheboys
forgawkingbecauseIcouldn’tlookawayeitherasshestretchedher
gorgeous,leanbody.Shewasavisionwithherlong,goldenhair;
perfect,poutylips;andlovely,tanlegspeekingoutofherbarely-
theresarong.Hervoluptuous,perkybreastswerecoveredbythe
tiniestredtrianglesthatIhadeverseenclaimtobeabikinitop.

Asshewalkedtowardsus,allthreeofuswereopenlystaring.She
musthavebeenusedtosuchattentionbecauseshedidn’tseemto
noticeassheplacedanarmpossessivelyonSamandwhined,
“Whenwilltheservantsbringthefood?I’mstarving.”Icringed
inwardlyathercondescendingchoiceoftheword‘servants.’

“Soon,Baby.”Hesoothedherwithakissonthecheekthen
introducedustoJenni.Itriedtoignorethetwingeofjealousyinmy

gutbytellingmyselfsilentlythatIwasjustenviousofher
astoundinggoodlooks.

Jessierejoinedus,indicatingthatGrandpahadtakenKatiefora
walkdowntothepier.ShegreetedJenniwithanobviouslackof
enthusiasm,andIwassurprisedbyhernear-rudeness.

ThesurpriseworeoffwhenJennispokenext.SheturnedtoSethand
toldhimthathewasjustashandsomeas‘herSam.’Hesmiled
politely,butdidn’trespond.Unfazed,shecontinued.“I’venever
beenwithtwinsbefore,butIhaveenoughholestoentertainyou
both.Youwouldneverforgettheexperience.”

Iwascompletelyastounded.Ihadneverheardanyonesayanything
sooutrageous,especiallytosomeoneshehadjustmet.Iwasalsoa
littlehurtthatshewouldsaythisrightinfrontofme,asifIdidn’t
evenexist.Ididfeelinvisiblenexttoherradiantbeauty,butthere
wasnoreasonforhertoopenlycomeontoSethwithmestanding
rightthere.

Thethreesiblingsalllookedastakenabackbythebrashstatement
asIfelt.Jennigiggled,thenadded,“Anothertime,then.Comeon,
Babe,”shesaidtoSam.“Let’sgocrackthewhiponthis
incompetentwaitstaff.”

“Thatwillbetheendofher.”Jessieshookherheadafterthey
walkedaway.“DidyouseethelookonSam’sface?I’msurprised
hedidn’taskhertoleaverightthen.”

Sethsaid,“Ican’tescapethementalimageofbeingwithherwhile
mybrotherfillsanotherofherholes.”Hegaveanexaggerated
shiverofdisgust.Itwasjustthecomicreliefweneeded,andthe
threeofusstartedlaughinguncontrollably.

Chapter16

Thebrunchwasgoingwellafterourhystericscalmeddownfrom
Jenni’sscandalousandoutlandishcomment.SheandSamwere
seatedatthefarendofthetablefromSethandme,soIpointedly
ignoredthem.Iwasafirmbelieverthatwomenneedtostick
together,butthischickhadseriouslycrossedtheline.

TheconversationbecameboisterousasSethandSamgotintoa
competitionofone-upmanship.ForeachstorythatSethtold,Sam
toldonethatwasalittlebiggerandbetter.Theybothlookedso
handsomeastheytriedtotopeachotherwiththeirtalltales.Weall
laughedasthetoneofthegameswitchedandtheystartedtelling
storiesoneachother.

WeheardaboutthetimeinhighschoolwhenSamyankeddown
Seth’sshortsandshovedhiminthegirls’lockerroom.“Jokewason
you,”Sethtauntedhim,“becauseseeingmenakedisjustlikeseeing
younaked.”Ishiftedinmychair,tryingnottothinkaboutthat.

“Itmustnotbeexactlythesame,orIwouldn’tbagallofthehottest
babes,”Samquipped,makingJennipreen.Hismotherinhaleda
sharpbreath,shockedbyhiswords.“Withtheexceptionofone,
apparently.”Heturnedandlookeddirectlyatme.Icouldfeelmy
cheeksburningredasthewholegroupturnedtheireyestowardsme.

Sethnarrowedhiseyes,clearlynotlikingwherehisbrotherhad
takenthings.“Nomatterwhatyouwin,you’llneverbeolder.”

“Youalwaysmakesureitcomesbacktothat,don’tyou?”Samsat
backinhischairlookingannoyedthatSethhadbroughtuptheir
minisculeagedifference.

“Boys.”Theirfather’sdeepvoicemadethesimplewordawarning.

Sethlightenedthemoodbysaying,“No,whatitcomesbacktois
thatyousavedmylife,andIwouldn’tbehereifitweren’tforyou.”
Hehelduphisglassandsaidsincerely,“Here’stoSam,myhero.”

“Here,here.”Thegroupclinkedglassesandthemerrimentofthe
dayresumed,butmyeyesweredrawntoSam.Hisgorgeous,green
eyeshadtakenonadarklook,andIwonderedwhy.Hecaughtme
lookingandraisedhisglasstowardsme,buthissmiledidn’treach
hishauntedeyes.

AftereatingmorefantasticfoodthanIremembereveringestingin
anythreefulldays,Iexcusedmyselffromthetabletogofindthe
bathroom.Thepoolhousewaslargerthanmostpeople’shomes,so
onceIwasfinishedinthepowderroom,Idecidedtohavealook
around.Thedécorwasisland-yandcomfortablewithaplethoraof
wickerandBahamianartwork.Itwasthekindofplacewhereyou
couldplopdownwithagoodbookandtakeanap.

Iwasstudyingafamilyportraitfromwhentheboysweretoddlers,
whenIfelthimcomein.Itwassostrangehowmysensesofsight
andhearingtookabackseattosomesixthsenseofheightened
awarenesswhereSamwasconcerned.

Helookedsohandsomestandinginthetallarchwayoftheentrance.
JustlikeSeth,Iremindedmyself,annoyedthatIwassodrawnto
Sam.Icouldn’tmakemyselfstoplookingathimashesauntered
over.“Canyoutellusapart?”heasked,leaningoverme.Icouldfeel
hishotbreathonmyear,anditmademetingly.

“You’retheoneontheleft,”Irespondedconfidently.Myvoice
soundedremarkablycalm,consideringthevisceralreactionmybody
wasexperiencingfromhavinghimsonear.

“Impressive.”HeseemedsurprisedthatIhadbeenabletodetermine
whichonehewasinthephotograph.“Orwasitjustaluckyguess?”

“Iknewitwasyou.”Ididn’tofferfurtherexplanation.

“Weconfusedcaretakersandteachersforyears.Hell,halfthetime
ourfamilycouldn’ttellusapart.So,MissBrown,dotellhowyou
wereabletoknowmefrommybrother.”

Ipointedtohisfaceinthephoto.“It’ssomethingaboutyoursmile.
Youhaveaslightlycrookedgrin.Seth’sisperfectlystraight.”

“Oh,Ishouldhaveknownyou’dfindaphysicalflawinmethat
perfectSeth,myidenticaltwindoesn’tshare.”

“It’snotaflaw,necessarily.Somepeoplemightfindaslightly
crookedsmiletobeattractive,”Itoldhimhonestly.

“Doyoufinditattractive?”Hegrinnedatme.

“Thereitisnow.”Ipointedathismouth,tryingtoavoidanswering
hisquestion.

Hetookmysilenceaboutitasanaffirmationandstartedchanting
anddancingaroundtheroom,“Abbythinksmycrookedsmileis
hot.H-O-T.Hot.”Thelastwordwaswhisperedinextremelyclose
proximitytomyear,anditsentachilldownmyspine.

Iforcedmyselftoglareinhisdirectionandsay,“You’resucha
child.”Despitemywords,Icouldn’ttearmyeyesawayfromhim.
WhenIlookedathim,allIcouldthinkofwasmountinghimand
ridinghimtocompletion.MymouthfellopenasIvisualizedmyself
climbingontopofhimandtakinghisthickcockdeepinsideme.I

knewhisdickwashugebecauseIhadfeltitpressingurgentlyinto
mybackintherestroomatthemuseum.Besides,hewassuretobe
impressivelyhung,sinceSethwas.Realizationdawnedonmethen
thatItechnicallyknewwhatSamlookedlikenaked.Themental
imagesurfacedandmademedamp.Sam’seyestravelledtomy
mouthandstayedthereasInervouslylickedmylips.

Westoodthere,eyeslocked,forseveralseconds.Ihopedthathe
couldn’tsensethehornyturnthatmythoughtshadtaken,even
thoughhehadtofeelthesexualtensionthatwaszingingbetween
us.Finally,hespoke.“Sorry,Ididn’tmeantobotheryou.”Thenhe
turnedanddartedoutside.

IleanedbackagainstthewallandreleasedthebreaththatIdidn’t
realizeIhadbeenholding.Whatthehelliswrongwithme?I
wondered,placingacoolhandonmyforehead.Ihavefinallyfound
ahandsome,sweet,wonderfulman,andIhavethehotsforhispigof
abrother.

IthastojustbehissimilaritiestoSeth,Itoldmyself.Sethisso
perfect,andSamlooksjustlikehim.Ofcourseit’sconfusing.Even
thechickipoothatlookslikeaBarbiedolloutthereisattractedto
bothofthem.Isnorted,rememberingjusthowattractedandwilling
shewas.AtleastIwasn’tthatbad.

Itookafewdeep,calmingbreaths.ItallmadesensewhenIthought
itthrough.Theywerebothphysicallyattractive.Scratchthat,they
werebothphysicallyperfect.Sethwastheonewhowassweet,
funny,kind,andthoughtful,though.HewastheoneIcaredabout,
notSam.

ThereactionIhadtoSamwaspurelyphysical,andIhadastrong
physicalreactiontoSethaswell.Beyondthephysical,though,Ihad
realfeelingsforSeth.

Feelingrenewed,Iwentbackoutside.IfoundSeth,andwewalked
downthepathtothebluffoverlookingthelakeandmarina.Seth
stoodbehindmewithhisstrongarmswrappedaroundme.Ifeltsafe
andhappyinhisembrace,andIstaunchlyignoredthetingling
feelingdeepdowninthepitofmystomachthattoldmeSamwas
watchingus.

Chapter17

Itwasstillearlyafternoonwhenwelefttheparty.Ihadafewhours
beforegirls’nightwithCourtneywouldbegin,soIwantedtospend
thattimewithSeth.I’dbeendyingtoseethepolebarnwherehe
buildshisboats,soIaskedhimtotakemethere.

Heseemedsurprised,butdelightedbytherequest.Wedrovethere
insilence,holdinghands.Sethwouldoccasionallylookoverand
smileatme,andIwouldgrinbackathim,perfectlycontent.

ThebuildingwasevenbiggerthanithadlookedfromSeth’s
camper.Idon’tknowwhatIhadbeenexpectingtosee,butitwasn’t
whatIfoundwhenweenteredthehugestructure.

Theenormouswoodenboatinthecenteroftheroomwas
breathtaking.IstaredatitinawethatSethwasabletobuild
somethingsoimpressive.Ihadimaginedthathemadecanoe-like
boats,notanythingasgrandasthisbehemoth.

Thebuildingwaspristine,withafreshlysweptfloorandeachtoolin
itsspot.ItwasclearfromlookingaroundthatSethtookgreatcare
andprideinhiswork,andhehadeveryreasonto.

“Thisisamazing!”Iexclaimed,walkingaroundthestern.“Ihadno
idea.”

Helookedtrulyhappyatmycompliment.“DidyouthinkIspentmy
timemakingmakeshiftskiffs?”

“No,butIhadnoideahowgrandyourboatsare.MayI?”Iasked,
indicatingtheladderthatleduptothehull.

“Ofcourse,butshe’snotfinished,”hereplied.Ihadalreadykicked
offmyjeweledsandalsandscrambledup,sohefollowedme.

Ismoothedmyhandalongtheglossysideofthevessel.“People
mustbelinedupwantingtopurchaseoneofyourboats.”

“Thereisabitofawaitinglist.”Helookeddown,seemingslightly
embarrassed.

Isensedtherewasmore,soIasked,“Howlongisabit?”

“Abouttwoyears.”Hebeamedatme,andhisbeautiful,perfectly
straightsmilenearlyknockedmeonmybutt.Hewenton,“ButI
don’tcompromisequality.Ifpeoplewantoneofmyboats,thenthey
havetowaitforit.”

“Ibettheydo,too.”Igrinnedbackathim.

Henodded.“I’vehadpeopletrytobribemetorushortogotothe
frontoftheline,butIdon’twantanypartofthat.Itwouldn’tbefair
tothepeoplewhohavewaited.”

Thismanwasgood,solid,kind,fair,gorgeous,smart,andsweet,
andIwantedhimintheworstway.Itriedtoputonmysexyvoice
asIsaidhuskily,“Thisboatneedstobebrokenin.”

“She’snotquitereadytoputinthewater,”heanswered,
misunderstandingmymeaning.

IdecidedthatIwouldhavetobemoredirect,soIremovedmywide
beltandunzippedthefloraldressthatIhadborrowedfrom
Courtney.Mybreastshadbeenstrainingforfreedomallday,and
theyspilledoutasthedresspooledatmybarefeet.Islippedoutof
mypantiesandlaidbackonthelongbow,offeringmynakedbody

toSeth.

Helickedhislipsandthensprangintoaction.Hequicklyrippedthe
golfshirtoverhishead.Inonesmoothmove,heshedhimselfofhis
khakisandboxers.Thenhejoinedmeontheship’sbow.Weranour
handsovereachotherasourtonguestangled.Iwasalmostmanicin
myhungerforhim.

Wemeltedtogether,ourbodiescompletelyentwined.Hewashard,
pressingintomybelly.Itwasn’tnearlyenough,soIreachedmy
handdownbetweenusandguidedhimtome.Hegroanedasheslid
insideme.Ileftmyhandbetweenus,touchingusbothashe
pumpedoverme.Myotherhandreachedaroundtograbhisass,
pullinghimintomeharder.

IcriedoutasIcame.Pleasurepulsedthroughme.AsIsqueezed,
Sethburiedhisheadintomyshoulder.Histhrustsquickeneduntil
hereleasedwithaloudgroan.

Westayedthatwayforawhile.SethwasstillinsidemeasIrubbed
ahandlightlyoverhisback.“You’reamazing,”hesaid,nuzzling
intomyneck.

Iwashappy.Therewasnootherwordforit.Ididn’trecallever
havingfeltsocomplete,sosatisfied.“Iloveyou.”Thewords
bubbledoutbeforeIhadachancetothinkthroughvoicingthemout
loud.

Sethstiffened,andIimmediatelyregrettedsayingit.Hestayed
frozenforawhile,butIfelthimemotionallydisconnect.Thenhe
slippedoutofmeandsaid,“Weshouldprobablygetgoing.You
don’twanttobelateforgirls’night.”Hegrabbedhisclothesand
wentdowntheladder.

Ihadaburninglumpinmythroat.Ifeltlikecrying,butwasafraidI
wouldn’tbeabletostop,onceIstarted.HowcouldIhave
proclaimedmylovesosoon?

Isatthereforawhile,stunned,andthenIslowlyputonmyclothes
andwenttofindSeth.HewassittingintheJeepwaitingforme.We
didn’ttalkthewholewaybacktomyhouse.Whenwearrived,he
turnedtomeandsaidabrisk,“Takecare.”

Icouldn’tevenrespond.Inoddedandquicklyexitedhisvehicle,
focusingonnotallowingthetearstostartflowing.AsIwalkedup
thesidewalktomyfrontdoor,asobescaped,butIdidn’thaveto
worryabouthimhearingitbecausehewasalreadybackingoutof
mydriveway.

Chapter18

“HowcouldIhavesaidsomethingsostupid?”Iasked,plunkingmy
headdownonthetablefortheumpteenthtime.

“Tellingsomeonethatyoulovethemisn’tstupid.”Courtney
defendedme,asshealwaysdid.

“Itsurefeelsthatway.WhatifIscaredhimoff?Whatifhedoesn’t
wanttoseemeagain?”ImoanedasIcheckedmyphoneagain,
sighingatitsblankfacestaringbackatme,mockingme.

“Ifthosethreelittlewordsscaredhimoff,thenhedoesn’tdeserve
you,anyway.”Atmysadlook,Courtneygrabbedmyhandand
continued.“Stopworrying.He’llcall.Youjusttookhimbysurprise.
That’sall.”

Joestoppedbythetablewithourtacos,andIsuddenlywondered
whyhealwayswaitedonus,ratherthanhavingoneofthe
waitressesserveourtable.Maybetherewassomethingtothis
CourtneyandJoeideathatSethhadsuggested.

Idecidedthatthinkingaboutthepossibilityofthetwoofthem
hookingupwouldhelpkeepmymindoffSethforawhile,soI
dippedmytoeinthewater.“Joelooksespeciallyhottonight.”I
waggledmyeyebrowsplayfullyather.

Hedidlookratherhandsome,withhisunkempt,surfer-dudelook.
Courtrespondedtomypromptwithanon-committal“Mmmhmm.”
SoIpushedon.

“Hehashisownbusiness,he’skind,he’ssmart,he’sfunny,and
he’scrazyaboutyou,Court.Agirlcoulddoalotworse.”

“Didheaskyoutotalktome?”Herfacecrumpledasshesaidit.“I
toldhimtoletitgo.”Assheslidoutofthebooth,sheadded,“Itwill
neverworkout,sojustdropit.Ineedatissue.I’llberightback.”

IwasshockedthatCourtneyandJoehadtalkedaboutthepossibility
ofarelationshipandwasslightlyhurtthatCourthadn’tmentionedit
tome.Howcouldshethinkofherselfasunworthyofbeinghappy?
Whatkindofdemonswasshecarryingaroundwithher?

Whenshereturnedtoourtable,Iweighedmywordscarefully
beforesaying,“Sweetie,Idon’tcareifyouwanttobewithJoe,or
withsomeoneelse,orwithnoone.Ijustwantyoutobehappy.”She
smiled,soIcontinued,“Youareawonderfulperson,andyou
deservehappiness.Ihopethatyouareabletofindpeacewith
yourselfbecauseyoushouldn’tbecarryingthisheavyburden.Ifyou
aren’tabletotalktomeaboutit,maybeweshouldgetyouan
appointmentwithaprofessional.”

“Ashrink?”Courtneysnorted.“Beenthere,donethat.Itdidn’twork
forme.”Atmyconcernedlook,shecontinued,“I’llbefine.Ijust
havesomethingsfrommypastthatI’mnotproudof.Ineedtowork
throughtheminmyownwayandinmyowntime.”

“Inotherwords,youwantmetobutt-out.”IsmiledtoletherknowI
wasn’tangry.“Youtakeyourtime.I’malwayshereforyouifyou
needanything.Youknowthat,right?”

“Samegoesforyou,Sister.Hugitout?”Courtstoodandextended
herarmstome.

“Thatissoooohot,butakisswouldreallysealthedealforme,”Joe
saidnearourearsaswehugged,endingthesweetmoment.Court
balledhernapkinandthrewitathimasheswaggeredawaywitha

bigsmileonhisface.Ishookmyheadwithanexasperated,“Men!”

Chapter19

Iwasatwork.ItwasThursday,andIhadn’theardfromSethsince
lettingthedreadedthree-wordsaluteflyonSunday.Icheckedmy
cellphoneagain.Nothing.

IhadstartedtotexthimmoretimesthanIcouldcount.Ihadpulled
himupinmycontactstocallhimnumeroustimes,aswell.Each
timeIchickenedout,wonderingwhyhehadn’tcontactedme.

Ipulledmyphoneoutagain,andthenIputitbackinmypocket
withasigh.“OhforPeter’ssake,”Annieshookherhead,“justtext
him.”

IhadbeenaroundAnniesomuchthatIbarelynoticedanymorehow
shebutcheredidioms.Shelookedlikeshewascompletely
exasperatedwithme.“Givemethephone,”sheglowered,holding
outherhand.

Itriedignoringher,butsheshookherhand,indicatingshemeant
business.Itentativelymovedittowardsher.Shesnatcheditupand
quicklytypedamessage.“There,letthechocolatechipsfallwhere
theymay,”shesaidhandingthephonebacktome.

IlookedatthewordsshehadtextedtoSethfrommyphone.‘I’moff
tomorrow.Wanttogoonapicnic?’

“I’mnotofftomorrow,Annie.”

“Youarenow.I’msickoflookingatyourgloomymugofroot
beer.”Itiltedmyheadatthatone,butshecontinuedon.“Getoutof
hereandgofixyourselfup.Youlooklikearagamuffin.Relaxina
nice,warmbath,ortakeayogaclassorsomething.”Sheplaceda

handonmyshoulderandgentlypushedmetowardthedoor,
accentuatingherpoint.

Fromanyoneelse,herbrutalhonestymighthavehurtmyfeelings,
butIknewAnnielovedmeunconditionallyandhadmybestinterest
atheart.So,Ifollowedhernot-so-gentlenudgeandwavedbehind
myheadassheyelledafterme,“Don’tworry.Hewillcall,orhe’ll
havemetodealwith.”

IsmiledatthethoughtofthetinyfirecrackerthatwasAnnietrying
totakeonbig,strongSeth.Heprobablywouldn’tknowwhathit
himifsheshookherfingerathimanddefendedmewithher
characteristic,nonsensicalzingers.

WhenIgothome,ItookAnnie’sadviceandpamperedmyselfa
little.Iputmycellphoneonsilentandhiditinadrawer,sothatI
wouldn’tbetemptedtocheckitcompulsively.ThenIrelaxedinmy
sudsytub,lettingthejetsmassagemyachybodyfornearlyanhour.
Afterthat,Islatheredmyselfwiththethick,bodycreamthatIsave
forspecialoccasions.

IwenttoCourtney’sroomfornailpolishandbeatTabtothepunch
byhissingatherwhensheglaredatmefromCourt’sbed.Isettled
ondeepblueformytoenailsandseashellpinkformyfingernails.
Oncemyfreshmaniandpediweredry,Iglaredatthedrawerwith
thecellphoneinit.

Surelyhehadcalledortextedmeback,right?Itwouldberudenot
to.Butwhatifhehadn’t?Iwasalmostscaredtolook,butknewthat
Ineededto.“Heregoesnothing,”ImutteredasIblewoutabreath
andlookedatthephone.Nothing.

Iploppeddownonthefloorasthetearsstartedtorolldownmy
cheeks.Itriedtothinkofanyotherlogicalexplanationforwhyhe

wouldn’thavecontactedme.Iknewthatifhewassickorhadbeen
injured,hisfamilywouldhavecontactedme.Iwonderedifmaybe
hehadlosthiscellphonewithmycontactnumber,andalmost
becamehopeful,buttherehadbeenplentyoftimeforhimtostopby
toletmeknow.

Idevisednumerousscenariostotrytocomeupwithavalidexcuse
forhissilence,butshoteachonedown.Ididn’twanttoadmitwhatI
knewthetruthtobe.Iwasbeingblownoff.Thatwastheplainand
simpleexplanation,butithurtlikehelltofaceit,especiallyknowing
thatitwascompletelymyfaultforsayingtoomuch,toofast.

AsobescapedmythroatasIcurledintothefetalpositiononthe
floor,devastated.Ifellasleepthatwayanddidn’twakeuntil
morning.Mybodywassoreandmyeyesfeltlikethey’dbeen
rubbedwithsandpaper.Istretchedandscowledatmycellphone.

Ihadn’tturneditoffsilentmode,somaybeIhadmissedsomething.
Icouldn’tkeepthehopeatbay,eventhoughIknewitwouldbein
myownbestinterest.Itookadeepbreathandpushedthebutton.
Nothing.Itwaslikehavingmyheartrippedout.

IknewthatIshouldenjoymydayoff,butIjustdidn’tfeellike
doinganything.Iclimbeduponmybedandwentbacktosleep.
Courtney’sknockarousedmefromadeepsleep.Sheenteredmy
roomwithatrayoffood.Irolledawayfromherandtriedtore-enter
thesweetoblivionofsleep.“Youneedtotrytoeatsomething.”Her
voicewasfilledwithconcern,butIsteadfastlyignoredher,andshe
leftmealone.

IsleptandsleptuntilIhadnoconceptofwhattimeitwas.Thenext
timeCourtneyknockedonthedoor,shecameinandsatontheedge
ofmybed.Shesawtheuntouchedtrayoffoodandchastisedme.
“Ab,youdidn’teatanyofthis.”Ididn’trespond,soshetrieda

differenttact.“Timetogetup.Youneedtogetreadyforwork.”

“I’moff,”Igrumbledather.

“ItalkedtoAnnieandshetoldmeshegaveyouyesterdayoff,”she
responded.“TodayisSaturday,anditistimetoriseandshine.”

IwasshockedthatIhadsleptthroughanentireday,butIdidn’t
haveanydesiretogetup.“CallAnnieandtellherI’mnotcomingin
today.”

“Younevercallinsick.”Hereyeswerefilledwithconcern.

Ididn’twantherorAnnietoworry,soIsaid,“Ijustneedsome
moretime,Court.TomorrowisSunday,andtheshopisclosed.I’ll
bebacktomymean-oldselfbyMonday,Ipromise.”Imadean
efforttosmileather,butendedupjustwincing.IhopedthatI
wouldbeablekeepmypromisetoher,butitdidn’tfeelpossible.

Aftersheleft,Iwentbacktosleep.Itwastheonlyplacewherethe
weightofsadnessdidn’tfeellikeitwascrushingthebreathoutof
me.Evenmydreamsweretroubledthough,andIawokeinthedark,
coveredinsweat.

Itriedtosleepmore,butmystomachwasrumbling.Irolledover
andgrabbedacoupleofstalepotatochipsfromthetrayCourtney
hadleft,thenItookafewsipsofwaterandsatup.

Mycellphonewassittingonthetable,mockingme.Courthad
pluggeditintothechargerforme.Ivowednottogetmyhopesup,
evenasIfeltmyheartrateincreasingwhenIreachedforit.I
cringedasIpushedthebutton.Nothing.

Icurledbackuponmybedandpulledthecoversovermyhead,

seekingoblivion.

WhenIawokeagain,itwasdaylight,andIwasstarving.Lifehasto
goon,Ireasonedwithmyself.So,Igotup,threwtheduvetovermy
bed,pickedupthetrayofleftoverfoodandwentdownstairstomake
somebreakfastandtrytogetoverSethDavis.

Chapter20

Iwasshoweredandsomewhatpresentablewhenitwastimetogo
meetCourtneyatJoe’sforgirls’night,andIhadtransformedfrom
beingdesperatelysadtototallypissed.Howcouldhenotatleast
givemesomeclosure??

BeingangrywasprobablyoverkillbecauseCourtwasmadenough
forbothofus.“Whatanass!”shegrouchedassoonasIjoinedher
atourbooth.“Givemeyourphone.I’mgoingtocallandgivehima
pieceofmymind.”

Ituckedmyphonedeeperintomypurse,determinedtoguardit
fromherreach.“I’llcallhimlater,”Ipromisedher.“Ideservebetter
thanbeingignored.”

“Hell,yeah!”sheagreed.“Ifhewantstostopseeingyou,thenhe
needstoatleasthavetheballstosayso.”

“Talkingballstonight,ladies?”NeitherofushadheardJoe
approachthetable.Heseemedtohaveaknackforsneakingupon
usandhearingkeyphrases.

“Yes,weare,andI’dliketohaveapaironaplatter.”Courtcrossed
herarmsangrilyasJoevisiblywincedandtookanexaggeratedstep
back.

“IthinkI’llkeepmineatasafedistance,then.I’llbringyouthe
usual.”

Welaughedashepretendedtoplaceaprotectivehandoverhis
netherregionandturnedtoflee.“Ican’tevenimagineallofthe
crazytopicshehasoverheardusdiscussingatthistableevery

week.”Ishookmyhead.

Courtlaughedinagreementandstartedlistingsome,“Tampons,sex
toys,purses,bubblebutts,shoes,boobs.”

Whenshepaused,Ilistedafew.“Don’tforgetaboutwaxing,
plucking,trimming,manscaping.Andthosearealljustaboutpubic
hair!”Bythistimewewerebothcrackingupwithlaughter.

Whenourgigglessubsided,Iturnedserious.“Mynon-existentsex
lifeandmybrief,butfantasticsexlife,whichIseemtohaveruined
withmybigmouth.”

Courtlookeddownassheadded,“Mywaytoopromiscuoussex
life.”

“NothingscaresJoeoff,though.”IreachedforCourt’shand.“I
thinkhe’soneofthegoodones.”

“Toogood.”Shenoddedwithtearsinhereyes.

“Oh,rubbish!”IdeclaredinmybestEnglishaccent,andweboth
dissolvedintohystericsagain.

Chapter21

Whenwefinishedoffourmargaritapitcher,ItoldCourtIwantedto
walkalongthewaterforawhile,ratherthanridehomewithher.She
lookedconcernedthatIwasgoingtoslipbackintodepression
mode,soIreassuredherwithahug.“Ijustwantsomealonetime,so
Icanworkupthenervetocallhimtogetsomemuch-needed
closure.”

Shestilllookedskeptical,soIadded,“I’mokay.Ipromise.”

Imusthaveseemedsincerebecauseshehuggedme,whisperedthe
words“Loveyou,”andjoggedofftohopintoherbeat-up,littlecar.

ImoseyedalongthebeachuntilIfoundagoodrocktositon.I
staredatmyphoneforalongwhileandfinallydecidedthatIjust
neededtogetitoverwith.WithoutknowingexactlywhatIwas
goingtosay,IpushedthebuttontodialSethbeforeIcouldchicken
out.

Itrangseveraltimesbeforehisvoicemailpickedup.He’sprobably
screeninghiscalls,andIdidn’tmakethecut.Afterthebeep,I
almosthungup,butIknewthatIneededtogetthisout.

“HiSeth,it’sme.Um,Abby,”Istammered.Thiswasn’tsoundingat
alllikeIhadhopeditwould.Iwantedtocomeoffasconfidentand
perturbed,soIchangedmytone.“Listen,”Icommanded,sounding
muchmoreforceful.“Ithasbecomeobviousthatyoudon’twantto
seemeanymore.Youshouldhavejusttoldme,insteadofkeeping
mewaitingandwondering.Ideservebetter.”

Withthat,IhittheEndCallbuttonwithoutsayinggoodbye,let’s
stayfriends,orkissmyass.Overall,itwasaprettygoodmessage.

Watchingthephoneshakeinmyhand,Iwasgratefulthatmyvoice
hadn’tbetrayedmynervousness.

Idecidedtogoforalong,cleansingwalk.Theshorelinewas
beautifulinthetwilight,andItookdeep,longbreathsofthe
detoxifyingfreshair.

Idon’tknowhowlongIwalked,butImadeittoasectionofthe
sandybeachthatIwasnotfamiliarwith.WhenInoticedthelong
trailofbouldersleadingoutintothelake,Icouldn’tresistexploring
it.Thewetstoneswereslippery,soImademywaycarefully.The
rockpathjuttedwayoutintothewater.

WhenIreachedtheend,Iturnedtolookatthebeach.Withthe
watersplashingupovertherocks,italmostfeltasifIwerestanding
outinthemiddleofthelake.Iturnedaslowcircle,admiringthe
viewfromallangles.

That’swhenIsawthehouseonthecliff.Itblendedsowellwiththe
scenerythatIhadn’tnoticeditbefore.Icranedmynecktogeta
betterviewofthebeautiful,gravity-defyingstoneandslatestructure
thatseemedtobeimpossiblyplaced,hangingoutoverthewater.

ItwasanamazinghouseandIwonderedbrieflyiftheownerswould
mindifItookacloserlook.Ididn’tseeanylights,butitwasso
secludedthatIwasapprehensiveaboutapproaching.

Justthen,abigwavecrashedovertheboulderIwasstandingonand
knockedmesideways.AsIfell,myankletwistedpainfully.Iwent
completelyunderinthefrigidwaterandsurfacedspluttering,cold,
mad,andwithasearingpaininmyankle.

Imanagedtoclimbbackupontotheslickrockandlaydown.When
Ilookedatthesky,Irealizedwhythewaveswerekickingup.A

hugestormwasrollingin.

“Great,”ImutteredasItriedtostandup.Iwasn’tabletoputany
weightonmyinjuredankle,soItriedhoppingononeleg.Irealized
therocksweretooslipperyforthatwhenIalmostslidinagain.

Isatdownandreachedformycellphone.Itwaswaterloggedand
completelydead.GuessIshouldhavesprangfortheexpensive,
waterproofcase,Ichastisedmyself.

Ilookedaround,consideringmyoptions.Realizingthereweren’t
many,Istartedscootingonmybutttowardstheshore.Afterwhat
seemedlikeaneternity,Ilookedup,onlytoseethatIdidn’tappear
tobemuchclosertolandthanwhenIhadstarted.Iwascold,and
frustrated,andmyanklehurt.Ijustwantedtogohomeandrelaxby
thewarmfireplace,butitdidn’tappearthatIwouldbedoingthat
anytimesoon.

Theclosesthousewastheoneonthecliff,butIhadnowaytoclimb
upthere.MyasswouldberawifItriedtoscootallthewaythere,
andtherocksweretooslipperytotrytohopononefoot.Ireally
wasn’tsurewhattodo.Whentherainstarted,mytearsstartedas
well.Itwasjusttoomuch.

WhenIsawthebig,blackhead,myself-pityquicklyturnedto
panic-strickenfear.Iwasn’tsurewhatkindofanimalitwasfrom
thisdistance,butIcouldtellthatitwashuge,anditappearedtobe
lookinginmydirection.Westaredateachotherforwhatseemed
likealongtimeasItriedtofigureoutwhatitwas.

DowehaveblackbearsinthispartofMichigan?Iwondered.My
secondguesswasawolf.Ireallydidn’twanttocomefacetoface
witheitherofthoseanimals,especiallyinmyinjuredstate.

Suddenly,itbegantoruntowardsme.Feartookmybreathaway
untilitgotcloser,andIcouldseethatitstailwaswagging.Adog?
Thishugemonsterisadog?Relieffloodedoverme,butIalmost
couldn’tbelieveitbecauseIhadneverseenadogofthismagnitude.
Itappearedtobesomesortofblacklabonsteroids.

Bythetimeitreachedme,Icouldtellbyitsbodylanguagethatit
wasfriendly.Itploppeditsbigbuttdownrightnexttomeandbegan
lickingmyface.“Stopthat!”Iturnedaway,butthesillyanimalwas
adamant.

Ilaughedandstartedscratchingitsearsandchest.Weweregetting
alongquitewell,untilIsawthefigureofthemanstandingatthe
edgeofthelakelookingatus.Bynowtherainandwindhadkicked
upenoughthatIwashavingtroubledecipheringifhehadafriendly
stance.

Atthispoint,hewasmyonlyoption,soIliftedahandtowave.He
didn’twaveback.Instead,hestartedwalkingtowardsus.I
wonderedbrieflyifthedogwouldprotectmefromanattacker,but
thenIsawit’spurplecollarandrealizedthedogwasprobablythe
man’spet.

Ashestalkedcloser,Itriedtodetermineifhewasathreat.His
hooded,yellowrainslickerobscuredhisface,butIcouldseebyhis
walkthathewasangry.Whenhecamecloserstill,recognition
begantosetin.“Seth?”Ididn’tunderstandhowhehadfoundmeor
why.

Theglarehegavemecouldhavefrozenhotcoffee.Hisvoiceoozed
annoyanceasherepliedwithanadamant,“No.”

Chapter22

Sam.Mybodywashavingitsusualreactiontohisnearness,butI
hadchalkedituptofear.Mybreathhadquickenednoticeably,soI
attemptedtoslowit.

“Whatthehellareyouthinking?”Thelevelofangerinhisvoice
shockedme,andIrearedbackasifI’dbeenslapped.

Whatrightdidhehavetobemadatme?“I’mthinkingthatI’m
cold,wet,andinjured;andthelastpersonIwanttoseerightnowis
you,”Isnapped.Itwasprobablyalittleharsh,buthisunjust
irritationwithmehadsetmeoff.

“Wellthen,IguessI’llleaveyoualone.”Heturnedtomakehisway
backalongtheboulderpathtotheshore.Thegiant,blackdoggave
meabewilderedtiltofitsheadbeforeturningtofollowitsmaster.

He’sbluffing.ItoldmyselfasSamcontinuedtowalkaway.He
wouldn’treallyleavemestrandedouthere,wouldhe?Ibeganto
thinkhemightdojustthatwhenhereachedthebeachandcontinued
onwithoutsomuchasabackwardglanceatme.

Iwasstubbornandpissedoff,butIwasn’tstupid.Ididn’twantto
takemychancesoutherealoneandSamwasquicklymovingoutof
earshot.Icuppedmyhandsandyelled,“Wait!”inhisdirection.He
stopped,butdidn’tturn.“MayIuseyourphonetocallforhelp?”

Heshookhisheadasiftryingtotalkhimselfoutofsomething,andI
begantowonderifhereallywasgoingtoleavemeouthere.The
rainhadbeguncomingdowninsheets,andIwasalreadysoakedto
thebone.Finally,heturnedandwalkedbackdowntheboulderpath
tome.Theblackdogfollowedacoupleofpacesbehindhim.

Whenhereachedme,hejuststoodtherelookingdownatme.I
reachedmyhandupandsaidsimply,“Phone,please?”

“Idon’thavemycellwithme.Whereareyouinjured?”

Iraisedmyaffectedankletoshowhim.Itwasalreadyswollento
twiceitsnormalsize.“Jeez,Ab,”wasallhesaidbeforeremoving
hisparkaandzippingmeintoit.

Iwasbaskinginthefamiliarityofthenicknamewhenhewrapped
hishandsaroundmywaistasiftopickmeup.“Whoa!Whatare
youdoing?”Idemanded.

“I’mcarryingyoutosafety.Youcan’twalkonthatankle.”Atmy
frustratedlook,heasked,“Howwouldyouproposethatwe
proceed?”

Iratherlikedhisidea,butIwasn’tabouttoadmitthat.“Iwas
thinkingyoucouldcallsomeoneformewhenyougettoaphone,”I
answered.

“Youwanttositoutherefreezinginthepouringrain,ratherthango
withme?”Icouldtellhewascompletelyexasperatedwithme.
“Fine,haveityourway,”heturnedbeforecontinuing,“I’llgocall
mybrotherandhavehimcomerescueyou.”

Shit!Ican’thavehimcallSeth,onlytobetoldthathe’sactively
avoidingme.Howhumiliating.“No,willyoucallmyfriend
Courtney?”

Ihadbarelyrattledoffhernumberbeforeheturned,muttering,
“Screwthis.”Hehauledmeupoverhisshoulderlikeasackof
potatoes.Ihadneverbeenmanhandledlikethis,andIsmackedat

himhard.IwhackedtheonlypartofhimthatIcouldreachandwas
rewardedwithahandfulofhisfirm,mouth-wateringass.

“Youlikeitdirty,huh?”hegrowledbackatme.“Icanbeabad
boy.”Iwassurethathecould,andItriednottopicturehimbeing
bad,verybad,withme.Icouldn’tseemtostoptheimagesfrom
poppingintomyhead,andtheywerehot.

IwasonthevergeofstrugglingforfreedomwhenIdecidedthatthis
wasprobablythebest-casescenarioformysituation.I’dlethim
carrymetoaphone,thenthankhimandsendhimonhisway.

MybodyhadalmostrelaxedwhenIfelthimstartclimbing.“Where
arewegoing?”

“Tomyhouse,”heanswered,pointinguptotheamazinghouseon
thecliff.Thedark,angularhousesuitedhimperfectly.

“Youcan’tcarrymeupthisincline.I’mtooheavy,”Iprotested.

Hispacedidn’tslowasheansweredmeonlywithaquicksigh.
Ratherthanfightwithhim,Iwatchedthebigdoglopingalong
behindusaswemadeourascent.

Hewasn’tevenbreathinghardwhenwereachedthefrontporch.I
lookedatthegliderandmatchingrockingchairsandimaginedwhat
afantasticplacethiswouldbetospendanafternoonreadingand
watchingthelake.

Hepushedtheunlockedfrontdooropenandcarriedmeinsideand
upasetofstairs.“Um,youcansetmedownnow.”

Heignoredmeandcontinuedontoahugebathroom.Heusedafoot
toflickthelidclosedandploppedmedownonthetoilet.“Idon’t

reallyhavetogorightnow,”Itoldhimashecontinuedignoringme
andstartedthetaponthebiggestsunkengardentubIhadeverseen.
Hewenttoacabinetandretrievedagiantbottleofbubblebathanda
coupleoffluffy,lightbluetowels.

Ienjoyedwatchinghimmove.Hewassleekandgraceful,andI
wonderedwhathewasupto.Hetookoneofthetowelsandplacedit
atthebackofthetubforaheadrest.Thenhewentbacktothetapto
testthestreamofwaterandadjustedthetemperaturebefore
dumpingagenerousdollopofbubblesintothewater.Heuseda
long,tanhandtoswirltheconcoctionaround.Thescentofthe
bubblebathwasheavenly.

Oncehewassatisfied,heturnedandcaughtmestaring.Ilooked
awayquicklyandsawthatthedogwassittingnearbywatchinghis
everymove,aswell.

“Doyouneedhelpgettingundressedandintothetub?”heasked
me.

Allofthiswasforme?Wow.“IthinkIcanmanage,”Iresponded.

“Happytohelp,”herespondedwithaknowingsmile,thefirst
remotelyfriendlylookhe’dgivenmeallevening.Ishookmyhead,
soheheadedforthedoorsaying,“Comeon,MissDixie.Iguesswe
aren’tneededhere.”

Isnortedwithlaughter.Heslowlyturnedtolookatmewitha
questioningraisedeyebrow.“Thatbehemoth’snameisMissDixie?”
Icouldn’thelpit,thegigglesbubbledout.

“Spankingmeandlaughingatmydog’sname?”hecockedan
eyebrowatme.“Imightjusthavetogetevenwithyoulater,”he
promisedbeforeslippingoutthedoorwithMissDixiehotonhis

heels.Shewasprobablyrelievedthebathwasn’tforher.

Iwonderedwhathemeantbygettingevenwithmelater.Wasita
sexualinnuendo?Youwish,Ilaughedatmyself.Icouldn’tgeta
clearreadonhim.Heprobablyflirtedwitheveryonethatway.He
wasalady-killer.Besides,Ihadbeenwithhistwinbrother.

Ipeeledoffmywetclothes,hoppedonmygoodfootovertothetub,
andsighedasIsankintothewarm,soothingbath.Itfeltlikeheaven
andwasjustwhatmytired,sorebodyneeded.

Chapter23

Iwassowarmandrelaxedthathissoftknockonthedoorstartled
me.“Umm.I’mstillinthetub.”

Heopenedthedoorbutdidn’tcrossthethreshold.Iquicklymoved
tomakesurethebubbleswerecoveringallofmyimportantparts
andwasrelievedtofindthattheywere.“Whatareyoudoing?”I
asked,annoyedthathehadopenedthedoorwhenheknewIwas
nakedinhere.

“Ibroughtyousomecleanclothes.”Heheldupsomeneatlyfolded
blacksweatstoemphasizehispoint.“Yourclothesaresoaked.Ican
comebackwiththesedryoneslater,whenyouarestandingthere
withjustatoweltocoveryourwet,nakedskin,ifyoulike?”

Mywholebodytingledwhenhesaidthewords‘wet,nakedskin.’
“No,justleavethemoverthere,please.”Ipointedtotheantique
dresserwherehehadretrievedthetowelsandbubblebath.

Hepointedlyignoredme,settingtheclothesnexttothesinkand
thenwalkingovertositonthefloorbesidethetub.Iwasunnerved
byhisnearnessandoverlyawareofmynudity.“Youcan’tstayin
here,”myvoicesoundedshrill.

“SureIcan.Besides,yourgirlybitsarecovered,andIwon’tclimb
inthereunlessyouwantmeto.”

Isnortedwithlaughterathisreferencetomygirlybits,surprisedby
hiswordchoice.Heleanedhisheadonthetubandsmiledatme.I
feltmytraitorousnipplespuckerintohardnubsandlookeddownto
verifyonceagainthattheywerecovered.

Ineededtoputsomedistancebetweenus,soIsaid,“Wouldyou
pleasebringmethephone,soIcangiveCourtneyacallassoonasI
getoutofthetub?”

“Alreadydone,”heresponded.

Iwaspleasantlysurprisedthathehadlistenedandrememberedthe
number,butthatquicklyworeoffwhenhecontinued.“Itoldher
youwouldbespendingthenighthere,andthatIwoulddriveyou
homeinthemorning.”

“Absolutelynot!”Inmyalarm,Istartedtositup,butpromptly
rememberedmystateofundressandhunkeredbackunderthewater.
Amentalimageofspendingahot,sweatynightrollingaroundin
Sam’sbedflashedthroughmymind.IfoughttosuppressitasI
addedadamantly,“Iwillnotbespendingthenightherewithyou.”

“Youareasstubbornasamule,Woman.”Heshookhisheadatme.
“Yousawthestormrollinginoutthere.Theroadtotownfromhere
isn’tgreatinthebestofconditions.It’scertainlynotsafetodriveit
tonight.”Asiftoprovehispoint,lighteningflashedandthunder
boomed,shakingthewholehouse.

“Youaremybrother’sgirlfriend,andIwon’ttouchyou,”he
reassuredme,asIattemptedtoignorethesinkingfeelinginmy
stomach.“NomatterhowmuchIwantto,”hesaidsoquietlyI
wasn’tsureifhehadactuallyutteredthewords,orifIhadimagined
them.

Hefeelsittoo!Iwaselatedandconfused.Ididn’twanttolikehim.I
didn’twanttocravehimwitheveryfiberofmybeing.Ididn’twant
himtowantmeand,atthesametime,Iwantedhimtowantmelike
noother.Noneofitmadeanysense.

WedroppedthesubjectofwhereIwasstayingtonight,knowing
thatIdidn’thaveavalidargument,andthatitwassettled.Mybody
feltelectrifiedbyhisnearness.Ididn’tknowhowIwouldsurvive
anentirenightinthesamehousewithhim,especiallyifhefelt
remotelythesamewayIdid.Iwouldjusthavetomakesurewe
stayedasfarapartaspossible.

Chapter24

Stayingfarfromhimwasnotgoingtobeaneasytask,especially
consideringhehadmadehimselfcomfortablerightnexttothetub
whereIwascurrentlysoaking,completelynaked.Mybodywas
achinglyawareofhisproximity,andmymindworkedfuriouslyto
deviseareasonwhyheneededtoleavethebathroom.

Ifinallydecidedon,“Pleaseexcuseme,thewaterhasgone
lukewarm,soI’dliketogetoutofthetub.”

Iwasappalledwhenhereacheddownbetweenmyfeetandpulled
thedrainup.“Whatareyoudoing?”Ispluttered,panicked.Itriedto
scootmybodydowntoreachtheplugwithoutraisinguptoexpose
myself,butmyarmsweren’tquitelongenough.“Thissudsywater
istheonlythingthatiscoveringme.”

“Believeme,Iknow.”Hechuckled,obviouslyenjoyinghimself.He
reacheduptoturnonthetap,testedtherunningwaterandadjusted
ittohisliking,thendroppedhishandintothewaterandretrieved
myfoot.

Hebeganrubbingmyheel,soIjerkeditawayfromhim.“Youare
supposedtoberelaxing,”heremindedmeashegrabbedmyfoot
againandsetitontheedgeofthetub.Iwantedtoprotestmore,but
whenhestartedcirclinghisthumbfrommyheelupoverthearch,I
decidedtoletmydefensesdownandenjoyitforaminute.

Ieasedfurtherdownintothetubandlettherelaxationwashover
me.Despitemysoreankle,thiswasthebestIhadfeltsinceIhad
lastseenSeth.

Asifsensingthechangeindirectionofmythoughts,Samsaid,“So,

what’supwithyouandmybrother?”

“Whatdoyoumean?”Istalledfortime,notwantingtoadmitthat
whateverwasbetweenSethandIwasover.

“Well,forstarters,heshowedupatourfamilybrunchwithoutyou
today.”IfeltlikeIhadbeenpunchedinthegutatthisconfirmation
thatSethwasaliveandwellandjustavoidingme,butItriednotto
letitshowonmyface.Ihadbeenhopingthattherewassomeother
logicalexplanation,eventhoughIhadn’tbeenabletothinkofone.

Samdidn’tseemtonoticemyinnerturmoilashecontinuedon.
“Andsinceyouwouldratherspendtimewiththetwinthatyouhate
thantohavemecallhim,I’mguessingthatthere’stroublein
paradise.”

“Idon’thateyou,”Iansweredautomatically.Heraisedhis
eyebrows,waitingformyresponseaboutSeth.Istruggledtofind
therightwords,andfinallysettledon,“We’retakingabreak.”

Ididn’tmissthesparklethatlitSam’seyesbeforehewasableto
maskit.“Hmmm,”hemurmurednoncommittally.

Iwasgladthathedidn’tquestionmefurtheranddecidedtousethe
opportunitytoquestionhimalittle.“Enoughaboutme,what’swith
youandthe‘I’girls?”

“Whateverdoyoumean?”Hesmiledandbattedhisdarklashes,
lettingmeknowthatheknewexactlywhatImeant.Heloweredthe
foothe’dbeenrubbingandgingerlyliftedtheinjuredonetogiveit
thesametreatmentbeforecontinuing.“Theyservetwopurposes.
Theylookgoodonmyarmandtheyfeelgoodinmybed.”

Iwassurprisedandrathertakenabackbyhisblatanthonesty.“So,

womenarejustplaythingstoyou,meanttobeshownoffandused,
thentossedaside?”

Hestoppedrubbingashelookeddirectlyinmyeyestoanswer.
“Makenomistake.TheyareusingmeeverybitasmuchasIam
usingthem.Theyknowexactlywhattheyaregettinginto.Imakeno
pretensesaboutit.”

“Andthatmakesitokay?”Iwonderedaloud.“So,that’swhyyou
neverkissthemonthelips?Youdon’twanttogivethemanyfalse
hopes?”

IfhewassurprisedthatIknewthislittletidbitofinformationabout
him,hehiditwell.“It’ssomethinglikethat,Iguess.Idon’twant
anyonegettingtooattached.”Iwonderedifhewasreferringtothe
never-endingparadeofwomenorhimself.

Thediscussionhadtakenaseriousturn.Hestillhadmyfootinhis
hands,buthisfingershadstilled.Igentlynudgedhimwithmyfoot,
andhesmiledasheresumedthefabulous,relaxingmassage.

“It’sagoodthingyoupickedSeth,”hesaidsomberly.Ihadn’teven
metSamwhenSethandIstarteddating,soIdidn’treallyhavea
choice,butIwasn’tabouttopointthatouttohim.

Whenhecontinued,hiswordssurprisedme.“SometimesIthinkI’m
theeviltwin.”Thisuber-confident,stubbornmanwasopeningupto
meabouthisinsecurities.Iwantedtoproceedcarefully,lestheclam
upor,worseyet,putuphisoverbearing,obnoxiousfaçade.

“Iwouldn’tsayyou’reevil.”Athisgrin,Idecidedtotoneitdowna
little,“Ornery,andvain,andannoying,butnotevil.”Ismiledtolet
himknowIwasn’tbeingtooserious.

“Ornery,vain,andannoying–yep,thatprettymuchsumsmeup.I
needtowriteathemesong.”Hegentlylaidmyfootinthewater,
turnedoffthetap,restoredthedrainplugandsituatedhimselfbeside
meattheheadofthebathtub.Iloweredmyselffurtherintothe
water.Ifeltasrelaxedasabowlofnoodles,withtheexceptionof
myheart,whichwasaboutreadytobeatoutmychest,asitalways
didwhenSamwasnear.

Ihadsensedthereturnofhisfaçade,soIshiftedtheconversation.
“Whywouldyouthinkyouaretheeviltwin?”

“BecauseSethissogood,andIamsobad.”Hisanswerwassimple.

“Sethwouldn’tagreewiththat.Hewasquicktotellmethathe
wouldn’tbealive,ifitweren’tforyouandyour‘twinsense.’”

“Well,whathedoesn’tknow,whatnooneknows,isthatIhesitated
thatdayoutontheboat.”Hepeeredupatmefromloweredlidsasif
concernedthatIwouldbeshockedbyhisconfession.Iwasn’tsure
whattosay,soIwaitedforhimtocontinue.

Ididn’thavetowaitlong.“Sethwasbornfirst,andeversince,I
havebeentryingtocatchupwithhim.He’salwaysbeenalittle
faster,alittlesmarter,andalittlebetterateverything.Thereally
annoyingpartisthathedoesn’teventry.Hedoesn’thavea
competitiveboneinhisbodyandcouldn’tcarelessifhewins,but
somehowhealwayscomesoutontop.Itrynottoletitbotherme,
butsometimesitgetstome.”

Heranahandthroughhisshinyblackhairbeforeforgingon.“When
wewereoutonthelakethatday,nooneelsenoticedthathedidn’t
surfacerightaway.Icouldfeelthathewasintroubleand,Iwaited.I
stoodthereimaginingwhatlifewouldbelikewithouthim,rather
thanimmediatelyjumpingintosavehim.”

Thetorturedlookonhisfacesaidmorethanhiswords.Igrabbedhis
handswithminebeforesaying,“Youdidsavehim,that’sthe
importantpart.Anyonemighthavehadwaywardthoughts,butyou
overcamethemanddidtherightthing.”

“Ishouldn’thavehesitated.Whatifsomethinghadhappenedtohim
becauseIdidn’tjumpinrightaway?”

“Nothingbadhappened.Itallworkedoutintheend,soyouneedto
stopbeatingyourselfupaboutit.Weallhavethoughtsthatwe
aren’tproudof,butit’souractionsthatmatter.”Ipicturedthesexy
fantasiesthatIimaginedwheneverIwaswithSam.

Iwonderedifhecouldreadmymindwhenhesaid,“WhatifIhave
naughtythoughtsaboutmybrother’sgirlfriend?”

Washeteasingme?Icouldn’treadhimverywell,buthecertainly
seemedsincere.Idecidedtoplayitoffasajoke.“Ohplease,I’m
notyourtypeatall.”

“Howdoyouknowwhatmytypeis?”hecountered.“I’vebeen
thinkingaboutyounon-stopsinceourunbelievablyhotmake-out
sessioninthebathroomatthecharityauction.”

“IthoughtyouwereSeth,”Irespondedautomatically.

“Iknow,andthatmakesitevenworse.Healwayswins.Whydidhe
gettoyoufirst,too?”Hewaslookingdown,shakinghishead.“Now
Isoundlikeawhinybrat,”hemuttered.

Irealizedwhatthiswas.Hewasn’tinterestedinme.Itwasjust
anotherwaytocompetewithhisbrother.“Iwon’tbeapawninyour
rivalrywithSeth.”Ispatthewordsout.

“Ithoughtthattoo,atfirst,butit’smorethanthat.”Heplacedmy
handdirectlyoverhisheartandIcouldfeelitthumpingwildly.It
wasbeatingalmostasfranticallyasmyown.

Iyankedmyhandback.“Thatisapurelyphysiologicalreaction.My
heartisracing,too.”Heheldupahandandwiggledhisbrows,
indicatinghiswillingnesstofeelmine.Ishovedhishandaway,
chucklingathisnaughtiness.

“I’mveryattractedtoyou,Abby,andbelieveme,ithasnothingto
dowithmybrother.”

Ifeltflusteredbyhisdirectgazeandbluntwords.Icouldfeelmy
bodyreactingtohim,wantingtopullhimtome.Ididn’tdareto
admit,eventomyself,howmuchIwantedhim,buttherewasno
denyingthatmybodyhadamagneticreactiontohim.

Heshiftedsothathewasfacetofacewithme.“Idohaveone
questionbeforeIjumpyourbones.”Hiswordsfilledmewith
anticipationasarousalzingedthroughme.“AreyouandSeth
finished?”

Iwasn’tsurehowtorespond.IdesiredthismanmorethanIhad
everwantedanyone,eventhoughhehadmadeitclearthatheuses
womenforsex.IwasappalledthatIwasn’tutterlyrevoltedbyhis
attitude.

Mybrainwantedtotellhimtobuzzoff,buteveryporeinmybody
wasscreamingatmetogoforit.Therationalsideofmecouldn’t
fathombeingintimatewithbrothers,especiallynottwins;butthe
lustysideofmejustdidn’tcare.Iwantedhim.Mybodycravedhim.

IwonderedifSethwouldmindifhefoundout.Iwasprettysurehe

wouldn’tlikeit,buthadn’thegivenuptherighttosayanything
aboutwhomIsleptwithwhenheunceremoniouslydumpedme?

It’sjustwrong,mybrainscreamedatme.Doyouwanttoendupon
asleazytalkshow?

“I’mwaitingforananswer,”Samremindedme.

Itookadeepbreath,stillstrugglingtoformulatemyresponse.

Chapter25

“So?”Sampromptedmeagain.

“IthinkSethandIaredone,butIstillcan’tsleepwithyou,”I
finallyansweredhim.

“Whynot?”Samseemedgenuinelyperplexed.

“Becauseyou’rehisbrother.You’rehisTWINbrother.It’snot
right.Itwouldn’tbefairtoSeth,andit’skindacreepy.”

“Creepy?FromthetasteofyouthatIhadthatnightinthebathroom,
Icantellthatoursexlifewillbealotofthings,butcreepyisnotone
ofthem.Icanpromiseyouthat.”

Iwasannoyedthathereferredto“oursexlife”asifitwereagiven,
butmybodywasnotannoyed.Mybodywasutterlyturnedon,and
itwantedmetopullSamintothistubwithme.

Ishiftedtoanswerhimandrealizedthathewasopenlystaringatmy
bathwater.WhenIfollowedhisgaze,Isawthatmybubbleswere
nearlygoneandhewasgettinganeyefulofmyunderwaternaked
peepshow.Iquicklymovedmyarmstocoverprivatepartsand
glaredathim.“Out!”

Hechuckled,butgotup.Hewenttothesinkandretrievedthetowel,
thenwalkedbacktothetubandhelditopenforme.

“Nothappening.”Iglaredupathim.

“Youcan’tblameaguyfortrying.”Helaidthetowelonthesideof
thetubformeandgrabbedmywetclothesbeforeleavingwithMiss

Dixielopingslowlybehindhim.

Iletoutadeepbreathoncehewasgone.HowamIgoingtomakeit
throughanentirenightwiththatinfuriating,annoying,sexyman?I
wondered.

OnceIdriedoff,Idonnedthesoft,blackshirtandsweatpantsthat
hehadbroughtforme.Theclotheswerebaggyandwarm,andthey
smelledfabulous.ThescentwaspureSam,andIwonderedbrieflyif
Iwouldbeabletokeepthemasalittlesouvenirofthisadventure.
Contemplatingstealingjusttohaveapieceofhim?Ishookmyhead
overwheremythoughtshadgone.

NothinggoodcanpossiblycomefromsleepingwithSam,Ireminded
myself.Well,otherthanthenightofhot,passionate,mind-blowing
sex.

IdecidedthatIneededtolistoffallofthereasonsnottohavesex
withSamasreminderstomyselfincaseIwastemptedtogiveinto
mylustybody’sdemandlatertonight.Okay,theelephantinthe
roomisthathe’sSeth’sbrother,andthat’sjustickyandwrong.
Thatshouldbeenoughreasontosteerclearofhimrightthere.

Asifthatweren’tenough,hetreatswomenlikeobjects.Hedoesn’t
careaboutme.He’sprobablyonlyinterestedmeassomescrewed
upwaytocompetewithSeth.Theself-conscioussideofmebeganto
rearitsuglyhead.Besides,I’mnotnearlyasprettyasthewomen
he’susuallywith.I’dprobablydisappointhimsexually.

ItickedofftheproblemswithfoolingaroundwithSaminmyhead
andresolvedtorememberthemeveniftemptationstruck.Okay,
whentemptationstruck.

“Icandothis.”Igavemyselfapeptalk.“Don’tgivein.He’snot

rightforme.”Iranthroughmyremindersverbally,sinceIdidn’t
havemyPost-itnotestoputonthemirror.

“Youokayinthere?”Samknockedlightlyonthedoor.“Soundslike
you’retalkingtoyourself.”

Iwasmortifiedthathehadheardme.“I’mfine.Youmustbe
hearingthings.”Ilamelytriedtoputtheblamebackonhim.

Iquicklywentthroughmyremindersoncemore,silentlythistime,
beforehoppingonmygoodfootovertoopenthedoor.Helookedas
handsomeasever,butIhadrenewedmyconvictiontoignorehow
attractedIwastohim,andIwasdeterminednottogiveintothe
undeniable,magneticpullIfelttowardshim.

Hemadethatdifficultbybendingdownandswoopingmeintohis
arms.“Whatareyoudoing?”Iaskedshrilly.

“I’mtakingyoudownstairs.Unlessyou’dratherhopononefootor
slidedownthestepsonthatfabulousass?”

“Thiswillbefine.Thankyou.”IturnedawayfromhimasIsaidit,
keepingmyfaceamaskofindifferenceandignoringthefive-alarm
firethatwasburninginsidemefrombeingcradledinhisarms.

Whenhedepositedmeonthedeep,brownleathercouch,Ifussed
withthequilttohidetheshakinessIwasexperiencingfrombeingso
closetohim.Hegentlyplacedmyinjuredankleuponthepillowof
thecouch,tellingmeitwasagoodideatokeepitelevated.

OnceIwasallsituated,hesmileddownatme,thenliftedthe
blanketandploppeddownrightnexttome,pullingthecoverover
bothofus.“Thisisn’twhatIhadinmind,”Igrouched.

“It’sexactlywhatIhadinmind,”heresponded,sighingwith
pleasureashereachedbehindusforthetelevisionremote.Ididn’t
seethetelevision,buthepushedabuttonandahugeflatscreen
loweredfromtheceilinginfrontofthemassivestonefireplace.

MissDixiedecidedthatsheneededtocuddletoo,sosheclimbedup
onthecouchandploppeddownonSam’sfeetandmynon-elevated
foot.Surprisingly,evenasbigasshewas,herweightwasn’t
uncomfortable.

Beforelong,Iwaswarmandsnuggly.Samstartedaromantic
comedymoviefromthe‘NewReleases’sectionofhisOn-Demand
library,butIwasn’tpayingattentiontoit.AllIcouldthinkabout
washownearhewas,howcomfortableitwastoliebesidehim,and
howIhopedhewouldtouchmygirlybitssoon.

Chapter26

Hisbreathingsettledintoaregularrhythm,andIcouldtellhehad
fallenasleep.HowcouldhesleepwhenIwassoworkedup?Men!?!

Icouldn’tfocusonthemoviethatwasplaying.Mymindwas
completelypreoccupiedwithmyproximitytoSam.Heandhisdog
weresprawledacrossmeasiftheyownedme,anditwasnice.No,it
waswaybeyondnice.Itwasfantasticandwarmandcomfortable.

Myhandswereitchingtotouchhim.Icouldeasilyreachunderhis
shirtandrunmyhandsoverhischestandbelly.MaybeIcouldeven
doitwithoutwakinghim.

Whatifhedidawaken,though?Iwasn’tpreparedtodealwiththe
ideaofsleepingwithSeth’sbrother.Unfortunately,myJiminy
Cricket-likeconsciencedidn’tseemtobewillingtoletthisone
slide,butmybodysimplywasn’tlistening.

Mynippleswereerectandswollen.Ididn’trememberthemever
beingthistautforthislong.Theywereachyandneededtobe
touched.Ishiftedslowlyandcarefullytolightlyrubmybreastalong
hisarm.Iwantedmore,muchmore,butIdidn’tdare.

Mylegswerespreadapart,sincemyanklewaselevatedontheback
ofthecouch.Icouldfeelwetnessatmycore.OneofSam’slegswas
sprawledacrossmylegthatremaineddown.Imovedslightlytothe
lefttobringtheweightofhislegclosertothepulsingneedatmy
center.

Iwassotightlywoundandturnedonthatifhemovedhisleg
anotherinch,IwassureIwouldcome.HowdidIgofrombeing
unabletoorgasmtoflyingovertheedgewithafullyclothedman’s

legnearmyvagina?

ThisattractionIhadtoSamwasnotlogical.Mybodywashumming
withexcitementathisnearness.Iwascontemplatinganotherstealth
move,whenInoticedthathisbreathinghadchanged.Itwasno
longerthedeep,regularbreathsofsleep.

Ifroze,wonderingifhehadfeltmetryingtousehisbodytosatiate
myneed.Ididn’thavetowonderlong.

“Tryingtotakeadvantageofmeinmysleep?”

“Don’tbeabsurd,”Iansweredautomatically.

Heshiftedtohisside,andIfelthiserectionatmyhip.BeforeI
couldcovermyreaction,Igulpedinabreathandclosedmyeyes,
relishingthefeelofhimagainstme.Ireleasedtheairshakily.

“Icantellthatyouwantme,andIhavewantedyousinceIfirstlaid
eyesonyou,”Sammurmuredinmyear.“Saytheword,andI’ll
scratchthatitchforyou.”

Hegentlybitmyearlobe,andIfeltitallthewaydownmyspine.I
shookmyhead,tryingtobestrongandresisthim.Heranahandup
theshirtIhadborrowedfromhimandhoveredovermybreast.I
archedmyback,yearningforhimtotouchme.

HisfingersweresoclosethatIcouldfeeltheirwarmth,buthedidn’t
touchmyskin.Helookeddirectlyinmyeyes,“Saytheword,
Abby.”

Ireachedouttosmoothmyhandunderhisshirt,butheusedhisfree
handtostopme.Hepinneddownmyerranthandovermyhead.
Somehow,hisachinglyclosefingersnevertouchedmybreast,even

thoughmynipplewaspuckeringouttowardshim.

Heloweredhisfacetomineandbrushedawhisperofakissacross
mycheek.“Sayit,”hedemandedoncemore.

IhadknownthiswasinevitablesinceI’dfirstfeltthisinsane
attractiontohim.Ijusthadn’tbeenwillingtoadmitit.Ithought
abouttryingtodenyhim,butknewthatIjustwasn’tcapableofit.
Havinghimsoclose,teasingmewasmorethanmysexually
chargedbodycouldtake.

Idecidedtocompletelyletgoofmyinhibitionsanddoubts.Forthe
firsttimeinmylife,Iwasjustgoingtosavorthepurepleasureof
hot,dirty,mind-blowingsex.Mybodywasalreadycompletely
turnedon,desperateforhimtotouchme.AllIhadtodowastune
outtheworriesandnegativeself-talk,andenjoytheoblivion
broughtonbyall-consumingsexualdesire.

IhadthepleasureofseeingtheflickerofsurpriseinhiseyeswhenI
lookeddirectlyathimandcroakedtheword.“Yes.”

Chapter27

Hispupilsdilatednoticeably,butheheldbacktoconfirmonce
more.“Yes?You’resure?”

“Yes.Iwantyou.”Isaiditconfidentlythistime.Herewardedmy
positiveresponsewithadazzling,crookedgrin.Thenhelowered
hisheadtorunhislipsandtonguebehindmyear.

Iwasdesperatetotouchhisskin,buthestillhadoneofmyarms
pinned.Iusedmyfreehandtoraisehisshirtandshudderedwith
pleasureasIsmoothedmypalmuphisdefinedabs.IsmiledwhenI
felthisnippleshardenasIgrazedoverthem.

Icontinuedmyexplorationofhisskinwithmyfreehand.Itfound
itswayaroundtohisback,thendowntowardhisrear.Hesuckedin
abreathwhenIslidmyhandunderhisjeansandcuppedhisbare
buttcheek.Withhisbuttockfirmlyinmygrasp,Iyankedmyhand
forward,pullinghimintome.Histhickcockgroundintomyside.

“Wehavewaytoomanyclotheson,”hemurmuredthewordsatmy
ear.“Iwantyounakednow.”

Hedidn’thavetoaskmetwice.Ifumbledwithgettinghisshirtoff,
sohereleasedmypinnedhand.Iquicklymovedtorelievehimof
hisjeans,poppingopenthebuttonsathisfly.Sincehewasn’t
wearingunderwear,thetipofhiscockpeekedoutatme.AsIundid
eachbutton,moreofit’sfabulouslengthwasrevealedtome.He
stoodtomakethejobeasierwhenItriedtoeasehispantsdown,and
Ihadthepleasureofseeinghisentireglorious,nakedbody.

Hismassiveerectionstoodatattention,pokingouttowardsme.I
wasachingtotouchit,butmyhandswereoccupiedasSambentto

lifttheborrowedshirtovermyhead.

Hegazedatmybarebreastsbeforebendingtoswirlatonguearound
eachone.Iarchedmyback,cravingmore.Hetookadvantageofmy
positiontoswoopthesweatpantsdownandoffme.

Hehadtakenmypantiesalongwithmyotherwetclothes,soIwas
completelynude.Ifeltslightlyself-consciousathisslowperusalof
mybody.Myangstquicklydisappearedathisjoyfullookwhenhe
cuppedahandovermeandsaid,“Alandingstriptoguideme
home.”

Ismiledattheobviouspleasureinhisvoice.Iwouldhavetothank
CourtneyforinsistingthatIgowithhertothatridiculouswaxing
salon.Ihadcursedherloudlywhentheyrippedoffthewaxstrips
alongwithmostofmypubichair.Infact,ithadbeensopainfulthat
Ihadmaintainedthebarely-therelookwithtrimmingscissorsand
hairremovalcreamjusttoensurethatIneverhadtogobacktothat
awfulplaceeveragain.

Samseemedtobeabigfanofthelook,though.Infact,hispenis
lookedlikeithadgrownevenlarger,thoughIdidn’tseehowthat
waspossible.

Hesatbesideme,rubbinghispalmupanddownmylandingstrip
beforeplungingafingerinsideme.Ithrewmyheadbackand
gulpedinadeepbreath.

Somethingaboutthismandrovemeabsolutelywild.Iwasdripping
wetwithanticipationandalmostcamejustthinkingabouthim
climbingonmeandreplacinghisfingerwithhisdick.

Hestretchedthelengthofhisnakedbodyalongminewhilecircling
hisfingersatmycore.Whilehewasshifting,Iusedtheopportunity

totakehismassivecockintomyhands.Istrokedupanddownthe
lengthofhimuntilhewaspantingwithneed.

Mylegswerespreadwideashisfingersmassagedme.Iwashotand
readyanddidn’twanttowaitanylonger.So,Ireacheddownwith
onehandtogentlycuphisballs,whileIusedmyotherhandtoguide
himinsideme.

ThatwasalltheinvitationSamneededasherolledontopand
plungeddeepinsideme.Hefrozethereenjoyingthemoment.I
wrappedmyarmsandlegsaroundhim,anxiousforrelease.

Hedidn’tmoveandIcouldseehisjawclenchingwiththeeffortof
it.Iwiggledmyhipstryingtoenticehimtorideme,hard.He
grabbedbothofmyarmsandheldthemwithonehandovermy
head.Thenhewhisperedinmyear,“Trynottomove,Baby.Iwant
tosavorbeinginsideyouforthefirsttime.”

Itriedtostaystill,butitwassodifficultashedroppedkissesalong
myneckandnuzzledmyear.Thefullfeelingofhavinghiminside
memademedesperatetomove.Itriedacoupleoftimestogrind
againsthim,butheusedmoreofhisweighttoholdmestill.

Whenheusedhisfreehandtoteasemynipple,Iletoutapathetic
mewlingsoundandtriedtoarchagainsthimoncemore.Itwas
morethanIcouldhandlewhenhenippedmyshoulderwithhis
teeth.MybodybegantospasmoutofcontrolandIcameviolently,
gaspingforair.

HeletoutaloudgroanandreleasedwhileIpulsedaroundhim.“Oh,
Ab!”

Hestayedinsideme,andIenjoyedthefull,heavyfeelingofhaving
himthere.IthadbeenthemostintensesexualencounterIhadever

experienced,andwehadbarelyevenmoved.

Heliftedhisheadtoask,“Ididn’thurtyourankle,didI?”

“Nothingonmehurtsrightnow.”Ichuckledatmyhonestanswer.
Mywholebodyfeltfantastic.

Westayedconnectedlikethatforalongwhile,andIrelishedthe
deadweightfeelingofhimonme.Thenitwasalmostasifan
invisiblewallwentupbetweenus.Icouldfeelthecoolchangein
hisdemeanorandhisdistance,eventhoughhewasstillinsideme.

Whenhespoke,hiswordsshockedandenragedme.“Mybrother’s
sloppysecondsaren’tusuallymystyle,butthistimeitworkedout
quitewell.”

IwassoappalledthatIcouldn’tevenseestraight.Howcouldhe
havesaidsuchahurtful,horriblething?Iwasfurious,andIlashed
outathimintheonlywaythatIcouldinourcurrentposition.“You
Bastard!”Igroundthewordsoutthroughclenchedteeth,andthenI
smackedhisbareass.Hard.

Hispenishardenedinsidemeinstantly.

Chapter28

Iwantedhimoffme,soIcouldputasmuchdistancebetweenusas
physicallypossible,butheheldmesecurelyunderneathhim.“Get
off!”Mywordswerefilledwithvenom.

“I’mtrying,Baby,butyouaren’tbeingverycooperative.”

Iturnedmyheadtotheside,unwillingtoacknowledgehisdouble
entendre.Heusedtheopportunitytowhisperinmyear,“You’ve
spankedmetwicetonight,andIlikedit.Doyoulikeitnaughty,
Abby?”

DidthisguynotunderstandEnglish?Iwasworkingtoformulatean
appropriatelydisgustedresponsewhenheslowlyslidoutofmeand
backin.Iwasfuriouswithhimandappalledwithmyselfforhaving
hadsexwithhim,butGodhelpme,itfeltmagnificentwhenhis
penismovedinsideme.

Itwasalltoomuch.Icouldn’tbelievethatIhadsleptwithmyex-
boyfriend’sidenticaltwin,orthathewassuchanunbelievablepig.I
wantednothingmorethantogetfarawayfromhimandlickmy
wounds.Totopitalloff,hewasstillinsidemeandmybodyreacted
tohimlikeamothtoaflame.

Whatthehellwaswrongwithmethatmybraincouldbesorepulsed
bysomeone,andmybodycouldbesocompletelyturnedonbyhim?

Tomyhorror,theemotionIwasfeelingwelledup,andIburstinto
tears.Itwasn’tthecutetricklekindofcryingeither;butthesobbing,
blubberingkindthatmakesacompletemessofyourface.

Iwascompletelyembarrassed,butthetearskeptcoming,andI

couldn’tstopthem.Samhadpulledbackandwaslookingatme
withthatfearfullookinhiseyesthatmengetwhenawomancries.

“Don’tcry,Ab.”Hetriedtosootheme,butIwasbeyond
consolation.“Ishouldn’thavesaidthe‘sloppyseconds’thing.I
didn’tmeanitatall.”Hepausedbeforeaddingquietlyandseriously,
“Idon’tknowwhat’swrongwithme.”

“Youdidn’tmeanit?”Thewordswerebarelyrecognizablebecause
IhiccuppedonasobasIaskedthequestion.Iwasn’tabouttolet
himoffthehookthateasily,andhewasprobablyonlysayingitto
getmetostopcrying,butitwasstillnicetohearhimsayit.

“OfcourseIdidn’tmeanit,”heanswered.Thenhecontinued,
saying,“I’mverysorryIsaidit,andthatIhurtyourfeelings.”He
benthisheaddownandbegangentlykissingthetearsoffoneofmy
cheeks.“Idon’tknowwhy,butIalwayspushpeopleawaybeforeI
starttocaretoomuchaboutthem.”Hecontinuedhissweet,soft
kissesonmyothercheek.

“Youcareaboutme?”Iwassurprisedathisrevelationandwanted
confirmation.

“Icareaboutyou,Abby.”Hegazedatdownatme.“Icareabout
youalot,anditscaresthehelloutofme.”

Heplacedasweet,tentativekissonmylips.Igaspedinsurprise.“I
thoughtyoudidn’tkissonthelips.”

“Idon’t.”Hiswordsdidn’tmatchhisactionsbecausehekissedme
onthelipsagain,slowly.Thistimehistonguedippedintotouch
mine.

“Yes,youdo,”Imurmuredintohismouthbetweengloriouskisses.

Forsomeonewhohadn’thadalotofpracticelatelywithkissing,he
wasamazingatit.Hemovedfromtenderlybrushingmylipswith
his,togentlylappinghistongueoverminetoathoroughexploration
ofmymouth.Whenhegentlynippedmylowerlipwithhisteeth,I
feltthesensationrippledownmyspine.

“Doyouforgiveme?”Helookedlikeaforlornlittleboywhenhe
asked,kissingthetipofmynose.

Ihesitated.Icouldn’thandlehishot-and-coldmoodiness.“Don’t
eversayanythinglikethattomeagain.Notever,”Idemanded.“I
willnotputupwiththatkindoftreatment.”Iraisedmyeyebrowsto
lethimknowImeantbusiness.

“Andyoushouldn’tputupwithit,Ab.”Helookeddownbefore
adding,“Iwouldn’tblameyouifyouneverwantedtospeaktome
again.”

“Rightnow,Idon’twantto,”Isaidcrabbily,unwillingtoforgive
himsoquicklyformakingsuchahurtfulandnastycomment.

“Itwasadespicablethingtosay,anditdoesn’treflectmytrue
feelingsatall.I’msosorryImadesuchanoffensivecomment,and
thatIhurtyou.WhatcanIdotomakeituptoyou?Begyour
forgiveness?YellfromtherooftopsaboutwhatanassIam?”

Thelastonemademesmilealittle,soheadded,“Youwantpublic
humiliation,huh?Okay,howaboutifIrunthroughtownnaked,
exceptforasandwichboardthatreads,‘Samisajerk.Abbyis
amazing’?”

“Ilikethat,butI’dratherthesignsaidyouareatitball.Jerkisso
passé.”

“Titballitisthen.AlthoughI’mnotsurewhatthatmeans,I’mpretty
sureit’snotgood.”Heturnedserious.“Canyoueverforgiveme?
I’msosorryforsayingthat.”

Iwasn’treadytolethisoutrageouscommentgo,butIknewthatI
couldn’tstaymadathimforever.“Promisemethatyou’llneversay
anythinglikethataboutmeeveragain.”

“Ipromise,”hesaidbeforegivingmeadeep,wet,toe-curling,
mind-numbingkiss.

“Sealedwithakissonthelips.”Hegavemealopsidedgrinwhen
thekissfinallyended.

Hiscarelesswordshadhurtme,andIwasn’treadytoforgiveand
forget,buthissweetkisshadworkeditsmagiconmybody.Iwas
beyondhornyandreadytohavemywaywithhim.“I’montopthis
time,”Iinformedhim,wantingcompletecontrolofthesituation.

“Asyouwish,Ma’am.”Somehowhemanagedtowhirlusaroundso
thathewaslyingbackonthecouchwithmestraddlinghim.His
hugelyerectpeniswasstillinsideme,andIbegantorockoverhim.
Wewouldhavenoneofthat‘stayingstill’businesswhenIwasin
charge.Itiltedmyheadbackandenjoyedthesensationofhim
fillingme.

Heusedhishandstoteasemytautnipples.Iglanceddownandsaw
thathewasenjoyingwatchingmeridehim,soIdecidedtogivehim
evenmoreofashow.Islowly,deliberately,reachedmyhanddown
torubafingerovermyclitoris.Hisfaceregisteredshockedpleasure
whenImoanedandbrazenlyranmytongueovermyteeth.

IspreadmylegswideandleanedoverhimasIsavoredthethrilling

sensationofeasinghiscockinandoutofme.Mytitswerenow
danglingoverhimandhestretcheduptotakeoneinhismouth,
sucklingittenderly.

Withhishandsfree,theymadetheirwayaroundtomyrear.His
mouthreleasedmybreastashishandsgrippedmybuttockstopull
medownoverhimharder,faster.Iwasstillrubbingafingerover
myclit,andIreachedupwithmyfreehandtograboneofmy
bobbingboobs.Irolledmypuckerednipplebetweenmyfingerand
thumbandwasdelightedbyhislookofpuredesireashewatched
mepleasuringmyself.Itossedmyheadback,lostinecstasy.

Oneofhishandsfounditswaytothecrackatmyrear.Whenhe
easedhisfingerdownandovertheopening,Iclinchedmybuttocks
andfroze.“Whatareyou…”Istammered.“Idon’tthink…”I
startedagain.“Idon’t…”Iwasn’tsurehowtofinish.

“Yes,youdo,”hethrewmyearlierwordsbackatme.WhenIshook
myhead,hecontinued,saying,“It’sokay.Justrelax.”Ashesaidthe
words,hebegangentlycirclinghisfingeraroundtheperimeterof
me.Myfirstinstinctwastostophim,butitfeltsofantasticthatI
waspowerlesstosaytheword.

AsIbecamelostintheglorioussensation,Ibeganmovingoverhim
again.Irodehimrelentlesslyuntiltheorgasmrippedthroughme.I
criedoutasIcame,mybodyclinchingviolentlyaswaveafterwave
ofpleasurevibratedthroughme.HeletgowhenIdid,pumpinghis
seeddeepintomewithaloudmoan.

Icollapsedontopofhim,emotionallyandphysicallyspent.Ifell
asleepthere,cradledinhisstrongembrace.

Chapter29

WhenIwoke,hewaslightlyrubbinghisfingersovermyback.It
wasbarelydaylight,andIhadslepthard.Iwasn’tcertainifhehad
sleptatall.Iwasstillcompletelynakedandsprawledontopofhim,
buthehadsomehowmanagedtotossthequiltoveruswithout
wakingme.

Ishiftedslightlyandrealizedthathewasstillsheathedinsideme,
andhewasrockhardagain.Idroppedkissesalonghischestand
shoulderbeforemovingmybodytoslidehiscockinandoutofmea
fewtimes.

Hesmiled,“You’realreadywet.”

“Andyou’realreadyhard,”Iansweredhim.“Guesswemakea
prettygoodteam.”

“Thebest.”Hesmiledasherolledusonoursides,stayinginsideme
andbeginningtomoveslowly,sexily,inandout.“Thismightbea
recordforhowlongtwopeoplehavestayedhookedup.”

“Let’snotcallGuinness.I’mnotsureiftheyhavearecordfor
fucking,butiftheydo,Idon’tthinkIwanttobeknownforthat.”I
answeredhimhonestly.

“Fucking,huh?Isthatwhatthisis?Itfeltlikemoretome.”Hewas
stillslidinginandoutofme,anditfeltglorious.

SomehowImanagedtokeepmywitsaboutmeenoughtoanswer
him.“Screwing,banging,foolingaround,bumpinguglies,humping
-callitwhateveryouwant.Istilldon’twanttobeknownforit.

“Doingthenasty?”heasked.Bynowwewerebothchuckling.

“Ifyoulike,”Iresponded,“butIprefer‘doingthedeed’.”

Hestoppedmovinginsidemeandturnedserious.“Makinglove?”
Heseemedalmostnervousaskingmethequestion.

Iwasn’tsurehowtorespond.Thiswastreacherousterrain,andI
didn’twanttoscarehimoffbysayingtoomuchtoosoon,likeIhad
withSeth.Ifinallywentwithanon-committal,“Somepeoplecallit
that.”

Herefusedtoletmeoffthateasily.“Whatdoyoucallit?”

“Itdependsonthesituation,”Ihedged.Hedidn’tseemsatisfied
withthatanswer,soIcontinued.“Let’sjustcallithavingsex.That’s
whatitwas,anditisasimple,straightforwardwaytorefertoit.”

Henuzzledmyearandwhispered,“Iwanttomakelovewithyou,
Abby.”Heenunciatedhispointbyeasinggentlyinandoutofmea
fewmoretimes.

Hisslow,fluidmovementscombinedwithhissweet,sexywords
werealmosttoomuchformetotake.Myvisionhadgoneblurry.I
wastryingtokeepawallupbetweenustoprotectmyself,andhe
wasmakingitverydifficult.

Hedidn’twaitformetoanswer.Igaspedashenippedatmyearlobe
withhisteeth.Hegentlykissedhiswayalongmyjawanduptomy
lips.Hepliedmylipswithsoftkisses.Thenheexploredmymouth
withhistongue.Ourtonguesslidalongeachotherinthesameeasy
rhythmashispenismovedwithinme.Icouldfeelaslow,deepfire
ofdesireburninginmybelly.

“KissthatGuinnessrecordgoodbye,”hejokedashepulledhishard
penisoutofme.Iimmediatelyfelttheloss.Thatwassoonforgotten,
though,ashetookhistimekissingandlickingandsucklinghisway
downmynakedbody.

Hestoppedtopayproperattentiontoeachofmybreasts.Whenhe
lightlyrubbedthestubbleonhischeekacrossmychest,itsent
thrillingchillsdownmyspine.Henuzzledmetenderly,whichmade
itmoreofasurprisewhenhisteethtuggedgentlyonmynipple.The
thrillingsensationmademyhipsbuckupoffthecouch.

Asifsensingmyneedformore,hebeganworkinghiswayfurther
downmybody.Mybackarchedwhenhedippedhistongueintomy
bellybutton.

Hemadehiswayfurtherdownandnuzzledhisnoseintomylanding
strip.Iwasachywithneed,desperateformore.Igreedilyspreadmy
legs,andhecarefullyplacedeachonetorestonhisshoulders.

Itwasdaylight,andIwascompletelyexposedtohim.Normally,
thatwouldhavemademeself-conscious,butIcouldn’tconcentrate
onanythingexceptfortheanticipationofwhatwasabouttohappen.

Hisgorgeousgreeneyesgazedatmethroughshudderedlidsbefore
heturnedhisheadtothesidetokisstheinsideofeachofmythighs,
thenheblewcoolaironmycenter.Iwassowet,andIcouldfeelthe
franticneedformorechurninginsideme.“Please,”Ifinally
murmured,beggingasIturnedmyheadtothesideanddugmy
heelsintohisbacksoIcouldraisemyhipstohim.

Hedidn’tmakemeasktwice.Heseparatedmyfoldsandheldme
openwithhisthumbsasheworshipedmewithhistongue.The
orgasmracedthroughmeasIrodethewavesofecstasy.

Whentheconvulsionsstopped,mybodyfelllimp.Ifeltgiddyand
relaxed.Hemoveduptoliebesideme,andIstayedlikethatfora
minute,recovering.

Oncemybreathingbegantoreturntonormal,IrealizedthatI
wantedtobringthatkindofintenseblisstohisbody.Onequick
glancetoldmethathewasstillhard.Hisfabulouscockwasjutting
outtowardsme.Iwettedmylips,formulatingaplan.

Withoutanywarningorpreamble,Iloweredmyselfandtookhim
intomymouth,allthewayin.IwasamazedthatIwasabletodoit,
andbythesoundofhisdelightedgasp,sowashe.Ibecamefrantic,
suckinghimhard,wantingtogivehimthekindofpleasurethathe
hadjustgivenme.

MyheadbobbedupanddownquicklyasIworkedmytongueand
mouthoverhim.Hishandsclinchedintotightballsashishipsbegan
tomovewithmyrhythm.Hispantingandgroansspurredmeon.

“I’mgettingreadytocome.”Heblurtedoutthewarninginbroken
words.Ididn’tcare,andIdidn’tstop.Icontinuedsuckingonhimas
hespilledhishotliquidintomymouth.

Ilookeddirectlyintohiseyesandswallowedhisseed.ThenI
deliberatelylickedmylipsandsmiledupathim.Hispupilsdilated
andhesuckedinabreathatmybrazenmove.Hisstrong,positive
reactionencouragedmetogoon,soIusedmytonguetolickhim
completelycleanofthesementhathadspurtedoutofmymouth.He
watchedmyeverymove,completelyengrossed.

WhenIfinished,hegrinneddownatme.“Thatwasthehottestthing
I’veeverseen,Ab.Ifitwerephysicallypossibleforamantocome
twiceinamatterofseconds,IthinkIwouldhavejustdoneit.”

“I’mgladyoulikedit,”Ipurred,pleasedwithmyself,butrealizing
weneededtogetbacktoreality.“Now,givemearidetotown
beforeI’mlateforwork.”

“Idon’tusuallyletawomanbossmearoundlikethat,butafterthat
blowjob,youcanhaveyourwaywithme.”

“Imightjusttakeyouuponthatlater.”Irespondedasheroseto
helpmeup.Itenderlytriedputtingweightonmytwistedankleand
foundthatIwasabletogingerlywalkonit.“It’samazingwhat
goodsexcanheal.”IgrinnedovermyshoulderathimasIlimpedto
thebathroom.

“Goodsex?”Heseemedoffended.“Tryflippin’fantasticsex.”

“Yeah,itwasprettyflippin’fantastic,”Iagreed.

Chapter30

Idon’tknowwhatkindofcarIhadenvisionedSamwoulddrive,
buttheconvertible,blackPorsche911CarreraisnotwhatIhad
expected.Thecarsuitedhim,though.Itwassleek,sporty,anda
littledangerous,muchlikeitsowner.Hebackedthecarslowlyout
ofthegarage,andthenheguideditmasterfullydownthenarrow
lanefromhishouse.

Iwasstillwearinghisblacksweats,andIintendedtokeepthemfor
awhile.Hehadneatlyfoldedmyclotheswhentheycameoutofthe
dryer,andtheywereinabaginthetinyspaceatthebackofthecar.

Ilookedoutthewindowatthesunpeekingupoverthehorizon.It
wasstillearly,andthereweren’tmanycarsmovingyet.Iwould
haveplentyoftimetoshowerandfixmyselfintosomething
presentablebeforework.

Hedrovethecarfastandhard,likehescrewed.Well,notreally,I
lamentedtomyself.Ihadn’tdiscoveredapatterntohisfooling
aroundyet.Itseemedtobealloverthecharts,yetalways
completelymind-blowing.Iwasmorethanwillingtoputmore
effortintoresearchingthemanywayshecouldrockmyworldwith
hisbody,andIcouldn’twaittoseewhatwouldbenext.

Infact,Iwaswetjustthinkingaboutournighttogether.Iglanced
overathim.Hewaswearingadarkgreenpoloshirtthatshowedoff
hispecksasheexpertlymaneuveredthemanualstickofthesports
car.Hislow-slung,well-wornjeanshuggedhimlooselyinallof
thosesexyplacesthatIhadspentthenighttouching,kissing,
licking,andsucking.

Ilongedtotouchhimagain.Itdidn’tmakesenseafterhavingspent

theentirenightbanginghim,butIcouldn’tseemtogetenoughof
hisbody.Myeyesweredrawnbackdowntohiscrotch,andIlicked
mylips.Thistimehecaughtmelookingandgrinned.Iwas
extremelyfondofhisslightlycrookedgrin.Itgavehisotherwise
perfectfaceextracharacter.

HissmilewasalloftheinvitationIneeded.Ireachedovertoundo
hisjeansandreleasehim.Hehadnotbotheredwithunderwear,so
hispenissprangout,alreadyhard.Itookhiminonehand,releasing
myseatbeltwiththeother.WhenIwasloose,Ileanedoverthecar’s
consoleandtookhimintomymouth.

“Abby!”Sam’svoicewasshocked,butheavywithdesire.Ididn’t
stop.Instead,Iwetthelengthofhimwithmytongue.“Letmefinda
placetopulloverbeforeIgetusbothkilledinacaraccident.”He
waslaughingashesaidit.

Igrudginglysatup,butreplacedmymouthwithmyhand,rubbing
upanddownthelengthofhim.“You’reinsatiable,”heteasedme,
evenasheremovedhishandfromthegearshiftandranitdownmy
loosesweatpants.HequicklydiscoveredthatIhadgonecommando
too.Isuckedinabreathwhenheplungedafingerintomywetness.

Ididn’tknowhowitwaspossible,butIwantedhimmorenowthan
ever.Icouldn’tseemtogetenoughofthismanorhisbody.Ididn’t
wanttogetenoughofhim.

Hefoundagrocerystoreparkinglotthatlookedtobefairlyempty
andpulledintoaparkingspaceintheback.“Damnsmallcar,”he
grouchedaswebothlookedaround,attemptingtofigureouthow
weweregoingtomakethisworkinthetinyspace.

“Iwantmorethanahandjob,”Ipanted.

“Metoo,Baby.”Hedidn’tbothertofastenhispants,butheldthem
togetherforsomemodestyashegotoutandroundedthecartomy
side.Iscrambledoutofmypantsandtiltedontoonesidesohe
couldgetinthepassengersideandshutthedoor.

Hesatlowontheseatandpulledmeontohislapwithmybackto
hisfront.IgroanedwithpleasureasIloweredmyselfontohishard
length.Hereachedhishandsaroundme,slidoneupmysweatshirt
tosqueezemybreaststogether,andusedtheothertocirclemyclit.

Ibouncedupanddownonhiminabsoluteecstasy.Thedangerof
fuckinginacarinbroaddaylight-withthepossibilityofbeing
caught-justturnedmeonmore.Thetightspacerestrictedour
movementandmademethatmuchmorefrantic.

Ifelttheorgasmbuildingdeepinsideme,andIincreasedthetempo
ofmythrusts.Iwasmanicinmyneedforhim,andIdidn’tcareif
thewholetownwasstandingoutsidethecarwatching.

“Comewithme,”ImanagedtopantjustbeforeIflewovertheedge.
WaveafterwaveofpleasurevibratedthroughmeasIshoutedout
andcontinuedmovingoverhim.Histeethduggentlyintomy
shoulderashecamewithmetighteningaroundhim,squeezinghim
withmyorgasm.

Ifellbackintohim,exhausted.Forthefirsttime,Ilookedaroundto
seeifanyonehadtakennoticeofus.Itdidn’tappearthatanyone
had,whichsurprisedme.

Wesattherelikethatforaminute.Hefinallybrokethesilence.“I’m
goingtohavetotakeyouhometogivemypoorpenisabreak.”

“Poorpenis?!?IwasjustthinkingthatI’mnotgoingtobeableto
walk,ifwedon’tgiveitarest.”Webothchuckledasweattempted

togetdressedintheminisculespace.

Afterhesomehowmaneuveredhiswaybackintothedriver’sseatof
thetinyspace,withoutlookingawkward,heleanedoverandgave
meadeep,mind-blowingkisswiththeperfectamountoftongue.
“I’mgoingtobethinkingaboutyoualldayatworktoday.”

Itwasalittleembarrassingtoadmit,eventomyself,afterallthe
world-rockingsexwehadjusthad,butIdidn’tknowwhathedid
foraliving.Iclearedmythroatbeforeasking,“Whatdoyoudofor
work?”

Ifhesensedmyshame,hedidn’tletonashebackedoutofour
naughtyparkingspot.“I’mtrainedasanarchitect.”Hepaused,andI
wonderedifhehaddesignedhisamazinghomeonthecliff.Thenhe
continued,“Butthat’snotwhatIdo.I’mbeinggroomedtotakeover
myfather’sacquisitionbusiness.”

Iponderedthattidbitforamoment,surprised.SinceSethwasthe
oldertwin,shouldn’thebetheonetakingoverthefamilybusiness?
Maybeitwasapersonalitything.Acquisitionsofotherpeople’s
companiesdidn’tseemlikesomethingthatwouldbeinSeth’s
nature.IpicturedRichardGere’scharacterfromthemoviePretty
Woman,andIcouldseeSamexcellingatit.

Hedidn’tseemtowanttoexpand,sowerodeincompanionable
silence.Wheneverwewereonanopenstretchofroadwherehe
didn’thavetoshiftgears,hereachedoverandheldmyhand.I
realizedthatIhadjustdiscoveredanotherphysicaldifference
betweenSamandSeth.Sam’shandsweresmoothandsoft,while
Seth’swererougher,nodoubtfrommanuallabor.Isavoredthe
physicalconnectionofourentwinedhands,knowingwewouldsoon
beapartandworryingabouthowlongitwouldbebeforeIsawhim
again.

Samseemedtoknowthewaytomyhouse,whichIdidn’tquestion.
Afterheturnedontomystreet,helookedatmewiththosegorgeous
greeneyesandsaid,“Pleasegogetanewcellphonetoday.Idoubt
yoursisfixable,andIneedawaytogetaholdofyou.”

Iwasoverjoyedbyhisrequest,whichImadenoattempttomask.
“Yes,Sir!”Isaidjokingly,beamingathim.Mymindsilentlyadded
thathecouldgetaholdofmeanytime,anyplace,andanywaythat
hewanted.

ThesuddenlyseriouslookonSam’sfacecaughtmyattention.
“WhatthehellisSethdoinghere?”heaskedme.

AllofthecolordrainedfrommycheeksasIturnedtolook.Sure
enough,Seth’sgreenJeepWranglerwassittinginmydriveway.

Chapter31

“I…Idon’tknow,”Istammered.Therewasaballthesizeofa
cantaloupeinthepitofmystomach.WhatwasSethdoinghere?

Evenifhehadcometodothedecentthingtogiveourrelationship
closureandapologizeforblowingmeoffthewayhehad,Ididn’t
knowifIcouldfacehimafterspendingthenightbanginghistwin
brother’sballsoff.Iwassuddenlyashamedofmycarnalbehavior
withSamasthecantaloupe-sizedballmadeitswayupintomy
throat.

Ihadn’tthoughtthroughwhatitwouldbeliketofaceSethafter
beingwithSam.WhatSethhaddonetomehadbeenwrong,but
nothingcomparedtowhatIhadjustspentthenightdoing.And
doing.Anddoing.

Samwasglaringatme,watchingtheemotionsrollovermyface.“I
guessthingsaren’tquiteasdonewithmybrotherasyouthought?”
Itwasmoreaccusationthanquestion,soIdidn’tanswer.

“It’sprobablybestifIdon’tgoin,”hedecided.“HeandIwillhave
itoutlater.”Ibrieflywonderedwhat‘haveitout’meant,butmy
mindquicklyturnedbacktotheunpleasantconfrontationIwas
abouttobeforcedinto.

Icompletelyabhoranykindofconflict,andevenifthiswentwell,it
wasboundtobeoneofthemostawkwarddiscussionsIwouldever
have.

MaybeIdon’thavetotellhim.Icanjustlethimsaywhathecame
tosayandthenshowhimtothedoor.Mymindwassearchingfor
anywayoutofthehideousnessthatwasabouttoensue.

IfSamandIweregoingtohaveanykindofrelationshipgoing
forward,IknewthatIwouldhavetoaddressitwithhisbrother.Why
hadn’tIplannedthisoutbetteroratleastwaitedadecentamountof
time?WhowasIkidding?Whatexactlywasa‘decentamountof
time’towaitbeforebeddingyourlover’sidenticaltwinbrother?I
doubtedtherewasone,buteveniftherewas,Idefinitelyhadn’t
reachedit.

Ifinallysaid,“IguessIshouldgoin,”butImadenomovetodoso.
Ijustwantedtorewindtolastnightandlivetherestofmylifein
thatstateofoblivious-to-the-rest-of-the-worldsexualeuphoria.

Sam’slookfinallysoftened.Hereachedouttotouchmycheekashe
said,“Itwillbeokay.Weknewthiswasn’tgoingtobeeasy,right?”

Ididn’twanttoadmitthatIhadn’teventhoughtaboutwhatitwould
beliketofacehisbrother.IhadassumedthatIwasanotherof
Sam’sprogressionofone-night-stands,sotheneedtotellSeth
wouldneverarise.Itmademefeelfantastic,though,thatSamfelt
thatwemeantenoughtoeachotherthatwewouldhavetoaddressit
withSeth.

Afterourtendernightoflovemakingandthesweetkissesonthelips
wehadshared,IdaredtohopethatImightbemorethanhistypical
fling.Ifweweregoingtobemore,IknewthatIwouldhavetoface
hisbrother.Iblewoutabreathbeforesaying,“Notimelikethe
present,”andmovedtogetoutofSam’sPorsche.

Sampulledmebackanddottedgentlekissesalongmycheekand
templebeforesaying,“Don’tbetoohardonhim.I’llgiveyouacall
latertoseehowitwent.”

InoddedquicklyandmovedtogetoutofthevehiclebeforeIlost

myresolve.Likeatruegentleman,SamwaiteduntilIhadthefront
dooropenbeforebackingoutofourdriveway.Igavehimaquick
wavebeforetakingadeep,calmingbreathandsteppinginside.

Chapter32

Icouldhearvoicesinthekitchen,soIslowlyheadedthatway.I
didn’twanttofaceSeth,butknewthatIhadnochoice.WhenI
peekedin,Isawhimsittingatoursmallkitchentablewithhisback
tome.Tabitha,thecatwhohatedeveryoneexceptCourtney,was
sprawledonhislap,purringloudly.Sheturnedtoglareatmeinthe
doorway,thenjumpedoffhislapandsaunteredaway.

Courtneylookedup,“Ohgood,you’rebackfromAnnie’s.”She
usedtheopportunitywhenSethturnedtolookatmetogivemea
big,over-obviouswinktoletmeknowthatshewascoveringfor
whereIhadbeen.

Ismiledtothankherforattemptingtobediscreet,andthenIturned
tolookatSeth.ThatwastheonlyhintthatCourtneeded.She
mutteredsomethingaboutheadingouttogetsomeexercise,whichI
knewthatsheneverdid,andquicklyexitedthekitchen.

“Hello,”IfinallysaidtoSeth.Heroseandwalkedovertostand
directlyinfrontofme.

Heranhishandthroughhisdarkhair.“I’vepracticedthisa
thousandtimes,andnowthatI’mhere,Idon’tknowwheretostart.”

Inodded,butremainedsilent.Icouldn’tthinkofakindwayto
communicatewhatIneededtosay.MaybeifIjustlethimbreakup
withme,SamandIcanstayonthedown-lowforawhile.Mybrain
wasworkingfrantically,tryingtocomeupwithawaytoavoid
admittingthetruthtoSeth.

Ithadbeensoeasytovillainizehimoverthewayhehaddumped
me,butnowthathewasstandinghereinfrontofme,Iwasfeeling

reallyguilty.Hewasclearlystrugglingwithhowtoletmedown
easily,evenifitwasoveraweeklaterthanitshouldhavebeen.

Hefinallybrokethesilence.“I’msosorryIdidn’tcallyousooner.”
Inodded.Ithadbeenashittythingtodo,butheseemedsincerein
hisapology.“WhenIgotyourmessagelastnight,Iwasfranticto
findyou.”

ItriedtorememberwhatIhadsaidonthevoicemailIhadlefthim.
HadIsoundedsuicidalorsomething?Ionlyrememberedbeing
annoyedthathehadn’tgivenmeanyclosureandtellinghimthatI
deservedbetter.IhopedthatIdidn’tsoundtoodesperateonthe
message.

“Ishouldn’thaveleftthingsthewayIdidforsolong.”Inoddedin
agreement,andhecontinued.“Whenyousaidthatyoulovedme,it
freakedmeoutalittle.”

“Inoticed,”wasallIsaid,sohewenton.

“Ishouldn’thaveranlikeIdid,andI’msorryforleavingyouthat
way.Ijustneededtimetothink.”

Idecidedtoputhimoutofhismisery.Afterall,ithadn’tbeen
completelyhisfault,andI’dbeenfarfromanangellastnight.
“Look,Ishouldn’thavesaidwhatIdidsosoon.Itscaredyouoff.”
Heshookhishead,soIclarifiedwhatImeant.“Itwouldhave
scaredoffmostmen.Wehadn’tbeendatinglong,anditwastoo
soonformetobemakingdeclarationsoflove.”Unwillingtolethim
completelyoffthehook,Icontinued.“Youshouldhaveofficially
brokenthingsoffwithme,though.”

“No,Abby,youdon’tunderstand.”Hegrabbedmyhandashesaid
thewords.“Ineededtimetothinkbecausethingsweremovingso

fast.IhaveneverbeeninarelationshipwhereIfeltsostronglythat
quickly,soIwantedtobepositivethatitwasn’tjustlustbeforeI
responded.Idon’tsaythosewordslightly,andIwantedtobesure
thattheyweretrue.Abby,Iloveyou,too.”

Hiswordsstunnedme.Ihadn’tbeenexpectingthisatall.The
cantaloupe-sizedlumpinmythroatnowfeltlikeitwasthesizeofa
watermelon,aburningwatermelon.Icouldbarelybreathearoundit.
Tearswelledinmyeyes.

Sethmisunderstoodmyreactionandpulledmeinforahug.The
tearsstartedspillingover.IstoodtherestifflyasSethpulledbackto
lookatme.Hebenttogentlykissoneofthetearstrailingdownmy
cheekandasobescaped.WhathadIdone?

Iwasshockedbyhisdeclarationandcompletelyspeechless.My
mindwasreeling,seekingboththerightwordsandtheappropriate
waytosaythem.

Westoodlikethatforalongwhile.Hehadhisarmsaroundme,and
Iwasstiffasaboard.Iopenedmymouthtospeak,butwordsfailed
me.Hewasrubbingupanddownmyback,soothingme,whenI
finallymanagedtocroakoutasentence.“Ithoughtyouhaddumped
me.”

Hepulledbacktolookdirectlyinmyeyes.“Iknow,andI’mso
sorryforhurtingyou,Sweetheart.Ireactedallwrong.Youarethe
bestthingthathaseverhappenedtome,anditwasallmovingso
fastthatIgotscaredandtookalittletimeout.I’mherenow,though,
andI’mnotgoinganywhere.”

Iwasstruggling,unsuccessfullytryingtocomeupwithawayto
gentlysaywhatIneededtotellhim.“Whydidn’tyoucallmetotell
meyouneededsometimetoprocess?Ithoughtwewerefinished.”

“IfIcouldtakeitback,Iwouldhandleitallsodifferently.”Heran
hishandthroughhisdarkhairagain,obviouslyfeelingguilty.What
hehaddonepaledincomparisontowhatIhaddone.Okay,whoI
haddone.Ijustcouldn’tseemtoformulatethewordstoconfess.

Sethtookmysilenceasangerandcontinuedwithhisapology.
“Abby,pleaseforgiveme.Ispenttheentireweekthinkingabout
youasIfinishedtheboatthatwechristenedandtookheroutonher
maidenvoyage.Icouldn’twaittogetbackandcallyou,butIwas
alreadylateforMother’sSundaybrunchwhenIdocked,andshe
doesn’treactwelltotardiness.”IcouldimaginethatJanicewould
haveafrostyside,ifthingsdidn’tgopreciselyherway.

Sethwenton,barelypausingtotakeabreath,“Idecidedthata
familyeventwasn’tthebestplacetotrytoexplainthingstoyou;so
Iwaitedtocall,eventhoughIwasdesperatetotalktoyou,tosee
you,totouchyou.”Hetenderlyranafingeralongmyjawline.I
closedmyeyesandanothertearploppedoutandtraileddownmy
cheek.

Sethcontinuedhisexplanation,seemingdesperatetomakeme
understand.“Beforebrunchwasover,Jessieaskedmetowatch
Katiedidforawhile.IthinksheandKatie’sdadneededtotalk
throughafewthings.Jessrarelyasksforanything,soIcouldn’tturn
herdown.KatieandIswamandplayedoutsideforalongwhile,and
thenshefellasleeponmylap.IhadleftmyphoneintheJeep,soI
missedyourcall.AssoonasJesspickedupKatielastnight,Iwent
tocallyouandgotyourmessage.I’vebeentryingtocallyouback
eversince.Youprobablyhavehalfadozenmessagesfromme.”

“Myphonefellinthewaterandgotruined,”Iresponded,feeling
numb.Everythingthathehadsaidmadesense.Heshouldn’thave
putmethroughthetortureofwaitingforoveraweekwithno

contact,butconsideringwhatIhaddonelastnight,Ihadnorightto
beangrywithhim.Itdidn’tmatteranyway.AssoonasSethfound
outthatIhadsleptwithSam,hewouldbefinishedwithmefor
good.

“Ab,pleasesayyou’llforgiveme.Idoloveyou,eventhoughI
didn’tshowitwellthisweek.Ifyou’llgivemeanotherchance,I’ll
spendtherestofmylifemakingituptoyou.Ipromisetodomy
besttomakesureourlifetogetheriswhatwehavebothalways
wanted.”

Iwasflooredbyhisgloriouswords.Whycouldn’thehavesaidthem
lastweekbeforeImadesuchamessofthings?Ihadtotellhim
beforehesaidanythingelse.Therewasnowaytosayitdelicately.I
couldn’tsugarcoatit.Ijusthadtospititout.

Mymouthwassodry.Ilickedmylipsandtookadeepbreath,
whichdidnothingtocalmmyfranticnerves.“Seth,”Istarted.He
waslookingatme,hiseyessofullofhope.IhatedthatIhadtodo
thistohim,butIdidn’thaveanotherchoice.Hedeservedthetruth.
Myvoicewasbarelyaboveawhisper,butIgotthewordsout.“I
sleptwithSam.”

SethmovedbackasifIhadphysicallypunchedhiminthegut.His
faceregisteredshockeddisbelief,soInoddedinconfirmationas
tearsranfreelydownmycheeks.Isawhisfeatureschangeto
disgust,thenangerbeforehewhirledaround,mutteringthewords,
“I’mgoingtokillhim.”Thenheleftmestandingaloneinmy
kitchen.

Ittookamomentformywitstoreturn.Icalledoutforhimtostop
andchasedafterhim,buthewasalreadygone.Isilentlyprayedthat
thebrotherswouldbeabletoforgiveeachother.

Chapter33

Ihadneverbeensoappalledwithmyself,specificallywithmylust-
filledbody.HowcouldIhaveletthishappen?HowcouldIhave
madesuchahorriblemessofthings?

Ihadmettwoofthemostsexy,amazing,wonderfulmenonEarth,
andIhadmanagedtoscrewthingsupwithbothofthem.Iwassure
thatthetwinswouldfight,andIwasalsocertainthatoncethatfight
wasover,theywouldrealizethatIwasn’tworthit.

Iprayedthattheirrelationshipwouldn’tsufferanypermanent
damagefrommylackofmorals.Theywerebothbetteroffwithout
meintheirlives.Ivowedtotrytomoveforwardwithmyman-free
life,andtotrytoforgivemyselfforscrewingthingsupsoroyally.

Icouldbehappywithoutalover.IhadagreatlifebeforeImetthe
Davistwins,andIwouldtrytogetbacktothatpoint.Itwouldtakea
whiletoforgivemyselfformyindiscretions,butIwouldworkonit.

Rightnow,IneededCourtandAnnie.Icouldusesome
unconditionallove,andIknewthosetwowoulddishitout,evenifI
didn’tdeserveit.

IhadsattherewithmymindspinningforsolongthatIwasnowlate
forwork.Iwasnormallyextremelypunctual,soIusedourhome
phonetocallAnnie.“SorryI’mlate,”Istartedinassoonasshe
pickedup.“I’llbethereinafew.”

“Takeyourtime,Love.I’mjustgladtohearyou’reokay.”Annie
wasalreadydolingouttheunconditionalacceptance.Mostbosses
wouldatleastwantanexcuseaboutwhyyouwerelate.Notmy
sweetAnnie,though.AllshecaredaboutwasthatIwasn’tsickor

injured.

MynextcallwastoCourt,askinghertomeetmeattheshopinhalf
anhour.“I’llberightthere,”sheresponded.Again,noquestions
asked.Thesetwoladiesweretrulythereforme,andIwasso
gratefultohavetheminmylife.

Iracedupthestairstotakeaquickshowerbeforeheadinginto
work.WhenIwalkedintotheboutique,Courtneywasalreadythere
chattingwithAnnie.ShehadobviouslyalreadyfilledAnnieinon
whatsheknewofthehornydetailsofthelast24hoursbecausethey
bothheldtheirarmsouttome.

Irushedtothemforasoothinggroup-hug.Aswestoodthere
holdingeachother,IthoughtabouthowhappyIwasthatthetwo
mostimportantwomeninmylifehadbeguntoforgeasolid,caring
relationshipwitheachother.Ineededbothofthesefabulous,
nurturing,wild,lovelywomen,andIwantedthemtobeabletolean
oneachotheraswell.

Courtneywastheonewhofinallybrokethesilence.“Ican’tstand
thesuspenseanylonger.DidyoutellSethaboutSam?”

Webrokethethree-wayhug,butstayedclosetoeachother.Itwas
mytriangleofsolaceasInoddedinanswertoherquestion,unable
touttertheword.Tearsbegantopoolinmyeyesastheguiltover
whatIhaddonewashedoverme.

“Oh,Sweetie,it’sokay.”Annieputahandtomycheekasshesaid
thewords.Courtgrabbedmyhandasshenoddedinagreement.I
didn’tfeeljudgedbyeitherofthesewonderfulwomen,eventhough
IknewthatwhatIhaddonewasdespicable.

“IknowthatIhaveruinedmychanceofbeingwitheitherofthem,

butIjusthopethatIdidn’tdestroytheirrelationshipwitheach
other.”Imanagedtogetthewordsoutdespitemysniffling.

Anniereachedfortheboxoftissuesasshesaid,“Honey,whyinthe
cosmoswouldyouthinkthatyou’velostyourrelationshipwithboth
ofthem?”Sheseemedgenuinelyperplexed.

IknewthatAnniewasflighty,maybetothepointofbeing
occasionallyditzy,butIcouldn’timaginethatshedidn’tunderstand
this.MaybeCourthadn’tfullyexplainedthesituationtoher.“Islept
withbothofthem,”Isaidsimply.

Sheshookherheadasifstillnotgettingit,soIcontinued.“Seth
hatesmebecauseIsleptwithhisidenticaltwin,whenwehadn’t
officiallybrokenoffwhatwehad.SamisfuriousbecauseItoldhim
thatSethandIwerefinished,whenevidentlyweweren’tquitedone
yet.”

Courtwastheonewhoanswered.“Noneofthatwasyourfault.You
triedtoreachSeth,andheignoredyou.Youhadeveryreasonto
believeyouandSethwereoverwhenyouwerewithSam.”

AnnienoddedheragreementwithCourtney’swords.“ThewayIsee
it,youhaveamonumentalchoicetomake.”

Ishookmyhead.Theyweren’tgettingit.“No,youdon’t
understand.NeitherofthemwantstobewithmeafterwhatIdid.”

“Areyousure?”Courtwastheonewhoposedthequestion.“Maybe
youshouldconsiderwhoyouwouldchoose,iftheybothwantyou.”

“Whentheybothwanther,youmean.”Annietuckedastraybrown
curlbehindmyearassheamendedwhatCourtneyhadsaid.“How
couldeitherofthemresisther?”

Iwasstillshakingmyhead.Thesetwoladieslovedmetoomuchto
seethewritingonthewall.Ihadletmylustybodytakeovermy
brain,andIhadruinedmychancesofhavingarelationshipwith
eitherofthenear-perfectDavistwins.

Mythoughtswereinterruptedbythetinklingofthebellsonthe
frontdooroftheshop.AllthreeofusturnedtolookasMr.Finley,
theownerofTreats,walkedin.HisbakerywaswhereSethandIhad
gonewiththedogsonourfirstunofficialdate,thedaywemetinthe
park.Thatseemedlikeaneternityagonow.

Mr.Finleywascarryingapinkbakerybox,whichhehandedto
Anniewhenshefloated,inherdistinctlyAnnieway,overtogreet
him.He’sthekingofimpeccabletiming,IthoughtasIeyedthebox,
wonderingwhatkindofdelectablegoodnessitcontained.

SomethingaboutAnnie’sreactiontohimdrewmyattentionaway
fromthepastrycontainer.Wassheblushing?CourtandIlookedat
eachotherinsurprisewhenweheardAnnie’sgirlygiggleashe
kissedherhandwithaflourish.

Afterheleft,Anniesweptbackovertouswiththepinkboxintow.
Courtwasthefirsttogetthewordsout.“So,what’sgoingonwith
youandtheFin-Man?”

“Harry?Pishposh.”Shetriedtoplayitoffasiftherewasnothing
betweenthem.“I’msurehemakestheroundsdeliveringbaked
goodstoallthelocalbusinesses.It’sgoodTRorPR,whateverit’s
called.”

CourtandIraisedoureyebrowsateachotheroverheruseofMr.
Finley’sfirstname.Neitherofushadeverhearditbefore.

IthoughtabouttheideaofAnniebeingwithMr.Finley.Hewason
theshorterside,butnottooshort.Hehadgrayinghairandaslight
bellypooch,buthewashandsomeinasweet,grandfatherlyway.
Somehow,itallclickedintoplaceinmymind,andIrealizedwhata
fantasticcoupletheywouldmake.Iwasslightlyannoyedwith
myselfforbeingtooconsumedbymyownlovelifetonoticehow
perfecttheywouldbeforeachother.

Courtsawit,too.“Well,IthinkyoutwowanttoTReachother’s
PRs,andIforone,thinkit’sagreatidea.”

Annieshookherhead,butallthreeofuseruptedintogigglesat
Court’splayonAnnie’slatestwordjumble.Whenthelaughter
subsided,weallthreestoodquietlyforamoment,consumedbyour
ownthoughts.

SuddenlyCourtblurtedout,“Joekissedmelastnight,anditrocked
myworld!”

Chapter34

IwassohappyforCourtneyandAnnie.Theybothdeserveda
happy,fulfillinglovelife,anditseemedliketheywereeachonthe
vergeofachievingjustthat.

Tryingtorelaxinabubblebathlaterthatevening,mymindkept
returningtomydisasterofaromanticlife.Somehow,Ihadmanaged
toscrewupthingswithtwoamazingmen.

Theraponmybathroomdoorstartledmeoutofmythoughts.Court
crackedthedooropenandpeekedin.“I’mheadingintoworkthe
dinnershiftbecauseGracecalled-insickagain.There’ssomeone
heretoseeyou.”

SheopenedthedooralittlewidertorevealSethstandinginmy
roombehindher.InoddedatCourt’squestioninglook,tolether
knowitwasfine,soshequietlyleft.

Sethstayedwherehewasforamoment,thenhewalkedintothe
bathroom.Igaspedwhenhesteppedintothelight,andIsawthecut
onhislip.“Areyouokay?”Iaskedhim.

“Physically,yes.”Hisanswermademewincewiththeknowledge
thatIhadcausedhisemotionalpain.Myfacemusthavebetrayed
mythoughtsbecauseheattemptedtolightenthemoodbysaying,
“Youshouldseetheotherguy.”

ThethoughtofSambeingharmedmademystomachrollandthe
burningwatermelonwasbackinmythroat.Myfacemusthave
crumpledbecauseSethtriedtoeasemyconcern.“He’sokay.”

Hewaslookingdownashesaidthewords,anditmademefeeleven

worsetoimaginehowitmadeSethfeeltoseemyconcernoverhis
brother’swellbeing.Ihadmadesuchamessofthings.Theyreally
werebothbetteroffwithoutme.

ItwaskindofSethtocomebacktogivemeclosure,butIdecided
thathehadalreadydonemuchmorethanIdeserved,soIsaid,
“Thanksforstoppingbytoletmeknowyou’reokay.Itwasvery
thoughtfulofyou.I’msorryforanypainI’vecausedyou,andI
hopethatyouareabletofindhappinesswithsomeonewhodeserves
you.”

Herespondedquietly,“You’vemadeyourdecision,then?”Atmy
perplexedlook,hecontinuedwitharesigned,“Youwanttobewith
Sam.”

“Decision?”IkeptthequestionatonewordbecauseIwassotaken
abackbyhiswords.Heseemedtobewaitingformetoexpand,soI
continued.“WhatIhavedoneishorrible,andyoubothdeserve
better.”IlookeddirectlyintohiseyesasIsaidsincerely,“Iwish
youonlythebest.”

“Thatsoundslikeadismissal.”Hemovedtokneelbesidethe
bathtubevenashesaidthewords.“Pleasedon’twritemeoffso
quickly,Ab.Idon’tlikeitonebitthatyouwerewithSam,butI
accepttheresponsibilitythatitwaslargelymyfault.Ishouldn’t
haveleftthingsthewayIdid.Wecanworkthroughthis.Iloveyou,
andI’lldowhateverittakestomakeyouhappy.”

Iwassurprisedbyhiswords.HowcouldhestillwantmeafterIhad
beddedSam?Thenrealizationstruck.Ihadbecomeapawnintheir
gameofone-upmanship.Neitherofthemactuallywantedme.They
justwantedtowin,andIhadunwittinglybecometheprize,until
theymovedontosomethingelse.

IsaidasmuchtoSeth,whoseemedshockedbymyaccusation.“I
can’tspeakformybrother,”heresponded,“butmyfeelingsforyou
havenothingtodowithhim.Iwanttolivemylifewithyou.If
you’llgivemethechance,Ipromisetodomybesttomakeallof
yourhopesanddreamscometrue.”

Hiswordswerewonderful,perfect.Atearsliddownmycheekandhe
gentlybrusheditwithhislips.“Youdon’thavetoanswermerightnow.
Workthroughyourfeelingsandletmeknowwhatyoudecide.”Heroseto
leave,butturnedbacktosay,“I’llbewaitingforyou.Itseemsthatyou
havestolenmyheart.”Thenhequietlywalkedoutofmybathroom.

Chapter35

IwasstillreelingfromSeth’svisit.Normally,sittingonourfront
porchswing,lookingoutoverthewater,anddrinkinghottea
relaxedme,butitwasdoingnothingtocalmmyfrazzlednerves
tonight.Iwasn’teventhatsurprisedwhenthesleek,blackPorsche
easedintoourdriveway.

WhenSamreachedtheporch,Isawhisblackeye.Hisbrotherhad
givenhimaseriousshiner.Itwasalreadyturningpurpleandlooked
extremelypainful.Itmademewincejustlookingatit.Seeingmy
reaction,hetriedtoplayitdown.“It’snotasbadasitlooks.”He
pausedbeforeadding,“Ideservedmuchworse.”

HelookedlikehefeltasguiltyasIdid,anditmademefeel
dreadful,knowingthatIhadcausedallofthisturmoil.Hesatdown
besidemeontheswing,butmadenoattempttotouchme.Even
afterallthatwehadbeenthrough,Istillfelttheelectricitysizzle
betweenus.Myphysicalreactiontohimwasundeniable.

Wesattherelikethatforalongwhile.Whenhefinallybrokethe
silence,hiswordssurprisedme.“Youdeserveamuchbetterman
thanme.YoushouldbewithsomeonelikeSeth.Hewillneverlet
youdown.I,ontheotherhand,amknownforloving‘emand
leaving‘em.IjustcametotellyouthatIcareaboutyouboth,andI
sincerelyhopethatyouareabletoworkthisout.”Helookedatme
beforecontinuing.“I’llkeepmydistanceuntilI’msurethatI’llbe
abletokeepmyhandsoffyou.”

Angerflaredinsidemeathiswords.“So,youfeelguiltyabout
fuckingme,andyouhavedecidedtoletSethwinthisone.AmIthe
trophyinthisroundofthecompetition?”Ispatthewordsoutwith
venom.

Heseemedhonestlystunnedbymyaccusation.“Abby,it’snothing
likethat.Howcouldyouthinkthat?”

Iignoredhisquestion,sohecontinued.“I’veneverwantedany
womanthewaythatIwantyou,andbelieveme,whenI’mwithyou,
thelastthingonmymindismybrother.”Heflashedhiscrooked
smileashesaidthelastpart.

Istudiedhimtogaugehissincerity.Couldhebetellingthetruth?
Doeshewantmelikemybodycraveshim?IwantedtobelievethatI
wasinsomewayspecialtohim,evenifitwasonlyphysical.

“Ihaven’tbeenabletostopthinkingaboutyousincethatfirstnight
wemetatthecharityauction,andIdidn’tevenknowyouwerewith
Seththen,”hepointedout.

Hepausedforamoment,andIponderedoverhislaststatement.It
wastrue.Atthetimeofourrendezvousinthebathroom,hehadn’t
knownIwaswithSeth.Hehadbeenattractedtomesexually,just
forme,andnotasanotherwaytocompetewithhisbrother.

Asifreadingmythoughts,hecontinued.“Icanbarelykeepfrom
touchingyounow,justsittingherenexttoyou,butit’snotjustyour
bodythatIwant,Ab.Iwanttospendtimewithyou,laughwithyou,
dancewithyou,dreamwithyouandhaveafuturewithyou.”

Mymouthfellopenathislaststatement.Seeingthesurpriseonmy
face,hecontinuedon,asiftryingtoconvinceme.“Whycan’tyou
seehowamazingyouare?I’veneverdesiredanyonelikethis.”He
touchedmethen,forthefirsttimesincearriving.Hetenderly
brushedthebackofhisfingersdownmycheek.Justthatslight
connectionwithhimfeltamazing.Iclosedmyeyesandleanedmy
headtowardshim,enjoyingthesensation.

Hemovedhishanddownandgentlyraisedmychin,sothatIwas
facinghim.MyeyelidsfeltheavyasIgazedathim.Ilickedmylips,
achingwithdesire.“There’snothingIwantmorerightnowthanto
kissthosesoft,beautifullips.”Mylipspartedslightlyathiswords,
readytobetaken.MyeyelidsdroopedasIleanedforward,wanting
him,buthislipswerenotthere.

Hecursedandstoodup.Icouldseehiserectionstrainingforrelease
fromhisjeans.Myeyesweredrawntoit,riveted,untilIrealized
whathewassaying.

“You’retoogoodforme,Abby.”Istartedtoshakemyheadin
disagreement,buthecontinuedon,ignoringme.“Sethisagood
man,andyoudeservetobewithsomeonelikehim.I’msorrythat
I’vemadesuchamessofthings.IwanttosaythatIwillbackoff
andpretendtohopethatthetwoofyouareabletoworkthingsout,
butIdon’tthinkIhavethestrengthtogiveyouup.It’sjusttoohard,
andI’mevidentlynotthatbigofaman.I’lltrytogiveyousome
spacewhileyouworkthroughthis,butpleasedon’ttaketoolong.”
HisnextwordsweresoquietthatIwasn’tsureifheactuallyuttered
themorifmyimaginationconjuredthem.“Chooseme.”

Withonelastburninggaze,heturnedandleft.

Chapter36

Ihadrequestedameetingwithmyladies.Annie,Courtney,andI
weresittingaroundthekitchentable,andthetwoofthemwere
havingarowdydiscussion.Theyweresupposedtobehelpingme
sortoutmyfeelings,butitseemedtheyeachhadverydifferent
opinionsaboutwhatIshoulddo.

Theywereontheirsecondbottleofourfavoritesoftredwine,and
theywerestartingtogetmorevehementintheirarguing.Iwas
drinkingwaterbecauseIwantedtokeepaclearheadasIworked
throughthemessIhadmadeofmylovelife.

“Sethissweetandkind,andhereallycaresabouther.He’sthe
betterlong-terminvestment.”ThiscamefromCourt.

“Long-terminvestment?”Annienearlyscreeched.“Wearen’t
discussingannuitieshere.Wearetalkingaboutlove.Shehas
passionwithSam.”Shereachedovertograbmyhand.“Youhaveto
followyourpassion,Sweetie.”

“Passionburnsoutandthenwhatareyouleftwith?”Courtney
countered.“Youneedtochoosetheonethatyoucanhaveafuture
with.”

“Loveisn’tmeanttobesolidanddependable.It’smeanttobefun
andexciting.Ifwefindmomentsofpurejoy,weshouldcherishand
embracethem,eveniftheyareshort-lived.Youcan’tdenyyour
reactiontoSam.It’syourbody’swayoftellingyouthatyouare
meanttobewithhim.”

“ShehaspassionwithSeth.It’sjustslowerburningthanwhatshe
haswithSam,whichmeansitwilllastlonger.Thishotflashoflust

withSamwillfizzleoutinnotime.”Courtneyrefilledtheirwine
glassesasshesaidit.

“So,whatifitdoes?”Anniecountered.“Itwillbeamazingwhileit
lasts.There’snoguaranteethatthingswilllastwithSetheither.”

“It’salotmorelikelythanherchancesofmakingitworkwith
Sam,”Courtneycountered.

Iletthembicker,lostinmyownthoughts.Theybothmadevalid
arguments.Ihadbeenstrugglingwiththesamepointsforthelast
fewdays.Ihadhopedthatthetwoofthemwouldbeabletohelpme
figureouttherightanswer,buttheywerelikethetwosidesofmy
consciencethathadbeenwarringitout.

Iwasn’tsureiftherewasa‘right’answer.HowcouldIchoose
betweenkind,caring,grow-old-togetherloveandhot,steamy,can’t-
get-enough-of-each-otherpassionforeachother?Whichwasbetter?
Whichwasrightforme?WhichdidIwant?

IreturnedmyattentionbacktoAnnieandCourt’sconversationjust
intimetohearthemcometoanagreement.“Onething’sforsure,”
Courtheldupherglasstotoast.“Sheneedstomakeadecisionsoon
andstickwithit.”

“Here,here.”AnnieclinkedherglasswithCourt’s.

Ipickedupmywaterglassandchimedin.IfullyagreedthatI
neededtomakeachoiceforallofoursakes.Theproblemwas,Ihad
noideawhotochoose.

Itwaslikehavingtwofabulous,butverydifferentshowcasesonthe
‘PriceisRight.’TimewasquicklytickingawayandIhadtomake
mydecision,buthowcouldIpick?

Chapter37

Iwokeupthenextmorningfeelingexhaustedandstilluncertain
aboutwhatIshoulddo.Ihadspentthenighttossingandturning,
andmakingupmymindandthenchangingit.

First,IhaddecidedtochooseSeth.Ihadalwayswantedtohavea
family,andSethwastheidealpersontohaveafamilywith.He
wouldbeawonderfulhusbandandfather,andIwouldbeluckyto
havehim.Wewouldadoptsweetbabies,andwewouldlivehappily
everafter.

Reliefhadsweptoverme.Ihadmadeadecision,andIwasgoingto
stickwithit.Then,IbegantopicturegoingtoDavisfamilyevents
withSeth,andseeingSamwithaconstantparadeofleggy‘I’girls.I
picturedhimramminghisfabulouscockintothemwhiletheir
perfect,fake,plastictitsnevermoved.Thethoughtmademecringe.
Iwantedthatcocktoberammingme.

Ihadsatupinmybed,sweatingandfeelingnauseous.Icouldn’t
handleseeingSamwiththosewomen,eveninmyimagination.
Whenitreallyhappened,Iwouldbedesperatefromwantinghim.If
heshowedtheslightestbitofweaknessinhisresolvetoavoidme,I
wouldcaveintomydesiresandsleepwithhim.Sethwould
inevitablyfindoutabouttheaffairanddivorceme.

Okay,soIcouldn’thavemy‘happilyeverafter’withSethbecauseI
wouldn’tbeabletoresisthisbrother.Sincethatwasthecase,I
decidedtoflip-flopmydecisionandchooseSam.There,the
decisionwasmade,soIturnedoverandtriedtogotosleep.

SamandIwouldhaveahot,satisfyingsexlife.Wecouldn’tget
enoughofeachother,andwewouldprobablynearlykilleachother

inourattemptstobangeachother’sbrainsout.Itwouldbefantastic.

Ourlifetogetherwouldbemind-blowing,atleastforayearortwo,
buteventually,thepassionwouldsubside.Whatwillwehaveleft
then?Itriedtopictureusafewyearsdowntheroad.Icouldn’t
imaginethingsworkingoutinthelong-termwithSam.

Wouldhegetboredwithmeandsleepwith‘I’girlsontheside?
Wouldhenotbotherwithsneakingaroundandjustleaveme?

IvisualizedwhatSeth’slifewouldbelikewithoutme.Hewould
meetsomeonewonderful,whowasdeservingofallthathehadto
offer.Theywouldhaveafamilyandgrowoldtogether.Inthis
scenario,Iwantedwhatthisimaginaryladyhad,and,irrationally,I
wantedtogougehereyesout.

Iwasappalledwithmyself.Ihadnorighttolayclaimtotwomen,
butthatisexactlywhatIhaddone.Icouldn’tseeawayforthisto
workoutwell.Iwasgoingtobeconsumedbyjealousywhenthe
twinIdidn’tchoosemovedon,eventhoughIhadnorighttobe.
Whatthehellwaswrongwithme?

IrealizedthenthatIneededtodosomesoul-searchingandworkon
myselfbeforeIwouldbereadytomoveforwardwitharomantic
relationshipwithanyone.SomethingwasterriblywrongwhenIwas
paralyzedaboutmakingadecisionbetweentwoamazingmen
becauseIdidn’twanttogiveuptheotherone.

Itwasselfishandembarrassing,andIneededtogetovermyself.I
neededtogivemyselfsomespacefromthislovetriangleandwork
throughwhattodo.

IusedourhomephonetocallAnnieandaskforaweekoff,which
shegladlyagreedtogiveme.Ipackedasmallbag,saidgoodbyeto

Buster(whogavemeonetailthumpuponhearinghisname),picked
upanewsmartphoneatthecellularstore,andstoppedbyJoe’sto
giveCourtagoodbyehug.ItextedbothoftheDavisboysandtold
themIwasleavingtownforaweek,andthatIwouldbeintouch
whenIgotback.Then,Iturnedthephonetosilentmodeandlitout
ofDodge.

Chapter38

Ididn’tgofar.Idiscoveredasmall,lakefrontmotelthatwasabouta
half-hourdriveupthecoastfromHarborShores.Marta,thefriendly,
matronlywomanbehindthefrontdesk,gavemearatefortheweek
andanactualmetalkeyformyroom’sdoor.Ithadbeenawhile
sinceIhadseenoneofthose,andIknewinstantlythatIhadfound
therightplacetostay.

Myroomwassmall,butcleanandfunctional.Iunpackedmytravel
bagandtookawalkalongthelakeshore.Ifoundsomecolorful
rocksalongthewayandplacedtheminthepocketofmyhoodie.
Thewindoffthelakewascleanandrefreshing.IfIcouldn’tsortout
myfeelingsinthiswonderfulspot,thenIwasahopelessmess.

Ispenttheweekwalkingtheshoreline,eatinginthedinertwodoors
downfrommymotel,andsimplyrelaxing.Itwasnicenottohave
anywheretobeatacertaintime.Well,almostnoplacetobe.

IhadsettledintothehabitofhavingteawithMartainthelobbyof
themotelafewtimesaday.Shewasalovelywomanwhowas
proudofhernumerousgrandchildren,andIhadseenpicturesofall
tenofthem.

Martahadbeenextremelytactfulsofarandonlyaskedpolite
questionsaboutwhereIwasfromandmyoccupation,buttodayit
seemedthathercuriositywasgettingthebetterofher.WhenI
refilledourteamugsandreturnedtositonthelobbysofawithher,I
wasexpectingtohearmoreaboutoneofhergrandchildren’slatest
antics,butinsteadshepattedmykneeandasked,“Whatareyou
runningfrom,SweetGirl?”

“I’mnotrunning,”Istartedtofib,butthelookshegavemetoldme

thatshecouldseerightthroughme.“Okay,Iamrunningbecause
I’mtryingtostallhavingtomakeadecisionbetweentwomen.”

“That’sagoodproblemtohave.”Shechuckledasshesaidit,but
thensheturnedserious.“Ihadtwomenwhowantedmeonce,and
I’vewonderedeverydaysincethenifIendedupwiththeright
one.”

Herwordssurprisedme.Ihadexpectedsomehogwashabout
followingyourheartandknowingtherightanswerdeepdown.I
didn’twanttospendtherestofmyliferegrettingmydecision,or
evenquestioningit.

“Howdidyoudecidebetweenthem?”Iaskedher.Iwastruly
curiousabouthowshemadeherdecision,andIwashopingfora
bettersolutionthantheflipacoinoreeny-meeny-miney-mooptions
thatIhadbeenconsidering.

Sheansweredmesadly,“Iwaitedsolongthatoneofthemdropped
outoftherace.Notmakingthedecisionbecamemydecision,
becauseIonlyhadoneoptionleft.”

Shewasdeepinthoughtwhenshesaid,“IlovedmyHal.”Ialready
knewthatHalwasherlatehusband.Shehadtearsinhereyesasshe
continued.“Wehadawonderfullifeandfamilytogether.Iwishthat
Ihadchosenhim,though,insteadofjusttakinghimbecausehewas
thelastmanstanding.Hedeservedtobemypick.”

Shegavemesomeadvicethen.“Don’twaittoolong,Honey.Make
adecisionandstickwithit.Lettheoneyouchooseknowwithouta
doubtthatheistheoneyouwant.”Inoddedather.Hersuggestion
madesense,anditwaswhatIwantedtodomorethananything.It
wasjustsuchanenormous,importantchoice,andIdidn’twantto
screwitup.

Isuddenlywonderedabouttheotherman.Didhestillpinefor
Marta?Hadhemovedonandbuiltalifeforhimself?Washe
happy?Asifreadingmymind,Martasaid,“Danny,theotherboy,
gotmarriedshortlyafterHalandIdid.IthinkpeoplecallhimDan
now,buthe’llalwaysbemyDanny.”

Ismiled,tryingtopictureayoungMartawithHalandDanny
fightingforherattention.Thesimilaritiesbetweenourstorieswere
striking,andIhadtoknowifshefeltlikefatehadsteppedinorif
shecouldhavebeenhappywitheitherman.

“DoyouthinkyouandDannywouldhavehadagoodlifetogether,
ifthingshadworkedoutdifferently?”

Sheconsideredforamomentbeforeanswering.“Yes,”shefinally
answered,nodding.“Wewouldhavehadahappyfamilylife
together,butthingsturnedoutthewaytheyweremeanttobe.”

Whatwasleftoftheteainourmugshadgonetepid,soIrosetotake
themtothesink.AfterIwashedthem,IturnedtoaskMartaa
questionbeforegoingbacktomyroom.“AreyousureDannyisstill
married?”Atherperplexedlook,Icontinued.“Hiswifecouldhave
passedaway.Theycouldbedivorced.It’sprobablyworthchecking
into.”

Shesatthereforamoment,ponderingthatbeforeresponding.“Yes,
Ithinkthatmightbeworthlookinginto.”Wegrinnedateachother,
andIwalkedoutsidetoreturntomyroom.Ihadagoodfeelingthat
Martamightsoonbegettingherchancewiththeonethatgotaway.

Chapter39

MyweekatMarta’smotelhadgonebyquickly.Ihadspentthetime
soul-searching,yetIstillwasn’tanyclosertohavingadecision
aboutwhichDavistwinwasrightforme.Beforeleaving,Ipromised
tocallMartasoontoletherknowwhatIdecided.Ididn’tmention
it,butIwouldalsowanttoknowwhatshefoundoutaboutDanny.I
secretlyhopedthatthiswouldbetherighttimeforMartaandDanny
tobetogether.

Wegaveeachotherahug,andIheadedhometofacethemusic.I
wouldn’tbeabletoavoidSethandSamforever,oroneofthem
wouldlikelygiveuponme,likeDannyhadonMarta.Orworseyet,
bothofthemcouldgiveup.Thisindecisivenesswasn’tfairtoanyof
us,soIneededtojustmakeadecisionandstickwithit.

Ifrettedallthewayhome,makingupmymindandchangingit
numeroustimes.Thisisridiculous.Ifinallytoldmyself.Idon’t
deserveeitherofthem,soIshouldjustletthembothgo.

Ididn’tknowifIhadthestrengthtodothat,butIknewitwouldbe
bestforallofus.TheideaoffacingeitherofthebrotherswhileI
waswithhistwinwasunfathomable.Itwouldbeawkwardand
uncomfortableforallthreeofus.Theyreallywouldbebetteroff
withoutme.

ThefactthatIhadsleptwithbothofthemwouldjustcause
bitternessandjealousybetweenthem.Theyhadalreadyhadafight
becauseofme.Ididn’twanttocauseanymoreturmoilintheirlives.

Theanswertomydilemmahadbeenstaringmeinthefacethe
wholetime.Ijusthadn’tbeenwillingtoadmititbecauseIdidn’t
wanttogivethemup.Ineededtoletthemgo,though.Itwasthe

healthiestchoiceforallofus.

Theywouldbeabletomoveonwithtwodifferentwomen,andI
couldmoveonwithmylife.Ihadaperfectlyhappy,fulfilling
existencebeforeImetthem,soIcouldbecontentwithoutthem.

Itwouldtakeawhiletogetovertheheartacheoflosingthem,butit
wassomethingIneededtodoforallofoursakes.Itwouldbeso
difficulttogivethemup,butIvowedtobestrongandstickwithmy
decision.

WhenIwalkedintoourhouse,Courtneyaskedmeimmediately,
“So,whoisitgoingtobe?”

“Neitherofthem.”ShelookedatmelikeIwascrazy,soIcontinued.
“Theyareidenticaltwinbrothers,andIhavesleptwithbothof
them.Thereisn’tagoodwaytomoveonwitheitherofthemnow.I
don’twanttomessuptheirrelationshipwitheachother,anymore
thanIalreadyhave.Besides,itwouldbesoawkwardtobearound
thebrotherthatIdidn’tchoose.Ican’thaveafuturewitheitherof
them,andtheyarebothbetteroffwithoutme.”

“Firstofall,eitherofthemwouldbeluckytohaveyou.Thereisno
onebetterthanyou.”Courtneywasadamant,soIdidn’tbotherto
arguewithher.“Secondly,you’realladults.Peoplesleeptogether
allthetime.Sure,itmightbeawkwardatfirst,butyou’llallmove
onandprobablyevenforgetaboutiteventually.”

Icouldn’timagineeverforgettingaboutsleepingwithSethorSam.
“It’sjustnotinthecards,”IsaidtoCourt.“Ithinkwe’llallbebetter
offifIjustletthembothgo.”

“Ithoughtyoureallycaredaboutthem?”

“Ido,”Iansweredsimply.ThenIadded,“Noonesaiditwouldbe
easy.”Igaveherasadsmilebeforecarryingmybaguptomyroom.
Onceinmyroom,IshutmydoorandtextedSamandSeth.Isent
themboththesamemessage.‘Ican’tseeyouanymore.’

Myphonebuzzedwithresponsesalmostimmediately.Seth’stext
read,‘So,you’vemadeyourdecision?Canwetalk?’

Sam’smessagesaidsimply,‘Idon’tacceptthat.I’monmyway
over.’

Isighedandsliddowntothefloor.Ihadbeenacowardtotrytoend
thingswiththembytextmessage.Theydeservedbetter,andit
appearedthattheywerebothgoingtodemandmore.Ijusthoped
thatIhadthewillpowertoresisttheminperson.Isilentlyvowedto
sticktomyguns.

Chapter40

IwassurprisedtoseeSeth’sJeeppullinasIsatonthefrontporch
swing.IhadbeenpreparingtoseeSamfirst.Sethcarriedalarge
bouquetofhappy-lookingdaisiesandcolorfulwildflowers,which
hehandedtomewhenhereachedtheporch.

“Thankyou.I’llgoputtheminwater.”Iusedtheexcusetohavea
minutetogointhekitchenandgathermythoughts.Ifoundaclassic
Balljartoputthearrangementinandsettheminthecenterofour
table.Then,Itookafewdeep,calmingbreathsbeforewalkingout
tojoinSethontheporchswing.

Wesatside-by-sidequietlyforafewmoments.Sethbrokethe
silencebysaying,“You’vechosenSam.”Hedidn’tposeitasa
question.Itwasmoreofaresignedstatement.

“No,”Iansweredhim.“I’mnotgoingtobewitheitherofyou.It’s
tooawkward.I’vemessedthingsuptoomuch.”

“Ithoughtwehadsomethingspecial.Ithoughtwewerefallingin
love.”HiswordsnearlybrokemyheartbecauseIthoughtthesame
thing.

AsIhadknownwouldhappen,Sam’sPorschepulledintothedrive.
Sethdidn’tseemshockedeither.WhenSameasedhislong,lean
bodyoutofthelowsportscar,Isawthathehadbroughtroses,
dozensofthem.Thebrothersnoddedsolemnlyateachotherin
greetingasSamheldtheredflowersouttome.

Imutteredsomethingaboutputtingtheminwaterandranforthe
kitchen.Ibusiedmyselffindingthegoodcrystalvaseandputting
thehugebouquetoflong-stemmedredrosesinit.WhenIplacedthe

vaseonthetablenexttothejarofwildflowers,tearswelledinmy
eyes.

Theflowerarrangementsweregreatrepresentationsofthebrothers.
Onewaswild,fun,andfree.Theotherwaselegant,beautifuland
dangerous.HowcouldIchoosebetweenthetwo?Icouldn’t.The
answerwasassimpleasthat.Istrengthenedmyresolvetogoout
andtellthemthattheybothneededtomoveon.Itreallywasthebest
thingforallofus.

SamwasthefirsttospeakwhenIreturnedtotheporch.“So,you
wanttobewithhim,then?”Hespatoutthequestion.Hewas
standingneartheporchstairs,andIhadstoppedawkwardlybetween
himandtheswingwhereSethsat.

“No,I’mnotgoingtobewitheitherofyou.I’vemadetoomuchofa
wreckofthings,andyoubothdeservetobewithsomeonewho
lovesyouandonlyyou.”Theywerebothjustlookingatme,soI
continued.“ItwouldjustbetoouncomfortableifIwaswithoneof
you.Itdoesn’tmakesense.”

“Thisisbullshit.”Samwasangry.“Webothcareaboutyou,Abby,
andwearealladultshere.Chooseoneofus,thentheotheronewill
gooffandlickhiswoundsforawhile.Intime,wewillallbefine.
Noawkwardnessneeded.”

Hewassimplifyingittoomuch,andIwasn’texplainingitright.I
couldn’tseemtoformulatewordsthatwouldmakethemunderstand.
IknewwhatImeantandthatwasallthatmattered.AsIlookedat
thesetwoidentical-on-the-outside,near-perfectmen,andtriedto
explainwhyIcouldn’tbewitheitherofthem,Iwasexhausted.

“Justgo.Bothofyoupleasego.”Icouldtellthattheywereeach
consideringputtingupafight,butIshookmyheadsadly,andthey

bothrespectedmyrequestandleft.

Iwentinthekitchen,lookedatbothsetsofsogorgeous,butso
differentflowers,andsatdownatthetableandsobbed.

Chapter41

Theshadowsofduskwerestartingtocreepacrossthekitchen,soI
wentuptoshower.ThenIfloppedonmybedandcriedmyselfto
sleep.ItossedandturnedallnightandawokecertainthatIcould
havebeenhappywitheitheroneofthedark-haired,green-eyed,
sexy-as-hellDavistwins,iftheotherdidn’texist.

Theybothdidexist,though,andtheywerebothamazing.Icared
abouteachofthemtoomuchtochoosetheotherone.Ihadroyally
screwedupanychancewitheitherofthem,soIneededtopickup
thepiecesofmylifeandmoveonwithoutthem.Wewouldallbe
betteroffwithoutthesicklovetrianglethatIhadinadvertently
created.

Ishoweredagaininthemorningandwalkedtoworkonautopilot.A
blaringhornsnappedmeoutofmydazewhenIstartedtocrossthe
streetinfrontofacartogettoEck,Meck&Dreck.Anniewas
standingjustinsidethedooroftheshopandranouttogetme.

“Becareful,Sweetheart!”Shewavedtothecarinapologyassheput
herarmaroundmeandswoopedmeintothesafetyoftheshop.“No
boyisworthlosingyourlifeover.”

“I’msorry.”Iwasn’tsurewhyIwasapologizing.Sheseemed
concernedaboutme,though,andIdidn’twanthertoworry.

“Noneedtoapologize.Ijustloveyou,andIdon’tlikeseeingyouso
upset,especiallyoveraboy.”Thensheadded,“Ortwoboys.Tish
tosh.”Shewaveditoff,asifitwereaneverydayoccurrencefora
persontofallfortwomen.

Asifreadingmymind,shewenton,“Youknow,Iwasonceinlove

withtwoboys.”Herrevelationsurprisedme.IhadthoughtIhad
heardallofAnnie’sstories.

Sheseemedlostinthoughtasshecontinued.“Onewasmyhigh
schoolsweetheart.Adamwaskind,andsweet,andwholesome,and
good-looking.Hewasastarathleteatourlittlehighschool.”She
smiledasshedescribedhim,obviouslyrememberinghimfondly.
“Everyonethoughtwewouldenduptogether.”

Inodded,wonderingabouttheotherboy.Shesigheddeeplybefore
continuing.“Theotherboy,J.D.,wasarebel.Hewasdarkand
dangerous,andhandsome-as-sin.Icouldn’tseemtoresistthe
magneticpullIfelttowardshim,eventhoughIcouldsensethathe
didn’tcareenoughaboutme.AtoneofAdam’sfootballgames,J.D.
liftedmyskirt,removedmypantiesandstuffedthemintothepocket
ofhisjeans.Thenhetookmyvirginitystandingbehindthelocker
room.”

Shepausedbeforecontinuing,lostinthought.“Itwasglorious,andI
couldn’tgetenoughofJ.D.afterthat.Wespentthenextfewweeks
screwinganyplacewherewecouldfindamodicumofprivacy.It
brokeAdam’sheart,butIwassoenamoredwithJ.D.thatIcouldn’t
helpmyself.IwasdesperateforJ.D.toloveme,andIkepttelling
myselfthathedid.”

“IletmyselfbelievethathefeltaboutmethewayIfeltforhim,
untilonedayafterschool,whenIranouttojumpinhiscarfora
ridehome.IhadanhourbeforemyMomwouldbehomefromthe
salon,andIplannedtoenjoyeveryminuteofitnakedinmybed
withJ.D.”

“Tomyhorror,Ifoundhiminthedriver’sseatofhischerry-red
musclecarleaninghisheadbackontheheadrestwiththeblonde,
curlyponytailoftheheadcheerleaderbobbinginhislap.Hehadthe

audacitytosmileatmeassheblewhim.Islammedthecardoor
shut,andshedidn’tevenstopsuckinghiscocklongenoughtoturn
andseewhohadseenthem.ShewasunderhisspellasmuchasI
hadbeen.”

Ishookmyhead,uncertainaboutwhattosay.Ihadletlustgetinthe
wayofawonderfulrelationshipaswell.Completesexualattraction
toanotherpersonwasdifficulttoignore.Didweallhavetochoose
betweensteady,dependablelove,andhot,franticsexualdesire?

Annie’saffairwithJ.D.hadruinedherrelationshipwithAdam,and
shehadendeduplosingthemboth.Itmademecuriousaboutwhy
shehadencouragedmetochooseSam,andIquestionedherabout
it.

“Sweetie,IwasnevergoingtobehappywithAdamafterfeeling
thatintenseattractiontoJ.D.EvenifIhadn’tsleptwithJ.D.,I
wouldhavealwayswonderedabouthim.Youcan’tdenythatkind
ofpure,animallust.Ifyouhavethechancetoenjoyit,youshould
grabit,evenifitdoesn’tlast.Lettheconsequencesbedamned.”

Icontemplatedherwords.Itwastrue,Iwouldneverforgetmy
amazinglyhottimewithSam,andIcouldn’tbringmyselftoregret
it.IwassorryforthepainithadcausedSeth,butifIcouldtakeitall
back,Ididn’tthinkIwouldhavethestrengthtodoit.

Anniecontinued,saying,“WhatIfeltwithJ.D.wasaonce-in-a-
lifetime,sensationalexperience,andIwouldn’tgiveupthose
wonderfulmemoriesforanything,eventhoughitdidn’tlast.It
soundslikeyoufeelthatsenseofcompleteexhilarationwithSam,
anditisarareandbeautifulthingthatyoushouldenjoywhileit
lasts.Besides,justbecauseJ.D.wasacheaterdoesn’tmeanthat
Samis.”

IunderstoodnowwhyAnniewantedmetochooseSam.Ihadtasted
theforbiddenfruit,justlikeshehad.Therewasnoturningback
now.ThedifferencewasthatIwasthecheaterinourscenario
becauseIhadn’tensuredthatthingswerefinalizedwithSeth.Ihad
ruinedmyownchanceofenjoyingthatfeelingofpure,sexualbliss
foralongerduration.AtleastIwouldalwaysbeabletorelivemy
memoriesofbeingwithSam.

Anniehadagood,fulfillinglifewithouteitheroftheboysfromher
story.Icouldandwoulddothesame.

Annieendedthestorywithanotherofherclassic,jumbledquotes,“I
havefoundthattheskyissometimesbluerontheothersideofthe
rainbow,butonceweexperienceit,it’shardtogoback.”Thenshe
pattedmyshoulderandwenttothestorageroominthebackofthe
store.IwasprettysureIhadseenatearglisteninginhereye.Ihad
neverbeforeseenAnniecry.

Chapter42

Iwentthroughthenextseveraldaysinabitofahaze.Imadeitto
workontime,andIrespondedappropriatelytoconcernedquestions,
butIwasn’tfullyengaged.Ijustwantedtocurlupinbedandsleep
foraweek.

WhenIsawCourtneywalkintotheshopandAnniestepforward,I
knewtheywerestagingsomesortofintervention.Ididn’twant
eitherofthemtoworry,andIwastouchedthattheybothcaredso
much,butIwasn’treadytobemyusual,perkyself.Itriedtocome
upwithsomewordstoletthemknowthatIwouldbeokay,butthat
Ineededsometimetoheal.

“Youknowweloveyou.”ItwasCourtneywhospoke.“Butyou
havetosnapoutofthisfunk.”Shemovedtoputherarmsaround
bothofusandwestoodinathree-wayhug.Thestorewasemptyof
customers,sowewereabletospeakfreely.

“Maybethethreeofusshouldhaveafunnighttogether.Wecould
rentamovie,orderpizza,anddrinkmartinisatmyplace.”Itwas
Annie’sidea.SheturnedtoCourtandasked,“DoyouthinkJoe
wouldgiveyoutheeveningoff?”

“I’msureIcanworkitout.I’llseeifoneoftheothergirlscancover
myshift.Itsoundsfun.”

Istartedtonodinagreement,butallIcouldthinkaboutwasthatI
wassuddenlyoverlywarm.Sweatbrokeoutonmylipandmy
stomachstartedroiling.Itriedtoswallowawaythenausea,butstill
knewwithoutadoubtthatIwasgoingtovomit.Icouldn’tmakeit
totherestroomintheback,soIrantothetrashreceptaclebehind
thecounterandretchedintothat.

OnceIwasfinished,Isaid,“Sorryyouhadtowitnessthat.Imustbe
comingdownwithsomekindofflubug.”

IsawtheconcernedlookthatCourtneyandAnnieshared.Court
saidgently,“Ab,therearen’tmanyflubugsgoingaroundright
now.”

IwonderedwhatshewasgettingatasIputahandtomyforehead
andsaid,“MaybeitwassomethingIate.”

Bothofthemmovedtofacemeontheothersideofthecounter.
AnnielookedatCourtbeforeaskingdelicately,“Isthereanychance
youcouldbepregnant?”

Ishookmyheadautomatically.“Ican’tgetpregnant.”Ithurtmy
feelingsthattheywouldaskmethis,whentheybothknewhow
muchIhadlongedforababyduringmymarriage.

Courtneytalkedslowlywhensheresponded,asifspeakingtoa
youngchild.“Youthinkyoucan’tgetpregnantbecauseitdidn’t
happenduringyourmarriagetothatpinkie-dicked,cheating
scumbag.”

“Right.”Idrewmywordsoutslowlylikeshehad.“Hisnewwoman
ispregnant,soIwasclearlytheonewiththefertilityproblemduring
ourmarriage.”

“Unlessthatskankyho-bagcheatedonhim.”Court’swordsmade
mymindreel.Ihadn’tconsideredthatpossibility.

Ishookmyhead,tryingtoprocess.CouldIbepregnant?Ihadbeen
tiredandemotional,butIthoughtitwasjustduetomylovelife
beinginthetoiletandpossiblyaseverecaseofPMS.Wasmy

periodlate?Itriedtofocusonthedateandcalculatehowlongit
hadbeensincemylastmenstruation.

“Whoa,whoa,here.Let’snotgojumpingtocrazyconclusionsjust
becauseIthrewuponce.”

Theylookedateachother,andIcouldtelltheywereboththinking
thesamething.“Didyouuseanyprotection?”ItwasAnniewho
voicedthequestionoutloud.

“No,Ididn’tthinkIcouldgetpregnant.”Ialmostscreechedthe
answer.ThatwasthetrueanswerforwhyIhadn’tusedprotection
withSeth,butembarrassingly,IhadbeensohotforSamthatthe
thoughtofneedingprotectionhadn’tevencrossedmymindbefore
jumpinghisbones.HowcouldIhavebeensoridiculously
irresponsible?

Suddenly,mystomachsank.IfIamindeedpregnant,howwillI
knowwhothefatheris?Ivoicedthefearaloud.“Isleptwith
identicaltwinswithinaweekofeachother.”Theideamademe
cringewithshame.Iwinced,butcontinued.“IfI’mpregnant,oneof
themisthefatherandoneistheuncle,buthowwillwedetermine
whichiswhich?”

BythelooksonCourtneyandAnnie’sfaces,IcouldseethatIwas
thelastonetocometothisrealization.Foronce,Anniewasthe
voiceofreason.“Okay,let’snotgetaheadofourselveshere.You
mightnotevenbepregnant,andifyouare,theymighthavesome
new-fangledpaternitytestingthatwilltellyouwhothefatheris.”

“Theyareidenticaltwins.TheyhaveidenticalDNA.”Myeyeswere
openwideasIsaidthewords.Iwasstunnedbymyownstupidity.
HowcouldIhaveletthishappen?

“Theycanprobablypinpointtheexacttimeofconception,”
Courtneyreassuredme.“Let’sfindoutforsureifyou’reeven
pregnantbeforewegoworryingaboutanykindofpaternitytesting.”

Herwordsmadesense,butIhadasinkingfeelinginthepitofmy
stomach.Inumblywentthroughtheprocessofbuyingthetestkitat
thepharmacyandpeeingonthestick,butthelittleplussignonly
verifiedwhatIalreadyknew.Iwaspregnant,andoneoftheDavis
twinswasthefather,butwhichone?

KeepreadingtotakeaSneakPeekatthefirstchapterofthe
secondpartofAbby’sstory,MakingChoices.

AvailableNOW

.

MakingChoicesChapter1–Sneak
Peek

Hetippedhisheadbacktolookdeeplyintomyeyesasheenteredme.His
beautifulgreeneyeswereslightlyobscuredbyhisthick,blackeyelashes.I
watchedhispupilsdilate,almosthidingtheseafoamgreenrims,ashe
pressedhisimpressivelengthintome.Irelishedthethoughtthatmybody
excitedhim.Hisbody’sphysicalreactionsprovedthathewantedme,
desiredme.

Wewereonmybed,completelynaked,ourbodiesmeldedtogether.He
washeavyontopofme,anditfeltglorious.Mybodywasonfire,myskin
burningineachspotwherewetouched.Itwasn’tenough.Iwantedmore.I
entwinedmybodycompletelyaroundhis,wrappingmyarmsandlegs
tightlyaroundhim,pullinghimcloser,deeper.

Iliftedmyheadtobrushtenderkissesalonghisneckandtrailedmy
tonguealonghiscollarbone.Icaughtaglimpseofusinthemirrorofmy
rarelyusedvanitywhereIkeptthestashofmakeupthatIappliedonlyon
specialoccasions.Welookedlikeoneentity.Hisskinwasafewshades
darkerthanmine.Thedisparityofourskintonewastheonlyclueasto
whereheendedandIbegan.

Hecaughtmelookingatus.Hestoppedmoving,andwebothlookedat
oursensualreflectioninthelargemirror.“Welookamazingtogether,
Abby,likewearemeanttobeconnectedtoeachother.Here,”hereached
ahanddownbetweenustorubovermyswollenclitoris.“Andhere,”he
movedhishanduptocovermyheart.

Iwatchedthereflectionofmynippleshardening,reactingtothenearness
ofhispalm.Hesawittoo,andsmoothedhishanddownalongmybare
skintobrushoveroneofthehardnubs.Mymouthfellopenwiththe
wonderfulsensationofit.

Myeyelidswereheavywithdesire,butImanagedtokeepthemopen,
lookingatourimagesinthemirror.Webothwatched,mesmerizedashe
rolledmynipplebetweenhisindexfingerandthumb.Iletoutacryof
pleasureastheinitialwavesofecstasybegantocoursethroughme.

Heeasedslowlyinandoutofmeaswewatched.Itwaslikebeingvoyeurs
atourownhotsexshow.Theintensityofitwasalmostoverwhelming.I
couldn’ttearmyeyesaway,andfromthelooksofit,neithercouldhe.

Myhandsslidoverhisdampskinasheslowlycircledhishipsoverme.I
reacheddowntocuphisfirmbuttandyankedittowardsme,makingus
bothgroanwithpleasure.“Ilovewatchingusfuck.”Iwhisperedthe
naughtywordsnearhisear,completelyturnedon.

Hestoppedhismovementandturnedfromthemirrortolookdownatme.
“Lookatme,Abby,”hecommanded.WhenIcomplied,hegazeddeeply
intomyeyes.“Thisissomuchmoretomethanfucking,Ab.Pleasetell
meyoufeelittoo.”

“Ifeelit,”Irespondedhonestly,returninghisdirectgaze.Hiseyes
softenedashedippedhisheaddowntokissmeonthelips.Thekiss
startedoutachinglytender,butquicklygrewinintensity.Histongue
hungrilyravagedmymouthashishugedickplungedintome.Webecame
desperateforeachotherasourbodiesfranticallygroundtogether.I
couldn’tgetenoughofhim.Nomatterhowmuchhegave,Istillwanted
more.

Ineededrelease,butIdidn’twantthistoend.Hemovedhislipstomyear,

pantingashesaidthewords.“Iloveyou,Abby.”Thatwasallittookto
sendmeflyingovertheedge.Myhipswerebucking,andmybodywas
milkinghimasIcriedoutandpleasurepulsedthroughme.My
contractionssqueezedhisthickcockashemovedoverme,andheexhaled
mynameashereleasedhisseeddeepinsideme.

IknewthatIwasdreaming,caughtsomewherebetweenthestateof
sleepingandbeingawake.Iwantedtostayinthisfabulousdreamland
wheretherealityofmyconfusingsituationdidn’texist,whereIknew
exactlywhomIwantedandhewantedmeback.WhereIfeltloved.

Ifoughttostayonthebrinkofsleep,evenasmybrainstartedtobecome
aware.Itriedtogobacktomyperfectdream,butitwasalreadyfading.I
desperatelyattemptedtoreturntoit.Mysubconscioushadmadeachoice
betweentheDavistwins.ItknewwhichmanItrulywantedtobewithin
thedeepestreachesofmysoul,andIneededtofindoutwhoitwas.

Ifoughtmywaybacktothedreambypicturinguslyingtogether,spent
andexhaustedfromravagingeachother.Hispeniswasstillinsideme,
connectingus.Hewasdeadweightontopofme.Irubbedmyfingers
gentlyalonghisstrongback.

WhowasIwithinmydream?Ineededtoknow.Wasitsweet,kind,
caring,tenderSethDavis?Orwasithisdarker,moredangerous,more
sensuousidenticaltwinbrother,SamDavis?Theywerebothwonderful
men.Iwouldbeluckytohaveeitherofthem,butwhichonedidItruly
want?IhadtofindoutbeforeIbecamefullyawake.

Theshoulderscarwastheeasiestwaytotellwhothemaninmydream
was.Samhadascaronhisshoulderfromsavinghistwinduringa
swimmingaccidentonthelake.Sethdidn’thaveascar.Ieasedmyhand
uptomydreampartner’sshoulder.

Ididn’tfeelanything.WouldIfeelit,ifitwerethere,though?Iwasn’t

certainifSam’sscarwasraised.Ididn’trememberfeelingitbefore.I
knewthatitwasvisible,though.Ihadseenit.Iturnedtowardsthemirror
andstrainedtoseehisshoulder.Themirrorwasontheoppositesideof
wherethescarwouldbe,soitwasdifficulttoseethecorrectarea.

Iliftedmyhead,craningmyneck,tryingtoseetherightspot.Ipeered
aroundtryingtogetaclearview,buttheareaIneededtoseewasjustout
ofsight.

Suddenly,myeyesflewopen,andIwasfullyawake.Ihadn’tbeenableto
glimpsetheareaofshoulderthatIneededforconfirmation,butIknew
withoutadoubtwhetherIhadwantedtoseethescarornot.

Don’tmissoutontherestofAbby’sstory:
MakingChoices~Book2ofTheDavisTwinsSeries

WhoisthefatherofAbby’sbaby?Isitsweet,wonderful,kindSeth
Davisordark,dangerous,sexySamDavis?

WhodoesAbbychoose?WhoshouldAbbychoose?Willshefind
her‘happilyeverafter’ending?

ReadCourtney'sinspiringstoryin:
FakingChanges~Book3ofTheDavisTwinsSeries

Courtneyhasmanagedtoarisefromabackgroundfilledwithabuseand
hardship.Shehasseenthedarksideofhumanityandexperiencedhorrors
thathertightknitgroupoffriendscan'tbegintoimagine.Althoughshehas
transformedherlife,shecan'tescapetheinferioritycomplexthatlurksin
theshadowsofhermindmakingherfeellikeanimposterwhojustdoesn't
belong.WillsheandtheDavistwinwhofeelslikehealwayslosestohis
brotherbeablefindhappinesstogether,orwillthesecretsofherpasthaunt
herforever?


Get

MakingChoices

tofindouthowAbby’sstoryconcludes.

Courtney'sinspirationalstorycanbefoundin

FakingChanges

.

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AbouttheAuthor–AnnOmasta

Thesebiosaregenerallyratherdry,soIthoughtI'dshakeuptheformata
littlebit.Herearetennot-so-interestingtidbitsaboutme:

1.Idespisewhippedcream.There,Iadmitteditinwriting.Letthe
ridiculingbegin.

2.EventhoughIhavelivedasfarsouthasKeyLargo,Floridaandasfar
northasMaine,Ilandedinthemiddle.

3.IfIdon'tmakeaconsciouseffortnotto,Iwilldrinknothingbuttea
morning,noonandnight.Hottea,sweettea,greentea-Iloveitall.

4.Theredoesn'tseemtobemuchinlifethatisbetterthancominghometo
abigdogwhoisoverjoyedtoseeme.Myotherfamilymembersusually
showsignificantlylessenthusiasmaboutmyreturn.

5.Singinginmybestest,loudestvoicedoesnotmakemyfamilyputon
theirhappyfaces.Thisincludesthebig,lovingdogreferencedabove.

6.Yes,Iamawarethatbestestisnotaword.

7.Dorothywasright.There'snoplacelikehome.

8.Allofthenumerousbottlesinmyshowermustbelinedupwiththeir
labelsfacingout.ItmakesmefeelalittlelikeJuliaRoberts'meanhusband
fromthemovie'SleepingwiththeEnemy,'butIcan'tseemtocontrolthis
particularquirk.

9.Ilove,love,lovefindingagreatbargain.

10.DidImentionthatIhatewhippedcream?Itmakesmystomachchurn
tolookatit,touchit,smellit,oreventhinkaboutit.Great-nowI'm
thinkingaboutit.Ick

Onaseriousnote,Iamsoexcitedtohavewrittenmyfirstcontemporary
romancenovels,whichcompriseTheDavisTwinsSeries.Ihopethatyou
enjoyedreadingaboutAbby'spassionatejourneytodiscoveringher
sensualityandthecomplicatedlove-trianglethatensued,asmuchasI
lovedwritingaboutit!

Nowisthetimetohelpotherreaders.Manypeoplerelyonreviewsto
makethedecisionaboutwhetherornottobuyabook.Youcanhelpthem
makethatdecisionbyleavingyourthoughtsonwhatyoufoundenjoyable
aboutthisbook.

Ifyoulikedthisbook,pleaseconsiderleavingapositivereview.Your
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TakingChances

Copyright:AnnOmasta

Published:September2013

Allrightsreserved.

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Disclaimer:

Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Anysimilaritybetweenthecharactersand

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unintentionalandcoincidental.