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"Da her friend’s suitcase as she slid a backpack over her shoulder "It’s only two nights, chick"

Emily’s head snapped up She tucked the last bit of herthe whole weekend; that’s why you packed less It’s really not that much"

"It looks like you’ve stowed a s over to her Tossing her blonde hair to the side, she wiggled her brows "But that’s right - you’re going to be around Gavin all weekend, so I’e into I’ve heard that he likes black lingerie," she winked

"You’re such a drama queen, Liv Just stop with your future assu as Olivia followed, tickling her ribcage She ju her away "Oh, and by the way, a whopping thank you for the warning about this being a two-night hiatus I’m lucky Fallon was able to cover ed "Hey, I just assumed you knew about it"

A quick knock came at the front door, and Dillon peeked his head in "Is everyone decent in here?"

E Gavin’s name

Olivia nodded that she understood and then piped aloud, "Actually, we’re not You know I’le across the kitchen table"

Eht I forgot about that, OllieIhis way into the apartment over to Emily "The entire male species has banned you"

"Fuck off, DouchepickleI mean, Dillon It’s the other way around I banned the her backpack froword, asshole"

Dillon laughed and shot her a wicked smile He then dropped a kiss on Emily’s lips

Olivia rolled her eyes "Is the limo here yet?"

Emily looked to Dillon confused "Limo?"

"Like I said, babe, it’s a crazy party froround, the heaviness of it apparent in the straining of his bicep "Gavin sends one for us every year And it just so happens that, yes, it’s outside ready and waiting Let’s go It’s almost three, and it’s Friday, so rush hour will be a bitch"

Dillon led the way out the door and into the elevator

Before stepping in, Emily widened her eyes at Olivia and whispered, "Is he in the limo?"

With two sharp shakes of her head, Olivia whispered back, "No, he would’ve slept there last night to get the place ready"

Stepping out into the street, Eray and black Hu the door open with a huge ss and placed them in the trunk As Emily and Olivia settled themselves into a seat, Dillon jumped in, popped a 30 Seconds to Mars CD in the player, and swiftly startedthe booze, Dickheaduh, Dillon," Olivia re her face in a small compact mirror

He shot her a blank, frosty smile "What are you now, h "Would you two stop already?"

"She started it"

Reverting to a second-grader’s level, Olivia crinkled her nose and stuck out her tongue in Dillon’s direction

Shaking her head, Eain "Okay, so how far is his place?"

"It’s in East Hampton, so about three hours because of traffic," Olivia replied, getting cos across the leather seat "But so worth the drive, Eht on the beach"

"Are we stopping to pick up Trevor?" Emily asked

Olivia shook her head "No, he’s helping ht now He’ll ht"

"How many people will be there?" Emily probed

Dillon pulled her across his lap and sht It’s just his pre-party with a few friends" He took a sip of his whiskey on the rocks "But toauests, and each and every single one of thehed as she looked at Dillon "Only you would know that since every year you try to gain a new account by snaking your way into some rich bastard’s portfolio I have to admit you work the party like a pro"

His eyes hardened on Olivia, but Emily quickly placed her hand over hisfor the remainder of the ride"

Over the next few hours, while the anxiety of the weekend steadily built to unbearable heights in her chest, E concrete and steel of the city Mature trees, grass, and s her of where she had grown up It was so in the city

Eventually, the middle-class palletthe Atlantic coast They were the types of hoazines Her eyes widened at the absolute beauty of the scenery Rolling down the , she deeply inhaled the salty air of the ocean as the chauffeur pulled up to a winding, gated driveway He spoke with soates sloung open, allowing the li lawn holding lush specihted the front of the hoe pillars on both sides of the aze Off to the side were sunken tennis and basketball courts In the distance, a path fro against the sand and the twinkling sun shiht Emily a sense of peace - if only for the barest second

Olivia chucked a piece of ice at Dillon’s face, stirring hi with Elared at Olivia with a look that pros already at his side, the chauffeur smoothly opened the door, and they each stepped out Dillon stretched his neck fro He reached in his pocket, patted the driver on his back, and handed hi up to the ho in every way possible, she wondered why one person would need a place of such ht, the reason for her newfound anxiety - and her now rapid breathing - stepped out of the front door

Shirtless

Emily’s heart nearly stopped dead As Gavin roup, she couldn’t help but admire his barely there attire Transiently, her eyes scanned his well-defined abs, segmented with definitions of hard muscle from his shoulders to his hips A deep V that disappeared belohite swiain

He wasn’t bulky by anyand lean - with just enough ue dance behind her lips It was then that she noticed he stood a good six inches over her s the side of herto the cake, he had an intricate black dragon tattoo that snaked its way up fro trunks and curled around his left ribcage

The only thought running through Emily’s in?

Heat rose to her cheeks as she felt tension in her legs - the coils of lust that she knew she shouldn’t have - hout her entire body She sed nervously, trying to get moisture back into her suddenly dryany reaction at all

He was sexy, forbidden, dangerous, coious smile washed over Gavin’s face as he stepped down froestured with his head over to the li the property "Hoas the ride? I hope my driver treated you all well"

"He always treats us good," Dillon replied, grabbing for his and Es

Olivia tossed her ar him "What’s up,into his ear and giggled

Eood idea what it hen his eyes flicked in her direction, a boyish s his chin in the palh roll fro his head

His blue eyes swung back to Emily "I’ht not have been able to stay both nights"

"I know people," Ehed, not by her atte nervousness at this point

"M an extra few seconds to stare into her eyes Drawing in a deep breath, he tossed his hand through his hair "Okay, let’s go party the weekend away"

As the to that she’d said sos

Olivia laughed and batted her eyes like a true Southern belle as they , E At first sight, standing in the two-story foyer with a cascade of staircases on either side, her eyes took in the breathtaking view of the ocean Sunlight spilled in effortlessly through floor-to-ceiling s surrounding the back end of the home A double-sided stone fireplace was the center of attention in the living rooourranite in every direction Deep earthy tones scattered throughout a library, billiard roo room

The amazement in Emily’s eyes was evident

Olivia squeezed Emily’s arm, her smile wide "I told you it’s spectacular And you have yet to see theoasis, chick"

Feeling als, Emily nodded to Olivia and followed Dillon up to the rooht The upstairs was no less as arhout the upper level Emily felt like she was in a spa when she walked into the bathroom connected to their room European fixtures and a lass ether and opt for the hot steam instead

With a wet bar in the room, Dillon prepared himself a drink and told Emily he would h her belongings After applying a good bit of suntan lotion, she threw on her black bikini, slipped a sarong around her waist, and made her way into the hall

Gavin halted lasses on the kitchen island He spotted E force plu in his sto

Sodepleted of air, he couldn’t concentrate on any one particular thing about her His eyes passed over her slowly, pausing to regard her beautiful figure He was sure the sight of her auburn hair draping over her bikini top could send him to his deathbed a happyhimself to breathe When they snapped back open, his eyes found hers, but she looked away

He se of the stairs

Standing two steps above hi her whole They were vivid, , and surrounded by thick dark lashes

A timid smile crept across her face "Hey," she let out, more breathlessly than she had intended

The energy flowing between them was palpable Gavin could feel it, and he was pretty sure she could, too

He wet his lips and stared at her for a aze rendered her speechless Her eyes flew to the ocean beyond the s as she waited for him to move out of her way

Gavin could tell hehis bottom lip between his teeth, he tentatively placed his hand on the banister "I know this whole thing’s a little crazy," he whispered He then paused for a second and smiled "Well, more than a little, but I just wanted you to know that I’m just as freaked out about it as you are" His face softened into concern as his gaze became more intent "But, more importantly, I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable at all while you’re here I want you to have a nice, relaxing weekend"

Inwardly, knowing his statement was near impossible, Emily bit her lip as she held steady eye contact with hi blue of his eyes

Shewith every bit of her voice and body movements to appear as nonchalant about the whole matter "I appreciate your concern - and thank you - but honestly, I’ood"

Gavin placed his hands at the back of his neck and smiled at her "Are you sure?"

"One hundred percent," she replied, noticeably glancing around for an exit to the pool

"Oh, it’s over here" Gavin motioned with his hand "I’ll actually follow you out Some friends of mine are out back that I’d like to introduce you to"

After retrieving the sunglasses Gavin initially came in the house for, he and E as s could hold, Eround pool and hot tub overlooked the shores of the Atlantic The vieere spectacular from the hill where the home stood An outdoor fireplace, a cabana with a built-in bar, and a guesthouse were part of the open-air paradise Emily followed Gavin over to where Olivia and Dillon were chatting with twohis eyes on E her knoanted to talk with her Cocking her head to the side in confusion, Emily opened her mouth to speak, but then stopped when she saw the look on his face

He appeared angry

Looking at Dillon, Olivia rolled her eyes and shook her head

Emily smiled at the two men, whom she had yet to meet, and followed Dillon across the yard

"Are you kiddingher up and dohen they were far enough away fro?"

Her brows knitted together as she tried to keep her voice under control "Are you kiddingWe just talked about this the other night Don’t you have a one-piece?"

"No, I don’t have a one-piece I have a bikini that’s covered by a sarong"

Puffing out a breath, he scrubbed at his face with his hands "At least go the fuck back upstairs and put on a pair of shorts then"

"I’ll do no such thing," she scoffed, placing her hands on her hips "You’re overreacting It’s blazing hot, there’s a pool that I plan on going in, and I want to tan"

"What a fucking joke, E to putat you"

Tilting her head to the side, she studied his deuet drunk and start a fight She walked aithout a backward glance in his direction and headed upstairs to do as he asked Beyond pissed by his reaction, she made sure she slipped herself into the shortest pair of booty jean shorts she owned To top it off, she left her bikini top on - uncovered

By the ti on a plush beach chair, talking on the phone Emily walked over to the four men, shot Dillon a wry smile, and politely asked him to make her a Captain and Diet Coke He didn’t look too happy with her new ensemble, but it was obvious he saw the look in her eyes this ti him to deal with it

He honored her request and went to lared at Dillon as he walked away, and then flicked his eyes down to E how overly possessive his friend was, he knew Dillonwhy his friend couldn’t be proud of what he had in his grasp

Nevertheless, a charazed into Emily’s eyes "I’d like to introduce you to irlfriend, E that they could pass for brothers - with eyes, hair, and features that were strikingly similar - she asked, "Are you two related?"

Chris spoke up first, his hazel eyes wide as he laughed "Very good observation on your part; we’re actually cousins," he reh his almond-colored hair

Joe smirked "Yes, unfortunately, ourChris on his back

Eh school with Gavin and Trevor They relocated to Florida and opened a landscaping business together after graduating college When Dillon brought her drink over, she excused herself froot comfortable on one of the poolside beach chairs with Olivia

"E to becoer "Please Just let it go for now, Liv"

She propped herself up on her elbow and flashed a frown "Let it go?"

"Yes, please I don’t want to talk about it, okay?"

"I’ll let it go, friend, but I have to say Douchebucket is officially a total asshole now," she re over, she reached for the suntan lotion, srow a backbone with hi Olivia’s statement, Emily turned her head in the opposite direction to view the waves in the distance Soaking in the warm sun, she concentrated on the voice of Bob Marley in the background, singing about how he shot the sheriff

Over the next few hours, Gavin’s gaze would travel to E an internal war He positioned himself perfectly at the table to maintain an unobstructed view of her face fro to focus on a conversation with his friends However, his ht of her soft hand against his lips when he had kissed it a few days before His eyes burned with adoration as she laughed with Olivia; her sh sounded celestial in his ears Although they each stole furtive glances at one another throughout the day, Gavin ad to make the situation anyht fell, the s fro off a few fireworks beforehis way to the backyard was Trevor’s way of announcing his arrival Bea over his forehead, he strolled in, barking out his signature line, "I’irlfriend, Tina, showed up shortly after Olivia hopped up, squealing, and gave her a kiss, letting each of the nored Olivia as he eyed the beautiful redhead Olivia smacked hi over to Emily with Tina by her side, Olivia announced, "Tina, this is ood to meet you" Tina smiled "I’ve heard a lot about you It’s nice to put a face with the name"

Emily shook the hand Tina extended to her "You, too Youlost, I see Olivia was afraid you wouldn’t be able to find the place"

Tina leaned in and kissed Olivia on her cheek "Sweetie, you orried about me?"

Olivia blushed crimson "Of course I was"

The toe chair

Several whiskies on the rocks later, Dillon approached Eainst him "Babe, I’ive me?" he asked softly

Ee in him "You have me so confused You never acted like this when I was in Colorado, Dillon"

"I know, E for her hand He drew it to his ainst his lips "I just love you so fuckingyou to so anywhere I love youin me to coh"