"Damn, Emily, how much did you pack?" Olivia asked, eyeing 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 her makeup into a bag. "You're not staying the whole weekend; that's why you packed less. It's really not that much."
"It looks like you've stowed a small city away in there," Olivia laughed, walking 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'm sure you'll need enough clothing to change into. I've heard that he likes black lingerie," she winked.
"You're such a drama queen, Liv. Just stop with your future assumptions, okay?" Emily walked in the kitchen with her bag as Olivia followed, tickling her ribcage. She jumped and laughed, pushing 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 my shifts."
Olivia held her hands up and shrugged. "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?"
Emily made a slicing motion across her own neck, mouthing Gavin's name.
Olivia nodded that she understood and then piped aloud, "Actually, we're not. You know I'm into women now, so I have your girlfriend spread eagle across the kitchen table."
Emily shook her head and laughed.
"That's right. I forgot about that, Ollie...I mean, Olivia," Dillon huffed, making his way into the apartment over to Emily. "The entire male species has banned you."
"Fuck off, Douchepickle...I mean, Dillon. It's the other way around. I banned them," Olivia hissed, grabbing her backpack from the floor. "And my girlfriend's meeting me out there, so you better not say a fucking word, 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 from beginning to end." He yanked Emily's suitcase from the ground, 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, Emily took in the sight of the gray and black Hummer limousine. The chauffeur was holding the door open with a huge smile on his face. He retrieved everyone's bags 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 started making himself a drink.
"Always hitting the booze, Dickhead...uh, Dillon," Olivia remarked, studying her face in a small compact mirror.
He shot her a blank, frosty smile. "What are you now, my mother?"
Emily let out a deep sigh. "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, Emily sighed again. "Okay, so how far is his place?"
"It's in East Hampton, so about three hours because of traffic," Olivia replied, getting comfortable and tossing her legs across the leather seat. "But so worth the drive, Em. It's a fucking paradise right on the beach."
"Are we stopping to pick up Trevor?" Emily asked.
Olivia shook her head. "No, he's helping my parents with some bullshit at their house right now. He'll meet us out there tonight."
"How many people will be there?" Emily probed.
Dillon pulled her across his lap and smiled. "Not that many tonight. It's just his pre-party with a few friends." He took a sip of his whiskey on the rocks. "But tomorrow's a totally different game. There will be over a hundred guests, and each and every single one of them is flowing with money."
Olivia laughed 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 his mouth to hush him. "You two are done talking for the remainder of the ride."
Over the next few hours, while the anxiety of the weekend steadily built to unbearable heights in her chest, Emily watched as a suburban landscape replaced the disappearing concrete and steel of the city. Mature trees, grass, and smaller-sized homes flew past her peripheral vision, reminding her of where she had grown up. It was something she realized she missed since living in the city.
Eventually, the middle-class pallet melted away as the road shifted to sprawling mansions lining the Atlantic coast. They were the types of homes in which Emily had seen in magazines. Her eyes widened at the absolute beauty of the scenery. Rolling down the window, she deeply inhaled the salty air of the ocean as the chauffeur pulled up to a winding, gated driveway. He spoke with someone over an intercom before the ornate metal gates slowly swung open, allowing the limousine onto the property. Beyond the gates, a sweeping lawn holding lush specimen trees lined the flagstone drive. A garden highlighted the front of the home with flowers of every color imaginable. Large pillars on both sides of the mammoth mahogany entry door caught Emily's gaze. Off to the side were sunken tennis and basketball courts. In the distance, a path from behind the home led to the serene ocean. The water lapping against the sand and the twinkling sun shimmering off of it brought Emily a sense of peace - if only for the barest second.
Olivia chucked a piece of ice at Dillon's face, stirring him from his alcohol-induced nap. She laughed along with Emily, watching him blink his eyes wide open. He then glared at Olivia with a look that promised retaliation in one way or another. With their bags already at his side, the chauffeur smoothly opened the door, and they each stepped out. Dillon stretched his neck from side to side, yawning. He reached in his pocket, patted the driver on his back, and handed him a tip, thanking him for his service.
Looking up to the home, Emily felt awestruck at its size. Albeit astonishing in every way possible, she wondered why one person would need a place of such magnitude. With that fleeting thought, 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 made his way over to the group, 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 below white swimming trunks made her heart rate jump back to life again.
He wasn't bulky by any means; he had a body like a runner - long and lean - with just enough muscle to make any girl's tongue dance behind her lips. It was then that she noticed he stood a good six inches over her smaller frame. His golden tan had her unconsciously biting the side of her mouth, nearly drawing blood. To further add icing to the cake, he had an intricate black dragon tattoo that snaked its way up from those white swimming trunks and curled around his left ribcage.
The only thought running through Emily's mind at that very second: Where exactly does that tattoo begin?
Heat rose to her cheeks as she felt tension in her legs - the coils of lust that she knew she shouldn't have - making themselves acutely present throughout her entire body. She swallowed nervously, trying to get moisture back into her suddenly dry mouth, and immediately chided herself for having any reaction at all.
He was sexy, forbidden, dangerous, completely fuckable - and she knew it.
A contagious smile washed over Gavin's face as he stepped down from the porch. He shook Dillon's hand and gestured with his head over to the limo now leaving the property. "How was the ride? I hope my driver treated you all well."
"He always treats us good," Dillon replied, grabbing for his and Emily's bags.
Olivia tossed her arms around Gavin's neck and leaned in to hug him. "What's up, my man?" she asked. She then whispered something into his ear and giggled.
Emily had a good idea what it was when his eyes flicked in her direction, a boyish smile tipping the corners of his mouth. Cupping his chin in the palm of his hand, he let a laugh roll from his lips as he looked down to the ground, shaking his head.
His blue eyes swung back to Emily. "I'm happy to see you could make it. Dillon said that you might not have been able to stay both nights."
"I know people," Emily laughed, not by her attempted joke, but rather from her soaring nervousness at this point.
"Mmm, it's very good knowing people," he chuckled, taking 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 two women followed behind the men, Emily shot Olivia a look, knowing that she'd said something to Gavin about their prior meetings.
Olivia laughed and batted her eyes like a true Southern belle as they made their way into the house.
Upon entering, Emily found the home to be shockingly warm and welcoming. 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 windows surrounding the back end of the home. A double-sided stone fireplace was the center of attention in the living room. Gleaming, dark cherry hardwood floors led into a gourmet eat-in kitchen that dripped with black granite in every direction. Deep earthy tones scattered throughout a library, billiard room, and dining 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 the media room, the second level, or the backyard fucking oasis, chick."
Feeling almost breathless by her surroundings, Emily nodded to Olivia and followed Dillon up to the room they would share for the weekend. Olivia was right. The upstairs was no less amazing. The same flow of furnishings with warm accents and hues was sprinkled throughout 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 marble shower encased in floor-to-ceiling glass made her want to skip the pool all together and opt for the hot steam instead.
With a wet bar in the room, Dillon prepared himself a drink and told Emily he would meet her out back. She nodded to him as she rummaged through 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 midstride, grabbing for his sunglasses on the kitchen island. He spotted Emily coming down the stairs and felt a dizzying force plummet through him. Something inside him twisted, burning in his stomach to the very core of his being.
So much for trying to rid her from his mind.
Feeling depleted 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 happy man. He squeezed his eyes shut, willing himself to breathe. When they snapped back open, his eyes found hers, but she looked away.
He smiled, undeterred, and moved across the foyer to the edge of the stairs.
Standing two steps above him, Emily stared down to him, his eyes alone swallowing her whole. They were vivid, mesmerizing, 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 moment. "Hey."
The overt intensity of his gaze rendered her speechless. Her eyes flew to the ocean beyond the windows as she waited for him to move out of her way.
Gavin could tell he made her nervous and that wasn't his intention. Sucking his 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 him. She needed something to distract herself from the blazing blue of his eyes.
She moved down the stairs, trying with 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'm good."
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 Emily strolled outside.
Again inhaling as much as her lungs could hold, Emily let the salty smell of the ocean tickle her nose. An in-ground pool and hot tub overlooked the shores of the Atlantic. The views were 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 two men.
Widening his eyes on Emily, Dillon excused himself from the group, letting her know he wanted 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 kidding me, Em?" Dillon asked, eyeing her up and down when they were far enough away from everyone. "What the fuck are you wearing?"
Her brows knitted together as she tried to keep her voice under control. "Are you kidding me, Dillon?"
"Fuck no, I'm not kidding. We 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, Emily. You're going to put me in a bad spot here if I catch any of these guys looking at you."
Tilting her head to the side, she studied his demeanor. His voice left no room for argument, and the last thing she wanted was for him to get drunk and start a fight. She walked away without 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 time she made her way back outside, Olivia was lying 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 time, telling him to deal with it.
He honored her request and went to make her drink.
Gavin glared at Dillon as he walked away, and then flicked his eyes down to Emily's shorts. Knowing how overly possessive his friend was, he knew Dillon made her change. He gritted his teeth, not understanding why his friend couldn't be proud of what he had in his grasp.
Nevertheless, a charming smile ran across his mouth as he gazed into Emily's eyes. "I'd like to introduce you to my buddies, Chris and Joe. Guys, this is Dillon's girlfriend, Emily."
She smiled and shook their hands. Seeing 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 remarked, tossing a hand through his almond-colored hair.
Joe smirked. "Yes, unfortunately, our mothers are sisters," he joked, patting Chris on his back.
Emily laughed with them. She learned that both men went to high 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 from the group of men and got comfortable on one of the poolside beach chairs with Olivia.
"Em, he's really starting to become - "
Emily held up a silencing finger. "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 remarked, securing her blonde hair in a messy bun. Leaning over, she reached for the suntan lotion, smearing more over her milky-white skin. "And you need to grow a backbone with him sooner or later."
Effectively ignoring 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 Emily and then back to Dillon, battling an internal war. He positioned himself perfectly at the table to maintain an unobstructed view of her face from across the pool while trying to focus on a conversation with his friends. However, his mind continually strayed back to the thought 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 smile was like an addictive drug to him; and her laugh sounded celestial in his ears. Although they each stole furtive glances at one another throughout the day, Gavin admired her from afar, not wanting to make the situation anymore awkward than it was.
As night fell, the small crowd jumped from a sudden booming sound coming from the front of the home. Lighting off a few fireworks before making his way to the backyard was Trevor's way of announcing his arrival. Beaming a smile with blonde hair spilling over his forehead, he strolled in, barking out his signature line, "I'm here. Let the party begin!"
Olivia's girlfriend, Tina, showed up shortly after. Olivia hopped up, squealing, and gave her a kiss, letting each of the men know that she was hers. Chris ignored Olivia as he eyed the beautiful redhead. Olivia smacked him on his arm as she walked away.
Strolling over to Emily with Tina by her side, Olivia announced, "Tina, this is my best friend, Emily."
"Hey, it's good 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. You made your way out here without getting lost, 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 were worried about me?"
Olivia blushed crimson. "Of course I was."
The two women walked away and made themselves comfortable on a lounge chair.
Several whiskies on the rocks later, Dillon approached Emily. He let out a sigh and gently pulled her against him. "Babe, I'm sorry about earlier. I was an asshole. Can you forgive me?" he asked softly.
Emily searched his eyes, trying to understand the sudden change in him. "You have me so confused. You never acted like this when I was in Colorado, Dillon."
"I know, Em," he whispered, reaching for her hand. He drew it to his mouth and held it against his lips. "I just love you so fucking much. I'm afraid of losing you to someone else, that's all."
"I'm not going anywhere. I love you more than you realize, Dillon. I trusted everything in me to come out here to be with you. That by itself should say enough."