6. Darian
DARIAN
This place is huge.
I mean, it just keeps going.
I knew Mac was loaded, but holy shit.
Sawyer and I snagged a room overlooking the water, and it’s got its own deck and everything.
I’ve already tested out the bed. My body was singing after I flopped onto that mattress.
Everything in this place is first-class, state-of-the-art awesomeness.
I’m so glad we called Mac and asked. I’m so fucking glad he said yes!
It’s gonna be a weekend to remember, that’s for sure.
As I head down the hallway, checking out the rest of the house, I spot a shorty in front of me doing exactly the same thing.
It’s impossible not to check her out. She’s wearing cut-off denim shorts with this little tank that shows off a strip of her torso. Her skin is creamy white and looks smooth and lickable, so what else am I supposed to do?
Damn, she really is fine.
My eyes trail over her tight little ass before making their way up her back and that kissable neck and into her short hair. I’ve always preferred long hair on girls, but this little pixie is making me change my mind.
She suits the short look. It’s all neat and tidy at the back and then kind of scrappy and wild around the front. It’s so her.
Not that I know her that well yet, but it’s something I’m hoping to change this weekend because—
She spins and spots me ambling toward her, and yep, there is definitely something happening here. A spark, if you will. An attraction.
I don’t know why we haven’t felt it before. We’ve met a few times, and the only thing I’ve noticed is how snappy she can be. Like a growling chihuahua.
But there’s something different this weekend.
Maybe she’s more relaxed.
Maybe she’s decided that I’m a good guy.
A guy worth taking a chance on.
My lips twitch as I come to a stop in front of her, resting my hand on the doorframe just above her head.
“So, what do you think?” I ask.
She shrugs. “It’s okay. Not sure it’s quite up to my usual standards, but…”
I laugh, loving the playful glint in her brown eyes. They’re a nice brown—like a soft honey as opposed to my darker shade. Mama always says I’ve got dark cocoa eyes, Charli’s are milk chocolate, and… well, Nix is honey.
Cocoa and honey. That’s a good combo, right?
Damn, I want to find out.
My eyes dart to her rosebud lips for a second.
They curl into a smirk before she spins away and points into the library she was checking out.
I follow her, my eyes bulging at the double wall of books.
There’s a fancy-ass chess board set up between two plush armchairs, plus one of those globes that spins.
I walk past it, giving it a flick with my fingers.
Africa disappears into a blur as the world turns, and my eyes trail back to Nix, who is now standing at the corner window.
There’s a built-in seat, and the way it’s designed would make you feel like you’re sitting in the sky.
The window overhangs the water, the panes of glass meeting in the middle so you don’t miss one degree of the view.
Nix takes a seat, pressing her forehead against the glass. I ease down beside her, my long legs feeling giraffe-like and cumbersome next to her petite ones. She’s got them tucked up, and I study her little toes for a second.
“So, you gonna go swimming later?” I rest my shoulder against the glass, kind of excited about seeing her in a bikini. Damn, I hope she owns a bikini. One of those little string ones.
A short tug on one of those fine straps and I’d be in heaven.
She gives me a side-eye. “Maybe.”
“What else do you want to do while you’re here?”
“Not sure. Revel in this opulence, I guess. Hang with Charli. Have some laughs. You know… have a good time.”
I study her face, hoping my eyes are saying what I know my lips shouldn’t.
I can show you a good time, Nix. I can show you the fucking best time in the world.
Her gaze drops to my mouth, and for a hot second, I imagine us kissing.
It wouldn’t be some chaste peck on the lips either.
Nah, when I kiss this girl, I’m going all in. I’ll pull her against me, run my hands over each and every one of her curves, and make her moan. She’ll send me into a tailspin, her tongue no doubt soft, warm, and addictive.
I want to taste it.
I want to feel her.
And I can sense she wants that too.
Moving slowly, I inch toward her, the sparks between us growing hot and intense. I can practically feel the air vibrating around us.
She goes still, her eyes darting to my mouth again, so I reach forward, ready to cup the side of her neck and pull her toward me—
“I’d also like to kick your ass at Mario Kart.” She jumps up, pinging away so fast I think I’ve got whiplash.
“What?” I whisper, the buzzing energy in me taking a second to dissipate while my brain plays a game of catch-up.
What just happened?
Skipping for the door, Nix spins beneath the frame and smirks at me. “Or can you not handle getting beaten by a girl? I know your ego’s pretty big. Can it take the loss?” She bites her lip, looking like sex on a fucking stick.
And she’s all the way over there while I’m still lamenting the loss of what was going to be a searing hot kiss.
Resting her hands on her hips, she gives them a wiggle and keeps teasing me. With a soft hiss, she makes a face, her button nose wrinkling. “Yeah, you really can’t take it, can you? I guess I’m gonna have to find me a real man to race with.”
Her words snap my brain into coherent action, and I narrow my eyes at her. “Girl, you’re going down. I am the Mario Kart King. You have no idea who you’re messing with right now.”
“Oh really.” Her face lights with amusement. “Well, Mr. King, get ready to have your ass handed to you, because I saw a console downstairs and I’m about to make you weep.”
I stand tall, striding across the room and meeting her in the doorway. “I’m not going to be the one crying, Fawn.”
“Fawn?” She makes a disgusted face.
“Yeah.” I raise my eyebrows at her. “You know, the brunette from the Tinker Bell TV show. You look just like her.”
Her face wrinkles with disgust, and I wink at her, lightly tapping her thigh as I walk past.
“Or would you prefer I call you Tink?”
“Nix is just fine, thank you very much.” She springs after me. “Or you could settle for Queen, Winner, or Mario Kart Champion. Whatever rolls off the tongue easiest for you.”
“Think I’ll stick with Fawn.” I fight a grin as I head for the stairs.
“I can’t believe you watched that show.”
“Charli watched it. I just happened to be in the room at the same time.”
“Whatever. You loved it.”
I bite my lips together, refusing to confess that I did actually love it. It was one of my favorite cartoons growing up, but I’d rather drink battery acid than admit that to her.
We reach the top of the stairs, and I’m momentarily distracted by Sawyer, who’s rigging up something outside one of the bathrooms. It’s a plastic cup that will tip the second the door is opened.
“What are you doing?” Nix snaps at him.
He turns to her with one of his lazy smiles. “You’ll see.”
The little pixie’s eyes narrow as she crosses her arms and glares at him. “You know she’ll get you back.”
“Oh, I’m counting on it.” He laughs, uncapping a bottle of Hershey’s syrup and squirting it into his contraption.
Yeah, that’s gonna be fun.
My sister and best friend have been pranking each other for over a decade now. Sometimes it’s something simple, like a pinch on the butt or jumping out to scare each other, and then we get the odd, elaborate prank, which is always messy and annoying.
But do you think I can stop them?
I shake my head, lightly grabbing Nix’s wrist and encouraging her down the stairs.
“Come on, girl. Time to lose at Mario Kart.”
“Oh good. I’m glad you’ve come to terms with the fact that you won’t win.”
I laugh at her teasing, running us down the stairs and into the living area off the kitchen. Some of the guys are munching on Lays around the kitchen counter while a few are outside, resting against the railing.
We get curious looks as we vault the back of the couch and get ready to play some Mario Kart. It’ll no doubt draw a crowd, and I hate for Nix to lose in public, but there’s no way in hell I am letting her beat me at this game.