Jess
“Anddd she’s back, ladies and gents!” Ashlei announces, smacking my hand in a high five as I wipe leftover beer from my mouth.
I let out a loud belch, slamming down my empty cup on the pool bar. “Back and better than ever.”
“Gross.”
“You love me.”
“Also true.”
Ashlei taps the bar, and the bartender refills our cups before we make our way back to our lounge chairs at the edge of the pool. Ashlei slides into hers gracefully as I plop down on mine, crossing my ankles with a satisfied sigh.
“Spring Break fixes everything. It’s science.”
Ashlei chuckles. “It is a pretty great medicine. I’m glad you’re feeling better, babe. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve been right here,” I argue, poking out my bottom lip.
“I know, but you’ve been distracted. Heartbreak diet and all.” Ashlei shrugs. “And then you were trying to use Greg as a distraction, which took up all your time. I’m just saying, I’m glad I have my feisty best friend back.”
“Me, too.”
We both smile, and I cheers her cup with mine before taking a swig.
“How’s the internship going?” I ask as we both kick back.
Ashlei sprays her legs with tanning oil, rubbing it in as her lips pull to one side. “It’s… good. A little challenging this semester, but nothing I can’t handle.”
“Damn straight. You’re Ashlei Davison — Certified Bad Ass. But what’s been going on?”
She sighs, tossing the tanning oil back in her beach bag and leaning back. “Just some drama with another intern. She was with me last semester, too. She has it out for me for some reason, just determined to take me down.”
“Want me to cut her?”
Ashlei chokes on a laugh. “No, but thanks. With Kimberly, I’ve learned I have to fight dirty just like she does. Dirty, but gracefully, if that makes any sense.”
“Of course. Brain fighting instead of fist fighting.”
“You could say that.”
“Well, I’m here if you need to talk out any plans. How’s that hot ass CEO of yours? You let him bend you over a desk yet?”
Ashlei coughs on her beer, wiping foam from her lips as she faces me. “What? No, of course not.”
I cock a brow. “I was kidding…” Then, I gasp. “WAIT! Have you actually let him bend you over a desk? Oh, my God, Ashlei, you better spill the juice. NOW.”
“Shhhh,” she spits, looking around us like anyone is at all interested in our conversation.
“Oh, stop. Everyone’s drunk. And you’re hiding something. Spill. Now.”
She groans, setting her beer on the table between us before covering her face with her hands. “Fine. I’m banging him.”
“YOU LITTLE OFFICE WHORE!” I scream, and she smacks me as I laugh. “Oh, my God. I’m so happy. And so proud. Tell me more! Tell me everything.”
And though I have to pull every little detail out of her, Ashlei gives me the dirt, making me gasp over and over again the more she reveals. By the end of her story, when I’m all caught up, I’m pretty sure I could catch flies with how big my mouth is hanging open.
“So, let me get this straight. You’ve been banging your fine ass CEO since last semester — on his private jets and his fucking yacht, AND in the office — and you never told me?”
Ashlei rolls her eyes. “That’s what you’re taking from all this?”
“Well, that’s clearly what’s most important, here.”
“Oh, my bad. I thought what was most important was that Kimberly saw us and my entire career is in jeopardy. How silly of me.”
I wave her off. “No way. Like you said, you’ve got a plan. Put that bitch on blast when you get back. If you own what you and Mr. Church have before she has the chance to throw you under the bus, she’s the one who will look like an idiot.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so. Now,” I say, draining my beer. “Go get us another round, and then I want details on the yacht sex because seriously what the fuck.”
Ashlei laughs, shaking her head and taking my empty cup before prancing off toward the bar.
Stretching in my chair, I let my head drop back and tap my bare toes to the beat of the steel drum the band is playing on the pool deck.
The sun warms my skin, blending with the heat from the alcohol, and I smile.
Greg was a wake-up call, and ever since he handed me my ass at Ralph’s, I’ve been on a mission to get back to the old me.
It hasn’t been easy, since most of my nights end with me thinking about Jarrett, no matter how hard I try not to.
But, the more time passes, the easier it gets.
And the more drinks I have, the more I remember what it felt like to be single — the before Jarrett era.
Spring Break? Well, it’s exactly what I needed. Sunshine, booze, and quality time with my sisters. This is what college is about. This is what Jess Vonnegut does best.
This is my element.
At least, until I’m suddenly covered in shade.
I scowl, lifting my head and pulling my sunglasses down to peer at the shadow-inducing figure.
“Oh, God. Not you again.”
Kade smirks, holding his arms open wide. “You know you missed me.”
“Like I miss a yeast infection.”
His arms drop, his face screwing up in confusion as he considers what I’ve said. Then, he points a finger at me. “That’s gross. But you’re still hot.”
He plops down in Ashlei’s seat, giving me my sun back in exchange for an annoying new neighbor.
An annoyingly hot neighbor, too — but annoying, nonetheless.
“What’s shakin’, sexy?”
“Ugh.”
I reach for my drink, and then remember I don’t have one, which leaves me groaning again. Kade just smiles, handing me his beer, and I take a large swig before handing it back to him.
I met Kade on the island yesterday, hanging out with Kip and his brothers in their cabanas.
I’d seen him around, knew he was a new Alpha Sigma brother, but yesterday he was like a fly I couldn’t get rid of.
He hovered around me, playing drinking games and following me every time I went to the water.
He even pulled me out to dance at the club last night, which apparently I was too intoxicated to say no to.
He’s so young. And so annoying.
And yet for some reason, I’m intrigued by him.
Maybe it’s his goofy, somehow sexy grin that is permanently plastered on his face. Maybe it’s his ridiculously cheesy pick-up lines, or his blatant ogling of my tits when he thinks I’m not looking. He’s like a little kid, one I want to take under my wing.
And simultaneously give a wedgie.
“I thought I got rid of you after yesterday.”
“Nah,” Kade answers, resting his hands behind his head. “After watching you do three beer bongs in a row in that skimpy little bikini you wore yesterday, you’re stuck with me. Sorry, not sorry, princess.”
I scan his built frame, which — in my opinion — doesn’t match his personality.
He looks like a beef head, tattoos sprawling down his left side and bicep, his dark hair cut short and gelled like a Jersey Shore cast member.
But his goofy ass grin combats all of that hard muscle, the only evidence I need that he’s still just a kid.
“Don’t call me that.”
“What should I call you, then? Please, tell me the dirty nicknames you love.” He rolls over, resting his chin on one hand as he leans in. “I bet you want to call me Daddy, huh? I’m down for that, just so you know.”
I try to roll my eyes again, but a laugh bursts out of me before I get the chance. “Who are you? Does that ever work for you? Like, ever?”
Kade shrugs. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-one in September, gorgeous.”
“You’re a baby.”
“Does that make you a cougar?”
I shake my head, ready to pop off a retort when Kade chuckles and holds his hands up, rolling over on his back again.
“I’m just kidding. But seriously, how are you today? Working on that tan, I see.”
I’m so annoyed, and yet I smile.
Why do I smile?
“I’m fine,” I answer, clipped. “Don’t you have somewhere to be? Some brothers to annoy or something?”
“I do, but I’d rather sit here and stare at you.”
I shake my head again, but can’t help the blush that spreads on my cheeks. God, he’s so young, and so fucking childish. Why is that somehow adorable and infuriating all at once?
Kade reaches out, his thumb brushing my cheek. “Was that a blush I saw?”
“Don’t flatter yourself.” I smack his hand away.
“God, I love when you get angry. That little scowl, those pursed lips.” He groans. “I just want you to sit on my face.”
My mouth pops open, body jolting off the back of my chair as I sit up straight and stare at him in shock. “Do you hear yourself? You’re like an over-eager puppy dog.”
“Mmm, want to put a leash on me and train me to be a good boy?”
“Jesus Christ.” I cover my face with my hands, but can’t help but laugh. I may or may not be covering another blush, too, because the thought of Kade on his hands and knees for me with a leash around his neck does tingly things to my nether regions.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
“That’ll be ten dollars,” Ashlei says, delivering me my new drink and a breath of relief.
“How about I pay you in ass smacks?”
“My favorite.”
She hands me my beer, staring at Kade in her chair with a raised brow.
“Oh!” He jumps up, gesturing to the now-empty chair like it’s a throne. “M’lady. I was just leaving. Your friend here wants to tie me up, and I’m just not ready for that.”
“GO AWAY.”
He laughs, and Ashlei watches me with a curious smile as Kade bows to me.
Brat.
“As you wish, my queen. See you in the dungeon of pain.”
“I hate you.”
“More like you wish you did.”
And with that, he slides his aviators down his nose and winks before jogging back over to his brothers.
“What the hell was that?” Ashlei asks, taking her seat again.
“Nothing. That was nothing,” I say quickly, cheersing her cup with mine. “Drink up, betch.”
I chug before she can say anything else, and ignore the damn puppy dog eyes locked on me from across the pool.