“Shit, shit, shit.” I grip my hair and turn to face my door. My head is spinning. “I can’t do this anymore. No more picturing Alex,” I tell myself.

This is all hitting me so much harder now. Acting normal around Alex might be a little difficult after that. This is not cool, and definitely not what I expected. We haven’t even lived together for a day yet.

Adjusting my dress, I go back into my room to change into a pair of panties. My bikini bottoms are so damn wet that they’re bothersome; not to mention a huge reminder of how much Alex turns me on.

By the time I’m done pulling myself back together, I can hear that the party has already started and the guests are starting to pile in. We invited over two hundred guests, so I have no doubt that it will be a hit.

Making my way downstairs, I smile at a few girls that I knew from high school and follow the rest of the party out back where the bar and DJ are set up.

I instantly spot Alex by the bar, getting a drink for himself and Mel. My stomach sinks as I watch him smile at her, as if he’s enjoying her company. His smile is so damn sexy. I’m used to him being with girls, but I’m not used to witnessing it.

Handing her a cup, he wraps an arm around her tiny waist, before leaning in to whisper something in her ear. Her head tilts back as she laughs and bites her lip at whatever it is that he’s saying.

Alex is good with women. He always has been, and that’s another reason that I’ve kept my feelings to myself. There will always be someone out there that wants him. That’s probably why he has never settled down; too many to choose from.

Just as I’m about to turn away and go look for Harley, Alex spots me, and his smile lights up. I see his eyes scan me before he mouths Firecracker at me. I shake my head at him and mouth Stud back at him.

He’ll never stop teasing me with that damn name. I see him hold his finger up to Mel before he reaches for a glass and jogs over in my direction, leaving her alone by the bar. He stops right in front of me, holding his hand behind his back. “Everything okay?” He grabs my chin with his free hand and brings it up so he can look into my eyes. “You look like something’s bothering you.”

I grab his wrist and smile. “I’m fine, Alex. Why would you even think that?”

He scrunches his eyebrows at me and tilts his head. “I’m not stupid, Tripp. I’ve known you almost my whole life.” He holds my hand up and tugs on the silver ring on my right ring finger. “You’ve been standing over here spinning your ring since you’ve stepped outside.”

I look down at my ring and let out a frustrated breath before pulling my hand away. I hadn’t even realized I was playing with it. I usually don’t, since it comes so naturally. This ring is the only thing I have left of my parents. My mother left it behind when her and my father ran off when I was only seven. The same year I met Alex.

“I see you’re very observational tonight,” I mutter.

“I’m always observational,” he says with a smirk. “I notice more than you know.”

I feel my heart speed up as I watch his lips twitch. Why the hell am I so horny for him now? All I can think about is sucking his bottom lip into my mouth and biting it. Damn you . . . and those sexy sounds from the shower.

It’s silent for a few seconds, both of us just looking at each other, before he speaks again.

“I see Lucas is already downing shots in the pool.” He shakes his head before pulling a red cup out from behind his back and handing it to me. “One strawberry daiquiri, light on the rum. Drink up and enjoy yourself, but don’t let Lucas feed you too many shots tonight. You always get sick.” He points at the daiquiri. “That shit is special.”

I can’t help but to smile as he flashes me his dimples. “Thanks for the drink.” I hold it up and take a long sip, surprised at how good it tastes. Everyone usually makes it too strong for me, but this . . . this is perfect, just how I like it. “Oh my god . . . this is so damn good, Alex.” I take another drink, gripping onto his red and gray shirt with excitement. I needed this drink right now, and the taste is almost good enough to give me a mini orgasm.

“Better be.” He grins and starts backing away. “I made that shit myself. Maybe I should become one of those shirtless bartenders on the side.”

“Maybe.” I laugh. “Thanks, Stud,” I say teasingly.

“Oh you mean this stud?” He sticks his tongue out at me and waves it, showing off his new piercing. The way he moves his tongue so sexy and seductive, it’s almost as if he’s teasing me with what I’m missing out on.

Damn . . . he just had to add that to his sexiness.

“Put that tongue away before I bite it, Carter. I only need a few more of these to do it.” I hold up my drink and smile.

Laughing, he waves his tongue one more time, before making his way over to Ace, who is now chatting with Mel. Alex stands to the side, chill, as if it doesn’t bother him. Why should it? Alex doesn’t have much competition anywhere he goes. If he wants to fuck you . . . he will, plain and simple.

I feel a slap on my shoulder, pulling me away from Alex. “Tripp. What the hell took you so long? I’ve been looking all over for you.”

Turning beside me, I notice Harley standing there, wearing a long white dress with her bright pink bikini beneath it. Her long, blonde curls are pulled back into a ponytail and she’s sporting a bright pink lip ring to match her bikini. Harley and I have been friends since we were both twelve. She’s my only true female friend. All the other ones proved to be fake or too jealous over mine and Alex’s friendship.

“Hey, sweets. Love the new ring.” I reach out and gently tug on her lip ring as she laughs.

“Thanks, love.” She takes a sip of her drink and eagerly looks around. “I’ve been waiting for Ace’s sexy ass to show up. I had to make sure to see you first though so I didn’t look like a shitty friend.”

I give her a stupefied look. “Ace? Really, Harley? That guy can’t keep his dick in his pants for longer than ten minutes.”

She smirks at me and raises an eyebrow. “That’s what I’m counting on. It’s been six months since I caught Jason fucking Izzy and I’ve had a lot of frustration to take out. My hand’s getting tired, honey.”

I take a sip of my drink and nod behind her toward the bar, where Ace already has a few girls hanging close by. “Well you better hurry up before someone else snags his ass up. He’s behind you at the bar, chatting it up with Alex and his date.”