The party ended for me earlier than I expected last night. After Tripp got sick and I put her to bed, I returned my guitar to my room and went back outside to join the party. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t seem to get my head back into partying like everyone else. A huge part of me felt like I should’ve been lying in bed with Tripp, holding her. Except . . . that’s not my place. It’s someone else’s. So I didn’t.

Instead, I tried my best to focus my attention on Mel, who wanted nothing more than to hang all over my nuts. Especially after she heard me playing my guitar for everyone. She said it was the sexiest thing she had ever seen a man do. I knew she wanted to fuck, so that’s what I gave her. I took her to the downstairs shower, banged her until she couldn’t walk, and then sent her on her way.

That’s how things always work with me and women. I meet them at the tattoo shop, take them home, fuck them, and move onto the next. It’s been that way for six months now. You might call me a prick, but I never promise these women anything. They want to be fucked, so that’s what I give them. Nothing more.

I’ve been running for the past fifty minutes now; sweat pouring down my bare chest as I let out a bit of frustration. It’s hot as balls out here, but I haven’t been able to force myself to stop. I won’t stop until I’m out of breath and my legs give out on me, just like with sex.

Ever since I stopped fighting, this has been my release. It feels good to just run and never stop. It’s freeing.

I’ve already passed the house—our house—three times now. And every time I do, I can’t help but to stop and look up at Tripp’s window to see if she’s awake yet. I want to know if Lucas is back in her bed. As fucked up as it sounds, I want to drag his ass out of it.

Running to the back of the house, I open the large gate and let myself into the yard. I start stripping myself of my shorts and boxer briefs as soon as the pool comes into view. Taking a long, deep breath, I dive into the deep water and relax, letting myself sink to the bottom before swimming back up to the surface.

The cool water feels good on my heated flesh, but it does nothing to calm my thoughts of Tripp.

I need to push these fucked up thoughts aside. It’s messing with everything. Tripp. Naked. In my bed. Me fucking her. Hard. So damn hard.

I swim for at least thirty minutes, trying to clear my head, before climbing out of the water and reaching for my boxer briefs. Without bothering to get dressed, I just cover my junk up with my boxers and let myself in through the back door.

Everyone should still be asleep anyways. When I walk into the kitchen, I’m surprised to see Lucas standing at the bar with a cup of coffee in hand. Guess I was wrong.

He holds up his mug and smiles lazily at me, while glancing down at the small piece of fabric covering my dick. “Someone’s up early.”

I nod my head. “Yeah. I don’t sleep much.”

I’m standing here dripping wet and naked, but Lucas doesn’t act as if it bothers him. Part of that makes me want to say fuck it and just run around naked all the time. If he doesn’t care if Tripp sees me naked . . . then I sure as hell don’t.

Walking over, he holds his fist out for me to bump it. “Someone got a good fucking in the shower last night. Damn that girl can scream. I can see why you had to cool off in the pool.”

I smirk, but don’t say anything as I reach into the fridge for a bottle of water.

“Shit man, I had to go upstairs and get mine in after that. I seriously don’t think I’ve ever fucked Tripp so fast and hard in my life. I had to cover her mouth just to keep from waking you up.”

I feel my stomach sink and anger build up inside, but I push it aside and pretend that his words don’t bother me. Tripp is a grown woman now. I need to remember that.

I tilt back the water and down the whole bottle as he continues to talk.

“That pussy is tight, man. So damn tight. And talking dirty to her had her soaking wet. That girl is special.” He pauses for a second to moan at his memories. “Well, I need to be at the bank in twenty minutes, so I need to take off. Tell Tripp I’m off at one, will ya?”

I nod my head as I toss the empty water bottle down and grip onto the sink, letting my briefs hit the floor. “Yup. Not a problem.”

I wait for his footsteps to retreat before I look up again. I stand by the sink for a few more minutes before I reach for my briefs and pull them up over my now dry body.

“Fuck. What the hell is my problem?” I run my hands through my wet hair before digging through the fridge in search of eggs and strawberries.

Trying to block out everything that just came out of Lucas’ mouth, I cook up some French toast and scrambled eggs, topping the toast off with a little powdered sugar and fresh strawberries. Then I quickly pour a glass of orange juice before making my way upstairs.

Thanks a lot, Lucas. Don’t think about her pussy. . . . This is so messed up.

I HEAR MY DOOR PUSH open, but I’m too tired to acknowledge it. It can’t be any later than seven thirty in the morning, so I just stay lying on my stomach.

I hear something get set down on my computer desk before I feel the bed dip down next to me. It must be Lucas saying goodbye before he has to get ready for work.

Groaning, I reach out and grip his upper thigh, surprised at how hard and thick it feels in my hand. I guess I never really paid his legs much attention before. “Ughhhh . . . my head. Why did you give me all those shots last night? I feel like hell?” I run my hand up higher, stopping just below his package. Why does he feel so good right now?

“You look like hell too,” Alex says playfully.

Shocked, I let go of his thigh and grip onto the sheet to cover my bare breasts, while maneuvering my way to my knees. I almost forgot that Alex finally moved his stuff in last night. Man, I really must’ve had a few too many shots.

“Crap, Alex. I thought you were Lucas.” I reach up with one hand to cover my face as my head starts pounding. “I guess I drank a little too much last night.” I pull my hand away and squint from the light shining in my room. “I almost grabbed your dick, Alex. You weren’t even going to say anything?”

Grinning, Alex stands up, and I can’t help but to notice how sexy he looks, wearing only a tight pair of boxer briefs. Not only do I get him as a roommate, but now I’ll also have to see him running around in his underwear. Talk about a distraction.