Adeline
It is already dark when we arrive at the beach. Tyler's house is a little higher up, but his garden overlooks the ocean. The gate is wide open so that people can get inside if they need to. A huge bonfire is burning on the sand, and several dozen people are gathered in small groups around it. With our sandals in hand, Holly and I make our way to the only familiar faces we see as Tyler comes over to offer each of us a drink.
"Glad you could make it, girls," he greets us with a big smile. "I took the liberty of bringing you a glass of punch."
Before we have a chance to thank him, he is called away, and despite our feet sinking into the sand, we continue walking toward Garret, Cameron, and Esther, who are sitting in a circle in front of us.
"It's amazing what he's done," I say, turning my head to admire the place where we are. In addition to the imposing bonfire, with huge flames leaping from it, Tyler has placed pieces of wood with lanterns hanging from them to create illuminated pathways. A large buffet has been set up on the stone ledge of the beach, allowing guests to serve themselves as much as they want. Several camping tables have been set up for guests to play their usual drinking games, while others dance to the music blaring from the speakers on the wall. So far, Tyler has gotten everything right: the setting, the warmth, and the sound of the waves. The evening promises to be quite enjoyable. The only downside is that I'm the one not drinking tonight. Since the party is about a fifteen minute drive from home, I borrowed my dad's car to get here. He's at home with Astrid and Jayden, so he readily agreed to lend it to me for tonight. I've resigned myself to having only one drink, two at the most, to make sure everyone gets home safely. I was really tempted to enjoy this campfire with my friends, especially since it was the night Holly was supposed to find me a guy. But being sober, I'm far from the most comfortable girl in the world, and being the only one with a vehicle... the plan doesn't look good.
"I bet you twenty bucks one of us ends up skinny-dipping in the ocean before midnight," Cameron says.
"Well, I'm sure it will be one of you," Holly replies to the guys. We all laugh and decide to join the group on an improvised dance floor. Within minutes, several girls have joined us and the sky is filled with stars.
It's the perfect vacation atmosphere!
***
"Esther, wait! Can you hand me my glass?" I ask my friend as she reaches my belongings on the sand. She bends down to grab the untouched cup and hurries to hand it to me before planting a kiss on the top of my head.
"I wanted you to know that it hurts me when we fight," she confesses, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.
"It happens, but you and I, we're forever," I add, taking her by the waist. "I love you too much to lose you."
"Looks like we're in a love session," the brunette to my right teases.
"Does that bother you?" I tease her back.
"No, I like what's dripping," she adds in a suggestive tone.
"Damn, you're disgusting," Esther scolds her before bursting into laughter.
I let go of her and we start to dance in a very childish way, laughing like little girls. I've finally found my girlfriends and even sober I'm having a great time. I take several sips from my glass before I realize it's not my apple vodka. The taste of whiskey burns my throat and makes me cough. Disgusted, I leave the girls for a few minutes to pour myself another glass of vodka.
A drop of vodka, a lot of apple: I'll drive tonight!
"Are you having fun?" Tyler appears next to me, leaning against the wall to face me.
"Yes, a lot. It was a great idea to have this beach party," I answer.
"I hesitated for a long time, but then I thought it would be a change. A change from what we're used to," he says with a smile.
"You were right. I personally have never done one before tonight," I say.
"Glad to be the first," he replies with a grin, implying that he's not just talking about the campfire, but something more intimate that he and I have experienced. Embarrassed, I feel a rush of heat run through my stomach and up to my face, warming my cheeks. Reflexively, I press the back of my cup against my skin to cool myself. With a feverish look, Tyler whispers in my ear, "I don't know if I've told you this before, but you've always been cute when you blush..."
It's as if he's forgotten our conversation from the other day...
I take a long sip of my apple vodka, letting my saliva overcome the barrier of my throat. However, as the alcohol reaches my stomach, an unpleasant feeling of nausea washes over me. No longer sure I want to finish my drink, I set it aside.
"Would you like something less strong to drink?" he asks, running a finger through my hair and tucking a lock behind my ear.
"Not right now, maybe later," I answer.
As his fingers touch my neck, a tingling sensation of calm spreads through my body. It's as if I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, with Tyler. His body, just inches from mine, moves even closer and his warm breath brushes against my cheek. My mind has only one thought: to grab the hem of his t-shirt and pull him close to me, pressing my lips against his. Ecstatic with the idea, I let my hands explore the seams of his clothing and wrap my arms around his waist. In the span of a second, my chest is pressed against his firm torso and my mouth craves his.
YOU ARE READING
Despicable Desires
Romance"He is her despicable half-brother. And he drives her mad... For years, he has returned to the family home only on rare occasions, and that suits Ambre just fine. The less she sees of her obnoxious half-brother, the better off she is! So when she le...
