Chapter 20

~~~

"Oh." Was the only thing that could manage to escape my breath until something called sense kicked in. "But we haven't even kissed yet."

His smirk widened. "I think we can sort that out." And without giving my brain to comprehend his sentence and react to it in a sensible manner, he picked the cooler way out.

He kissed me. Finally.

And I responded. Willingly.

It took me barely two seconds to respond to his lusciously soft lips. The kiss wasn't rough and dominating, in fact, it was sweet, gentle, and extremely opposite to what I had expected from Colton. I felt my toes curl as the sand seeped between them, arousing me even more. At that moment I experienced lust rip through my body higher than Rebecca Black's voice breaking through my ears.

I gently lifted my hand and rested it on his chest and that was when everything changed. His kiss turned from gentle to rough and hungry in mere seconds. His arms completely circled my waist touching our bodies so close that even air couldn't pass. I gasped in shock and taking that as an invitation, Colton slipped his tongue into my mouth, sliding it along my tongue. The spark burning deep in my belly instantly evolved into a raging fire.

As he continued kissing possessively and tasting every inch of my mouth, I felt the hard proof of his desire, making me moan because the skimpy clothes just weren't enough to fulfill my desires. I wanted him naked. Now. I responded to his tongue in the battle of dominance, as our tongues did a tango one could never do with legs.

I was incredibly thankful for his arms that supported me, without them I would be on the sand, a puddle of intense carnal desire.

And in that moment when I finally gave in and let him win, his tongue sweeping through my mouth and licking my lips, I knew this wasn't just a crush. I was falling for him, falling deeply, and maybe, just maybe he might be down there to catch me.

Our heads unwittingly pulled back due to lack of oxygen but it didn't last for long. "I think I might need more than just a boxful of condoms with you." Colton Hastings whispered, staring into me, and then his lips were right back on mine.

I did absolutely nothing to protest as one arm circled his neck and the other his waist. I just pulled away enough to whisper back. "Maybe, don't worry even I have got some." Ignoring his shocked expression I pulled him closer and kissed him again fiercely. I felt his smirk into the kiss and I lightly tugged the elastic of his boxers, making him groan. This time I smirked back.

"Whoa, guys keep it PG-13!"

Breathing heavily, we pulled back. Colton gave an annoyed look to the intruder, not letting me go. His arms still rested possessively on my hip sticking us together. I couldn't even fight the blush that covered my body. I looked down, the plain sand in between my toes suddenly seemed very interesting.

"Get lost, Drew." Colton grunted angrily.

And even though I couldn't see Drew I knew he was sporting a ridiculously big grin. "I love to see such stuff but when it's the people I know, I just find it weird so maybe use a room?"

Colton's grip slightly loosened and I grabbed that opportunity to stop away. "I'll uh ttyl." I muttered not glancing at them before running away.

Simone caught my wrist as soon as I neared the house. "All fake, my ass."

Blushing further I rolled my eyes. "Shut up Simone."

She smirked, pulling me into the water. "Come on let's get wet."

"I don't think she needs you for that. I can do it pretty well." Colton winked at me and I was glad dark blue bikini bottom didn't get darker when it became wet.

"Anyone got a ball?" Eva asked. She was dressed in a white one-piece swimsuit that made her chest look bigger than it already was. Her boobs were bigger than ours and right now I wasn't surprised that Nathan could barely take his eyes off her.

"I have two." He mumbled.

Eva blushed fiercely, splashing his face with water. He smirked at her and winked. "Oh, it's on." And he stepped forward, splashing water on her.

"I'll get the ball." Simone declared, shaking her head at them and running into the house. Colton splashed water on me and I glared at me.

"Um hey."

We all turned at the unknown voice and I almost swooned as I took in the guy in front of us. He was a college guy, definitely. He was also in his red swimming trunks flashing us a grin that could make him the ambassador of every toothpaste company. His dirty brown hair was messy and a bit wet. He didn't have an eight-pack but was muscular enough to be termed under the 'perfect body' category. His light green eyes dazzled in the sunlight and I knew if I didn't have a boyfriend, fake or not, I would have fallen right into his arms. Even if it was a one-night stand, it would so be worth it.

"Mind if I join you?" his eyes stared into mine.

My insanely possessive fake boyfriend took that opportunity to remind me how possessive he actually is. "No, and stop ogling over my girlfriend if you want your eyes intact."

I almost rolled my eyes. Why am I dating him again?

The hot stranger's eyes widened but then turned into a smirk. "Then tell her not to have such dirty-"

"Um, who's this?" Simone inquired coming at us with a large red ball in her hands. I could see her excitement that meeting such a barely clothed sexy specimen but she kept it well hidden, acting nonchalant.

The stranger on the hand couldn't seem to hide his appreciation as he took in Simone's red hair and her petite figure in a red bikini. "Call me Nemo, I'm never afraid to touch the butt."

I hid my laughter at his lame pick-up line by pressing a fist against my mouth. Simone on the other hand was in a laughing fit. "Call me Dory, I'll forget who you are soon."

The stranger smirked, clearly impressed by her comeback. He let out his hand. "Alex."

Simone grinned. "Simone."

Colton's loosened around my body as he sighed. "Good thing Simone's single."

I slapped Colton's arm playfully. "Yes, lucky her."

Colton kissed my cheek. "You know you are luckier."

I couldn't agree more.

...

"Holy shit! I need to dress like a sexy beast, like as soon as anyone looks at me, they want to grab me and have their dirty way with me."

I choked on the coke I was drinking, my nose stinging as water drops came out. "The fuck Simone?"

She blinked, staring at my incident casually. "What?"

"You just said you want to dress like a slut." Eva answered as she and Ira took selfies.

Simone scowled. "I did not and can you two stop that? You must be having over 200 pics by now."

Ira shrugged, deleting the newly taken pic. "Only 5 would be good enough to upload and keep as profile pictures."

Simone rolled her eyes. "Just suggest something to wear for today's party."

"Um, nothing?" I snorted. "That would definitely make anyone who looks at you want to grab you and have their dirty way with you." I mocked.

The twins laughed. "Yes Simone, do that."

She groaned slumping on the bed, she and Ira shared. Her face twisted in deep thought as she actually considered my suggestion. "It would seem too much yeah?"

We all rolled our eyes and nodded.

"So something that isn't too conservative but doesn't come off as easy?"

We all nodded again.

Simone glared at us. "Well then don't just stand there looking at my gorgeous face, suggest something."

The twins rolled their eyes. "Please you aren't that gorgeous."

"And stop speaking together!"

"Okay." They replied together.

I laughed, picking up Simone's bag. "Have you bought any sexy outfits?"

Simone sullenly shook her head. "I doubt. I mean I didn't have anyone to impress."

Ira smirked. "Always come prepared." She pulled out a small bag from her main bag. "See this." She opened the bag removing a little dark green dress with a golden belt.

Our jaws touched the floor, even Eva's. "When did you buy this?" She asked, grabbing the beautiful dress and staring at it with love. Simone grabbed it from her. "It's for me."

Ira was conservative when it came to showing skin so it was a shock when she bought a sleeveless dress that would barely reach mid-thighs. "Online. I was feeling a bit badass."

Eva smirked, looking at her twin with a knowing smile. "Badass huh? Something to do with a brown-eyed guy who loves to annoy people?"

Ira rolled her eyes but one couldn't miss the small smile her face had. "Shut up." She turned to Simone. "Like it?"

Simone glanced away from admiring the dress. "Like it? Love it!" she pulled Ira into a hug.

"You won't wear it?" I asked.

Ira gave me a flat look. "You think? That badass moment lasted only until I clicked the buy button but then I didn't have the heart to cancel the order so here it is."

I grinned, shaking my head. "You need to get drunk, you are super badass then."

Ira winced remembering the only time she was completely drunk and went skinny dipping in her neighbor's pool who were hosting an MBA conference. Safe to say Ira stays as far as possible from alcohol and that was the best MBA conference the people claimed.

Simone squealed, continuing to suffocate Ira. "Thank you!"

Eva and I glanced at each other and then jumped on the two embracing friends. "Group hug!"

Simone oomph-ed as she landed on the floor followed by Ira and I and Eva on top of her. We grinned at each other and then burst out in laughter.

As crazy as my friends were, I couldn't imagine getting any better ones.

We were still laughing when someone cleared their throat making us jump away with fright. We were even more confused when we saw Nicki standing there with a small, almost invisible smile.

I gave her a small smile back in confusion. What was she doing here? "Hey?"

"Hi."

Simone stood up, dusting her butt. "Not to be rude or anything but what are you doing here?"

Nicki glanced at the floor nervously. "I- I came to apologize."

I was sure all of us had the same shocked expression. Ira was the first to recover taking a step towards her. "Are you okay?"

Nicki nodded. "Yeah, I just realized how mean I was."

Ira smiled, patting the bed. "Come on in, have a seat." She was always the most forgiving and forgetting type among us. Simone was the least one.

Nicki sent her a grateful look before she sat down slowly. I sat down across her. "So what made you take this decision?"

"I-I uh." She hesitated until Ira patted her hand with a reassuring smile. "You can tell us." she passed a twin sister look at Eva and Eva immediately closed and locked the door.

Simone was still standing with a scowl, I lightly pinched her thigh giving a glare. She rolled her eyes, joining us on the bed.

"Adrian and I are neighbors since childhood." She started. "We played together, ate, went to school, had fun, did everything together. It was your typical high school cliché love story. Best friend falls for best friend. But in middle school, I changed schools and we lost touch. We didn't talk and meet as much as before but unfortunately, I still had a huge crush on him. After a few months, he got a girlfriend and he slowly spent more and more time with him. It hurt a lot but I understood. Even our parents weren't happy about it." she snorted with an eyes roll. "They expected us to get married, they had even decided on a hotel for marriage and honeymoon."

Simone didn't even care to hide her chuckle at that.

"It was after six months that our parents planned their yearly getaway. Every year we went camping and I was super excited each year only this time I wasn't. I knew it would be awkward and it was. On the last night we got locked in the cabin and uh-" a small blush dawned on Nicki's cheeks. "- we kissed. It just happened and after two months we were dating." She paused.

"But?" Ira urged.

Nicki sighed. "But I don't think it's working out. Everything was good for around seven months but then he changed. He started avoiding me, making silly excuses to not come to our movie nights. My possessive side took control and I gave him an ultimatum, either stay loyal or get out of my life."

"What did he choose?" Simone asked, completely into the story.

"He chooses to stay with me but I think it's because of family pressure. And best friends turning into lovers is never a good idea. Ever. It either takes you all the way to happiness or drowns you into a pit of misery. The latter is most likely." Nicki bit her lip. "I don't know what to do. I love him as a friend more than as a boyfriend and I can't lose him."

It's difficult to be just friends with someone you were once in love with. Too many memories, which would rather be buried.

Unconsciously I glanced at Eva, she had fallen for her guy best friend a year back. They dated for about five months before parting ways on a sad note. I knew she missed him like crazy but after dating they couldn't go back to being friends. And when we had asked why to break the friendship, she gave a sad smile. 'I loved him more than a friend, I don't know how to just love him anymore.'

And even now when I looked at her, she had a sad face that understood exactly what Nicki was going through. She was the only one who could help her as she had been in her shoes.

Eva sighed before replying with a broken voice. "Either you stay miserable with him or let him and go and make space for someone who'll love you back. And there's still a chance to remain friends, it will take some time, days, months, even years but you can always be friends if you care enough. Do you love him as a boyfriend?"

Nicki didn't answer for a while. "I did but now I am not so sure."

Eva gave her an understanding smile. "You are just with him because you don't want to lose him as a friend. You act possessive because you fear he might leave you and never turn back."

It took a few seconds but Nicki finally nodded with teary eyes. "Yeah we should have never dated, it spoilt the friendship too."

I shook my head. "You can never regret anything. At some point, it was exactly want you wanted."

"You're right, I don't. He gave me too many beautiful memories. I think I'll break up as soon as we go back and try being friends. Maybe we will." Nicki wiped a tear her voice breaking.

Ira squeezed the hand she was still holding. "It will take time but everything's going to be okay."

After a few silent seconds, Simone stood up, clapping her hands. "Okay enough of this crying shit. Let's give the guys a hard time taking their eyes off us. They are going to know what woman power actually is."

Nicki finally smiled. "Yeah one last night with Adrian."

Ira grinned too. "Yeah, can you do my make-up Nicki, you seem good at it."

Nicki nodded enthusiastically. "Sure. If you do my hair, I love your hairstyle."

I winked at Ira, mouthing 'You are awesome'. She winked back, mouthing 'Learned from you', and grabbed her hair straightener.

After two hours we were all ready. Simone was wearing Ira's green short dress with a belt and a matching clutch with her red hair straightened, she looked gorgeous. Eva was wearing a mini white skirt and a multi-colored crop top that showed her belly if she raised her arms. She also wore her Forever 21 knee-high black socks, she was obsessed with them lately. She literally wore them below everything and managed to look sexier each time.

Ira was wearing a red dress that ended just above the knee, with a netted pattern from the waist above and a small black belt paired with black wedges. She looked incredible as she took a mirror selfie of herself. Nicki was wearing a black and white stripe bodycon dress which made her awesome figure even more prominent. Her hair was tied up halfway in some hairstyle done by Ira and I would be lying if I said I wasn't jealous of her good looks.

I stared at myself in the mirror. I was wearing a dark blue shift dress and the ends of my hair were curled a bit from down. I looked good, I can say that. Ira came up beside me, pressing your cheeks together as she took a selfie.

"Jeez, you're such a selfie addict." Eva muttered, rolling her eyes. Ira just grinned grabbing her twin's arm and pulling her. Eva stepped back immediately. "No no, I look bad in selfies."

Ira sent a blank look as we all laughed. "We look the same, you idiot." Ira slapped Eva's shoulder. Eva chuckled. "Exactly."

Just then Drew peeked through the door, whistling loudly. "Hottie high alert." Eva stepped away and Drew finally took in Ira, his eyes scanning her body like she was his favorite dessert. Ira blushed profusely under his securitizing gaze. Drew finally opened his mouth and could only manage a breathless 'wow'.

I rolled my eyes, shaking a hand in front of a dazzled Drew. "Earth to Drew!"

He blinked, his eyes finally leaving Ira as they landed on me. He grinned cheekily as he saw me. "Colton's going to have a hard time keeping you away from horny guys." He looked at all of us before sighing dramatically. "We all are."

Ira giggled, literally giggled. We turned in shock, she never giggled. "Go we'll be down soon."

Drew winked and shut the door. With one last look at ourselves in the mirror and taking around fifty more selfies, we grabbed our purses and went downstairs.

The guys were in a deep discussion about the latest football match, even Alex had joined. As soon as Colton came to know he was interested in Simone and not me, he became instant friends with Alex. His jealousy knew no bounds.

Their talking stopped as soon as we entered their vision. All were staring with wide eyes except Drew, he looked smug. "I told you they looked really hot." He stated proudly, walking at us and wrapping an arm around Ira's waist bringing her closer to him and placing a huge fat kiss on her cheek.

I stared at Colton. He looked good, real edible. With a tight white V neck and dark blue jeans, his hands rested inside the jean pockets as he stared at me. He smiled, mouthing 'Beautiful' and I almost landed in a love puddle.

"Shall we?" Adrian asked us, even he looked a bit smitten by Nicki. Maybe, just maybe they could work things out.

We nodded walking towards the door. All of us shouting and speaking loudly until Simone shouted. "Shut the fuck up!" everybody froze and then she picked up her phone. "Hey mom, I am just sitting in the room getting bored. How are you?"

We chuckled under our breaths but Nathan and Drew couldn't even hold their laughter, they ran out with a laughing fit. After two minutes Simone finally cut the call, scowling at the two idiots. "You are lucky mom was in some kitty party and couldn't hear you two cackling in the background."

Nathan winked and Drew just chuckled. "I think this party is going to be awesome! The best even!" He whopped as he locked the door, grinning at us widely.

And I was going to find out how wrong his words were.

~~~