Chapter 25

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I pressed my lips together, remembering the kisses all too vividly. "And kisses." I agreed and continued. "But I am sure there's going to be candles, a blanket, a food basket, and of course the sunset. You know the typical."

His lips formed a smug smile as we walked on the beach now. "Challenge accepted, the loser does whatever the winner wants."

Before I could retort, his hand squeezed my waist, "Come on are you scared of a little losing, loser Smith?"

My lips formed a straight line, "Fine, you loser Hastings."

I lost, badly.

Because although there was a beautiful sunset, there was no food basket or a blanket and most certainly not a single candle.

I stared at the scene with a dropped jaw and a mix of emotions, partly I was ecstatic that Colton had actually thought of this but partly I was dejected that I lost, I mean it's the freaking beach, if not candles and blanket what else could you accept? And I lost the challenge and Racheal Smith hates to lose.

But despite my inner turmoil, the butterflies only increased in my stomach. The fact that my boyfriend, fake but still a boyfriend, went through the trouble of arranging this and making it look fantastic was more than enough for now. "This is amazing!" I finally whispered.

My smug boyfriend just smirked. "I know, loser."

Rolling my eyes, I decided to let go for one night and accept the loser title like a champ. So I just grinned at Colton, let out a small happy shriek before running full speed and jumping on the trampoline bed.

Behind me, I heard Colton laughing and joining me in but by the time he had jumped on the bed I had been thrown up high, fallen on the bed with a laugh, and scooted out of it too. I knew better than to let two people jump together on a trampoline, especially not together. I didn't want to land right on the rocks and I definitely didn't want a concussion on my last date.

Colton landed on the bed and grinned playfully. "Aww come on, loser. Scared you'll get hurt?"

I scowled. "Hastings, say loser one more time and I'll jump right on you."

His grin widened and he laid on the bed with spread arms. "Come on baby, jump on me. Right here." He pushed his crotch skywards, winking at me.

I blushed a deep shade of red, pretty much matching my lipstick, and shook my head. "What a perv!"

He winked with the other eye. "And all yours."

I couldn't help but whisper to myself. "And only for tonight."

If he did hear he gave no notion of it. Instead, he jumped again, doing a slit midair and then landing on his knees. I raised my eyebrows, impressed. "The only stunt I can do is doing a funny face midair and that too without trying."

Colton chuckled heartily. "Come on Rach, let's make the best out of today. And then I can tell you what all you can do for me, loser." His tone turned suggestive at the end.

I rolled my eyes but also grinned, my heart fluttering at the sound of his deep chuckle and not really caring about what he would ask me to do. I was in such a deep shit that I could barely see tomorrow anymore and suddenly I didn't want to. Today was ours and we were going to make the best of it, just like Colton said.

Tomorrow is a new day, tomorrow I'll forget and today I'll embrace.

So without a single hesitation, I took Colton's stretched hand into my own and jumped lightly on the trampoline.

We stared at each other with a small smile on our faces. "On the count of three?"

I silently nodded.

"One ... Two ... and jump." He bend down on his knees and then pushed himself upwards, all the while holding our hands, thus pulling me with him.

Before I could blink we were already back on the trampoline.

I huffed out a breath of air, glaring at him. "Okay when you say on the count of three, you say three and then jump."

He grinned mischievously. "I know but it was fun."

I didn't even have the heart to scold him so just rolled my eyes and pulled him for another jump.

After another twenty minutes of jumping and screaming we both were thoroughly exhausted. Who knew trampoline jumping would turn out to be a workout?

Suddenly a question popped in my head and I couldn't help but ask it, who knows this might be my only chance. "What's up with you and your dad?"

I could feel him stiffen instantly and I regretted asking it but didn't say anything. After a few seconds, he took a deep breath and actually answered. "He doesn't understand me."

"Well, that's informative." I muttered sarcastically.

He let out a small chuckle. "He wants me to take over his business and I don't want to. That's all for now."

I didn't pressure anymore and changed the subject. "Is there food?" I asked, as I felt my stomach grumbling.

"Of course there is. But it's a five-minute walk. There's a stall that has the most amazing burgers and fries and chocolate ice cream shakes."

I nodded, my lips watering but my body uncooperative, I was thoroughly drained. "Later." I said when I would have the energy to take the five-minute walk.

So we just laid on the bed, staring at the sunset, feeling content and in complete bliss. Could someone capture this moment or freeze it?

I closed my eyes with a happy smile on my face and after a few seconds, I felt his eyes on me but didn't move or open my eyes, not until after five seconds, when I felt his lips.

I sucked in a shocked breath as his lips lightly grazed my cheeks. I turned to look at him, only to stare right into his grey eyes, which were now grey and darkening further. An array of emotions flickered, passion, lust, amusement, satisfaction, and – love?

Before I had any time to analyze it, his lips were back on me, this time instead of my cheeks, he captured my lips. It started out slow, as if he was scared of my reaction but when I pressed my lips into his and swiped my tongue across his bottom lip, it all changed.

I could feel the air getting hot, intense within a blink of an eye. And his lips now dominating mine, a feral growl echoed loudly out of his throat. That itself made me clench my legs together. He suddenly pulled my body roughly against his as his mouth devoured and tasted every inch of mine. My hands clutched onto the t-shirt, desperately trying to find an ounce of sanity amidst the pool of exhilaration. But then he gripped my hips and all thoughts flew straight out my mind as my hands slid into his soft messy hair. Which shampoo does he use?

When our tongues touched, I whimpered and clung to him for dear life. He tasted like... Like, well, Colton Hastings. He had his own unique taste and it was almost too much for me to handle. This kiss was different from the other ones, this felt like it would lead somewhere, somewhere deep.

I couldn't think straight, if someone was to ask me my name, my answer would inevitably be a loud moan especially now since one of his hands massaged my waist and the other gripped the nape of my neck, bringing our faces closer.

The way his entire being pressed into me, the way he applied the right amount of pressure to his hands that were on my body, the way his mouth would let up for exactly three seconds to allow me to take a deep breath before resuming and the way I wanted all he could offer and much more, confirmed that I was developing an addiction, and at the very wrong time.

An insatiable addiction I'd never be able to douse. He had so easily destroyed my defenses and managed to steal away my heart in such a short time that I didn't even have the time to prepare to lift up the broken heart pieces later. This is our last date, last being the keyword and here we are, kissing each other so deeply and fervently as if there is no tomorrow because maybe there isn't. I knew this was wrong, to get attached even more but goddammit he was like my own personal jar of Nutella, and I just couldn't get enough.

The passion we threw at each other was incredible. My body curled around his and I was thankful we were at the corner of the beach where there were hardly any people but still hoped no one was around to see us because this was definitely inappropriate. My entire body buzzed with a want for him, for only Colton, the blackmailing brat. His teeth tugged my bottom lip into his mouth and noise that resembled a moan and groan escaped my throat. God, help me.

We both let out a simultaneous moan when our hips moved against each other, creating friction. The thin material of my jeggings was so not helping. I could feel him, there and I wanted more. So I did just that, I skimmed my hands down from his hair over his chest and pulled at the bottom of his t-shirt before slipping my hands inside. Finally touching his well-toned chest.

"Racheal." He let out a groan and pushed his hips further into mine and moved against it. I let out a loud moan, calling his name, the only thing I could remember. "Colton."

That response was all he needed and just as his fingers slid into my crop top, skimming over the naked skin, leaving me even more breathless and sexually frustrated, my phone vibrating against my body, breaking my train of inappropriate thoughts.

But of course, that didn't deter Colton, he was on a mission right now. "Let it ring. I want to get my reward for winning, now" He mumbled as he nibbled his way down my throat. His lips occasionally sucking and biting the skin, the fingers continuing their assault on my naked skin. I let out a loud moan and then a complaint of his name, which sounded more like a moan, and that just encouraged him more.

He moved back, creating distance between our hips and I wanted to protest until his other hand darted to the black jeggings I was wearing and slipped inside without any hesitation. I let out a gasp and closed my eyes tightly. If this continued, lord helps me, the whole beach would be contaminated.

And I wasn't fond of exhibitionists so, despite the loud protests from my body and heart, I gripped his arm and slowly shook my head, my eyes still closed. I didn't want to look at his face.

He instantly froze at my action and I could feel him withdrawing. Wanting to justify my actions, I gulped and uttered the words I never thought I would. "We should get a room and I'll give that reward."

I slowly opened my eyes to gauge the response to my request. I was embarrassed yes, but when I saw the way his face changed from shock to happiness, I felt a million times better. He grinned with lots of promise in his eyes and I couldn't help but grin and wink back.

He withdrew his hands from my body and I instantly felt the warmth go away and the need to pull him closer again but then he leaned and placed a soft kiss at the corner of my mouth, "Pick up that damn call before I throw your phone in the water."

I smiled sheepishly and took a few calming breaths before glancing at the caller id and frowning. "Mom?"

I closed my eyes and let out an angry breath at her response. "Seriously mom? Did you call for this? No, I don't want pizza for dinner and I told you I'll be out tonight."

I gritted my teeth as I heard her. Colton raised an eyebrow and leaned closer, his ear pressed against the other side of the phone. His breath fanning against my red cheeks. He was so not helping. "No-no you didn't interrupt anything."

I narrowed my eyes at Colton when he snorted but didn't say anything, I would show him how angry I could be later. "Yes, I'll be back by midnight. Don't wait up. Ciao."

Without waiting for a reply, I cut the call, switched off the phone, and pushed the phone into my purse. "No more interruptions." I muttered to myself but of course, Colton heard it.

His gaze instantly darkened and without another word, he gripped my wrist and started pulling me out of the beach. With each step, my anticipation increased, so did my fear and want. Was this wrong? How good would it be? How big was he? Would he regret it later? Had I shaved? A million thoughts rang inside my head and I knew I was overthinking.

I turned to take a last look back and luckily there weren't any people, mostly because we were at the corner of the beach. Thank Goodness. "What about the trampoline?"

He didn't even turn. "Don't care."

I suppressed a smile. I could feel his impatience and the fact that he wanted this as much as I did, made me want him even more.

Suddenly something shiny gold and white caught my eye I blinked, trying to get a good look at it. But it was just a wrapper of some kind, possibly a lollipop, so I ignored it. Until something clicked in my brain.

I gasped and froze, making Colton stumble and look at him in frustration. "Don't tell me you freaking changed your mind, Smith."

I couldn't reply not for a few seconds and when I did, it wasn't the answer he was expecting. "I think I know who the killer is."

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