was still the greatest douche ever born. My mother struggled to remember my name. Half of the people who truly loved me in this world were gone. Pain was a constant companion. My designated drinking buddy that hadn’t made time for me in a while. For the last three weeks, I hadn’t touched a drop.
I pecked Belle’s cute, button nose. “If it’s a distraction you’re after, I have another idea.”
“Me kicking your butt at golf?”
“Butts are involved, but golf isn’t.”
That naughty, impish smile returned. “What exactly do you have in mind?”
“Come with me.”
I raced her to the golf cart, hopping in and zipping off, rattling clubs and all. Belle’s laugh was high and clear. She squealed as we raced to where, she didn’t know. Belle was just happy to be with me.
And I’m supposed to walk off this island with someone else? When someone this beautiful, smart, and balls-achingly tempting can turn her whole day around just at the prospect of being with me.
I had our destination in mind. The golf course and country club shared this patch of island with the least populated part of the cove: the orange grove. We drove our cart to the back fence and abandoned it. Belle shrieked as she tipped over the metal, landing with a thump.
“Will we get in trouble if we’re caught?”
“What are they going to do? Call our mommies?” I replied. “We’re not fruit thieves. No harm done if we take a walk around.”
I hopped over to join her. Belle took off running immediately.
“You didn’t bring me here for a walk,” she shouted over her shoulder. “If you want some, you better come get it!”
Oh, I’m going to get it.
The salty-sweet mist of the ocean raced ahead of us, whipping through the trees, and shaking the oranges on their branches. It was the kind of perfect day that came a few days a year. Comfortably warm, clear skies, and the feeling in the air like consequences were suspended for the day. You could do anything. Be anyone.
It was the kind of day that came more than a few times—when I was with Belle.
Belle ducked down a row and turned to see if I was still on her tail. Flushed, rosy exertion infused her porcelain cheeks with color. Her eyes danced, catching a trick of light that made them appear almost silver. I put on a burst of speed and lifted her up—mouths connecting before we hit the ground.
Our clothes came off without care. My belt flung up into a tree. Her bra cast aside. I rescued my shirt from her treatment, laid it on the ground, and Belle on top of it. She bit her lip as I slowly drew her thong down to her ankles.
“I should ask again,” she whispered. “What if someone catches us?”
“Someone was too busy staring at my ass to listen to the tour guide. They wait for the coolest part of the day to pick. The rest of the time, they wisely stay inside the air-conditioned processing plant.”
Belle dug in my pants. “I would like to point out that I was not the one staring at asses, Mr. Are-You-Wearing-Underwear.” She lifted her prize from my pocket. “But I’m impressed with your ability to listen and ogle at the same time.”
I plucked the condom from her fingers. “The least impressive of my skills, baby. Trust me.”
“I know.” She winked. “You’re also extremely talented at hula-hooping while eating a sandwich.”
“Be sure to spread that around.”
Belle rose up and kissed me, abruptly ending our banter. She tasted like our perfect day bottled into one. Sunshine, citrus, and salty sea air.
My hands found her breasts, rubbing and tweaking the little nubs, enticing soft moans through her lips and past mine. Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin had their due, but the creator of the most beautiful music in this lifetime or any other, would always be Belle Adler.
I pushed her back down and continued my exploration. Her back arched as I nipped along her collarbone, pressing her heated skin to mine. Seizing my chance, I licked a stripe over her nipple, delighting in her gasp.
“Say it,” she said.
“You first.”
“Nathan!”
“Busy at the moment. We’ll pick this up in a minute.” I dropped my head, sinking between her legs with eagerness that was digging into the grass. I spread her wide and listened to her breathing pick up. Sensed her pulse racing like it was my own.
This was my addiction.
In true fashion, I just replaced one with another. Drinking the pain away