I don't have to wait long before that familiar sensation returns, overwhelming my senses. But I'm determined not to give up just yet. If Max doesn't bring me to climax soon, I won't let Avery and Buffy win.Max steadies my hips with one hand and uses the other to speed things up in my already aroused state. This pushes me closer to orgasm even faster than I can recall Buffy's insult, where she called me an idiot. And, well, I admit I was foolish for thinking this was a good idea.Once he gets me where he wants me, he licks his fingers clean and starts moving his body against mine, his lips locking onto mine. Unlike last night, he uses his tongue this time, and I don't mind at all. When he stops kissing me, I'm left panting for air. He looks down at me with desire in his half-lidded eyes, and, embarrassingly, I climax right then and there.Oh no, he made me climax.Gosh, he brought me to climax!Well, you know what that means, right?I'm in a bit of trouble.As if that weren't enough t
"Yup, after everything you've just told me, my dear inexperienced friend, you're definitely in love, no doubt about it.""I am?" I ask, hoping that my sense of relief isn't short-lived."Nope, you've already fallen head over heels," Avery concludes instead. "And you've fallen hard, my dear." So much for being relieved."Wow. You're resorting to Italian, so it must be pretty serious," I groan, letting my head drop until my forehead hits the counter that separates Avery and me."Sorry, girl, I'm just being honest with you," she says, but the look on her face when I look up at her tells me she's anything but sorry. She might even be planning my wedding to Max in her head right now."But are you absolutely sure?" I ask, hoping I still have a way out before I have to face the supposed truth. "Maybe it just seemed that way in the heat of the moment. I mean, he is a good kisser. Maybe I was just imagining things.""Nope," Avery disagrees firmly. "This has nothing to do with your imagination
Avoiding someone whose best friend is dating your best friend and frequents the same places as you can be quite the challenge. It didn't help that even when I attempted to drown my thoughts in schoolwork, Max was often studying in the same library. It felt like he was omnipresent, always wherever I wanted to be. Fortunately, my conversation with Ethan at the beach the night after my talk with Avery and Kalix had saved me from complete boredom. Ethan had an excellent sense of humor, which made the evening enjoyable.However, the following morning, I realized that Max and I shared not one but two classes that week. To make matters worse, Avery had an excuse to skip our first class that day due to an important rehearsal, leaving me to face Max on my own. The walk to the English department building was filled with dread, and the closer I got to my class, the worse it became.That is until a familiar face I hadn't seen in a while stopped me...."Hey, Isabella," he greeted me with the same
Later that Evening"So, wait a minute. You're telling me that Ethan had a lake house out in the Santa Ynez Mountains all along, and we're just hearing about it now?" Avery raises an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by the revelation."That's what I heard," she replies. "Kalix mentioned that Ethan and his buddies throw a huge party on the weekend before Thanksgiving break. They're having it on a Monday this year because Ethan had to wait until this morning to get the keys from his parents, or something like that. Anyway, they're picking us up in about half an hour, so you better get ready."I consider the idea for a moment. "Actually, I think I'll just text Ethan and have him send me the address. I'll drive up there on my own." Avery fixes me with an incredulous look."Seriously, Isabella?""What?" I sigh as I sit down on my bed."How long are you planning to keep up this 'avoiding Max' act? I get it, he said some things he shouldn't have, but you yourself admitted that he didn't mean it.
After a brief internal debate, I decide to take his outstretched hand, allowing him to pull me to my feet. I start removing my clothes until I'm left in just my bra and underwear.Of course, Max couldn't resist smirking at the sight of my Betty Boop underwear. In my defense, Avery had picked them out, and given the time constraints and my disinterest in getting involved with anyone tonight, I hadn't bothered to change into a different pair.Please, like you'd ever change them regardless.Touche."Adorable," he remarks, winking at me. I roll my eyes."I was in a hurry," I reply with a slight smile forming at the corner of my mouth before playfully pushing him off the dock.We both laugh as he resurfaces with a wet head, and I dive into the lukewarm water, relishing the sensation of it enveloping me from head to toe. Moments later, I feel Max's hands on my back, helping me stay afloat. I open my eyes to see him smiling down at me, and I stretch my arms out, leaning back in the water."I
Max had initially seemed willing to cut the guys some slack, even smirking during their banter. However, at the mention of a name I had learned Max despised, his demeanor transformed into one of complete fury, his jaw clenching tightly."What?" Mason mumbled, lowering his head to look at his laced fingers. "Better him than us.""Get off the jet skis and get the hell home, all four of you," Max ordered in a low, dangerously strict tone, leaving no room for further discussion.The guys wasted no time, jumping into the water and swimming back to the dock as quickly as possible, leaving the jet skis behind."I'm going to tear him apart," were Max's final words before he started swimming back to the dock. I did my best to keep up with his rapid pace.Max effortlessly hoisted himself up from the water, his back muscles contracting and loosening within a single glance. He swiftly dressed himself and headed back to the party with his fists clenched, clearly intent on confronting Ryan. As I dr
I may not have been a time management expert, but waiting two hours for someone who promised to meet me once they finished their task felt like pushing the limits. Max had never specified how long it would take to sort things out with Ryan, but my patience held as I waited. It wasn't until I received a message from Kalix that everything changed....Kalix Miller: Change of plans, call me when you can.I dialed Kalix's number, curious about the sudden change."Isabella," Kalix answered in hushed tones. Why the secrecy? "We managed to leave the lake house without a major confrontation, but Max," he paused, "he's absolutely furious. He told me to call you and tell you to take his car back to your dorm because he needs solitude right now. But I can't leave him like this, Isabella. I've known him for seven years, and I've never seen him like this. 'Angry' doesn't even begin to describe his current state.""So, you're most likely holed up somewhere, whispering, to get me to come over withou
"Did you make sure to handle all your last-minute assignments?" Avery inquires as we approach the final ATO party of the semester.Today is Tuesday, November 22nd, also known as the eve of the notorious five-day Thanksgiving break. Following tradition, ATO is throwing their last extravagant party of the semester since when classes resume, all students—including myself—will be engrossed in studying, either to maintain their current grades or perform academic miracles to reach their desired grade thresholds. Since we'll sorely miss the ATO parties, Avery and I easily agreed there's no way we could skip this one."Yes, ma'am, even that torturous analysis of Wright's Sonnet 106," I reply, recalling the painstaking task."Tell me about it," Avery sighs. "Between that and submitting the final draft of my Winter Showcase composition for approval before the big event, this half-week has been brutal.""Yeah, in more ways than one," I add, fully agreeing."Hey," Avery says, nudging my arm as we