Chapter 20

twenty

A CRAB PROBLEM

Z ac and Wilder’s twin meltdowns when they climbed into bed was priceless. But even better is now, days later, neither one of them can stop shifting in their seats, or adjusting their shorts.

I have had my joke locked and loaded since Colby and I first plotted our little mission. The sand crabs were always a decoy. Something for them to think we got our revenge for the seaweed and not look our way when other things started to go wrong.

Socks going missing out of the dryer. Their boards not being where they left them. Changing the phone number from the waitress Wilder was flirting with. And my favorite, sand in their boxers. Not enough to be noticeable, but enough to make them uncomfortable.

Zac shifts again and even my dad gives him a look of concern. It’s too good not to pull the trigger now. Other people have started to notice their discomfort.

“Still having trouble with those crabs?” I ask politely.

It takes a second, but when it clicks, boy does it click. Zac freezes, turning in my direction so slowly it almost makes me think time may have stopped. “What. Did. You. Do?”

Beau jumps to his feet where he was sitting next to him on the couch. “Whoa, bro. Love you but I ain’t risking that.” He grabs his junk with his hands as he hops away from Zac quickly. In his retreat, his eyes land on Wilder who is still trying to figure out what’s going on.

“Whoa,” Beau exclaims again, his eyes flashing back and forth between Wilder and Zac. “I always knew you two were close, but I didn’t know it was like that.” He starts to go to slap Wilder on the shoulder in what I think would be congratulations, but freezes. His eyes dip back down to his crotch and he retracts his hand before it ever touches Wilder and wipes it on his own shirt. “Congratulations, but from over here,” he says instead, taking another step back. “Cute couple though.”

“It’s not like that!” Wilder yells, looking back and forth between Zac and Beau.

“And neither one of us has crabs, dammit,” Zac curses, glaring at me.

Never in a million years would I have thought this prank would turn into this. Almost everyone in the room is speechless in their confusion.

My dad has gone from confused, to horrified, to amused, and now just looks perplexed.

I, on the other hand, can’t hold back any longer. And based on the way Colby is biting down on her hand, I don’t think she can either. Almost simultaneously, we both burst out laughing so hard we’re instantly doubled over. Xander has to turn his back away from the room, but I don’t miss the way his shoulders are shaking.

“Emery,” Zac yells, lunging for me.

I shriek as I try to stop laughing and move away from him, but I’m too slow and he catches me easily, picking me and throwing me on the couch.

“What did you do?” he repeats, getting in my face.

I can’t stop laughing long enough to tell him or cry uncle. Finally I manage to pant, “sand crabs,” between spurts of laughter.

My dad chuckles behind us. “We all remember the sand crabs you put in their beds,” he chides, but it would be more effective if he wasn’t still smiling.

Wilder groans when all I can do is wipe tears from my eyes. “Colby,” he demands, “you tell us then.”

She’s laughing nearly as hard as I am, but she manages to get a little more information out and tells them about the sand in their boxers. As she explains, I start to calm down. Taking deep breaths and doing my best not to picture Beau’s face when he decided not to touch Wilder after all.

“Little demon,” Wilder hisses in my direction and it makes everyone else cackle with me. I could not have planned this any better.

“I can’t believe you were a part of this,” Zac mutters to Colby, finally letting me up. “We’re going to have to get you both back.”

Colby and I trade looks, her pale skin flushed and her green eyes dancing. “You could,” I drawl.

“But you should also know all the bad luck that has been following both of you hasn’t just been bad luck,” Colby finishes, a smirk on her face that I’m proud of.

Xander turns back around and gives me a shocked look and I steal a play out of his book and wink at him. It feels a little weird, but the heat that flares in his eyes makes it worth it.

Zac and Wilder have a silent conversation with only a few looks and head tilts before they both nod, having come to a decision. “We offer a ceasefire if you give us our socks back and tell us everything else you messed with,” Zac offers.

“And give me the waitress’ number,” Wilder adds. Zac gives him a strange look before glancing at Colby for her reaction.

Colby and I have our own silent conversation and I arch a brow and she scrunches her nose with a slow smile. “Accepted, but we lost her number.” I shrug.

Wilder falls back onto the couch spreading out with a groan. “I can’t believe they got the best of us,” he complains, apparently willing to let the number thing slide.

My dad pats him on the shoulder before walking out of the room, shaking his head.

I grab Colby’s hand and drag her to my room where we grab the necklaces we made. We help each other put ours on and then walk back into the living to give Torryn and Isla theirs, thanking them for their help in our plan.

Zac snorts. “Just how many people did you drag into this?”

I smirk. “Enough to make you both uncomfortable for days on end.”

Xander’s rich chuckle floats over me. “Absolutely diabolical.”

“I think they’re brilliant,” Torryn disagrees and the room descends into chaos as everyone gives their own two cents.

Beau puts up his hands, pointing to both Wilder and Zac. “So, you guys aren’t together?” he clarifies and Wilder chucks a pillow at him.

“Do you really think I would hit on a waitress and get her number in front of my boyfriend?” Wilder asks, appalled.

Zac scoffs, “Or that I would allow such disrespect?”

Colby giggles and I can’t help but laugh at them too. They seem more offended by the accusation they would be a bad couple than being a couple .

Beau shrugs. “Could be an open relationship thing. I don’t judge.”

He gets smacked in the face with another pillow.

“We’re not together,” Wilder says definitively.

“And we don’t have crabs,” Zac adds to make sure everyone is aware and we all start laughing all over again.

I was going to take a nap.

But as soon as my head hit the pillow my mind was racing with thoughts.

The last few days have felt like a dream. Even with all the sneaking around and having to be careful for no one to catch us, Xander and I have carved out so many moments for the two of us. But thanks to that, I’m getting less sleep than I ever have before. Staying up late to cuddle with him after everyone has gone to bed. Waking up early to surf with him before anyone else wakes up and comes out.

I’m exhausted.

And giddy.

I bury my face in my pillow as butterflies take flight in my stomach as I think about him. No one has even been able to make me feel this elated and he’s not even here with me. I always wanted to be the girl kicking her feet as she thought about her crush, but I never expected for it to feel this way.

“Thinking about me?” a deep, husky voice drawls and my heart stops as I pop my head up to find Xander leaning against my door frame. His deep blue eyes remind me of the ocean, turbulent with their desire and I practically melt into a puddle right there in my bed.

“Maybe,” I tease, but a huge smile breaks out across my face as he pushes off the door frame and stalks to my bed. “Or maybe it’s some other guy who likes to steal kisses.”

He snorts, but the way he moves resembles a predator. His large body towers over me and he invades my space until I’m leaning back and his lips flutter over mine. “Want to try again?”

There’s a sweet threat and a dark promise hidden in those words and something a whole lot hotter and more intense begins to build in my gut.

I bat my eyes at him, pushing my bottom lip out into the smallest pout. “I missed you.”

A shocked giggle escapes me in a rush when he tackles me to the bed, wrapping his large body around mine and rolling us until he’s laying in my bed and I’m resting on top of him. His hands caress the back of my thighs until they reach my ass and he squeezes.

“You play dirty.”

I don’t know if he’s referring to me pouting, which always makes him cave, or the silk pajama shorts I changed into that he’s currently playing with. Either way, it sounds like I win. I fold my hands under my chin and rest them against his chest. “You like it.”

His grin is smug as he nods, slipping his fingers under my shorts to trace patterns against my ass and I can’t help but crave more.

“Where is everyone?” I ask, looking to the door he closed behind him.

His hands cup the curves of my ass and I shift, trying to get more of him. His knowing smirk only fuels me more and I shift again, rubbing against where I can feel him rapidly growing harder.

“Wilder and Zac went surfing at the cove and somehow convinced Colby to tag along,” he explains. That’s at least a thirty minute drive, so they’ll be gone most of the day. The cove is worth the drive though. Even Colby will enjoy it with the views, the tide pools, and I already know she brought her book. “Beau and James dragged Tate into town with them,” he continues to explain. “And everyone else is at the other house.”

His hands pull me closer to him until his erection is pressed tightly between us. My voice comes out breathy when I ask, “My dad?”

“Went into town for better service cause he had meetings. So you know what that means?”

I have a feeling I know, but I still want to hear him say it. “What?”

He flips me under him, spreading my legs wide to accommodate his size, and putting his hands on either side of my head. “I finally have you all to myself. Not in the sand, or the middle of the ocean, or for a few stolen moments.”

I arch my back, missing the feeling of his hardness. “And what does that mean?” I goad.

His expression is positively wicked and makes my insides twist as desire courses through me. “It means I’m going to take my time with you, baby girl.”

All we’ve managed to do is steal kisses over the last few days, but each one we share makes me crave more of him. My whole body shudders under his words and his grin is positively feral as he kisses down my neck.

His thumbs brush over my nipples through my tank top and never have I been more relieved to not be wearing a bra. He repeats the motion until my nipples are hard and visible through the white material of my tank top and he leans up to appreciate his handy work.

“So responsive,” he murmurs, his gaze devouring me. He pinches one nipple through my tank top and an embarrassing moan slips free but he grins doing it again. My hips shift, craving more from him but he only clicks his tongue. “I told you I was taking my time.”

“Can you take your time a little faster?”

He leans down and gently bites the other nipple through my tank top and I arch my back. Finally he pushes my tank top up and laves both of my hardened nipples with attention. He plucks, nips, and licks until I’m a shaking mess and I can feel my inner thighs growing damp.

“Xander,” I beg, needing his attention much lower. His hands cup my breasts and push them together.

“I know, baby. But god, your tits are perfect.” He kisses along the curves of my cleavage and I’ve never felt more worshiped or needy.

“Please.”

His chuckle has never sounded so dark or so rich and it makes my toes curl into my sheets. “I like the way you beg,” he murmurs, his breath fanning over my skin. “I guess my good girl deserves a reward.”

Xander moves down my body, peppering kisses and small bites as he goes until he settles his face between my legs. I sit up quickly. “What are you doing?” I whisper in a rush.

“Giving you a reward.” He smirks, pressing his hands against my thighs to keep my legs open as I try to close them.

“I,” I start but stammer. “No one has ever done that before.”

I know about it in theory, but it feels so intimate. Almost too vulnerable and I still have my shorts covering me, but with the way Xander is looking at me that won’t last long.

He hums his approval, kissing up my inner thighs. “I like being the first one to taste you. Trust me, you’ll enjoy this.”

Nerves battle with desire and mix with embarrassment. I can feel my face turning red as he looks up at me. What have I done since I showered this morning? Have I been sweating? What if there’s a smell? Maybe I should take a quick shower first.

He growls, breaking my train of thought. “Wherever your mind just went, forget all of it,” he demands. “I have dreamed of this moment, Emery. Been waiting to feel you and taste and be closer to you. You never have to feel insecure with me.”

“What if,” I stammer but he cuts me off.

“No ifs. I want every part of you.”

His words help ease some of my hesitation, but nerves still ride me hard, competing with the arousal he stokes inside me.

“Now can we get rid of these?” He tugs on my shorts and I want him to, but I can’t find my voice through the turbulent emotions. I nod slowly and feel a little at ease when I see the gleam of excitement in his eyes. No one has ever looked at me that way. Like they want to consume me, devour me whole.

Xander rises to his knees and pulls away far enough to push my shorts down my legs and toss them on the floor, leaving me in only a light pink thong and my pushed up tank top. He looks down at me, his eyes eating me up.

“God, you’re beautiful, Em. I could stare at you like this all fucking day and never get tired of it.”

My blush creeps down my neck and over my chest and it makes his smile turn predatory as he shucks off his own shirt. My mouth waters at the sight of him. Every inch of him tanned and toned and hard.

“I knew you would blush so fucking pretty for me.” He shifts my underwear to the side, but doesn’t take them off. I still feel more exposed than I ever have before. He groans as his fingers rub against my center. “Look how wet you already are for me.”

I’d be embarrassed by his words but he says them with so much awe, they make me feel beautiful, wanted. Needed. I spread my legs a little wider and it’s all the invitation he needs, diving in quite literally face first.

His tongue starts at my center and licks all the way up to my clit, rolling around it in circles. Pleasure overtakes my senses and I buck my hips against his mouth. He wraps his hands around my thighs, holding me in place as he licks and sucks. Xander’s tongue penetrates me and I gasp at the new sensation. He overwhelms me, going back and forth from fucking me with his tongue and teasing my clit until I’m shaking with my need for a release. Each time I get close, he changes it up again, starting that slow building crescendo all over again.

My phone starts to ring and I accidentally drop it on the floor as I try to get it to shut up. The world could be ending for all I care. Nothing matters outside of the two of us. It crashes to the ground and Xander barely stops his ministrations to react to it and I’m quick to forget about it.

My hands slip into his hair and I yank on strads to keep him exactly where I want him. He chuckles against my clit and I damn near explode right then and there as the vibrations reverberate through my body. I cry out his name, doing my best to not be too loud in case anyone is in the house we are unaware of.

“I’ve got you, baby girl,” he soothes my frazzled nerves, sucking on my clit and thrusting a finger inside me.

I cry out again as that wave builds again, the dual sensations making it impossible to think about anything but the pleasure that draws tighter and tighter and I’m begging for it to finally snap. Xander adds a second finger, intensifying the all consuming feeling and picks up his pace, making my vision start to blur.

Just when I think I can’t take it anymore, my back arches and my toes curl as that taut feeling finally snaps and shockwaves course through every inch of my body, making my pleasure echo through all of me until even my fingers are tingling.

I pant, trying to catch my breath and my whole body trembles. Xander lifts his head, smacking one loud, wet kiss against the apex of my thigh before crawling up my body. I can’t draw my eyes away from his satisfied grin or the way his lips and cheeks shine with my come. It’s obscene and dirty and it shocks me to learn I love it.

He licks his lips and I mimic the action and tug him to me, kissing the taste of me off his mouth. I feel bolder post orgasm. I want him to feel the same way I do now. My hand draws down his stomach, dancing over the hem of his shorts before sliding down to feel how hard he is. For me.

“My turn,” I declare. I start to fix my tank top as I move out from under Xander, but his hand grabs mine and stops me.

“Keep it. I want to see you.”

I arch a brow, but do as he wants, shifting until he flat on his back, his hard on impossible to miss as it tents his basketball shorts. My nerves start to come back. I’ve given blow jobs before, but even without seeing his dick, I can tell he’s bigger than any guy I’ve hooked up with before.

As if he can read my mind he cups my face in his hands, drawing me in for another kiss. “Anything you do is going to feel good,” he assures me when the kiss finishes. He half laughs. “I’m already damn close just from tasting your orgasm.” His hand covers mine and he moves it over his erection, the small touch sending a shudder through his body. I smile, loving how responsive he is. How affected he is from my touch.

Confidence surges and I free his cock from the confines of his shorts and fuck was I right. I swallow thickly. He’s longer and thicker than any other cock I’ve seen. But I don’t let nerves stop me, needing to make him as desperate as I was for him .

I grip him at the base with one hand and twirl my tongue over the head of his dick, trailing down a vein that’s more prominent than the others. I can feel the way it pulses in my hand and I continue the same pattern several times before wrapping my mouth around his tip and taking him as far back as I can. It takes me a few tries, but with each attempt I get him a little further back until my nose meets my fist.

His moans encourage me to keep going. Adding my tongue and sucking as I go, experimenting with different things to see what he likes.

Xander tentatively gathers my hair in his fist and I nod without ever releasing him to let him know it’s okay. I don’t want him to treat me like I’m fragile. He tightens his grip and uses it to guide my tempo as I move up and down his dick. I move my hand in tandem because there’s no way I’m taking all of him in my mouth. Not today. Maybe with some practice.

“Emery,” he moans and I feel his body go stiff. I double my efforts, twirling my tongue around his head before pushing him as far back as I can and sucking. He curses and his body trembles. “I’m coming,” he warns, tugging on my hair to have me pull back but I want to finish what I started. I cup his balls with my free hand and gently squeeze. He spews expletives and it makes me smile around his length. His whole body shudders, his cock twitches, and warmth shoots in my mouth in several long spurts. I guide him to the back of my mouth to make it easier to swallow around him. The spluttered, choking noise that comes from him makes me more smug than I have been in my life.

He pulls me off of him, and yanks me up to his side where he wraps his arms around me and cuddles me into his chest. He kisses me softly on the forehead. “I don’t want to know why you’re so damn good at that.”

I burrow into his warmth, happier than I can remember ever being. “I just followed what you seemed to like.”

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised how well you’re able to read me,” he murmurs, entwining our legs together. “You’re even better than all the dreams I had of you.”

His words are so serious, but I can’t help but laugh in disbelief. “You did not dream about me.”

Xander adjusts us, making me the little spoon and he curls his body around me. His still naked lower half pressed against my barely covered one and his hand cups one breast, his thumb caressing my nipple. “Oh, baby girl, I had so many dreams about you. I’m about to have some more too,” he teases before he yawns, making me yawn.

I settle into his arms and my eyes grow heavier. “Set an alarm,” I remind him, knowing it’s stupid for us to nap like this but unable to find enough of my common sense to crawl out of bed.

The incessant ringing won’t shut up and I open my heavy eyes what feels like only a few minutes later but when I look outside the sun is quite a bit lower in the sky than when we fell asleep. I scramble out of Xander’s arms, making him groan, and search for my phone.

I sigh in relief when I see it’s only Becca. I send her to voicemail and check the time. It’s well into the afternoon now and we’ve definitely been sleeping longer than what was smart. I hold my breath in an attempt to hear if any noise is coming from the house. There’s no obvious sounds but that doesn’t confirm anything.

My phone starts to ring again and I groan. Why is she being so persistent now of all times?

“Just answer it,” Xander groans, sitting up and the sight of him naked in my bed, my sheet pooled around his waist… well it’s enough to make me stupid. He blinks sleepily, running his hands through his dark hair as he slowly wakes up .

When I don’t say anything, he looks up and sees the way I can’t tear my eyes away from him.

“Keep looking at me that way and we’re going for round two, getting caught or not.”

I lick my lips. That sounds pretty good to me.

My phone starts ringing again and thank god because it breaks me from my lust filled thoughts. I shake my head, closing my eyes to finally cut off the view that makes me lose my head. He chuckles and damn that sound is even worse for my sanity than his stupid abs.

I make a half attempt to fix my hair and Xander tugs on my tank top to cover my boobs up again. He gives me an innocent look and I stick my tongue out at him. Making sure only I’m in view of the camera, I answer Becca’s Facetime.

“Fucking finally,” she whines in greeting and I laugh.

“Sorry,” I murmur, yawning. “I was napping.”

Her eyes trail over my disheveled appearance. I probably should have made a little more of an effort to hide what I’d been up to. Becca looks perfect as usual, her brown hair in perfect curls that frame her face and her makeup making her eyes look brighter.

She snorts and I can’t tell if it’s in amusement or annoyance. “Have you been sleeping for the last five days?” Annoyance it is then. I wince when she continues. “You haven’t answered any of my messages in days, Emmy.”

I haven’t. Not on purpose. We’ve just been busy every day. “I’m sorry, Becca,” I apologize. “We’ve just been really busy since we got here and the service isn’t great.”

She rolls her eyes and it doesn’t take a genius to realize that’s not going to be enough to ease her anger. “I’m sure lying on a beach is just so taxing, but I’ve needed you the last few days.”

Xander raises a brow in surprise at her dismissive attitude, but that’s Becca. She doesn’t mean anything by it. I subtly shake my head at him.

“I really am sorry, Becca,” I try again. “My dad surprised us by inviting some of the hockey team. We’ve been exploring the island more. Going on hikes and stuff like that.”

She huffs, tilting her head to the side. “So you couldn’t find two seconds to text me back when you’re at the house?”

I wince again, guilt making my stomach turn. She’s right. There’s no excuse for why I couldn’t text her back. I’ve barely even had my phone on me. I haven’t talked to anyone since we got here. But she should have been my exception. “You’re right,” I admit, ignoring the way Xander sits up straighter. “It didn’t seem like anything was urgent when I saw your messages, but I should have been better about checking in with you.”

Her expression softens. “I’m not trying to be a bitch, but I’ve missed my best friend,” she complains and I smile. “Even before you left you barely had any time for me.”

We still saw each other almost every day before I left, but I guess putting together the presents did cut back on some of my free time. “I’m sorry, Becca. I didn’t realize how much time the books were going to take up.”

She waves me off. “Fine, it’s whatever. The book was cute though. That’s why I was calling you actually. Well that since I knew if I texted you to ask, you wouldn’t respond.”

Okay, so we’re still not moving on from that quite yet. Xander snorts softly and I hit his leg, reminding him to be quiet.

I smile at Becca. “I’m glad you liked it,” I say, focusing on that part of her statement.

“Yeah it was cute. Can you send me some of the photos though? I want to post them.” She examines her nails as she asks .

“There’s a qr code in the back of the book you can scan for the digital copies,” I explain to her.

Becca sighs, putting her phone down as she grabs a nail file and starts filing her nails. “I saw that but there’s so many to go through. Can’t I just tell you which ones I want and you send them to me?”

It’s not worth pointing out to her that it would actually be easier for her to do it herself so she can grab all of the ones she wants. I just nod and I swear if Xander’s eyebrows get any higher, they’re going to become one with his hairline. I ignore him as Becca tells me which photos she wants. Several of the shots I’ve gotten of her by herself and a couple of her and Cam.

“I’ll send them as soon as we get off the phone,” I tell her.

“You’re the best, Emmy.” She starts to tell me about some of the drama going on back at home, but I barely know half of the people she’s talking about. I rub the sleep from my eyes and maybe it’s because I’m still groggy, but I have less patience than usual. I genuinely can’t bring myself to even pretend to care about the people she’s talking about.

“I’m really sorry, Becca,” I cut her off. “I’ve missed you too, but I really do have to go.” I’m still half naked in bed with a very much naked Xander and we will both have our asses kicked if we get caught like this. “I’ll be home in a couple of days and I promise we can catch up then.”

She huffs out her annoyance, picking her phone up again. “Whatever, Emery. I guess you’re having too much fun with your new friends.”

Becca hangs up before I can even respond to her. I plop back into my pillows with a groan, back to feeling as drained as I did before my nap. I’m in Xander’s arms again before I even realize he’s moved. He kisses my forehead. “Are you sure she’s your friend?” he asks softly.

I laugh, but snuggle into his arms, welcoming the warmth. “ She’s not always like that. She was just hurt I’ve been ignoring her.”

“You’re on vacation with your family,” he deadpans. “It doesn’t make you a bad friend to be enjoying that time and not glued to your phone.”

He’s protective over me and it feels so different from the suffocating feeling I get when my brothers butt into my business. “She’s a little sensitive is all.”

Xander grunts and it seems like he has more to say, but I distract him with a kiss. He’s never really been around Becca for a good length of time. She’s never come on family vacations with us, her parents are too protective. One day, he’ll get to know her better and he’ll understand. It’s just how she is.

“She could have at least asked how your trip was going,” he mumbles and I laugh, kissing the tip of his nose. I never thought I would enjoy someone being this overprotective of me, but it makes me feel safe when he does it.

The sound of car doors closing effectively shuts down our conversation and sends us both into a frenzy as we try to get dressed and hide all evidence of what we were doing. We trip over each other as we book it out of my room.

Xander turns to his room and I head to the bathroom. There’s no taming my hair without washing it. He stops me just before I reach it, stealing one last quick kiss and winking at me.

The door shuts behind me and voices fill the house as whoever got home walks through the front door.

I strip quickly and climb into the shower only to hear Colby calling out where I am a moment later.

I laugh as I stand under the warm water.

That was far too close for comfort.