I'm not sure how a college senior can afford a mansion on the beach. Yeah, it's just an Airbnb for the weekend, but still. If this house were for sale on the market, it must be like thirty million dollars.

Walking through the mansion, I hear people talk, and apparently, Duke's grandfather was an investment banker and made billions. When he died, he left all of his fortunes to Duke, his only grandson.

My eyes are wide like a kid in a candy store as I gape at this mansion and all of the expensive decor.

"I'm gonna scope out the dudes in this place," Courtney shouts in my ear above the blaring music before walking away.

I don't even have time to respond before she wanders off. I don't blame her though. This place is crawling with extremely attractive men, all getting liquored up, waiting for the perfect woman to proposition them.

Personally, I don't find a need to approach any of them. I'm not sure why though. Jace and I agreed that if we find someone we really want to fuck, then it's fine. But the thought of doing that honestly makes my stomach churn. Honestly, the thought of having sex with any of these men should make me soak through my panties because I haven't gotten laid almost all week, but it doesn't. I'm bone dry.

I saunter into the kitchen to grab a drink. When I do, Jace is leaning against the counter, laughing at something the guy next to him says.

Damn, I love his laugh.

His expression neutralizes, but as soon as he looks at me, it perks up. A perfect, toothy grin stretches across his face.

"Loni, hey. You came." He walks over to me, not dropping that sexy expression.

"Yup. I made it."

The guys with him are eyeing us, probably wondering who the hell I am. But before I can speculate any further, they look away, forgetting all about us.

"Do you want me to make you a drink?"

"No," I shake my head. "I'm good."

Ugh, why can't I talk to him? It's like the sight of him gets me all tongue-tied. My palms are sweating. Is the room spinning? Or is it just me?

"Have you been here long?"

"No." God, can't I come up with anything else to say?

"Do you want to head down to the beach with me? I think they are playing beer pong down there."

"You said we didn't have to hang out."

He laughs and heat rises to my cheeks as I hold back my smile. "I was just making the offer to a friend, sorry, I mean no strings attached sex buddy."

I slap the back of my hand against his chest and I swear I bruise my hand on his rockhard pec. "Don't make fun of me. I need to have rules in place here." I'm smiling, but I'm being serious. This "partnership" won't work if we don't have set rules. Boundaries.

"Wow, I didn't know you were so controlling, Loni Davis."

Is it weird that the sound of him saying my full name makes me want to melt into a puddle of pure lust?

"Well, I am." I cross my arms over my chest. "Tonight feels like it's going to get complicated. Us hanging out, drinking, beer pong."

"What are you saying?" He follows my posture, but he leans in so his lips brush my ear. "You don't want me to fuck you tonight?"

Heat explodes in my stomach. Moisture builds between my legs and my pussy literally clenches as though remembering the feeling of him inside me. I bite my lower lip, trying to control myself, but I release it when Jace cocks an amused brow.

"That's exactly what I'm saying," my voice shakes. I clear my throat. "Find someone else to—" Oh God I can't even say the word.

"Fuck?"

My mouth goes dry and I force a swallow. That word flows off his tongue so effortlessly.

I kink my neck to the side and force out my next words through clenched teeth. "Fuck tonight." I settle a bit and my jaw loosens. "That way we maintain our no-strings status. Get with someone else tonight and I will do the same."

His expression goes cold. His eyes practically turn black and his jaw ticks. "Is that really what you want?"

No.

"Yes. That's what I want."

"Well, okay then."

Jace grabs his drink from off of the counter behind him. He finishes it in one big gulp, wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, flashes me a wink, and walks away without looking back.

Before I came here tonight after I decided to come, I knew I would see Jace, and I honestly thought he would be the only one I would hook up with tonight. But that's not the case as I zigzag through the crowd, searching for an available man.

Hell, even walking up the mansion steps to the front door, I had my sights set on Jace. But as soon as I saw him, it was like everything was snapped back into perspective. I can fall for this man. I can fall hard, fast, and against my fucking will. Would it be the worst thing? No. But again, it's not the plan. And I have to stay on track. If that means getting random dick tonight so I can continue getting Jace's in the days to come so I won't develop feelings for him, I'll do it.

Courtney is laying on the couch in the living room, having no trouble at all finding a man to fondle all night. A large, beefy man is laying on top of her, shoving his meaty tongue down her throat.

Everyone around them doesn't seem to care that they are about to give them a free in-person porno. But for me, I'm cringing down to my core. The thought of that being me, in Cortney's position, under a giant sweaty beast of a man, makes me sick.

I walk outside to the deck overlooking the beach lit up with hundreds of twinkling yellow lights. There's a table set up with nearly-empty bottles of liquor. Taking a red solo cup, I fill it up with whatever I can scavenge. I take a quick sip and my nose scrunches. I cough as the mysterious substance burns the back of my throat. Did I just mix tequila and rum? Whatever it is it's fucking disgusting.

I take another sip.

I keep drinking it until I finish the entire thing. I need to relax. I need to calm my nerves. By the time I suck it all down, it doesn't taste that bad. In fact, I make myself another one.

"Whatcha making over there?"

I spin on my heels, gasping, hiccuping, trying to hold in the vial liquid as my eyes meet Eric. "Hi," is all I can manage as I feel bubbles form in my head.

Eric chuckles, soft and delicate, while he watches me with his big brown puppy dog eyes. He looks good tonight. It's been a few weeks since I've seen him. "Are you here with someone?"

I put my empty cup to my lips and pretend to take a sip. I shake my head and Eric smiles again on a sigh of what I'm guessing is relief. But why would he care if I'm here with someone or not? He broke up with me.

"That's great."

"Why is that great?" I scoff and start to pour more tequila into my cup.

Eric grabs my arm and my eyes snap up to his. "I haven't been able to stop thinking about you."

Oh no. My heart flies up into my throat and then plummets down into my acid-filled stomach. "You've been—"

"Yeah," he smiles.

Why the fuck do I even care? I hate him. He fucked me and then he screwed me over. This asshole doesn't deserve any of my attention. I gave him my virginity, expecting him to give me his heart. Expecting him to be vulnerable with me as I was with him, but he made me feel like I couldn't ever be loved in that way.

"Truth is, seeing you with that guy— kissing that guy— I've been going crazy, Loni."

"Eric, I—"

"I want you back, baby."

He pulls me against him and I drop my cup. The tequila splashes against my ankles and sends a chill through my spine. But that feeling is overpowered by Eric's lips on my neck. Sucking my skin like he's trying to pull the life out of me.

"I need you back." He kisses me frantically. "I love you. I love you," he whimpers desperately.

The alcohol on his breath is strong. He tries to kiss my lips but I don't let him. I turn my head and his mouth smashes against my ear. He lets out an anguished groan and I feel that noise all the way down to the pit of my stomach.

"I'm so sorry..." I murmur.

"That's okay, baby. That's okay. We can be together now." He cups my cheeks with his hands. His hopeful eyes lock with mine and the saddest smile pulls on his lips. One that would have made me absolutely fall apart. But, not anymore.

"I'm so sorry," I say again, wrapping my hands around his wrists, prying his grip from my face. He glances between me and his hands while I shake my head. "I don't love you anymore."