“About freaking time,” Hunter says behind me.

“Cut it out! You’re gonna scare off those hotties over there,” I say, peeling his arms off me, one by one.

“What are you talking about? I don't see any hotties.”

“Hey, I’m serious. If you’re going to be spending all summer with Emily, then there’s no harm in me looking for a boy toy,” I say, poking him in the chest. I get momentarily distracted by his rock hard peck. He’s wearing a fitted singlet that’s hugging all those lovely muscles and I just want to rub my hands all over them—snap out of it, Maddie!

“If you’re feeling neglected, we can hang out tomorrow—just the two of us.”

“Dude, I get that you two feel the need to suck face twenty-four seven, but don’t expect me to just sit at home by myself. Going on a date or two--or three, is just what I need.”

“We don't ‘suck face’ all the time.” He raises his eyebrows at me. “You don’t need a guy to be happy. You have plenty of friends to hang out with when I’m busy.”

“Fuck’s sake, Hunter, you’re not listening. I want to date, I haven’t been on one in months. Please stop being overprotective and back off, ok?” I snap.

“She’s right, Hunter. She doesn’t want to be our third wheel all the time, and as much as I enjoy our threesomes, Maddie; I prefer Hunter one on one.” Emily winks at me as she grabs onto Hunter’s arm, pulling him close. Sheesh clingy much? She pulls his head down forcefully and lays a big sloppy kiss on him. Her other hand moves to his fine arse—real classy! This is exactly why I didn’t want to come today. Man, she grinds my gears!

“What are we standing around here for?” Sienna skips towards me, links her arm through mine and pulls me towards the beach. Sienna is one of my closest girlfriends and the only person who knows how I feel about Hunter. She’s one of those unique, mythical creatures that can keep a secret. I can tell her anything in confidence and know she’ll never blab a word. She would be the perfect best friend if we had more in common. But she's into books and romance; give me surfing and adventure any day. I look back as Hunter removes Emily's fish lips and watches us walk away. I poke my tongue at him and continue along the narrow sandy path.

“Thank you,” I say once we reach the shore, I take a second and admire my surroundings. It’s a beautiful day today; sunny, hot, tiny swell and barely a breeze. Crap conditions for surfing.

“No problem, I could see you desperately needed saving.”

“I don’t know why she has to say stuff like that to me all the time, pisses me right off. I don't need her constantly reminding me about what they get up to.” I gag for effect.

“I think she’s jealous of your relationship with Hunter and feels the need to keep staking her claim in front of you.”

“Well, you know what I need, Sienna?”

“Sunscreen?” She jokes.

“Well, yes. But more importantly—a boyfriend.”

She rolls her eyes at me.

“Don’t be like that. I’ve been the tragic, pining best friend for too long. It’s time I move on and find someone of my own.”

“Well, that’s probably easier said than done,” she replies.

“I know Sienna. Oh, how well I know.”

We end up playing touch rugby on the beach, which soon turns into tackle and the girls disappear to sunbathe, one by one. The boys are still playing when we all decide it’s time for a swim. As I pull my shorts and t-shirt off revealing my new-ish bikini there’s a loud wolf whistle. I look up to where the boys are, they’ve stopped playing and are now staring at me. I know they’re used to seeing me in my wetsuit, but come on—It’s just a bikini.

“Damn Maddie, you looking fine!” Lukas shouts. He’s damn fine himself, but I can't help comparing him to used underwear you find on the beach. You don't know where they’ve been, so you do not touch. “In your dreams, Lukas!” I shout back.

“You wound me, Maddie!” He falls to his knees, groaning as he clutches his chest. Such a shame. He really is a fine-looking specimen. I turn back to the girls and they’re all staring too.

“What? Is my boob hanging out or something?” I glance down, just in case.

“It’s just... we’ve never seen you in something so... sexy before. You look hot, have you been working out?” Gia asks me.

“Not really, although I have been surfing a lot lately.” I have to keep myself distracted somehow from the fact that I’m being replaced by Snow White.

“Well, your looking fit girl and where the fuck did you get that bikini? I need one!” Jenna yells like a crazy person.

“Um... from a shop... somewhere in town… ages ago.” I shrug my shoulders, and she pouts at me with sad eyes.

Well, that was a better reaction than I expected. My day is finally looking up after the whole Emily thing earlier. It’s getting bloody hot, and that water is looking very inviting, so I sprint towards the waves. I’m in my element, diving under the frothy surface, when I notice a shadow next to me. It’s one of the new guys, Che. He’s Jenna’s cousin, and he’s visiting with his family from Wellington. As far as I know it’s his first time to Papamoa beach, which is crazy because it’s the best place on earth.

“Beautiful day,” he says and smiles down at me.

“Yeah, couldn’t ask for better.” I smile back. It’s time to get my flirt on.

“I’m Che.”

“Hey, I’m Maddie. Jenna mentioned you’re from windy Welly.” He’s very cute, no harm in seeing where this goes. A holiday fling sounds pretty good right about now.

“Yeah, just up for a few weeks with the parentals.” A wave hits him square in the chest and the water glistens as it runs down his tanned skin. I’ve been staring at his abs for way too long now, but I can't look away. He clears his throat and I look up to find a smirk taking up residence on his face. Then the cheeky bastard decides it’s his turn and takes a good long look at my tits.

Hunter slinks up behind me without warning and wraps his arms around me again, but this time they go around my boobs. I know what he's doing, and I’m not impressed! Che raises an eyebrow. Hunter is unbelievable. I only told him a few hours ago to stop being a dick; I struggle to resist the urge to elbow him in the ribs. He pulls me in tighter and I notice his hand is cupping my side boob. I’d find this a major turn on if I wasn’t so freaking mad. Shit! Who am I kidding, my insides are literally melting!

“I might head back in, there’s sunscreen in my eyes and it stings like a bitch,” Che says, rubbing at them. And with that, he swims back to shore. Um... ok, more like the sight of Hunter’s hands all over me offended them. Good luck rubbing that image away.

“Good riddance,” Hunter says, his lips brushing against my ear.

Don’t combust... Don’t combust... Don’t combust…

I try to wriggle free, but he won't let go, so I turn to face him and his hands slide over my chest. Oh, good lord, he’s killing me here! He then pulls my legs around his waist and lowers us into the water so we’re neck deep and I’m sitting on his lap. I look around, but I can’t see Emily anywhere, which is probably a good thing, so I focus in on Hunter.

“What the hell was that?” He shrugs his shoulders, so I poke him in the chest. “Spill.”

“Ok, ok! He pissed me off. First, he talks shit about you on the beach, then I catch him staring at your tits. He's lucky he's not floating face down in the Waves.”

“So you thought it would be better to put your hands all over them instead?” He has the decency to look embarrassed.

“I admit it wasn't my finest moment, but what is up with this bikini anyway, it doesn't exactly leave much to the imagination,” he says, flicking the strap.

“Oh, ok. So you can parade around the beach half naked, but I can't?” Eyebrows raised, I wait for an answer.

“Look, you’re my best friend, Maddie, and I’m only looking out for you. I care too much to see you get hurt.”

He looks at me with an intensity; waves are rolling around us, and I feel like time is standing still. His eyes move down to my lips and—

“Hey, we’re all going for a walk along the beach, you two coming?” Sienna shouts from shore.

“Come on, let’s go join the others,” he mumbles, letting go of me and swimming off.

What the?! As I swim back to shore behind Hunter, my head is spinning!