"Wha time's it?" I mumbled into my pillow, my hair sticking to my forehead and nape. I squinted out into the room. Someone had turned the overhead light off at some stage, and a thin cloak of moonlight draped over everything from the partly opened curtain.

Matt clutched my boob and when I stretched, my bum brushed his naked front. "Don't know." His fingertips lightly grazed past my ribcage to my hip. He dug his nails into my skin and lifted my leg, allowing his erection to brush against my heat.

"Mmm, that feels good," I moaned, pushing back, wanting him to do it again. I closed my eyes for a second before they shot open. "Shit, where's CeCe?" I sat up, holding the covers to my chest. The sheets on the bed she should have occupied were untouched, the contents of her bag spilling out over it. Where had she slept?

Matt tugged me down and brushed his lips along my collarbone. "Shh, it's fine. She didn't come back last night. I text Zaire to let her crash in my bed." He nibbled up my neck. "Didn't want to wake you or leave you." His mouth was warm on my skin as he suckled on a spot below my ear.

The tip of his cock rubbed against me and I shifted forward. "Mmm, can't believe–," I sighed and buried my hands in his hair. "Can't believe CeCe stayed with Zaire." Had he lied to me? The image of them together was fleeting, with Matt's touch as a distraction.

He moved away from my neck and kissed back down my body, between the valley of my breasts, until his tongue was swirling around my nipple. I arched into him, one of his hands finding the dip between my legs, brushing over my mound.

"Do you think something's–," he sucked hard on my nipple and pushed his thumb against my clit–, "Matt!" I said in a loud moan.

"Do you want to talk about them or fuck?"

"Fuck. Definitely want you to fuck me now," I panted as his fingers slipped inside of me at a painfully slow pace. My hips rocked to speed up his movements, but Matt kept his own momentum. I let out a raspy breath, biting my lip to hold my groans.

He laughed against my skin before kissing his way back to my ear. "Good," he whispered, sending a shiver up my spine. "I want you in the same position you woke up in."

I felt empty when he removed his fingers so he could grab the condom he had left on the bedside table. Flushed and cold at once, a shudder broke over my skin. The seconds he wasn't paying attention to my body were too long. I craved his lips burning every part of me, his breath rolling over me and his gaze anchoring me to him.

"Turn around." He grabbed my hips and tugged me close, my back flush to his front once more. "I might have pictured this a few times," he confessed, his voice husky and filled with hunger. The head of his cock teased my opening. "Yeah, definitely thought of you moaning my name."

Ribbons of pleasure shot between my thighs from the anticipation. "Matt, please."

He placed open mouth kisses down my spine, making me arch as he pushed in, inch by inch. His fingers swept across my stomach and over my clit, groaning and nuzzling his head against me. Twisting my upper body, I reached up to draw his face closer and seize his lips with mine.

The familiar build-up of my orgasm bubbled under the surface, muscles twitching, breath quickening. Heated electricity crackled in the atmosphere.

Matt's thrusts grew faster and deeper, fingers rubbing against my sweet spot, our moans consumed between our joined lips.

Climaxing at almost the same time, Matt held me tight against him and released his hold, relaxing into the bed. "Sleepovers are the best."

My ears were still ringing, vision blurred, when he pulled me to lie on his chest. My fingers absentmindedly brushed over his bee tattoo as I steadied my racing pulse. "Unplanned sleepover."

"Admit it. You like waking up with me."

"Mmm." I shut my eyes. I did. More than I was willing to confess. Matt's heart thumped loudly under my ear, lulling me back to sleep.

"You like it." He jabbed my side lightly and laughed. "I know I do." His arms fastened around my waist, shifting his weight so my face was closer to his. Like at the river, words were pointless. His eyes fell to my lips, hope bloomed around our intertwined limbs, and I lost myself in his delicate kisses and warm touch.

Suspended for so long, I never realised I was free falling with Matt. It was only a matter of time before gravity took over and I came crashing to the ground.

***

We slept for a few more hours until we could no longer ignore the harsh daylight breaking through our small cocoon. Matt returned to his room while I showered off last night's and this morning's activities. I didn't pause for a second to think of all the new emotions he sparked in my body. When he kissed me before leaving, I all but whimpered and was kicking myself for almost wearing my heart on my sleeve.

I dressed fast, not wanting to be away from him for too long. What the hell was going on? Burying my hands in my hair, I blew out my cheeks and groaned as CeCe swung the hotel door open.

"Is the coast clear?" She wore a large t-shirt, one that looked like Zaire's, and her jeans.

The towel I used to dry my hair, rested on my lap, leaving a damp patch on my leggings, but I didn't care. Did her and Zaire–? I shook my head and refused to let my mind run wild. Zaire wouldn't lie to me. "You know it is. Didn't you see Matt on your way here?"

She laughed and grabbed her toothbrush from the pile on her bed. "Oh, I did." She wiggled her eyebrows and laughed again. "Who could miss him with that goofy grin plastered on his face." CeCe walked to the bathroom, leaving it wide-open so I could still hear her. "I'm guessing you had a great night then?"

"Yeah, it was nice." Warmth filled my chest merely thinking of Matt. I bit my lip, suppressing my smile.

"Nice? Just nice? Oof, poor guy," she winced and turned the sink tap on.

"No, no. It was more than nice." My cheeks heated, and I twisted the towel in my hands.

She finished brushing her teeth and changed out of Zaire's t-shirt, into one of her own. "Must have been to ditch us. We waited ages at the bar. Give me a sec, I need a pee." She picked up a clean pair of knickers and walked back to the bathroom, closing the door behind her this time.

Slinging my towel over a chair, I cleaned my side of the room and stuffed my clothes back into my rucksack. "We didn't mean to," I shouted through to her. "We just–" I scratched my arm, my scar itchy–, "lost track of time." Hopefully, that sounded like the truth without giving too much away. Zaire would be harder to keep out of my business.

The flush of the toilet cut my voice off.

"Mmm, lost track of time," she emphasised, making air quotes with her fingers once she was by my side. She giggled and bumped my hip with hers. "Good for you. He's hot."

The corners of my mouth turned up and a swarm of butterflies took flight. "Yeah, he's so hot."

"Oh, and his accent." She kissed her fingers and thrust them in the air. "Magnifique."

I stifled a giggle of my own and nodded. "Such a turn on."

CeCe leaned over and squeezed my shoulder. Any suspicions I had of her and Zaire completely evaporated. I liked how easy this friendship seemed to be building and couldn't wait to show Zaire I was trying to break down my own wall, brick by brick.

The boys knocked on our door moments after, while we did one last final sweep of the room. I checked my watch and if we were quick enough, we could catch the tail end of breakfast. Zaire slipped his arm over my shoulders and marched us out to the lift, leaving CeCe and Matt to trail behind.

"Sorry for last night. Hope you didn't mind sharing with CeCe instead of Matt," I whispered as we made our way down the hotel corridor.

He smirked and hugged me closer, placing an abrupt kiss to my temple. "Of course I didn't. Happy to help my sis out. Surprised you're walking today." He stuck his tongue out and chuckled.

My elbow connected with his rib. "I was about to thank you. Way to ruin it," I said, laughing along with him.

My stomach rumbled as we entered the dining area and my mouth watered from all the pastries on display. I piled a couple of croissants on a plate, popped some bread into the toaster in the self-serve area and balanced a yoghurt on the smallish tray.

The others ordered their full English breakfasts from the waitress and were already tucking in when I slid into my chair.

"How did you get that so fast? My toast took longer than it did to cook those sausages?" I screwed my nose up and cut my croissants so I could add a smear of jam to them. "Oh, thanks for the coffee." I lifted the mug to my mouth and blew the steam away before taking a cautious sip.

"Pre-cooked food," Matt said between chews. "It's nice though. Want some?" He sliced a piece off and held it in front of me.

"Can I have some ketchup on it?"

He smiled and dipped it in the red sauce before he raised it back to my parted lips. His eyes met mine and my heart skittered. The moment shouldn't make my pulse race, but I couldn't help it. I wanted to drag him back upstairs and spend the day between the sheets.

"Aww, aren't you two cute," Zaire mocked, clasping his hands below his chin and tipped his head to the side. His eyes gleamed with mischief. "Flashbacks of last night? Probably not the first time you've had a bit of Matt's sausage."

CeCe coughed, the orange juice she was drinking, spluttering down her chin. She tapped on her chest and roared with laughter. A flush crept up my face when a group of older ladies turned towards Zaire's bellowing voice. Matt rubbed my lower back and returned to his food, used to my best friend's taunts. I was going to kill him next time he was alone.

"You're dead," I mouthed, drawing a finger across my throat. Zaire shrugged, cast his gaze to his breakfast and kicked me under the table. The corners of his eyes crinkled as he held in his amusement.

I loved that idiot, but he should start fearing for his life. But his teasing didn't deter me from my plate of food. I devoured my toast, croissants and yoghurt, even going up for another buttery pastry. Zaire noted my surprising hunger and beamed. He had spent too many weeks watching me barely finish a meal. The rest of us continued talking about what crazy activity we should try next while my best friend studied my face and if I wasn't mistaken, he held back tears of joy.

I extended my hand for his and gave a reassuring squeeze. Maybe he was a dead man walking, but he would always be my number one supporter and I owed him more than my words could ever express.

***