

Seduction

A Prequel

By L.R. Olson

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## Copyright 2014 L.R. Olson

Published for Smashwords

www.LROlson.com

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover art and design by Harris Channing

New Adult Romance by L.R. Olson:

The St. Clare Series:

Seduction: Prequel, free!

Redemption: Book 1

Deception: Book 2

Contemporary Romance by L.R. Olson:

The Southern Gents Series:

For Hire: Book 1

For Keeps: Book 2

For Ever: Book 3

Prologue

Mia

If I had known that sleeping with Griffin St. Clare would ruin me...

If I had known that trusting him would put me in the intensive care unit of the hospital...

If I had known that to hear his name spoken aloud would send me into a downward spiral of depression and despair the likes of which I'd never experienced before...

I never would have gone to that party.

But I hadn't known.

And I'd gone to that party.

And because of it, my world, as I knew it, was destroyed forever.

Chapter 1

Griffin

I'd been only fourteen when I'd realized there were basically two kinds of women: the easy and the difficult.

The easy ones were...well, easy. They were the girls who usually came from broken homes, who'd had little attention from their parents, and were desperate for someone to care. These girls were out to have a good time and forget their fucked-up lives. That's where I came in. A few smiles, and a compliment or two was all it took. So damn simple. For a brief moment they felt like they belonged, like they were wanted.

And no, I didn't feel guilty. The way I saw it we were using each other. I got what I wanted and they got what they needed for a while. Besides, I was nineteen. I was only doing what guys my age were supposed to do...screw.

Then there were the girls you needed to work for. The good ones. They came from nice families, were probably in honor's classes, and maybe even went to church on Sundays. These were the kind of girls who not only needed a compliment, but needed a few romantic dates to know you were serious. If they could "save" you from your own tormented self, all the better.

They didn't realize I didn't want to be saved.

I lifted the bottle of beer and drank deeply, only to pull back and grimace at the bitter taste. "What the hell is this, Ken?"

He straightened away from the pool table. Unsteady on his feet, he had to lean into the brunette at his side. His blond hair was mussed and his shirt buttoned crooked. I couldn't help but laugh at his disheveled appearance, and the confused look on his face. Guy was wasted.

"What? It's imported from Germany. I'd think you'd like the taste."

"I went to boarding school in Switzerland, moron." I tossed the bottle at his head, spilling beer across the Persian carpet that had probably cost more than most Americans made in a year. He used the pool stick to hit it away and the bottle landed on the table with a thud.

"Shit." He surged across the table, grabbing the bottle. "Man, my mom's going to kill me if we ruin the pool table again."

The girl who had been clinging to his arm giggled. Although he seemed oblivious, I didn't miss the importance of Ken's comment. His mom wouldn't give a crap if there were underage teens partying in her house, as long as they didn't ruin the table. "She can buy another."

Bored, I stood and moved out of the game room and into the hall, looking for something to take my mind off of my mundane life. Alcohol wasn't working, maybe I could find something stronger. Music pulsed in the house, thumping against the walls and vibrating the bamboo flooring. I nodded to a few people I knew, but I wasn't interested in getting reacquainted with friends. Ken, or Kenneth the Third as he was known in higher circles, didn't even know this many people. But the more the merrier, I guessed.

Hell, this was getting old.

I scanned the large kitchen from the doorway, looking for a distraction. As if the universe was answering my prayers, some guy shifted out of the way and I spotted Tara Jensen resting against the counter doing what she did best...flirting. Her shorts were so skimpy her tight ass was practically on display. Yeah, she was familiar, but all I'd have to do is give her a nod and I knew she'd come running. She was good for a quick lay when I was home on break.

She skipped out of the way to avoid the guys lifting a keg onto the countertop, and I briefly wondered if she was worth the effort. If I wanted a quick fuck, I never had a problem finding a willing participant. But there wasn't a lot of fun in that, and I did like a challenge. Besides, screw them more than a few times and women tended to think crazy thoughts....like they were in a relationship. Somewhat reluctantly, I pulled my gaze from Tara and moved into the huge family room. I searched the many faces, looking for something that would pique my interest.

Easy was boring. But she...that girl with the strawberry blonde hair standing near the massive stone fireplace, the girl who blushed and turned away when Evan smiled at her, she would be interesting. A familiar surge of adrenaline shot through my body. Bridgette said I treated dating like a soccer game, a challenge. Let the games begin.

Pulse pounding, urging me on, I started through the crowds. I could admit I found certain satisfaction in getting what I wanted, winning the game. But lately it had all been too easy. Life had become boring. Maybe this redhead could liven things up.

"Griffin, what up, bro?" Tommy clapped his hand against my shoulder, grinning like the drunken moron he'd become. Reluctantly, I paused.

He, Ryder and I had grown up together. Tommy had been there for me two years ago when the accident had happened. As much as my dick was urging me to move onward, I owed him at least a moment of conversation.

"Didn't think you were coming."

The redhead didn't look like she was having much fun. Her arms crossed protectively, she kept glancing at the door as if just waiting for that right moment to bolt. So, she wasn't much of a party girl. Interesting. Hot librarian type? Definitely something different, and variety sure as hell was the spice of life.

"Got bored at home," I muttered.

"Can't believe coach made you run for being late. It's fucking summer break. Guy is turning into a real ass."

"Fuck him." Dismissing Tommy's comment, I nodded toward the fireplace. "Who's the girl? The strawberry blonde."

He glanced that way and shrugged. "Kelly brought her. Not sure."

Kelly was a local girl who tended to hang around our crowd, sleeping with whomever would make her feel part of the group. Her mom was a secretary for someone at my dad's company, or something. I wasn't quite sure. The girls ignored her, the guys screwed her. Except for me. I hadn't touched her because even I had my limits, and my limit was poor, desperate locals. Too fucking depressing.

"Probably stopped by on her way home from church," Tommy scoffed.

Tommy was an idiot, so obviously he only went for the easy girls. I took in her shorts and the zip-up hoodie she used to cover her body, but I could see the curves underneath the layers. Even her smooth hair was pulled back in a no hassle ponytail. Her looks said "don't touch." I narrowed my eyes, but that body...hell, that body begged to be stroked.

"Too good for you, Griffin," Samantha mocked, coming up to Tommy and sliding her arm through his. She had to shout to be heard over the thumping music, or maybe she shouted on purpose to get attention. I wouldn't put it past her.

Samantha might have leaned her lush body against Tommy, but she invited me over with her eyes. She was exactly why I didn't feel guilty about the women I'd slept with. I might have treated them like crap, but like druggies they always wanted more.

"Aren't they all too good for me?" I grinned down at her. "Well, most."

Samantha huffed and looked away, obviously taking my comment to heart. The girl was still pissed I'd slept with her and never called again. Hell, we'd socialized in the same circles since we were kids. Not like she didn't know how I was. Besides, I'd been drunk. Wham, bam, thank you ma'am was more than my motto, it was my life.

"Kelly would be an easier lay," Tommy said. "Heard the redhead is a cold bitch. Chris was trying to chat her up earlier and no success."

"Chris is a dick, and easy is boring."

Samantha flushed. "God, you guys are such assholes."

I didn't bother to watch Samantha stomp away. I was too intrigued by the new girl. The redhead was in deep discussion with an annoyed-looking Kelly. She wanted out of here about as much as I did. Hopefully we'd be leaving together.

"You're such a manwhore," Tommy chuckled. "Is there anyone here you haven't slept with?"

I might have been a whore but so was everyone else in this room. Not one person here knew the definition of a committed relationship, and they didn't care to. We were too damn rich, too good looking and too young to want more than one-night stands.

"Yeah," I said. "I haven't slept with Kelly, and I'm going to keep it that way. Believe me, I have limits."

He shook his head, sighing. "Early morning practice tomorrow, if you're going to get with the redhead, better start now." Tommy sank onto the couch. "If I know you, you'll be screwing her brains out within the hour."

I quirked a brow. "God willing."

Leaving him, I started across the room, moving through the crowd. I needed this. Between my coach and my parents riding my ass, I had to have some sort of distraction, and she'd do quite well indeed.

"Griffin!" Some vaguely familiar blonde slid her hand across my stomach as I moved by. I couldn't remember her name, but was pretty sure we'd screwed last year at some summer party. I tore my gaze from her hopeful eyes and focused on the redhead. The closer I got the more my blood pounded, urging me onward. That silky hair, those long, lean legs, that rounded ass. Yeah, she would definitely do.

"I need to find him," I overheard her say as I drew closer. "And his fraternity brothers said he was here."

He? Who the hell was he? Shit, I hoped she didn't have some boyfriend who'd screw up my plans. As she tilted her head to the side, obviously begging Kelly to leave, a niggling of familiarity washed over me and I almost stumbled in my tracks. Where the hell had I seen her before? Certainly I hadn't already slept with her, I'd remember a face like that.

"I just met this guy," Kelly whined. "I want to stay."

"I don't want to leave you here alone."

Kelly laughed. "Mia, I go to these parties all the time alone."

The redhead started to open her mouth in protest when I interrupted. "Kelly," I called out in greeting. "How are you?"

Her startled brown gaze jumped to me. I hadn't had much to do with her before and my interest obviously surprised her. She was way too desperate for my liking, but I kept my attention on Kelly. Any glance toward her friend would make me seem interested.

The redhead might have been watching me warily, but Kelly's gaze was sliding boldly up and down my body. "I'm good. Really good."

I waited a breath, then turned my attention toward her friend. A smooth transition, until her gaze met mine. Green eyes. Brilliant green eyes that would have pierced my fucking soul, if I'd had one. "Griffin St. Clare," I somehow managed to get out.

I swore the redhead visibly stiffened at the sound of my name, although I couldn't be positive. Or maybe it was just interest that flashed across her eyes. I usually could read women so easily, but she was a mystery.

I stepped closer to her, close enough that her sweet scent hit me hard. Something warm and exotic, something that reminded me of Hawaii. "We haven't met, have we?"

She didn't have time to respond. "Oh, this is a friend from long ago," Kelly said dismissively, as if they weren't exactly friends anymore. Jealousy. I'd seen it a hundred times before between the female sex. Really, whoever had started the rumor that women were hard to read had been an idiot.

"Mia," she said so softly I barely heard her over the music.

I held out my hand. She paused for a moment, then reluctantly she slid her soft palm against mine. My grip tightened and I held onto her slightly longer than was appropriate. Startled, she glanced up at me. Deer in headlights. Damn, those innocent eyes got to me more than I wanted to admit.

Drawn to her, I stepped closer. "You live around here?"

She pulled her hand away, her fingers curling against her flat belly. I recognized the soft pant of her breath, the widening of her pupils. Hell, yeah, she was attracted to me. "No, just visiting."

A slow smile spread across my lips. Perfect, and she had no fucking clue. I'd get what I wanted, and she'd leave in the morning; no strings.

****

Mia

I knew what he wanted.

Maybe I'd only had one boyfriend in my entire eighteen years, but that didn't mean I was an idiot.

Griffin St. Clare was a big-time player.

We'd never met, technically. But for that brief while when my mom had been working for his father, I'd certainly heard about him often enough to know I should stay away. And Kelly had kept me in the loop through email over the years, her stories of the rich elite incredibly entertaining. I admit I found myself searching for his name upon more than one occasion when she sent me a message.

Griffin. The bad boy in the family.

Griffin. The one who had been kicked out of boarding school for drunken behavior his senior year.

Griffin. The one who slept with models and actresses.

But it hadn't mattered that he'd been kicked out of school those years ago. Daddy had bought his diploma and had bought him a way into college. Not like me, someone who had had to work five nights a week after school, saving away every penny. And all thanks to his dear old dad for firing my mom for no reason. I should have walked away from him out of loyalty alone. So why didn't I? Because as much as I knew I shouldn't...I couldn't help but find him fascinating.

He smiled, making my heart hitch. "You don't go to parties often, do you?"

Yep, I'd fantasized about him more than enough. To make matters worse, he looked even better than I remembered. I wanted to brush him off, but when he gave me that crooked grin, when he spoke with that slow and sexy southern accent, my annoyance melted away. Good Lord, he was cute, and that accent only added to his appeal. But then money, success, and attractiveness went hand in hand, didn't they? Sure enough, those little girl crush-worthy feelings came rushing back. I had a boyfriend, I had to remind myself. Then again considering I hadn't heard from Seth in a month, maybe I was no longer attached and it was perfectly acceptable to flirt with Griffin.

"Is it that obvious?" I finally replied, realizing he was waiting for my response.

"Mia's a recluse," Kelly stated, butting in. "She has a boyfriend. He's here somewhere."

I flushed, embarrassed by her description of me, and slightly ashamed that I'd been caught gawking at another guy. Mom hadn't given me a reason for her firing. She'd merely arrived home one Friday and said to pack, we were moving back north, and that she couldn't handle the heat and humidity of the south anyway. Maybe she'd done something that warranted the firing. Maybe I shouldn't feel guilty about talking to Griffin. But part of me did and it had nothing to do with Mom. No, it had everything to do with Seth. Pure and simple. As far as I knew I was still taken and a girl with a boyfriend most certainly should not be fantasizing about some childhood crush. Even if her boyfriend was MIA.

Kelly was chatting about the party, doing her best to draw Griffin's attention back to her. For some reason, his gaze remained on me. I admit that having his undivided attention was thrilling. I needed the ego boost and to have the interest of a hot, rich, athletic guy didn't hurt.

I'd never thought I'd return to the south, and I sure as heck didn't think I'd ever see Griffin again. But then I hadn't expected my boyfriend to head to college in Savannah, Georgia. Up until three months ago his plan had been to go to New York with me. Apparently he'd changed his mind. You'd think he would have mentioned something that important sooner rather than later.

Seth, Kelly and I had been friends as children. When I'd moved back north Seth and I had gone from pen pals, to boyfriend and girlfriend. Although Seth had lost contact with her when he'd gone to boarding school, I'd kept in contact with Kelly through Facebook. When Seth had stopped answering my calls, I'd asked if she would mind if I stayed with her for a few days. Yeah, it was a bit awkward considering Kelly and I barely talked anymore, but I'd been desperate. Mom didn't need to know that I'd driven ten hours south under the pretense of visiting Kelly, to see if I could find Seth and figure out why the heck he'd disappeared.

Although Mom had brushed off my unease, I'd been worried, even terrified something had happened to him. Until I'd knocked on the door of his fraternity house, that is. Come to find out, Seth was doing quite well, according to his new fraternity brothers, and they'd happily told me where I could find him...at a party. When I'd explained the situation to Kelly, she'd been all too willing to go, saying she knew the way. But the place was packed and even though we'd been here an hour, I still hadn't found Seth.

"You in college?" Griffin asked.

"I'm taking a year off," Kelly lied.

She'd told me only this morning that she had no interest in further study. College was all I had. It was my ticket out of the dreary life my mother, sister, and I had led. I searched the room, looking for Seth's familiar dimpled grin. Where was he? Maybe his frat brothers had lied. It was obvious they were hiding something, if their smirks and laughter had been any indication. Had they sent me on a wild goose chase meant to humiliate me?

"And you?" Griffin asked, startling me.

I tore my attention from the crush of partiers. "Starting."

He quirked a brow and leaned his hand against the mantel, basically trapping me between him and the fireplace. A heated flush crawled slowly, almost painfully through my body and I had to resist the urge to lurch back. I couldn't breathe when he was near, couldn't concentrate, couldn't think of anything but him. How could anyone smell so damn good? He was literally the definition of a chick magnet, and he sure as heck knew it.

"Where you going?"

I drew in a deep breath. Get ahold Mia! He was just a guy, a really hot, sexy guy. Besides, I had a boyfriend. At least...I hoped. "Actually, New York." If the scholarship came through. Please, God, let it come through. "To study art history."

He leaned farther into the wall, closer to me, and raised his brows in surprise. "No one would take you here?" he teased. "You have to go to another state?"

"I'm not from here." Even though I was pretty sure his interest was all merely to charm me, I still returned his grin. Lord, what was it about men like him? "And I've always wanted to see the east coast. Why not?"

"Because you'll do a disservice to us if you leave. Why should we have to share you?"

I cringed at his line, even as that betraying heat in my body flared. He didn't take offense, but laughed. Mom had warned me about guys like him before I'd hit puberty. She should know, the bad boys were the very sort of men she had always dated. And Griffin was definitely a bad boy.

As Griffin watched me with those gorgeous gray eyes, every bit the guy eager to get with me, my good intentions wavered. Even worse than that brief time I'd seen him at the office. I'd been fifteen, skinny, gangly, freckles and crooked teeth. And he'd been gorgeous, no ugly duckling stage for him. He hadn't given me a second glance, merely swept by. Heck, he probably hadn't even noticed me standing there next to Mom's desk with about as much personality as the potted plant in the corner.

"Want to find somewhere to talk? Somewhere we can actually hear each other?"

Oh God, no. I knew better than to go off to some secluded corner with Griffin St. Clare.

"Sounds great!" Kelly cried out, although it was obvious she hadn't been included. Girl was desperate and it made me feel sorry for her.

But my compassion was forgotten when Griffin shifted, and I spotted Seth near the hall.

My Seth.

Relieved, I started to call out to him, only for the words to die on my lips. My Seth with his arms around some blonde. My Seth pressing his lips to the woman, leaning into her lush body as if he belonged there, belonged to her.

Despair and anger swirled together in a gut-wrenching pain that had me slumping against the wall. My surroundings, Kelly, even Griffin were momentarily forgotten. I couldn't seem to look away. Watched in horror and shock as his hands roamed down her back and cupped her butt pulling her even closer. Pain gave way to a cold wash of numbness. Utterly, completely numb.

I'd known, hadn't I? A boyfriend didn't stop calling unless he was no longer interested. But I hadn't wanted to admit it to myself. Tried to defend his actions, thinking he was just nervous and busy since college would be starting and he was pledging. I'd even forgiven him for not telling me until the last minute that he wasn't going to New York. I knew how much his father wanted him to stay in Georgia. But now...I sure as hell couldn't explain this away.

It was over.

Everything I'd feared would happen...had. A waste of time and gas money to drive here. And now I was stuck with Kelly, a girl more interested in sharing sexy selfies on Facebook than actually keeping in touch with friends. Seth laughed at something the girl said, and then wrapped his arm around her waist in a familiar way that proclaimed he'd known her for some time. But it was when he led her down the hall and toward the bedrooms that acid rose in my throat.

"You okay?" Griffin asked, tilting his head to the side and studying me as if he actually cared. Yeah, he knew exactly how to make a girl feel special. I knew it was all an act. I knew what he really wanted. The same thing all guys wanted. Yet at the moment, having his attention, kept me here...breathing.

Anger and humiliation fought for control. My own boyfriend might not want me any longer, but this guy did, and Griffin made Seth look like a fumbling preteen. Desperately I scanned Griffin's perfect face, his broad shoulders, muscled arms, apparent through the vintage soccer t-shirt he wore. I was tempted to take him up on his offer. So very tempted. Seth sure as heck wouldn't expect that, would he? Heated tears stung my eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I glanced toward that hall. Seth and his new girlfriend had disappeared. If he could rush off to live up the single life, why couldn't I? And I was single now, I reminded myself. I was young. Most importantly, I was attracted to the very hot guy standing close to me.

"Sometimes I just wish you'd let loose," Seth's voice came back to haunt me.

Fine, he wanted me to let loose? I would.

"Oh, don't worry about Mia. This just isn't her scene," Kelly said, with a laugh, sliding her arm through Griffin's and staking her claim.

I would have been annoyed by Kelly's obvious attempt to get rid of me, but Griffin's attention remained my way. He wanted me. Wanted me.

"Mia, didn't you want to leave?" Kelly reminded me. "Weren't you going to find Seth...your boyfriend?"

Her words were like a knife twisting in my gut...painfully, slowly, torturous.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Griffin asked again.

I nodded, but my chest felt tight, the air too thin. Oh God, I couldn't pass out in here. I couldn't faint in front of all these people.

"She's fine," Kelly interrupted quickly.

Griffin's gaze was still on me, but he spoke to Kelly. "Before I forget, Kenny was asking for you. He's in the game room."

"Ugh," she sighed, hesitating. I didn't know who Kenny was, but obviously he wasn't someone Kelly could pass up. "I'll be right back. You guys wait here."

So, he was rich then. For once I was grateful she was so shallow. I'd planned to flee, but the moment she turned to leave, Griffin rested his hand on my lower back and led me through the crowds. And because I felt as if someone had just ripped out my heart, and because my legs were suddenly weak, I let him.

"Come on. You look like you need air."

His hand branded my back, his touch seeping into my body, warm and comforting. But it was an illusion. I knew what Griffin wanted, and I knew what would happen if we went outside. Griffin St. Clare wasn't leading me into the garden because he cared, but because he wanted something. He wanted me.

If I wanted out, I needed to make an excuse now. Yet, I couldn't seem to open my mouth and protest because Seth was in that house probably screwing some blonde. And suddenly we were stepping into the dark night, merging into the shadows where other couples were lounging on patio furniture, sitting along the pool edge, kissing, making out.

Griffin led me toward a bench underneath an arbor, half-hidden by ivy. Kelly would never see us, hopefully. I needed the time, I needed the air. Knees weak, I sank gratefully onto the bench. For a few moments we just sat, watching the party from a distance, hiding within a cocoon of privacy. And I didn't protest when he rested his arm along the back of the seat, so close to me that his shoulder pressed against my back. I didn't protest because Seth apparently had a new girlfriend. God, I was such an idiot.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" he asked casually, but I saw the interest in his eyes.

"No," I snapped out a little too harshly.

He was quiet for a moment, as if mulling over his next response. "I have a feeling this isn't your sort of scene."

I shrugged, but I couldn't look away from the upstairs windows. Which room was he in? "Maybe not."

"Me either."

I laughed, I couldn't help myself. Our conversation was so ridiculous and I couldn't quite believe I was flirting with Griffin in the garden while my boyfriend was screwing some blonde inside the house. "You are such a liar!"

His leg pressed against mine and I could feel the heat of him through the material of our shorts. I didn't move away. I liked his warmth, his touch. I liked flirting with him. For months now I'd been lost in a haze of pain and denial, focused on Seth. But flirting with Griffin made me feel alive once more.

"Sure, I go to parties, but I'd rather be at home with a few friends."

He was so sincere, I could almost believe him. Almost. I forced myself to smile back.

"What?" he asked warily.

"Why don't you just tell me the truth? You're flirting with me because you've decided I'll be your next conquest."

"Conquest?" He seemed startled by my blunt comment, but I wasn't buying it. Slowly, he pressed his hand to his heart. "You wound me."

I shook my head, hating the fact that I blushed so easily. "Honesty, okay? That's all I ask."

He was silent for a brief moment, his intense gaze studying me and I wondered if anyone had ever been so blunt with him. But mostly I wondered what he was thinking. "Alright. Honesty."

I waited anxiously for his next comment. If I was being honest with myself I'd admit that the guy terrified me...his attractiveness, his experience, the heat between us. I knew it could go his way very quickly. Yeah, he terrified me, but I also needed this, craved the attention after everything that had happened with Seth.

"You want honesty?" he asked. "Okay, I don't see it as a conquest."

When I raised my brows in disbelief he shrugged again.

"I'm serious. I think of it as two people giving each other pleasure." A light went on in one of the upstairs windows, drawing my attention to the house. Griffin slid his finger under my chin, forcing me to look back at him. "And believe me, you would experience pleasure."

I sucked in a sharp, surprised breath. No man had ever been so straight-forward and I found myself fascinated by the truth of what he said. He didn't move, merely waited for me to respond. Ball was in my court. The heat in my body didn't diminish. No, it pulsed through me in a beat that I didn't fully understand. I could go to Seth, demand an explanation, or...or I could kiss Griffin and forget for a few minutes.

"Honestly." He leaned closer to me, those firm lips only a breath away. "Right now all I want to do is to kiss you."

I didn't respond. How could I? But I didn't move away either because I wanted that kiss probably as much as he did. Could he erase the memory of Seth? Could he make me forget, at least for a short while, that my boyfriend was upstairs with another woman? He cupped the side of my face, his palm warm on my cheek. His gaze lingered first on my eyes, then lowered to my lips. The suspense was driving me insane. Griffin was going to kiss me. It was surreal, ridiculous almost. The richest guy in the south, certainly the most gorgeous, was going to kiss me. Me.

He leaned forward and automatically my lashes lowered. I felt his warm breath on my lips and had to resist the urge to reach out. I would not go to him, I'd make him come to me. I did have a little self-respect left. Just a little...

"Griffin?" someone called out.

A woman's voice.

I stiffened, pulling away and jerking my gaze toward the yard.

Griffin moaned, obviously annoyed. "Ignore her." His arm slid around my waist and he drew me close once more. "Where were we?"

"Griffin?" she called out again, her voice slurred.

She was drunk. Talk about a cold dose of reality. Oh God, what had I been thinking? Was I really going to make out with my schoolgirl crush just to get back at Seth? The intruder stumbled to a halt when she spotted us. Under the porch light I could tell she was pretty. More than pretty. Slim and delicate looking, she had blonde hair and a body that could make a Victoria Secret's model jealous.

"Griffin," she sighed, almost exasperated. "I need to talk to you."

"Shit, my sister." He stood, raking his hands through his hair. He seemed flustered, which made me curious. Had our near kiss really rattled him? "I'll be back. Don't move."

And with that he gripped her arm and led her toward the house. The heat of attraction still thrummed in my veins, but my body was slowly cooling as my rational mind finally took over. Was it really his sister? I frowned. If it was his sister, why did he seem like he was trying to pawn her off so quickly?

My gaze went to that upstairs window. The light had gone off. Sudden tears burned my eyes. What the heck was I doing? Embarrassed, I glanced around, noting the attention of more than a few people. Were they putting me into the same category as Kelly? A woman who slept with anyone who smiled at her? That wasn't me. I had more self-respect, at least I hoped. Maybe, just maybe, this was the universe's way of saving me from ruining my reputation.

I sure as heck wasn't one to ignore fate. It was time to head back to Ohio. Without pause, I jumped to my feet and raced for the gate on the side of the yard, fleeing Seth, fleeing Griffin, and fleeing my school-girl innocence for good.

Chapter 2

Mia

It wasn't until I had walked to the end of the long drive, far away enough from the house and the thumping music no longer drowned out the sound of the surrounding seaside, that I let the tears fall. I'd known Seth for years, how could he do this to me? Angry, I swiped at my damp cheeks. He said his parents hadn't approved of the long distance relationship; but I knew ever since his father had gotten that raise and they'd sent Seth to boarding school that they didn't think I was good enough for their son. But we'd made it work, seeing each other on summer and Christmas breaks. I'd thought our relationship was different, that we could survive anything. I should have known better.

Alone, I had time to think about what had happened. Alone, there was no distraction to keep the pain at bay. It wasn't just pain that twisted in my gut, but guilt. I had wasted money, lots of money, to travel to Georgia. I had never been so irrational in my life. No, that type of flighty behavior belonged to my mom. I was the one who held us together, the one who made sure the bills were paid, made sure my fourteen year old sister, Zoe, had lunch money and clothes for school.

What had I been thinking? I hadn't been thinking, that was the problem. I'd wasted money and time driving hours to find some guy who obviously didn't want to be found. Seth had lied and cheated, and I was the idiot who had believed he would be faithful.

Would it have been so bad to sleep with Griffin?

"Yes," I snapped back at myself. "Yes it...."

Maybe not. Maybe it would have been good. Really, really good, as Griffin had suggested. I reached into my pocket, pulling out my keys. I admit part of me regretted leaving him there without a number or even a see you later. When would I have gotten a chance with him again? But that's the thing...that chance would be a one night stand.

Was I that sort of a girl? Part of me wished I was. At least once. Just once. The part of me who wanted to get back at Seth. The part of me who wanted to show Kelly that I could be fun and spontaneous too. And the part of me that was tired of missing out by being the good girl. It was too late now...I didn't dare go back to that party.

I weaved my way between two cars parked haphazardly at the end of the drive, as if they'd been abandoned in some post-apocalyptic society. I was glad I wasn't blocked in, the idea of a quick getaway more than appealing. Kelly was right, I wasn't a party girl. Far from it. I spent my nights studying and my weekends working at the local diner saving money for college and to visit Seth. Although I tried to keep the tears from falling, another slipped down my cheek.

With a trembling hand, I pulled my cell from my pocket and texted Kelly. Leaving. Are you ready?

I could only pray she wouldn't take long.

A few seconds later, my phone buzzed. Go on without me. Found a hottie.

I hated abandoning her. But even she had admitted that she went to these parties a lot, and was no stranger to the guys. It had been obvious from the moment I'd stepped into that house that by association those same guys who leered at her thought, for some reason, I would be as easy. The ick factor alone had made me want to bolt immediately. But I'd needed to find Seth. Seth, who didn't want me. Griffin had. He wanted me. A strong temptation indeed. But I had standards and I wouldn't make out with Griffin while my boyfriend was sleeping with a blonde only a short distance away.

I turned the corner and headed down the side of the road where the cars were parked. The area was eerily quiet. In the distance I could hear the roar of the ocean and thump of music; a low, vague sound that pulsed unnaturally together. I loved the beach, always had. We'd moved here when I'd turned eleven, and I'd been thrilled. A year later Mom had gotten some job as a secretary for some fancy law firm. She worked late hours, leaving me alone a lot, but she had said it would be a step in the right direction, and we'd have to grin and bear it. I'd met Kelly first, a girl who lived in our apartment complex. When I'd started school I'd been seated next to Seth. Seth, who had given me a shy smile that first day. Seth, who had left a daisy on my desk.

Then, when I was fifteen, just like that it ended. We moved back north to Ohio. Mom married Charlie, some guy she met at a bar, and that was my life in a nutshell. She thought he'd be a good catch since he had a son a year older than me. But the son, Jackson, had been about as happy for the union as I, and had run away almost immediately. We'd barely seen him since. Charlie and my mom got divorced and he died a year later from an overdose.

I paused for a brief moment, breathing in the clean, salt air. My world had been thrown into chaos because Seth had ruined everything. I still loved the ocean, but for some reason it seemed nefarious and dangerous tonight. I shivered, crossing my arms over my chest.

Every Wednesday and every Saturday Seth and I had talked on the phone. We'd emailed daily. But this summer the emails had tapered off, the calls had stopped coming. And I'd known. Deep down I'd known, I just hadn't wanted to admit it.

Disconcerted, I glanced back at the house, barely noticeable behind the sand dunes and sea grass. I felt guilty for leaving Kelly behind. I knew I'd probably never see her again. As kids, Kelly had been a fun girl. She'd forced me to be more social when I would have rather stayed at home with a book than risk the trials of adolescence. But that had been a long, long time ago. I was sad for her; sad for what she could have been. I wasn't quite sure if she wanted attention, or hoped to land some rich husband, but I saw the way they used her and it made me even more determined to leave. The realization that this could have been my future sent a shiver over my skin. I didn't belong here with these rich, spoiled kids and I never would.

A twig snapped, the sound surprising me. I didn't move, but waited with breath held to see what had made the noise. There was the softest rustle of grass. Or had I imagined the sound? "Hello?"

A shadow darted across the road, gone before I had time to identify what I'd just seen. I drew back, startled and confused. Was it a deer? Or had I imagined that too?

I wasn't about to wait around and find out who was out there. I raced down the road, my heart thundering madly. Reaching my blue Toyota, I dove inside, making sure to lock the doors behind me. I swore to God, if I was murdered I was going to make them put, "It was all Seth's fault" on my tombstone.

"Bad idea, Mia," I whispered, turning the key with a trembling hand. "Stupid to drive south. Stupid to come to the party. Stupid to leave alone in the middle of the night. Stupid Seth."

The engine chugged to life, then just as quickly fell silent. I turned the key again. Nothing. Not even a little sound.

"Shit, shit, shit." I pounded my fists on the wheel. Not good. Not good at all. I'd have to walk back to the house, find Kelly. And the chance that she'd give up her hottie and help me were about as likely as Santa Claus coming to my rescue. Besides, what if I ran into Seth?

Nervously, I glanced around the dark road, looking for that shadow, but saw nothing. I took in a deep, trembling breath, forcing my shoulders to relax. Most likely it had been a stray dog, or a wild deer. Or a reminder from the universe about how stupid it was to be out here alone. The only thing to worry about was groping, drunken, college boys.

Gingerly, I pushed open my door and stepped out of the car, holding up my cell phone. "Perfect. Freaking perfect."

No signal. But seriously, was I surprised? Not really, the way this night was going. Reluctantly, I glanced down the long drive toward the house. Music pulsed from the building, the light reflecting off the sand like a disco ball. I could always head into that bedroom, tap Seth on the shoulder while he was screwing his blonde, and ask him if he could kindly take me to a bus station when he'd finished.

Heated tears burned my eyes as a hysterical bubble of laughter rose in my throat. I sank back against the car. Even if my phone worked, who would I call? I didn't have the money to get a taxi. Crap. I needed a car for work this summer. Who would have thought a trip to the coast would end up as a colossal failure.

"You need help?"

Startled, I jumped away from the car. But my nervousness quickly gave way to surprise. "You stalking me?"

I hadn't meant to say the words, but Griffin merely laughed, finding no offense. "No, leaving. I lost interest when the girl I was so infatuated with dumped me without word."

I shook my head, a reluctant smile pulling at my lips. Just having him here made me feel better, for some reason. I glanced back down the road where the shadow had disappeared. "I'm having car issues."

"You okay?" he asked, his voice sounding genuinely concerned.

I shook off my unease. It had just been an animal. "Yeah." Why did he have to be so damn cute and so damn charming? "Infatuated, huh? You say that to everyone?"

"No." He crossed his arms over his chest, his shirt stretching tight against his broad shoulders, and leaned against my car. Close, so close that if I just scooted a couple feet we'd be touching. "Not everyone. Come on, there's no signal out here. I'll take you home."

I hesitated, unsure how much to divulge. "I told you, I'm not from here."

"Right." He paused for a moment, as if going over his options. "Then you'll come to my place."

Okay, I hadn't expected that, although I should have. I knew exactly what would happen if he took me home, and as much as I wanted him, as much as I wanted to know what it would be like to sleep with this guy, that small bit of rationality deep within told me to keep walking.

"Not going to happen." I turned and forced myself to start toward the house. "I've seen enough horror movies. Like I'm going to get in a car with a stranger."

He fell into step beside me. "But I'm not a stranger, am I?"

I stumbled, feeling the blood drain from my face. Did he actually recognize me? The thought of him remembering that gawky teen was horrifying. "What do you mean?"

"I think we've met."

I swallowed down my panic. He didn't remember, he couldn't. "Actually we haven't."

True enough. I'd only seen him in passing and heard about him. Heard so very much that at fifteen I'd sort of become obsessed. Heard things that would probably embarrass him if he knew. I slid him a glance. Then again, maybe not. I couldn't imagine Griffin being embarrassed about anything.

He sighed. "Listen, I can have any woman I want. You really think I have to resort to begging or attacking?"

He was arrogant and blunt, I'd give him that much. For some reason I found it comforting. Truth was I'd never heard any relationship horror stories where he was concerned. According to Kelly, the women came running to him, in fact, some wouldn't let go. And as far as I knew he'd always made it abundantly clear that he was a one-night stand sort of guy.

"No, I don't think you'd need to beg anyone. But it doesn't matter." I turned to head up the drive. I'd have to suck it up and call my mom. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Don't trust me, or don't trust yourself?"

Caught off balance by his remark, I looked up at him. My foot hit a rock, my ankle wobbling. Unable to catch myself, I tumbled, falling sideways. My bottom hit the ground with a thud that jarred my entire body. For a moment I just sat there in the ditch staring up at the starry sky, while a heated blush swept up my neck and into my cheeks. I prayed Griffin would just walk away, leave me in the ditch with my shame. But nope, he appeared leaning over me like some damn knight in shining armor.

He grinned. "So, you come here often?"

And in that moment, he had me. I laughed, I couldn't help myself. The situation was so ridiculous. Besides, going with him certainly couldn't be any worse than returning to the party and running into Seth. He held out his hand. I slid my fingers around his and with a quick jerk he pulled me to my feet. I fell into his hard body, our clasped hands the only thing between us. He didn't let go, but kept his grip firm.

"This is what I'll do... I'll call for our mechanic, and he'll fix your car."

"I don't have the money," I muttered, dropping my gaze to the neckline of his t-shirt. Why I was embarrassed, I wasn't sure. Who cared what this pretty boy believed? I'd stopped worrying about what others thought of me long, long ago.

"Your parents—"

"I have one parent and she doesn't have the money either," I snapped out, frustrated. Why couldn't he understand? Some people just weren't rich.

He lifted his shoulders, then heaved a great sigh. "Such a troublemaker."

I frowned. He might have been joking, but I didn't like to be reminded that I didn't have money. And I'd always made it a point to never rely upon anyone but myself. Still, I needed help and Seth sure as heck wasn't an option. The sudden sting of tears caught me off guard. I kept my gaze down, praying I wouldn't cry in front of him.

"Just joking." He nudged me with his shoulder. "Listen, the mechanic works for my family. He's paid whether he's doing something or not. Might as well use him, right?"

"But—"

"And if you're worried about your virtue, I swear I've never done anything anyone didn't willingly participate in."

His words sent a flare of heat through my already aching body. I took my lower lip between my teeth and lifted my gaze to him. Those steel eyes were warm, but curious. He was waiting to see if I'd take the bait. Funny enough I wasn't worried about him. No, the problem was I was worried about myself. If I went home with Griffin, I had a feeling I would end up in his bed.

The question was...did I want to be there?

****

Griffin

"Are you joking?" Mia turned her wide gaze toward me as we pulled into the drive. "You said it was a cottage by the beach."

I liked the husky sound of her voice. I liked that she smelled like Hawaii: coconut and some sort of soft flower. Mostly, I liked the way she looked at me; reservation and need wrapped into one heated glance. She was attracted to me, she just didn't want to admit it. But I was patient when I wanted something. And I wanted her. "Yeah, it is."

She laughed, clutching her purse tightly to her chest.

I even liked her velvety laugh.

"This is a mansion, on the water's edge."

The place was dark, empty, just as I'd hoped. Everything was falling into place. The mere thought of pulling her clothes off, moving my hands up her smooth legs, tasting her...was making me hard. She wouldn't be loud, no. She would make little mewing noises, soft, delicate pants. And those eyes...those green eyes would turn to liquid when she came. Fuck my conscience; I wanted her.

"It's just a vacation home. Something we use on breaks and when we want to get out of the city."

She quirked a brow. "Just."

But I could see the unease in her eyes. This was making her nervous. Shit. My fingers curled tightly around the steering wheel as my guilt fought with my desire. I'd sworn to never sleep with poor townies; they expected too much. But tonight...tonight I'd break that rule. Shoving aside any reserve, I pushed open my door.

"Come on." I started around the car, intending to open her door, always the gentleman, but she was out before I could. Miss Independent. I could deal with that. In fact, I kind of respected it. We moved up the steps to the house. It was only five bedrooms, far from the mansion she claimed. It was inherited from an aunt long since dead. Dad said he kept it for property value investment, but I knew the real reason. They let us use it so we wouldn't bother them in Savannah.

I typed in the security code. "Sort of a house for me, my brother and sister."

She lifted her brows. "Ah, your sister, right."

I started to reach for the doorknob, only to pause, the note in her tone surprising me. "And brother."

She didn't respond, merely crossed her arms over her chest and avoided my gaze. I realized with some amusement that it wasn't my brother she had a problem with, it was my sister. "Why the tone?" Suddenly, it hit me...she was jealous. I laughed, amused, although why I wasn't sure. "You don't believe me."

She flushed, uncertainty flashing across her green eyes. "Sure I do."

I leaned forward, my mouth only a few inches from hers. She didn't wear lipstick or gloss, her lips would be smooth and silky and natural when I claimed her mouth. "You didn't think she was my sister, did you?"

She tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear, a nervous gesture. "I thought, maybe...she was a friend."

A friend? Right. I rested a palm on either side of the doorframe, trapping her between me and the door, and leaned close. Hell, I wanted to drink her in. Wanted to kiss her until her knees buckled. "I don't want to do this to my friends."

I lowered my head and brushed my lips across hers. Silky smooth mouth, just as I'd imagined. A soft kiss, a mere promise of what was to come. She shivered under my touch. That shiver turned me rock hard and urged me onward.

"Or this."

Unable to stop myself, I rested my hands on her hips and brought her up against me. She fit perfectly; all soft curves, full breasts crushed to my chest, a rounded ass I couldn't help but cup. Feeling the proof of my attraction pressing against her lower belly, her eyes went wide.

Just as I was leaning down to give her a thorough kiss, one that would make the nervousness in her gaze disappear completely, she shoved her purse between us and pushed me back. "Slow down, cowboy."

Her words came out breathless making it pretty damn obvious she was dredging up what little strength she had left to resist. Let her think she had the upper hand. Damn, maybe she did. She interested me more than I wanted to admit. She wasn't only independent, but hard to get. Fine with me. I didn't mind working for what I wanted. And I definitely wanted her.

I reached around, my bicep brushing against the side of her breast, and opened the door. She didn't flinch away. No, if anything she seemed to lean toward me. I had her right where I wanted her.

As the door swung open, I stepped aside, giving her room to enter of her own accord. "All the comforts of home with an ocean view."

She walked hesitantly into the foyer, like a wild animal unsure if she could trust her surroundings. I followed, closing the door behind us. It was my job to put her at ease.

"Wow," I thought I heard her whisper.

I'd never given much thought to my surroundings. I wasn't a damn idiot; I knew I was rich. But when you were born into wealth like mine, you sort of took it for granted. Now I tried to see it through her eyes. The house was open, the kitchen and living room connected into a large, comfortable space. A wall of windows and French doors looked out onto decks and farther...the ocean. Impressive, I supposed, but I'd sure as hell seen better. It was nothing to get uneasy about, but she definitely looked nervous. I bit back my sigh. Any other woman in her station would have been impressed. Not Mia. No, she was more uneasy. Who the hell was she and where had she come from?

"Something to drink?" I asked, heading toward the open kitchen and leaving her alone by the pool table that lay between the kitchen and living room. My siblings and I had sort of made it our singles pad. Besides the pool table, a huge flat screen hung on the far wall and a massive sectional couch took up most of the living room space.

"Nice," she said.

"Yep. Everything we need. Except for parents. But really, who the hell needs those."

I cringed over the unexpected sound of bitterness in my voice and pulled open the refrigerator door. Last thing I needed was for her to think I was one of those guys...the kind that needed to be fixed. Some loser desperate for human compassion because mommy and daddy hadn't loved me enough. Screw that. I liked my life. Most of the time.

"Drink?" I asked again.

Slowly she moved from the foyer into the large living room, her wide gaze taking in every tiny detail. Thank God we had a maid come in every other day. "Sure."

I pulled a bottle of wine from the refrigerator and poured her a glass, then grabbed myself a beer. "Come on."

I handed her the wine and moved toward the French doors. I couldn't push her; she needed to follow me without feeling pressured. I didn't wait for her but made my way outside and settled on the double lounge. It was as big as a bed, which is why I'd bought it, and why Bridgette, my sister, constantly teased me about the purchase. She knew what I'd intended.

The rush of waves crashing against the shore was a welcome, familiar sound that I'd missed at college. I was doing my damnest to flunk out, but dear ole Dad kept buying me back in. I tossed back a swig of beer. If only I could spend my days here, life would be perfect. But no, the bastard actually expected me to become a lawyer, like him. Truth was I would never, ever be the man he wanted me to be. I was fine with that, too bad he wasn't.

Moments later Mia's shadow fell from the doorway. I hid my grin. All I had to do was wait and they always followed. Patience was definitely a virtue.

Slowly, she moved toward the lounge and settled beside me. "It's gorgeous out here." She dropped her purse to the ground, indicating she intended to stay.

"Yeah, never get tired of the beach."

She sipped her wine carefully, apparently liked it, and sipped again. Obviously she didn't drink much. "We don't have many beaches where I live."

There was something in her tone that caught my attention. A sadness I didn't understand. I watched her carefully, oddly wanting to know the way of her thoughts when I'd never cared much before what a woman was thinking. The wind tore a lock of hair from her ponytail, sweeping the silky strand across her smooth cheek. She nervously tucked it behind her ear.

"How do I know you?" I couldn't help but ask.

She laughed, relaxing against the cushion and turning her head toward me. I swore it was a game to her and she delighted in holding power over me. "You don't."

For some reason she lied. I prayed to God I hadn't already slept with her and this was payback for my lack of memory. "Fine. I guess I'll believe you." I rested my hand between us, sliding my fingers through hers. Ever so slowly, I rubbed the sensitive inside of her wrist with my thumb. She watched me warily but didn't pull away. "So why are you here in Georgia?"

She shrugged, glancing up at me through her lashes. If it had been any other woman I would have thought she was flirting. But this was Mia, a girl who wore her feelings in her innocent eyes. "I'm just...visiting."

Liar. And she'd been the one to tell me that she wanted honesty? I could tell by the way she avoided eye contact that she was holding something back. Normally, I wouldn't care but I wanted to know her secrets.

My phone buzzed. Annoyed, I glanced at the screen.

Car fixed. In the drive.

"Everything okay?" she asked.

I tossed the phone onto a side table. Damn, I should've lied and told her it would be awhile, but for some insane reason I couldn't. "Yeah, great. Your car is working and waiting in the drive. Simple fix apparently."

She looked greatly relieved and set her wine glass on the ground as if intending to leave. Hell, I definitely should have lied. I kicked off my shoes and stacked my hands behind my head. "So." I stared out at the dark waves, feigning indifference. "You can leave."

"Yeah," she said. "I can."

Yet, she still sat there. I waited to see what she would do. She, apparently, was waiting to decide what to do. I wouldn't push her, I knew I didn't need to. She understood what she was getting into when she'd come home with me. She wanted me as much as I wanted her, she just didn't want to admit it.

I might not have been surprised when she lay back and gazed up at the stars but I sure as hell was thrilled. "I could live this way."

From any other woman her comment might have sounded shallow, but I could see the truth in her eyes. This woman was no gold-digger, she was merely enjoying the night. "Where you from, Yank?"

"Ohio."

As I sat there staring at her profile, that familiar sense of deja vu caught me off guard again. How the hell did I know her? "Long drive for a party."

She shrugged. "I came down to spend time with Kelly. Believe it or not we went to school together a long time ago."

I frowned, more than intrigued. Went to school together? As far as I knew Kelly had always lived here. Shit, had Mia lived in the area? Had I already screwed and dumped her? Surely I'd remember a face like hers. "So, you left town. You wanted by the law or something?"

She grinned and slid me a flirty glance. "Or something."

I watched her silently for a few moments, trying to piece together the puzzle that was this woman. A warm breeze sent a loose lock of her hair dancing through the air. I had to fist my hands to keep from reaching out and wrapping that silky strand around my fingers. Whether I had slept with her before or not didn't matter. Truth was I wanted her now. "Listen, sweetheart, I don't hide my intentions, ever. You know what I want. You know why I brought you here. The question is, why are you here?"

Her lips parted in surprise. Although I couldn't see that well in the dark, I knew she blushed. Instead of telling me to go to hell, as any good girl would have, she was quiet for a moment, as if mulling over her response. "I suppose the same reason you are."

Heated lust shot straight to my cock. And here I thought nothing could shock me anymore. I was even more surprised when she turned toward me, leaning closer. I had a brief second to realize her intention before her lips were molded to mine. It was all the urging I needed. Boldly, I cupped her ass and drew her close. Damn, she felt good against me. More than good...she felt like fucking heaven.

Her lips parted, her breath coming out in shallow, desperate pants. I knew, in that moment, I had her. She was ready. Ready and willing. I hid my grin as she pressed her sweet body closer to mine.

I had won. But then I always did. Really, life was almost too easy.

Chapter 3

Mia

"You sure?"

Griffin's question startled me. A question I certainly never expected, especially coming from him. I drew back, trying to read the intention in his eyes. Was Griffin, the notorious womanizer, actually asking me if I wanted to back out? Even in the dim light I could see that his gray gaze was intense, his mouth set into a firm line as he waited for my answer. Wow, the guy actually had a heart, and frankly, I didn't like it one bit.

Damn it, it wasn't supposed to be like this. He wasn't supposed to actually be nice, to actually care. This was merely about me and my need to forget. Flustered, I was silent for a moment. But I couldn't deny that my pulse hammered madly against his, my body thrumming with heat and unfulfilled desire. I was ready and obviously willing, yet he was giving me an out. Good God, even Griffin St. Clare thought I was a goodie-goody.

I admit a tiny part of me wavered, but I shoved that part down. For tonight, anyway, I was going to be free. I wasn't going to care about my reputation. I was merely going to feel. Besides, his scent covered me, as if he'd already claimed my body as his own. Steeling my nerves, I slid my hands up his muscled chest, wishing I was bold enough to remove his T-shirt. Frankly I didn't want to leave him. I was tired of being the good girl. Being good had gotten me nowhere but heart-broken. Why not have sex when I wanted with whom I wanted like everyone else?

Just once, my body whispered, urging me to move closer to him. And so I did.

I rested my hands at the hem of his T-shirt, and leaned in. "Don't talk," I muttered, pressing my mouth against his and giving into temptation.

His hands found the zipper of my hoodie and suddenly I was wearing only my tank top and shorts. Thank God I was sitting because my body went weak. He didn't need to be told twice, and I knew he wouldn't ask me again. Griffin cupped the back of my head, pulling my ponytail loose so that my hair fell in waves down my back.

"Better," he muttered.

I could feel him hard and throbbing against my thighs and when I should have been nervous, I only felt a deep aching need low in my belly. He knew just where to touch me, how much pressure to apply. While many of the kisses I'd experienced in the past had been sloppy, he was a master. When his tongue dove into my mouth, I opened eagerly for him, not holding back. He consumed me with that kiss, made me forget every good intention I'd ever had.

Grabbing the hem of his t-shirt, I struggled to lift it over his head, needing the sensation of skin against skin. No longer did I care about getting back at Seth. Helping me, Griffin lifted slightly, tossing his t-shirt aside. No, this was merely about pleasure, pure and simple. His hands found the hem of my tank top. I knew, in that moment, I was gone. Completely and utterly lost to the sensation.

I straddled his thighs wearing only my shorts and a bra and even though I knew I should have been nervous, I wasn't. Gripping my bottom, Griffin lifted me easily, sliding me up his lap so the friction against my legs only thrilled me more.

"God, you're gorgeous," he murmured.

I didn't have time to blush at his compliment because his lips were on my neck, leaving a trail of hot kisses down to my collarbone. My eyes closed, and I was surprised I wasn't actually purring. He was going fast, almost too fast. But the guy knew how to make me forget. The entire world fell away and all I could seem to focus on were the erotic sensations he caused deep within.

Unable to stop myself, I rocked forward, into his hard erection. The feel of his steel length against my soft core momentarily shocked me and my nerves flared. And then he moved his hips, surging up against me and the aching need between my legs sparked. Any reservations vanished.

Oh God, I was going to do this. I was going to have sex with a man I barely knew because I couldn't stop, didn't want to stop. Griffin wouldn't want anything after. He wouldn't want me or expect some complicated relationship. I could experience real lust, find out what everyone else was talking about, and be done with him, never seeing the guy again. It was perfect, really.

Hoping I'd do this with Seth, I'd worn my one and only sexy bra, pink with white lace along the edges. But Seth wouldn't see it. Thinking about him only made me angry, and even more determined to do what I pleased now with Griffin.

His obvious attraction made me bold and I rocked against him once more. Slowly, he lifted his hand. His finger traced the scalloped edge of my bra until shivers peppered my skin. The breeze from the ocean was cool, but my body was so damn hot. I'd felt this need, this desire, before with Seth. But with my boyfriend I'd always been able to stop. In fact, I'd wanted to stop. Something just hadn't felt right about it. Now, nothing short of a hurricane or Griffin's parents walking in would pull me away.

"So innocent." He seemed to find this amusing.

I didn't. That was the entire problem. I was tired of being thought of as a good girl. Determined, I reached around my back and undid the clasp of my bra. Without hesitation, I tossed the garment aside, not bothering to watch where it landed. Griffin's smirk vanished and suddenly I was the one in control. The power I felt left me breathless.

Under his heated gaze my breasts felt heavy, the nipples so very sensitive. An embarrassed flush raced up my neck and into my cheeks but I refused to cower or cover myself. Instead, I rocked against him as he looked his fill. I wanted this on so many levels. Completely accepting of the sensations running through my body, I closed my eyes and pressed my hips to his.

"Hell, you're perfect." Before I could guess his intentions, his hands were cupping my breasts.

My nervousness fled as a moan slipped from my lips. "Yes," I whispered.

His thumbs brushed over my nipples, and shivers of utter delight shot through my body. "Do you like that?"

I bit my lower lip to keep from crying out and nodded. Seth had never made me feel like this. Oh, there'd been groping, hesitancy. We'd gotten to second base plenty of times, but there had never been this assured touch, as if he wanted me desperately, as if I was his and his alone. And my body sure as heck had never reacted to Seth the way it reacted to Griffin. I found myself leaning into him, as if drawn by some invisible string. Desperate for his body, hungering for his taste, I couldn't stop touching him.

Griffin pressed his lips to the valley between my breasts. Liquid desire pooled between my thighs and I had to bite back my groan of need. His mouth moved higher, up my neck, leaving behind a trail of heat. Good. So very good. This is why women practically sold their souls to sleep with him. I moved against his hard erection, trying to ease the tight ache that had gathered in that most private part of my body, but nothing helped.

I whimpered, desperate.

"Hell," he groaned as I rocked against him. "You're going to make me come."

His blunt words made me blush, at the same time I yearned for more. Emboldened, I reached down between us and trailed my hand tentatively over his long, hard erection.

"Damn, Mia." He found the button at my waist.

I fell against him as he tugged my shorts down my thighs. My clothing landed with a swoosh to the deck. "Not fair," I pouted like the seductress I'd become. Who the hell was I? But Griffin emboldened me like no one else. I reached for the button at his waist, but his hand stopped me.

"Easy, sweetheart. You first." I wasn't sure of his meaning until his fingers trailed up the insides of my thighs. My breath caught, my body frozen. "Do you know how badly I want to be inside you?"

Our gazes clashed and held as his fingers traced the edge of my underwear. Part of me was terrified of what would happen, part of me terrified he would stop.

When he slid his finger beneath my panties, a gasp of sheer need escaped from my lips. I was embarrassingly wet even before he touched me. His thick lashes lowered, his breath catching as his finger brushed my dampness.

"God, you're hot," he murmured in that sexy southern drawl.

Leaning forward, he took my right breast into his mouth as his finger slid between my wet folds. I groaned, leaning into him while tremor after tremor shivered through my body. All too soon, he released my breast and pulled his hand from my panties.

"No," I whispered. The aching need was too much. He'd brought me so close, only to abandon me at the doors.

His grin was quick, perfect white teeth flashing in the darkness. "Easy, sugar."

When he reached for his waistband, I knew it was going to happen. Through my hazy mind, I realized it was now or never. Determined, I brushed away his hands and undid his clothing myself. Although my legs were weak, I somehow managed to crawl off him and stand.

He merely lay back and watched with a hard, heated gaze as I removed his clothes, sliding them down his muscled legs. For one long moment I could only stand there staring at him. Heck, it should have been illegal to look that good, but then he'd always been athletic. I should have expected him to have the body of a male model. I followed that thin trail of hair that led down his muscled stomach and toward his erection. I couldn't breathe. The sight of him had me terrified and eager at the same time.

"Mia?"

I heard the question in his voice. Shaking off my unease, slowly I reached for my underwear. Griffin's gaze dropped, his jaw clenching in a way that terrified and thrilled me all at once. Inch by inch, I dragged the panties down my legs until I was completely naked. It was only underwear, but I'd never undressed in front of a man and standing there naked while he drank his fill made me uneasy, yet at the same time emboldened.

His gaze moved over my body, from my face to my toes and I merely stood there while the ocean breeze whispered over my skin, doing little to cool my fevered form. "Come here, Mia."

There was no amusement in his tone, just a husky need that called to me. As I stepped closer I was highly aware of the twisting ache between my thighs, the cool brush of wind against my hardened nipples, the tingle of my skin. It was as if my entire body had come to life, abuzz with sensations I didn't even know could exist.

He held out his hand. I slid my fingers around his. With a gentle tug, he pulled me onto his lap. His nostrils flared ever so slightly, his lips pressed into a tight line as if he was trying desperately to hold back. Slowly, I moved over him, straddling his hips, my body completely exposed while his erection pressed hard and hot against my inner thighs.

He raked his fingers into my hair, bringing me down close, so close that my tender nipples brushed against his muscled chest. "I wanted you the moment I saw you at that party."

And Griffin always got what he wanted. His lips found mine in a heated kiss that sent any reservation floating away on the breeze. I only wanted to get lost in the moment, lost in him, and I had to remind myself that I wanted this. Needed this. His hand slid from my bottom, over my hip and between my legs. I was so desperate I should have been embarrassed, but all I could think about was easing the tormenting ache. When he slid his finger inside me, I gasped, arching my back and taking him deeper. His thumb rubbed the sensitive bud between my folds, the touch of an expert. It was almost too much.

"Hell, Yank, you're ready, aren't you?"

I flushed, embarrassed, but my shame was replaced with disappointment when he pulled his fingers free. Griffin leaned over and grabbed his shorts. When he pulled the condom from his pocket, the action was a reminder of what we were about to do. He slid the foil package between his teeth and tore it open. I was more than surprised when he lifted a brow and handed me the protection.

He wanted me to do the work.

I took the condom and leaned back. I'd never done it before but I wasn't about to tell him. As if I'd had all the experience in the world, I slid the protection over him, smoothing the rubber down his hard erection. The sensation of my hands rubbing down his cock must have been too much. His fingers gripped the lounge as he gritted his teeth. The instant I released my hold he gripped my hips and lifted me. I barely had time to gasp before I felt the tip of his erection press between my folds.

Nervousness inched its way into my belly. I knew it would hurt, but I also knew I wanted him more than I'd ever wanted anyone. Ignoring my anxiety, I focused on that aching need deep within. I wanted him. I wanted him with the pent-up frustration of a crush that had lasted years.

His gaze met mine. "Come for me, Mia."

It wasn't a request but a demand. He surged upward just as I moved down. The stinging pain was immediate and consuming. I bit my lower lip to keep from crying out. Last thing I wanted was for Griffin to realize. I knew it would feel strange, but I hadn't expected it to feel as if he was invading not only my body, but my soul.

"Fuck, you feel good," he murmured, stilling and squeezing his eyes closed.

I found it fascinating that I was the one with little experience, yet he was the one trembling. After a breathless moment, he lifted his hips once more. The stinging pain was still there, but that aching need swirled to the forefront. With a whimper, I collapsed atop him, hiding my face against his shoulder and breathing in his musky scent. He felt huge and invasive inside me, but I didn't want him to leave. I needed this right now...the connection to another.

Never in my life had I felt so close to someone else. His harsh breath rang in my ear and although his hands were running down my spine, over my bottom, I could tell he was holding back, waiting for me to take the lead.

Tentatively, I shifted my hips. The pain had all but disappeared and the friction of Griffin rubbing inside sent me spiraling over the edge. With each movement of my hips that desperate ache grew, and grew until it was almost unbearable. This is what I'd read about. This is why girls like me gave up their good intentions. Griffin gripped my bottom, thrusting upward every time I came down. And with each surge of my hips, Griffin groaned with a desperation that matched my own. I couldn't seem to stop moving, couldn't stop touching him. I needed to ease that flaring desire deep within and I knew only Griffin could help.

"God, you're gorgeous," he whispered.

"Don't," I panted, frustrated. I was tight, my insides twisting as I attempted to reach some wonderful release deep within that I had never reached before. "Don't use the same lines you use on everyone else. Just kiss me."

"Fine." His lips found mine as he surged into me one last time, sending my body teetering over the edge and into pure bliss.

****

Griffin

I wasn't sure how much time went by, but it took me a good few minutes to catch my breath, and regain control of my own body. Hell, I felt as if I'd just run a fucking marathon. I felt completely and utterly drained. Never had I lost control. Never had screwing a woman left me shaken to my core. I curled my trembling hands, trying to hide my reaction from Mia. Part of me wanted to get the hell away from her. Part of me wanted to pull her closer, to see if my body would react the same way it had reacted before. Maybe it was a fluke. Maybe I was just damn horny. Or maybe, just maybe, she was the best screw I'd ever had.

She was watching me, I could feel her attention, and I wondered if it had been as intense for her as it had been for me. I hoped I hadn't hurt her. Hell. Shit. Damn. I rubbed my hands over my face, the sensation of guilt uncommon and unwanted.

She reached out, shifted through her purse and handed me a Kleenex. I pulled off the condom, not in the least surprised to see the slight smear of blood, and wrapped it up. I'd expected as much the moment I entered her. "You could have told me you were a virgin," I snapped a little too harshly.

She pulled back, and I could tell by the stiff set of her shoulders that my tone had hurt her. Christ, would she expect a relationship now? My jaw clenched. To say I was pissed would be an understatement. I felt betrayed, as if she had tricked me. I didn't sleep with townies and I sure as fuck didn't sleep with virgins. I should have known she wasn't experienced, but I'd been so damn eager to get her undressed I had ignored my suspicions. And hell, she didn't kiss like a virgin, did she?

"Would you have cared?" she asked warily.

I slid her a glance. She looked small, vulnerable. I wanted to pull her close and tell her I was sorry for some reason I didn't even understand. For the first time in my life I felt the stirrings of guilt. Did I care? I wasn't quite sure what I was feeling and I didn't like it. "Maybe."

She smiled, a mischievous smile that made my heart skip. "Liar."

I sighed, resisting the urge to pull her close. I knew one thing at least...I liked her. Too much. My unease grew. Unable to keep her gaze, I turned my attention to the ocean, the waves sparkling in the night were a reminder of innocence. The stories our nanny had told us about moonlight and magical lands came to mind. Stories from long ago, stories I'd so desperately wanted to believe at five years of age. Of course I knew better now. There was no such thing as magic. But sleeping with Mia had been close. Any adrenaline faded as quickly as it had pumped through my body. Slowly, I sat up. Hell, what had I done?

I turned to tell her maybe we should dress, but the moonlight hit her skin, making her glow like some mythical mermaid I'd been forced to read about in English class. Heated lust flared through my body and although it had been only a few minutes, I already wanted her again. I couldn't deny it, and even if I did, my body's reaction would only mock me. Thunder rumbled in the distance. If we were going to go again, I'd have to move it inside to my bedroom.

My guilt faded as my own desire and need took center stage. Maybe I'd hang onto her, just while she was in town. I liked her. Liked her bold honesty. Liked her shy smiles. And I sure as hell liked her lush body. What would it hurt to have someone at my beck and call for a few weeks? She was obviously attracted to me, and it wasn't exactly as if she wouldn't get any enjoyment out of the situation.

I reached for her smooth thigh, sliding my hand up her leg. "When do you go back to Ohio?"

"Tomorrow."

Startled, I drew back. But one look at her face and I realized she was completely serious. Shit. I raked my fingers through my hair, my mind spinning. Tomorrow. I took in a deep breath, trying to calm my raging hormones and unsettling disappointment. Maybe this was for the better. I didn't need a complication. If I slept with her more than once, she'd think I cared. I needed to end this now.

"We should dress." I reached for my clothes and that's when I heard the car door shut.

I jerked on my boxers and shorts, standing. It was either Bridgette or Ryder. Worst case scenario, both. I didn't need their prying and judgmental ways right now. And I sure as hell didn't need this getting back to Mom and Dad.

"Is someone here?" She sat up, her hair tumbling down in silky waves around her shoulders. Hell, she didn't need to be naked. Her brilliant eyes and swollen lips only confirmed that we'd just had sex. She needed to go...now.

"Yeah, it's best if you leave. I don't think my family would appreciate me bringing home a screw." I said it lightly, a joke, but I knew what I was doing. And the comment hit her hard.

That after-sex glow vanished as she paled. She didn't say a word, just stood and dressed with shaking hands. I gritted my teeth to keep from apologizing. I had to remind myself repeatedly that I wanted her to leave. Hell, I needed her to leave. I couldn't get close, I'd only hurt her later. Better to get rid of her now while she wasn't attached.

"You can get to your car around the front. Just follow the trail."

"Right." She paused, as if flustered. She wanted to tell me off, but knew she didn't have the right. She'd known what this would be the moment she came home with me and she was smart enough to realize she had no one to blame but herself. So why did I feel so guilty?

She smiled, an obviously forced quirk of her lips and picked up her purse. "So yeah, thanks for the fuck."

The harsh comment coming from her lips sounded wrong. "Mia, I..."

She didn't wait for my response, but started down the steps. Good, because I hadn't known what I was going to say anyway. I gripped the railing, my fingernails biting into the wood as I watched her small shadow dart around the side of the house. God, I was such an ass, and in that moment I hated myself more than I ever had before. I stood there until I heard the slam of her car door, stood there moments later when I heard the roar of the engine. I stood there until I saw the flash of her headlights down the drive.

She was gone, it was over. I released the breath I didn't even realize I held. I should have been relieved. Why wasn't I relieved? Because I didn't have her number; didn't even have her last name. Slamming my fists against the railing, I spun around and headed into the house, determined to forget her, determined to ignore the guilt clawing its way through my gut. I didn't feel guilty ever. I lived my life, consequences be damned.

The moment I stepped inside Ryder's gaze found me. The judgment there told me he already knew I'd done something he wouldn't approve of. I averted my attention, and slouched onto the couch, focusing on the football game blaring from the television. At only a minute older than me we were as close as brothers could be, but that didn't mean we got along all the time. Lately he'd been a right pain in my ass.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were at the party. Bridge said you refused to take her home because of some girl." He slid his gaze from me to the deck. "Christ, I can't deal with another one of your cheap skanks right now."

Cheap skank. The words rankled me, although I wasn't sure why I cared. "No one here, bro."

He was still frowning as he pulled a beer from the refrigerator and leaned against the counter. "Then whose car was in the drive?"

"No one. She's gone." For good.

I surged to my feet, feeling restless and uneasy. After the way I'd just treated her, Mia wouldn't step foot in this town again. I went to the refrigerator and pulled open the door, letting the cool air relieve the heated pressure in my chest. A beer would help. I grabbed the cold bottle, twisted off the cap and drank deeply.

Shit, I'd need more than beer to forget Mia. Her fucking scent followed me, clung to my skin and clothing. I moved to the island, settling on a stool, trying to forget her. "So Bridge called you?"

"Yeah. She's passed out in the Jeep." Hands fisted, jaw clenched, it didn't take Sherlock Holmes to realize he was pissed. He slammed his bottle of beer on the countertop, the alcohol sloshing from the lip and spilling across the granite. "You know, it's bad enough cleaning up your fucking messes, and now you're taking Bridgette down the same shitty road?"

"Back off," I snapped, in no mood for his holier than thou attitude. In the entire nineteen years I'd been alive, my life had revolved around people comparing me to Ryder. Ryder, the good guy. Me, the fuck up. Frankly, I'd had enough.

"Screw you," Ryder snapped. "I swear to God, I'm the only sane one in the family and I'm tired of dealing with all your shit. Bridgette is our little sister, for fuck's sake, yet you leave her drunk at a party while you go screw some townie."

"She was with her friends, and I had her call you." Yeah, my brother pissed me off, but truth was he knew me better than anyone. He was right. I took in a deep breath. Hell, if Ryder realized what I'd done, seduced and taken the virginity of some innocent and then shoved her out the door, he'd probably never talk to me again. The guy had been voted most likely to save a fucking life after high school. While I'd been voted most likely to end up in jail.

"Hell." I raked my hands through my hair. "I can't deal with this right now."

"Too damn bad, Griffin. Get it fucking together. You're throwing your life away."

"Okay, Dad," I snapped. "I understand."

His face grew flushed, a face similar but not identical to mine. "Don't you dare compare me to that asshole."

His anger, for some reason, calmed me, made me forget, for a brief moment, my own issues. I didn't know what happened, but six months ago Ryder's relationship with our father had changed. They could barely be in the same room now, although Ryder refused to tell me why. He'd never kept anything from me, and he was turning into a right ass. Something was definitely wrong.

I sighed, forcing my shoulders to relax. As much as he pissed me off, I cared about him. Hell, we were twins. Maybe not identical, but we still had the bond. "Sorry," I said, to appease him. "Let's get Bridge in here, okay?"

I didn't wait but moved toward the door, hoping he'd cool off and I'd keep busy so I wouldn't think about Mia. But stepping outside with the scent of the ocean and the roar of the waves in the distance only reminded me of her and our time together. I'd never be able to look at the sea without remembering her. She'd ruined it for me.

Thunder rumbled once more, warning of an approaching storm. I reached for the Jeep door handle only to pause. Bridge was slouched in the back seat, looking a total mess. The guilt I'd been trying to vanquish since screwing Mia flared to life. What the hell was my sister doing to herself? If she didn't change, she'd end up ruined by some ass like me. Or worse, sleeping with some dick like Mia had.

Frustrated, I pulled open the door.

Seeing me, she grinned a crooked grin. Her blonde hair was plastered to the side of her face, while her usually perfect makeup was smeared across her upper cheeks. "Hey, big brother."

"Hell," I muttered.

"How many times has this happened?" Ryder demanded.

I shifted, avoiding his gaze. How the hell would I know? Like him, I'd been away at school. Yeah, I'd only been a few hours away while he'd been states away, but she wasn't my responsibility.

"I don't know," I admitted. "Ask Mom and Dad."

He snorted. "Right, like they give a shit."

Ryder started to reach for her when the sirens startled us both. We turned toward the road. In the distance red lights flashed across the night sky, dull, but still close. Too close.

"Someone's in trouble," Bridgette giggled.

"No, not cops. Accident," Ryder murmured, frowning. "An ambulance not far from here."

A cold chill raced through my body. Accident. Someone had been in a car accident. Frantically, I searched my mind trying to figure out how many minutes ago Mia had left and how far away the sirens were located.

"Sounds bad," Ryder muttered.

"Mia," I whispered.

Ryder looked at me curiously. "Who?"

"Shit." I snatched the keys from his hand and jumped in the Jeep.

I knew. Somehow I knew.

Chapter 4

Mia

Trembling, I slid into the car relieved to be away from him, yet horrified at what I'd done. I wasn't an idiot. I knew he was a player, I knew he was spoiled and rich, but to use me, then say I was a quick screw...

Heated tears burned my eyes. Angry at myself for sleeping with him, even angrier that I was crying, I swiped at my damp cheeks. Griffin St. Clare could go to hell for all I cared. That school-girl crush was officially over.

I found the keys in the ignition but was shaking too badly to actually leave.

It was my fault, right? I was the idiot. How could I have been so stupid as to sleep with him? I wasn't that kind of girl. I didn't have one night stands. Frustrated, I turned the key, so grateful when the car started. At least I'd gotten one thing out of this...my car fixed.

With a groan, I rested my head on the steering wheel. I hadn't even put on my bra, not that I was going to go back there for it. Nope, it would remain on the deck, where some poor maid would probably find it tomorrow morning. I released a harsh laugh. God, I needed to call my best friend, Jane. She'd be thrilled, horrified and amused. She'd never liked Seth and she'd make me see how funny the situation was. But not tonight. No, tonight I just needed to mourn on my own. Tomorrow would be soon enough to laugh, but tonight I'd give into my morose thoughts.

I shifted, reaching for my purse. But as I moved my shorts rubbed against my sensitive body, making me only too aware of what had happened. Holy hell, it hit me...

Slowly, I lifted my head and stared unblinkingly at the house.

I was no longer a virgin.

I'd had sex with a guy I barely knew.

If Seth ever found out...

I stomped down that thought as quickly as it had come. Seth was no longer in the picture. Good riddance. I didn't need a man anyway. The idea of becoming a nun was sounding pretty good. If only I were Catholic...and still a virgin.

The sudden rumble of thunder jerked me from my anger. Storms could blow up fierce and sudden near the ocean. I dropped my purse and reached for gearshift. Someone shifted in the car parked next to mine.

"What in the world..."

I leaned toward the window, narrowing my eyes to see better. The girl from the party was in the backseat of a black Jeep. Oh God, maybe she was his sister. Seeing me, she grinned and lifted her hand in a friendly wave. Knowing I had to get away before she came over and actually wanted to chat, I threw the gearshift into reverse and backed out of the drive. It was over. I'd learned my lesson, and I'd gotten what I wanted, right? I'd go to New York an experienced, changed woman.

Pulling onto the dark street, I forced myself not to look back. I just needed a warm shower. I'd find some cheap motel and a grocery where I could buy a pint of mint-chocolate chip ice cream and celebrate the loss of my virginity alone, as it should be. If Kelly wanted this life, I'd leave it to her. I had bigger and better things waiting for me. I had New York. In one month I'd be flying to a new world. A better world without Griffin, without Seth, without a past.

I followed the dark road around the curve, only to realize as a field came into view, that I'd been going the wrong way. Cursing, I used the neighbor's drive to turn around and start back toward Griffin's house just as the rain began to fall in thick, pounding sheets.

"Oh come on," I muttered, my fingers tightening on the wheel. "Seriously?"

My phone buzzed, startling me and teasing my already frayed nerves.

I didn't dare pull into Griffin's drive as I sped by. No, the quicker and farther I got from him, the better. The phone would have to wait. As I started down the dark road that followed the shore in the correct direction my phone buzzed again.

"Damn." Anxious, I pulled to the side of the road and grabbed my purse. I expected to see a text from Mom or Zoe, maybe Kelly asking me to pick her up. When Seth's familiar number appeared my heart dropped to my feet.

So, you're here?

I sat there with the car running, wasting precious gas, as I stared unblinkingly at those words. How badly I wanted to tell him off but I found myself suddenly speechless. This was his fault, all of it.

Miss you, he dared to type.

Anger, pain and amusement swirled together in a tornado of emotion. I sat alongside a dark road and as the rain started to patter against the windshield, I laughed. I laughed until tears burned my eyes. Laughed until my sides ached. He missed me? He missed me?

Mia? I miss you.

But as his words glared blindingly bright up at me, my hysterical amusement faded. I'd loved him. Seth was the first guy I'd ever kissed, the first guy I'd ever dated. I'd loved him, and he had betrayed me.

I tore my gaze from the phone and stared out the windshield, watching the wipers swoosh back and forth. Down that road, beyond the glow from my headlights, somewhere, Seth was waiting for my reply. Was the blonde with him? Or had he finished with her and was ready to move back to me?

For the past year he'd been telling me he loved me, that we should take our relationship to the next level. I'd refused. He'd found a woman who, apparently, wouldn't reject him. Jumping into bed with the nearest female wasn't love, was it? But I'd gotten him back...I'd given my virginity to a stranger. So why didn't I feel as if I'd won?

Want to meet? I need to talk to you.

The words mocked, and yes, tempted me. It would be so easy to get back together with him. To forgive him. So easy to slide back into that familiarity. He'd been the one to keep me company those late nights when Mom worked. He'd been the one who'd told me it would be okay. And I needed the comfort of the familiar right now, more than ever. But it wouldn't last and I couldn't get over the fact that he'd cheated.

"Be strong." I pressed my thumbs to the keys. I know, Seth. I know you've been sleeping with some blonde. I can't see you. It's over.

Done. Finished. I'd drive home and continue packing for New York. I was getting the hell out of here. I tossed the phone toward my purse, determined to end the conversation, and eased back onto the dark road. For some reason I could breathe easier, as if a weight had lifted from my chest. Griffin had been a mistake, but sleeping with him had also helped me move on. And hell, I could mark "lose my virginity" and "one-night stand" off my bucket list. Seth...well, he was in the past. I had better things to look forward to and I wouldn't let two inconsequential guys bring me down. I'd saved too much, worked too hard and I would not let any man get in the way of my dreams.

Lightning branched through the sky, briefly illuminating the damp scenery. I could hear the buzz of my phone vibrating, but refused to look at it. Instead, I focused on the road, easing off the gas as a curve appeared in the darkness ahead. Seth sure as heck wasn't one to push. If I ignored his few messages, he'd give up. That was one of many things that had always bothered me about him. Yeah, I was a stereotype, but I wanted a guy who would fight for me.

The flash of headlights from an oncoming car momentarily blinded me. Frantic, I slammed on the brake. The pedal sliced through the air like a heated spoon through ice cream. When it hit the floor, the car not slowing, my panic flared.

"Shit!" I slammed the pedal down once more.

Nothing. No resistance, no slowing.

I had only a second to realize I was going to hit the approaching vehicle. No scream left my lips. My mind went deathly quiet. I could do nothing but jerk the steering wheel right, hoping to avoid the oncoming collision I knew was in my future.

The corner of my bumper hit the other car.

As if in slow motion, I fell forward. The airbag exploded and my face slammed against the pillow. The sound of machine hitting machine careened through the peaceful night air. The seatbelt went tight across my chest, and jerked me back against my seat, trapping me in the spinning vehicle.

The lights flashed across the night like a massive disco ball. And then I was flipping, the car rolling, and rolling...

****

Griffin

"Shit, Griffin, slow down!" Ryder demanded, his hand braced against the dashboard as I took the bend a little too quickly.

The tires screeched against the wet asphalt and for a moment I thought we would tip, but by some miracle we managed to keep our balance and raced forward. It was a straight shot to the accident; I could see the flashing lights ahead, their red glare mocking me.

The sirens were for Mia. I knew it. I wasn't sure how, but in some way, deep down, I knew. Or maybe I expected it after what had happened two years ago. Hell, was I cursed?

"Oh God, I'm going to be sick," Bridgette muttered from the back seat.

"No!" Ryder snapped, turning to face her. "I swear to God, if you throw up in my car, you'll buy me a new one."

She merely moaned in response, sprawled out in the back as if ready for death and more than willing to accept it. Didn't they fucking understand the direness of the situation?

"Where the hell are we going?" Ryder demanded.

Irritated, I slammed my fists against the steering wheel. "You didn't have to come with!"

"You took my fucking car!"

"Everyone calm down," Bridgette muttered. "We need help, obviously. I'll call Mom."

"No!" Ryder and I said at the same time.

My brother reached back and snatched her cell from her hands. "That's just what we need, Bridge, for Mom and Dad to see how wasted you are and blame us."

As much as Ryder irritated the hell out of me, we were usually on the same page where our parents were concerned, and I was grateful for his support, especially now. He gave me shit, yeah, but he also knew when I was serious about something.

"Griffin, what are we doing?" my brother asked, tossing Bridgette's phone into the console.

"The accident," I muttered, unable to get the right words out. "Mia."

"Who the hell is Mia?"

"Not now," I said, in no mood for discussion. I wanted to fly down that road, but knew the conditions weren't right for speed. The closer we got, the more my heart hammered and it took everything in my power not to jump out of the vehicle even before I'd stopped.

As the ambulance came into view I could feel the emotional shift in the car, and even Ryder grew quiet. It was bad. Really bad. Slowing, I frantically searched the road. A white SUV lay in a crumpled mess, wrapped around a telephone pole, practically torn in two from the impact. An EMT guy was doing CPR on some man who lay in the middle of the road, while his buddy was working on a woman. None of them seemed to notice the rain.

"Is Mia the girl I saw in the car?" Bridgette asked, her voice soft, gentle. "Back at the house?"

I didn't bother to respond. My heart had jumped into my throat, preventing me from speaking. I slammed on the brakes, put the car in park and shoved open my door all in one fluid movement.

"Grif, what the hell are you doing?" Ryder demanded, following.

I didn't wait for him, or bother to respond, but raced toward the SUV. Although it rained, flames licked at the ground beneath the crumpled mess. Hell, it was going to explode.

But no Mia, thank God.

"She's not here," Bridge said, the rain soaking her thin summer dress and making her shiver. "It's just a couple, a family car."

"We need to get back," Ryder yelled over the rain, taking hold of Bridgette's arm.

But no. I couldn't leave. Something was wrong. I scanned the dark road. My instincts wouldn't let me go. I knew, without a doubt, Mia was here. The rain thickened, thundering down in thick waves that blinded me.

"Get back!" The EMT doing CPR on the man briefly paused to wave at us. "The car is going to explode, you need to get back!"

But Ryder had already moved toward the vehicle. "There's a woman in here!"

"Shit!" The EMT doing CPR jumped to his feet, leaving the man alone on the road.

I started to rush forward and continue the chest pumps where he'd left off when I noticed how still the guy was. Dead. I knew in that moment he was gone, and I couldn't move...I couldn't think...

"Oh my God," Bridgette cried out, leaning against me. "He's dead!"

"Sir, you need to get away from the van!" The EMT was racing toward Ryder.

"No, I've got her." Ryder leaned inside, scooping the woman into his arms. Always the hero. For one insane moment I thought it might be Mia. He carried her away to safety. But no, her hair was too dark, not auburn. Had Mia made it safely out of town? I slowly scanned the scenery, trying to see through the pounding rain. Was my past making me crazy?

"Griffin!" Bridgette grabbed my arm.

I tried to shake her off, but she wouldn't relent.

"What?" I snapped.

It was only as I realized that she wasn't focused on me that I took her seriously. Her face had gone pale, rain streaming down her fine features in thin rivulets. Slowly, she lifted her arm and pointed toward the side of the road.

I knew.

Without pause, I bolted around the ambulance. Some twenty feet ahead lay another car. Only the undercarriage was visible, the vehicle on its back, tilted into a ravine. Although I couldn't see much and the night sky was dark, I knew.

Mia's car was upside down in a shallow creek.

"No!" I raced down the road, my heart slamming wildly against my ribs. "No!" I slid down the bank, mud splashing up against my legs, soaking my clothes. The car lay upside down in a shallow trough of murky water that was rising with the rain. "Mia?"

"What the hell happened?" Bridgette cried out, stumbling to a halt at the top of the small ravine.

"I don't know."

The SUV behind us was totaled, flames shooting from the hood, but they were safe. Ryder was kneeling beside the woman he'd saved, some distance from the trashed vehicle. Only I could save Mia. I knelt in the water and looked through the broken window. Mia hung upside down, held tight by her seatbelt. That glorious hair wavered back and forth in the breeze. Her eyes were closed, her face covered in blood that seeped up her forehead, blending into her red hair.

"Oh my God," Bridgette fell to her knees, puking alongside the road.

"Mia," I whispered, ignoring my sister. She couldn't be dead. I wouldn't allow it. I pushed my way through the open window, crawling through the muddy water. "Mia?"

She didn't respond.

With a trembling hand I reached up and pressed my fingers along her jawline. A weak pulse beat against my fingertips. I swallowed my fear, determined to get her out alive. Sitting in the water, I reached around her and groped for the seatbelt latch. "I'm going to get you out of here, okay?"

She didn't respond, didn't even flinch as I reached for the seatbelt buckle.

"Griffin, hurry!" Bridgette yelled through the rain.

The water was rising, the cold creek up to my waist. I hadn't even noticed. "Shit."

"Griffin," Bridgette screamed through the patter of rain. "You have to get out now!"

I wasn't leaving without Mia. I wouldn't have another death on my conscience. My fingers touched the cold metal latch and I pushed. I heard the swoosh of the seatbelt retracting right before Mia fell, landing atop me.

The groan that slipped from her lips was like fucking angels singing.

"It's okay, it's okay," I whispered, wrapping my arm around her waist. "I'm getting you out of here." I inched my way toward the window, knowing she needed medical attention as soon as possible.

"Seth?" she muttered. "You came for me."

I ignored her words and shook off the odd feeling of jealousy that surged through me. She wasn't even in her right mind. Who the hell knew who this Seth was to her, and I shouldn't care. "It's going to be okay."

"Griffin, give her to me." Bridgette reached through the window. She'd somehow climbed down the ravine. To say I was surprised by my delicate sister's offer to help would be an understatement. Although I doubted her ability to be effective, I didn't have a choice. She took Mia's arms and dragged her through the window and into the mud. I waited, watching, until her feet went up onto the road.

Relieved, I started to pull myself from the window when a sudden rush of water shoved me up against the dashboard. Over the roar of water I heard Bridgette scream my name. In that moment I realized if I didn't get out within seconds, I was going to drown. Sucking in a great gulp of air, I dove toward the window. Firm fingers bit into my upper arms, dragging me up into the warm, humid air.

"You're all right," Ryder was saying as he pulled me toward the bank and onto the road.

"Mia." I tried to shove his hands away and go to her. "Is she okay?"

"Damn it, Griff, calm down. Take a breath."

"I need to make sure she's okay. Candace—"

"She's not Candace."

I paused, confused. Slowly, I turned to see Mia laying there on the street, an EMT hovering over her. Another ambulance had arrived. They weren't doing CPR, but placing her gently on a gurney, which meant she still breathed...she was still alive.

Just like that my adrenaline faded, leaving me shaking. Relieved, for a brief moment I lay back on the asphalt, staring up at the dark sky. The rain had stopped. Gone as quickly as it had come, although the sky was still cloudy. She was okay. She'd live.

"And you call me a hero." Ryder grinned down at me. "I've never almost drowned trying to rescue a stranger."

Slowly, I sat up. "She's not a stranger."

"Guys." Bridgette was staring at the ambulance. "Something's wrong."

I shoved Ryder aside and stumbled to my feet. The EMT's were pushing Mia's cart onto the ambulance, their frantic movements telling. Just when I'd thought I wasn't cursed...I should've known better.

"I have to see her."

"Griffin, no!" Bridgette tried to stop me, but I easily evaded her grasp.

I was too late. As they placed Mia in the back of the ambulance, an EMT guy jumped onto the cart and started doing CPR.

Fuck. She was crashing.

Chapter 5

Griffin

I swept through the automatic doors, determined to get answers. But the white walls glared blindingly bright, leaving me stumbling, and for a brief moment I hung suspended in time. Two years ago, but the same walls, same scent, same frustrating unknowing.

"Griffin?" Ryder's voice grounded me back into reality.

The roar of the ER came sharply into focus, forcing me to relive the nightmare. I blinked the bustling crowd back into my line of vision. The drawn, terrified faces pacing in the waiting room. But this time things would end differently. I flexed my hands, curling my fingers into fists. Mia would be okay. I knew she would make it through this. She had to.

The doors opened behind us, the humid air pushing us inside like invisible hands. "Out of the way!" someone growled.

I stepped back just as a gurney with a moaning patient raced through the automatic doors. Hell, what was I doing here? I raked my hands through my hair feeling disconnected, confused, angry and guilty all at once.

"This way," Ryder said, heading toward the front desk. His clothes were still damp from the rain and his dark hair had curled slightly. We were all wet and hungry and tired, but no one had asked to leave. In that moment I actually realized how much they meant to me. Yeah, my parents were shit, but Bridgette and Ryder were always there.

We'd been searching the hospital for twenty minutes, directed toward dead-end after dead-end by hospital staff until I thought I'd go insane. No one was positive where Mia was, but she'd been admitted a half an hour ago...at least they were pretty sure. I wasn't sure how the hell they could run a hospital and be so fucking incompetent, but so far I'd managed to keep my thoughts to myself. She was here somewhere and I wasn't leaving until I saw her; until I knew she was okay.

"She'll be fine," Bridgette said, stumbling after us. "She will."

I wasn't sure if she was trying to make me feel better, or herself. At least the accident had sobered her up. One small benefit to this shitty day. My normally perfect little sister looked a disaster. Mascara was smeared under her brilliant blue eyes, her blonde hair a tangled mess. We were the state of Georgia's golden children no more. If she looked this bad, I knew I had to look worse.

"Nurse's station," Ryder muttered.

I followed, my body oddly numb. Nothing seemed the same. My entire world had ended. I didn't understand how this could have happened again. Nothing made sense. Just a few hours ago she'd been in my house, in my arms. Hell, I'd taken her virginity and now...now she was here, on her death bed. Just like Candace. I was living it all over again, a damn curse. And just like with Candace, it was my fault. If I'd let her stay instead of kicking her out, if I'd driven her back to her hotel, if...if I hadn't taken advantage of her in the first place.

My father had been right...I would never be anything more than a blight on the family name.

"Excuse me," Bridge called out to the nurse.

I rested my hands flat to the counter, needing the support. The world seemed suddenly off balance. The image of Mia's bloody face wouldn't leave my mind. If only I hadn't taken her home. If only I hadn't humiliated her into leaving... if only...

"Can I help you?" the nurse asked while shuffling through folders. Her frazzled look said she'd offer me little sympathy. She had more important things to worry about.

"Mia..." Shit, I didn't even know her last name. "A girl who came in a few hours ago. Car accident."

"Mia?" She didn't even glance up as she shifted to the computer, settling in her chair. "Going to need her last name."

Ryder and Bridgette looked expectantly at me. I flushed. "I can't...remember."

Ryder rolled his eyes, Bridgette sighed as if greatly disappointed.

I ignored them both and said the one thing I'd never said before. "Please."

The nurse crossed her arms and gave me the same look that Ryder and Bridgette were wearing...disgust. "I assume you're not related?"

"Sure we are. We're... cousins."

She looked me up and down, and arched a gray brow. "Why do I not believe you?"

"Excuse me," some woman interrupted.

"Sign the paper," the nurse said dismissively, pointing toward the check in.

The woman moved aside, her hand bandaged with a bloody kitchen towel. No one cared in this hellhole.

My hands fisted against the countertop. I was finding it awfully hard not to punch the fucking wall. "Listen, I need to see her now."

"Excuse my brother," Ryder said, shoving his way in front of me and giving the nurse his best sexy grin. It was my turn to roll my eyes. Shit, the nurse was like eighty. "We're not related, but we need to see her."

The nurse returned her attention to her computer, unimpressed. "Not a relative, you're not getting by my desk."

I bit back my curse. "I need to see her."

She started tapping on her keyboard, back to work. "Sorry, only family."

"Damn it," I hissed, shoving my way past Ryder. "Do you fucking know who I am? My father and mother are prominent lawyers—"

"I don't care if you're the pope." She glared up at me. "You're not seeing her."

Ryder gripped my upper arm. "Calm down."

I resisted the urge to shove my way around that desk and search for Mia myself. Yeah, I'd played the parent card, but I was desperate. I had to know she was okay. "Can you just tell me how she is?"

"Sorry, can't." She dropped her gaze to the counter where my hands rested and frowned. "But we should have someone look at you."

I glanced down, surprised to see that small cuts covered my fingers and palms. It must have happened from the broken glass at the accident. I didn't bother with my injuries. I didn't care. I slammed my fists on the counter top. "I need to see Mia!"

"How the hell do you know Mia?" someone interrupted.

Annoyed, I turned to face the intruder. The guy before me was dressed in a polo and khaki trousers, blond hair smoothed perfectly into place. He looked like a damn salesman, but by the red-rimmed eyes I knew he was upset...about Mia. "Who the fuck are you?"

"Griffin," Bridgette whispered. "You're being rude. It's probably her brother."

No. I knew that look on his face. That look said I'd poached on his territory. That look spoke of jealousy. "Who are you?" I repeated through clenched teeth. For some reason he seemed familiar. Had I seen him in town? The tan told me he'd grown up near the beach.

"I'm Mia's fiancé, and you're a St. Clare. What the hell are you doing here?"

It was like someone had just punched me in the gut. I felt Ryder stiffen beside me, heard Bridgette's gasp of surprise. But through it all I remained oddly still. Her fiancé. And apparently he knew me. No. She couldn't be engaged. She was too smart to be marrying this ass with his polo shirt and pressed trousers. Besides, if they were engaged then why was her scent still clinging to my skin? Why could I still taste her on my lips?

"Seth Williams?" the nurse asked, pulling out a folder.

The man nodded. Seth Williams. I knew that name...his father worked for my dad.

I felt ill. The very name Mia had said at the accident, the only name she'd spoken.

"She's been asking for you." Gripping the folder she moved around her desk, dismissing me altogether. "Follow me."

She'd been asking for him. So, Mia wasn't dead then. For one long moment I closed my eyes, letting the realization wash over me. She was alive and well. The relief was bitter sweet. She was alive, yet at the same time there was the horrifying realization that Mia had slept with me while she was engaged.

"Griff," Ryder said. "You okay?"

I opened my eyes and watched as the nurse led Seth around the desk and down the hall. The man who apparently deserved her. Watched until they disappeared into a room. Part of me wanted to shove my way into that room and demand she get rid of that jackass of a fiancé. But mostly I wanted to leave and forget her innocent eyes and lush body. She'd lied to me. She'd made me think she was some innocent. Honesty my ass.

"Griffin," Bridgette said soothingly. "Let's go." She slid her arm through mine and led me toward the doors, and I let her because I no longer cared.

Mia hadn't been the woman I'd thought she was. All that guilt I'd felt had been misplaced. I had the sudden urge to laugh at the absurdity of it all. Hell, I'd actually almost fallen for her shit.

As we stepped into the night, the air warm and humid, the asphalt glistening from the rain, I realized how duped I'd been. The bitch had pretended to be kind and pure. In reality she had used me, most likely to make her fiancé jealous.

And that was the crux of it all...guys like me might be able to sleep with anyone we wanted. But in the end we woke up alone. She had a fiancé. A guy who looked like he was perfect. No doubt they'd marry, have a couple brats and live unhappily ever after. I sure as hell didn't need that. Screw her.

"You okay?" Ryder asked as we found his car.

The guilt I felt was replaced with cold, bitter anger. I'd actually let myself care. "Never better."

"Want to head home?"

"No. Let's go party. I feel like a drink."

Ryder rested his hand on my shoulder and for once, thank God, he didn't argue.

****

Mia

"Mia? Mia, can you hear me?"

The familiar voice wrapped around me in a comforting hug, pulling me from a deep, heavy slumber. I'd been drifting in and out for what seemed like hours, yet hadn't been able to fully break from that murky world I'd found myself. Where the hell was I? Not home...no. I could hear odd noises coming from somewhere...people talking, the sound of wheels over linoleum, someone on an intercom...

"Seth," I whispered. Warm fingers slipped through mine, welcome and comforting. "You're here."

"Of course I'm here," he said, as if we hadn't broken up and it was the most natural thing in the world for him to be by my side. Maybe we hadn't broken up. Maybe it was all some terrible nightmare. But that didn't explain the strange situation I suddenly found myself in.

I felt weird, as if I wasn't quite connected to my body. A cocoon of blankets wrapped tightly around me, making it hard to move, and something lay across my eyes, keeping out the light. Yet, when I tried to lift my hand I couldn't. So very buzzed.

"I had the weirdest dream." My voice came out harsh, rough. "Really weird dream. We'd broken up, and...and there was this guy I knew when I was a kid—"

"Mia," he said sharply, interrupting.

Surprised by his hard, impatient tone, I tried to lift my hands again to remove the blindfold. This time the numbness gave way and pain shot down my body, branching toward my limbs. I cried out, startled. Where the pain was centered, I wasn't even sure. It might have started in my ribs, or maybe my arms...

"No, don't move."

"Why?" I flattened my hands to the bed, the sheets underneath me crinkling. "It's so dark. Please, take the cloth off my eyes...whatever it is."

"Shhh." His warm fingers trailed comfortingly down the side of my face. "It's okay. Everything will be okay."

But it wasn't. Something was wrong. Horribly wrong. The realization sobered me, made me forget my pain and centered me in reality when my mind and body would have rather sank back into that murky water of unconsciousness. "What happened, Seth?"

"There was an accident..."

Suddenly I was back in my car, driving down that dark road, the flash of lights momentarily blinding me. The sickening crunch of car hitting car...and then I was flipping...flipping. Panic raced through my body, pounding in my veins. "No."

"You crashed."

It hadn't been a dream; all of it had been real. The party...Griffin...the crash. All of it was real.

"What's wrong with me?" I asked, my voice coming out shrill with panic, not my own. I could hear the heart monitor start to beep in warning, which only made me more anxious. I couldn't move. Why couldn't I move?

Seth took my right hand in his, but this time his touch offered no comfort. I was too far gone. "Calm down, it's okay."

"Tell me, Seth," I demanded, needing answers. "What happened? What's wrong with me?"

"I want you to know that I'm here for you. I love you. I was an idiot for ruining our relationship, and it will never happen again. Hell, Mia, I was worried you'd go to New York and dump me for some city guy—"

"Seth!" His words made everything worse. He was being nice, too nice. The bitter taste of fear coated my mouth, practically making me gag. "What's wrong with me?"

I heard the quick tap of footsteps, followed by the light scent of some sort of feminine soap. "Is everything okay in here?" a woman asked. "Do we need more pain killers?"

"I'm just trying to explain to Mia what happened."

Yes, explain, I wanted to scream at them both!

"I see," the woman said, her voice soft and kind. She leaned closer, I could feel her near and wondered what she was doing to me. Why the hell was everyone being so nice? "If you need help, just let us know."

I waited, the roar of blood that rushed to my ears muffling their inane conversation. Even though I could feel Seth and the woman at my side, I felt lost...alone, placed in some strange box where I could see no one. I waited until I heard the retreat of the woman's footsteps and then groped for his hand. "Seth, tell me."

He sighed, sounding sad and exhausted. "There was an accident. You're in a hospital. You broke your right arm."

I shook my head, feeling suddenly woozy, off balance. Flattening my palms to the bed, I tried to sit up, but couldn't seem to dredge up the energy. Angry, I realize the woman had somehow drugged me. Tired. So very tired, my head fell back against the pillow. I wouldn't last much longer, but I needed to know what had happened before I slept. "How?"

"You also cracked two ribs," Seth continued, as if reading off a grocery list.

I could feel the burn of tears gather as the realization set in, but they couldn't fall, were merely soaked up into the binding around my eyes. How would I go to New York in a month with so many injuries? No, they were wrong. I wouldn't believe it. I hadn't worked this hard for it all to be destroyed by one little accident.

"I don't hurt...much." And it was true. The pain radiating through my body had faded. "I'm fine."

"It's the pain meds."

Frantic, I reached out, grasping onto him so tightly my nails sank into the back of his hand. "Where am I? Why is it so dark?"

"You're at the hospital. It's okay, everything will be okay, I swear it. Your mom is on her way and I'm here. I'll always be here. I'm not going anywhere, Mia."

But it was too late for his pretty words.

"No. Please, just turn on the lights." I started to reach for the material wrapped tightly around my head, needing to see him, to understand. "This is ridiculous!"

He grasped my uninjured arm, holding it pinned to the bed. And I couldn't move, I couldn't fight him because I was weak, so damn weak. The medication was working fast. I was falling...falling back into that world of unconsciousness.

"Mia," his voice caught, the emotion there terrifying. "I can't take it off. The optic nerves were damaged and—"

"What do you mean?" I mumbled, trying to understand with my muddled mind.

"Your eyes were injured in the crash."

From somewhere a clock ticked, the soft click, click, click urging me to sleep.

"Mia, you're blind."

Epilogue

Ryder

1 Year Later

I moved through the party, headed straight toward the back of the massive mansion. I'd been here before and although it had been a year, I knew my way. Just like I knew they were doing keg stands in the kitchen. Snorting coke in the living room. Probably having sex and smoking pot in the bedrooms. Every vice had its own spot in this world of decadence and sin. I knew, because I'd been to so many parties like this that my teenage years had become a blur of sex and drugs and waste. A life I'd tired of much quicker than my brother.

Griffin would be at the back of the house. Drunk, maybe high, maybe in the middle of screwing some woman who was also drunk and high. I hadn't been to one of these parties in almost a year and I didn't miss them. But I'd break my dry spell for only two people...my sister and brother. Fortunately seeing the accident that had happened a year ago had sobered up Bridgette and she was set to graduate high school toward the top of her class. Unfortunately it had made Griffin worse.

"Ryder! Yo, what up?" Jack called out, slapping me on the back, while holding an overflowing cup of beer in the other hand. Hard to believe that in high school we'd been on the same football team.

It had been some time since I'd seen him. I'd expected him to look the same, but at twenty, years of partying were already starting to take their toll. The alcohol spilled over the edge of his plastic cup, splattering to the wooden floorboards. Assholes had no respect for anything.

"I saw that game last fall. Holy shit, you were awesome. The way you intercepted—"

"Not now," I growled, sweeping by him.

Hell, there were so many people I could barely see the French doors ahead.

"Wow, Ryder," Tommy called out, from the sofa where he was sitting with some townie on his lap. Kelly, I think her name was. Poor girl thought she'd land some rich guy and be set up for life. She had no idea they'd merely use her until her looks dried up. "Thought you were at school."

"Break." Yeah, I was supposed to be on my way to New York for training camp, but he didn't need to know the truth.

"Ah." He lifted the girl off him and stood. "Right."

"Where is he?" I snapped, in no mood to discuss my future. I'd heard enough about it from my dad.

He looked confused, the alcohol dulling his mind. "Who?"

At one time we'd all been friends, spending our weekends getting wasted. But I'd gotten bored fast with that sort of lifestyle. Now I could barely stand them. "Griffin."

His confusion cleared and he laughed. "Oh. Hot tub."

Without a word, I started toward the back doors. Hot tub, how fucking cliché. I should have known. Ever since the accident he'd been on a downward spiral. He was close to getting kicked off the soccer team and even my father and his connections wouldn't be able to keep him in college much longer. At the rate he was going it would take him eight years to get a four year degree. Unless dear old dad came through and just bought the damn diploma.

I had deduced through his few words over the past year that he felt responsible for the girl, Mia. When he learned the truth would it improve things, or was he too far gone? It didn't matter, I had to tell him whether he could stand it or not. This was his last chance. I couldn't do this shit anymore. If this didn't break him from his crap, I was done.

The French doors were open, allowing the late summer breeze to sweep inside and cool off the crowded house. Slowly, I scanned the dark garden. A large, inground pool glowed blue, and a few solar lights lined a path toward the hot tub. A few people swimming called out my name, but I ignored them all. A man with two women lounged in the spa. I couldn't see his features, but I knew it was Griffin. I knew my brother better than anyone.

I started down the steps and followed the path. At least, I had to remind myself, the accident had shaken Bridgette out of her one short walk on the wild side. She was headed north for college, said she didn't want to stick around here, but wanted to start over. I didn't blame her. In fact, I was the one who had urged her to leave behind her past. It's what I'd done and it had worked, until the past had caught up with me. Now I was back, but hopefully not for long. This place had a way of sucking you in and I sure as hell wasn't going to get trapped again. And I didn't want Griffin trapped here either. As much as he pissed me off, he was still my brother...my twin.

I moved across the yard. "We need to talk."

Griffin grinned up at me, too wasted to be surprised to see me when I should have been at training camp. The girls on either side of him smiled welcomingly. Two years ago I would have taken the offer without second thought.

"Hey, bro. What's up?"

"We need to talk now. In private."

He pulled the blonde onto his lap. "Bit busy."

"Now," I snapped, in no mood. I hadn't driven across four states for this shit.

He sighed, and lifted the blonde off his lap. "Fine." The brunette on the opposite side pressed her lips to his right before he stood, apparently a promise of what was to come when he returned. It wasn't until he stood that I realized the idiot was completely naked.

"Damn it, Griffin, get some fucking clothes on."

He held his arms wide. "We're twins, dude, how can you be offended? It's like looking at your own body. Well, if your body was slightly better, of course."

"Keep up with the drugs and beer and you're going to look like Jack and the rest of your loser friends pretty soon."

He laughed as he stepped out of the hot tub and grabbed a towel. "Shit, I'll always be sexy." He slapped his six pack, and just like me, not an ounce of fat.

"Same old, same old, huh?"

He wrapped the towel around his hips. "Whatever works."

"But it doesn't work, does it?" I snapped. When he just looked at me as if completely unconcerned, my temper blew. "Yeah, I get it, you're a fucking menace. You put people in the hospital. So then fucking change, you asshole."

Griffin's jaw clenched and just like that his beer haze vanished. "It's not that easy."

I'd touched a nerve. Well, good. Hell, it had been a year since the accident, why hadn't he moved on? "Yeah? What's the alternative?" I glanced around the yard where there were at least five people passed out on chairs and in the grass from drinking too much. "This? Great choice. It's really working well for you."

He laughed, but I saw the anger in his gaze. "Seriously, dude, you're totally killing my buzz."

"You don't want to change because then you'll have to face what you've done." I gripped his upper arm. "Big fucking deal. We all make mistakes. Learn from them and move on. Or, do what you do best and just sit around feeling sorry for yourself."

He jerked away from me. "Go to hell."

Annoyance mixed with regret. He started to walk away and I realized I had only moments. If I didn't catch his attention now I had a feeling we'd never speak again. Brother or not.

"So this is it then? You're just going to piss away your life because it's too hard to admit your mistakes and change? This is easier, isn't it, doing what you know; being a screw-up. Fine, ruin your life but I'm tired of picking up the pieces. Don't call me, don't email. Nothing."

I turned around to leave.

"Ah, you've dropped your truth bomb and are flying off to save another? Ryder the superhero, out to save the world."

I turned, was on him in three steps and shoved my hands into his chest, sending him stumbling back. "No. I'm sick of reliving the same shit over and over with you. I'm tired of having to worry if the next phone call will be to tell me you're dead. I can't save you. I can't fix your fucking issues, I have more important things to worry about."

I turned to leave.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Griffin was at my side, following me toward the house. "Is something wrong with Bridgette?"

I resisted the urge to breathe a sigh of relief. It had worked; at least I'd gotten his attention. "No. She's good actually. It's not her."

"Then who?"

I paused for one long moment wondering how he would take the truth. Would it make a difference? Maybe not, but I had to try. "You know that accident that happened a year ago?"

The curiosity in his gaze faded, his face going stoic. He was instantly sober. After leaving the hospital he'd refused to talk about his Mia. In fact, he avoided talking about that night at all, even going so far as to leave the room if I happened to bring her up. It had been a year, a damn year.

"I'm busy. I have people waiting."

I grabbed his arm before he could get away. I knew he was about ready to throw a punch and I didn't feel like getting into a fight with my only brother. "Listen to me for once."

Griffin's lips lifted into a growl. "You've become a real dick, you know."

I grinned, even knowing my amusement would make him furious. "Always was."

"Go to hell." He jerked away from me a second time and started toward the hot tub.

"The car accident," I called out. "They're saying it wasn't an accident at all."

He paused, his back to me. At least he was listening.

"Someone cut her breaks on purpose. Griffin, it wasn't your fault."

Slowly he turned to face me. "And why should I care?"

He might have feigned indifference, but I could see the truth in his gaze. I'd shocked the hell out of him. "Because, I think I know who tried to kill Mia."

Coming Next! Redemption: Ryder and Ivy's story

The St. Clare Series:

Seduction: prequel

Redemption: Ryder and Ivy's story

Deception: Griffin and Mia's story

Want to know when L.R. Olson's next New Adult book is released? You can sign up for her newsletter on her contact page at www.LROlson.com

