Page 5 of Paradise

Logan laughs, patting me on the arm. “Don’t worry, caveman. We know you like poonany.”

“Wait—” I stop, looking at Hayden. “How many of my teammates have you fucked?”

Hayden grins, his eyes lighting up. “You’d be surprised how many of your macho football friends like dick in their ass.”

“My God,” Levi groans, continuing to walk. “Dude, I love you and I support your wild, bisexual man-whore ways, but can we go one day without talking about you fucking some dude in the ass?!”

Hayden shrugs, following behind Levi. “He asked.”

I tighten my hold on Logan’s hand, drawing her into me so I can kiss her. When she pulls away, I smile at her and twist some of her hair around my finger. “I like this weird friendship you and Hayden have going.”

She makes a face, her eyes fluttering. “I didn’t think I would like him as much as I do.”

I nod, kissing her again. “He grows on you.”

“Almost like a poisonous fungus.” She laughs, tugging my hand to lead me down the hall. “C’mon, I’ll walk you to history.”

In the months that Logan and I have been together, I’ve just grown more and moreintoher. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, to lose interest or for something to go wrong, but it never does. I wake up each morning and the first thing I do is reach out for her. I feelbetterwith her—safe, protected. Like with her, I could conquer the world. Like we could stop the fucking earth from spinning together.

She’s seen every side of me, and still loves me.

I’m insatiable for her. My thirst for her is never sated, never quite quenched enough that I feel completely satisfied. I always want more, more, more. I want her for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, like a drug I’m addicted to and never want to quit.

She kisses me on the cheek before I head into my class, then goes on her way to her own classroom. The bell rings overhead just as my ass is hitting the chair, and I throw my backpack onto my desk to settle in for my last history class as a junior.

* * *

The final bell of the day rings overhead, officially starting summer, and I’m the first one out of my seat, rushing to the hallway to meet up with my girl.

I love summer vacation, which is probably the biggest understatement of the year. Ilivefor it. Sleeping late, spending my days at the beach, training for football on my own schedule, and then spending the nights with my friends.

This year, though, I’m going to spend the entire summer with Logan.

I’m anxious to hear where we’re going for vacation as I zigzag through the hall to the exit where I’m meeting Logan so we can head home.

Her face spreads into a smile when she sees me, creating a fire inside me, the intense glow from her eager eyes making me speed up to get to her. She stands up straighter from where she’s leaning against the wall, throwing her dark hair over her shoulder. When I reach her, I slam my lips to hers and her hands curl around my waist.

My heart pounds as we kiss, students hustling around us to head outside so they can leave for the summer, and I grab both sides of her face to deepen our kiss.

She smiles against my mouth and pulls back, breathless, after a moment. “Hi.”

I smile back, feeling lightheaded. “Hi, baby.”

She slides her hands from my waist and threads her fingers through mine when I let my arms fall to my sides. “How was your last day?”

“Good,” I answer, squeezing her hands. “Yours?”

“Good too.” She grins, wiggling her brows. “I’m ready to get home.”

I nod, and in place of answering her, I start walking, pulling her beside me out into the parking lot.

The sun is shining overhead, the air thick with humidity and freedom as we head for her car. My blood pumps a little faster when I think about the fact we have two months of no responsibilities, two months of no commitments except each other. I can’t fucking wait to spend uninterrupted time with her.

Hayden and Levi are sitting atop Hayden’s Maserati when we reach the line of cars parked in the lot, and they both slide down to greet us.

“Happy summer,” Levi says in way of greeting. “Do you know where we’re going for our trip yet?”

I clap hands with both of them. “Nah, family meeting tonight to discuss it.”

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