Off Limits, But Yours

The sound of skin slapping against skin echoes through the room while Bryce pounds into me like he's chasing a damn world record. His hands dig into my hips—tight enough that I know I'll see fingerprints later—until he finally groans and stills, breathing all heavy and dramatic like he just did something mind-blowing. He rolls off me and tosses the used condom in the trash before grabbing his phone like this is just another Tuesday. "That was good," he mutters, not even looking at me. "Yeah," I say, lying through my teeth. "Totally." I stare at the ceiling, still pulsing with frustration. It'll only take a few minutes before he gets up, and then I can actually finish what he couldn't. Bryce sits up and swings his legs off the bed. "I'm gonna make some eggs. You want anything?" I shake my head, forcing a smile. "Nah, I've got emails to catch up on. I'll be out in a bit." He hums and walks out, and the second the door shuts, I'm under the blanket, hand between my thighs. It takes me seconds. One press, one circle, and my back arches as I finally, finally come. Quietly, with a pillow over my mouth, because heaven forbid Bryce realizes he's not the main character in my orgasm. I sigh and glance at the suitcases by the door. We're leaving soon. Maybe this trip is what we need to shake things up. Things between us have felt more like roommates lately than anything else. A little time away, just us, could be the reset button we need. I hop in the shower, let the steam rinse the stress off, then slip into the dress I bought just for this trip—bright, short, kind of flirty. Maybe it'll get his attention. Maybe. I walk into the kitchen and find Bryce wolfing down eggs like he hasn't eaten in days. He glances up at me, one brow raised. "New dress?" I twirl. "You like it?" He shrugs. "I guess. Maybe with a cardigan or something?" My smile twitches. I glance down at the dress. "Yeah. Maybe." He pulls me into his lap and plants a lazy kiss on my shoulder. "It'll look better once you've gotten some sun. Right now it kinda washes you out." I nod, kissing his temple even though I kinda want to throat punch him. "You're right." I'm trying to stay hopeful. Really. This trip will be good. It has to be. He drags our bags down the driveway while I dig through my purse for the house key. It's been forever since I've been here. We used to come every summer when we were kids. Now? Not so much. Especially not since my brother and I stopped tolerating each other around the time I turned fourteen. But my parents are off in Greece this summer, so they offered us the lake house. Free couples vacation? Yes, please. I stick the key in the door and twist—but before I even push it open, it swings wide on its own. Weird. "What the hell are you doing here?" Adam's voice rings out from the living room like he owns the place. I freeze. "What am I doing here? Mom offered me the lake house!" Adam's sprawled on the couch, beer in hand, like he's been here a while. Judging by his tan, he definitely has. "Well, she offered it to me too. And we got here first. So, guess it sucks to suck." I cross my arms. "Yeah, well, I'm not leaving. We drove for hours. Bryce has stuff next week in Westport, and I actually told Mom we were coming. Did you even bother telling her you were coming?" I glance around. "And who's we?" He jerks his chin toward the giant glass windows. I follow his gaze out to the lake and my stomach immediately drops. No. Freaking. Way. Corbin freaking Montgomery. And Tyler freaking Simpson. Of course he brought those two. Can't do anything without his little sidekicks. I pinch the bridge of my nose and pull out my phone. Behind me, Bryce finally wheels our suitcases in and closes the door. "Gibson," Adam says flatly, noticing Bryce. "Marlowe," Bryce nods back, equally unbothered. I call Mom, hoping she'll tell Adam to pack his bags. "Sumner, honey," she answers. "Everything okay?" "Not really," I mutter. "Did you know Adam and his band of idiots are already at the lake house?" She sighs. "Please tell me you didn't call me in Greece about this." "You didn't tell me he was coming too!" "Well, then leave. Or stay. The house is big enough for all of you. Maybe use this as a chance to finally work things out. I really don't want to hear about my adult kids acting like they're still in middle school. I have a massage in ten, bye." Click. I stare at my phone, jaw hanging. I glance around the place. Three bedrooms on each side of the house. Private bathrooms. Plenty of space to not see each other. I look at Bryce. "Thoughts?" He grimaces. "We're not finding another place last-minute. This whole area's booked." I nod, grab my bag, and shoot Adam one of my signature death glares. "You stay on your side, we'll stay on ours." So much for a relaxing little couples getaway. But hey... maybe it's about to get a lot more interesting. ************************************** Well, did I manage you to hook you? Excited to have you guys along for the ride ♥️