Swallowing hard, I nodded. Leaning down, I brushed my lips against Sierra’s. Her hand moved up and through my hair where she tugged on it slightly. “I need to go and help my father finish up painting.”

“Are you leaving after that?” I asked as I searched her eyes. The hurt was gone, but I couldn’t tell what replaced it. Was she really okay with all of this?

Smiling, she nodded. “Yeah. Thank you, Tristan. Thank you for everything.”

There was a glow about Sierra’s face as she thanked me. In a way, Sierra taught me something about myself as well. I was bound and determined to make up for the mistake I made ten months ago. “Thank you, Sierra.”

Sierra moved and stood. She began pulling her bra over her magnificent tits. I watched as she got dressed. I was surprised my attraction for her hadn’t changed. One thing I knew for sure, the sexual tension between us was definitely sedated.

Reaching over, I grabbed my shorts and pulled them back on. Sierra handed me my T-shirt and I slipped it over my head. She began walking over to her purse, but I reached for her hand and pulled her back to me.

“Friends?”

Giving me a big ole grin, she nodded her head. “Yes, friends for sure. I already programmed my cell and work number in your phone and put BFF next to my name.”

Laughing, I shook my head as I followed her to the front door. Before opening the door, she turned and looked at me. “I am faced with two serious problems now though.”

My smile faded. “What?”

She took in a deep breath and quickly exhaled. “My vibrator will never be able to compete with those orgasms. And, I’m pretty sure my next boyfriend’s performance in bed will be measured up to the amazing fucking I just got.”

Laughing, I pulled her into my chest and hugged her. “Go paint, crazy girl.”

Stepping back, Sierra threw me a wink and held up her hand as she walked out and yelled over her shoulder, “Later, Tom!”

RUNNING BACK ALONG THE BEACH, I realized I was near Tristan’s family’s beach house. Glancing over, I saw Tristan and Sierra on the deck.

Placing my hand on my stomach, I felt sick as I watched Tristan take Sierra into the house. Was he taking her in to make love to her? How serious was their relationship? Sierra had said they were just having fun. That didn’t look like having fun. Pulling my eyes from the house, I ran as fast as I could two houses down. Sierra’s dad was painting the back of the house that faced out over the Gulf of Mexico. Lifting his hand, he shouted a hello.

I couldn’t find my voice. I lifted my hand and smiled weakly before slipping in through the back sliding glass door. Walking into the kitchen, I grabbed the counter and began trying to get my breathing under control. That was twice I’d seen Tristan and Sierra in an intimate moment.

I was slowly beginning to dislike Sierra. Closing my eyes, Dodge fucking me against the very counter I held on to caused me to open my eyes and take a few steps back.

Placing my hands up over my mouth, I slowly shook my head. I dropped my hands. “What is wrong with me?” I shouted. Here I had been letting Dodge fuck me the last few days and I was upset that Tristan was with someone else. I pushed my fingers against my temples and began massaging them.

“Shit! Shit! Shit! I hate you, Tristan Williams!” Dropping to the floor, I pulled my legs into my chest. Resting my chin on my knees, I let my tears fall as I whispered, “I hate you, Tristan.”

I quickly sat up and looked around. The doorbell had rung and woke me from a dead sleep. Hearing it ring again, I jumped up and headed over to it. Peeking through the peephole I saw Sierra.

Shit.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and slowly let it out as I plastered a fake smile on my face. Opening the door quickly, I scared Sierra by practically shouting, “Hey, Sierra!”

Smiling, she looked me up and down. “Are you okay?”

Making a face like I had no idea why she would ask me that, I replied, “Yeah. I’m doing . . . great. How are you? Been a good day?”

I rolled my eyes inward. Jesus what’s wrong with me?

Sierra tilted her head and paused for a moment. Something about her was different, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. “The painting is all done so you can enjoy the rest of your vacation in total privacy.”

My mouth opened slightly. “Oh, does that mean you’re leaving? I mean, um, are you headed back to Austin or . . .”

Sierra smiled sweetly. “I’m headed back to Austin. I only took a few days off to work on this and visit with my father. Maybe when you get back we can grab dinner and catch a movie?”