Closing my eyes, I put a pillow over my face and laughed bitterly.

My life was a mess.

I was a mess.

And yet, as I swaddled myself in the not-innocent glow of climax and greed, I didn't care. I had let myself enjoy something that I shouldn't have. I'd gotten off to the existence of a man that rebelled against my common sense.

Falling asleep with my hand still resting between my thighs...

I just didn't care.

Happy birthday to me.

Rubbing my eyes, I growled at the rays of sunlight poking at my face. My window blinds were down, but that wasn't enough to make a difference. The sunny state of California was the enemy of late morning sleepers.

It took a moment for my body to come alive. I felt the thumping in my skull, a sign I'd slept too late and not late enough. When blood hit my limbs, I shifted, realized my hand was still cupping my pussy.

Blushing at the memory of what I'd done, I forced myself to sit up. Going to sleep with the sinful dream of Huxton in my head wasn't exactly conductive to my current plans. It's fine, no one knows but me. That wasn't much better. I was a judgmental jerk to myself already.

Yawning, cracking my back, I threw my dress into my laundry basket. Changing into a soft, light-blue shirt, I grabbed a fresh pair of underwear, then some shorts, and slid them on. A quick check of my phone, searching for messages, I stuck it in my pocket.

Wrapping a long cardigan around myself, I crept into the hallway. The wood floor was cool under my feet. “Eliza?” I called, traipsing into the kitchen. I didn't see her. The microwave claimed it was already noon. Had I actually slept that late? “Eliza, are you here?”

Frowning at her absence, I grabbed an apple from the fridge. She'd left the windows open, the oddly warm December air floating inside the apartment. With it, I caught the sound of a voice.

Curious, I bit into the fruit and started walking. Was Eliza in the backyard? I didn't blame her, if she was. It looked incredibly nice outside, and I bet the green grass and flowers would look gorgeous.

Eliza was giving me a crazy deal on my rent. A room in a house like this was easily triple what she asked of me. While I didn't like hand-outs, I made up for it by cleaning and tidying up more than my share required. It was small, but it was what I could manage.

Down the hall, I came to the sliding glass doors. They led to the back patio and the in-ground pool, an extra perk. I loved swimming, and wished that it was turning summer instead of winter, now that I had access to a pool every day.

Pushing the door sideways, I stepped outside into the sun with my mouth partially full of apple. “Eliza?” I mumbled, her name wet and muffled. “Are you—”

I never finished my sentence. How could I, with the scene before me?

He stood there, a statue of shining flesh in the bright sunshine. Like Eliza, who was stretched out on a chair in just her pink bikini, Huxton was wearing nothing but a bathing suit, too. A simple pair of tight, black shorts; they clung to him, leaving little to the imagination.

Never mind that it was god damn 'winter' and they were tanning. I had bigger complaints to take up with the universe or whoever made things happen.

Why the hell was he here?

Eliza perked up, waving to me. “Zoe! There you are, good afternoon, sleepy-head!”

The apple in my mouth became dry sand.

Turning my way, Huck slid his sunglasses up his head. They perched in his shimmering hair, tufts poking out around the edges in a roguish way. How could Eliza recline so close to him and not melt like a Popsicle? “Mornin', beautiful,” he called to me.

I shot my eyes to my roommate. She hadn't reacted to his pet-name compliment. She looked relaxed, enjoying the sun that kept proving it was stronger than the expected grey of winter. Crossing one knee over the other, she stretched. “Get your suit on, come tan with us.”

Holding the apple like a weapon, I pointed it at Huxton. My voice was raspy, I was choking my mouthful of food down. “What is he doing here?” There was no softening of the accusation. Real, frustrated anger boiled up into my veins.

They shared a look, Eliza pouting. “Wow, rude. I invited him over.”

“Okay, but why?” Why would you call a stranger back here? I was aware of Huck watching me. I was fully clothed, but under his piercing greens, I felt exposed.

Recalling how I'd woken up with my hand buried in my pussy, I turned beet red. This was not how I wanted to start my day.

Shaking her chin, Eliza motioned up at Huck lazily. “Didn't I tell you? Huck and I go way back, we're old friends.”

Jagged lightning rattled my brain. “You're what?”

Huck laughed and said, “Friends. I hadn't seen her in awhile, though. I wanted to catch up with her after reconnecting yesterday.”

“I didn't know you two already knew each other.” Watching him standing over her as she reclined, her looking gorgeous and so fitting at his side, a flicker of sick heat made its way into my stomach. No, nope. Don't feel jealous. Don't be dumb.

Eliza pushed a fist to her cheek, smiling. “I definitely mentioned we knew each other. Remember, I had that old business card of his?”

“That's not the same as telling me you have a history.” What kind of history? Clenching my jaw, I bit into my apple. Eating was at least productive. Being silly and envious was not.

“You really didn't tell her?” Huck asked, shifting his weight to one side. The twist of his body made his abs pop, pulling me in helplessly. “What, are you ashamed of me?” Grinning, he lifted his hands in mock insult.

Laughing, Eliza jabbed him in the knee. “Stop. I just didn't want to go into it.” Her voice lowered, a meaning that went unsaid. Huxton nodded, all humor gone as they communicated with just their eyes.

Alright. Now I was suspicious.

Chomping so hard that the fruit shot juice into the air, I sat down by the edge of the pool. I had a lot to absorb. I'd thought Eliza had just contacted Huck when Kit had vanished from the radar. Well, now I understood how she knew what he did for a living. His card was vague, she knew the reality.

How had they met? Why didn't she want to go into it?

Sighing, I turned my apple in my hands, my appetite fading.

Plastic crinkled as Eliza shifted on the chair. “Anyway,” she said, “Now that you're awake, I can safely berate you.” Pointing, she wagged a finger. “Why the hell didn't you come back last night, Missy? Poor Huck had to entertain all our friends, and you weren't even here to take part in it.”

Her pretend anger made me smile. Being chastised helped clear the tension. “Sorry, sorry. I got called into work.” Bouncing a pointed look at Huck that said 'do not say a word' I pushed on. “You know how I need the money. I couldn't say no.”

“Alright. I guess that's a suitable excuse.” Wriggling her painted toes, she hopped up and headed for the door. “It's actually a little warm. I'll grab us some drinks.”

The second she'd shut the glass panel, I whipped my glare to Huck and arched an eyebrow. “Okay, so, when I kept telling you I wouldn't call you, you knew the entire time you'd end up running into me anyway. Didn't you?”

In the sun, his teeth glistened like polished ivory. “Pretty much, yeah.”

“You're a real piece of work.”

“Guilty as charged.” Chuckling, he swayed in my direction. I clutched my apple, feeling it give way under my harsh grip. “I'm sorry I didn't mention that Eliza and I were friends. Guess it never came up naturally.”

Peeking at the door, I looked for my roommate. I didn't see her. “I'm more bugged by Eliza not telling me than you. It's a little weird to get a lap-dance from her...” I trailed off. In the time I'd spent spying for her to return, Huxton had closed the gap.