"Sheldon, what's wrong?"

"Nothing!"

"Tell me what's wrong or I'm going to have my mom come over for dinner tonight," he threatened.

I buckled—damn it. "I was a bitch to Grace."

"When are you not?" Bryce laughed.

He knew me too well. "And I told our psych class that she has feelings for Corrigan."

Bryce quieted on the other end for a moment. "I thought they'd already talked about that. Didn't Corrigan tell me something about that?"

I shrugged. "News to me. Grace hasn't said anything to me about it, but she's been stupid over him since our senior year. Good gracious, how long is she going to pine for the moron?"

Bryce mused, "Well, it's out now. They'll figure it out."

"And I'm the quintessential bitch, like always."

"You're just you, Sheldon. Get over it and get home. I've missed you."

I grinned and picked up my pace for the car. "My dad did have a pool installed…"

"Done. I'll meet you there." And Bryce hung up.

As I approached my car, I shook my head. Bryce was back. He was back, and he was at my house—it felt good.

It felt…like normal.

CHAPTER TWO

When I pulled into my driveway, I was a little confused when I didn't see Bryce's red Miata. Then I hit the button for the three-car garage, and there it was, all nice and shiny. It was one of Bryce's guilty splurges while he was in Europe. When I decided to come back to California, he'd sent it with me. Bryce said it wasn't the same driving it around when I wasn't there. So I'd been driving it until the last few weeks when Corrigan insisted he wanted his time because when Bryce came home, he'd lose his chance with the Miata. I hadn't cared, and it had been with Corrigan since.

Guess Bryce got it back.

As I let myself into the house and walked down the adjoining hallway, I caught sight of his luggage. A year ago, he had left with a soccer bag over his shoulder, and now he returned with sleek, black, pristine-looking luggage. I wasn't sure how I liked the changes, but, no matter the money, Bryce was still Bryce.

Bryce and me were still Bryce and me.

I quickly shed my clothes for a bikini and strode towards the pool. I pushed open the door, and there he was, in a brisk front crawl through the pool. The water glistened over his shoulders, which rippled and bunched as he continued to pace himself. He made swimming look easy.

And then he stopped at the edge and lifted his head.

I groaned and smiled in delight at the short black Mohawk, sea blue eyes, and chiseled cheekbones. Bryce flashed a smile, full of intent, as he lifted himself out of the pool.

"Hey," I murmured as he stalked closer.

Another girl might've stepped back from the dark promises in his eyes, but not me. Never me. Bryce didn't say a word as he continued to move until he was right in front of me. And then he swept me up. I entwined my legs around his waist, and his lips were on mine.

Holy—I gasped into his mouth. I had missed this. I had missed his taste. I was lost in it until I was lowered to a couch. I glanced around, dazed, and saw that Bryce had carried me into one of the changing rooms.

"Baby," I gasped and arched my neck. Bryce's lips suckled downwards as they lingered at all the spots I liked, and then he moved to my br**sts. It didn't take long until both pieces of my bikini were gone. As this happened, I raised a leg up and pushed at Bryce's swimming trunks.

He chuckled as he helped remove the last piece of clothing. And then he was back, his eyes darkened with desire as his hands skimmed over every curve.

"Holy hell, Bryce," I gasped and wrapped my arms around his shoulders as I brought my body flush against his.

"Sheldon," he whispered. His hands slid down my back, took hold underneath my thighs, and lifted me further up on the couch.

I snapped a finger towards a small cupboard in the corner. Bryce understood and quickly crossed the room. A plea escaped my lips in protest at the sudden loss of contact, but Bryce was back in a flash, condom in hand. He paused above me and kissed me slowly. His lips fitted mine perfectly and his tongue swept in to rub against mine for a heart stopping moment.

"Now!" I snarled.

Bryce chuckled into my mouth and flicked his tongue against mine once more.

I groaned. He was playing with me.

My eyes snapped open and I found myself staring into his. Bryce swept his tongue around my mouth once more before he cupped my cheek in his hand and whispered, "You're not leaving me again."

It wasn't a question but a command.

I nodded, weak in that moment. There wasn't anywhere else I wanted to be.

And then Bryce had the condom on and slid inside. I arched my back and grasped onto his shoulders as Bryce started the rhythm. He moved in and out, slowly, and then picked up speed. I was helpless underneath the onslaught of pleasure. Time slid away until I felt the pinnacle nearing and then suddenly, I gasped as I shot over it.

Bryce trembled as he climaxed, and we held onto each other as we rode out the waves.

He rested on me, and I welcomed his heaviness as I skimmed a hand down his back. I swept it back up and continued in a soothing motion. Bryce rubbed his thumb down my arm and moved to caress my leg.

I grinned in contented fatigue and murmured, "And that's only the beginning for the night."

Bryce barked out a laugh and kissed me. He raised his head. "I meant what I said. You aren't going anywhere now."

My grin vanished, and I sobered. I knew what he meant and broke out, "I'm sorry that I left, I just couldn't…I wasn't me anymore, not at the end. I'm sorry."

He skimmed a hand in my hair, tucked a strand behind my ear, and bent down to kiss me again. Then he whispered, his breath teasing my lips, "Just don't do it again. I need you."

I closed my eyes as I heard those words. I heard the raw truth and wrapped my arms around him in a breathtaking hug.

I needed him too.

Bryce let out a shuddering breath, one that wracked his whole body, and seemed to collapse on top of me. We stayed there, wrapped in each other's arms, until my eyelids became heavy and closed. I drifted asleep, underneath Bryce's much needed weight.

And then my eyes snapped open, sometime later, and I raised myself up. I was disoriented. "Bryce?"

He grunted from behind me.

That's when I heard whatever woke me up: a crashing sound, followed by laughter, and then splashing.