~ Zoie's POV ~
"Wow! This is crazy!" Zoie gaped.
"Pretty cool, huh?" Miles beamed proudly.
Zoie stared in awe at the night sky above her. The speedboat was parked in the middle of the lake and it was pretty dark out here, making the stars very visible. There was something that felt ethereal about being out there on the water. The night air was cool and breezy and the loud music coming from the house was now only faintly heard.
"That one over there, that's the big dipper," Miles said as he pointed at the constellation.
Zoie followed his gaze to find a beautiful group of stars.
"How do you know that?" she asked.
"I memorized it. I also minor in Astronomy,"
"What?" she gaped. "You major in mechanical engineering and minor in Astronomy?"
"Yup," he shrugged. "They're not totally correlated, but I like them both,"
"Wow," she tsked. "Not only that you're a freaking genius, but you're also a star athlete. What can't you do, Miles?"
Miles laughed and put his head down.
Is he blushing?
"So, it's true, huh?" Zoie pressed. "I heard that you're a baseball athlete?"
Miles looked up and smiled.
"So you've heard about me?" he said playfully.
"Jo and Karlie asked who invited me. I told them it was you and they asked if I mean Miles the baseball star,"
"I'm not a star," he shook his head and laughed. "I like playing college sports. But I'm far from being in the MLB,"
Miles then adjusted his baseball cap and Zoie caught sight of his gorgeous green eyes. They were shining bright under the blue moonlight. For a moment, she forgot about everything and where she was. She was lost in those eyes.
"What about you?" Miles said, pulling her out of her daydream. "Do you like sports?"
"I ran track in high school,"
"Cool,"
"And we have a tennis court at home, so-"
"You have a tennis court at home?!" he gaped.
Whoops. Was I not supposed to say that?
"...Yeah... so I've been playing tennis since I was a kid too..."
"That's really cool," Miles nodded his head. "So, where is home?"
"New Jersey," she replied. "You?"
"Sacramento," he said. "You've come a long way,"
"Yup, as far away as possible,"
"Why? You don't like living in a house with a tennis court?"
"Ha-ha," she laughed sarcastically. "No, my family's really great, but I just want a little more freedom. You know?"
"I get it. My dad's in the military and he's totally strict about everything. I wasn't even allowed to sleepover at my friend's growing up,"
"Oh my God, me too!" Zoie squeaked excitedly. This was the first time she found someone that could relate to her struggles.
"But you're allowed to do that now, right?" Miles asked.
Zoie detected the flirty undertone.
"All the freedom in the world," she said, smirking.
A smile spread across Miles's face. His eyes zeroed in on her lips and Zoie swallowed hard. Slowly, Miles started leaning closer. Zoie froze in her spot. His face was only inches away. Zoie's mouth began to part.
Oh my God... He's gonna kiss me!?
Zoie's mind and heart started racing. She wanted to be in the moment to enjoy this, but she was feeling too self-conscious. Why? For some unknown reason, she was worried Asher that might be around, watching them. And for some reason, she didn't want him to see this.
"Uh, wait!" Zoie put her hands on Miles's chest before his lips almost touched hers.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I... uh... it's not that I don't wanna kiss you, Miles, trust me, I do. But... the last time I was with someone, I kinda rushed things and I regretted it. So, this time around, I'd like to take things slow... if that's okay with you..."
Zoie looked up at him nervously, waiting for his reaction.
Did I just ruin the moment? Did I just ruin everything?
To her absolute surprise, Miles just smiled.
"Okay, how about this then, why don't we go on a date next weekend?" he said.
"A date?"
"Yeah. And since you're new in town, I can show you around. I'll take you to the best spot to eat,"
"That sounds great!" she beamed.
"Okay, Saturday night, it's a date," he winked.
"It's a date," she agreed.
Miles and Zoie stared at each other with smiles hanging on their faces. They were giddy and laughing. Zoie's nervousness instantly dissipated. It was now replaced with this feeling of excitement and exhilaration. Kind of what she felt when she met Asher for the first time in that club. You know, before she found out who he was and everything.
Speaking of Asher...
Zoie glanced around just in case he was out there watching. But that was impossible. They were in the middle of the lake. He couldn't possibly be out here. And yet, even though he wasn't physically here, Zoie couldn't shake off the feeling that he was here mentally. Always looming over her head.
"Are you cold?" Mile's voice suddenly broke her train of thought. Zoie was rubbing her arms.
"It is kinda chilly out here," she said.
"Here," Miles took off his red Stanford hoodie and draped it over her shoulders.
"Thank you," she smiled.
That was really sweet. It reminded her of something Landon would do.
"You have a really pretty smile," he commented.
"So do you," she said.
Again, they locked eyes and shared smiles. Being with Miles was nice and easy. He was cute, fun, flirty, and really kind too. She could totally see them hanging again and again.
But in order to do that, I must play my cards right...
"It's getting kinda late, don't you think?" she trailed. "Maybe we should head back?"
"Do you need a ride home?"
"No, my brother's driving, so..."
"Gotcha,"
Miles started the boat's engine and they started cruising down the lake. Zoie held the hoodie tighter around her body and Mile's musky scent filled her nose.
Hmmm.
Staying out there with Miles was nice. She could stay out there all night. But after everything that happened with Asher in that club, Zoie learned her lessons. Number one, rushing into anything was never good. Something that is easy to get is also easily gone. Zoie didn't want any more one night stands. She wants something real. Something that can last.
And lesson number two, the dose makes the poison. If she wants to keep hanging out with Miles and make this something that lasts, she had to prove to Asher that Miles is a good guy. Asher will then respect her decision and she wouldn't need to worry about him going to her dad.
Strategies. Sometimes that's necessary.
Zoie and Miles headed back into the house and he excused himself to return the boat's key. Zoie then walked around the rooms looking for Asher, but he was nowhere to be found. She tried calling him, but his phone was off.
That's odd.
Zoie went through the sea of people and looked into every corner of the rooms. She even went into the guy's bathroom looking for him, but all she found were two guys making out in the bathtub.
Whoops!
Zoie walked out again and retraced her steps. The last time she saw him was in the kitchen, right by the drinks table. She went back there again, and he wasn't around.
Where the hell are you, Asher?!
Just then, Zoie saw Jo in the corner of the room, talking to a group of guys and girls.
"Jo, hey!" Zoie said as she approached her.
"Zoe, what's up?"
"Have you seen my brother around anywhere?"
"Nope. Maybe try the second floor?"
"What's on the second floor?"
As if to answer her, Jo's friends started laughing maniacally. Jo only smiled sheepishly and shrugged.
Feeling curious, Zoie quickly ran up the stairs. Once she got to the second floor, she saw a long hallway with doors. They looked like rooms. Zoie walked to the closest door and approached it cautiously.
The first door was locked, so Zoie went to the next one. The next door wasn't locked, but the moment she opened it, she wished that she hadn't. She saw two guys and a girl doing something that looked like a doggy-style double-penetration of some sort. Zoie's cheeks flared up in embarrassment as she quickly closed the door.
"Sorry!"
Zoie then went to the last door and opened it rather slowly this time. She didn't open it all the way, but it was enough to see what was inside.
Oh my God!
Zoie saw Karlie, naked and on her knees on the floor. In front of her was Asher sitting on an armchair. Karlie's face was buried deep as she was sucking him off. Asher's eyes were closed and his head was tipped back. Karlie was bobbing her head up and down and he grabbed a fistful of her hair, holding her in place.
Zoie's entire body trembled as she staggered back. Suddenly, all the air escaped her lungs and she couldn't breathe. Zoie ran out of there as fast as she could. She even almost tripped and fell down the stairs, but luckily, Miles was there to catch her.
"Zoie? Are you okay?" he asked.
"Can you take me home?" she pleaded, her lips were trembling.
"Of course,"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~ Asher's POV ~
"You look tense. Here, let me take care of you,"
Karlie pushed Asher back until he fell and sat on the armchair. Asher's face was flat and emotionless as Karlie began undressing herself. He wasn't showing a lot of interest on purpose, thinking that she'd leave him alone. But on the contrary, it only made her want him more.
Girls. Typical.
Karlie's body sashayed out of her skirt and blouse. She was wearing a pair of black lace bra and underwear. She had a sexy body, all the right curves, good-size breasts, and a bubble butt. Any other normal guy would be really excited right now, but Asher kept a straight face.
Karlie stood in front of him and kneeled down, her face was only inches away from his groin. She looked up at him and her eyes fluttered in excitement. Asher grabbed a fistful of her hair and forced her to come closer. Taking the hint, Karlie's hand began unzipping his pants. She pulled down his underwear slightly, just enough to reveal his manhood.
"Oh, wow," she giggled. Her eyes turned dark and hungry.
Karlie licked her lips seductively as she palmed his manhood in her hand. Her fingers curled around his base and her mouth drew closer, planting wet kisses around the tip.
Asher closed his eyes and relaxed himself, focusing his thoughts on this, instead of somewhere else. Karlie's mouth began to take him in, inch by inch. She went as far as she could until his tip hit her throat, and she pulled out. Asher tightened his grip around her hair and within seconds, Karlie's head started bobbing ferociously along his length. He jerked himself up and down, following her movements, thrusting into her throat like there was no tomorrow.
Shit. I wonder what her mouth feels like around me.
Asher kept his eyes and closed and imagine Zoie's mouth on his cóck. Her lips would look so pretty. Her mouth would feel warm and nice and---
* CREAK *
The sound of the door creaking pulled Asher out of his thoughts. His eyes jerked open and he saw the figure of a girl, wearing a red hoodie, rushing out.
"What was that?" Karlie followed his gaze, wiping her mouth as she looked back.
"I gotta go," Asher said simply, getting off the chair and pulling his pants up.
"What?!" Karlie squeaked, but Asher only shoved past her.
"Asher!" she yelled for him, but he didn't turn back. No explanations whatsoever. He just dipped.
Asher ran down the stairs as fast as she could, looking around to find her. He didn't see anyone resembling Zoie in that living room, but then he noticed someone in a red hoodie running out the front door.
"Zoie!" he yelled, but the girl only kept running.
Asher shoved past the sea of people to get to the front door. There were so many drunk kids in that room, it was hard to get out. People kept blubbering and standing in his way.
"Move!!"
Finally, Asher was out the door. From the front porch, he saw Zoie climbing into a Range Rover with Miles in the driver's seat.
Why is she getting into a car with him?!
"Zoie, Zoie!" he yelled for her again, racing out to the driveway.
Zoie definitely heard him because she looked in his direction, but then she chose to turn her cheek. And with that, Miles's car pulled away and speeded off. Asher chased after them but he only caught the back of the car for a split second before it went away again.
Damn it!!
Not wasting any more time, Asher dashed into his BMW that was parked nearby. He revved the engine and prepared himself for the chase of his life. As soon as the car was ready, he jetted off into the night. Smoke and dust flying all around.
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- - - - - - To Be Continued - - - - - -