When she was done, she thrust a cup under my nose. “Try it. I’ve never worked as a bartender, but I’ve dabbled in the craft at parties like this. I’m pretty good at it.”
“What’s in it?” I took the drink but got nothing other than alcohol and soda when I sniffed it.
Sofia stifled a laugh and shook her head at me again. “It’s good. Just try it.”
“Fine, but I’m holding you responsible if I suddenly start acting like one of those guys.” I jabbed a finger at a group of dude-bros shoving at each other as they stumbled around and alternated between giggling and cursing.
She inclined her head and bumped her cup against mine. “You’ve got yourself a deal. Drink up, Linc. Let’s see if we can get you to unwind a little.”
“You’re on.” Bringing the cup to my lips, I parted them and opened my throat to toss the contents back in one go.
Whatever it was tasted vile going down, but the alcohol burned my throat and warmed my stomach. I had a feeling it would taste better the next round.
Sofia’s brows swept up in surprise. “Wow. You really did it. I’ve got to say, I didn’t think you would.”
I smirked. “I may not have been to one of these things in years, but I’m no stranger to drinking when the occasion calls for it.”
Her cup only had about the first quarter out of it, but she mixed me another before we found a free space to sit. The log we planted ourselves on was next to a bonfire nearest to the shore, and the lapping of the waves was audible now that the music was farther away.
Bright flames licked the air and heat shimmered as it rose into the sky. We were sitting far enough not to get too hot, but it was still uncomfortable. “Do you come to parties like this often?”
She shook her head, and her leg shifted where it was pressed up against mine. “I used to, but I haven’t really had much time lately.”
“Being a med student must keep you pretty busy.”
“It does, but it’s more than that.” Her head turned as she took in the surrounding scene, resting her gaze on a group dancing on the other side of the fire. “Parties like this used to be what I lived for. I’d have been right there with them not so long ago. Now…”
When she trailed off, I finished for her. “It’s just not the same?”
“Exactly,” she said, her voice so soft I could barely hear it before she cleared her throat. “What about you? Were you a big party animal?”
“Nah.” I shrugged. “Most people are probably party animals from time to time, but big events like this have never appealed to me.”
She adjusted her position to be facing me more fully, her head slightly tilted as she listened. “Do you think it’s because you grew up in a small town?”
“Hey,” I tapped her thigh, “don’t knock it till you’ve been to the annual Lobster Fest. Now there’s a party.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it,” she said, smiling.
Firelight softened her already beautiful features in a way that made her look almost ethereal. Shadows flickered across her face but brought out her cheekbones and the slender line of her slightly upturned nose.
My hands twitched with the need to reach for her, but I kept them firmly to myself. For now anyway. “Why did we come here tonight if it’s no longer your scene?”
The peacefulness melted from her expression, replaced by something much more contemplative. “I guess I needed to see for myself that I wasn’t twenty anymore.”
“Nothing wrong with getting older,” I commented, letting my eyes drift away from her to watch the crowd. “They’re all going to get there, too. We’re just slightly ahead of the curve.”
“If you don’t like big parties, why did you agree to meet me here tonight?”
“For starters, I didn’t have this in mind when you said beach party. The beach parties back home were never more than maybe twenty or thirty people.”
Her eyes widened. “Right. I should have clarified.”
“No, that’s okay.” I smirked, motioning to the writhing bodies on the packed beach. “We didn’t have this many young people living in our entire town. I don’t think I’d have expected this even if you’d said it would be a big party.”
That melodic chuckle of hers rang out, the sound wrapping like a nice firm grip around my dick. Between how gorgeous she looked and the easy sound of her laughter, there was no resisting her.
Despite Eden’s warnings and my own misgivings before I’d come here, I didn’t really believe she would ever knowingly cause trouble for me. And like both of us had said on numerous occasions, Charles was retired now.
Sofia and I were both consenting adults who were doing nothing wrong and were having a good time together. A sharp jab to my side drew my attention back to her.
“You said that was for starters. Why else did you come here?”
Giving in to the urge, I finally allowed my hands to reach for her. One tucked a strand of hair behind her ear while the other rested lightly on her hip. “I thought that part was obvious. I came here to see you.”
A smile spread her full lips as she lifted her hand to catch mine when it dropped away from her face. “What are you going to do with me now that you’ve seen me?”
“Drink apparently.” I inclined my head to my cup, standing between my feet. “Talk. Whatever you want really. This is your night, not mine.”
Her cute nose crinkled. “What if I’ve decided this isn’t really what I want to do with my night anymore?”
“Is it?” I asked, genuinely curious. “Just because I’m not a fan of big crowded parties doesn’t mean we have to
