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The sun is just beginning to set fire to the horizon, draping the early night in deep warm and vivid tones. I’ve never seen a sunset like this before. Sweeping strokes of reds, pinks and oranges lighting everyone and everything in its basking glory. Including him.
My first glance at him felt like lightning scorching through my body, fastening me to the spot. Fixed in awe, just overwhelming wonder, at this majesty of a man. I’ve never seen anything like him either. I was actually questioning myself for taking this impromptu trip in the first place, but not anymore.
I just felt like I needed a change, felt suffocated by the sameness of every day. I need routine to function but after a while I crave more. Novelty. I crammed myself into a mold of who I thought I was supposed to be. The responsible one, the rock, the constant. I never used to be this person. I used to be free. I used to be vibrant. Spontaneous. And I’ve missed it, god have I missed it.
I know I’m staring but I don’t think it’s physically possible for me to avert my gaze.
He looks like a wet fucking dream. Tall but not overly so. Tanned. And ohhh so jacked. I don’t even usually like too many muscles but it really works on him. I can’t see all the details yet but I can tell he’s got big, brown, soulful eyes. My favorite. And just enough scruff to look rugged, while still being able to make out the sharp line of his jaw. Fuck me.
He’s wading through the water, like the sea is parting just for him, as it carves and flows around him. Shaking out those gorgeous dark locks. I want to run my hands through it, clutch it as he parts me instead. Well that took a turn. But it couldn’t be helped. I feel feral, foaming at the mouth.
It’s not like I have issues in that department, I have a pretty active sex life. But I feel like I usually settle, just whoever is the most convenient. Any man who takes care of themselves, can dick it down and is reasonably attractive. Sometimes with a swipe right, sometimes a chance encounter in the artificial glow of the city streets at night.
I decided I don’t want to settle anymore. I push myself off my little towel on the section of shore I’ve claimed as my own for the day and force myself into the water. I want to look indifferent, look away as I walk toward him. But it’s beyond me. I look him right in the eye as I make my approach. He could look away too but he doesn’t, just keeps walking but in my direction this time.
I’m still at least a few feet away from him and the air between us feels magnetically charged, ionizing particles hanging heavy between us. Thick with the tension of this meeting, this moment. Is it too early to say it feels like fate? Like all the stars aligning just for us? I know I’m probably being ridiculous, he likely just wants to know why I’m staring at him. Now that I’m up close I can tell his eyes aren’t just brown, they’re some kind of hazel. A striking, golden amber color. Like molten honey.
He’s probably wondering if he knows me from somewhere, or something along those lines. My sure stride toward him is probably giving that impression. I don’t, but I really want to. Desperately even. I’ve been many things in my life, but desperate was never one of them. Until now, that is. I should stop, compose myself. But I just know I couldn’t, even with a gun to my head. No, I’m doing this.
“Hey” He speaks first, as he bridges the gap between us, stopping just short of me.
“Hi”
“Do I… know you?” Called it in one.
“You do now” A ghost of a smirk appears on his gorgeous face, littered with the most adorable freckles and moles. Where is this confidence coming from? I’m not shy by any means but I’m not usually this assertive, at least not right out the gate.
“Do I now?”
“Do you want to?”
“Honestly? I do now” He throws my words back at me. Okay, I see him. Game recognize game. I reach my hand out, needing to touch him. My name rolls easily off my practiced lips.
“Dylan” He replies, shaking my hand. There goes that electricity again, like the lightning strike is still happening. Discharging little sparks into my hand where he’s touching me.
“So… you a local? Or tourist?” He asks, still not dropping my hand. I shouldn’t read into it, but I am. I so am.
“On vacation from my monotonous routine, you know, the miasmic march to death” I say, quoting one of my favorite shows. He chuckles, a beautiful sound fitting of a beautiful man.
“You can say that again” Something tells me he has never experienced that in his life. But who knows, maybe I’m wrong.
“You?”
“On location for work”
“Oh? What do you do Dylan?”
“Shooting a movie right now” Of course he’s a star. He radiates aura, finesse, charm. He’s literally glowing with it, the sunset lighting aside.
“Apologies, wasn’t familiar”
“No, that’s okay. It’s refreshing actually. You don’t watch a lot of movies or what?” Is he in the big ones or something?
“Not really. Never have the time”
“I get that. I thought for sure you knew who I was. A reporter, pap or something. You know, by the way you walked up here”
“Nope just a girl on vacation”
“So… what prompted this? You coming to me, I mean?” I could come to him, for him. God there go those thoughts again. I’m not usually this explicit, even in my own mind. But he’s provoking something up to the surface that I didn’t really know was there. A singular want, need. It feels dangerous, like an inferno quickly raging out of control. But that’s exactly what I signed up for with this little vacation isn’t it? Something new?
“Do I have to spell it out?” He full on smirks now, a dimple magically appearing. Oh goddd. I’m a sucker for dimples.
“What? No dinner and a movie first?”
“Would that help my chances?”
“Your chances are looking pretty good so far, but I’m not a one night stand kind of guy.” He likes the confidence, noted.
“Good. Wasn’t planning on a hit and run anyway. So I assume you’re single then?”
“For now. You?” Is he insinuating what I think he is? Or is just like a serial dater or something? Do I even care?
“Clearly”
“Hah right, well I’m not just going to jump into bed with you if that’s what you were hoping for. But what are your plans later?” He probably only assumed that because of the phrasing I just used, hit and run. Did I have to say it like that? Not that I’d be mad at him doing that, but I think there could be real potential here so I wasn’t thinking that anyway.
“I was supposed to do a glass bottom boat tour and beach bonfire party with my friends tonight but all of that can be rearranged”
“No, let’s do it”
“Oh? You want to join us? Meet my friends?” Feels a little soon but I don’t think I could say no to him if I wanted to.
“Why not?” They are going to lose their minds when they see him. I wonder if any of them are familiar with his work. If they are, they never mentioned him to me.
“Oh okay, sure”
“What time is the tour?” I check my waterproof watch. 6pm.
“In a couple hours”
“Great, you staying at the hotel on the beachfront?” He asks. I nod.
“I’ll meet you outside the doors, say 7:45?” He follows up.
“Yes you will”
“See you then, mystery girl” Ooh he thinks I’m mysterious. Wonder how long I can keep that up. I’ve never really been the type. Always been an open book, spilling all my secrets to anyone willing to listen.
“See you” I say as he continues walking to the beach. I finally manage to tear my greedy eyes away from his sinewy, majestic form so as to not come off as downright creepy. Deciding to play in the waves instead. Oh I cannot wait for tonight. If those sparks were any indicator it should be imbued with a special kind of magic. One specifically reserved for him.
After a few minutes of floating in the spray of the sea, I finally make my way to my room to freshen up. I need to impress tonight, something I hardly ever go out of my way to do. Especially not for a man. I’m doing it for myself too. But I can’t half ass this. I won’t. When I get to the room my girlfriends are already there, also getting ready.
“Hey you were out there a while” One of them, Eva, says.
“I met someone” She gasps.
“You didn’t! On the first night? Who?”
“You’ll actually get to meet him tonight. He’s joining us on the tour, hope that’s okay”
“Oh my god, you not only met someone… you’re introducing us to him? This never happens!” My other best friend, Blair, practically squeals.
“It was actually his idea” I say, feeling a little embarrassed now. Not of him necessarily, but myself.
“Love a man that takes initiative” She continues, before resuming her blow out. I laugh before grabbing my toiletries and hopping into the shower to wash the sand and salt away. Providing a nice exfoliation. I shave my entire body, just in case. I know he said he’s not one to jump straight into bed with someone but I need to stay ready. When I finally get out the girls are already finished getting ready.
“You gonna be another little while?” Eva asks. I nod.
”We’re going downstairs to get drinks at that swanky little poolside bar we saw this morning, meet you there?”
“Sounds good” I say, pulling my makeup out of my bag. Blair hones in on it like a hawk.
“Makeup? For meeting a guy? You never do this” She says, calling me the fuck out.
“I know but this one feels different. You’ll know when you meet him”
“Ooooh she’s in love!” Blair shouts, laughing as they head out the door. I am not! I want to yell after them but they probably won’t hear me anyway. I use my Dyson airwrap to give myself a nice blow dry. Not quite a full blowout like my friends, but better than usual. Then quickly add some light makeup. No base, since I have a nice wash of color from the beach. But a light smoky eye with one of my shimmer sticks, blush and my trusty lip combo.
Then comes time for the outfit. I hate this part. I rifle through my suitcase, cursing at myself for not packing any of my nicer, flashy dresses. I just didn’t really expect this outcome, or at least wasn’t planning on it. Shit. I need to get something. I check the time. Okay it’s only 6:45, I still have an hour. Hopefully it’s enough time. I throw on something casual and head down to the shops. Thankfully they’re just downstairs, part of the hotel we’re staying at.
I flip through some of the options, none of them catching my eye. Until I see it. A girl’s hanging it back on one of the racks. It’s a long, white dress that screams elegance, with a splash of suggestiveness. I quickly snatch it, going to the nearest fitting room to try it on. I admire my reflection. It’s form fitting, with a corset-esque style bodice. Just enough boning to give form. And long white mesh sleeves with a fake out turtleneck collar, leaving the shoulders and top of my chest bare. The white shade accentuating my tan. Perfect.
I leave it on, making them scan the tag off of me and head upstairs to drop off my other outfit. When I make it back up to our room I throw on some tasteful flat, white strappy sandals since we’re going to a bonfire after this and head downstairs to join the girls. They whistle as I approach.
“Damn girl where’s the runway show?” Blair taunts.
“It’s just a dress, it’s not that deep”
“A killer dress. You’re making me question my orientation right now”
“Oh my god Blair stop”
“Only kidding. Kind of. Come on, catch up. We’re like 5 shots in”
“Oh I don’t know, I don’t want to get trashed tonight and not remember it” Eva scoffs.
“Wow you really are down bad. Just do a couple with us, we’re on vacation!”
“Ugh fine, just a couple” I say, rolling my eyes and they order another round. Top shelf tequila. I don’t know if it’ll help me behave tonight but at least it’s light liquor. But of course, after the first couple we do a few more. So I’m feeling a sizable buzz by the time we finally head outside to meet him. He’s standing toward the end of the driveway in front of the hotel a few meters in front of us, where it starts to transition into sand. The girls literally gasp as he starts to come into better view.
“Shut the fuck up. You didn’t say it’s Dylan O’ fucking Brien!” Blair whisper yells into my ear, smacking me.
“Is that his name?”
”How the fuck do you not know this? Do you live under a rock? Do we need to start calling you Patrick?” Eva chimes in.
“You guys know I don’t go to a lot of movies”
“You don’t go on socials either or what?”
“Not to just like scroll. Only for the group chats really. Do you really not know this about me after all these years?”
“Oh my god you’re such a freak but we love you” Blair says.
“Okay stop talking about him, we’re almost to him. Please be cool tonight guys”
“Of course, have you met us?” Eva asks, quirking a perfect brow at me. Yeah they’re not usually ones to fangirl, at least not a celebrity’s face. His brows raise as we finally close the distance between us, taking in my appearance. Which is vastly different from the casual beach style the girls wore.
“Wow. You clean up nice” He praises. I already feel heat tinging my face from the compliment.
“She usually doesn’t” Blair says, cheekily. I swat at her.
“Blair!”
“What? You don’t” Dylan laughs, his brilliant amber eyes sparkling with amusement.
“You get all dressed up just for me?” Why me?
“Maybe” Eva scoffs.
“Well I approve of this message” He says, smirking, as he leads us to a golf cart.
“Ladies” He says, gesturing for us to get in.
“Ooh he even scored us a ride. Nice”
“Thanks” I say as he reaches his hand out to help me into it. There goes those little shocks again that have me visibly shuddering.
“Cold?” He asks. I clear my throat.
“A little” I lie, not wanting to clue him into the real reason I’m covered in goosebumps right now.
“Bitch it’s like 75 degrees out” Eva says. I’m going to kill her. She’s a monster after some tequila.
“Right no yeah I know” I say, sheepishly and he smirks again. Shit. He’s probably catching on to the real reason I shivered just now. Fuck. Doing great. He goes along with it, snaking his arm around me to provide some body heat. The girls both smirk, mid conversation. I don’t even know what they’re talking about, all I can focus on is the feel of his arm on me. I study the part of his arm hanging off me that’s visible, since he’s pushed the long sleeves up on his white button down shirt up. It’s got a fair amount of body hair which I prefer on a man, and a bunch of delicious veins like roots of a tree. A tree I want to fucking climb.
“Uh hello?” Blair says to me. Shit did she say something?
“Sorry, what?” She laughs.
“I asked if there’s anywhere in particular the tour is supposed to go or if it’s just to look at the fish” Right, she doesn’t know since I booked it for us.
“Um I’m actually not sure, I didn’t read all the details”
"You just booked it without even knowing what you’d be in for?” Dylan asks.
"What can I say, I wanted to be surprised” Eva scoffs again.
"Uh since when?” They have to stop doing that. I’m trying to be someone new on this trip. Or like my old self. Maybe something in between.
"Since now? Obviously” Dylan leans into my ear.
"Don’t worry, I already got that vibe from you. That you just do things and ask for forgiveness later” He whispers, causing more chills to zing through me.
“Ahem yeah it’s something I’m trying on”
"Looks good on you”
“Ahem so anyway” Blair says, noting the tension building in this small cart.
“What do you do Dylan?” She asks, even though she knows damn well what he does.
“Oh you know, nothing major. Just some movies here and there” Not how the girls made him sound.
“Amazing movies you mean” Eva says.
“Ah so you know my work at least”
“Guilty. Recognized you immediately. May or may not have a slight obsession with Teen Wolf” Oh my god. What the fuck is that? He chuckles.
“Oh just a slight one huh?”
“Yeah, nothing major” She says, throwing his words back at him.
“Touché” He says, as his hand brushes my leg over my dress. Holy fuck. I don’t know if he meant to do that or if it’s just courtesy of his long arm. After what feels like ages we finally pull up to a dock next to the boat and board. Dylan grabs a few flutes of champagne from a server tray and hands them to us, then places his hand on my back, leading me to sit on one of the benches. There are lights along the glass so we can see everything in the crystal blue water clearly even in the darkness.
I look out to the ocean, noting how the water glimmers with the dim light of the moon and also a fair amount of promise. Promise of an unforgettable night. Dylan hasn’t stopped looking at me since we got on the boat, not unlike the way I was staring him down when we met. I sip my drink, needing more liquid courage.
“Nervous?” He asks, tucking an errant strand behind my ear. Oh god.
“Is it really that obvious?”
“Just a bit. Where was that earlier?”
“I don’t know what came over me before. I don’t usually do shit like that”
“Yeah I gathered. But I’m glad you did”
“What? What do you mean?” I ask.
“You know, from what your friends were saying about you” They had to roast my ass.
“Oh. Yeah. Does it… turn you off?”
“What?”
“You making me nervous”
“Depends on the reason” Shit he probably thinks it’s because of his actor status.
“I don’t know if I should tell you that… you kind of insinuated you like to take things a little slower”
“So answer me this instead, is it because of me? Or because of what I do?” Figured.
“The former”
“Good. And no, it doesn’t turn me off” He says, leaning a little closer to me on the bench. He grabs my flute in his other hand and sets our drinks on the table next to us. I gulp, suddenly hyperaware of just how close he is to me right now. A hair’s breadth away. Is he going to kiss me? Please god. My lips part, a sharp exhale leaving me, as his gaze drops to them.
“May I…?” I ask, not wanting to be presumptuous even though I don’t know how else you would read this body language. I’m actually surprised he’s the one moving this quickly after what he confessed to me earlier. About not being a one night stand kind of guy. But I’m not complaining.
“Please” He begs. I grip his shirt, pulling him the rest of the way into me, molding my lips to the curve of his full ones. Look at that, a perfect fit. Since my mouth was already open he entered easily, massaging my tongue with his. I can tell from just this that he’s good with it. Skilled. Lordddd.
It’s only a kiss, but it feels like more. He’s sharing so much without saying anything at all. Letting his body do the talking, and I’m eager to listen. The sound of the people talking around us mutes into static as I melt into his mouth. He pulls me further into him until I’m fully pressed against his firm chest. Licking, sucking, biting me into a frenzy. And it high key feels like a preview of what’s to come. God I hope it is.
His hands start an exploratory path along my back, my arms, through my hair. His lips applying an intoxicating pressure, the fire between us really starting to catch. He finally pulls away for air, looking at me with wonder probably not all that different from the way I was regarding him earlier.
“Wow” He says, breathless. His lips look rosy and bitten, wet with me. A gorgeous flush taking up residence on his striking features. God he looks even finer like this. Help.
“Holy fuck” I say simultaneously. He laughs.
“Yeah? Like that?”
“1000%” I say, never breaking that mesmerizing eye contact. His eyes look significantly darker now, which only makes him hotter. Like a hint of danger where there wasn’t any before. This dress suddenly feels very constricting, suffocating. I need it off.
“Okay lovebirds, tour’s over” Blair says, pulling me sharply back into reality. The sounds around us come back into focus, once again playing at full volume. The conversations, the music, the sounds of the birds and ocean breeze as the waves crash all around us.
“Wait what? But it just started!” I exclaim.
"Uh no it’s been like half an hour or more. You guys have just been sucking face this entire time” Shut up. No it wasn’t. It was not that long. Dylan’s jaw drops.
“You’re lying” He says to her.
“Look at the time” He checks it.
“Goddamn” He says, realizing the truth of her words. So we both didn’t notice how much time passed. Holy shit. I knew time dilation was a thing but that was actually mental. It felt more like ten minutes, not a full thirty or longer. People say time flies when you’re having fun but I guess I always thought of it as more of a turn of phrase than something literal.
“So like maybe skip the party and just get right to the fun at the end?” Eva says to us.
“Eva!”
“What? It already looked like it was heading in that direction anyway, his paws were literally all over you” Oh my fucking god. I’m mortified. I bury my face in my hands in shame.
“Hah guilty. And you, nothing to be ashamed of. I thoroughly enjoyed that. Clearly” Dylan says, pulling my arms from my face.
“Oh my god guys really?” I ask my so called friends, who have been putting me on blast all night. Acutely reminding me of why I don’t introduce them to my interests.
“Just pointing out the obvious. You two are making me horny. I might have to find a little boy toy of my own at this party. So you know, maybe don’t come back to the room tonight unless you’re trying to watch” She continues, as we get our things and climb off the boat onto the dock. Dylan laughs.
“Wow, real subtle Eva” I deadpan.
“I’m not opposed to that idea” Dylan says, surprising me.
“What? Like stay in your room tonight?” I ask him, floored since he was the one saying he wouldn’t jump into bed with me.
“Doesn’t sound like she’s giving you much of a choice. Unless you’re into that…”
“Uh into what?”
“Watching” I gasp.
“Dylan!” I shout, lightly smacking his arm.
“What? I just met you, you could be a certified freak in bed for all I know” Holy shit. The girls smirk, raising their brows at me suggestively.
“Oh my god” I groan, feeling my face heat up to the level of the sun.
“That’s not a no” Dylan continues.
“Girl stop playing and get your man” Blair says, laughing.
“Oh my- he is not my man”
“But I could be” Damn that kiss must have been really something for him. He’s changing his tune real quick.
“See? Stop resisting and just give in” Eva says, winking at me. I suddenly wish I was still on the boat so I could throw myself overboard. I know I came onto him and all but this is so embarrassing now that we’re actually doing all of this and continue to get put on the spot about it.
“Yeah stop resisting me” Dylan says to me, going along with them. A shit eating grin on his stunning face.
“Was I?” I ask him.
“Well you still haven’t answered. You staying with me tonight or not?”
“I mean, yeah. If it’s a real offer”
“It is”
“Then yes, gladly” He grins.
“Great” Amennn to that. If the kiss was that reality bending I can’t even imagine what the actual sex is going to be like. Unless he means like literally just sleep in his room. God I hope not.
“So did you want to go to the bonfire or…” I ask him. He takes my hand back in his.
“Mmm no I think your friend had the right idea, unless you still want to go to that” Is this real life? Am I dreaming? Stroking out?
“No we can skip it” I say a little too quickly. He laughs again, squeezing my hand.
“Good, I had something else in mind anyway” He says. I really hope we’re on the same page right now. Dylan helps me into the cart again as we say goodnight to the girls, who are staying for the party on the beach. Except instead of sitting next to me he pulls into his lap instead.
“This okay?” He asks, his hand resting on my thigh on purpose this time.
“Yea- yes” I stutter, still reeling from everything going on. He chuckles under his breath again.
“Relax, I don’t bite. Much” Yes he does.
"I liked the biting”
“Oh yeah? You into a bit of pain?” Oh my god.
“Not usually but… maybe with you”
“Yeah you have me acting up too. This is all way out of character for me” I noticed.
“Is it a good or a bad thing?”
“Maybe a bit of both?” He answers, lifting his other hand and gently moving my hair from my neck before leaning down to lave at it.
“Mmm I want to be bad” I say, before moaning a little at the feeling of his hot, wet mouth on my neck tonguing little marks. I did not just say that.
“I could tell” He rasps, nipping at me causing me to jolt a little.
“Thought you liked the biting” He murmurs.
“No I do, I do. Just surprised me is all”
“You took me by surprise too” I can’t believe he wants me as much as I want him. After several more minutes of that we finally pulled back up to the hotel. He takes my hand in his again leading me inside and almost all the way up the floors to his room. Just shy of the penthouse. I guess I shouldn’t really be surprised. As I walk inside I realize it’s more of a suite or a villa than a room. It’s fucking massive.
“Make yourself at home. You know… more comfortable” He says, winking at me as he pops one of the bottles of champagne on ice. Is he asking me to strip for him? Lawt. I take off my shoes, going to sit on the bed.
"Okay, not what I meant” He says, pouring some bubbly into more flutes and handing one to me.
“I could take it off. Or you could”
“You trying to corrupt me?” He says, tossing back his entire drink and gesturing for me to do the same. Then he sets the glasses aside again.
“You’re the one who asked me to stay in your room. One could argue it’s the other way around” I counter.
“Who says we’re going to smash?” He asks, furrowing his brows. Noooooo. But all the signals. All the build. Was that all bullshit? I feel myself deflate, my face falling as the weight of what he means bores down on me. So we are just going to sleep? What a fucking tease. I consider leaving to go back to my own room.
“Oh my god I’m fucking with you” He says, laughing.
“Oh thank god” I say, breathing a sigh of relief.
“No I definitely want to, you know if you do”
“Yes. I definitely do. I knew as soon as I laid eyes on you” I word vomit. Oh god. Why do I keep saying shit like this? Maybe I should have laid off the alcohol.
“Mmm yeah I gathered that too. From the way you were eyeing me down when we met”
“Sorry”
“I obviously didn’t mind it. Granted, I didn’t see us ending up here so soon. But I’m rolling with it” He gives my dress one last once over, climbing into bed with me.