I stretched and squirmed as I awoke, feeling stiff from sleeping so soundly all night. The warm sun brought me around and a deep inhale reminded me just where I had fallen asleep. The tart scent of apples filled my nose as my face was buried in Keegan's hair.

Keegan.

Fuck, I longed to be buried somewhere else. I slid my hand over her hip and squeezed out of frustration. I didn't regret what we didn't do last night. But shit, it was so hard to be good. I smiled when I heard Keegan murmuring in her sleep. "Oh, Paul," she sighed deeply.

My head swelled with pride. Well...they both did. I held my breath when she began to rub against me like a cat. Fuck, I thought I heard her purring, too. I had both arms wrapped around her tightly, completely aware of how much I had missed sleeping next to her.

We had spent almost every weekend having sleepovers at each other's houses for as long as I could remember. I enjoyed her company. There was no denying it. After that day at the beach, I tried so hard to just see her as my friend, not the sexy redhead I couldn't stop dreaming about.

But more often than not, I found myself interfering with her love life and feeling justified in doing so. I had been her protector for so long that it seemed to make sense that I should shield her from guys at our school who could take advantage of someone as sweet as my Keegan.

And that's when I knew I had fucked up. Because Keegan was my friend, not mine. And even after I started thinking of her as my girl, I still didn't act on it. My friends could tell I was falling for her. From the moment she showed up at school last year with her new look, my protective instincts kicked into overdrive.

I was a dick to anyone and everyone that took even the slightest interest in her. I just wish I had acted on my burgeoning feelings instead of ignoring them. Unfortunately trying to stay 'just friends' with Keegan back then seemed to keep getting harder for me. Literally.

So the next thing I did to avoid her was to lose my virginity to someone who didn't mean shit to me. I regret it. I regret them all. Especially now that I've gotten a chance to have something real with Keegan. I never want her to feel inferior to any of my previous sexual experiences.

But the experience I'm regretting the most right now? Having messed around with Ava. She's been dropping hints and I'm worried she'll tell Keegan and that would be a disaster.

I untangled myself from the deep snuggle I had going on with Keegan. Our parents were due back sometime today and I'm sure they would be cool, but I didn't want them to find us wrapped around each other. I gave Keegan a lingering kiss to her temple, huffing her hair like an addict. I shook my head at the memories of waking up like this with her for the last six months.

But honestly it was all her fault.

I made my way to the kitchen and let the memories flood back to me. The first time I heard Keegan call out to me in her sleep, I didn't know what to think. I flipped my lamp on and watched her for a while. I tried not to be affected by her whimpers and sighs but fuck, I was in shock.

It was pretty obvious she was having a sexy dream, one that I was definitely the star of. For some reason, I didn't hold her or kiss her or make any other type of move. I just nudged her awake and I immediately regretted it. She smiled up at me when her eyes fluttered open and she reached up to touch my face. But, like an idiot, I told her no. I was still so set on being friends, even though it was clear that we both craved more.

Keegan escaped to the bathroom, so embarrassed when she realized that I had heard her. After that, she didn't talk to me for a week! I wish we had discussed it then. Instead, I teased her about every chance I got.

Now I was grinning from ear to ear at the thought that we might actually be on the same page for once. I just had to confess to what happened with Ava so we could move on.

"Good morning!"

"Fuck!" I jumped as I stood in front of the fridge in search of juice. "Why are you up so early?" I demanded.

Ava laughed as she swiped a banana from the fruit bowl and hoisted herself up onto the island. "Why the hell are you so jumpy?"

"I didn't think anyone else was up yet."

Ava peeled the banana and watched as I assembled a tasty breakfast for two. "I'm surprised you're not still in bed. Where's Keegan?"

I smiled at the mention of her name. "Still sleeping."

Ava wrapped her lips around her breakfast and pushed it as far down her throat as she could manage. "You're disgusting," I sputtered as I tended to the coffee maker.

Ava smirked at me before biting down on her banana. "Embry doesn't think it's disgusting," she teased, eyebrows wagging for the full effect.

"Didn't need to know that..."

"Oh, come on! You know you're dying to find out what we did," she baited.

I shrugged. "You're dreaming if you think I actually give a shit."

"I know you do," she countered.

"Nope."

Ava jumped down and sighed deeply. "Fine. But you should know that our parents will be back from the boat this afternoon and they want us all to go to dinner tonight."

I put our breakfast plates on a tray and scowled at her. "So?"

Ava approached me now, her finger trailing down the center of my chest and coming to rest on the waistband of my pajama pants. "So if you play nice with me, then I'll continue to play nice with Embry, and he'll stay out of your way with Keegan."

I gripped her wrist and held it away from me. "Or else what?"

"That's completely up to you..." she began before pushing up on her toes to get her face closer to mine.

"Not interested." I jerked my head back and turned my nose up at Ava. I lifted the tray and maneuvered around her before she called out to me.

"Of course, if you expect me to keep your secret then I suggest you play along."

I set the tray on the counter and whirled around to face her. "And I suggest you fuck all the way off."

Ava simply chuckled at me, only angering me further. "Your choice."

When she tried to push past me, I blocked her path. "You're not doing this, Ava. I'll tell her myself when I'm ready, but there is no way I'll ever touch you again."

"Better do it quick," she warned with her lip curling into a sneer. "I won't wait much longer."

"Why are you even fucking with me when you have Embry..." I trailed off when suddenly I realized something. "He turned you down, didn't he?"

Ava sighed deeply and tried to move past me again. "Oh fuck off, Paul."

I laughed as she retreated. "Go home, Ava. Just get the fuck out of my house," I called out to her before she slammed the front door.

Fuck.

When I slipped back out onto the deck, I was disappointed to see Embry and Keegan talking. My plan to wake Keegan up in my own sexy way, was decimated when I walked over to them and saw Embry holding her hand. He glanced up at me with a scowl and my stomach sank.

Did he know? Would he tell Keegan? Maybe she already knew.

Keegan whipped her head around and made eye contact with me. I didn't even have time to give it another thought before Keegan launched herself into my arms. I sighed deeply in relief, realizing I still had time to confess.

And deal with the fallout.

I gave Keegan the biggest squeeze, lifting her right off the ground. When I lowered my head for a kiss, she turned away. "Paul, I haven't brushed my teeth yet."

"I don't even care," I murmured before giving her a sweet kiss that ended too quickly.

When I pulled away, Keegan peered up at me with pink cheeks, a sleepy look in her eyes and her red hair wildly framing her sweet face. "You look beautiful," I gushed like an idiot.

"Paul," she blushed. "I'm a mess."

And with that she excused herself to the bathroom, leaving me with a pissed off Embry. "What's your deal?" I demanded once Keegan was out of earshot.

Embry stood, stretched and groaned. I sat down at the table to start eating, waving my hand over the food, offering him some. He turned up his nose. "No thanks."

"Hangover?"

"Not even that. Just..." he looked toward the glass slider and sighed. "A fuck ton of regret."

I nodded and wondered what had really happened downstairs after we left, but I wasn't concerned enough to ask. "I guess I shouldn't have left you alone with Ava, huh?" I asked sheepishly.

He sucked in a deep breath and shrugged. "I just...should have been smarter."

I nodded as I chewed my toast and considered my response. "I think we are all guilty of that. Me included," I added, remembering all the things I wish I had done differently concerning Keegan.

The corner of Embry's mouth turned up a little as he regarded me. "Yeah, you should've been smarter about Ava."

Shit. He knew. It was written all over his face.

"I...don't know what you mean," I sputtered as I reached for my juice and prayed I was wrong.

Embry shook his head and sighed. "It's shitty that you don't care enough about Keegan to tell her the truth, but don't make it worse by lying about it. Especially when I already know what happened."

I cursed under my breath and tossed my toast back onto the plate. "So are you gonna say something to her?"

"Hell no. That's your job."

I sneered and crossed my arms over my chest. "Oh and let me guess...you'll be waiting with open arms when I do?"

He smiled a little and I swear I wanted to punch him. "Well I suppose it all depends on how she takes it, but if she needs me... I'm there for her. No matter what."

I rose from my chair slowly, feeling the heat of my anger creeping up and setting my ears on fire. "You know what?"

We both froze when Keegan pushed the slider door open and reappeared. "What did I miss?" she beamed as I sunk back into my chair and Keegan draped herself across my lap.

Embry groaned and stretched before excusing himself to go for a run. "Is he okay?" Keegan mused as she munched on a strawberry and then offered me one.

"He's fine."

Keegan giggled when I bit into the strawberry she held out for me and then devoured her in a kiss she wouldn't soon forget.

....

All through breakfast, I tried to convince myself that telling Keegan the truth was the best thing I could do if I had any hope of a relationship with her. But she spent the whole meal in my lap. And fuck if we didn't spend every single second feeding each other, laughing, and kissing.

By the time we finally pulled ourselves apart to go get ready for the day, our parents reappeared and her mom whisked her off to go shopping. Evidently she needed something new to wear for dinner tonight.

"I want you to stay," I pouted as we stood on the porch and waited for her mom to come down.

Keegan sighed and ran her hands down my face. "What's wrong, Paul? You look like you're dying to tell me something."

I slid my arms around her waist and she glanced around nervously. I pressed my forehead to hers and sighed. "Are you scared we'll be caught?"

She shrugged and laughed. "I guess I am but..."

"But what?" I cupped her chin in my hand and pressed our bodies even closer together.

Keegan blinked quickly, her body responding to mine with a breathless sigh and a blush she couldn't hide. "I know my mom will be thrilled," she laughed with a quick roll of her eyes.

I laughed too, knowing how our mothers had plotted this relationship for years. And for the life of me, I could no longer remember why I had been so resistant. Keegan felt amazing pressed against me, completely enveloped in my arms and loving how I sprinkled kisses all over her face.

"Okay, okay, okay! My ride is here," she chuckled and squirmed away from me.

"Ride?" I echoed simply.

A horn honked and I scowled when I saw Ava and her mom pull up in their brand new Mercedes. "You're going shopping with them?" I groused into her ear.

Keegan shoved me playfully and called out for her mom to join them. "I'll be back," she promised before gliding down the steps to join Ava in the back seat.

"Don't worry, Paul. We won't be gone all day," her mother assured me.

I nodded absently, waving to Keegan as they drove off. I caught Ava's sinister smile and I knew it was only a matter of time before she spilled the beans.

Fuck!

I spent the rest of the afternoon anxiously awaiting her return or at the very least, a text letting me know she knew the truth. I could finally breathe again when they returned with armfuls of bags and her promise that I would love what she had chosen to wear for dinner tonight.

I rushed to get ready, waiting for her to reemerge from the bathroom before approaching her in the hall. "Can we talk?"

She smiled up at me, wrapped in a towel and her dripping hair sending my thoughts straight into the gutter. "Sure, baby."

I groaned at the endearment. Shit, that's cute. "Maybe you should get dressed first?" I gulped at the sight of so much exposed wet skin.

Keegan scurried off and I waited again for her to get ready. After 20 minutes of agony, I took a chance and knocked on her bedroom door. "Can I come in?"

She ushered me in quickly, shutting her door and rushing back to the vanity table to finish her hair. I stepped behind her, brushing my lips across the nape of her neck as she pushed more bobby pins into her hair. "You look beautiful."

I laughed when she squirmed away from me, causing her robe to fall open and expose her white lace bra to me. Oh shit. I reached around to close it as we admired each other in the mirror. My fingers lingered a bit too long on her collarbone, making Keegan flutter her lashes at me teasingly.

I had to walk away from her. I couldn't continue to see her, touch her, and smell her and still make this confession. I faced the bed, wringing my hands and taking deep breaths. I can do this. I can do this.

"Can you help me?"

I turned slowly, only to be assaulted my the vision of Keegan's bare back nestled into her unzipped dress. "What happened to your bra?" I croaked.

And more importantly, how could I not notice she took it off?

"It won't work with this dress and I didn't pack a strapless," she stayed simply, oblivious to what all this skin was doing to me.

"So you're just going without it?" I made no move to zip her, obviously incapable of any rational thought.

Keegan giggled. "It's fitted. I'll be fine. Just zip me, you dork."

With shaky hands, I attempted to raise her zipper slowly. I trailed one hand down her spine, gripping the inside while the other did the zipping. I smiled widely when she visibly shivered under my touch. "Keegan..."

She spun in my arms and revealed the dress to me once I finally got her zipped. I couldn't tear my eyes away from her mouth or her eyes long enough to see the dress. "Paul..." she whined playfully when I wouldn't let go of her long enough to back up and do her big reveal.

I grabbed her hand, spinning her around a few times to appreciate every angle of the soft flowing dress that seemed to be shorter in the front than the back. Tiny little straps held it up, her breasts straining to burst out from behind the low neckline.

"Gorgeous."

Keegan stumbled toward me, collapsing against my chest in a pair of heels that should definitely be left at home. "Are you okay?"

When Keegan peered up at me, in that dress, with her hair swept off her neck and little splashes of glitter on her eyelids, I knew I couldn't tell her. I couldn't waste another second when I could be kissing her.

"Time to go!" I heard my father call from downstairs.

"Kiss me," I begged pathetically.

"We have to go," she argued weakly.

Dinner was a nightmare. I had hoped that Ava's family would opt out, but no such luck. I caught Ava making lewd gestures with breadstick when Keegan's back was turned. I knew it wasn't a warning. This was a threat. She was determined to expose me.

I had finally gotten up the nerve to beg her to come out to the terrace with me, when she jumped up first. "Where are you going?" I demanded a little too posessively.

"Bathroom," she chided. "I'll be right back."

I watched her turn and leave me standing there. And I knew this wasn't the best place to say what I needed to say, but I just couldn't take the chance. Ava was ready to bury me and I had to beat her to the punch.

Ava.

When I finally got my focus back, I realized she had left the table too. I sunk down next to Embry and whisper-shouted, "Where is she?"

"Ava?"

"Yes!"

Embry shrugged and glanced around. "Bathroom maybe? I really didn't see her leave."

My face must have given away the fear of those two in the same proximity, because Embry's look mirrored mine. When I dashed away from the table, he was hot on my heels. "You can't go in there!"

Embry yanked on my arm before I could push the women's restroom door open and go rushing in. He pulled me across the hall to lean against the wall with him, but all I wanted to do was bust that door down. "What's taking them so long?" I groaned.

"Hopefully not what you think..."

I sighed deeply, my stomach turning at the thought that maybe Ava was successfully tanking my already shaky relationship with Keegan just to gossip about something we did almost a year ago.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when Ava strode out first, her face beaming in triumph.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

It felt like an eternity before Keegan joined us, her head hanging low and her shoulders jumping.

She was crying.

"Keegan, I...."

Her head snapped up quickly, obviously not expecting me to be standing so close to the restroom door. "Please let me explain..."

"You knew?" she seethed, her pretty eye makeup sliding down her cheek along with her tears. "You knew she was gonna corner me and you still didn't say anything?"

When I stood there with my mouth hanging open and unable to say a single thing to defend myself, Embry stepped up. "I'm sure Paul didn't mean to..."

"You knew too?"

Embry flinched from Keegan's harsh tone and I felt sorry for him. "Don't be mad at him. This was all my fault. I should've told you the truth. I just..."

"Couldn't stop kissing me?" she offered. Keegan stepped closer and lowered her voice as her chin tilted up and she met my scared shitless gaze. "Or were you hoping you'd get down my pants first?"

"Keegan," I whimpered painfully as I reached for her face.

She batted my hands away but made no move to put any distance between us. It was killing me not to drag her outside and make her listen to reason. But that blazing mad look in her eyes let me know there was no way that would work.

I gasped when she gripped my dick through my pants and held it in a vice-like grip. With her other hand, she reached behind my head to pull me down to her eye level. "Do you have any idea how humiliating it was to have Ava give me tips on how to orally pleasure my own boyfriend?" She paused for an answer, but I was seeing stars. "Do you?"

"Keegan, you gotta let him go," Embry urged forcefully, tugging on her arm ever so slightly.

"Fine," she seethed, releasing me and turning to flee from me.

"Wait!" I called to her as she sped toward the exit. I limped painfully toward her with her words ringing in my ears and my dick still stinging.

She called me her boyfriend? Her boyfriend. That's how she thought of me. That was what she considered me to be before Ava opened her mouth and imploded my life.

Fuck me!

.....

A/N: Well...Paul done fucked that up, didn't he? Too many wasted opportunities to tell her the truth! Should Keegan even listen to what he has to say? Or better yet, forgive him? What about Embry...does he stand a chance now?

Thanks for all the love!!