Right when the pre-orgasm tingles start to materialize into a full-blown O, Aleck whispers, “No,” into my ear, then pulls away from me, making me almost fall to the ground from the loss of him.

“What the hell, Aleck?”

“Consequences, baby.” His smirk would offend a nun.

I’m going to kill him.

I straighten my back, standing on shaky legs, whip around and push him. He laughs loudly, boisterously, louder than I thought he ever could, considering he’s the devil and has no happiness in him. He walks to the edge of the island, bending down to pick up the condom wrapper I had forgotten about. Then into the kitchen to grab a few wine glasses, setting them next to the bottles on the island.

“You had that coming, baby,” Aleck says, so fucking proud of himself it makes me sick.

“What did I do?” I rasp as Dottie and Keith walk through the sliding glass door, laughing.

“That was for being a general pain in my ass. And, not surprisingly, now my balls,” Aleck says quietly. Thankfully, so quietly I’m sure that my friends hadn’t heard it.

“Winter,” Keith says. “This place is amazing. We’ve decided to room with you and the sexy lawyer. Is that cool?”

I shake my head with a smile, reveling in Keith’s unabashed personality.

“Of course. I’m sorry I was taken aback earlier. I must have drank too much whiskey at the bar. Keith, Dottie, this is Aleck Fox. Preston’s best man and best friend. Although I can’t see what Preston sees in him.”

Aleck smiles, nodding tightly. “Nice to meet you. Winter’s just mad because I ate her…” My stomach tightens. Don’t. Please don’t. “...ice cream without asking. Licked up every last drop.” The P pops in his mouth and I cringe.

“Winter and her ice cream.” Dottie rolls her eyes. “I swear she’s going to turn into a giant chocolate chip someday.”

“Mmm…” Aleck hums, smirking at me devilishly. “Delicious.”

“Well!” I chirp, desperate to change the subject, ignoring the ravenous ache between my legs. “Let’s get these bottles open, shall we? I could use some wine. Or all of it.”

Aleck opens a drawer, removes a corkscrew, then starts to uncork one of the bottles. Keith slides a glass in front of me, then Dottie before taking a glass for himself.

“Wait,” Keith says. “We need one more glass.”

“Not necessary.” Aleck says, pulling the cork out with a pop. “I’m going to head off to bed.”

“Aww,” Dottie whines, jetting out her bottom lip. “We were looking forward to getting to know you.”

“I apologize.” Aleck tosses the cork into a nearby trash can, then slides the bottle in front of Keith. “It’s been a long day.”

“Are you sure?” My eyes soften on Aleck. “You can stay… Hang out with us.”

He smiles, pushing his hands into his pockets. “Some other time.”

“Okay. Well, we’ll keep it down,” Keith adds.

“No need. I sleep with AirPods in my ears. It was nice meeting you. Goodnight.” Aleck leaves the kitchen, his arm sliding across my back as he passes behind me.