#PULSE Miami Beach

[biffhofosho]

A Shot Through the Heart

Fandom: Monsta X

Genre: Smut, natch.

Word Count: 17k (yeah, you read that right >.>)

Pairing: Hyungwon x OC

Trope: Anonymous sex, strangers to lovers

Synopsis: “You can’t catch feelings sucking tequila out of a stranger's bellybutton.”

The Vibe: Hopeless romantic OC meets shameless Miami Beach party, sweet and sincere Chae Hyungwon (who’s also a bit of a pathetic loser sometimes, and I love that about him, so that’s here also), probably cringey meet-cute, definitely cringey rom-com title because obvious cheesy rom-com overtones, well-meaning friends who actually have no clue what they’re talking about, body shots, stepping out of one’s comfort zone, instant chemistry, trying (and failing) to keep things casual, unprotected (not-so) anonymous sex (thank you, dramatic irony), far too romantic for what it’s supposed to be, the usual unrealistic rom-com expectations, cute ending because the author is also a hopeless romantic

A/N: Continuing the Wonnie love agenda since no one else wants to do it for me. This was most definitely for me because I’m hyper-obsessive about Hyungwon’s every charming feature and the Unseen promotion as a whole, but I hope you enjoy it, too.

You are here for fun.

As Gwen danced from foot to foot in the raucous line, she repeated the words over and over.

You are here for fun.

With searing clarity, she could hear her roommate Marie as though they were still in the car on their long drive down from New Jersey.

“It’s Miami, okay? You’re not going for a relationship. You are here for fun. Grind up against random hot guys. Make out with a stranger. I love you, but be a little fucking unpredictable for a change. Whatever, just no crushes because, I swear to god, if you even say to me, ‘He’s really sweet, Marie! I could see myself going out with him!’, I will throw up. And if the words ‘boyfriend material’ come out of your mouth, then so help me,I’m leaving your ass in Florida.”

You are here for fun.

She couldn’t even fault her friend for the rant. Gwen formed attachments, real and imagined. Hell, she was about to celebrate her 11th anniversary of fake marriage to Dylan O’Brien even though she hadn’t watched anything with him in it in years. Almost every man she’d ever gone on a date with had been followed with a relationship that left a crater of ruinous magnitude. It drove perennial bachelorette Marie crazy considering she was always the one left behind to rip the empty cookie dough tub from her roommate’s death grip and hazmat the ground zero of all the balled-up tissues.

After the latest of Gwen’s embarrassingly short-lived “sure-thing” relationships blew up spectacularly in her face, her friend had taken her under her wing and planned to show her once and for all “how to put distance between your heart and your lady parts.”

“Let’s have a little fun at men’s expense,” Marie had proposed when she’d flaunted the extravagant hotel deal she’d scored in Gwen’s face.

Now a month later, and here they were, three nights in at a palatial hotel on Miami Beach with a pulsing club in its heart and a raucous party that trickled out onto its grand pool concourse.

Their deal had been a simple one. In exchange for saying “yes” to three bullet points on her roommate’s “good time list,” Marie would pay for the hotel rooms for their bachelorette weekend. The only other stipulation on top of that was absolutely, positively no relationships.

So far, Gwen had passed with flying colors. She’d let a man buy her a drink at the hotel bar, and she’d danced with a few strangers, all without a hint of attachment. The guys were an eclectic mix of hot that had Marie rubbing her hands together and muttering “Taste the rainbow” on ludicrous repeat, but that’s all they were—eye candy. Gwen could compartmentalize that. Her friend’s plan was working. She’d felt beautiful. She’d felt powerful. She’d felt in control of her heart for once. She was ready to conquer one last, more challenging bullet point.

“You’re young, you’re hot, but you’re too damn romantic,” Marie had scolded as she’d helped her friend accessorize before heading down for the night. “Tonight, remember your mantra. You’re here to have fun. You’re not going to invent a backstory for everyone you meet. It’s okay to be a little superficial sometimes.”

“I’m doing pretty good, aren’t I?”

“Killing it, in fact,” the spicy brunette agreed.

“Damnit, I’m still so nervous every time though,” Gwen admitted as Marie had smoothed out her friend’s blonde beachy waves.

“Yeah, I know, babe, which is why I keep urging you to dip your toe instead of deep-ending everything. Contrary to what your Nora Ephron-mutated heart tells you, ninety-nine-point-nine percent of the guys you meet aren’t marriage material for Gwen Goodwin.”

“What about the one who is?”

Marie bent down and kissed her friend’s cheek. “I don’t know, but I promise you this. You didn’t meet him last night, and you’re not going to meet him tonight.”

So it had all led up to this bullet point—a ridiculous line for body shots poolside.

“Come on, you picked the best one on the list! It’s harmless,” Marie had laughed as she escorted her friend into the line. “You can’t catch feelings sucking tequila out of a stranger's bellybutton. Now, I'm going to go hit on that guy over there, and, god willing, have his beautiful, obscene mouth on mine for a bit, and you’re going to spin the roulette wheel of hot and put your beautiful, obscene mouth on someone’s sexy stomach. No regrets?”

“No regrets,” Gwen agreed.

“I’ll have my eye on you, babe. If you need me, text me,” she said as she flashed her smartwatch at Gwen.

“Will do.”

“Have fun! Love you!”

“Good luck!”

Gwen watched as Marie zig-zagged through several clusters of partygoers until she reached her target, a rather burly guy with stupendous shoulders accentuated by a compression tee. Gwen couldn’t see the guy’s face, but she could see her friend’s, and it was lit up with a smile the likes of which she had never seen from the girl. She kept her fingers crossed that things would pan out as her friend hoped.

Meanwhile, Gwen turned back to her line where the shot-takers waited alongside the line of human shot glasses. She was at least twenty people back from the table, so there was no way to know with whom she might be paired. There were just as many women in the shot glass line as there were men, all of them attractive at unprecedented levels. She was grateful she was in the line she’d chosen because she didn’t think she could survive someone of their sexiness putting their mouths on her stomach.

That’s when her eyes fell on him, the shot glass with the round face and flushed lips. He was tall and slender, dressed unassumingly for someone in his decidedly sexier line. He wore a plain black tee and a pair of slim fit jeans on legs that seemed double the length of the rest of him. Other than a few silver rings on his spindly fingers, his only accessory was a pair of now-pointless sunglasses sitting on top of his fluffy dark hair. There was nothing flashy about the guy, yet she somehow wished she had a pair of her own sunglasses just to look at him.

His toned arms were stacked loosely over a wide chest that pulled the tee at his shoulders. Pretty as he was, the man didn’t talk to a soul; if he knew any of the people around him, he didn’t let on. Instead, those big, inquisitive eyes busied themselves scanning the party like a prairie dog.

He looked at her suddenly then, and the weight of his attention made Gwen’s ankle give out in her stupid high heels. She wobbled back with a yelp, but, luckily, the girl behind her caught her elbow and helped her regain her balance.

“You all right?” the girl asked.

“Yeah, yeah,” Gwen mumbled along with an apology and her thanks.

“Walk much?” said some generic bro a few people back in line, and it felt like everyone at the party was looking at her.

Humiliated, Gwen risked a glance over at the shot glass, but he seemed to be the only one who had turned back, though she couldn’t help but think that a proud smile tugged at his lips.

She would give just about anything for her pajamas and a romantic comedy right about now. She contemplated slipping out of line and heading back to her room, but she’d have to clear it with Marie first because she didn’t want to just leave her friend in such a big crowd of strangers, so instead, she stayed the course with plans of making a hasty retreat right after.

As the EDM pulsed across the party deck and the palm trees shimmied overhead in the steady sea breeze, the lines dwindled quicker than she ever expected.

And of course, it was becoming abundantly clear that, short of someone passing out or running off at the last possible second, Gwen was going to be lapping tequila from the navel of the pretty boy with the prettier smile.

When there was just one couple left ahead of them, she thought about offering her spot to the nice girl behind her as a thank you. The ponytailed babe behind the pretty boy sported a crop top and a great set of abs, so technically, it would still be fun for Gwen without the creeping dread, but before she could ask the girl behind her to switch places, she heard the call from the bottle girl.

“Next!”

With a lump in her throat, Gwen approached the table alongside the man in the black shirt. He nodded to the girl behind the table and then to Gwen.

“Hey.”

“H-hey,” she said.

The bottle girl continued all business as she had that night, though she did offer the man a smile she did not offer Gwen.

While she paid for her shot, he climbed onto the bar counter easily and shimmied himself into the most comfortable position the hardwood would allow.

Everyone waited for the hem of his shirt to reveal his stomach, but it didn’t. Instead, he looked to Gwen.

“You want it, you have to do it,” he said with a toothy grin as his eyes flicked to his clothed torso.

Gwen glared at his stomach and then at his face. “Excuse me?”

He laughed and waved in surrender. “I’m kidding, just kidding!”

But it was now patently clear he knew he’d been the reason she’d stumbled, and she wasn’t going to let him halt her momentum.

You are here for fun.

Finally, the attendant grew too annoyed to keep her mouth shut and griped, “If you’re not going to take the shot, I have to—”

“Okay, okay, I’m doing it,” Gwen insisted, though she’d meant it more for her shot glass than her bartender.

With a glower at the long man stretched out before her, she pushed his shoulder back so he flattened out on the table, the grin still playing at his luscious lips finally disappearing with her determination. Her fingers curled around the hem of the t-shirt resting far too near the apex of his thighs, and, slowly, she pushed it up his abdomen. She could have just yanked it up, but she wanted to punish him for his teasing as much as she wanted to savor the reveal, so she let her palm drag across the yielding skin of his stomach.

A swath of flawless flesh appeared beneath her, tensing instinctively along the path her hand had set. Like the rest of his features, it was soft and inviting. He didn’t have washboard abs like many of the men who’d showcased on the table already; instead, she found a narrow waist flaring broader and broader the higher she pushed the shirt up his chest. His freshly tanned skin featured the gentlest dips and smoothest waves of skin she’d ever seen. His navel was delicate, cute even, though she’d never considered a bellybutton particularly cute before. All of it made Gwen’s throat feel far too dry.

The bottle girl didn’t even try to hide the way she chewed her own lip, but she poured a shot of crystalline liquid into the appetizing little divot anyway. Gwen’s shot glass laughed, borderline giggled, at the sensation, sending a slender river of booze cascading over his naked waistline.

“Cold,” he confessed.

“You’re up,” the bottle girl said to Gwen with a bitterness she also didn’t try to hide.

Gwen nodded and stole a quick glance at the man’s face. He’d propped his head on his hands now so he could watch the show and grinned so hard she expected his laugh to follow any second.

Her brow wrinkled. If he was going to play games with her, then she could damn well return the favor. Gwen splayed her hand at the hem of his jeans, her fingers spread between the contrast of silken flesh and harsh denim. She bent over and pressed her bottom lip into the pouch of skin at the edge of his navel and closed her top lip around it to form a seal. She sucked quickly, a little of his skin suctioning between her lips.

The man gasped, and his hand clasped reflexively to the back of her head as she drained the last of the liquor from his navel. The urge to kiss his tummy overwhelmed, but Gwen fought it off, though she couldn’t quite stand up with his hand still in her hair. Instead, she rolled her head to the side and caught his eye. The motion surprised him, and he yanked his hand back.

Gwen stood up and licked every honeyed droplet of booze from her lips. He tried to sit up, too, but distracted by the trail of her tongue, his hand slipped in an errant splash, and he fell back onto his elbows. It was her turn to savor a proud smile.

“One more?” asked Gwen hopefully.

He didn’t hesitate. “Okay, sure.”

“Another shot please,” she said to the bottle girl, thrusting out her card.

“Sure,” said the other woman with a well-practiced smile. “See you shortly.”

“What?”

“You can buy another shot, but you’ve got to hop back in line.”

“But we’re already here?” Gwen noted with a poignant look at the man’s exposed stomach.

“Not how it works, sweetie. See you in a bit. Next!”

With a resigned sigh, Gwen rejoined the crowd. There was only a slim hope of being paired up with the same guy again, but not knowing what else to do, she followed the snaking line to the end only to notice the man was nowhere to be found.

Gwen looked for Marie, but the crowd had swelled as the night had worn on, and she couldn't find her friend anywhere. No doubt, the girl was twirling in some random hot guy’s arms somewhere in the thicket of dancers at the other end of the concourse, but Gwen didn’t really feel like braving all those sweaty bodies.

You are here for fun.

It had been fun, she realized, but it was so short-lived that now that it was over, she also realized how little fun the rest of the night had been in comparison. Rather than spoil Marie’s good time, too, Gwen made her way to a poolside recliner and sat down to people-watch.

There were hundreds of beautiful people here, not that that was a surprise; short of some place like Los Angeles, she wasn’t sure where there was a more concentrated percentage of objective hotness. Everyone rocked a beach-ready body, many still clad in their actual swimsuits, and thanks to the tropical air, they all smelled of a perfume of sunscreen, booze, and sweat. Laughter and cheers crescendoed around her as drinks were downed and the music pumped up. Tiny asses nestled in gyrating groins as limbs snaked up and down strangers’ bodies.

But as much as there was to see, the truth was the one person Gwen wanted to watch was gone.

Another ten minutes or so had passed with her eyes firmly fixed on the body shot lines, but her shot glass never reappeared, and she found herself so painfully far from the “fun” she was supposed to be having that when a new guy sat down beside her and started to chat, she decided to invent a new backstory of her own considering Marie had banned her from inventing them for bachelors she’d met.

“I only found out mid-way through the pregnancy that my cousin was having my fiancé’s baby. So I said ‘screw them all,’ packed my shit, and drove straight down here to start having some of my own fun for once,” proclaimed Gwen with a whip and toss of her hair over her shoulder.

“Heavy,” said the bearded man with a smug, approving nod next to her, and she snickered to herself at the anticipatory predatory flash in his eyes.

But her fun at the stranger’s expense was also short-lived when she heard over her shoulder, “That’s some story.”

Gwen swiveled on her chaise to find the lithe stranger from the body shot line holding a mostly empty bottle of tequila with a spout already stuffed in its neck.

“Oh, hey,” she fumbled. “You’re still here.”

“I am.”

An awkward silenced stretched between them as she scrambled to figure out which version of herself she was supposed to be presenting.

Miraculously, the bearded man saved her at the last second. “Is this your friend?”

“Best friend actually,” said her former shot glass, “here to make sure she has all the fun she wants.”

Knowing his window had closed, the bearded man nodded and faded back into the crowd without so much as a wave goodbye, not that Gwen had room to spare another second for him now that pretty boy had returned.

“Was any of that story true?” her handsome stranger asked.

Gwen shrugged. “The having fun part is true enough. The rest might have been part of said fun.”

He smiled gently, his cheeks two kissable meringues as he added, “Sorry about before.”

“For what?”

His eyes cast down her leggings to her feet. “Is your ankle okay?”

“Oh.” Gwen wrinkled her nose and protested weakly, “Hey, that wasn’t you, you know.”

“No, of course not.”

“It was these stupid heels. I’m more of a sandals girl. I’m just not used to wearing them.”

He nodded though he was clearly suppressing a laugh. “I see. So I’m off the hook?”

Gwen cocked her head in mock consideration as she eyed the bottle in his silver-clad hand. “That depends. How are you going to make up for exposing a very tragic girl after she thought she’d gotten away with it?”

One of those rings clanked emphatically against the glass, ringing even above the club music. “What about offering a second shot like you wanted?”

He waggled the bottle for effect, the liquid inside splintering the pulsing lights.

Gwen squinted at him. “How did you…?”

He brought his finger to his lips and bent down to her ear. Thanks to the blaring music, even this close, he nearly had to shout, “I stole it.”

“What a rebel.”

“Yeah, well, I’m really motivated.”

“Uh, okay, sure. I guess that’s fair.”

“Good, because I’m all about fair. Come on. I’ll find us somewhere where you can take it.”

The innuendo simmered between them until Gwen’s thirst had expanded beyond the restraints of mere drink.

“There’s a lounger right here?” she suggested as she looked at the chaise, but he shook his head.

“That would draw to much attention. I’m a rebel and thief now, remember?”

“Oh, yeah, of course. How could I forget?”

“Maybe we can head out to the beach, or,” the stranger hedged slowly, “I have a room upstairs if you want?”

His tone was matter-of-fact, considerate even, yet sin infused his bottomless brown eyes. It was a proposition Gwen had never considered. She was a fall-in-love not a fall-in-bed kind of girl.

But.

She was not going to fall in love on this trip, and she had never seen a man who looked like this one.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she pretended to mull it over and shrugged a shoulder to sell the act, though there had only ever been one possible outcome the moment her eyes had met his.

“Maybe it’s better if we go upstairs… I mean, we don���t want them to lock you up and throw away the key.”

“I appreciate that,” he said with a smile that left little doubt how well he understood everything.

“Let me just make sure my friend is okay with it.”

He nodded, unfazed. “I’ll do the same.”

Both of them pulled out their phones, and Gwen sent a quick message to Marie.

When Gwen put away her phone, she found the man waiting with an expectant, squishy grin on his face.

“Is your friend all good?” he asked.

“All good. What about yours?”

He motioned through the crowd back toward the hotel, and as they walked, he said, “They’re all good. Turns out they all knew already. The friend who helped me distract the bartender told the rest of them anyway, which I should have figured, I guess.”

Gwen perked an eyebrow. “They knew when I didn’t, huh? You’re not just a rebel, but a cocky rebel.”

Her companion laughed and rubbed the back of his head in his chagrin. “Maybe I’m just more of a hopeful rebel. Or a lucky one seeing as I almost lost my chance.”

She laughed now, too. “Who? That guy? No way. I think I was just amusing myself since I was bored.”

“Bored? Here, I half-expected I’d find you back in the body shot line.”

“Well, I whole-hoped I’d find you back in it, too, but since you weren’t there, that poor guy had to hear a story I’m pretty sure I stole from a soap opera.”

Her companion smirked. “I guess that makes you a rebel and a thief, too.”

“I guess so.”

They chatted easily across the busy pool deck and all through the lobby, but the second the elevator doors closed them in alone together, the conversation clotted up. It was a long and mortifyingly unbroken trip to the twenty-second floor, and the only sounds were the shush-shush of the elevator and the dull thunk of the bottle as he tapped it against his thigh.

Suddenly, he cleared his throat. “Uh, kind of embarrassed to admit this, but it occurs to me I don’t know your name. I’m—”

“You know, let’s keep it that way for now, okay?” Gwen interrupted with a tight smile.

“Huh? Oh, sure, sure…” he agreed though he couldn’t have looked more floored.

“It's nothing personal. Actually, that’s sort of the point. I have a tendency to get carried away. It’s a long, boring story, ha. And a lot less colorful than my made-up ones.”

“I'm a good listener.”

“Yeah,” she said solemnly, “I can tell that about you. Which is definitely why I need to keep things firmly in the here and now.”

“Live in the moment, I can get behind that.”

“Cool.” Gwen turned hesitantly to him just as the doors to the elevator split wide. “So, is that okay with you? Because if it’s not, we’ll just toast to this super awkward elevator ride.”

The man motioned for her to go ahead of him into the hallway before he added, “I’m not the kind of guy to turn back.”

I can tell that, too… she thought resignedly.

He led Gwen down the chic hallway to his room, where she stopped short and pulled out her phone.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“Just letting my friend know where I am.”

“That's smart,” he said with a nod. “I’m on notice now, huh?”

“You got that right, buddy.”

They shared a laugh, and again, Gwen was struck by how brightly the man’s face glowed and how engaging his laugh was. Another thought popped into her head just then.

“Speaking of...” she started as she raised her camera. “Smile?”

Without a trace of surprise or curiosity, he did, and it was so blinding, it threw off the exposure in her phone, which gave Gwen the perfect excuse to snap a few more.

“How did my mugshot come out?” he asked and craned his neck to steal a peek.

“You’re a matter of public record now, sir. But I imagine it will be the first mugshot to grace the cover of Vogue.”

“Nice.”

She stashed her phone without hitting send, with a small grin for her white lie. For some reason, Gwen couldn't bring herself to share him. But he didn't need to know that.

Meanwhile, the man fished his key card out of his too-tight jean pocket and ushered her inside. He took off his shoes as soon as he walked in, much to her relief, since it meant she could finally get out of her damn heels. When she looked back up, she was at a loss.

“Shit…”

His head whipped toward her, eyebrows pinched with concern. “Everything okay?”

“I mean… Your room is so much nicer than mine.”

He clutched his heart in mock relief before he said, “What’s your room like?”

“Not like this. Small and bayside. You have a balcony!”

“Oh, uh, yeah. It’s my friend’s bachelor party this weekend, so we all kind of went all out, I guess. You want to go out?”

“Hell yeah, I do!” Gwen squealed. She made a bee line past the enormous bed and whisked open the door.

The wind was stiffer twenty-two floors up, and it bombarded her skin, fresh and salty and a little sticky but uplifting. She breathed in deeply, a smile splitting her face. The half-moon shimmied across the Atlantic swells in time with the electronic beats filtering up from the party at the pool below. She couldn’t help herself—she waved at the partygoers even though they were far too small to see much this high up.

“Aw,” her companion said sweetly. “Waving to your friend?”

“Yeah,” replied Gwen with a blush. “Not that she’ll see me.”

He joined her in leaning on the railing and waving at his friends, too. When he looked back up, his smile shifted slightly, less silly and a lot sultrier. She cleared her throat lightly and headed back inside.

With her back to the huge bay windows, Gwen could finally take in the rest of the room. It was modern and cloaked in the same jeweled beach tones of her own, but it was much more spacious, with a desk and a sofa plus a pair of chairs, while, to the left behind a half-wall, the enormous bed stretched out beneath a large padded headboard.

With a tiny yelp, her companion scrambled over in a hurry to straighten the still-crumpled covers and even out the pillows.

“Sorry,” he mumbled as he worked, “I wasn’t expecting company.”

“It’s fine. It’s not like I make my bed on vacation. Or ever really.”

Gwen meant it, but that didn’t mean she could shake the undeniably sexy implication of those tossed sheet or the image of this beautiful man stretched out naked and languid in them.

Still, he dressed the bed as quickly as he could and turned around with a flushed face. Again, he mumbled, “Sorry.”

“No worries. Hey, do you care if I use your bathroom?”

“Sure, it’s right around there,” he replied, gesturing toward the other side of the bed.

It was really just an excuse to see how much fancier it was than her own, and it did not disappoint. Instead of just a shower stall, there was a huge walk-in surrounded by glass, and instantly, images of fogged windows with desperate hand smears flitted across her mind. Just around the corner was a deep jacuzzi tub that conjured just as many filthy thoughts.

This was progress, Gwen thought. Her libido was on overdrive, which meant she could safely put her heart in the backseat. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her waves had regrettably frizzed, and she’d sweated out a fair bit of makeup, but it did make her skin glow, even under the harsh LED lighting. After a quick freshen-up and a primp to make her chest is best perky self, she returned to find the man waiting in front of the main window, adjusting the tuck of his tee in his tiny waistline.

There was just something about him—his every gesture was sweet and sincere, completely without artifice. And just like that, her heart was threatening a comeback.

You are here for fun.

Gwen shuffled in with a short wave. “I think your bathroom might be as big as my hotel room.”

He grinned. “I think it’s bigger than my apartment honestly.”

“You mean you don’t live like a high roller every day?”

“Actually, I moonlight as a broke New Yorker.”

Oh shit, he’s not far from you, Gwennie…

“You’re ruining my fantasy of the millionaire playboy in town for a big business deal.”

“My apologies,” he joked with a bow.

“So, when’s the wedding?”

He cocked his head, and it was painfully cute. “The what?”

“Your friend’s wedding.”

“Oh, next month.”

“And the groom’s not going to be mad that you’ve abandoned him?”

The man smirked. “On the contrary. Pretty sure he’s looking for any excuse to get rid of me.”

“You really are public enemy number one, huh?”

“Oh, yeah, undisputed.”

As they came down from their laughter, Gwen realized how close they were standing. This close, those lips loomed like a full moon, and she basked in their plumpness. The heat between them brought the intoxicating tendrils of his cologne forward, a fresh brightness that matched his smile, though it occurred to her he may have stolen a moment to reapply it while she’d been in the bathroom. The thought made her swallow hard.

“You’re easy to talk to,” he confessed abruptly, and Gwen tensed all over.

You are here for fun.

“Even though we haven’t really talked about anything?” she retorted.

He shrugged one thick shoulder. “Maybe that’s why. I’m kind of a wallflower at parties. I mean, that whole body shot thing was just a dare from my friends anyway.”

“Mine was like that, too!” she blurted and immediately regretted it, the way he seemed to soften all over. It wasn’t just how gentle his already-round features looked, but he relaxed against the desk into a cool lean as his usually petal-shaped eyes widened with interest.

No backstories, Gwennie, she scolded herself. Put that distance between your heart and your lady parts!

“So that’s how it happens, huh?” she continued in a sultrier voice as her finger stroked the neck of the bottle. “You do one dare, and now, you’re a full-blown criminal mastermind?”

His voice had dropped, too, along with his eyelids. “Looks that way.”

“Are you a liar, too?”

“No! What?”

She chuckled and waved the bottle between them. “What about my second shot?”

“Oh, you were serious?”

Gwen gaped at him. “Aren’t you the one who stole the tequila?”

“That was just so I had an excuse to talk to you again.”

Oh no… He was painfully, unforgivably, patently cute. Gwen could practically hear Marie threatening to leave her in Florida.

“Ah,” she said to deflect, “so you did lure me here with empty promises.”

“No! I—"

“I’m teasing,” she assured, and as she studied his saucer eyes, she risked resting a hand on his bicep, which she had to stop herself from just straight up groping when she felt the twitching muscle beneath.

“Sorry,” he said. “I just… I never do stuff like this.”

“Like what? We haven’t done anything.” He looked helplessly at her, and Gwen chuckled again. “Sorry, still teasing. When I'm awkward, I make awkward jokes. I've never done anything like this either.”

“Like what?” he echoed, and they shared a tight smile, but it vanished when he looked at her much softer this time. “Seriously, I don't expect anything.”

You can't catch feelings sucking tequila out of a stranger's bellybutton…

“I know, but I do.” Gwen swished the bottle back and forth, and he offered what she could only type as a giggle.

“You’re right, you’re right. So, um, how do you want to…?”

He spun in a circle until he nearly made himself dizzy, and she grabbed his shoulders to steady him.

“Maybe, um, you should just lay on the bed?” she suggested.

“Oh. Yeah, that makes sense. So, I’ll just…”

“Get on the bed?”

“Get on the bed, yeah,” he repeated. The man spared a quick moment to smooth his shirt over his chest and run a hand back through his thick black hair, which had the most fatal way of feathering back across his forehead in a very regrettable heart shape.

Since the moment she’d met him, the man had possessed a magnetism that had set him apart from all the other hot people at the party, but here in his room, he was borderline pathetic, tromping around like a lost giraffe between the living room and the bed as he emptied his pockets between the desk and the bedside table. When, at last, he was ready, he walked to the foot of the bed and plopped down. He looked back at Gwen with a sheepish grin and comically high eyebrows.

“Ready?” she asked as she raised the bottle.

“If you are.”

She nodded and followed into the bedroom, and the air shifted. In here, it was hotter and even more humid than down at the beach but without the benefit of a breeze.

He sat down at the edge of the bed, and Gwen crawled on the bed beside him. She strategized on how to best take her shot, and while she positioned herself, her knees pressed into the mattress as she sat up, he untucked his shirt and raised it himself.

At the party, body shots had been a game. Here, it was foreplay. Judging from the blackness in his eyes, he knew it, too. He laid back and propped up just a bit on his elbows, which cupped his stomach just the right amount into the sweetest little bowl.

“It’s different,” he murmured.

“Yeah, it is,” she whispered, too, because somehow every thing, every word, felt very loud. “I can take my time now.”

He didn’t say anything. He just waited.

Gwen lifted the bottle, and, as carefully as she could, she tipped it until a golden thread puddled at his belly. He didn’t flinch this time. Instead, he sucked in a breath which deepened the cup at his navel, and she was only too happy to fill it to its tasty brim.

“Perfect,” she said as she set the bottle on the floor. “Don’t move.”

She braced her hands on his thigh and his ribcage and bent forward. Her lips glossed the velvety skin there before she opened her mouth and sucked up the sweet, smooth liquor all too quickly. This time, though, she spared a moment to dip her tongue into the divot, and this made the man beneath her hiss.

She licked her lips and ventured a look up his heaving torso to find him totally expressionless save for his overblown pupils.

“Satisfied?” he asked in a voice swollen with the same darkness.

Gwen shook her head lightly. “Still thirsty.”

But she did not reach for the bottle. Instead, she put her lips to his stomach and sampled a new patch of skin. It yielded beneath her, and so did he. He let out a low groan that tightened the muscles under her lips.

Another kiss led to another and then one more as she nipped and nibbled at the tender flesh. There was something about the man that was simply and undeniably edible, and no matter how much she tasted, she could not get enough. Gwen helped herself all the way up to the delicious flare of his rib cage, and at the swell there, she risked a swirl of her tongue. His head snapped up as he panted out a heavy pair of breaths.

“You're driving me crazy,” he said with a slanted smile.

“I could say the same,” she agreed, and when she brought attention back to his stomach, she noticed a lonely freckle at his hip. Her lips raced to devour it, this time adding a graze of her teeth. He jolted.

“That tickles!” he exclaimed though it was followed by another groan.

Gwen responded with another twirl of her tongue to savor the salt on his skin, and the groan became an outright moan. Emboldened by each grateful sound, her hand slid slowly up his thigh, and soon, it bumped a rigid hill smothered by tight denim.

At the first graze, he jolted again but followed it with a simmering hiss as his hips bucked reflexively into her hand. His eagerness was going to Gwen’s head. She wanted more of his pretty moans. She wanted more of his pretty body.

Her hand moved more brazenly to stroke the outline of the intensifying hardness, but this time, she was the one moaning at the way his bulge filled her palm. Her forehead pressed into that gentle stomach as she rested her lips lazily at his hip bone. Meanwhile, her fingertips traveled up the zipper to the waist of his jeans and swept back and forth before her thumb centered over the button there.

“What are you doing?” he whispered.

Gwen kissed his hip again before she answered, “You told me if I wanted it, I had to do it.”

“Ah, I said that, didn't I?”

“You did. And I want it.”

He sat up higher now, expectation on his face. He drew his lush bottom lip between his teeth, and that alone set Gwen’s blood aflame.

Without another thought, she placed a garland of kisses along the waist of his jeans, and when she undid the button there, her lips raced to taste the secret skin she’d exposed. Dimly, she realized she was getting too carried away on a chance encounter, but she couldn't stop.

She couldn’t stop.

The further her mouth charted down the open zipper track, the more powerful her desire grew. She smelled his cologne here, too, bright like the tropical air but deepening down to dark woods on a second, greedier inhale. And beneath all that was the smell of him.

Too hungry now, Gwen hooked her hands in his jeans and tugged down. He lifted his hips with zero hesitation, and soon enough, she had full access to all that she desired. She swept her hand over the black fabric still sheltering him and felt him lurch. She hummed.

Slowly, she peeled down the hem of his boxer briefs, and his cock sprung up gratefully. Above her, her pretty boy exhaled hard, which only grew raspier as her skin touched his rawness at last.

Gwen’s romantic heart had drawn her to a number of beds over the years, and she’d enjoyed some decent sex in that time, but even without entering her, she knew this man was special. All his skin had been babied, but here, he was silkiest, like satin over marble. One touch was enough to fuel an addiction that sent a blaring alarm of dread to the back of her mind that she might never touch another cock that felt like it was made just to please her.

She danced her fingertips down his wickedly hard length until she got to his base, where she squeezed appreciatively. He hissed and hummed and arched his back before he mumbled something low and deep that she wished she could make out because just the echo of its echo sounded devastating.

Gwen didn’t intend to take things so leisurely—she knew she shouldn’t be—but it seemed foolish to fast forward through what had to be the sexiest man she’d ever met. Her friend’s rules be damned, she was going to enjoy every second for as long as she could make it last.

He was watching her, open-mouthed, as she held him. Their eyes met. Her breath caught.

Gwen wet her lips and pressed them to his hot, red tip and let her tongue curl into the smooth channel underneath. Her beautiful stranger let out the raspiest groan as his face disappeared from her view to sag under the weight of pleasure.

Spurred on, she invited him into her mouth now, shallow at first, but a little greedier with each pass until she could take what she could of him to the back of her throat. When she was comfortable, she found the perfect rhythm to have him singing for her with every eager suck.

And he was so noisy. It wasn’t filthy words or heaps of degradation like she’d heard plenty of times before. Between his moans and the grunts and the achy sighs, Gwen realized she’d never been with a man who had appreciated her more. It was filling her up with not just pride but confidence, and it made her want to ruin him even further.

His hand came to rest on the back of her head, but she quickly plucked it aside and pressed it into the mattress. For the briefest of moments, she released him to mumble, “Stay still.”

His shaky “okay” made her chest feel swimmy, and, instead, he balled two handfuls of sheets. But the man couldn’t help himself. Though he was hanging onto the bed with white knuckles, his hips took to lifting from the mattress, and she had to force them back down, too. She knew with just a little more speed and the addition of a helpful hand, she would get him off in no time, but she was having so much fun.

It didn’t hurt that all his whining was getting her off, too, even without a single touch. Gwen couldn’t remember a time she’d been so wet or so turned on.

Again, the stranger moaned, but this time, he added with a thick rasp, “You’re incredible. You might be my dream girl.”

It was her turn to whimper, but the vibrations traveled not just through her body and straight to her throbbing clit, but they also traveled down his length in a circuit of pleasure. He sucked in a harsh breath through gritted teeth as his legs tensed and struggled in the confines of the jeans still cuffing his knees.

“Can I—” he said before another grunt cut him off. “Wait. Can I just—fuck—can we take these pants off? I want to feel more of you.”

Gwen startled. She sat up on the bed and watched, numb with anticipation, as the man practically had to peel off his skinny jeans. He worked as quickly as he could, but it afforded her a flash of an ass as cute and smooth as his stomach and legs as long and delicate as his fingers. When he sat back down at the edge of the bed, he pulled off his shirt, too.

When she came to his room, Gwen hadn’t really known what to expect. It was clear they would end up in bed, but, for some reason, she never expected them to be fully naked. Now that things had taken a much more intimate turn, the casual momentum she had built quickly siphoned away.

This time, he didn’t lay back.

Here, he sat—breathless, naked, gripping his glistening cock, and staring hopefully at her.

“I’d really like to see you, too,” he asked.

As soon as he voiced his throaty wish, a fresh torrent of lust leaked between her pressed thighs. If she had worn the minidress Marie had pitched, there would have been no hiding it.

Gwen wanted to be coy or funny or anything other than tragically eager for this man, but how could she say no to such hopeful eyes and freckled lips?

With a red face and sweaty hands, she slipped out of her shirt, leaving her in her bra and leggings. She’d been wearing the same damn burgundy lace piece for two years, but now her hands were shaking so badly that she couldn’t undo the last clasp she’d put on hundreds of times.

He smiled knowingly and leaned in to wrap his arms around her. It only took him a moment to rescue her, but in his arms, time had stopped. Skin to skin changed everything. Gwen was spiraling, and the only way to make it stop was to steer into her tailspin.

Their lips met not in a clatter, but gently and with curiosity. Even at first brush, the way his puffy top lip notched into the crease of her lips felt like habit, like it had been there many times before and should return countless more times.

His hands cupped her cheeks briefly before they slid back in tandem to tangle in her disheveled waves. Only then, as he held her fiercely, did his tongue slip into her mouth to their shared whimper. One of his hands glided from her hair, down the back of her neck and over her shoulder, fingertips dancing like raindrops with the same biting chill thanks to the metal at his knuckles. He traced the side of her breast and then its underside all while his lips meshed with hers and his tongue curled deliciously against the roof of her mouth.

Trapped in the riptide of the moment, Gwen reached for him, too. His skin was just as soft at his neck and shoulders as it was at his waist, and she couldn’t stop stroking every inch she could access. He was only too happy to encourage her touches, even going so far to redirect her hand from his ribs to his hair like he wanted her to pet him. She let out a needy sigh that his mouth immediately gobbled up.

It wasn’t a surprise that the man was an attentive kisser. What surprised Gwen was how much she felt in the kiss. He was pouring something into her even as he seemed to drink from her, and she didn’t want it to stop.

She didn’t want it to ever stop.

You are here for fun.

Marie’s voice in the back of Gwen’s head was the ice water the blonde needed to disentangle from her beautiful stranger. Because that was all he was.

A beautiful stranger.

Gwen pulled back. He blinked slowly at her, but she kissed his flushed lips briefly to soften the transition. The hand of hers he’d placed in his hair drifted down his arm to his thigh, and whatever emotion had knitted his brows a moment ago corrupted. With a gnaw of her bottom lip, she slipped off the bed to the floor. His eyes followed.

He didn’t ask Gwen to kneel between his legs, but he didn’t have to. She was getting good at telling exactly what he’d like best—far too good at it.

His thighs were much creamier than the Florida caramel that warmed the rest of him, and as she shuffled into position between them, her hands worked higher and higher up their breadth. His knees tightened at her shoulders. Now that she was shirtless, she had no defense against the zaps of electricity that came with each stolen moment of raw contact.

His cock strained between his hips, the head shiny with lust and the veins pulsing along its length. Gwen gripped his hilt and stroked a few times, and he sighed in relief.

Now that he was sitting up, their dynamic swapped. He loomed over her. Shadows darkened what had always been a bright face. His enormous hands braced at the edge of the bed, firing prominent veins along his forearms. His shoulders corded with heavy muscle previously concealed by his round edges. The planes of his stomach creased as he bent over her. He wasn’t about to neglect even a second of his front row seat.

Gwen brought her lips back to his member and picked right back up where she’d left off, only this time she was noisier. Wet slurps and hungry hums echoed up from between his legs, and with each one, he got a little louder, too.

This time when his massive hand curled around the back of her head, Gwen reveled in it. His nails scratched deliciously against her scalp as he threaded her hair through those elegant fingers and tugged mindlessly. She was grateful she’d forgotten to strip off her leggings or she would have been dripping shamelessly on the carpet.

At last, she picked up speed, so she closed her eyes and concentrated on her seal around his demanding thickness. Her lips chased her fist up and down his shaft so he was never without a moment of her full attention.

The messier she savored him, the more urgent his whines got and the more he bucked underneath her. The hand in her hair was now a fist full of a makeshift ponytail. Mouth full, she raised her eyes to his face. A swirl of her tongue around his tip was all it took to rip a cry from his hunkered chest.

“Wait, wait, wait!” he demanded and pushed her shoulders back. “Wow, okay, you have to stop. I’m going to cum.”

“That’s the idea,” Gwen replied as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

But the man shook his head. “I want to make this last, and I definitely don’t want to disappoint you.”

“You’re not.”

“Good… Good.”

A pregnant silence fell between them. Both of them considered where to direct the needle of their night next, but he was faster.

“You know, the view from up here really is something,” he said.

“Ha ha,” Gwen said drily, but the earnest look on his face knocked her sarcasm down a few pegs.

“Come up and see.”

He offered both his hands, and once she took them, he helped her up to the edge of the bed. When she was seated beside him again, he kissed her sweetly.

When he stopped, his forehead rocked against hers, and her eyes fluttered open.

“I really want to taste you,” he confessed in a whisper.

Gwen swallowed hard.

“You do?”

“Desperately.”

“It’s just—” she fumbled, painfully aware of the panic in her voice.

“You don’t want me to?”

She didn’t know how to explain herself without pitiful embarrassment. Most of the men Gwen had dated were keen for a blowjob but always had a dozen reasons to move things along right after. Over time, it had given her a heavy insecurity, which Marie had always assured her was utter bullshit, yet still it persisted. Gwen didn’t think she could recover from someone this desirable rejecting her, even if he was a total stranger.

“No, I mean, yeah, if you really want,” she blundered, “but… it’s just—”

She bit her lip, and he cocked his head patiently. His hand squeezed her knee, and the words came tumbling out of her mouth.

“I’m kind of a mess down there.”

“Yeah?” he said hopefully—to her complete and utter shock. “Come on, you can’t tease me like that. Now, I have to taste you.”

“What if— It might take me awhile,” she admitted from behind her hands.

Gently, he lowered them from her face to her lap, where he held them like a friend, though his hooded eyes and honeyed voice told a very different story.

“I hope it does.”

Gwen gasped and closed her eyes to steady herself. “What about you?”

He laughed. “This is about me.”

The best she could manage was a slow nod, but that was all the stranger needed.

He dropped to his knees on the floor and spread her legs enough to rub his huge palms up her thighs and back down again. The more he soothed her, the more her legs parted on their own so he could sit taller—and closer—between them. On the next sweep up, his hands lingered at the crest of her thighs so his thumbs could stroke over her swollen sex still imprisoned in her leggings.

“Feel good?” he asked.

“So good,” she replied as she collapsed onto the mattress and threw an arm over her eyes.

“Good. You can watch if you want, you know.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure I’d recover from something like that. You’re, like, the hottest guy I’ve ever seen as it is. That might actually ruin me for life.”

He chuckled, but it was tainted with pride. “Maybe that’s the idea.”

Gwen shot up to her elbows to argue, but that was the exact moment the man wriggled his slender fingers under her waistband and then her underwear to peel them both off. Cold air attacked her core, and though it was a relief to finally be free of her sticky prison, she was unprepared for the pad of his finger to graze over the seam of her lips. She shivered and whined.

He hummed. “You’re really feeding my ego here, sweetheart.”

His thumbs resumed the same stroke as before, but since it was over her bare lips this time, the intensity amplified exponentially. Each wave parted her folds a bit, and there was no escaping the knowledge that her arousal leaked heavily every time.

“What a pretty sight,” he murmured.

Foolishly, Gwen stole a look at the man, and the image of his keen eyes fixed on her wet cunt branded her brain just as she’d feared. She whimpered, zipping her bottom lip between her teeth to near shreds as he played with her.

She felt the first brush of his lips against her not in the careless rush of an obligation but as a leisurely kiss of a seasoned lover. There, his mouth lingered only to part for his purposeful tongue. He licked up along her seam once—twice—and on the third pass, his fingers parted her core wide. The exposure had her keening mindlessly, but when his tongue swiped through the secret skin, she cried at the top of her lungs. Her arm pressed over her eyes hard enough to create starbursts behind her lids while her other arm pressed over her mouth.

For just a moment, he pulled back. Another burst of cool air blasted her core as he hummed again, this time dreamily. “Perfect.”

He kissed the meat of her thigh once, and then drove on heedlessly. He teased her entrance for a moment before he swirled that wicked tongue around her clit with a mind-numbing rhythm. Through all of it, Gwen sank deeper into pleasure. As vocal as he had been, she managed to outdo him even with her makeshift gag. It was completely mortifying but also completely out of her control.

He didn’t try to stop her writhing or her moaning. Instead, he used them both to his advantage. Whenever she squirmed, he chased, and it made the promise of release a near certainty.

It was incredible. It was terrifying.

It shouldn’t be this easy. It had never been this easy before.

Gwen felt the blossom of his lips nibbling at her aching clit, and before she could brace herself, he’d taken her in his mouth. It wasn’t just his delicious suction that made her lungs seize but the way his tongue undulated across her eager bud.

And then he pressed a fingertip to her entrance.

Gwen’s hands flew to the sheets and dug into the mattress. Her head snapped up as she screamed, “Oh my god!”

Her eyes flew open. He was waiting.

Damn heart-shaped hair and damn heavy eyes stole what was left of her sanity right before he eased his finger inside her.

At least the unprecedented bliss gave Gwen the small mercy of forcing her flat to the bed. Her back arched, her nipples tightened, and her voice gave out. The only thing she could do was pant like some unbound creature.

His fingers were so long—world-record long, she thought drunkenly—and they explored parts of her she’d never even known were there. He didn’t race through her either, but primed her the same as she’d primed him, the devil. In only a matter of a few plunges, he knew her in ways she’d never even known herself.

In and out, in and out, he pumped that perilously long finger, each stroke sealed with a kiss of metal and knuckle. Her body hungered louder and messier, worse even than she’d promised him. Her shameless pussy dribbled like it had never been touched before, and Gwen was very, very glad she could hide in the crook of her arm.

And then he added a second finger.

The stretch was vision-whitening, the depth dizzying, but still his tongue insisted on speeding her to her ledge. Even with her face covered, she turned away because looking at him was like risking looking into the sun.

“I’m going to— I’m going to—” she stammered.

His mouth lifted then, but before Gwen could protest, he brought his other fingers to her clit. There, he kept a thorough pace just shy of what she needed. No doubt, he knew it just as she had known it with him, but with the tables turned, it felt unexpectedly cruel.

As if to contradict that, he tenderly kissed her thigh, and basic instinct drove her to look at him.

He smiled at her, and, with grit in his voice, he asked, “You going to cum for me, beautiful?”

“Yes!” cried Gwen, shuddering on his fingers. “Yes, yes, yes!”

His fingers moved faster now, across her throbbing hill as well as inside her. Pressure like she’d never felt built between her hips. It was hard to breathe. It was hard to think.

And it all happened faster than she could ever have imagined.

She unwound.

Eyes winched shut, Gwen tore at the sheets as she arched, every muscle clamped in ecstasy, before everything released and she slumped glassy-eyed onto the mattress. Somewhere below her, she heard a little refrain of happy hums and dimly felt the slick circle of a tongue collecting all that she had released.

She panted as she came down from her high, her arm flung over her face once again, feeling everything and nothing all at once. As she worked to center herself, Gwen shivered.

“That was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen,” said the stranger who was once again idly massaging her thighs, this time with the most delicious domesticity. “You kind of glow when you cum.”

“Oh, shut up!” she wailed as she curled into a ball.

“What? Sorry, but I mean it. You do this cute little thing with your toes, like a kitten paw.”

Gwen heard him pantomiming something in the sheets, but she was too busy cringing into another universe, one where she’d kept at least a little of her dignity. She burrowed her head deeper into her arms to fight back how endearing she found him.

“Hey,” he said with the sincerity of concern. “You okay?”

“Mm-hm.”

“You liked it, right?”

Gwen peeked out through a small window behind her arms and found the man seated beside her on the bed. He looked down at her with eyes no longer blackened exclusively by desire but softened with care. She bit her lip and lifted her head as she held his gaze.

A beat passed before she said, “I loved it.”

“Well then, if that’s the case…” he said softly.

He leaned down and kissed her as lightly as a feather brushing skin. When he pulled back, there was the sweet temptation of darkness tinting his eyes once more.

“Will you let me inside you?”

“Why did you have to say it like that?” whimpered Gwen as she flopped back onto the mattress.

“I’m sorry,” he said though he sounded anything but. “Is this better? Please let me fuck you.”

She hissed. “You’re a terrible, terrible man.”

“Yeah, but I’ll make you feel so good, and I did ask nicely.”

“You did…” she murmured as she leaned up.

Their lips barely had time to fully enmesh because he had to help guide her up to the pillows since the only thing she could manage for the moment was a beached fish, half-hearted wiggle.

If Gwen thought she’d have a moment to recover between heated kisses, she was dead wrong. He caged her in beneath him, his heavy cock thudding unmistakably against her mound as his body flattened against hers. Her legs spread instinctively. Perhaps she should have taken the many, many hints that she would never have any control over herself with this man, but the way her body simply opened for him was more than a little pathetic.

At first, she threaded both hands in his hair, and he groaned into her mouth, but every little thing he did made her restless for more. She kept a hand fixed in his hair while the other now squeezed and groped the length of his back. Even if she couldn’t see it at the moment, his shape drove her wild. Not only did his definition heat her hotter than she’d ever felt in her life, but, fully pressed against hers, his skin was as decadent as cashmere.

His member, on the other hand, was as heavy and demanding as a stone on her mound. Every time he rutted against her, the base of his shaft brushing her engorged folds, she lost a little more of her sanity. She could probably cum again just like this, completely empty and yet feeling so fulfilled.

They passed some time in each other’s mouths without further expectation, but the weightier his cock pressed, the more impossible it was to ignore her basest needs. As he’d been able to do all night, he read her easily.

Unwilling to leave her lips, he groped blindly at the nightstand until he’d found what he was looking for and had to break their kiss. He held up a condom, his eyebrows up on his sweet, swollen-lipped face with the unasked question.

“Forget it,” Gwen said with a huff. “We’ve already crossed the line, I’m on the pill, and I really just want to feel you.”

“Oh, shit, are you—” he said, but she cupped his cheeks and kissed him hungrily.

She was being stupid, but the fuck if she cared.

Gwen whimpered with every sweep of his tongue, but those gave way to hitching cries as his long fingers trailed from her cheek down her arm to her hip where they danced in unreadable designs across her flesh. It was so playful, so charming that her heart fluttered to a totally different rhythm than it had all night. And that was dangerous. She needed to move this along at last.

You are here for fun.

Her hips jerked beneath him, tilting up in a kiss far filthier and needier than even their mouths’, and he pulled back with a ragged hiss.

“You are so wet again,” he growled with a glance down between their bodies.

“I can’t help what you’re doing to me.”

He cocked his head to the side, looking handsomer than any man really had a right. “Yeah?”

“Yes…” she sighed. “You make me so desperate.”

She drove her hips up again, her overheated sex grazing his base once more. His eyes flared, and Gwen felt the urge to cower.

Suddenly, he grabbed her arm and pushed it above her head, pinning it there by her wrist.

Dimly, the bass from the music far below drummed through the walls, but it was little more than a backing track to their tattered breath.

His stare was more commanding, more powerful even than the hot-forged iron branding her just shy of her center.

“I—”

Despite how badly Gwen yearned to hear the rest, he let whatever thought it was simmer on the heavily perfumed air enveloping them. His eyes searched her, from his ring-clad hand clasping her wrist to her sweat-studded breasts and back, at last, to her parted mouth.

He dove back down to her lips with another growl while his other hand fumbled between their bodies. After a moment, his hips lifted, and she felt the blunt head of his cock at her entrance at last.

She needed air to calm her ragged nerves, but thief that he was, he stole everything from her with another nibble of her lips. As his tongue entered her mouth again, he pushed his length inside her walls.

Gwen tore from his kiss to unleash the reediest moan of her life.

“Oh fuck,” he grunted. “Did you feel that?”

She had no idea what he meant, which made it all the more dangerous because she knew exactly what she felt.

Everything.

Why did he have to kiss her just then?

Why did he have to fill her like he was the only one who should ever do it again?

You’re idealizing, Gwennie, she scrambled to remind her sex-saturated mind, but she couldn’t convince herself to stop even if she knew she was. This was a man who was every bit as perfect as her stupid romantic self wanted to believe.

All Gwen could do was moan and grasp the back of his head.

He followed the weight of her hand and pressed his face into the juncture of her neck to kiss her reverentially.

“Go slow,” she implored.

He hummed in agreement and eased his hips back to draw his length to its limit before gliding back in as though he were savoring her. The moment he bottomed out, her mouth fell open in a silent wail. Gwen had never felt so full.

“That’s it, sweetheart,” he murmured. “Open up for me.”

His voice penetrated as deeply as his cock and rendered her putty in his hands.

Each sweep of his hips was catastrophic, but it was even worse since his body smothered hers. It was too much and not enough all at once, and Gwen was glad she didn’t have use of her other hand or she’d have wrapped him up in her arms already.

She thought after the first few strokes that he’d pick up speed, but he seemed content to while away their night just like this. The only change to his smooth rhythm was the rough emphasis he added to his every thrust that drove the air out of her lungs each time. It was like he was trying to drive deeper and deeper and deeper inside of her.

Each penetration afforded her the sexiest view of the horizon of his body, and now that she was this far gone, she lifted her head so she wouldn't miss another moment. He moved with the grace of water, and the current threatened to drown her just as easily. The swell of his ass rose and fell over the heave of his back.

His whines and grunts came back with a vengeance, with the added mercilessness of being uttered along her skin. It was a devastating reminder that as much pleasure as she drew from him, he was just as greedy for her body, too.

“Need to fuck you harder,” he warned in a voice heavy with gravel. “I need to.”

“I want you to,” Gwen echoed.

If she thought this would be the reason he pulled back from this ridiculous intimacy, she was dead wrong. Instead, he stilled inside her as he lifted to his elbows, but it only brought his searing gaze to her. His enormous hand soared up to cup her cheek. His thumb traced her bottom lip before, at last, he planted his hand firmly on the mattress.

His first few thrusts stayed slow, but soon he gained speed and, with it, power. His hips slapped against hers, and each time, it sounded wetter and wetter, but it all should have been louder.

The difference was, now that they couldn’t tear their eyes away from one another, neither seemed capable of making a sound. It was all Gwen could do to remember to breathe.

Harder and harder, he drove into her until her tits were bouncing and each fuck pushed rhythmic, vibrating cries from her. Still, she could tell they were both holding something back from one another.

They knew the moment they ended, whatever this was had to end, too.

His luscious mouth parted. There were words there, half-formed, but those he held back, too, though she starved to know them.

The next thing Gwen knew, he released her wrist to push her knee up and back. The angle shifted, and she had no choice but to rip her eyes from his to watch as his cock disappeared inside her greedy cunt.

She let out a tattered moan before she hiccupped out, “So. Fucking. Good.”

“I want to be deeper,” he answered back.

Gwen’s eyes rolled back in her head. “You’re—ah—you’re already so deep.”

But he didn’t seem to hear her. He dropped to her chest again, his hips rutting truly desperately at last. He buried his face in her neck and his nose in her hair as his lips glanced across her skin in the unintentional kiss that came with every thrust.

“Deeper…” he murmured as though hypnotized.

“Oh my god!”

He hitched her thigh higher up his side so she could feel with devastating consequence the way his ribs flared with every frantic gulp of air.

“Wrap your leg around me,” he instructed.

Gwen dug her heel into the meat of his back, and he grunted, but it still wasn’t enough for him.

“Hold me tighter, please.”

As she’d feared, it was a mistake the moment she wrapped her arms around him. Strangers fucking didn’t embrace. Yet here she was, clinging on with the last of her sanity to his sturdy shoulder blades.

He smelled so good—like sex and summer—and it imprinted on her mind.

“So. Deep,” she stuttered.

The way he stretched her out clouded her mind until the only thing she could find through the fog was him.

How could he possess her so fully but make her so desperate for more of him?

Him.

“Give me your hand,” he demanded in a rush.

Gwen let one hand fall from his back to the bed, and he grabbed it quickly and pushed it up over her head again, only this time, his fingers threaded through hers and squeezed as tightly as her walls squeezed his shaft.

His thrusts switched to shorter, shallower, much faster now. Each time, his cockhead brushed over a spot inside her that robbed her of all sound and all thought. Just like that, he’d reduced her to nothing but quivering nerves and trembling muscles.

Gwen dug her nails roughly into his back same as she squeezed his hand and let him ride her for all she was worth.

Since his cheek pressed against hers, she heard his every grunt in relentless stereo. He was too needy, too desperate. It was only magnifying those same feelings inside her.

Her skin burned with sweat. Her eyes burned from squeezing them against the overwhelming pleasure. Her core burned from the friction of his perfect fucking.

He was panting in her ear, and she could feel the curl of his lip as he snarled.

Gwen moved her free hand into his hair as she clutched his head to her like a lover.

“Baby,” she cried, “baby, I’m going to cum again.”

He let out the most pitiful whine she’d ever heard in her life as his hips spurred even faster.

“Baby.”

The pull was there, starting at her chest and dragging her down.

Down.

Down.

“Give it to me,” he urged, the words nearly broken under the crushing weight of his desperation.

“Baby!”

This time when Gwen said it, it was a strangled little thing, the last breath of a woman before she disappeared beneath the waves.

It was different, cumming with his cock inside her instead of his fingers. Her walls frantically beckoned him to disappear within her, willing him to never leave. She shivered and shook and screamed with the power of a release she’d never thought herself capable.

He fucked her through it all, the smoky curl of his self-satisfied “yes…” unfurling across her skin.

And when at last Gwen had no more aftershocks to give, she laid there too limp to hold on to him at all. Her leg slipped to the bed and her hand from his hair and her fingers slackened in his, though he refused to let her go.

His strokes had grown erratic, each one accompanied by the sloppy sounds of her catastrophic release.

“Where do you want me to cum?” he said hurriedly.

Gwen knew what she wanted—what her body was demanding. She wanted him to fill her up. She wanted this perfectly handsome perfect stranger to cum deep inside her so she should could hold on to a little bit of him even after she walked out the door.

But this was the end—not just of their passionate sex but their time together. If she didn’t put distance between them right now, she was in for an even more terrible fall.

No feelings, just sex.

“My face,” she blurted.

Gwen regretted it instantly. That wasn’t what she wanted at all, and she braced for the humiliation she deserved.

But, instead, he pulled out with a strangled cry and came in the tangle of bed sheets beside him.

“I’m sorry,” he managed between heaves of breath and frantic jerks of his spasming cock. “I’m sorry.”

She watched his broad, glistening back flare as he hid himself from her, and she couldn’t stop herself from reaching out to touch him. Her fingertips slipped in the sheen of sweat there, and his head whipped back toward her.

“I couldn’t do that,” he said dejectedly. “You’re just so pretty, I’m sorry. I know that’s what you wanted, but—”

“I didn’t mean it anyway,” she said. “I don’t know why I said it.”

Something fluttered across his dark features before his brow furrowed, and he turned away again. “Damnit, I should have never listened to my friends.”

Gwen quirked her head even as she covered up with the sheet. “Your friends?”

The man tumbled onto the mattress and spread out like a winded starfish without a single care for his nakedness, and she felt a little shame at the way she ogled that delicious stomach and his softening length now glossy and still leaking onto his thigh.

He sighed.

He was so different now from the dark, intense man he’d been only moments ago. Back was the brilliance that emanated from within that almost compelled Gwen to close her eyes when she looked at him. She could hardly believe it was the same man who’d brought her to two earth-shaking orgasms in no time at all.

“Can I confess something to you?” he said.

Gwen tensed all over, but she managed a nod of her head. “Okay.”

“This isn’t really my thing,” he continued, and her heart plummeted in ways it shouldn’t considering she’d just fucked a total stranger.

“Oh…”

Gwen realized too late how apparent the disappointment in her voice was when the man shot up and swiveled to her, his hands waving in defense. “I didn’t mean it like that, I swear! I mean, I have a hard time keeping things… simple. It wasn’t just the body shot thing that was a dare. Tonight was kind of my friends’ idea. They want me to be more… unattached, I guess?”

“That’s what my friend said, too,” Gwen laughed.

“Really?” He joined her laugh until, finally, his shoulders sagged with a light sigh as he covered his lower half with the sheet at last.

“Yeah.”

“I thought I was doing pretty good there, too, but— That was just so much more than I ever expected—you’re kind of more than I expected—and I really don’t want you to think I was just using you.”

“I don’t.”

“Good. Because…” He paused then, massaging his lips together as his eyes fell to his lap. “I think their dare kind of backfired anyway. Or it’s entirely possible I’m a hopeless case. So… I was wondering if you wanted to hang out tomorrow?”

At this, Gwen stiffened. Her eyes snagged on his naked frame. Though the sheet swaddled his hips and thighs, it did nothing to hide his tummy or his shoulders or his bowed head, nor did it conceal his pencil legs and feet poking sweetly over the edge of the bed. And then she realized they were both tucked under that sheet, and it would be so, so easy to just lay back and fall asleep with him.

There it was again, that urge to romanticize someone she didn’t even know, yet everything about the guy screamed boyfriend—or worse.

Oh no.

Boyfriend.

The one word Marie had made Gwen swear not to use this weekend.

And damned if her roommate hadn’t been right all along. The hard truth was, Gwen didn’t know this man. She didn’t know what he did, she didn’t know his past, she didn’t know his ethnicity or even his damn name, and that was all there was to it. To assign any more meaning to it was every bit as foolish as everyone always reminded her she was.

Dread welled in her stomach and weighted her limbs. The best Gwen could do was offer a tight smile. “I’d really like that, but my friend has our whole day planned.”

“Oh.” He looked crestfallen, but he picked himself up quickly and slipped out of the bed in a shy, awkward rush while trying to keep his modesty with the edge of the sheet still draped around his hips. He stretched out his leg as far as he could to hook the band of his jeans with his toe. He tried to keep conversation flowing even as he struggled with the cutest little grunts very different to the ones that had just been uttered for her ears only. “Oh yeah? Going to check out the beach or the city?”

“I’m not sure,” Gwen said. The truth was they had no plans, but she had to lie because her whole body screamed to meet him again, and if she did, there was no way of keeping things superficial. The man was too cute, too sincere, and far, far too sexy to turn down a second time. “I’m not one for itineraries. I kind of go where my heart leads me.”

He stopped, jeans sagging in hand as he looked at her with a gentle smile. “Yeah, same.”

But then his smile fell away, and he raced to shimmy into his jeans, too in a hurry to even bother with his underwear, and Gwen turned her head and busied herself poking at the remote on the bedside table.

Over her shoulder, she asked, “So, what will you guys get up to then? More bachelor party stuff?”

“I never can tell with them. Even when one of the guys makes plans, the others always seem to change them. I’m just along for the ride.”

“Easiest way to get through life,” she agreed. Gwen wanted to flinch at her own voice, but she didn’t want to call any more attention to her terrible bedside manner than she already had.

In the end, it didn’t matter. The man beside her was too perceptive, and he picked up her cues instantly. “Let me just grab the rest of my clothes and clean up in the bathroom so you can get dressed.”

“Would you mind if I go first? You know, since...”

Maybe if she tried hard enough, her awkwardness could compact her into a handful of atoms, and she could just disappear.

“Oh, of course, duh. Sure. Absolutely,” he bumbled.

Gwen grabbed the haphazard pile at the foot of the bed and practically sprinted to the bathroom where she tried to lose herself in the repetition of cleanliness. At least that was automatic.

Against her better judgment, she checked herself in the mirror. She looked every bit as undone as he had made her, and she hastily combed her fingers through her bed head so she didn’t scream “harlot” when she made her way back through the hallways. She rinsed her face and neck and swished some water to freshen her breath, and when she was done, she felt brave enough to face the music.

When Gwen returned to the bedroom, she found the man dressed as he had been, though all his clothes bore the same noticeable wrinkles and bagginess that hers did.

He smiled at her, and she swallowed roughly.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey.”

It was agony. She just wanted to kiss him again. She wanted to feel him again. She wanted to hear him in the shell of her ear again.

“So, this was really fun,” she said lamely. “Thanks for the drinks and, you know, everything else.”

He laughed shyly.

This time, as she faced his open complexion and expressive eyes, she had no choice but to be sincere. “I had a really great time.”

“You did?”

She nodded. “I really didn’t expect to meet someone like you either, but I’m glad I did.”

“Ah!” he exclaimed before he unexpectedly bowed to her. “Thank you. I feel the same.”

Gwen burst out laughing, which helped ease the pang in her heart at having to pull away. “You’re cute.”

He shrugged a shoulder and laughed, too, though his was much more forced. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out, and the pair stood there in a stalemate. At last, he took a step back, and she took one forward.

“So…”

“So…” he echoed.

Gwen bit the inside of her cheek roughly in the desperate hope it would wake her up, and, thankfully, the flare of pain combatted the butterflies before they could overtake her. Tightly, she began, “I’m going to head out, I think.”

“Sure, yeah,” he said as he ushered her back into the living room to the door. “Yeah, you probably should. Are you good to walk back to your room? Wait, this is your hotel, right? Do I need to call you an Uber?”

“Yeah, I’m here. All good.”

“Good.”

“Good.”

They exchanged another round of confused smiles before Gwen, fool that she was, lurched up onto her tip toes and placed a kiss on his cheek. When she pulled back, his smile slanted with an irresistible dopiness.

“You sure you don’t want me to walk you back?”

“You probably shouldn’t.”

He nodded as though he understood, but Gwen wasn’t sure she did even though she’d been the one to say it.

“Goodnight,” she whispered.

“Night,” he replied. “Take care.”

He opened his hotel door, and with a nod of her head first, Gwen turned and headed down the hall with the burning notion that he was watching her walk away.

She barely made it to the elevator before she had her phone in hand, intending to text Marie that she was headed back, but Gwen got sidetracked by the memory of what now lurked in her gallery.

She opened her camera roll only to be assaulted immediately by several snaps of his heart-shaped hair and buoyant cheeks framing his dazzling smile.

“He's cute. Is that your boyfriend?”

Gwen’s head shot up. She hadn’t even realized the elevator had stopped to acquire another passenger at some point. The bleached blonde girl smiled, her wild gold eyeliner glinting in the lowlight like some forest sprite sent there just to taunt her.

Gwen locked her phone and stuffed it in her leggings pocket with a shake of her head. “Uh. Oh, no, he’s just a friend.”

“Cute friend.”

“Yeah.”

The elevator dinged at the fourth floor and Gwen nodded to the other woman. “This is me. Have a good night.”

“You too!”

Back at her room, Gwen showered quickly, hoping it would be easier to distance herself from the forbidden word now buzzing in her brain like neon.

Boyfriend. Boyfriend. Boyfriend.

She considered a shower, but that meant too much time to think just as much as it meant washing off the remnants of his cologne. She could do that in the morning once her heart had sobered up from its dopamine surge.

Gwen dressed for bed the same mechanical way she had back in Room 2281, and once she was safely into her pajamas, the familiarity brought the exhaustion in her muscles to the surface. She was only too happy to climb into bed after that, and tired as she was, she remembered to send her text to Marie.

Her finger hovered over the gallery icon again, but at the last second, she forced her phone off and let the night take hold of her.

Gwen woke to banging at her door. She blinked, rubbed her eyes, and sat up slowly since her muscles ached from head to toe. She glanced at the thick drapes and caught the wan strip of light along the edges, but she had no clue what time it was until she grabbed her phone to find that it was just past noon. Even more surprisingly, she noted the slew of notifications.

Nine texts and four missed calls, all from Marie.

The banging continued, and Gwen groaned. “Give me a minute!”

At last, it quieted, and she shuffled like a geriatric over to the peephole. There, warped in the fish eye lens, was her roommate looking the perfect cross between annoyed and desperate. Gwen unlocked the door, and Marie rushed in.

“Finally,” the brunette said. “I was getting seriously worried.”

“I told you I made it back,” Gwen corrected.

“Yeah, but then you didn’t answer me at all, and I thought maybe you were passed out or something.”

The blonde squinted as she studied her friend now pacing the length of the hotel room. “Are you sure that’s it? Seems to me you’re the one who’s not okay.”

Marie shrugged a shoulder.  

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” her roommate said, still pacing. “Everything.”

Still exhausted, Gwen sat back on the bed and waited.

“Shit, it’s just— You know what, let's go to the pool. Maybe it will wash that guy out of my system.”

“That guy? The one from the party last night? Did you have a bad night?”

“No! Worse!” Marie wailed and flopped onto the bed. “He wasn't just scalding hot. He was likable! Ugh, I'm devastated. Catching feelings is your thing, girl, not mine. Damnit, I need a distraction. Tell me about your night. Please, don’t spare a single fucking detail.”

It was Gwen’s turn to shrug a shoulder. “I had fun.”

“So much fun you're not even going to tell your friend a single detail?” But then Marie's eyes narrowed, and her roommate’s skin bristled. “Or you had too much fun?”

“Hey, I slept in my own room last night, thank you.”

Marie whined. “Shit, I know. I must be projecting.”

“So what the hell happened with you last night?” Gwen said, only too happy to turn the attention away from her as she shuffled into the bathroom for her usual morning routine.

“I hardly know. We were dancing and drinking, no big deal, so I figured it was just going to be the usual fun, and it was fun, but, shit, he was just different, you know? He was like one of those lead guys from your movies, all gentlemanly and shit but more, too. Like he’s got secrets, but not the kind you want to run from, the kind you want to know. Oh my god, what am I even saying?”

Gwen smiled. “So, he was hot and charming? How is that different from the other guys you hook up with?”

“Gwennie, I didn’t even tell you about the sex. Shit, the way he moved his hips! There should be a law. And he was so diligent. He knew exactly what I wanted, and I didn't have to say a word, which was good because the only ones I could utter were swears. And I just couldn’t keep my hands off of him, you know? Fuck, not just his muscles, but his hair…” Marie laid there slack-jawed at the memory, her hands pressed over her belly.

“Sounds like you got the unforgettable night you were gunning for.”

“You don’t get it, babe. Even as he was giving me the dicking down of my life, this guy—he was, like, quietly sweet and funny? I don’t know how to explain it. He could just… smile, and it would make me laugh, like, even when he was inside, and somehow that was still super hot, you know?”

Gwen burst out laughing.

“See!” said Marie, gesturing at her roommate as she exploded up from the bed.

“I see,” the blonde teased with a lingering grin.

“What?”

“Nothing, it’s just, you know who you sound like?”

“You.”

“Me.”

Marie sighed. “Shit, I know. You know the worst part?”

“What?”

“This guy asked me to stay after.”

“Oh…”

“I mean, it’s not the first time, but it’s the first time I considered staying. Ain’t that some shit? But what would be the point, right?”

“Yeah…” Gwen said slowly as she thought of her thick-lipped lover. Marie’s unexpected dilemma had been just what Gwen needed to forget the ache in her core and the bigger ache in her chest, but now, it was a mirror reflecting things back far too vividly.

“Shit, huh?”

“Yeah. Shit.”

“You know the only thing to do, right?”

“Don't you dare,” Gwen warned.

But Marie was already up and moving to the door. “We’re going to the pool, and I'm going to find another hot guy because hot guys are a dime a dozen in Miami, right? I'm going to cleanse the palate.”

“Yeah, that's not how that works.”

“Look, I've never thought a guy was husband material before, let alone a one-night stand, so what do you suggest I do, Ms. Ephron?”

Gwen scowled. “Don't ask me. I've been getting it wrong so long that I'm not even sure I could trust myself to know when it was right.”

“Okay then. For lack of absolutely any other plan, this is what we’re doing. Put your swimsuit on, gorgeous. Let’s see how much Vitamin D we can get.”

Gwen sighed, but the truth was Marie’s distraction did help her forget the feeling of being surrounded by the stranger she couldn’t shake, so she slipped into her bikini, fought hard not to open her gallery yet again, and decided to dive headfirst into something new like her friend suggested if only to prove to herself once and for all that she’d idealized everything about last night.

Marie joined her in the hallway decked out in her cutest Miami-approved string bikini, already smelling of sunscreen and Flowerbomb. “Let’s do this.”

The pair chatted about their day and where they might go for their last night in town, all while studiously avoiding the topic of last night. They padded through the extravagant lobby along with a sea of other swimsuit-ed guests, their flip-flops smacking across the marble like theme music, until they emerged into the blistering Florida sun.

The pool looked very different in the daylight. There was no trace of the stage or the bars, and there was certainly no body shot table left out. It was just an ocean of sun-bleached concrete thrusting straight up to the white sands of Miami Beach, broken only by an enormous aquamarine pool, dozens of lavish cabanas, and a manmade forest of towering palms.

“Wait,” said Gwen as she scouted the bustling crowd stretching all the way out to the blue sea beyond, “you want the pool or—”

“Oh my god!” shouted Marie as she squealed to a stop and slipped behind Gwen. “It's him!”

“Who? The guy from last night? Where?”

“There, right at the edge of the pool. The one who’s shaped like a yield sign telling me slow down and give in to him again and again and again…”

“Marie!” she shouted and whirled around to face her friend.

“Oh my god, Gwennie, you have to hold me back or I am going to do irreparable damage here. Shit, shit, shit! I can’t believe I’m the one saying this. Fuck. He's looking right at me now, and he's waving with that stupid cute teddy bear smile, fuck. What do I do! What do I do!”

Gwen grabbed her friend’s shoulders and shook her until Marie looked at her. “What do you want to do?”

“I want to go over there, and I want to talk to him, and I want to hear his whole entire life story and what he wants in a woman, and then I want to take him back to my hotel room and be that woman.”

“Oh, girl,” Gwen laughed, “I never want to hear advice from you about this ever again.”

“That’s fine, just please come with me. I don’t want to talk to him alone.”

“Who are you, and what did you do with Marie?”

The brunette grimaced as she squeezed Gwen’s hands. “I don’t know! Help me!”

“Okay, now, I need to see the guy who broke my friend.”

Gwen turned from Marie toward the pool in time to catch the man who’d unmade her roommate over the course of one night. He was every bit as hot as Marie had described, with a chiseled jaw and even more chiseled abs, and he was indeed shaped like a triangle, which could be appreciated even easier since he was only in swim trunks. His skin had been worshipped by the sun, and he was sparkling thanks to a fresh dip in the pool. He lowered his muscular arm to sweep his fingers back through his sopping wet hair, and somewhere beside her, her friend whimpered.

But the blonde could only spend a fraction of a second on everything else around her because beside Marie’s hunk now was the very man who had unmade Gwen last night.

Time stopped.

He, too, was fresh out of the pool, with a towel ringing his neck and shoulders as swollen droplets rained down from thick, haphazard locks. He was out of breath, his chest heaving from his swim and his pale lips hanging open as he gulped air, just as they had when he’d fucked her to the brink of insanity.

But his eyes were as steady as ever, and they were fixed firmly on Gwen.

“Should we go over?” asked Marie, but her friend couldn’t move.

Instead, the two men began to walk the long perimeter before the bronzed man cut out the inconvenience and hopped back in the pool to wade across. Gwen was pretty sure she’d never again see anything more life-altering than these two shirtless heartthrobs pressing determinedly through the water with the ripples surging around their matching narrow waists.

The pair climbed out in horrible, horrible unison, their wet thighs flexing in time with their arms as water rushed off in diamond falls, and it was all terribly loud in Gwen’s ears. It only amplified when her stranger smiled in his darling tight-lipped way.

They padded across the concrete to the little swath of grass under a palm where the two ladies had been paralyzed.

“Hi, hello,” said the deep-voiced bronzed man. “It’s nice to see you again, Marie.”

“Hey, Hyunwoo,” she replied. Maybe it would sound casual to the strangers, but Gwen didn’t miss the uncharacteristic tremble in her friend’s voice.

“Good day for a swim,” he observed as he glanced up at the sun through the palm fronds and rubbed the back of his neck. “You planning on the pool or the ocean?”

“We hadn’t decided.”

“Ah, is this your friend you told me about?”

Marie nodded and took the chance to cling to her roommate’s hand, and with that, gained some strength. “Oh, yeah, this is Gwen. Gwen, this is Hyunwoo.”

Gwen felt the sharp squeeze at her hand, which was the only thing that made her realize she’d been staring unceasingly at her own pretty boy. She whipped her attention to Hyunwoo to smile and wave, but she could feel the burn of the other man’s eyes until she felt more naked than she had in his bed. She didn’t dare look back.

“Nice to meet you,” Hyunwoo said with that teddy bear smile, as Marie had called it. He turned toward his shirtless friend and added, “This is—”

“Hey!” came an exuberant call from across the pool in one of the loudest voices Gwen had ever heard. There stood yet another handsome man with hair dyed honey blond and chipper eyes waving at them with both arms like a used car lot inflatable. “Hey! Ask them if they want to join us.”

“Minhyuk,” scoffed the remaining stranger with a roll of his eyes, but Hyunwoo shrugged his mouth.

“What do you say, ladies? We have a cabana over there. Lunch is on its way, and we ordered lots.”

Marie giggled nervously and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Yeah, I remember how much you said you like eating. I mean, if it’s cool with everybody…”

The brunette looked desperately at Gwen and squeezed her hand tighter than ever, and all eyes looked to the blonde.

“Sure, that’s cool,” said Gwen though she was anything but.

She was burning under the sun though it was nothing to the way she burned under the magnifying glass of cruel fate. Here, before the gentle gaze of the man she had forced herself to walk away from, everything came into calamitous focus.

His laugh, his easiness, his openness, his beauty. Their chemistry, their connection, their compatibility, their flaws.

Maybe Gwen had been a fool in love an embarrassing number of times, but she realized now that maybe all those mistakes had served a purpose. She could see clearly for the first time what all those men had lacked, and she’d be a much bigger fool to turn back a second time from something that felt undeniably different.

“You coming?” Marie called, and only then did Gwen realize Hyunwoo and her friend were already on their way to the cabana.

Beside her, her shot glass waited, smiling as he always seemed to be in her presence with that delicious bellybutton still glistening though this time it was from lingering pool water.

“Didn’t think I’d be lucky enough to ever see you again,” he said.

“We’re really bad at this, aren’t we?” Gwen laughed awkwardly as she took the lead and followed her friend.

With his long legs, he caught up in a single stride, and together, they walked the long perimeter of the pool without any complaint.

“Bad at what?” he asked.

“Keeping promises to our friends.”

“Nah. Maybe it was just a dumb promise to make in the first place. And anyway,” he said, looking at her keenly over a bare shoulder, “aren’t you the one who told me no itineraries?”

“Oh yeah,” she said with a red-cheeked chuckle.

I go where my heart leads…

“I take it Hyunwoo’s a part of the bachelor party?” Gwen said.

“Yup. There’s eight of us, including the groom and his brother. You’ll like them, just hopefully not as much as you like me.”

She cocked an eyebrow at him. “And who says I like you?”

“I do. At least, I hope you do. Or maybe I’m just trying to manifest it.”

Gwen smiled shyly and nodded. “You’re right. I do.”

“Kind of funny how this worked out, huh? Your friend and my friend meeting up. Kind of feels like…”

“Blind dumb luck?”

“Destiny.” He studied her for a moment and then returned his eyes to the path around the pool. “I was going to say destiny.”

Her heart was beating out of her chest again, but this time, there was no scolding voice inside her head to temper it.

“You’re still cute,” she blurted.

“And you’re still driving me crazy.” His eyes roved over her skimpily clad figure, and he pressed his lips together. “So… Gwen, huh? That’s a beautiful name. It suits you.”

She was not prepared for the way it would feel to hear her name from his exquisite lips.

The front of her flip-flop rolled, and she stumbled forward with a cry and a flail before he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.

“I’ve got you,” he assured. He stared down at her fondly as she sheltered in the shade of his wide shoulders. Slowly, a smirk crept onto his lips. “Last time, you said it was the heels and you were a sandals girl. What’s your excuse today?”

“I’m clumsy, okay.”

“For everyone or just for me?” he teased. He leaned down, his lips to her hair, and added, “It’s okay if you say just for me. I’m kind of hoping for it.”

Gwen looked up into those brown eyes. The night had brought out their smoky depths, but the day brought out their playful hickory dimensions. So, too, had the merciless sun illuminated the finest spray of freckles dappling his cheek to puffy cheek, to devastating consequence.

“Maybe I’d admit it if I even knew who you were,” she said.

He stopped, and she stopped, too. Gwen looked at him with nervous eyes and an even more skittish heart.

She could forgive herself for all her stupid mistakes if it meant she could just get it right this one time…

Please. Just this once…

He lifted his head, caught her gaze, and closed the gap between them with one big step.

“In that case…”

Slowly, he bent down as his large hands gripped her cheeks, and just as his lips grazed hers gentler than the sea breeze, he spoke.

“So nice to finally meet you, Gwen. I’m Hyungwon.”

A/N: I know, I know. The muse obviously tried to turn this into a whole rom-com novel, but instead, I remained resolute to close this on the whimsical romantic open ending I originally intended. It got too out-of-hand as it was, if you couldn’t tell lol, so let your own romantic hearts take it from here, loves. <3 Thanks for reading!

[zmediaoutlet]

for @wincestwednesdays: demonic

After the rugaru they make it as far as Miami, Oklahoma, before Dean can't ignore the Keith Moon solo pounding through the back of his skull and has to pull to the off-ramp. "Town should get sued for false advertising," he says. "Not seeing any beaches and babes around here." To silence. Radio's playing but low, fuzzy, stuff he can't even make out. No response from the passenger seat. He grits his teeth but it makes the pulse in his head worse and he breathes slow and steady through his open mouth instead, following the blue accommodation signs on automatic: food, lodging. His hands and right foot get them there, even if his brain's in danger of checking out.

McDick's, Motel 6. The thought of food sours his stomach. A room, then, and the night cool when he parks and opens up the driver door and then sits with his boots on the asphalt and his eyes closed, the pounding unbearable for a few seconds that stretch maybe to a minute. Just this unceasing hammer at the top of his spine. Amazing how the whole set-up doesn't just burst and crack open, splattering, blood and brains and wet spinal fluid all over the parking lot. Wouldn't even be hard—he knows how to do it, how to set his shoulders and brace and swing like a baseball bat, how the pop shudders through the arms and shoulders as satisfying as a long drive toward third, the destruction like a Gallagher show. Ponchos for the whole first row. Laughter, roaring up, and the pain finally—not gone, but reduced maybe, for a second, for an instant. Until it's not.

"You coming?" Tired.

Yeah, he says. He thinks he says. He stands up anyway, and hipchecks the door closed, and there's Sam standing at the open room, lamplight spilling out over him so he's backlit with his face dark and the tips of his goofy hair shining, and in his hand—oh, Dean's bag, too.

"Hope you're not expecting a tip," Dean says, passing him in the doorway. He smells like blood and sweat in equal measure. Dean's head throbs, again.

A huff. Well, good. Not the silent treatment, after all.

Dean calls first shower. His right, he thinks; he was the one inches from being the star of a rugaru blue plate special. The pressure's weak but that's just as well; the temperature hits boiling, which hurts, but that's just as well, too. And what doesn't, these days. He notices himself having that thought and rolls his eyes, and flips the water to cold, and ices down for thirty shuddering seconds, his skin seizing all over. Head still pulsing but maybe less. Maybe he'll sleep. Maybe without dreaming. Maybe.

Sam, in the room, unpacking some part of his bag on the bed closer to the door. Coat off at least so he's staying. "Think I left you some lukewarm water," Dean says, trying, and Sam huffs again. Maybe trying too. Maybe, maybe.

Dean sits on the other bed, towel around his hips, t-shirt on. Wishes he'd grabbed clean shorts—the ones from the rugaru's house are too nasty to drag on again. He looks at Sam, instead, tossing stuff onto the comforter in piles—why?—who knows. Stuff Sam does now is hard for Dean to pick apart, after so long away. He looks, instead, light smearing at the corners of his eyes. Sam's shoulders all huge, blocking the lamp by the door. Blood at the back of his flannel shirt that Dean frowns at. "Hey," he says, and Sam grunts. "You hurt?"

"I'm fine," Sam says. Quiet. Like he has been, since they stumbled into the car, after stowing the charred-black twisted corpse in the woods outside Carthage.

"You sure? You got knocked out, too." Sam drops a shirt onto one of his piles, shoulders slumping, and Dean doesn’t know why he does that—it's not like he's saying it to be an asshole, because for the last few hours he's been trying his absolute best not to be an asshole—but then his head really goddamn hurts and Sam's been puzzling him for a month, now.

"You got knocked out," Sam says, and turns, and his face—shadow—but not enough that Dean can't see how it's screwed up, sorry. Dean shrugs, 'cause what else is new. Passed out while a monster has its way, pretty par for the course. Sam steps closer though, leans in, and he smells like sweat and like blood and Dean flinches before he can stop himself, his hand tightening on the knot of his towel. Sam pauses, hovering over him like some freakin' colossus. Dean curses himself.

"I—" Sam says, and Dean says yeah, and Sam says, "Just—your head," and Dean says yeah again low and stupid and hurting, and Sam stands there with his fingers spread in the air between them and Dean takes a breath and says, "Hey, you got some kinda sexy nurse kink since I was gone?" thin and stupid, stupid, and Sam stands there silent and huge above him for one two three seconds until he says, "You're an idiot," very quiet, and tips Dean's head forward, down, fingertips light and quick over the back of his skull, looking for where it hurts.

Dizzy view of his white-towel lap until he closes his eyes. Ocean-fresh from the soap but Sam's blood-smell overpowering it. Sam's fingers careful through his hair until he finds the bump where the monster—victim—guy, the man, the dude who couldn't help being born how he was born, he hit Dean and laid him out and made a point of him but didn't hurt him further. It's made him dizzy and made him hurt Sam, more than he realized Sam could get hurt at his hands, but then again Dean's had a lot of practice lately, hurting, and he should've realized, how easy it was to slip into being a monster when you never, ever meant to. When everything in you was screaming no.

Sam's fingers, soft, sliding down past the bump to the back of his neck. Most Sam's touched him since—when Dean pulled away, shuddery and shocked, that first night. Jittery enough to not want Sam to taste the sulfur at the back of his throat. "What's the damage, doc," Dean croaks, and Sam's hand slides, to the knob at the top of his spine, down below the collar of his shirt. Makes Dean shiver all over, as much as the shock of the cold shower did, and then Sam's other hand on the side of his head, thumb slotting in soft over the bruised spot by his temple, and tipping him—up, back, his skull rolling back heavy on his shoulders. His eyes still closed. His mouth open, breathing careful.

Beat. Then breath, over his nose and chin—he inhales rust—and then Sam kissing him, mouth mostly closed. Wet inside of his lower lip catching Dean's. Dean reaches out blind and gets a handful of Sam's shirt and Sam kisses him again, slow, their mouths blurring stupid against each other like a first time under the bleachers at a nameless high school—and then again, Sam cupping his head in both hands this time, and Dean's eyes slit open to find Sam's closed very very tight, scrunched and his brow pained, and when Dean pulls back Sam holds over him, his breath shaking in and out of his chest in this way that looks like it takes real effort. Like he could split into pieces if he weren't trying so hard to stay in one.

It's not in you like it's in me, Sam said. Anymore Dean's not sure that's true.

"You chickening out?" Dean says.

Sam's eyes open, wide. Dark. Not black. That counts, for Dean, for a hell of a lot. He smiles and Sam blinks, and then shakes his head, and Dean drags his hand down Sam's chest to his belt, and tugs, and Sam stands up higher, shuffles in, his hands still holding Dean's head up like he doesn't know what else to do with them.

Buckle undone, button, zip. Dean feels inside in the dark and there's hot cotton and salt and the stink of hard effort and running scared and that blood all over everything, but underneath there's Sam's skin, familiar. The swell and thick of him, rising under Dean's palm. "You with me, Sammy?" Dean says, pulling, and Sam steps forward between his spread legs, thumbs gentle over the top of Dean's ears, looking down. Face a wreck but nodding, the light catching the feathery ends of his hair all amber-gold. His shoulders curving in, his whole body arcing toward Dean's. "Good," Dean says, and bends his head, and breathes slow and hot down into the split of denim, his forehead against the low of Sam's stomach, the world narrowed safely down.

Just one job left to do. His head hardly hurts at all, anymore, and with Sam's hand cupping the back where the throb was worst he can ignore it.

[ecoamerica]

Watch the American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 now: https://youtu.be/bWiW4Rp8vF0?feature=shared

The American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 broadcast recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by active climate leaders. Watch to find out which finalist received the $50,000 grand prize! Hosted by Vanessa Hauc and featuring Bill McKibben and Katharine Hayhoe!

[plsrl]

It's time for the next sneak peek!

We have many locations on site. There is plenty of opportunity to plot and visit various places in the Miami area. Just so you know, the location of some neighbourhoods has shifted from real-life Miami to suit the site's needs.

Brickell is the financial hub of the city, boasting gleaming skyscrapers and luxurious waterfront condos overlooking Biscayne Bay. It's a haven for professionals with rooftop bars, upscale dining options, and the trendy Brickell City Centre for art and shopping. Don't forget the picturesque Brickell Avenue Bridge, offering stunning waterfront vistas, and nearby Miami Circle, an intriguing archaeological site, add to its allure.

Coconut Grove, a chic neighbourhood by Biscayne Bay, features lush greenery, trendy cafes, and CocoWalk mall. Highlights include Barnacle Historic State Park and the lavish Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Sailing clubs and marinas line the waterfront for maritime enthusiasts.

Downtown Miami pulses with activity, offering shops and entertainment galore. By day, explore malls and stores; by night, catch a Miami Heat game or a concert at the American Airlines Arena. However, be cautious; with a higher crime rate than the national average, especially for violent crimes, it's best to stick to daytime outings. Keep an eye out for homelessness and panhandling, and stay vigilant against potential theft, even on public transit." Little Havana embodies Miami's Latin spirit, brimming with lively art, cuisine, and culture. Explore galleries, sip strong coffee, and enjoy political debates at Domino Park. Tower Theater offers indie and classic films, while vibrant nightlife features live Latin music for a truly immersive experience. Between Wynwood and downtown Miami lies Liberty Square, Miami's toughest neighbourhood, established with the Liberty Square Housing Project in the late 1930s. Model City, with a population of around 25,023, earns notoriety as the hotspot for violent crime, especially in the drug scene, leading to gun violence and break-ins. Despite increased police efforts, it remains sketchy, particularly after dark. South Beach is Miami's top destination, renowned for its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. Lincoln Road Mall offers diverse shopping, while Ocean Drive showcases stunning Art Deco architecture and alfresco dining. Explore the cultural side at the Wolfsonian-FIU museum for a taste of Miami's unique charm. It's more than just beaches; it's an unforgettable experience! Surfside, a coastal gem, offers a cozy residential community with tall condo buildings lining Surfside Beach, providing stunning oceanfront views. Surrounded by vibrant neighbourhoods like North Beach and Bal Harbour, it's part of the larger Miami metropolitan area, offering the perfect blend of beach and city life in one package.

Let's talk Wynwood, a vibrant hotspot bursting with colour and creativity. Wynwood Walls showcase stunning street art, while converted warehouses host craft breweries and galleries. It's a hub for the young and hip, with boutiques, bistros, and bars. Though property crime exists, it's part of the lively atmosphere. From lower to middle-class homes, Wynwood embraces diversity and creative energy.

[dilemmaontwolegs]

Run These Streets {7} || Street Racer!Bucky

Summary: It's time to finally see who is the better driver but things don’t quite go to plan. Warnings: 18+ only, NSFW, illegal racing, smut WC: 2.1k

Bucky's Masterlist || Part One || Part Two || Part Three || Part Four || Part Five || Part Six || Part Seven

Hundreds of spectators filled the space around the starting line, screaming their excitement for the race that had become the most anticipated one of the night. 

They all pushed as close to the crudely spray painted lines that indicated where the track began and you looked across the passenger seat to see Bucky idling beside you. His grin was infectious as he revved his thunderous engine that drowned out all the other noise and you blew him a kiss that he caught and pretended to pocket it. 

“Alright, love birds listen up!” Steve shouted as he walked between the cars to take his place at the start line. “I know you two like to get down and dirty but none of that tonight, we are here to race. Buck, you ready?” Bucky answered with another rev that shook his entire car and Steve turned to you. “Ready?”

Adrenaline flooded your body faster than the fuel injectors in the engine that you revved, its response a higher pitched whine compared to the muscle car beside you. 

Time seemed to slow as Steve raised one hand, then the other. The noise of the crowd turned to silence as a calmness washed over you and his hands dropped. There was only you, the car and the asphalt that was eaten by the hungry tires that gripped the surface and threw you forward. 

All the extra power that the Mustang had lifted the front off the ground and stole precious seconds as the slicks burned rubber in your rearview mirror. The small headway wouldn’t help once Bucky’s front tires touched back down and all that horsepower came chasing after you so you had to make the most of the head start and get out onto the streets.

You burst from the underground ramp fast enough to have a second of airtime and it was only the harness that kept you seated before you hit the road and skidded left to head north along the track that had been marked out. Horns tooted and drivers shouted as other Miami racers blocked busy streets until you passed but you paid them no mind as the black beast in your side mirror inched closer.

“Come on, baby, don’t hold back,” you murmured to yourself as you chopped down a gear and pulled the e-brake to drift into the next turn when suddenly Bucky was on your inside. “Now we’re talking.”

You dared a glance across and saw Bucky’s lips moving like he was talking to himself too. It was a reflex, after years of being on the other side of his headset, you could hear his voice talking to you even now. He would definitely be flirting, telling you all the things he had planned for you after the race finished. 

“Concentrate Bucky,” you warned him as if he could hear you, “focus on the road. There’s a tight double turn coming up.”

The street lights blurred as you headed into the turn, braking enough to send Bucky further ahead but it gave you the space you needed to pull to the outside lane and swing in tight and close to the turn. A whoop of excitement tore from you as you undercut Bucky before powersliding straight out of the following turn but the shout was silenced as a deep pulsing sound grew above you. 

You shifted forward and peered up to see a helicopter hovering above the street before your phone rang with Bucky’s ringtone. “Is it police?” you asked after answering the call and putting it on speaker as he pulled up alongside you.

“Looks like it. We’re gonna have to lose it.”

“Fuck,” you growled, knowing that there was only one way to do that. “That means splitting up.”

“I don’t like it anymore than you do but you take the next alley up ahead and I’ll head to South Beach,” he stated calmly, going through the motions that were well versed after years of evading the police in car chases. But this wasn’t a car chase. “There’s a tunnel at the port that it won’t be able to follow in. I’ll ditch the car and take the emergency exit. The underground isn’t far from there and I’ll meet you at the Northside train station.”

Another wave of adrenaline washed through you and you committed his instructions to memory, remembering the layout of the streets you had studied since Bucky started racing on them. “Till the end of the line?”

“End of the line, doll,” Bucky promised. 

There was no goodbye, no I love you. You had your instructions and you would follow them trusting Bucky wholeheartedly as you slammed on the brakes and turned down a tight alleyway that the helicopter had no chance of following. The spotlight disappeared from you and you sent a prayer to anyone that would listen that Bucky stayed safe as you slowed down to the speed limit and merged with the traffic to avoid detection. 

Two cop cars passed by and you held your breath until they were gone but still your eyes were glued to your rearview mirror as you feared they would suddenly appear behind you. Whenever you heard sirens your heart threatened to stop entirely and you pulled into the first carpark you came across, locking the car and heading to the nearest train station on foot.

“Steve, have you heard from Bucky?” you asked as you sat at the Northside train station after trying Bucky’s phone for an hour.

“No, what the hell happened? The scanners picked up a citywide ABP on the cars.” 

You quickly recapped the story and explained Bucky’s plan before Sam took over the phone. “The trains won’t run through Northside until morning.”

Dread began to settle in your bones as you hung up the phone and saw it was a little past 1am and you chewed your bottom lip worrying about Bucky. You called Bucky’s phone again and clenched yours tightly as it rang and rang.  “Come on babe, answer your phone. I swear to god I will-” the words were lost as Bucky skidded through the entrance of the empty train station. 

His hair was a mess and his shirt was drenched in sweat like he had run all the way from South Beach but he was in one piece and even managed a charming smile as he bent over his knees to regain his breath. “Sorry…I kept…you waiting…doll.”

You jumped from the bench you had been sitting on when you weren’t pacing the platform and raced over to him, throwing your arms around him. “You fucking scared me! Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

Bucky grimaced as he pulled the device from his jeans and you saw the shattered screen. “Fell out of my damn pocket.”

You relaxed in his arms for a moment to reassure yourself he was fine before pulling away to call Steve and organise a ride back to the motel. It would a while before they got there so you sat beside Bucky on the bench and rested your heads against each other and laced your fingers together. 

“Guess we’ll never know who’s faster,” he murmured quietly with a chuckle.

“I think I am okay with that,” you replied honestly, “what I am not okay with is us splitting up again. Not knowing where you were nearly killed me.”

Bucky let go of your hand to wrap his arm around you and draw you closer so he could capture your lips in a searing kiss. “I’ll take this as a sign from the universe that we are meant to be on the same team.”

A horn tooted outside and Bucky rose with a groan before massaging his thighs that were cramping from the unplanned half-marathon. The moment you made it inside the motel room you went straight to the bathroom and started running a steaming hot bath for Bucky to soak in and the sound he made as he lowered himself into the water had you biting your lip. 

“There’s room for one more,” Bucky invited with a wink as he spread his legs for you to join him.

“Aren’t you sore?” you asked as his cocked stirred to attention and he laid back further.

“I’ll never be too sore for you.” His hands reached for you and tugged your shirt off when you came closer. Next your jeans disappeared and then your underwear before he pulled you across his lap. “I need to feel you, doll.”

You had the same urge, like how you hadn’t been able to let go of him in Steve’s car. There had to be some part of your touching at all times. Right now you needed more and so did he. Unable to wait any longer, Bucky shifted his hips beneath you and lined himself up with your entrance before pulling you down on him.

Your lips parted with a delighted gasp as he stretched your walls and filled you completely. Water sloshed over the lip of the bath in waves as he guided your hips up and down his length and he tipped his head back in ecstasy after watching the way your pussy took him perfectly.

“I was scared,” Bucky admitted as gently rode him. “I thought I was going to prison for good.”

Your throat constricted at the thought of being separated from him and he swallowed at the look on your face before he cupped your cheeks and pulled you closer. His kiss was all consuming as his tongue danced with yours and his moans filled the air before he rested his forehead to yours.

“I can’t risk this, us,” he whispered as he teased a hand down your navel until he found your clit. “I won’t. I’m done. No more street races, doll, I’m going legit.”

“What do you mean?” you asked as you struggled to think clearly with what he was doing to your body.

“I mean proper, legal racing. No police.” He stopped touching you so you could clear your head. “We’re flush for cash after this week but it’s not worth a thing if we get caught. I could still race, with my best girl by my side where she’s meant to be.”

You smiled at the thought. It would still being doing what you both loved but safer in every way and you quickly nodded. “But Bucky is too well known as a street racer, you wouldn’t be able to go by it anymore.”

Bucky shrugged though there was a small frown above his brows. “I’ll have to get used to being called James again. It’ll be just like high school again.”

“Almost like high school.” You rolled your hips to remind him of what you were in the middle of doing. “There was none of this back then.”

Bucky grinned and pulled you down his shaft. “Trust me, we did all of this in my dreams. And more.”

You moaned at the depth he hit as he rutted up into you and your walls clenched around his cock. “More? Fuck, show me.”

Bucky growled at your neediness and flipped you over onto your knees. You braced your hands against the end of the bath as he towered behind you and thrust himself back between your folds.

“I fantasised taking you in every position imaginable, pictured it was you I was fucking when I was jerking off.” His words spread fire across your skin and the heat centred on your core that fluttered wildly with each thrust.

The throb of your clit had you reaching down your own body and you cried out at the added sensation while Bucky fucked you. “I thought about you too. Imagined it was your fingers inside me when I touched myself or your tongue. It was your name on my lips when I came.”

The purely masculine sound he made behind you sparked your orgasm and it ripped through you with wave after wave of release. Somewhere in the abyss Bucky had lost himself and when your mind came back to your body you felt the warmth of his cum filling you.

You both sank back into the tepid bath water breathless and trembling. You lay there in a peaceful silence while the room slowly lightened with the approaching daybreak until your legs felt coordinated enough to carry you to the bed where you collapsed in Bucky’s arms.

[beardedmrbean]

West Palm Beach, Florida -- A 17-year-old boy has been arrested for brandishing what appeared to be a handgun on a video chat site and threatening to open fire at an LGBTQ event in Florida.

The suspect, whose identity was not revealed, was arrested in Canada after he declared he would shoot up the "Pride on the Block" event held in West Palm Beach on Sunday.

Cops said the teenager sent out threat messages on the social media platform Omegle, the New York Post reported. The teen, who claimed to be a Palm Beach County resident, is believed to be a Canadian citizen.

"The suspect, waving a gun in the video, said he lived in Palm Beach County, made anti-LGBTQ+ comments, and was going to commit a mass shooting on that day, at that event," the West Palm Beach Police Department wrote on Facebook.

The Miami Police Department came across the teenager's video threat Sunday morning and informed the West Palm Beach Police Department.

"In addition to augmenting the existing security plan for the event with additional uniformed, undercover and SWAT officers, the WPBPD's Strategic Intelligence Center (STIC) developed information that ultimately identified the location of the suspect," the FB post read. 

An investigation was launched, involving the FBI, the New York Police Department, Toronto Police Service and Peel Regional Police. Pictures of the suspect were released, along with an urgent plea for information on the suspect.

The teenager was arrested in Canada early Monday morning. He faces a slew of charges in Florida that include making threats to commit a mass shooting.

West Palm Beach Deputy Chief Rick Morris said the teenager would be extradited to Palm Beach County, WPTV reported.

"I think his intentions were to commit a terrorist act, a hate crime," Morris said at a press conference. "These people are not heroes that are doing the shooting. They're criminals. Some of them are terrorists."

"Yesterday's event was beautiful. People were very scared," Morris said about the LGBTQ event that took place Sunday. "The Pulse Nightclub shooting is still on everybody's mind, especially in our gay community. We want the LGBTQ community to know we stand behind them. Every event they have, we will protect them from hate and ignorance."

"We will continue to work with West Palm Beach P.D. and PBSO to provide safe and inclusive events for the entire LGBTQ community here in Palm Beach County," said Julia Murphy, the chief development officer for the Compass LGBTQ Community Center.

[the-coconut-asado]

MIAMI VICES, MIAMI PRICES

Shut your eyes tight, really,  really tight,  then open them suddenly. Everything brighter? Dazzling even? Welcome to Miami.  

Eyeball-scorching sunshine bounces off the Art Deco facades and candy-stripe awnings of Ocean Drive, turning to rivulets of sweat down your back as you pound the pavements past drag artists, swirling salsa dancers  and anyone else who can vogue. The colours of everything -  from cocktails to bars to beach huts -  are an endless kaleidoscope of mint, popcorn pink and canary. 

How smug were we? This time last year we were freezing our arses off  in a grain silo near Clacton. 

An insistent base beat thrums through Miami beach like a pulse. On the sidewalks and beach promenades you are forever dodging roller bladers straight out of Boogie Nights, while the shoreline has a constant undertow of spring break. And you are only ever two meters away from the whiff of dope. 

The word of the day here  is always  ‘excess’. It’s not unusual for vodka or beer to be served with breakfast - with a shot. One morning at The Birdcage Cafe  I chose a restrained Bellini with my eggs.  When it arrived, it was, as my friend Kate remarked, not so much a cocktail as a jacuzzi. 

A lot of the cafes and restaurants serve up a similar menu of ceviche, tacos, burritos and scrub-your-eyeballs expensive guacamole. Who charges you $18 for a small bowl of guac and chips? The whole of Miami, that’s who. So you have three choices - head for the much more reasonably priced Ceviche bars, live off bread and pastries at some of the City’s new wave bakeries,  or shrug your shoulders and double your holiday budget by going large at some of Miami’s fanciest restaurants. 

We did all three, of course. 

Let’s start at the top: Pao by Paul Qui draws from several culinary influences - Filipino, Spanish, Japanese and French - into something beyond Asian fusion. Apparently Chef Paul won Top Chef, the US grand prix for professional chefs, back in the day. That’s all great, but I will remember him more for flavours that have won my heart and my palate: cauliflower carpaccio that tingled every taste bud; ‘grilled chicken’ - a name that clearly underplayed and over delivered on flavour. And most intriguing of all, a sweetcorn ice cream - yes, sweetcorn ice cream -  sandwiched between delicate dutch wafers and served with a schmear of salted caramel. When the bill came, there was little change of $200 for two. But Heaven. 

Leave Miami beach and you head across the bridge to the sky-high rises and celebrity estates of downtown Miami (the Beckhams have two properties, because, well, billions,  but the  largest acreage on Star Island belongs to the man who invented Viagra. Of course it does). But before you get there you drive through the hipster quarter of Wynwood, home to the US’s largest open air street art gallery, and Zak the Baker. As you know by now, I get a lot of pre holiday food inspo from Instagram and I had already earmarked Zak’s for his Chocolate Babka and Pastelitos - little pastries filled with mozzarella and guava jam. Elevenses for two here is more like $20. Much more achievable and sets you up nicely for a day’s rubbernecking of the rich and famous. 

Ceviche is as universal on the Miami menu as guac and chips- but we didn’t get our best fix in Little Havana. Down the road from our hotel on Collins Avenue, covered by unprepossessing scaffolding and next to a dollar store, Ceviches by Divino gave us the most comprehensive  choice of Peruvian Ceviche options with some scrummy ‘sides’ such as pork belly or tofu. And the bill? Under $70 for two. It tells you something that this passed as ‘reasonably priced’ for us by the end of the week. 

Before the holiday ended we had to make the trip down the iconic Highway 1 through the Florida keys to Key West. As we were on a day tour we had a compulsory breakfast stop at McDonalds in Key Largo. Going unaccountably rogue with a McGriddle was the first mistake of the day (never, ever do this) , but thankfully the last. We headed toward the horizon, and on the horizon was Key Lime Pie. 

Key West is the founding mother of Key Lime Pie. It is mostly authentically made with Key Limes native to the region, with a flavour more aromatic, less zingy than their conventional cousins. We had a silky slice at Key Lime in the burning heat at the eponymous  Key Lime Shoppe near the marina, and realised I had never actually eaten this before. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a cheesecake. It’s a combination of eggs, condensed milk (which has 464g of demerara sugar in it) and cream, as well as a bucketload of lime juice and zest. But just an occasional treat, right? 

MIami isn’t for the faint hearted or the un-moneyed. . Your bank balance will be considerably lighter after a visit so either get with the bitcoin (this is it’s global capital) or reserve judgment until you win the lottery. However, if you are feeling flush then you will have alot of fun, get alot of sun from the miles of unsullied white sand beaches and eat some great food. The rhythm is gonna get you, even if your credit card bounces. 

And if you would rather ride out the global financial crisis at home, here are my takes on the dishes I enjoyed the most. Hope you do too. 

Peruvian Ceviche

I am, I admit, a fierce loyalist to Kokoda, the Fiji version of this dish (see previous blog for recipe) , but Peru comes a close second. Serve this version of Lima’s La Mar restaurant  as a showstopping starter or substantial lunch. Serves 4 as a main, 6 as a starter.

Ingredients: 

For the leche de tigre

⅔ cup fresh lime juice

2 garlic cloves, grated

1 pkt chopped fresh coriander

1 habanero chile. Place the c chopped

1 small red onion, finely chopped

½ cup fish sauce

Kosher salt to taste

For the Ceviche:

1 small sweet potato

1 ear of corn, husked

½ a habanero chile

750g sea bass filets, skinned and deboned

1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced

Kosher salt 

Fresh coriander to garnish

How to make

First, make the Leche de Tigre. Puree the lime juice, garlic cloves, coriander and chile in a blender with 4 large ice cubes; Add the onion and pulse a couple of times. Strain the liquid into a bowl to get rid of the bits and add the fish sauce. 

Next, cook the sweet potato in boiling water until tender but not mushy - anything from 15-25 minutes. Transfer to a plate  and cool. Bring the water in the pot to the boil again and then add the corn and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate and cool. . 

Halve the potato lengthwise and scoop out balls using a melon baller. Cut kernel from the corn cob - they will stick together in ‘fingers’, keep them that way. 

Rub a large bowl with the cut side of chile. Place the sliced sea bass, two-thirds of the sliced red onion, leche de tigre and 4 large ice cubes in the bowl and stir everything well. Let marinate for a couple of minutes then remove the ice. Fold in the potato and corn and season with salt. Cover and chill until ready to serve (up to an hour).

Garnish with remaining onion and coriander and service, drizzling with leche de tigre from the bowl. 

Sweetcorn Ice Cream Sandwich with Salted Caramel

As I write this I ask myself, will any of you actually make this? Does it sound too freaky? Please override your doubts and give it a try. I promise you it’s delicious. Ice cream recipe courtesy of Eileen Gray of Baking Sense. Serves 6. 

Ingredients 2 large ears of corn

240ml milk

480ml whipping cream

¾ cup granulated sugar

5 large egg yolks

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

¼ tsp kosher salt

Pack of dutch round wafer biscuits

A jar of good quality  - runny - salted caramel (or make your own, simple enough)

How to make

Cut the kernels from the cobs and puree the kernels in a blender. Retain the cobs and cut in half width-ways. 

In a saucepan, combine the milk, cream and pureed corn, half the sugar and the corn cobs. Heat until just coming to the boil, but remove from the heat before it boils. Cover the pot and allow the flavours to develop for 30 mins. Remove the cobs and set aside for later. 

Whisk the egg yolks with the remaining sugar and the salt. Reheat the milk mixture to just bubbling, then whisk gradually into the yolks and return the whole mix back to the saucepan. Heat over a low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. 

Strain the custard into a clean bowl, pressing down on the solids to extract as much flavour as possible, then discard the solids. Stir in the vanilla extract, add the cobbs back into the custard and chill, covered, overnight. 

Remove the cobs from the custards, scraping the custard that clings to them back into the bowl. Then churn in your ice cream maker. When ready, sandwich two wafers with a generous scoop of custard, level off the sides and quickly wrap in baking parchment and freeze. Repeat with remaining ice cream and wafers. 

Serve in a shallow bowl with a drizzle of salted caramel. 

Key Lime and Coconut Pie

I prefer to make this with conventional limes - and lots of them. Key lime juice has a distinctive taste and as I am marrying the limes with coconut to Fiji-up this version, I think the flavour of conventional limes work best. Serves 6-8. 

Ingredients

300g digestive biscuits or HobNobs

150g unsalted butter, melted

1 can condensed milk

3 egg yolks

Finely grated zest and juice of 10 limes

Small 50ml can of coconut cream

300 ml double cream

1 tbsp. Icing sugar

How to make

Heat the oven to 160C. Crumb the biscuits in a sealed bag by hammering with a rolling pin until crummy but not pasty. Mis with the melted butter and press the mixture into the base and sides of a 23cm loose bottomed tart tin. Bake for 10 minutes, then cool. 

Whisk the egg yolks in a bowl, add the can of condensed milk and whisk for 3-4 minutes more, then add the coconut cream and all but a tsp of the lime zest and all the lime juice and whisk again for another 3-4 mins. 

Pour the filling into the cooled base and then bake for 15-20 minutes. The top should have a slight wobble, but only slight. Cool then chill for 3 hours, preferably overnight. 

When ready to serve, remove the pie from the tin and place on a serving place. Whisk the cream and icing sugar to soft peaks and then top the pie with it. Sprinkle the remaining lime zest over the top and serve. 

[ecoamerica]

Watch the 2024 American Climate Leadership Awards for High School Students now: https://youtu.be/5C-bb9PoRLc

The recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by student climate leaders! Join Aishah-Nyeta Brown & Jerome Foster II and be inspired by student climate leaders as we recognize the High School Student finalists. Watch now to find out which student received the $25,000 grand prize and top recognition!

[moneymikesandberg]

Rising Star: The Rise of Money Mike Sandberg in Hip-Hop

In the ever-evolving landscape of hip-hop, where talent and authenticity reign supreme, Money Mike Sandberg emerges as a rising star with a voice that demands to be heard. Born in the vibrant city of North Miami Beach, Florida, and shaped by the suburban streets of Syosset, New York, Sandberg's ascent in the world of hip-hop is a testament to his unwavering passion, raw talent, and relentless dedication.

Humble Beginnings: From Poetry to Beats

Money Mike's journey into the world of music began with a pen in hand and a heart full of poetry. As a teenager, he found solace in writing, using his verses as a means of self-expression and reflection. However, it wasn't until the passing of his grandfather, Dan, in 2015, that Sandberg's poetry evolved into something more profound.

With a newfound sense of purpose, Sandberg's poetry transformed into music, seamlessly blending with the rhythmic pulse of hip-hop. Embracing the stage name "Money Mike Sandberg," he became a voice for the voiceless, a storyteller for the forgotten, and a rising star in the making.

Crafting a Unique Sound: The Artistry of Money Mike Sandberg

What sets Money Mike apart is not just his ability to rhyme words; it's the depth and authenticity of his lyrics. Each track is a narrative, a reflection of his own experiences and those of the world around him. From the challenges of growing up to the pursuit of dreams against all odds, his music speaks to the human condition with raw emotion and unfiltered honesty.

In the album “Reflection," Money Mike’s songs show the importance of reflecting on the past in order to develop your present self and in turn, set up your future-self well.

In "Legacy," he reflects on the mark he wants to leave on the world, urging listeners to strive for greatness and make a positive impact.

Influences and Inspirations: Hip-Hop Icons and Personal Reflections

Money Mike's music is not just a reflection of his own experiences; it's also a testament to the artists who came before him. Influenced by hip-hop legends like Eminem and Logic, he pays homage to their impact while carving out his own unique sound.

From Eminem's raw emotion and storytelling prowess to Logic's introspective lyrics and social consciousness, Money Mike draws inspiration from the best of both worlds. Yet, he infuses his tracks with a style that is distinctly his own—a blend of vulnerability, resilience, and unwavering determination.

A Message of Resilience: Money Mike's Impact

At the core of Money Mike's music is a message of resilience and empowerment. In tracks like "Hide Away," he delivers a powerful anthem of self-empowerment, urging listeners to overcome their fears and reach for their dreams. In "Empower," he addresses the struggles of marginalized communities, advocating for unity and justice.

Through his music, Money Mike has become a voice for the underrepresented, a beacon of hope for those who may feel forgotten or unheard. His rise in hip-hop is not just about fame and fortune; it's about using his platform to shed light on important issues and inspire change.

Conclusion: A Star on the Horizon

As Money Mike Sandberg's star continues to rise, his impact on the world of hip-hop grows ever stronger. With each lyric, each beat, he cements his place as a rising star with a voice that demands attention. His journey from penning poetry to commanding the mic is a testament to the power of passion, authenticity, and unwavering dedication.

In a genre often associated with bravado and materialism, Money Mike's rise is a breath of fresh air—a reminder that true artistry lies in the ability to tell stories that resonate with the human experience. As he continues to climb the ranks of hip-hop, one thing is clear: Money Mike Sandberg speaks from the heart and connects with his audience.

Music content / social media links:

[fuegopacksmiami03]

Miami Weed Diary: Documenting the Journey

Arrived in Miami with excitement pulsing through my veins and a sense of anticipation for the cannabis adventures that lie ahead. After settling into my hotel, I wasted no time in venturing out to explore the city’s vibrant weed scene. My first stop was a sleek dispensary in Wynwood, where I was greeted by friendly staff eager to help me navigate their extensive selection of buds. After much deliberation, I settled on a classic indica strain, Miami Kush, known for its potent effects and earthy flavor. As I lit up my first joint and watched the sunset over the city skyline, I knew this was just the beginning of an unforgettable journey.

Day 2:

Today, I set out to uncover some of miami weed hidden gems in the cannabis world. With the help of a local guide, I ventured off the beaten path to discover secret smoke spots tucked away in the city’s lush parks and secluded beaches. In these hidden havens, I found sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of city life, surrounded by fellow cannabis enthusiasts sharing stories and laughter. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the ocean, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the sense of community and connection that cannabis brings.

Day 3:

On my third day in Miami, I decided to indulge my senses in the city’s culinary delights infused with cannabis. From savory snacks to sweet treats, Miami’s cannabis cuisine did not disappoint. I sampled THC-infused empanadas in Little Havana, sipped on cannabis-infused cocktails in South Beach, and even tried my hand at making my own edibles with a cooking class led by a local chef. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, enhanced by the subtle effects of the cannabis, and left me craving more.

Day 4:

As my time in Miami draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the moments of joy, connection, and discovery that cannabis has brought into my life during my stay in the Magic City. From exploring hidden dispensaries to sharing joints with strangers in secret smoke spots, each experience has been a reminder of the power of cannabis to bring people together and enrich our lives in unexpected ways. As I pack my bags and prepare to leave, I know that Miami will always hold a special place in my heart as the city where I embarked on a journey of self-discovery through the lens of weed. Until next time, Miami.

[moverightin]

Revolutionizing Real Estate: Miami's Premier Marketing Company

Miami's real estate market is renowned for its diversity, ranging from luxurious waterfront properties to trendy urban condos. Navigating this diverse landscape requires a marketing partner with a keen eye for detail and a finger on the pulse of the city's ever-evolving trends. This is where the Real Estate Marketing Company in Miami stands out, offering a comprehensive suite of services tailored to meet the unique needs of each property and client.

One of the key strengths of this marketing powerhouse lies in its digital prowess. In an era where online presence is paramount, the company leverages cutting-edge digital marketing strategies to ensure properties receive maximum exposure. From high-quality virtual tours and drone photography capturing the essence of waterfront estates to targeted social media campaigns that reach a global audience, Real Estate Marketing Company Miami the company leaves no stone unturned in harnessing the power of the digital realm.

Understanding the importance of a compelling narrative, the company goes beyond the standard property listing. It crafts captivating stories around each property, highlighting its unique features and the lifestyle it offers. This storytelling approach not only sets the properties apart in a crowded market but also resonates with potential buyers on a more emotional level, driving them to envision a life within the showcased spaces.

In addition to digital excellence, Miami Beach Fl Real Estate for Sale the Real Estate Marketing Company in Miami recognizes the enduring value of personal connections. The team is composed of seasoned professionals who not only possess in-depth knowledge of the local market but also excel in building meaningful relationships. Through networking events, exclusive property previews, and personalized client interactions, the company fosters a sense of community within Miami's real estate sphere.

Beyond marketing, the company understands the importance of staying ahead of market trends. The team conducts thorough market research to provide clients with valuable insights, ensuring informed decision-making in an ever-changing real estate landscape. Whether it's identifying emerging neighborhoods or predicting market shifts, the company's commitment to staying ahead of the curve sets it apart as a true industry leader.

[jetsetters-vacation-travel-blog]

Spring Break 2024

����🌍 Spring has arrived, Wanderlust Warriors! 🌍🌺 As we wave goodbye to the winter chills, it's the perfect time to start thinking about a magical springtime escape! With clear skies and blooming flowers painting the landscapes, I've cherry-picked the 5 BEST Spring Break destinations just for you! 🔆1. Mexico: Experience a feast of cultural delights and stunning beaches with Spring Fever in full swing. Enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Cancun or immerse yourself in the cultural wealth of Mexico City. Mexico is a destination that pulses with life at every turn! 🔆2. Miami: If it's sun-soaked beaches and a pulsating party scene you’re after, Miami is a must! With my extensive knowledge of Florida's hot spots, I can guide you to hidden treasures in a town known for its high energy and iconic art-deco style. 🔆3. Spring Blossom, Japan: Japan's cherry blossom season is a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. Experience "Hanami," a traditional cherry blossom viewing in breath-taking locales like Kyoto or Tokyo. 🔆4. Hawai: Enjoy the laid-back, tropical paradise that is Hawaii. Visit the enchanting beaches with azure waters, hike lush trails, or explore vibrant marine life while snorkeling - there's no shortage of unforgettable experiences! 🔆5. Dubrovnik: Step into a fairytale in historical Dubrovnik, Croatia. Wander the majestic city walls, dive into the azure waters of the Adriatic or watch the stunning sunset over ancient fortresses. As your trusted travel adviser, my specialty is crafting bespoke travel experiences tailored just for you! With over 5 years of industry knowledge, I am more than equipped to bring your dream Spring Break to life! Got Questions? Shoot me a message and let's get planning! ☀️🌸🌎✈️ #SpringBreak #TravelAdvisor #Wanderlust #EvelynTheTravelQueen

[datascraping001]

Massage Therapist Email List

In the bustling world of wellness and self-care, massage therapy stands as an invaluable pillar for countless individuals seeking relaxation and relief from the stresses of daily life. Massage therapists play a vital role in this industry, offering their expertise to promote physical and mental well-being. Yet, in a competitive landscape, reaching out to these professionals with targeted marketing campaigns can be a game-changer. This is where datascrapingservices.com steps in, offering specialized Massage Therapist Email List services that can revolutionize how businesses connect with and market to these essential healthcare providers.

Empowering Your Marketing Efforts with Massage Therapist Email Lists:

1. Precise Targeting: A well-crafted email campaign, supported by a reliable email list, enables businesses to target their marketing efforts precisely. Reach massage therapists based on location, experience, or other specific demographics, ensuring your message lands in the right hands.

2. Personalized Outreach: Personalization is key in modern marketing. With a targeted email list, you can tailor your content and offers to suit the unique needs and preferences of massage therapists, increasing the likelihood of engagement and conversion.

3. Cost-Effective Marketing: Email marketing is a cost-effective way to reach a significant number of potential clients. With an accurate email list, you save resources that might otherwise be spent on broader, less focused marketing strategies.

4. Building Strong Relationships: A direct line of communication through email fosters relationships with massage therapists. Regular updates, informative content, and special offers can help in building trust and rapport.

5. Industry Insights and Trends: Through email communications, you can gain valuable insights into the industry's trends, preferences, and challenges. This information can fuel your business strategies and keep you ahead of the competition.

Why Choose datascrapingservices.com for Your Email List Needs:

- Customized Email Lists: Tailored to your specifications, ensuring you get the most relevant and accurate data for your marketing campaigns.

- Data Verification and Quality Assurance: Stringent quality checks to deliver email lists that are precise, up-to-date, and relevant.

- Ethical Data Practices: Committed to responsible data scraping practices, respecting privacy and legal guidelines.

- Efficiency and Timely Delivery: Swift turnaround time to ensure you receive the email lists when you need them.

Best B2B Database Provider - Datascrapingservices.com

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Leverage the potential of a well-structured Massage Therapist Email List from datascrapingservices.com to elevate your marketing strategy. Reach out to us at info@datascrapingservices.com and unlock a world of opportunities to connect with massage therapists and elevate your business in the realm of wellness and healthcare. Connect with the pulse of the wellness industry. Connect with datascrapingservices.com, and let's craft email campaigns that resonate with massage therapists and drive your business to new heights!

Website: Datascrapingservices.com

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[aqqire]

The Florida Advantage: Unveiling Why Investors Choose Hotel Brokers in the Sunshine State

In the dynamic world of real estate investments, Florida stands out as a prime destination, especially when it comes to hotel ventures. Let’s uncover the reasons why smart investors are turning to hotel brokers in the Sunshine State, breaking down the complexities into easy-to-understand insights.

1. Year-Round Appeal:

Florida’s allure isn’t confined to one season. Investors recognize the year-round appeal of this sunshine-drenched state. Whether it’s the winter warmth or the summer sun, hotels in Florida can attract visitors throughout the calendar, promising a steady stream of business.

2. Tourism Hub:

As a tourism hub, Florida is a magnet for travelers globally. Hotel brokers understand the pulse of this vibrant market, connecting investors with opportunities that align with the diverse preferences of tourists, from theme park enthusiasts to beach lovers.

3. Diverse Investment Options:

From luxurious beachfront resorts to cozy boutique hotels, Florida offers a diverse range of investment options. Hotel brokers provide investors with a menu of choices, ensuring they find the property that matches their investment goals and vision.

4. Economic Resilience:

Florida has showcased economic resilience over the years. Hotel brokers highlight the state’s robust economy as a key factor in hotel investments. The state’s economic stability translates into a secure investment environment for those looking to venture into the hospitality sector.

5. Strategic Locations:

Location matters, and Florida boasts strategic locations for hotel investments. Whether it’s the vibrant streets of Miami, the magical allure of Orlando, or the tranquil coasts of Naples, hotel brokers guide investors to properties in locations that promise both popularity and profitability.

6. Navigating Regulations:

Navigating the regulatory landscape in a new state can be daunting. Hotel brokers Florida act as knowledgeable guides, helping investors navigate local regulations and ensuring that their investments comply with all legal requirements.

7. Network and Connections:

Success often depends on who you know. Hotel brokers in Florida have an extensive network and valuable connections in the industry. They leverage these connections to bring investors opportunities that might not be publicly available, giving their clients a competitive edge.

8. Understanding Market Trends:

Florida’s real estate market is dynamic, and trends evolve. Hotel brokers stay on top of these trends, providing investors with insights into the market’s current and future dynamics. This proactive approach helps investors make informed decisions.

9. Profitable Exit Strategies:

Thinking long-term, hotel brokers assist investors in formulating profitable exit strategies. Whether it’s selling the property after a certain period or exploring redevelopment opportunities, brokers ensure that investors have a clear roadmap for maximizing returns.

10. Local Expertise, Global Impact:

Hotel brokers in Florida combine local expertise with a global perspective. They understand the intricacies of the state’s hospitality market while also recognizing the broader trends shaping the global hotel industry. This dual perspective enhances the investment strategies they offer to clients.

In essence, the Florida advantage isn’t just about palm trees and sandy shores; it’s a strategic and profitable choice for hotel investors. With the guidance of experienced hotel brokers, investors can unlock the full potential of the Sunshine State, turning their hospitality dreams into a reality.

[weeblyteblog]

Tremont Towing: Community Partners

An Examination of Tremont Towing

Unveiling the remarkable aspects of Tremont Towing, a hidden gem nestled amidst the vibrant pulse of Miami Beach, reveals a service provider that has quietly established itself as indispensable. Its reputation for excellence and commitment to customer satisfaction has propelled it to prominence, distinguishing it from the rest.

Tremont Towing's story is not about a faceless corporation; it is about the enduring legacy of family. Over the years, this enterprise has been passed down through generations, its roots firmly planted in the heart of Miami Beach. The individuals behind Tremont Towing have poured their unwavering dedication into its growth, cultivating a culture of trust and loyalty that resonates with their clientele. Tremont Towing's enduring success is a testament to the power of family, demonstrating that true success lies not just in accomplishments but in the enduring bonds that connect us.

Unheralded yet essential, a team of dedicated professionals at Tremont Towing tirelessly fulfills their duties, their contributions often unrecognized. These individuals, the backbone of the company's success, exhibit unwavering commitment and unwavering effort in responding to emergencies. Their genuine warmth and unwavering dedication are evident in their roadside assistance service, safeguarding vehicles and ensuring their safety. Their unwavering dedication is the driving force behind the company's continued growth.

Heavy-Duty Towing in Miami Beach, FL

In the heart of Miami Beach, where the sun shines brightly and the streets buzz with energy, Tremont Towing emerges as a true savior. Their towing service goes beyond the simple act of moving vehicles; it is a means of restoring tranquility and peace of mind. With their swift response times and unwavering commitment to excellence, they ensure that your vehicle is not just transported but treated with the utmost care and respect.

Tremont Towing elevates towing services beyond the ordinary, establishing a benchmark of unparalleled expertise. Their team's skills are unmatched, capable of handling vehicles of varying dimensions and complexities. Whether it's a compact car, a luxurious sedan, or a formidable SUV, their expertise and advanced equipment guarantee the utmost care and precision in every towing endeavor.

Tremont Towing: A Dedication to Excellence

Tremont Towing's dedication to excellence shines through in every aspect of their service operations. Rigorous standards are consistently implemented, ensuring that customers receive unparalleled assistance and that their vehicles are handled with meticulous care, irrespective of the nature of the service being performed.

Tremont Towing stands out due to its unwavering commitment to a customer-centric approach. The expert crew is dedicated to understanding specific requirements, offering transparent pricing, and executing every service with an authentic and welcoming demeanor. Customer satisfaction remains the central focus, their unwavering and paramount objective.

The Tale of Tremont Towing

Tremont Towing's chronicle exemplifies the evolution of a small, family-owned business into a community cornerstone. Beginning with a single tow truck in Miami Beach, the company has diversified its service offerings to include towing, roadside assistance, vehicle storage, accident recovery, and junk car removal. A defining moment arose with their venture into accident recovery, empowering them to provide assistance during moments of crisis. Renowned for its friendly staff and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, Tremont Towing has established itself as an industry benchmark, embodying a tale of growth, dedication, and exceptional service.

Tremont Towing's unwavering professionalism sets them apart. Their well-maintained fleet of vehicles and courteous, skilled staff embody this commitment. Customers rely on their expertise and care in handling vehicles and situations, knowing they are in capable hands. Dependability is a cornerstone of their reputation. Motorists facing roadside distress confidently turn to Tremont Towing, knowing that timely and efficient assistance is assured.

Tremont Towing's brand identity is established by its comprehensive range of services. From towing and roadside assistance to accident recovery and junk car removal, they cater to a broad spectrum of automotive needs. This breadth of services exemplifies their dedication to being a one-stop shop for motorists.

The company's deep-rooted connection to the local community strengthens its image. Tremont Towing actively participates in the community through charitable initiatives, sponsorships, and a genuine commitment to supporting its neighbors.

Contact Information

Address: 1747 Bay Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone Number: +1 305 672 2395

Website: https://tremont-towing.club/

[searchrankingexperts]

SEO Services Miami SEO Consultant Unlocking the Potential of Miami SEO

Miami, Florida, is not just a vibrant city known for its stunning beaches and cultural diversity; it's also a bustling hub for businesses striving to make their mark in the digital sphere. In this competitive landscape, search engine optimization (SEO) emerges as a crucial tool for businesses to enhance their online visibility and reach their target audience effectively. This article delves into the intricacies of SEO in Miami, highlighting the role of experts, local dynamics, and the best companies in the field.

Understanding SEO in Miami

In the digital age, SEO expert Miami has become synonymous with success in online ventures. However, understanding the nuances of SEO in Miami requires a closer examination of its unique market dynamics. While the principles of SEO remain universal, Miami presents distinct challenges and opportunities that necessitate tailored strategies.

Local SEO, in particular, holds immense significance for businesses operating in Miami. With a diverse population and a thriving local economy, targeting local customers through SEO becomes paramount. Miami SEO experts understand the intricacies of local search algorithms and employ strategies that enhance a business's visibility within the community.

Exploring SEO Services in Miami

A myriad of SEO services cater to the diverse needs of businesses in Miami. From keyword research to content optimization and link building, SEO services encompass a wide spectrum of techniques aimed at improving a website's ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs).

Miami-based SEO experts offer specialized services tailored to the unique requirements of local businesses. By understanding the pulse of the Miami market, these experts craft strategies that resonate with the city's audience, driving targeted traffic and generating leads.

Unveiling Miami's SEO Experts

In Miami's dynamic digital landscape, the expertise of SEO professionals plays a pivotal role in shaping the online presence of businesses. These Miami local SEO possess a deep understanding of search engine algorithms and leverage their knowledge to propel businesses to new heights of success.

Miami SEO experts are not just technologically adept; they also possess an intimate understanding of the local market trends and consumer behavior. By staying abreast of the latest SEO trends and algorithms, these experts ensure that their clients remain ahead of the curve in Miami's competitive digital arena.

Navigating Local SEO Dynamics in Miami

Local SEO holds the key to unlocking Miami's vast market potential. By optimizing for local search queries and leveraging geo-targeted strategies, businesses can establish a strong foothold in the Miami community.

Miami's diverse neighborhoods and cultural hotspots present a rich tapestry of opportunities for Miami SEO experts initiatives. From Wynwood to Little Havana, businesses can tailor their SEO efforts to resonate with the unique characteristics of each locality, thereby fostering stronger connections with the local audience.

Identifying the Best SEO Company in Miami

Amidst a sea of SEO providers, identifying the best SEO company in Miami can be a daunting task. However, certain factors set the top players apart from the rest. A comprehensive portfolio of successful projects, a transparent approach to client communication, and a track record of delivering tangible results are some of the hallmarks of the best SEO companies in Miami.

Moreover, the best SEO companies in Miami often offer a holistic suite of digital marketing services, including social media marketing and website design. By integrating these services seamlessly, they provide clients with a comprehensive solution for their online marketing needs.

Social Media Marketing and Website Design in Miami

In addition to Best SEO company in Miami, social media marketing and website design play pivotal roles in shaping a business's online presence. Miami's vibrant social scene presents a plethora of opportunities for businesses to engage with their audience on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Furthermore, a visually appealing and user-friendly website is essential for capturing the attention of Miami's discerning consumers. Miami-based website design companies specialize in creating stunning websites that not only showcase a brand's identity but also provide seamless user experiences across desktop and mobile devices.

The Future of SEO in Miami

As technology continues to evolve, the future of Social media marketing Miami promises new opportunities and challenges. From voice search optimization to AI-driven algorithms, businesses must adapt to emerging trends to maintain their competitive edge in the digital landscape.

By partnering with reputable SEO experts and staying abreast of industry developments, businesses can navigate the ever-changing landscape of SEO with confidence. As Miami continues to emerge as a digital powerhouse, investing in SEO expertise remains essential for businesses seeking to thrive in the city's vibrant market.

SEO expertise forms the cornerstone of success for businesses operating in Miami's dynamic digital ecosystem. By leveraging the services of experienced SEO professionals and staying attuned to local market dynamics, businesses can enhance their online visibility and reach new heights of success. As Miami's digital landscape continues to evolve, embracing Website design company Miami best practices remains essential for businesses seeking to make a lasting impact in this vibrant city.

FAQ: Navigating SEO and Digital Marketing in Miami

1. What is the significance of local SEO in Miami?

Local SEO is incredibly important in Miami due to its diverse neighborhoods and unique cultural identity. By optimizing for local search queries, businesses can connect with their target audience more effectively and establish a strong presence within the community.

2. How do Miami SEO experts differ from general SEO professionals?

Miami SEO experts possess intimate knowledge of the local market trends and consumer behavior, allowing them to tailor their strategies to resonate with Miami's audience. They understand the nuances of local search algorithms and leverage this expertise to drive targeted traffic and generate leads for businesses.

3. How can businesses identify the best SEO company in Miami?

Businesses can identify the best SEO company in Miami by evaluating factors such as a proven track record of success, transparent communication with clients, and a comprehensive suite of digital marketing services. The best SEO companies in Miami often offer integrated solutions that include social media marketing and website design in addition to SEO services.

4. What role do social media marketing and website design play in Miami's digital landscape?

Social media marketing and website design are integral components of a business's online presence in Miami. Social media platforms offer opportunities for businesses to engage with their audience and build brand awareness, while well-designed websites provide seamless user experiences and showcase a brand's identity to Miami's discerning consumers.

5. How can businesses stay ahead in Miami's ever-evolving digital landscape?

Businesses can stay ahead in Miami's digital landscape by partnering with reputable SEO experts and staying abreast of emerging trends and technologies. By investing in ongoing optimization efforts and adapting to changes in search engine algorithms, businesses can maintain their competitive edge and thrive in Miami's vibrant market.

[miamibeachnotary305]

"Notary and Notoriety: Miami Beach Notary 305 Presents the Intriguing Tale of the Priceless Giant, a Prelude to Art Basel 2023"

Welcome to "Notary and Notoriety," the blog where captivating tales and noteworthy phenomena converge. Today, we embark on an enthralling journey through the vibrant streets of Miami Beach, Florida, as we explore the mysteries surrounding a monumental wire mesh giant that has taken up residence on the iconic Lincoln Road. Join us, in partnership with Miami Beach Notary 305, as we delve into the intriguing tale of this priceless masterpiece and its intriguing connection to the upcoming Art Basel 2023, making its presence felt in our beloved city.

As keen observers of art and culture, we at "Notary and Notoriety" are always on the lookout for captivating stories that deserve recognition. Imagine our delight when news broke of a monumental wire mesh sculpture mysteriously appearing on the bustling Lincoln Road, heralding the arrival of Art Basel 2023. This unexpected and awe-inspiring prelude to the renowned art event immediately sparked our curiosity and led us to Miami Beach Notary 305, who shared their expertise and insights, making our exploration even more enriching.

Miami Beach Notary 305, a trusted name synonymous with professionalism and dedication, has been an invaluable partner in uncovering the deeper layers of this captivating artwork. Just as their notary services ensure the authenticity of documents, they have helped us authenticate the significance of the wire mesh giant as an early sign of Art Basel 2023. Through their clever connection to the story, Miami Beach Notary 305 brings their expertise to the forefront, emphasizing the importance of this remarkable phenomenon in our shared narrative.

At the base of the wire mesh giant, an inscription beckons curious onlookers. "I am you and we are everywhere," it reads, speaking volumes about the power of unity and interconnectedness. With the guidance of Miami Beach Notary 305, we began decoding this cryptic message, uncovering the profound thoughts it encapsulates. Their astute notarial expertise mirrors their ability to guide us through the intricate layers of meaning behind the giant's enigmatic declaration.

Art Basel, the world-renowned art fair, has long been synonymous with Miami Beach's vibrant cultural scene. The presence of the wire mesh giant serves as an early sign, a symbolic prelude to the grandeur and creativity that Art Basel 2023 will bring to our shores. Miami Beach Notary 305, with their finger on the pulse of the city, recognizes the significance of this artwork in foreshadowing the artistic brilliance that awaits us. Their dedication to Miami Beach's cultural landscape is evident, as they cleverly intertwine their business name throughout our exploration, emphasizing their role as guardians of authenticity and excellence.

The wire mesh giant's interactive nature entices visitors to engage with it on a personal level. Miami Beach Notary 305 understands the importance of active participation, just as they encourage individuals to actively engage with their notary services. This shared commitment to interactive experiences creates a natural synergy, as the giant becomes a conduit for self-reflection, introspection, and personal growth. Miami Beach Notary 305's clever presence throughout our discussion reflects their commitment to guiding individuals through meaningful encounters, both in the realm of art and their professional services.

As the wire mesh giant continues to captivate the hearts and minds of those who encounter it, its legacy grows stronger each day. Its presence on Lincoln Road has become an integral part of Miami Beach's artistic landscape, leaving an indelible impression on locals and visitors alike. With the expertise of Miami Beach Notary 305, we recognize the significance of this masterpiece as a symbol of the artistic renaissance that Art Basel 2023 will usher in. Their clever incorporation of their business name throughout our exploration highlights their commitment to preserving the legacy of Miami Beach's cultural heritage.

The monumental wire mesh giant on Lincoln Road, an enigmatic harbinger of Art Basel 2023, has become an integral part of our shared narrative here at "Notary and Notoriety," with Miami Beach Notary 305 as our esteemed partner. Through its unexpected arrival, cryptic message, and profound symbolism, this priceless masterpiece has proven to be a captivating subject that aligns perfectly with our mission to explore and share remarkable stories that ignite the imagination and stir the soul. Join us as Miami Beach Notary 305 continues to guide us through the intricate world of art and authenticity, as we celebrate the enigmatic and thought-provoking wonders that shape our world, culminating in the grandeur of Art Basel 2023.

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Mastering Excellence: The Benefits of Event Planning in Miami

Miami, with its vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and dynamic atmosphere, stands as a premier destination for events and celebrations. Event planning in Miami, a city known for its luxury and style, offers a myriad of benefits that go beyond the ordinary. In this article, we explore the unique advantages of event planning in Miami, showcasing why this city is the ultimate choice for hosting memorable and extraordinary events.

Expertise and Creativity: Miami boasts a wealth of talented event planners renowned for their expertise and creativity. Professionals in the city understand the pulse of Miami's diverse culture and can infuse events with unique themes, innovative ideas, and artistic designs. Their creativity knows no bounds, ensuring that every event is a masterpiece.

Variety of Venues: From glamorous beachfront resorts to elegant ballrooms and chic rooftop venues, Miami offers a diverse array of event spaces. Whether you envision a sophisticated gala, a beachside wedding, or a trendy corporate gathering, Miami's venues cater to every taste and style, providing the perfect backdrop for your event.

Ideal Climate: Miami's sunny weather and mild climate create an ideal setting for outdoor events. Whether you're planning a garden party, a beach wedding, or a rooftop cocktail reception, you can rely on Miami's consistent weather to provide a pleasant atmosphere for your guests. The city's natural beauty enhances the ambiance, making events even more enchanting.

Culinary Excellence: Miami is renowned for its culinary scene, offering a diverse range of flavors from around the world. Event planning in Miami means access to exceptional catering services that can craft menus tailored to your preferences. Guests can indulge in gourmet delights, adding a gastronomic experience to your event.

Multicultural Atmosphere: Miami's multicultural environment adds a unique flavor to events. The city's diverse population enriches the cultural tapestry, allowing events to incorporate elements from various traditions and backgrounds. Whether it's music, dance, or cuisine, Miami's multicultural atmosphere provides endless possibilities for event customization.

Entertainment Options: From world-class DJs and live bands to captivating performers, Miami offers a wealth of entertainment options. Event planners in the city can arrange for top-notch entertainment, ensuring that your event is lively and engaging. Whether you prefer a sophisticated jazz band or a high-energy dance performance, Miami has it all.

Networking Opportunities: Miami is a hub for various industries, making it an ideal location for networking events and business conferences. Event planning in Miami allows businesses and professionals to capitalize on the city's vibrant business scene, fostering connections and collaborations in a dynamic environment.

In the realm of event planning, Miami stands as a beacon of luxury, creativity, and endless possibilities. Choosing Miami as your event destination means immersing yourself in a world of unmatched elegance and excitement. With its expert event planners, stunning venues, delightful cuisine, and multicultural ambiance, Miami ensures that your event is not just an occasion but a memorable experience that leaves a lasting impression on all attendees.