He gets a sneaky look, dives across me, grabs my phone off the nightstand, and reads what I wrote.

“I’m Gorgeous, huh?”

“Yeah, that’s what I called you before I knew your name. I sorta stalked you a bit.”

I can’t believe those words just came out of my mouth.

“You can stalk me any time.” He kisses me.

“Oh, I’ll be like that Audrey girl. I’ll bake you cookies and carry your books to class. I’m just teasing, I don’t, like, expect anything.”

“Well, I expect something.”

“More sex?”

“No—well, that’d be nice, but what I meant is I don’t want this to change anything. I like how we’ve become friends, how we talk. I like you. A lot. Do you think we should be going out now?”

“Because we had sex? No.”

“What if I told you I was thinking about asking you before we had sex?”

“I think we should wait. I think we’re both kind of on the rebound. Let’s see how things go. We don’t have to label our relationship.” Ohmigawd, did those words really just come out of my mouth too? “Um, are you going to tell all your friends about this?”

“I don’t kiss and tell. You hungry?”

“I’m starved.”

Riley and I are out in the ocean, floating over waves on some boogie boards.

He gives me a smirk. “You and Dawson totally did it.”

“What? Why would you think that? Riley, don't tell people you think that, okay? If you tell people you think we did, then people will assume we did, even if we didn't.”

“He came in my room in the middle of the night to steal condoms. I happen to know he always has two in his wallet. I’m thinking it was a really good night.”

“Maybe he needed the condoms for something else.”

“Like?”

“Uh . . .” Shit, I can’t think of anything. “He was making me balloon animals out of the balloons we used for the water balloon fight. Ran out. Used condoms.”

“Uh, no. You really like him? I thought you were all into Aiden.”

“I crushed on Aiden, yes. He's very cute, but he thinks he’s so cool, and, I don’t know, maybe he’s used to girls falling all over themselves to be with him. He asked me Thursday night to hang out on Friday.”

“What's wrong with that?”

“If you like a girl, Riles, you don't wait until Thursday to ask her out. So, I told him I was busy and to ask sooner next time.”

“I don’t know what it is about you, but I still have this strange need to protect you. Even though he's my bro, I'd probably kick his ass if he was mean to you.”

“You're brother is so sweet. He’s amazing.”

“Amazing in bed? That runs in the family, you know.”

After lunch, we hang by the pool, relaxing, tanning, swimming.

I’m in the water, up against the edge of the pool. Dawson has me barricaded into the corner with his arms on both sides of me.

Not that I mind.

He’s giving me more molten lava kisses.

“So did you tell my brother?” he whispers.

“No, he guessed. Says you stole his condoms.”

“Oh, yeah, well . . . you know. We needed them.”

“I don’t think he will tell.”

“Yeah, he will. He loves talking about that shit. About what he's done. What he thinks I’ve done.”

“He won't tell.”

“I'm just saying if it gets around school, don't blame me.”

“Okay.”

He kisses my nose. “You’re so cute. I just love you.”

Did he just say, I love you?

“Oh. Uh . . .” he mutters.

“It’s okay. I know what you meant. You love me like you love swimming or ice cream.”

“Um . . .”

“Look, this all happened crazy fast. We talked about taking things slow before and just because we went fast, sexually, doesn't mean we should rush a relationship. I still want to take that part slow. I mean, you might get back to school, see Whitney, and decide you still love her.”

His eyes get soft. “Keatie, I’m not gonna do that. I told you the other night, before all this, I don’t love her anymore.”

“Still, you loved her. And I’m not sure you’re over her.”

“Actually, I’m very over her, and I kinda have a thing for this really hot new girl. She’s on the dance team. You might know her.”

“Oh, really?”

His eyes sparkle. He is so freaking adorable. Seriously, how did I get so lucky? Dawson is the perfect adorable distraction.

“And this thing you have for her, that just means you want her, right?”

“No.” He stops, considers that for a second, says, “Well, yeah, I do, but it’s more than that.” He laughs, kisses my neck, and whispers in my ear, “But you know, if she wants me now, we do have a little free time before we have to leave.”

I quickly drag him out of the pool, back to the bedroom, and spend that time wisely.

Cute little daisy charm.

4pm

Dallas and Ace yell, “Hey everyone, the limo’s here!”

Everyone is hooting and hollering over the limo. This limo is sweet. A brand new Range Rover HSE with a jet door. Inside it has all sorts of toys, wild, neon-colored interior, a couple flat screens, sound system, fog machine, and disco lights. Of course, as you can imagine, the thing the boys went most crazy over was the Xbox 360.

“That’s what I’m talking about,” Riley says.

We all get loaded up, play with the toys, get high, and then most everyone crashes. I’m leaning up against Dallas’ shoulder. Dawson’s asleep, his head lying in my lap.

Dallas says randomly, “You have very weird toes.”

“Shut up. I have cute toes.”

“This weekend was really fun, huh? I’ve never been to a party that lasted all weekend like that. And it was cool: like, the perfect mix of partying, chilling, girls, sunning, and stuff.”

“I agree. This weekend was fun.”

“I suspect you had a little more fun than me,” he grins mischievously.

“You made out with a different girl each night.”

“Yeah, but I didn't have sex.”

“Me neither.”

“Kiki, we don't lie to each other remember?”

“Damn, you must be physic about more than just panties.”

“Dawson is crazy about you.”

“Naw.”

“Uh, yeah. He is. He’s been on freaking cloud nine since you got here. Even before y’all had fun. Riley is actually worried you might hurt him. He thinks you like the Hottie God or whatever you call him.”

“The God of all Hotties.”

“That’s it. Hey, remember how we were talking about redoing Dawson’s image? Did you notice how tight he and Riley were this weekend?”

“I know. And I don’t even care about his image anymore, but I like seeing him happy. He was really sad that night.”

“And someone has cheered him up. Amazing how some orange panties can do that.”

“Oh my gosh! Have you been creeping through my clothes?”

“Nope. I’m just that good. Plus, I could see them when you bent over to pick up your duffle bag. Cute little daisy charm on the back.”

“Shut up. I’m afraid that when Whitney sees him happy, she’ll want him back. I’m not sure I’d stand a chance. We should be worrying about me getting hurt, not him.”

“Ah, Kiki, you know Dallas is always here for you.” Then he says, “Speaking of that. You, me, and Riley tonight at the cave.”

Tuesday, September 6th

Stalking me.

6:27am

I have seven missed calls from Dallas and a couple texts from him and Riley.

Basically the texts are versions of: Where are you? Did you fall asleep? Wake up!!

But the best text of all was from Dawson this morning.

Dawson: Miss waking up with you. Will be stalking you :)

I should be horrified by this text. I mean, stalking me! But, I’m not. It seems like a strange twist of fate that I’m happy about being stalked.

I get ready quickly, but carefully. I want Dawson to think I look amazing today.

I flip open my look book to see today’s look.

It’s not really how I’m feeling, looks very cute, but more preppy. So I flip through the book and try to find the sexiest version.

Look eighteen is what I want. The navy, black, and red plaid skort; red lace bra—and if it happens to show a little under my skinny ribbed black tank, oh, well; short red cardigan, with only the middle button buttoned; black leather sliced cuff; and vintage black and gold Channel earrings. Kym showed it with a pair of cute flats, but I decide to go full out sexy and wear the black platform Gucci boots I brought from home.

My hair is full of big curls and my bangs are held back in a poof with a silver barrette. My makeup is soft and natural, except for a black eyeliner swoop and as much mascara as my lashes can hold.

I look like the schoolgirl version of Barbarella.

(In case you’ve never seen Barbarella, it’s an old movie starring Jane Fonda. When it came out in the seventies, it was very risqué. There were no explicit sex scenes, but the whole thing’s all about sex. Like there is one part where this evil dude locks her in this room that plays organ music and makes her feel, um, extreme pleasure. Anyway, I watched part of it until Tommy told me I had to go to bed. I think he was just turned on by Jane and wanted Mom to himself. Anyway, she has big hair and wears tall platform boots in the movie.)

Katie left earlier to get breakfast. I’m hoping to have time to grab at least some coffee before I head to class. I walk out and there, sitting on the brick wall, is Dawson, waiting for me.

I have to say, I love the way the boys here dress. No baggy jeans, no underwear showing. There’s something so sexy about a boy who’s dressed up. Dawson has on his required khaki cargo shorts, a pink and white striped oxford, a pink tie that I'm pretty sure has little blue elephants all over it, the navy school blazer, and Sperrys on his feet.

He looks so hot sitting there I almost want to whistle.

And then I can barely breathe as my mind flashes to his muscular body, naked, on top of me.

Whooh. Sorry.

He sees me, does let out a whistle, and looks me up and down. “Damn, Keatie, you look like some kind of S&M schoolgirl fantasy.

I smile. “So, you’re stalking me?"

“You know I am." He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me in for a kiss. As I lean forward, a bit of red lace peeks out. He stops midway, pushes me back out a little, and looks down. “Red lace. Are you trying to drive me nuts? Speaking of that, I still haven't seen the leopard one yet."

"I think you saw plenty this weekend."

"Yeah, but mostly bikinis. I want to see this bra up close and personal after practice.”

"I don't know. I might have lots of homework,” I tease.

"I'll tutor you, but I want you wearing nothing but that bra. Red panties too?"

“Probably.”

He pulls me in for a sexy kiss.

“Did I see you brought me coffee?”

"Oh, uh yeah, you distracted me. Here. Skinny soy chai latte, no whip, right?"

"How'd you know that?"

"I described you to the coffee shop dude. He told me."

"Thanks. You're very resourceful."

"I'm very horny, actually."

“Down, boy. We have to go to class. And I have to hurry; your brother needs to copy my worksheet."

They’re Gucci.

Lunch

I’m in line to get a salad and I’m watching Whitney. She gives Dawson a little smirk, wraps her arms around Jake’s neck, and gives him a perfunctory kiss on the cheek.

The salad bar is close enough for me to hear their conversation.

Dawson says to Jake and Whitney, "So, did you guys have a good weekend together?"

Jake replies, "Naw, she had to do some family thing."

Whitney proudly proclaims, “The family thing was an amazing weekend at our new home in Palm Beach.”

Dawson ignores her. "Oh, that's too bad. Jake, you should have come up to the Hamptons. We partied, chilled."

Whitney counters with, “The Hamptons are so overrated. Palm Beach is really—”

Ace interrupts her and says to Jake, "And Keatyn taught me to surf. I actually stood up and rode all the way in for the first time ever!"

I see Whitney’s eye get big when she hears I was there. She is already pissed enough that everyone is ignoring her.

Of course, they can’t tell. She looks perfect.

Tyrese says, "Yeah, she's a really good surfer. And looks damn fine in a bikini, dawg." He bumps fists Dawson.

Dawson notices me moving toward the table. "Speaking of damn fine." He stands up, grabs my tray and backpack, and helps me get settled into the seat next to him.

Riley and Dallas walk by, wave, and go sit with some other friends. I glance at Whitney and know that I just moved to the top of her hit list. The telltale crinkle is deepening.

Tyrese says to me, "I'm really digging those boots."

"Thanks, Tyrese. You had a pretty good weekend yourself. Girls surrounding you on the beach, begging for your body."

He puffs his chest out a little and sits up straighter. “Yeah, baby, Tyrese sealed the deal a couple nights, out there in the sand with Dawson's cousin."

Dawson’s eyes get big. Then he's like, "Dude, all my cousins are guys."