I'm hot.

It's hot.

No, actually, I'm sweating.

"Ugh," I groan, trying to move, but something's holding me down. I crack open one eye, expecting daylight, but it's completely dark outside.

Turning my head, I see Everest, snoring away, dead to the world. His leg and his massive arm are draped over me, restricting my movement entirely.

I just stare at him. He looks so peaceful—nothing like someone who does bad things, someone who hurts people.

"Enjoying the view?"

My eyes go wide as he slightly opens his, peering at me.

"How did yo—"

"I was in prison. Gotta know when something's coming up on you." He closes his eyes again but doesn't move.

I glance at the alarm clock on the nightstand: 11:37 PM. I slept all day. On a Friday night.

"Hey, Sin?"

"What?"

"Can I ask you something?" Absentmindedly, I trace my finger along one of his tattoos.

"What?"

"How did you get out so early? Didn't you kill someone?"

This time, he shifts, removing his limbs from me, and turns fully to face me, eyes now wide open.

"Why you asking this?" he says, amused. I can't believe he's actually smiling at me right now.

"I don't know. I'm just curious, I guess." I shrug and sit up against the headboard, looking down at him.

"Good behavior." He closes his eyes again.

I scoff. "Yeah, oooookay. Whatever you say."

Suddenly, his hand grips my leg, dragging me back down so that I'm level with him.

"You wanted me to stay—I stayed. Now let me f***ing sleep."

"But I'm not tireddd," I whine childishly, stretching out my limbs, taking up almost the entire bed. I even let out a little giggle, earning only a groan from him.

"Ah!" A quick scream escapes me as Everest suddenly shifts on top of me, leaning down to whisper in my ear.

"I'll make you tired."

My thighs press together instinctively. "I—I... no," I stammer, caught completely off guard.

"No?" He raises a brow, watching me. Then, he lowers his head, kissing my neck, then my collarbone. The next thing I know, he's tugging at the bottom of my shirt.

"Remember, you owe me, sweetheart," he murmurs before disappearing beneath the covers.

I feel his fingers lift my shirt slightly, sliding it up past my belly button. As he moves lower, I start to squirm, his mouth inching toward my panty line.

"Sin," I protest weakly—not that this is new with him. He was my first... everything.

He lifts his head slightly, dark eyes heavy with lust. "You don't want me to tongue-f*** your p****?"

I stare at him for a moment before my legs part instinctively. It's like opening the golden gates for him. Everest smirks before lowering his head again, pressing slow, deliberate kisses along the inside of my thighs.

I squeeze my eyes shut, struggling to grasp if this is really happening—if I'm really here again with Everest Green, just like when I was fifteen, hopelessly love-struck.

That thought vanishes the second I feel his tongue flick up to my entrance, teasing my clit.

A moan escapes me—long, desperate. My hips lift slightly, silently asking for more.

The smirk against my skin tells me he knows exactly what I want before he gives it to me.

His gruff sounds of pleasure only add to the intensity. He parts my folds with his fingers, driving his tongue deep inside me. My hands tangle in his hair, gripping tighter and tighter. My back arches instinctively, my head tipping back.

So close.

So, so close.

"Oh my God—f***, I'm so close, Everest!" I cry out, squeezing my eyes shut. A single tear slips down my face, overwhelmed by the sheer pleasure.

And then, I shatter.

My orgasm crashes over me, shaking me to the core. My body trembles, my skin burning hot. I suck in air as if I've been holding my breath this whole time.

As I come down, Everest emerges from beneath the covers, immediately capturing my lips with his. I taste myself on him—salty, sweet, intoxicating. It's enough to make me want him all over again.

I wrap my legs around his waist, pressing my hips against his. My body molds to his effortlessly, instinctively grinding against him, chasing another high.

He groans, hands slipping under my shirt, fingers toying with my hardened nipple.

"You're all mine, Avery. Remember that. All mine." He whispers the words against my lips.

As if I could forget.

But just as quickly as it started, a phone rings, shattering the moment.

Everest growls, reaching for it.

"What?!" His voice is sharp, irritated.

Taking my chance, I wiggle out from under him, my legs weak like jello as I reach the edge of the bed.

"I'll be there in five," he snaps before tossing the phone aside and grabbing his jeans.

Maybe this is a sign—maybe we weren't supposed to go further. But it only makes it worse because now I know exactly what I was about to have.

I attempt to stand and nearly face-plant, but Everest catches me by the shoulders.

"I gotta go, babe."

I nod, unsure what to say.

He just sent me to cloud nine—probably would have taken me beyond that if his phone hadn't rung.

"You good?" he asks.

I give him a lazy smile. "Yeah, I'm good." My voice is barely above a whisper.

Placing a hand on his chest, I stretch onto my tiptoes, giving him a soft peck on the lips.

"I don't know if I'll be back tonight." He throws his jacket over his shoulder.

"Okay. Be careful." As if I wasn't just stitching his arm up this morning from punching a glass window.

"Always, babe."

And just like that, he's gone.

Reality sets in.

My truck.

What the hell do I do about my dad's truck now? It's my only way to get to work—or anywhere, really. It's also one of the only things I have left of my father.

I head to the bathroom, flicking on the light. The mirror reflects my tousled hair, flushed skin, and slightly swollen lips. It's almost 1 AM.

After splashing water on my face and brushing through my hair, I step back into the bedroom. The scent of Everest and sex lingers in the air—a dangerous combination.

I scrunch my nose, eyeing the bed, memories of the last hour flooding back. I strip the sheets and decide to do laundry instead of lying awake, staring at the ceiling.

As I scroll through Facebook at the kitchen island, sipping hot tea, a text pops up on my screen.

Not a saved number.

"Hey, it's Mason. Sorry to text so late—just got off my shift. Any chance you'd want to grab a drink tomorrow night? Or I guess I should say tonight, since it's already 1 AM, lol."

I smirk, replying:

"Just woke up after sleeping all day. I'd love to, but... I actually don't have a car anymore."

Setting my phone down, I rinse my mug, loading it into the dishwasher.

By the time I reach the couch, another text pings.

"No problem, I can pick you up. How about 9? Happy hour goes till 11."

I reply quickly—"Sure."

The second my head hits the pillow, I'm out like a light.