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give things a chance before you make decisions about them. I turn and take only one step away before he grabs my arm. I turn and our eyes lock on each other.
    "Lexi." There's something in the way he said my name, something that causes my stomach to clench with expectation and anxiety. He hesitates. I wait, holding my breath. His eyes leave mine, and I know he changed course. Whatever he's going to say now isn't what he wanted to say a moment ago. 
    "Surprise me with something."
    "Sure thing."
    *
    "Noah," I call when I return. No answer. "Noah." I try once again, this time louder as I place his mocha latte on the kitchen table. Again, no answer.
    I look out the window and spot him sitting in the sand. He isn't in the house. Perfect. This makes what I'm about to do a piece of cake. I place my hand over my front pocket to make sure my secret weapon is there. Yep. It's there, safe and sound. I listen to the surrounding silence carefully as I sneak into his bathroom.
    I close my eyes and draw in a breath. It smells clean, of soap and of him. His aftershave scents the small room. It's not overpowering, just strong enough to make my insides tingle. Trying not to make a sound in case he returns before I'm done, I reach into the stall shower and pull out his bar of soap. This way, I get a small dose of revenge, and even if he's pissed enough to leave me and head to the local bar, he won't be picking up any girls tonight.
    *
    "Lexi!"
    I startle at the figure standing beside me, and pull my ear buds out. I didn't hear him come in. My heart's leaping and bounding from both fear and excitement.
    "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I called, and you didn't answer."
    "It's fine," I say clutching my chest. "I have a good strong heart."
    "Glad to hear that," he says with a wicked twinkle in his eye as he holds his coffee up and takes a sip. "Thanks. It's delicious."
    "Huh?" I shrug realizing he means the coffee. "Glad you like it."
    "How'd you know what to get me?"
    "I didn't. I thought you might like to try something a bit decadent."
    "Chocolate is decadent?"
    "Mmm. For me it is. Very."
    His eyes run down my body. He takes his time trailing them down my legs before meeting my stare once again. He does so with a cocky grin, and closes the distance between us. I don't want him to realize I'm flustered, but the bathroom is small and the heat in his eyes is making my heart race. The room is full of him; his body, his heat, his scent. I need to get a grip.
    "Let's do something together. Get reacquainted."
    "Sorry, I can't. I told Drake I'd go watch him in the volleyball tournament."
    "Drake?" His face is blank. I can't read him. I want him to be disappointed, but I can't help thinking he asked just to be nice and now he might be relieved.
    I nod. "The guy I was talking to in the bar last night."
    "The ass-hat," he mutters under his breath.
    "I'm sorry, what was that?" I couldn't have heard right.
    "Nothing." Noah gives me a big, fake, cheesy smile. "Do you mind if I tag along? I mean if there are guys playing, I'm sure there'll be girls watching."
    His stare is intense as he brings the cup to his lips again.
    "Sure. Come along."
    He nods and leaves the small room. I feel his absence. It's almost painful; almost as if someone cut off my oxygen supply.

Chapter 9
    Noah
    I can't tell what game she's playing, one minute she's fired up and giving me hell, the next she's kissing me, or using that mouth of hers to tease me in ways a girl shouldn't unless she's willing to follow up the insinuation.
    One minute I think we're friends, the next she reminds me we're not. I think she wants me, but then she's headed off to see Drake. She has my mind spinning like a roundabout, and I can't help but think it all goes back to her believing I'm all about partying and getting laid. Not that I haven't enjoyed myself when I do it, but that's Coop's scene. I just go along for the ride. And what a ride it is.
    But, here and now, with Lexi, I want more than that. I want