Alessandra woke up with a pounding headache and a hazy memory of the previous night. Slowly, she peeled herself off the bed, feeling the sticky sheets, her bare skin, and the young man sleeping beside her. She cursed under her breath, “-Shit.-” She cursed herself for everything she had done, for the memories of being taken in various ways, the bruises on her skin, and the lingering taste that made her flush with shame. Her shoulder burned, and she felt soreness along her sides, near her hips.

  She g her refle in the mirror and saw her red, bloodshot eyes and disheveled hair. She cursed again when she saw the bite mark and cursed even louder at the mottled bruises — shades of red, purple, green, and blue.

  -Idiot.- Alessandra muttered, seeing the damage to her shoulder. She had a runway show in five days. In lingerie.

  Trying to calm herself, she y down, refusing to think about what had happened. “You slept with a boy barely of age, Alessandra. You o stop drinking mojitos,” she scolded herself, feeling the tremble in her legs and the dry taste lingering. She took a deep breath, hoping to restore some order in her life. Turning o water, she stepped into the shower, the warmth soothie the summer heat. She always washed her hair with cold water, but today, she didn’t feel like washing it. Breathing deeply, she let the water wash away her rough edges.

  The shower sted ten minutes, and just as she reached for a towel, she felt an embrace from behind. She wao resist, but his touch made her shiver, words dying on her lips.

  She didn’t know why, but she accepted another deep kiss, reigniting memories of their heated night. She took a steadying breath, struggling to hold back, yet it was so easy to surrender. But this time was different. He was tender, kissing her with a sweethat felt new… delicate, little kisses that hi another side of him, gentle caresses that brushed softly.

  -You’re so beautiful, the wind whispers your name, and the waves carry poems of your beauty. You’re like a perfect song. -Billy murmured, sileng her protests with more kisses. Billy had always been like this, drawn to beauty, preferring women wheous or famous or had some importance. A man of jealousy and superficial charms, he was captivated only by the beautiful. Yet, some women fasated him.

  Alessandra felt him lift her leg, moving lower to explore her with his mouth, his nose brushing her sensitive spot. His skill overwhelmed her, his firag delicate patterns, lips teasing with a gentle rhythm that took her to the edge… The way he hit every point on her made her quiver.

  -Wait… stop.- she murmured.

  He answered by cirg his tongue over her forbidden spot, sending her over the edge… she sank to the floor of the shower, her breathing a whirl of gasps. But he didn’t stop; lifting her onto his shoulders, he kept his pace slow and sweet.

  “-Do you like this, my love? Wao go faster, or a bit rougher? You’re in trol, just say the word. - Billy whispered, kissing her lips with a subtle passion.

  -Like this… keep going, don’t stop. - she murmured, biting his shoulder. She bit hard, while he picked up the pace, effortlessly matg each of her desires.

  -I love everything about you… you’re a plete goddess. - Billy said, giving her a fiery kiss as they tihey’d been at it for three minutes when Alessandra finally sighed as everything fell away.

  -I think we should stop; we ’t keep doing this…- Alessandra said. But Billy kissed her, and she melted into it. He resumed, this time more straightforward, not even pausing to catch his breath. This time was faster, and as it finished, she pletely colpsed, needing space.

  -Bathe me. - Billy whispered, leaving her no room to refuse. He gazed into her eyes, grinning at everything they’d done.

  -You first. - Alessandra murmured.

  -Sure, e here. - Billy replied, filling the tub, and adding a fes. She nodded, easing into the warm water. Gently, he rinsed her body. He whispered, asking if he could wash her hair, and she nodded lightly. He poured cold water over her hair, as she requested, even though he said it would be difficult. Still, he tried his best, finishing with a tender kiss that left her feeling like jelly.

  -You’re insatiable.- Alessandra teased.

  -You make me this way, beautiful.- Billy replied, sealing it with a kiss. Each time, he wore down her defenses, and she was nearly ready to give in, though she knew he was still so young, yet so charming.

  Just as they were in the midst of their romahere was a knock at the door. Alessandra sprang out of the tub, heart rag. She rushed to the room, grabbed Billy’s clothes, and stuffed them uhe bed. She heard the door open and ran to the bathroom, telling Billy to stay quiet.

  He nodded, watg her frieer the room.

  -What?- Alessandra asked.

  -It’s te, you minx.-Gissele ughed.

  It's way te. We thought you were doing yoga on the beach.-” Isabelli chimed in.

  -Well, I want to go do something on the beach, but I think I drank too much.-Alessandra admitted.

  -You were all over Billy Carson st night; I thought he was too young for you.-Gissele teased.

  -Ahhh, I was drunk. I barely remember him.-Alessandra replied, turning her back, holding up two dresses, a green one and a white oh stripes. Then, a camisole and pants. They ged the subject, finally talking about breakfast, letting Alessandra escape from the versation. She left the room as Billy showered, ughing at her nerves.

  Her friends were crazy. But if she wao keep face, Billy didn’t mind. He just headed back to his room. To his surprise, Avril was still asleep.

  -Why are you still sleeping? It’s almost two.- Billy said, pulling open the curtains.

  -Mmmmhhhhhhh.-Avril murmured.

  -I think we need room service.-Billy said, dialing for a feast. Avril had always been an odd friend, one he couldn’t quite figure out.

  -I just want to rest.- Avril moaned like a child, though it wasirely true. She knew about Billy’s fling and, even though she tolerated his other is, the twinge in her heart was hard to ignore. Maybe it was best to distance herself from him.

  -Are you sick?- Billy asked, toug her forehead. He began doting on her, gently trying to coax her to tell him what was wrong. Slipping into his pajamas, he put on a movie and ordered pizza, along with two huge seafood ptters.

  They stayed like that in simple fort. She fave him again, but he’d ouch her that way again. It was easier this way; her heart was tile to be Billy’s girl.

  ...