Rode back home was somewhat quieter. Somehow Stiles seemed to manage leaving her constantly overthinking things. He was like a hurricane, leaving her torn, stunned and eager. Lydia avoided his eyes now that just decided to sit next to her in the back. Allison didn't mind sitting next to Scott, softly gripping his hand, with his other on the wheel.

Lydia smiled, looking at their intertwined fingers.

"What?" She asked, still looking forward, feeling whiskey eyes focused on her.

"Oh, nothing Bambi." She could hear smile in his voice. "I'm just thinking, what the hell is going on in that little head of yours."

Lydia snorted, though it didn't really amuse her. She looked at him and he greeted her with one of those devastatingly intoxicating smiles that did unreasonable things to her body and respiration.

She shifted on her seat, facing him a little more, and he suddenly felt hot. He thought he should probably get used to the way she makes him flustered. Looking in those wide green eyes, he wondered if she felt the same.

"Why?" She asked with a sigh.

Stiles shrugged. Knowing absolutely well what he was doing, he gripped her chin, softly, just for a second, and immediately let go, but it was enough for her to part her lips and Stiles focused on them again.

There were secrets in her lips… He wanted them out.

"Breaking personal boundaries is my trademark." He winked.

She hummed in annoyance, not trusting her voice enough to answer sarcastic comeback, which was on the tip of her tongue. Her eyes involuntarily slid down to his right hand fingers, the same ones that just now assaulted her face, teasing nerves in her body. Little beast in side of her purred, asking her to stop thinking and caring. Asking her to reach out to him, feel the same fingers on her face again, her thighs, body. Perfect fingers to tangle in her curls…

Boundaries, Lydia.

She took a small breath.

"Speaking of boundaries, we should probably make some… ground rules. Okay?"

He chuckled at that.

"Rules? What are we, kids? I can control myself if you can."

Lydia's eyes widened. She looked so shocked and frustrated that Stiles' mischievous smile enlarged even more, enjoying her facial expression.

Scott opened the window, carelessly talking to Allison, and wind rushed through Lydia's and Stiles' bodies. Her perfume reached his nostrils and she smelled like divinity and lust.

Lydia brushed her hair out of her face, and Stiles couldn't help but wonder what they would look like twisted between his fingers, holding her closer than possible.

By now, he was pretty sure Lydia was some sort of sex goddess. He had never been so attracted to another person, so instantly. He sure as hell didn't believe in love at first sight, but thundering sexual attraction at first sight… that was a hard fact. This guy knew it damn well.

"Oh, you can control yourself?" She pouted adorably. "For the love of God…" She cracked her neck in annoyance.

"I make you frustrated, Bambi." He said that almost proudly, smirking.

She smiled at him and his eyes lit up even more.

"No, Stiles. You make me mad, okay? And I was serious before, no more flirting, deal?"

Stiles shifted closer to her on the seat in about 0.5 seconds and Lydia startled, realizing there was nowhere else to go. His fingers delicately moved towards her leg while gripping the seat corner, but she tried to remain still. Her breathing, though, couldn't.

"Now…" He said in a low husky voice. "If you are so good at controlling yourself, what's the harm in flirting?"

Lydia put her small hand on his chest and tried to push him away but he didn't move, like some kind of brick wall. She could feel his heartbeat though, it was rushing and she couldn't help but think it was her who was toying with it.

She looked at him from under her lashes.

"It's making me uncomfortable." She admitted.

He puffed a bubble of air right to her eyes and she blinked a few times. For a second there, he almost seemed apologetically, but then his smug came right back on.

Right when he was opening his dirty mouth to respond, she blurted out.

"Do you really think that good about yourself?"

His smile vanished and he raised an eyebrow at her. Did she even have to ask him this question?

I guess his face was speaking for him, because she just murmured.

"Of course you do…"

The lines were somehow getting blurry and it was her own fault. She closed her eyes and took the crown of her nose with two small fingers.

"Okay, Stiles. Seriously. We're just friends, or since… just… roommates, right?"

He nodded.

"You're not sleeping with me, I get it." He somehow got that out, although every part of his body wanted to deny this crazy thought. Even here, on the back of moving vechile.

"Great. So you can drop this smug, the no-standards fuck boy act with me, and speak…"

"What?" He shrieked, causing Allison and Scott to look back at their companions.

This was pretty much what they saw. Stiles was commandingly close to Lydia, trapping her, between himself and the doors, his face confused and shocked, facing Lydia, who looked lost and irritated. This was an interesting sight. Scott narrowed his eyes at them both, then more on Stiles.

He had seen lot of versions of him. In any kinds of situations. But never quite like that. He could smell the tension from hear and their banter was all up in the air. This girl was different. Stiles had never acted so savagely around any girl he liked or wanted to sleep with.

There was something very wrong, or very right…

"I swear to God, if you're groping my best friend in the back of a car…"

"Allison!" Scott and Lydia squealed in unison.

"Do you really think I have no standards? In who I sleep with?" Stiles demanded, not caring about couple in front of them, his hazel eyes buried deep in her green ones.

Lydia tried pushing him away again and this time he gave in, obviously still waiting for an answer.

"I don't know, okay? I don't know you, I just know that you met me at the line to a freaking bathroom and you hit on me almost immediately. I don't know what this tells me about you. It shouldn't be telling me anything, because quite frankly I don't care!" She finished upset.

Stiles leaned back a little, as if he was trying to get a closer look at her, while she was trying to get a closer look at him.

Oh, he did look like a deity – the perfect balance of danger and charm, he was at the same time fascinating and inaccessible, distant because of his demonstrated flawlessness, and possessing such strength of character that he was dismaying and at the same time utterly attractive in an enticing and forbidden way.

This perfect sin in front of her licked his lips and beamed.

"You should care. Don't forget that you will be the one sleeping by my side now."

"I won't do it Allison!" Lydia stamped her feet on the ground when guys were finally in.

Her friend cupped her shoulders and motioned her to breathe with one hand.

"Come on, relax."

"He's awful!" Lydia yelled.

"Okay, stop…"

"No, I seriously… Mister Golden boy. I… We are gonna tear each other apart." She said as-a-matter-of-factly, nodding nervously.

Allison laughed and let go of her shoulders, turning around.

"Why does he bother you so much?" She asked curiously, taking her back from the trunk.

Lydia sighed. She didn't even know why he bothered her that much. He just did. He made her irritated and angry and a bunch of other things that were anything but friendly.

Which kind of worked both ways.

"Bambi!" She heard from behind and rolled her eyes.

Scott and Stiles were happily jogging to the car and Lydia smiled at that. Stiles walked to her quickly and winked.

"What could this ball of rage possibly smile about?"

Lydia laughed at his comparison.

"You, can you believe it?"

Stiles pretended to think, biting his lip.

"Well, it certainly tells me you're a girl. A minute ago you were mad." He noted cheerfully.

"Oh, you still annoy me, don't worry. And I though you've already established that I'm a girl." She added, knowing herself that she is stepping into a dangerous territory with him.

She still couldn't help it.

"Oh, believe me." He hissed seductively, looking her up and down. She blushed softly and he grinned at that.

Stiles made girls scream, made girls pant and moan, but dear… Never had he made a girl blush. These little details, that Lydia did. That's why he was so drawn to her. Or was it just everything in her?

"You know you're quite dangerous, Little One?"

Lydia giggled.

"How am I dangerous? I though you just said I was small."

He shook his head, not commenting any further and stepped to the right, to make her way to go to the apartment. Still a little confused she started walking.

"Did you just let her through so you could stare at her ass?" Scott asked abruptly.

Stiles answered without hesitation.

"I'm checking her out in every way I find possible. That doesn't require for me to let her through, I'm simply being a gentleman."

Nobody said any word after that but that was mostly because everyone was probably waiting for a comeback from Lydia, who was smiling down to him.

Surprising everybody else and herself she didn't say anything, she just shot Stiles playful look and went forward.

The stairs to the door seemed somehow familiar, but she couldn't understand how. Just as she was about to enter their apartment Lydia squeaked, not feeling the ground anymore.

Stiles easily swept her off of her feet and without anyone being able to comprehend what was happening, he scooped her up in bridal way and carried her in through their door.

"What the hell?!" She yelled, clinging to him, her hands instinctively finding their way around his neck.

Once they were in, he gently let her down, but still kept his hand around her waist, and Lydia noticed how… warm he was. Hotness radiated from his body and he looked down at her, laughing.

He had no idea what came on to him. But he really wanted to do that, not really caring about the consequences. Lydia was so small, barely reaching his shoulder and she looked at him questioningly, those beautiful green eyes confused and lost, but sparkly. His hand was still wrapped around her waist and she fit perfectly to his body. The brainless wonder in his pants certainly appreciated her nearness. That stupid bastard started pounding against his zipper like a convict pounding against bars of his cell.

Boundaries, Stiles.

Allison and Scott caught up to them. Allison was smiling, she looked almost amused and even though cute little smile on Scott's face was evident, he looked at this situation with curious look.

Stiles raised his eyebrows, when no one said anything, like they needed explanation for what just happen.

Allison's smirk even widened, when she noticed Stiles' hand around Lydia. She wanted to wink at her friend, but Lydia was looking only at Stiles.

"Oh, c'mon, it's a tradition!" He laughed, making Lydia chuckle at his excuse.

"What tradition?" She asked, still watching him, her nose being tickled by the slight sense of his cologne.

"When… you know. You know! Like, when you move into a new house…" He stuttered and looked at Scott for help, but his friend traitorously looked at him pleased that there was no going out of this situation.

So Stiles just gave up at that note.

"Oh, fuck. Okay, never mind." He said, still not letting go of Lydia.

She decided it was about time for her to claim her personal space. This was a dangerous territory. Dangerous. She narrowed her eyes slightly, remembering he had just called her that. In no possible way was she dangerous. This boy, with his hand around her, and his stance demanding, now this was dangerous. And disturbing. He disturbed her. And she didn't like things that disturbed her; unfortunately, sexual attraction was not considered a valid reason to dislike someone.

Lydia slid away from him, his eyes immediately losing focus, unhappy with the loss of contact.

It was only now that she had a good look around the apartment. Oh! That's how she remembered this was familiar. It was the place from the other night. Here the freshman party took place, here she met Scott and Stiles. Without so many people and the lights and fumes, it was a really nice place. To her left she saw stairs to the second floor, and not seeing her things anywhere around in the first floor, she decided that girls would probably live there.

"Okay, Bambi, let me show you my room." Stiles said lightly, catching everyone's attention.

Lydia eyed him curiously.

"Why?"

"Because you're sleeping there." It seemed like the most obvious thing he had ever said.

"No, I'm not. It's your room."

He groaned and somehow laughed at the same time.

"Ugh, no, Bambi, you're sleeping in my bed."

"Why?" She shrieked and he was becoming irritated.

"Well where else would you be sleeping?" He clenched his jaw.

"Okay, anywhere, how about the couch?" She asked.

Stiles exchanged looks with Scott, and coughed, explaining the situation without any embarrassment.

"I have sex on the couch. So, if you're planning on sleeping with me, fine, suit yourself, but if you want to keep pretending that you don't want to, I suggest sleeping in my bed." He shrugged.

She ignored his true accusation and grumbled.

"Which is even more unsanitary than the couch, I'm sure…"

Stiles shook his head.

"I never let anyone sleep there."

"Oh, give me a break." She rolled her eyes at him.

"No, I don't." He pouted his lips and she bit her own.

"Then why me?"

He sighed, looking at her, making sure she understands how much she annoys him.

"Because, Bambi, as I recall, you don't want to drop your panties for me, huh?" He stepped closer, expecting for her to break, but she stood her ground.

"Never in a life time, believe me. No matter how much you wanted to." She murmured harshly.

He laughed at that and took one little step toward. Allison and Scott were already in the living room, leaving two tigers alone with their thirst, anger and chemistry.

"Honey, if I wanted to, I could just throw over my shoulder now and you wouldn't be able to say no." Stiles muttered his voice deep and gravelly.

She patted his chest lightly.

"And that's the most repulsive thing about you. Honey." Lydia sounded like a shot of caffeine that ignited his body. How does she do that?"

With that, she left him standing in the hallway, frustrated by her smart mouth, every hormone and nerve teased.

"Fuck…" He whispered.

After taking a shower, one by one, Lydia and Allison went downstairs, where they found guys in the kitchen, chatting and laughing. Their house have seen lots of things, parties, drunk girls, drunk guys, stoned people, angry neighbors, but it haven't seen two cute girls with wet hair and sweats.

Stiles looked at Lydia, observing her messy hair falling down on her shoulders, complimenting her blue crop top and he couldn't help but think that orange and blue was the most perfect combination.

"What are doing tonight?" He asked, clapping his hands once.

Scott shrugged.

"You wanna go out?" He asked the girls.

Allison shrugged, looking at Lydia.

"Sure, if Lydia is up for it."

"Come on, Bambi!" Stiles stood up from where he was sitting and walked over to her, tickling her ribcages softly. Due to her short top his fingers found her smooth skin on her waist and she almost squealed. His warm fingers lingered on her slightly damp skin a second longer but she decided that right now she couldn't handle looking at him and his smug smile.

"Sure." She beamed. "Where are we going?"

"There's this party on the beach." Scott suggested. "Isaac will probably be there, and he said there are fireworks afterwards."

"Sounds fun." Allison nodded in enthusiasm. "Lydia?" She made a face she knew Lydia wouldn't say no to.

"I'm in, I'm in." Lydia assured her. "When's the party?" She turned to Scott.

"I'm not sure. But I know it's gonna be evening. So you know… wear something warm."

Stiles snorted. His first response would have been that Lydia didn't even have to wear anything, she would probably still be warm and soft as melted caramel. Yeah, he was back to that, referring to this girl as caramel. He couldn't help it, she was. Eyeing her with these domestic clothes that didn't reveal much of her skin, made him think what she would look like without them.

On top of him.

Under him.

Her.

Him.

"What?" Lydia interrupted his thoughts.

Stiles shook his head. She had some kind of control over him. She made Stiles dizzy, and it annoyed him. He wanted to fight with her but wanted her to want him.

He wanted her to melt into him, like butter on toast. He wanted to absorb her and walk around for the rest his day with her encased in his skin.

He wanted. And she was responsible for that. She wanted him to stop flirting, but she was the one pulling all the strings.

"Come on, let's just get ready, okay?" He said.

Lydia looked at him carefully, seeing his amaze, or whatever this was. Her eyes darted over the surface of his face. Like a moth to a blaze she was hesitant, seeming to crave his warmth but not its inevitable burn. Lydia explored Stiles from a distance with her unspoken desire, with the fear that touching him would set her to flame.

She wanted nothing more in that moment than to prove to herself very much the opposite.

For the love of God.

Control your thoughts.

Allison called her to come upstairs help her choose her outfit and Lydia was happy to get away from this boy who made her flustered by even looking at her.

Bastard. He had no right.

Lydia shut the door to what was probably Scott's room, a big one, with Allison's suitcases in the corner and as soon as she let go of the door handle, Allison looked at her with her big eyes, half smiling.

"Oh my God. It's uncomfortable being around you two."

"Oh my- If you're gonna be talking about this again, I'm leaving." Lydia threatened.

"No no! I really need your help."

Lydia nodded and sat on Scott's bed, as Allison started pulling one dress after the other, making a colorful pile on the floor, and with a sigh she opened another suitcase.

"You could cut the sexual tension with a knife…" She murmured, as if she was talking to herself.

Lydia didn't answer, just rolled her eyes and kept watching her friend.

When Allison finally found pants she wanted to wear, Lydia left the room to get dressed herself. It was very warm outside, even in the evening.

She easily settled for light floral shorts and white top. Her now dry hair was tangled in soft waves and she put her red lipstick on. Liking what she saw in the mirror she sprayed on her perfume and went downstairs.

Allison and Scott sat on the couch, hugging, the same one where Lydia met him, but now all she could think about if it was the couch all Stiles' girls spread eagle on.

"Nice girl!" Allison said excitedly.

"Nice choice, Lydia." Scott nodded and smiled. "Stiles is gonna piss himself when he sees you."

"Oh c'mon, not you too." Lydia laughed.

At those words Stiles stumbled into the living room and Lydia nodded, approving his white shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbows, and he was wearing light jeans.

He observed her choice of clothing, whistling at her teasingly short shorts. Her petite figure looked even tastier now and he unconsciously leaned at the door, still looking at her and it made her feel a bit awkward.

"So when Stiles is done drooling over Lydia, we can go?" Scott suggested nonchalantly, making Allison laugh.

Stiles fake laughed at his friend but turned to the door. Everyone followed.

Beach was super beautiful, sun wasn't shining so bright anymore, and some people were making a huge fire in the distance. All four of them slipped out of their shoes, feeling cold, refreshing sand go through their toes.

"Scott! Guys!" They heard the voice from the distance and found Isaac in the crowd.

The party was way calmer than they could've imagined. There were people playing acoustics and mainly just chilling. Lydia inhaled smell of the water and smiled.

"Hey!" Isaac got to them and shook his hands with the guys, giving Allison and Lydia quick hug.

Stiles was somehow by her side again and he told her quietly.

"Wanna take a walk?"

Lydia nodded. They subtly stepped away from their friends and started walking towards the ocean.

"Are you chilly?" He asked.

No, but you can still put your arm around me.

Waving that thought away she shrugged as casually as she could.

"No, I'm okay."

Stiles stared at her for a second and after weighing the possibility of being punched or yelled at, he shrug off his hoodie and covered her shoulders.

Corners of her mouths turned up and he pretended not to notice it.

"So, what's your story?" She asked, realizing how cliché that sounded.

He shoved his hands to his pockets, eyes becoming wary. They kept walking in slow steps.

"You think there's so much to tell?" He grinned.

Her words fell with the weight of conviction, simple truth.

"A guy like you usually does have a story. Tell me about your family." She suggested and he looked at her. Sun was playing on her face and it suited perfectly with the color of her hair and lips. Lips that absolutely corrupted his imagination and inflamed his blood.

"My dad is around." He finally said. "And I'm living with my brother." He laughed, looking forward now. "There's not much to tell, really. My dad is the county Sheriff, and he is, hands down the best man I've ever known."

"And your mom?" She asked carefully but he couldn't hear fear of the answer in her voice.

"Last time I saw her, I was nine. That was last time anyone had seen her." He answered calmly, as a matter-of-fact.

His answer caught her off guard.

"I'm sorry."

He quickly dismissed her sympathy.

"Don't worry about it, it was a long time ago." He sent assuring smile in her direction and she figured that he was actually okay.

They kept walking, talking and bantering from time to time. It was almost impossible for them to speak normally. He made her laugh a few times, making him think that maybe she doesn't hate him at all. He made her nervous. That was different. And it was even better.

When fireworks finally came on, it was already darkened and the only light was a huge fire nearby, along with the fireworks. They found Allison, Scott and Isaac and watched at the dark sky. People were cheering and laughing everywhere, and when they started firing bigger fireworks, Lydia noted Scott whispering something to Allison and kissing her sweetly. Stiles, still by her side, she noticed was also watching them, but he had another facial expression. His one eyebrow was raised and he had his little scheme face on, so Lydia punched him in the arm.

"What it is, Bambi?"

"It's romantic. No need for your snarky comments." She pointed out.

Stiles giggled.

"It's romantic? It's cliché. Why doesn't he just kiss her at midnight, under the stars, in the moonlight..?" He kept mocking.

Lydia shook her head in amaze.

"You must have some romantic bone in your body?" She suggested.

He laughed, his eyes on hers.

"Don't mistake romance for lust." He murmured.

She wasn't aware of just how close he had moved to her until now. So many details came in focus. The shape of his lips, the line of his neck. She thought she heard him whisper "Fuck boundaries." and he wrapped one of his hands to her waist, just as in the afternoon.

It sent flurry sparks through her.

"You said today I was dangerous. I'm not dangerous." She breathed.

Stiles brought his face toward hers.

"You are to me."

They were one toe in the water of intimacy, from which they would never recover, they just didn't know it yet.

"Lydia?! Is that you? Oh my God!"