When Maya arrived home, Riley had set herself up on the couch for a day of moping about her hangover. She looked up from the television as Maya walked in, coffee in hand, "Don't give me that judgy look, peaches. I never judge you."
Maya rolled eyes, moving to sit down beside her on the couch, "I never do anything judge worthy."
"Speaking of judgement," Maya had already picked up on the conniving tone in Riley's voice, "Wanna come to a beach party a little out of town after lunch?"
"No," Maya sipped her coffee and looked at the TV.
Riley completely ignored Maya's decline to invitation, "I need someone to drive me home."
Maya narrowed her eyes, "Who's going to be there?"
"Everyone."
"What are you going to do if I'm not there to drive you home?"
Riley pouted, leaning on her shoulder, "Make bad decisions."
"Ugh," Maya had promised Riley's father she would look after he, "Fine."
"Yay!"
"I'm guessing your little boy toy's going to be there."
Riley narrowed her eyes, "How do you know I have a boy toy?"
Maya gestured around the room, "Thin walls."
"Ew. Don't bring Charlie into this," Riley got up from the couch and skipped towards her room, "Be ready by one. Bring the cute swimsuit."
Swimsuit? Ugh.

Maya wasn't a big fan of beach parties. They usually consisted of scantily clad beautiful people parading around and drinking. That's what Maya had been expecting for this party. She was not disappointed. Riley slammed the passenger side door shut quickly, taking off down the hill to her friends, already shedding her revealing throw over to show the bikini underneath. Party girl Riley was harder to handle than normal Riley.
Maya adjusted her sunglasses on her face, looking around to try and predict the general vibe of the party. She was probably the only one on the whole beach wearing actual clothing. She fiddled with the frayed edge of her denim shorts, making her way down the hill to the throng of people. Was she the only one wearing a shirt?
"Heads up," A voice called from her left, and she ducked just in time for a Frisbee to fly straight over top of her, right where her head would have been. That's pretty low to the ground for a Frisbee.
Maya recognised a few faces from last night's festivities. One in particular was the handsome Will that she had gotten to know as the night came to a close, "Hey, Will."
He turned, smiling, "Maya! No one told me you were coming today? Where's your swimsuit."
Maya fidgeted with her white cotton t-shirt, "I'm not the swimsuit type."
Will looked her up and down, "That's a shame. Can I get you anything to drink?"
Maya shook her head, "I think I had enough last night."
Will grinned and stepped closer to her, "Where did you run off to last night? I was looking forward to chatting to you some more."
Maya opened her mouth to answer, interrupted by a low, dangerous voice from behind her, "She was with me."
Maya saw a flicker of fear in Will's eyes before he turned to leave, giving Maya an apologetic smile. Maya spun to face him, outraged, to find a stone faced Lucas, "You shouldn't talk to that guy. He's bad news."
Maya narrowed her eyes, hands on her hips, "I thought you were the bad boy round these parts, Huckleberry. Since when do you decide who I talk to. Caveman."
Lucas laughed, "It's nice to see you again too, Maya."
How did he name sound so much better when he said it. Her focus wavered when she stopped to take in Lucas's state of undress. He was wearing a pair of blue trunks, riding low on his hips, with no shirt anywhere in site. Maya forgot how to breath for a second. Was that an eight pack. What the hell?
Maya had to consciously stop herself from drooling. Lucas noticed, giving her his signature smirk, "See something interesting, Short stack?"
Maya rolled her eyes, "Yes. The ocean looks great. I think I'll go for a swim."
Lucas grinned after her, "Can I join?"

He had to keep his libido in check for the moment. It wasn't helpful that she was wearing the shortest denim shorts he had ever seen. How is it possible that she was wearing more than all the girls on this beach combined, and yet his eyes were drawn to her first. He blamed it on the curves.
She strutted towards the ocean, oblivious to the appreciative looks she was getting as she pulled her shirt over her head. Lucas shot a look at a guy who was gearing up to wolf whistle. He lowered his hand and stepped back. Sometimes it was good to be feared.
Lucas strolled slowly towards the water, a safe distance behind Maya. Mostly so he could check out her ass as she took of those denim shorts to reveal her swim suit. This girl would be the death of him.
He jogged up to the edge of the sea, grinning, "Wait for me Short Stack."
Maya frowned at him, "What are you doing?"
Lucas grinned and motioned out to the rocks of the other side of the beach, "I want to show you something."
"That's pretty far, I'm not a huge swimmer."
"Come on, Sweetheart. Be reckless with me."
Lucas felt like the big bad wolf. Maya looked at a him with wide innocent eyes, "Alright, I've got nothing better to do."
She waved to Riley back at the shore and ran to dive head first into the water.

Maya knew it was terrible idea to let Lucas convince to go to the jagged rocks on the other side of the beach. This theory had been confirmed by Maya inability to swim all the way to the edge. She called out his name ten metres from the site, the current pulling on her too hard for her to swim forward. Lucas turned around, "Need some help there?"
Maya looked at him, "I told you I wasn't a good swimmer."
Lucas reached her in seconds, "I believe you."
His arms encircle her waist. She tried, and failed, to ignore the feeling of his hand searing her skin. She shivered and he swam her up to the rocky edge of the shore, "You cold?"
He hands were on her hips, his proximity sending sparks of fire down her spine. he wasn't paying attention to her, looking around for a good place to climb up over the rocks onto safety.
He didn't notice until he looked into Maya's eyes, her breathing shallow, "Hey, darling, are you gonna be okay?"
Maya bit her lip and nodded, watching Lucas's eyes darken as his gaze flicked down to her mouth. Lucas was pressing closer to her in an instant. He clearly recognised the desire written over her face at his nearness. He slid his hand up to cup her cheek, leaning forward to ghost his lips over hers, "You need something, honey?"
His mouth. His hands. Anywhere. Maya could felt desire engulfing her body in flames as Lucas leant forward to capture her lips. Maya responded instantly, opening her mouth to allow him entrance. She gripped his shoulder with one hand, the other threading through his hair. Lucas' lips were rough against hers, a collision of teeth and tongues. There was nothing gentle or reserved about the way Lucas kissed her. He moved his hand slowly up her thigh, cupping her ass to hoist her legs around his waist. She rolled her hips into him, panting as his lips left hers to create a path of fire on the sensitive skin of her neck. His hand slammed into the rock behind, the other found the small of her back, pressing her closer to him. His lips teased the shell of her ear, "What do you want?"
Maya fought through the haze of lust. She would not be seduced this easily by Lucas Friar, "I want to get out of the water."
Lucas looked up at her in surprise, "You… Want to get out of the water?"
Maya nodded, "I was nearly drowning."
Lucas frowned, moving to pull her towards a climbable rock. He pushed on her back to help her onto the shore. Maya started up another set of rocks, quickly noticing Lucas wasn't following her, "You alright over there, huckleberry?"
Lucas shook his head and followed her, "You're an enigma to me, sweetheart."

Lucas sat on the beach, chatting to a few of his boys as the light faded around them. He could see Maya from where he sat, her face lit by the glow of the beach bonfire. She'd rushed off the second they got back to shore, eager to re-join Riley. And Lucas, in his current dumbfounded state, had made his way to the cooler where the beer was being kept. He needed a drink after that.
He couldn't understand how she had gone from soft and pliant in his arms one minute, to demanding her help her out of the water the next. Had she not been enjoying herself? Lucas, having spent many years as a self-proclaimed pro in the art of seduction, was sure that wasn't the case. Was he? Oh for the love of god. What was this girl doing to him?
Lucas shifted, turning his attention back to Charlie, "How are things going with Riley?"
Charlie looked over at him, "Me and Riley are smooth sailing. I think we both understand the thing we've got. I'm more interested in your current romantic conquest."
Lucas swallowed another mouthful of beer, "Mine?"
Charlie raised an eyebrow, "Don't play dumb with me. Every guy here has spent the day avoiding Maya because you've staked some kind of claim."
Lucas smirked, "It's not my fault they're scared of confrontation."
Charlie leant his forearms on his knees, looking over at him, "I'd watch out for that one, bro. Riley said she's got stuff."
Lucas smiled, "She's feisty. I'm pretty sure she can handle herself."
Charlie shook his head, "Nah man. I mean stuff. Like from when she was a kid."
Lucas' head snapped up, "What kind of stuff?"
Charlie shifted closer, "You know what I mean. Dad left, Mom was never home. No family. Cuts herself off from people."
Lucas stared out at the bonfire, "We've all got stuff."
Charlie kept talking, "Riley said she went through a bad break up a few years back. Older guy. Broke her heart. She might seem tough, but I think she's more fragile than you think."
Lucas, for some reason, wasn't surprised. He had recognised the gentle vulnerability under the fierceness. He wanted to know more. For the first time in his life, Lucas Friar wanted to learn more about a girl than her first name and what night she was free. He was hooked.

Maya jumped as an intoxicated Riley landed beside her in the sand, "I have two questions. One of which is a personal question from yours truly, and the other which is query from the majority."
Maya grinned at her, "Go for it Riles."
"Firstly, do you mind staying here until morning? Charlie invited me to stay with him."
Maya did mind, "No, of course not. Where are you staying?"
Riley blushed, "His truck."
"Classy."
"Speaking of, that brings me to my next question," Riley leant over to put her face in Maya's lap, pointing to her neck, "Is that a hickey?"
She followed Riley's arm to the spot between her collarbone and neck. That son of a bitch marked her, "No. no, it's probably a bruise from the rocks."
Riley was not impressed, nor was she convinced, "I don't mean to be nosey. I'm just being protective. It's not hard to tell that your Lucas' new target."
Maya rolled her eyes, "If so, he has terrible aim. He missed his chance by a long shot."
He did not. Maya didn't know what his aim was like but she wouldn't mind finding out. No, Maya. Stop.
Riley frowned, "He moves on really fast, Peaches. I don't want you to get hurt like last time."
Maya grinned, "Well, I can understand why you might feel guilty about that. It was your fault, after all."
Riley faux gasped, "I reject your accusation. How was it my fault? He was your boyfriend."
Maya looked down at her pointedly, "He's your uncle."
Riley giggled, rolling off Maya's lap as she stood, brushing sand off the back of her shorts, "I'll go see if I can find anywhere to sleep for the night."
Riley rolled to face her as she walked away, "Bye peaches."

Maya could feel every male she talked to avoiding looking her in the eye. She wasn't that
scary. Was she? Maybe they didn't want to give her the wrong idea. She didn't have any ideas. Or a place to stay. She caught sight of Lucas walking away from the festivities, a large bag slung over his shoulder, "Hey, Ranger Rick? Wait up."

Lucas was grinning when he faced her, "Miss me?"

"No," Maya motioned to where he had been walking, "You going somewhere?"

"I've gotta get back to the city tonight. I've got my first practice game in the morning."

Maya had hit the jackpot, "You're headed back now?"

"Yeah," He looked down at her, "You want a lift?"
"Yes, actually," Maya shot a look at a drunk Riley who was currently dancing in the fire light, "My ride had decided to stick around until morning. I have a catch up class before lunch."

Lucas grinned, "Well then. Follow me, m'lady."

Lucas' truck smelt like rubber, leather and Lucas. Two of these thing Maya could handle. The overwhelming smell of Lucas was not one of them. She had opted to sit in the middle seat closest to the driver's side. Her reasoning, it was the one with the seat belt and had nothing to door with the heat she could feel radiating off Lucas' body. Maya perched her legs on the dashboard. For the most part the trip had been made up of a mix between polite chitchat and comfortable silence. Maya was sick of talking about how great university was going. She wanted details, "How did you get kicked out?"

Lucas regarded her with surprise, "Excuse me?"

Maya fiddled with the hem of her T shirt, "From UT. What did you do?"

His jaw twitched, "A friend of mine got himself into a fight. I sorted it out for him. The sorting out, unfortunately, involved me throwing a few punches."

His grip had tightened around the steering wheels, so Maya decided it was time for a story of her own, "I punched somebody one once."

"That doesn't surprise me," But he couldn't hide the disbelief on his face.

Maya grinned, "A guy jumped me on the way home. Pulled a knife, cut me. So I slugged him in the nose. Knocked him out."

Lucas chuckled, "You're trouble, Short stack. But not that much trouble."

Maya narrowed her eyes, "Want to bet?"

She shifted as Lucas pulled up to a red light on the outskirts of the city, pulling her shorts down a fraction to show the scar sitting just under the edge of her bikini bottoms.

Lucas stopped laughing, "That's nasty."

Maya smiled, "Not the worst thing to happen to me."

Lucas, sensing her discomfort, decided it was time for a subject change, and answers, "Was that a tattoo?"

Maya looked up at him, "What?"

He grinned, starting to drive as the light changed to green, "On your hip. Was it a tattoo?

Maya's hand went to her waist, "Yeah, I got it senior year."

Colour him intrigued, "What is it?"

Maya reached into her shorts to stroke a hand over the ink, "It's Banksy's girl and a balloon. Cliché, I know."

She was caught off guard by the interest in his eyes as he glanced at her, "Why?"

Maya huddled further into herself, "My mom. She died after my last year of high school. Cancer, terminal. There was nothing we could do."

Lucas reached out for her, Maya surprised herself by leaning into him, lacing his finger through his, "She never understood my dream to become an artist. But the last thing she said to me was to never lose hope, no matter how many people knocked me down, even after she was gone."

His thumb stroked the side of her hand, "It reminds you of her?"

She smiled softly as Lucas pulled onto the street of Maya's apartment, "I got it that same night."

Lucas was grinning, "Maybe we're more alike than I thought."

Maya blinked, "Why's that?

Lucas parked the car in front of her dorm, leaning towards her to pull up the shorts covering his right leg, "I got this one the summer before senior year."

Maya gasped. The pattern inked into his upper thigh showed the silhouette of a bull, mid buck. Maya studied it with an artist's eye. The work was beautiful, unique, "What does it mean?"

Lucas smiled sadly, "My dad. Died when I was young. I always wanted this, something to remind me of him. I could get it legally when I was eighteen."

"You were eighteen the summer before senior year?"

He grimaced, "I got held back a year."

Maya didn't let her surprise show. She gave in to the urge to reach out and touch the ink, her hand sliding across it.

"Maya," He growled, actually growled, "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Maya looked up with a question expression, losing her breath at the heat in his eyes. He grabbed her hand, pulling her up against him in the small space of the trucks front seat, "I'm trying really hard to be a good guy, drop you off to your dorm, leave you be."

Maya looked at his mouth. It was all she could think about. Well, that and his skin, gloriously wet, sliding against hers. Maya should make so kind of comment, something about him not being a good guy. Something about her having standards. Then his lips were on hers, her mind shutting down completely. Everything else faded. All she could feel was the feel of his lips against hers, the sparks of pleasure pulsing through her body, settling between her legs. Maya whimpered as Lucas attempted to pull back, drawing him back into her neck. Lucas trailed his lips down to her collarbone, sucking lightly on the sensitive skin. Maya moved quickly, swinging her leg over to straddle his lap. Lucas' hands slid under her shirt, skimming the waistband of her shorts. He gripped her hips when she tried to roll then against him, moving his lips to her ear, "I'm trying real hard her, Short stack."

Maya panted, "What, now you decide to be an upstanding guy?"

Lucas shifted her into the seat beside him, "I'm not gonna walk you to your dorm. I can only exercise so much restraint, sweetheart."

Maya grinned opening her door and jumping out, landing on shaky legs, "Thanks for the ride, cowboy."

He shook his head, "I can offer a much better ride another time."
Maya grinned, "Oh, really?"

He smirked, "You have no idea."

Maya stepped into her apartment, shutting the door and leaning back against the wall. She hated him. Well, she was supposed to hate him. He was her high school enemy, her nemesis. So why did her insides turn to mush whenever he paid her an ounce of attention. There's one only solution for this; Riley's secret stash of Cherry chocolate ice cream.