Hey y'all, it is ya girl back with another chapter. I've really been struggling these past few weeks between writer's block and cramps but I'm here, I have survived, and I have a funky fresh new chapter for y'all. Hope you lovelies enjoy! ~Shaymie

"I wish you could meet them, Ange! I think Syd's the one, y'know!"

"Reina, you say that about everyone. Remember Michelle, that self-absorbed little gumball on legs? God, I don't know what you saw in her." Even though she was soaking in the hot spring, Angela felt a cold chill rush over her body as she thought of the woman. Her cell phone nearly slipped from her hand, but she kept a good grip on it. Reina's always been attracted to wacky or different people, but Michelle was on a whole other level. Most of her "magic tricks" ended with something on fire or minor injuries.

"Hey, she was cute! And you know I'm a sucker for magic." Angela adjusted the phone under her ear with a roll of her eyes. "But I really mean it this time! Syd could become Mx. Navarre, and I expect you to be a maid of honor!"

She sighed. There's no changing Reina's mind once she gets something in her head. Reina's insanely smart, but she's always been a romantic at heart. Since they were kids, Reina's dreamed of a big fancy wedding with all the works. Muffy wanted something a bit more intimate. When they asked Angela what she wanted, she... didn't have an answer. Weddings were never her thing. She'd gone to Aunt Dee's wedding and it was the most boring thing she's ever been to. Why did people obsess over them so much? Even Molly dreamed of having an Enchanted-themed wedding, ridiculous poofy wedding dress and all.

"Okay, but what if you take Syd's name?"

"I'm not taking on some white-ass name like Duncan!" She could picture the disgusted look on Reina's face and let out an undignified snort. "But that's enough about me, Angie. How are things going with you and that blue-haired beefcake? Has anything happened since you touched his dick?"

"I'm never telling you or Muffy anything ever again. But if you must know, things are going well. I'm working part-time with his dad so we can spend some time together since he's always working on that stupid house." Angela sighed. She was still feeling some soreness from the hard work. She should have expected that. Thankfully Molly had reminded her about the hot spring at the back of their property. It was hidden by the barn and the coop, so she didn't feel weird about stripping off her clothes to soak for a while.

"Hold up, you're building a house? Just to spend more time with a guy? Oh honey, you're down bad."

"It's not a whole house!" Angela protested, feeling her cheeks flush from more than the heat of the spring. She's glad the signal's too bad for them to have a proper video call, though Gill said they were working on getting some towers set up soon. She could only imagine how long that's going to take. "It's just renovations. And you can't make fun of anyone for wanting to spend time with their partner when you text me in a panic if Syd doesn't stop by the museum at exactly noon."

"Speaking of Syd, I gotta go! I'm supposed to be getting ready for our date!"

"And you're letting me hold you up? Go get cute for your date, and don't forget to send me a picture of your outfit!" Angela wasn't the type of person to care about clothes or hair or anything like that. She had messed around with different styles when she was younger just to try and find what she liked, but other than that she doesn't really care what she wears. But she likes seeing the outfits Muffy and Reina managed to put together.

After a rushed goodbye, Angela got out of the hot spring, wrapping her towel tightly around herself. She already found herself missing the warmth of the spring but didn't want to push it. The last thing she wanted was to wind up a raisin. She brushed her damp bangs back from her face as she made her way towards the house, frowning at how long they've gotten. She couldn't remember the last time she's actually cut her hair. Muffy gave her a trim before she left but for some reason chose to leave her bangs alone.

She sure as hell isn't touching them herself. Her last attempt to cut her bangs had been nearly disastrous. It was a miracle Muffy had been able to salvage them into something decent.

Angela released her grip on the towel, trusting it to stay wrapped around her body, and walked to the bedroom to get dressed. She had promised to meet Luke and Owen at the bar for dinner, though she would much rather be spending some time alone with Luke. She's become a bit of a cuddle addict now that she's seen what she's been missing. She didn't realize how starved she was for just... soft touches. An arm wrapped around her or a kiss to the cheek. It almost made her feel bad for teasing him.

Almost.

But when he's so responsive to the littlest things, how could she not tease him? A nibble to the ear, a hand on his thigh, her chest pressed against his arm... Simply biting her lip and batting her eyelashes got a reaction from him. She worried at first that it was almost too much. That like the almost-handjob in the bar's bathroom, she was moving too fast. But Luke said he liked it and she liked seeing the look in his eyes as she slowly taunted him. Did he only stop her at the bar because they were drunk or is he just more into foreplay?

Her cheeks flamed as she got dressed. This definitely isn't what she should be thinking about before going out in public. She forced herself to think about something else, anything else, before she got herself too worked up and ended up jumping Luke at the bar. Aside from some fooling around with Reina before she left, she hasn't been with anyone in a while. Taking it slow is nice, but she's also a bit pent up. Patience has never been her strong suit. It was part of the reason why Kasey thought she wasn't qualified for this job.

Kasey... She'd have to call Jack again, tell him to make sure Kasey's not working too hard. There's a difference between working overtime and working yourself to death. She didn't even think about how her leaving would affect his ability to pay the bills. They had everything split right down the middle and then she suddenly left him with everything. If he'd just answer the damn phone then maybe they could figure something out so he doesn't have to work so many hours.

Why do we all have to be so fucking stubborn? Angela huffed, pulling on a light jacket over her tank top. It was cute when they were younger but now it's just frustrating. She's barely any older than Kasey, but she still felt responsible as the older sibling. She wants to help him out but she's not sure if she'll be able to. Not when he's so stubborn and not even answering the phone. What if he's secretly mad at her for leaving after all? He did seem to get over his frustration over them leaving rather quickly...

I need a drink before I worry myself into a panic attack...

They'd been having a nice dinner until Angela threatened to knock a tourist's teeth in, so they had to move things to the farmhouse.

"I can't believe that girl was flirting with you when I was sitting right there," Angela murmurs as she peppers greedy kisses along Luke's jaw. She's straddling his lap, one hand tangled in his hair, the other resting on his chest. She's had more than enough alcohol to get buzzed, while Luke barely had gotten through a single beer before they left. She told him to say when he wanted her to stop but he seems pretty into it.

"I didn't think you'd be the jealous type, Ange." Luke hisses as she tugs at his hair to force his head to turn. Her lips suction onto his neck as she ponders his words. She didn't think she'd get so jealous, either. She blames the alcohol for making her more... clingy? Possessive? Her fingers grip the fabric of his vest. As silly as it was, she was scared of losing him to someone prettier, more feminine. It's happened once before. What's to stop it from happening again? Her eyes darken as she nips at Luke's neck.

"She fucking knew you were mine and she made a move anyway."

Luke tensed underneath her. She pauses her assault on his neck and releases her hold on his shirt. That bitterness in her voice... She's not sure if she was talking to Luke or Mikhail just then. Luke hadn't done anything, had barely paid the other girl any mind. She had no need to worry about him straying from her. He's heads over heels for her. He's been sneaking kisses and loving touches all day while they worked on the house together. So why can't she accept that he chose her?

"Angela," Luke murmurs, hand reaching up to cup her chin and force her to look up at him. The other one is on her waist, slightly creeping underneath her tank top. She likes the feeling of his rough fingers on her bare skin and shivers when he rubs lightly. His eyes widened at her reaction. "Sorry, Ange, I didn't mean—"

"Keep doing it. It's nice. And I..." She bit her lip nervously. "I just want you touching me. I want to know I'm yours."

"Can I take your shirt off? I wanna see more of you." She nods, laughing at the way his eyes light up. He's already seen her in a swimsuit. Isn't a bikini top the same thing as a bra? Luke pulls the tank top over her head and sets it on the couch next to him. Her cheeks flush when he stares at her bra-clad breasts like they're some kind of treasure. His calloused hands return to her waist, the feeling of the rough pads of his fingers sending a chill through her body. She's embarrassed when a weak moan escapes her as he starts running his hands up her body.

It really has been too long.

"S-Sorry—"

"Don't be. That was hot as hell." His eyes are hungry as they rake over her body. She licks her lips and rolls her hips on instinct, feeling something hard shift under her, and there's a part of her that thinks they should slam the brakes on this before they do something they'll regret. But the inebriated, horny part of her wins out so she does nothing to stop it. She lets out a purr as Luke tugs down the cups of her bra and plants kisses all over her chest, the kisses quickly becoming more aggressive.

"L-Luke," she gasps out when he bites down just as she'd done. She didn't think he had it in him, though she wishes he would mark her somewhere that's visible. Maybe even on her neck so they'd be matching and all the pretty little tourists would know that they were together. The petty thought's only in her mind for a moment before Luke's mouth brings her back to reality, his tongue darting out to lash at the part he'd been suckling at. She scratches at his scalp and shudders when he groans against her skin.

Who'd have thought some stupid jealousy would get her here?

"Ange..." The husky way he said her name caused heat to flood her body. She tugged his hair to make him look up at her—god, why'd he have to make that cute little noise, she didn't think he'd be the whiny type—and looked into his eyes. There's something there, needy and desperate, that makes her really want to take this all the way now. She licks her lips and leans in to give the hickey on his neck a twin, smirking at the way his breath hitches.

"Like that, big boy?"

His only response is a low moan. Her thighs clench. She's not sure why this surprised her so much. Luke's always turned into a flustered mess when she flirted with him. But she never expected to have this much power over him, to have him practically melt under her touch. Several wicked thoughts pass through her head—most of them being of her in charge, bossing Luke around, making him beg—and the blood rushes to her face. Where did that come from? Maybe it's because she's not used to guys turning to mush around her, and that noise he made when the pet name slipped from her mouth... She turns her head to his ear and utters it again. His fingers dig into her skin in reply.

She's made him speechless. Luke. Speechless.

"You like it when I call you that, huh?" she murmurs as she pulls away from his neck and examines her handiwork. She reaches up to touch the marks gently, her other hand disentangling from his hair and going for his crotch because she just wants to feel him before they somehow come to their senses and realize what they're doing and just how far they've gone. She's not sure how much longer she can go without some form of sex.

Her hand has just barely brushed his jeans when the front door suddenly slams open. She stares at Linh and Bridget, who had just barged in like they owned the place. Linh at least has the decency to cover her eyes but Bridget stares for a good few seconds before Angela finally scrambles to action, climbing off of Luke and pulling on her shirt. Luke grabs a pillow to hide his hard-on, his face bright red.

"What the hell is wrong with you guys? Haven't you heard of knocking?" Angela huffed. The shirt's on inside-out, but that doesn't matter right now.

"Haven't you heard of locking the door?" Bridget shoots back, flinching as Linh digs her nails into her arm. "Ange, we—"

"We can talk later. You two, um, can go back to what you were doing." Linh shot Bridget a look, her jaw clenched. Her face has been red since she walked through the door. Bridget rolls her eyes with a dramatic sigh. Linh tugs her back through the door, giving Angela an awkward wave. "Um, sorry for interrupting."

"We really need to talk tomorrow, it's important!" Bridget called out as the door slams shut behind them. Angela stares at the door in silence for a few moments before looking at Luke with a sigh. She messed up again. She's supposed to be taking this relationship slow and she keeps trying to sleep with him. Maybe she should stop drinking so much. It made her more flirty for some reason.

"Luke, I—"

"Holy shit, Ange, that was fucking sexy as hell!" Luke's... laughing. He's laughing as he moves the pillow and pulls her back onto his lap even though he's still hard. She blinks as he covers her neck with gentle kisses and reaches his hand up her shirt to grope at her breasts. "I wanted our first time together to be special. You know, romantic dinner, candlelight and rose petals, all that fancy stuff."

"That's the kind of boring shit Mikhail would do." Angela hummed as he nuzzled into her neck and squeezed his shoulder. "I mean, that's not really my thing. And he never wanted to try anything fun! Always in the bed, he has to be on top, wouldn't even try it anywhere else. I never thought sex could be boring."

"So are you like... into chains and whips and stuff?" Luke sounded scared, his hand suddenly going still. She laughed and started smoothing his hair down. It had gotten messed up with all the tugging she'd done earlier. Not like it mattered, it would get ruined the second he put his bandana back on. If they could find where she threw it. She smiled as she played around with his hair, twisting it around her finger.

"I just like it rough. Like, pound me into the mattress until I pass out rough. And I like being on top. In charge. I also like marking my territory. You got it easy tonight." She bit her lip as she eyed the marks on his neck, which was flushing bright red from her words. She had wanted to do more, so much more, but she didn't want to scare him away. It's hard accepting that he's here to stay. There's some part of her deep down that's scared he'll leave after they finally have sex even though she knows he's not that kind of guy. "What about you, babe? Anything you like besides hair pulling and cute names?"

"I like this," he mumbled into her neck. "Like... I like how you feel on my lap and the way you were talking to me... The way your voice sounded... Shit, Ange, that was so hot... I wanted to..."

"Yeah, babe?" Angela murmured, tilting his head up to make eye contact. She ran her thumb over his lower lip and smiled when he shivered. "Tell Angie what you want."

"Fuuck..." And then his lips crashed onto hers and there was a lot less talking. Everything faded into a heated blur, hands roaming over bodies and clothes being torn off. Somehow they end up in the bedroom, long limbs awkwardly hanging off the twin bed but they couldn't care less. She's never felt such a burning need to be with someone before. It just feels so right and she wondered why the hell they waited so long for this. She's planting hungry kisses all over his body and his hands are squeezing her so tight she's sure she's gonna bruise and it's like nothing matters but the two of them.

It's long after they've finished, when she's resting her head against his sweaty chest, that the first "I love you"s are whispered. And unlike before with Mikhail, she finds she doesn't doubt the sincerity behind the words a single bit.