I head back to my bedroom, needing to finish up my last bit of packing. Tessa is expecting me tomorrow afternoon sometime, but I’m not waiting until then to get into Alabama. There is something I want to do before I start my summer break. Something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. If I’m really going to enjoy myself this summer, I need to let go of all my inhibitions. This will not be the summer of hang-ups or shyness. I’m not the same girl that left Ruxton nine years ago. That girl has been gone for a long time. The braces came off first, followed by the weight and the glasses which were exchanged for contacts. My hair is no longer a wild mess of curls now that I’ve learned how to manage it. My skin cleared up in tenth grade, and that wasn’t the only big change to my appearance that year. My br**sts came in overnight it seemed, and they are definitely my best asset if I do say so myself. And with the help of the volleyball team I joined in high school, my body got tight and stayed that way. The new Mia Corelli is going to let loose and experience everything an Alabama summer had to offer. But in order to do that, I need to handle something first. And that thing is going to be handled tonight.

I grab my phone, falling back onto my pillow after pushing my suitcases to the floor.

Me: All packed up! I’ll call you when I’m on the road tomorrow.

Tessa: OMFG I’m so excited! Your ass is mine for the summer! I have so much planned for us already. :)

Me: Yay! I can’t wait to get there and relax by the pool for three months.

Tessa: That’s not all we’re doing. We’re finding you a play thing for the summer. I’ll surround you with penises if I have to.

Jesus, Tessa.

Me: Well there’s an image. Speaking of dicks, any chance your brother will be out of the country for the summer?

Tessa: Don’t worry about Ben. I don’t even see him that much so you won’t have to either. And besides, he’s already been warned. If he bothers you, I get to kick him in the nuts.

Me: Only after I get the first shot at him. :)

Tessa: There’s my girl. This summer is going to be amazeballs!!! See ya tomorrow!

Me: See ya!

**

I don’t even know the name of the bar I’m currently sitting in. But I doubt it matters. It was the first one I spotted when I got off the Ruxton exit and it looked promising enough. A bar seems like the perfect venue for what I am about to do, or at least attempt to do. I don’t want to face another summer as a virgin. Especially when my best friend isn’t shy about her sexual conquests. If I am going to keep up with her this summer, I have to ditch my virginity, and fast. Tessa has no idea that I still hold my v-card, and I really don’t want to show up tomorrow waving it around like some sort of abstinence banner. So, with the help of my most non-virginal outfit, I’m going to be giving away that card to one of the lucky men in this bar tonight.

“Here ya go, sweetheart,” the bartender says, placing a bright purple drink in front of me. “From the guy with the black shirt at the end of the bar.”

I wrap my fingers around the glass and glance down the length of the bar, meeting the eyes of the man that bought me the drink. He’s hot. Really hot. Insanely hot. The kind of hot that makes you think, there’s no way in hell this guy is looking at me. With short dark hair and eyes that are bright enough to see in the dim lighting. I send him a smile before looking away to take a sip of my drink. It tastes delicious, like raspberry and coconut. I take another sip and glance back down the bar, but the man is no longer there. A surge of disappointment floods my system.

“Crap. Where’d he go?” I utter under my breath as my eyes search the crowded bar. Who buys a girl a drink and then leaves before cashing in on the thank you? Didn’t he see the giant florescent arrow pointing to me, flashing this chick wants to get laid by you? Damn it. That hottie was definite v-card material.

“Where’d who go, baby?”

Whipping my head around, I meet the eyes of my sexy little drink buyer as he claims the stool next to me. Gasping softly, I allow myself a moment to take in the hotness that is now brushing up against my arm. His bright gray eyes are hooded by dark eyebrows, and my attention is drawn down to his lips as they curl up into a smile. Those. Lips. Holy hell. Full and way the hell inviting, if I had the nerve I’d jump all over them. I look back up into his eyes with a grin. “Oh, um, you actually. I wanted to thank you for my drink. It’s really good. What is it?”

“Purple passion. No, purple hurricane?” His eyebrows furrow as he thinks it over. I smile around my straw, taking another sip. “I don’t know. Some purple girly drink. You looked really thirsty from where I was standing so I thought I’d help you out.”

I arch my eyebrow. “Oh? And how long have you been watching me to make that observation?”

He chuckles, one of the sweetest laughs I’ve ever heard, before replying, “Long enough to see that you’re also here by yourself, which surprises me.”

I watch as he motions for the bartender, admiring the way the muscles in his arm flex as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet. “Why does that surprise you? And are you here by yourself or is your girlfriend in the ladies room?” My tone is teasing, and I see his lip curl up in the corner as he absorbs my words. This guy better not have a girlfriend. He’ll be wearing my delicious drink if he does.

He turns his body toward me, reaching his hand out to trail down my arm. “You’re really f**king hot, that’s why it surprises me. And I wouldn’t be taking you back to my place if I had a girlfriend.” Old Mia would be shocked by his forwardness, but new Mia is looking up to the heavens, thanking God for putting this gorgeous man who doesn’t waste any time on this planet and in this bar tonight. His finger stops on the top of my hand and he begins rubbing my skin softly there. “That is, if you want to go back to my place. Or we could do yours. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m game for any place that’ll put me between your legs.” His grin spreads and two massive dimples appear in each cheek. Oh, Good God. That’s adorable.