“Justin!” Crystal’s cry echoed in my ears.

“No.” I mumbled, jerking the covers over my body and the pillow over my head.

“Justin, wake up.” Crystal jumped onto my covers, playfully wrapping her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck before falling beside me.

I pulled down the covers slightly to look at her, “You’re in a good mood. You never talk to me.”

She smiled before leaning forward and kissing me gently. Instantly, I sat up, “Okay, you’re hugging and kissing me in my bed. You’re in a very good mood. What’s happening?”

“We have visitors coming!” She squealed as she tackled me again, wrapping her arms around my waist and laying her chin on my chest. She looked up at with with her deep blue eyes and grinned mischievously.

“What visitors? Is that allowed?” I casually slung my arm around her waist, rolling onto my side and pulling her with me.

She struggled to get out from beneath my weight and the tangling covers, “Yes! It happens once a year where another couple comes in and stays for a few months. This way, the couples can mix and match if they want to.”

I scowled, “I don’t like that.”

She froze in her attempt to get away, “Is someone jealous?”

“Yes! I don’t plan on sharing.”

“Justin, you and I are barely a thing. You’ve been here for what, two months?”

“So? You won’t get near me but you’re still my mate.”

“Wouldn’t you want someone who actually pays attention to you?” Crystal looked confused.

“I’ll get you to pay attention to me, someday.”

“Okay, let’s say I pay attention to the dude that comes, instead of you. What would you do?”

“Beat the crap out of him then carry you far away from him then kiss you senseless until you can’t remember why you ever wanted to pay attention to him.”

“I doubt you’d be able to do that.”

I reached out and pulled her face closer to mine, “Try me.” I said with a smirk.

She kissed my nose before jumping away and out of bed, “We’ll see.”

* *

“Are we wearing bathing suits, normal clothes or are we going commando?” I called from my closet.

“I wouldn’t mind commando, but I’m thing bathing suit.” Crystal replied from her own closet.

“Whoa whoa.” I stepped out of my closet to see Crystal standing in front of her mirror, holding two bathing suits on either side of her. One was a white high-waisted bikini and the other was a blue off the shoulder one piece. She seemed to be debating between the two.

“Did you just throw a flirt in there?” I demanded, coming to stand behind her.

“Mmhm.” She was distracted. She turned to me, “Which one?”

“White.” I said simply.

A sudden door slam in the kitchen made us both turn.

“They’re here.” Crystal whispered, scrambling to the bathroom, “Give me a sec.”

“I don’t recall you being this excited to meet me.” I said, following her.

“I didn’t know you were coming. And—what are you doing? I’ll change by myself, thanks very much.” She shut the door in my face.

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“You sure you don’t need help?” I asked.

“Positive. Go say hello. Actually, don’t. I don’t know what you’ll say to that poor guy.”

She came out a few moments later, her bathing suit cover by a short, beach dress.

“C’mon. Be nice to them.”

“I’m always nice. You’re the unfriendly one.”

We entered the living room.

A tall, dark skinned woman reclined peacefully on the couch, her high heels set up on the coffee table. Long, black hair fell down her shoulders and she wore a skimpy bikini, covered only by a small mesh cover up. She was one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen. Beside her, reading a magazine was another tall and handsome stranger. He had wavy, bleach blonde hair and deep emerald eyes. He grinned at Crystal, looking her up and down. I glanced at Crystal, who wasn’t bothering to hide the glare that she directed at the other girl.

“Hello.” Crystal said simply.

The man was the first to jump up and take her outstretched hand, “Hello, beauty. My name is Danny. You must be Crystal.”

“Uh.” She tried to recoil her hand from his grasp but he held tight, “Yes, I am.”

The dark skinned beauty stood up from the couch and approached us gracefully, “My name is LaKiesha, but you can call me Kiesha.” She smirked at me, coyly running her fingers through her hair. But I didn’t even glance at her, instead I nudged Crystal away from Danny and shook his hand, “I’m Justin.”

“Good to meet ya, Justin. We’re all good sports, right?”

I chuckled humorlessly, “I’m a good sport until you bother my girl. Then we’re in trouble.”

“Justin.” Crystal chided, patting my arm gently.

Keisha didn’t seem too happy with the statement, she pushed Danny away and shook my hand, scowling at Crystal, “Well, Justin, I’m hoping we can change who you’re calling ‘your’ girl this month.”

To my surprised, Crystal made an indignant sound in her throat and Keisha smirked at her.

I pulled away, “I don’t think that’ll happen Kesha.”

“Keisha.” She corrected.

“Yeah, whatever.”

I returned my attention to Danny, “So, are you and Kesha a couple?” I asked.

Danny laughed, “No, we aren’t. That’s why Crystal is at the top of my list for mates right now.”

I blinked, surprised by his obvious bluntness.

Keisha scowled and looked Crystal up and down, “She’s not that cute.”

“Nah, she’s pretty hot.” Danny said.

“I’m right here.” Crystal snapped.

“That’s right, Sweet Thing, you should feel flattered that I’m saying this about you.”

She scoffed, “Okay, first of all, Danny, I have a name. And it sure isn’t ‘Sweet Thing’, so don’t call me that. Second, Justin is my mate and he’s enough trouble as it is so I’m not looking to switch it out. So keep your eyes up and your hands to yourself and we’ll get along fine.”

Danny frowned at her, “I thought we came here to get a new mate.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I’m interested.”

“We’ll change that.”

“Mm.” Crystal didn’t look convinced.