Jealousy. I laugh at myself to even think I'd begun to feel such a ridiculous thing. Amelia is my best friend that's it. We're nothing more. Yeah, maybe now I looked at her a bit differently but it's just the way I look at most beautiful women.

She'd covered herself up before we'd gotten older. I had never really paid much attention to any of her assets before. The only time I'd really ever paid much attention to them was when she'd gotten that boyfriend Evan. He was one of the only guys that didn't seem to mind me being around. Maybe it was because I was fifteen and Amelia was seventeen at the time.

The majority of the guys Amelia dated were always older than her. That meant they were usually at least a good five to six years older than me. None of them ever really paid attention to the two of us hanging out. Well, they didn't pay attention or care until I'd gotten a bit older and grown into myself. Once I reached my full height and build is when the guys she dated looked at me much differently.

Her last year of college was definitely proof of that. Even if the guys she saw were older they were intimidated by me. None of the guys she dated stuck around for long. No, after watching Amelia run into my arms and hug me, in a way I knew they'd never gotten, they couldn't stand me. I think the main reason they disliked me so much was the clear warning I gave every single one of them. The protective glare each of them got clearly stated that if they hurt her in any way, shape, or form I'd fucking murder them.

The way she ran into my arms at the airport was another one of those moments. When she'd walked out of the door I didn't pay attention to who held it for her. No, I couldn't see anything but her running toward me with that beaming smile. That run and smile told me she was ecstatic to see me. I'd caught her with as much enthusiasm, closing my eyes as I'd done so. But after a moment I'd opened them.

When my eyes had taken in his large frame, business attire, and arrogant smirk on his face, I'd immediately felt overly protective. I'd squeezed her in my arms just a touch tighter while I kept my eyes on him. Once I let her go he'd clearly been a bit uncomfortable. I hoped that was enough to scare this older man away from her but the statement he made and the grin he gave her before he left told me otherwise.

Then we'd slept together, again. We'd done things I'd never done with anyone else, dangerous things. Amelia was right though this morning when she said that this couldn't be a thing. I'm in Vegas and she's in Boston and who knew where the fuck this Rhoen guy was going to be.

What kind of fucking name is Rhoen anyway?

I don't care and it doesn't matter because Amelia was right. Yeah, the sex was good but the friendship was better. It's about the only healthy relationship with a woman that I can maintain outside of my mother and my sister. I should've kept my cock out of it, which is why I am where I am now.

"Is that it?" The teller looks at me with a completely unperturbed face.

"I think six boxes of condoms should cover it." I pull out a wad of cash when she tells me the total. Once I get my change I immediately head back to my room with the bag in tow. Jealous. I'll show Amelia just how completely unfazed I am with the thought of her having sex with another man.

Once I'm back in my room I begin divvying up the boxes. Fuck that. I only take one for her because the chances are I'll be getting laid a lot more than she will. Well, we did have sex five times in one night so maybe she needs more. No. It's a first date and Amelia isn't like me. She won't just spread her legs for anyone.

The way he was looking at her would say he'd sure as hell try to give it a go. I grit my jaw at the thought. Nope. She's not going to be going on a sex marathon tonight with him she already had one with me last night. But what if she does? Fucking hell. I fucking hate my brain. It doesn't matter if she does because it doesn't matter.

I grab the box of condoms and head over to her room in determination. She's my best friend and she has every right to go on a date with whoever she wants to. She can fuck whoever she wants to. I grimace at the thought but then shake my head as I knock on her door. Once she opens I'm taken aback. This is not my best friend. No, this is a fucking goddess.

"Jesus fucking Christ, Amelia." I can't help but look her up and down. Her dress is clinging to every inch of the skin that she's covering. There's not a lot of skin that she is covering though, so there's that. My brain starts imagining every way I want to peel it off of her. Then I remember why I'm here. "I'm fucking glad I bought you these. You're going to need them." God, she's most definitely going to need them looking like that.

"Jamie, for fuck's sake." She looks to me, to the pack of condoms in my hand, then over my shoulder in mortification. I know her date is coming up behind me and that gives me an idea. Like she's picturing what's going on in my head she's tries to snatch them but I'm too quick. I lift them above my head and give them a good shake. "Jamie," she lowers her voice, "Rhoen is coming up behind you." I know. And I can't help but smirk.

"What? I don't get a thank you for making sure you're protected?" I'd said that loudly but lower my tone as I continue, "I don't want him to accidently come in you too. I'd prefer to be the only one to have done that in you."

"Jamie, shut up and give me those or put them away." She looks like she's about to either have an anxiety attack or smack me.

"Fine, here." She snatches them from me at a lightning pace and shoves them directly into her purse.

"Am I interrupting something?" Rhoen says the words as he stands right up alongside me. Then he looks her up and down like she'd be the tastiest dessert he's ever had. "Oh wow, Amelia, you look phenomenal. Really, you're stunning."

Yeah, he wants in her panties for sure. She's not going to fall for-

"Thank you." She blushes immensely and my previous thought process is completely shut down. I can't but help clear my throat, reminding her that I'm still here as she ogles him in front of me. "I'll see you later, Jamie. Thank you for the uh, the precautionary measures."

When she finally looks at me with those pleading eyes, pleading for me to stop making this uncomfortable I say, "no problem. You two have a good night." I give them both one last look before I shove my hands in my pockets, turn on my heel, and walk down the hallway.

If Amelia is going to spend the night with someone I sure as shit am going to too. I make my way down to one of the clubs in the adjacent casino and scan the crowd. That's when I spot my girl for the night. Black hair. Blue eyes. A body that could be on the cover of SI. That is how I'll be spending my evening.

✩✩✩

The next morning wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be. This woman wanted exactly what I wanted, or so it would seem. She was all over me and not in that I want to bag a hot rich guy kind of way. No, she wanted a night of pleasure, just like me. I also think she had or came from money because she didn't bat an eye any time I took out a wad of cash.

"That was a good time, Bright." She pulls the shimmery fabric of her dress over her head then pulls it down to mid-thigh. "I mean, I haven't met someone who can fuck quite as good as me yet but you kept up quite nicely.

I can't help but laugh at her words. "Oh really?"

"Really, actually." She brushes her fingers through her hair and touches up her left-over make-up in the mirror. That had to be some top-notch stuff because it was still on her face, just a bit of a mess now. After a moment she looks as good as new. "You know, Bright is an interesting name."

"So is Stella." She turns around and smirks at me as I pull my pants up.

"Yeah, came from the first beer I saw last night." That makes me stop.

"What?"

"Stella. Stella Artois. You know, the beer?"

"Yes, I know the beer. You're saying that you named yourself after a beer?"

"Well, for the night, yes. I mean, Artois kind of reminds me of twat. That's not a very sexy name to moan." She taps her finger on her chin as she moans, "Ah twat. Yeah, no. I am not a fan of that at all. Stella though, that's a good one. I like it better than most of the rest."

"You lied about your name?"

"Yes, Bright, I did." She walks up to me and gives me a devilish smile. "I've never met a man who'd give a girl a fake name though. There's something about that that kind of turns me on. I'd say we should do this again sometime but we don't do again, do we?" This woman is completely blowing my mind.

"No. No, we don't"

"So, you admit it then?"

"Admit what?

"Bright isn't your real name." I shake my head and mouth the word nope. "I'm sure we'll find each other again, Bright." She walks over to the door and I follow her. Before she exits she turns around and kisses me fiercely. "That was just in case we don't." Her bright blue eyes flash to mine one more time before she leaves.

"Oh, there'll be another time!" I yell out to her as she struts down the hallway. She doesn't even stop or look back but she does pass two other people. She passes two very specific people still in last night's clothing.

They're walking hand in hand, both looking somewhat of a disheveled mess. Amelia is giggling at something Rhoen had said. Then he pulls her into him and gives her a kiss atop her head. Her eyes flicker up to mine and the moment they do she looks back. I know she's taking in Stella walking down the hallway. I don't wait for her to look back to me. No, I just shut the door.