Alexander Richmond didn't expect to spend spring break with the most beautiful female he'd ever seen when he planned to visit his buddy. She was more temptation than a week of bikini clad women on South Padre Island. There was just one major hiccup. She was only sixteen. By the end of the week, he made the decision to wait for her to grow up. Two very long years.

Calista (Cali) Delaney was shocked at her immediate reaction she had to her brother's best friend. The tall handsome Alex was too perfect. After the first week together, she fantasized what a life with him could be like.

In two years many things could happen and did, but will it stop Alex and Cali from being together?

Of Course not, but follow their love story through pain and tragedy and a whole lot of loving.

Chapter 1

It was my final spring break before I graduated from college. Real life was just a stone’s throw away and I couldn’t wait for it. I drove my Lexus from Dallas to Irving. It may be spring break, but I wanted to spend it with my best friend instead of the beach. When Rob offered to let me stay at his place, I jumped at the chance at a normal, middle class, relaxing family visit. I hated the crowds and all the drunk bitches trying to crawl up my body, looking for a ride on my cock. With my bag in my hand, I made my way up their steps.

I was about to knock on the door when it opened and I saw the hottest female I’d ever seen. Now, I’d let her crawl up my body. “Hi, you must be Alex. I’m Calista, but most call me Cali. Rob’s in the back.”

I paused for a moment—stunned. This had to be Rob’s little sister. He talked about her all the time, but never showed me a photo. Now I understood why; she was beautiful. The first thing that popped into my brain was that she was only sixteen. She didn’t look anything like a normal sixteen-year-old. Everything about her from the way she stood, to the curvature of her body made her look older. Even her face looked at least twenty-one. She stood there with her blonde hair in a tight ponytail, in skintight workout clothes. My body had an immediate and very inappropriate reaction to her. I didn’t know how to get my boy down. I wanted her and it was wrong. I never did anything wrong, so it pissed me the fuck off and like a prick, I took it out on her.

“Yeah, I am.” I swallowed deeply. “You know, you shouldn’t answer the door like that. It’s not safe.” I knew she took it the wrong way, when she looked down at her clothes like I disapproved. Granted, I did because that shit was too tight, but I was talking about the fact that she didn’t even look to see who was at the door before she opened it. I took in her appearance again because I couldn’t stop myself. Jealousy skirted through my mind, irrationally. She was technically a kid. It was not for me to even look at, let alone feel territorial over; but sure enough, I did.

“There’s nothing wrong with my outfit,” she snapped. “My brother’s that way. Excuse me, I’ve got to run.” She rushed passed me in a pair of yoga capris and a tight running shirt, making her way down a wooden path across the street from their home. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Her ass bounced so nicely, I forgot she was just a teen. If I forgot, so did every other guy that she crossed paths with.

Rob came up behind me as I stared off into the distance watching her jog away from me. “So you met my sister.” He chuckled. “I told you men think she’s older. We’ve got a lot of trouble on our hands when she starts dating. Anyways, come on through, enjoy some food and let’s chill.”

I was still looking out the door when he closed it. “She’s fine,” he said, tapping my shoulder.

“Yes, she is,” I muttered under my breath. I let it slip and Rob shook his head.

“In two years, Alex. She’s legal in two years, but not before.” He gave me a look, warning me off. He knew I wasn’t a bastard toward women, but Cali was his sister. So it didn’t matter if I was perfect.

“I’m sorry. That was rude of me.” Fuck, get it together, I mentally chastised myself. Calista was a little girl.

“You’re not the first, Alex.” That jealousy came back again with a vengeance. He just gave me a smirk and walked to the backyard.

The entire time we sat in the backyard, having beers and eating steak, I was looking at the door, waiting for her to return. Participating in our conversation was damn near impossible when all my concentration was focused on when she would get back.

“Don’t you think your sister’s been gone a long time?” I asked.

“No, man. She’s only been gone about an hour. She should be back soon. She’s usually gone about an hour and a half.” Damn that was a long time. Cali needed a fucking treadmill. I was going to look into that Tread Climber when I got home.

~~~~~

Holy shit balls. I opened the door to the man who would steal my soul if I’d let him. Alexander Richmond was stupidly handsome. I couldn’t believe the way my body reacted the moment he smiled up at me. It didn’t last long, after the welcoming smile came the stone cold look that I noticed my brother give my friend Lydia anytime she was around. Immediately I knew what he was thinking. Rob thought Lydia’s crush on him was annoying and out of control. Did I look as pathetic as she did? Was I drooling like a silly school girl. I was a silly school girl, which was probably why Alexander was giving me that damn arched brow. He had to be about six three and built like a quarterback. His eyes were the brightest blue, brighter even than the Texas morning sky. They narrowed at me before he made a nasty remark about my clothes. What a fucking dick! There went that crush. Oh well, Danny Moore was still handsome, and he didn’t give me that ‘I smell manure’ face.

Spotting Rob, out the corner of my eye, coming from the backyard, I excused myself to go on my run. My brother would try to make me stay to be hospitable, and I needed to get my head together before I talked to the sexy jackass Alexander again.

My usual route to the park wouldn’t be good enough, I had to go the long way around, through a few hills. The spring breeze cooled my heated body the minute I hit the trail. Within the first mile, I had managed to calm down. I didn’t know why I was so riled up. Maybe it was because I was offended. My outfit wasn’t any different than any other runner. It fit me snug like it was supposed to, but he had a problem with it—like I was inviting trouble.

I ran harder than before, hating that I wanted to ask him why he was being mean to me. I was about three miles in when I was focused on the image of Alex’s face. He had light brown hair with pretty baby blues. His jaw was taut with a little bit of facial hair. I was meditating on the crooked smile he gave me when I opened the door and didn’t see the other person on a bike. Trying to avoid a serious tangle up, I tripped up on my own feet and twisted my ankle. In frustration and emotional defeat, I sat there thinking about Alexander and his stupid face. I mentally accused him for making me careless.

Starting to make my way back, I was about two miles from the house and close to the main path when I saw my friend’s older brother. “Hi Mark. I didn’t know you ran?” I asked. I knew he hated it, but maybe he thought he needed to workout.

“I just started. It’s harder than I thought. Are you okay?” he asked, noticing my gait.

“Just tweaked my ankle,” I told him. I didn’t want to go into details. God, I hated to be interrupted while I was running. When I ran, all I wanted was my music and to be alone with my thoughts.

“So, do you run often?”

“Every other day,” I said blandly, hoping he’d get the hint.

“Maybe we could run together sometime. Well, at least until I quit.” How did I know that was coming?

“Ha-ha. I don’t have a set time that I run, so it’ll be kind of hard to meet with your work schedule.”

“I can make time to run with you. Besides, it would be safer if you had someone to run with.”

He wasn’t getting the hint. Sometimes I wondered if he and Lydia were truly related. Mark was so different. “Truthfully, Mark. I like to run by myself. It clears my head.”

“That’s cool.” He looked down the path closer to his house. “I’ve got to go. Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Yes, thanks.” I gave him a half smile.

“Okay, don’t forget movie night. Lydia’s looking forward to it.” Somehow I had a feeling he was looking forward to it, too.

“You know I won’t.” He ran in the opposite direction. I liked Lydia’s brother, but the way he looked at me kind of unnerved me. It was like he wanted me—intimately.

I shook my head, wiping Mark from my brain, but unfortunately that brought Alex to the forefront. Damn it. I limped into the house, but no one heard me. I assumed they were all still out in the back, so I went to the upstairs bathroom. Looking in the cabinet under the sink, I couldn’t find the wrap for my ankle. I had no idea where Rob put it, so I had to shuffle back down the stairs to ask my mom. The moment I hit the backdoor, Alex’s eyes were trained on mine. I blushed looking away, but I could feel his presence. Fuck, he ruined me for anyone else—with just his concern.

~~~~~

It was almost dark when she came in sweating and limping. Her family was frantic with concern and invading her space, but as a stranger I had to stand back. I really wanted to knock them out of the way to take care of her. They laughed at me when I asked when she’d be back, but I was right; something bad had happened.

“What happened?” her mother asked.

“Some dumbass on a bike didn’t see me. I tried to get out of his way, twisting my ankle in the process.” She flushed with embarrassment when she noticed me standing there. Feelings of protectiveness washed over me the moment we made eye contact. I wanted to go find that dumbass and punch him in the mouth—accident or not.

“You sure it’s not broken?” I asked from the sidelines, wanting to take her to the hospital like they should be doing in my opinion.

“Yeah, it’s just swollen,” she answered, smiling back at me.

I gave her a little smile back, but grabbed my beer and headed to the kitchen to toss it, and get some air. We were in the backyard for fucks sake and I still felt like I couldn’t breathe. If she liked me even a fraction, I would be in a heap of trouble.

I slept in the guest bedroom down the hall from her, and it was the longest sleepless night ever. I was hard, but I refused to jerk off to her. Even though we weren’t that far apart in age, she was still a minor. I felt dirty for even thinking of it, but my cock didn’t care.

~~~~

The next day, she was sitting at the kitchen table working on some homework. She turned up to me with a smile and asked, “Hi, Alex. Are you hungry?”

“I am, actually.” I needed to get some coffee and out of this house. There was more temptation at this house than I’d ever had at spring break anywhere else. Cabo was sounding like a better option at the moment.

There wasn’t anything spectacular about her appearance this morning. She wasn’t dressed provocatively and she didn’t have any makeup on, but she looked perfect to me. I wanted to walk back out of the room, but I also wanted to stay, maybe even more.

“My mom made some bacon and sausage before she left this morning. What kind of eggs do you like?”

“You don’t have to cook for me. I know how to do it for myself. Doesn’t your ankle hurt?”

“No, it’s feeling better. The wrap is tight, and I need to move a little bit since it’s been up all night. Besides, you’re a guest in the house. My mom would beat me silly if I let you cook for yourself.” She smiled, then asked, “So, what kind of eggs?”

“Scrambled would be great.”

“Do you like anything particular in them? Onion, salt, pepper?” Wow, that was exactly how I liked them. I wanted to growl because I was getting carried away with myself.

“That sounds good.” I looked at her and wanted to kick my own ass. I watch her sexy legs as she cooked for me. I never thought of myself as an old fashioned man, but a woman in the kitchen seemed really nice. Two years.

~~~~~

I could swear he was watching me as I made his eggs. I was trying to hide my blush because just his presence did new things to my body; every nerve was going haywire. He was everything a guy could be. He was smart, handsome, and sweet. The way he asked about my injury showed how considerate he could be.

I had a crush on one of my classmates a few weeks ago, but that was long gone. My feelings for Rob’s best friend were a thousand times stronger than that, but it really wasn’t a good thing. We had nothing in common, and I was too young for him to even consider a relationship with. My ankle did hurt like hell, but if he knew that he wouldn’t want me to cook for him. I wanted to take care of him and show him I could be domesticated. In honesty a total waste of time because we couldn’t be together—but a girl could dream.

Maybe I was reading more into the looks and concern he showed me since he had arrived. I thought about the way he bit his lip in nervousness last night. Those strong lips…I wondered what would his kiss be like? I know it would be better than Rick’s that kiss was sloppy and gross. I wanted the kisses I saw in those hot, madly in love movies. Oh shit. What if he had a girlfriend or fiancée?

I was so lost in my thoughts that I burnt his eggs. It took that funky smell to hit my nose for me to notice. “Damn it,” I hissed, tossing the pan off the burner to cool. Shit, there goes my homemaker skills.

“What’s wrong?” He stood up in a flash and came too close for my comfort. He was all in my personal space. Damn, he smelled fantastic. I wanted to press into him, but I knew it was wrong.

I looked up into his beautiful eyes that were full of concern. My heart was thumping. “Umm…nothing really. I just burned the eggs. Don’t worry, I’ll make some more.” He looked at my mess and gave a look that was hard to describe.

I hurriedly turned away, tossing the old eggs into the trash, ducking past his huge frame that nearly boxed me in. He gave me a nod and thankfully didn’t tease me about it before stepping back to give me some space. I was already feeling out of sorts with him in the house. Only five more days and he’d be on his way back to school.

“Where’s the coffee?” he asked, giving me an arched brow.

“Oh, I can make it.” I put the pan down to get it started.

“No, Cali. I got this. You’re making my food as it is, but thanks anyway.” I reached up in the cupboard and pulled out what he needed. I involuntarily took in a deep breath, inhaling his scent when he caught me. He gave me a look and swallowed hard. Shit. I must have looked like a pathetic young school girl.

“Sorry, I love the smell of fresh coffee. I don’t drink it, but I love when it’s first brewing.”

“Okay.” I didn’t think he bought it, but he took a seat quietly at the table just as Rob walked in. After that, the conversation took a turn toward business after they graduated. I excused myself to work on my homework somewhere else.

~~~~

Damn, the day wasn’t getting any easier. I tried to avoid talking to her this morning. After catching her taking in my scent, I needed to sit before she spotted how hard she made me. It would have been fantastic that she was interested, but it was two years too early. Rob’s entrance was perfect timing. We started talking about my plans to join my father at his corporation in Dallas. I was happily following in my dad’s footsteps. Being in Dallas may be a great thing. I needed space from this sudden fascination with the little blonde beauty.

Rob and I were going to a Mavericks game that night. We were just about to walk out when Cali came bouncing down the stairs. “Where are you going?” Rob asked her in irritation. I wanted to ask the same thing. She was dressed in a pair of tight jeans and a super tight top that emphasized her breasts, which were huge. I had to bite back a groan. So damn sexy.

“I’m going to hang with a couple of friends tonight. We’re going to see a movie,” she said with a snotty, mind your business tone.

“Does Mom know?” Rob asked again, seeing what I was seeing. She looked like she was going to more than a movie—more like sneaking out to a club.

She rolled her eyes at Rob. “Duh. Seriously Rob. This isn’t, like, the first time I’ve gone out.”

“Just be careful.” I heard the concern in his voice, but he didn’t try to take her with us. I should have suggested it; I wanted to suggest it. Even though it would put me in more danger of falling for her, it was better than her going somewhere I couldn’t supervise. Just because I couldn’t fuck her doesn’t mean she couldn’t be having sex with someone her own age. I wanted to smash my head against the wall for my obsession.

“I will. Have fun boys.” She rushed passed us out the door to a red sports car and a tall man waiting for her. She gave him a super tight hug before he opened the door for her. There was a girl in the back, but Cali had shotgun. I thought that was weird, unless he was her boyfriend. I wasn’t liking that one bit. Cali should be coming with us.

“Who the hell is that?” I snarled, hating how jealous I was feeling, but it was unstoppable. I felt like running out there and knocking that smug looking motherfucker on his ass.

“That’s her best friend’s brother. He usually takes the girls out. Lydia is sitting in the back seat as usual.” He acted like it was no biggie, but if I had a little sister, I wouldn’t be letting her go out with an older jackass in a lame ass sports car. That just screamed predator to me. I didn’t have room to talk, but that didn’t mean I was going to run off with her. Now, when her birthday came, I’d make her mine. Until then…

"And you're going to let her go out with him?" I was seething with anger. Rob was supposed to be her protector and my best friend. She was mine. If I could only stake my claim, then she’d be sitting next to us at the game getting treated like an untouchable princess.

"Are you jealous?" Rob asked laughingly. This shit wasn’t funny.

"He's too old for her,” I grumbled as I watched the car pull out into the street.

"Yeah, and I warned him, too. He’s showed interest, but knows my parents won't even consider it until she's legal. I don’t want her with him, so don’t worry. I’ll put a good word in sometime in the next two years." He smirked again.

So he was one of the masses when it came to Calista. She had a following that I was going to have to monitor. There wasn’t anyone that was going to stop me in two years, but until then she could meet someone her own age. "How many more are there?"

He laughed at me. "At least two. You've got a lot of competition." He slung his arm around my shoulders, still chuckling. I pushed it off and we walked to my car. I didn’t drive a flashy sports car because I wasn’t that kind of guy.

He thought this was funny, but I sure as fuck didn't. Two years was a long time, but one day she'd be mine.

After we got back from the game, she still wasn't back. I waited up, bullshitting about the game with Rob and his dad. It was an hour later when I was told that she was spending the night. I drank a beer, then went to bed really fucking pissed off.

~~~~~

When I woke up in the morning she still wasn't home, but then again it was only seven. Needing to clear my head, I went for a run. I didn't give a shit that the skies opened up and unleashed a torrential pour on me. I ran and ran, hoping the burning in my lungs would stop the thoughts of her being in the same house with another man. I wondered if they had a secret relationship.

By the time I got back to Rob's, she was back. I wanted to tear her a new one for not coming back last night but I had no right. And, damn it, she looked great this morning.

"Oh my gosh! You're soaked. What the hell were you doing running in the monsoon out there?"

"Trying to clear my head. Excuse me."

I walked past her, jealous and angry.

I had to take a hot shower so I didn’t catch a damn cold, when I really needed a cold one. That run only served to make me more possessive. I wanted to set some ground rules for the next two years, but I didn’t have any damn right.

I stepped out of the bathroom barefooted with a pair of gym shorts and tee shirt, towel drying my hair. Needing to pass her room to get to mine, I noticed her door was closed, but I could hear sounds coming from it.

Rob took his mom grocery shopping and her dad was at work. It was just me and her in the house alone. It wasn’t a smart move on their part, and I wasn’t sure I could handle being alone with her. The smart thing would be to run to my room and lock myself in until they came back. I wasn’t smart, it seemed.

She let out a loud cry and I could have sworn I heard my name. I rushed into the room thinking something happened. There she was laying on her bed, her eyes wide with her hand between her thighs. She was looking at me in full embarrassment. Her face was flush. Was it because she got caught or was that the way she looked when she came, chanting my name?

“Sorry. Fucking shit.” I walked the fuck out of the room before she could freak out.

“I…I…” I heard her stutter.

I got to my room as fast as I could, breathing harshly. My dick was about to fucking explode. She was fucking playing with her pussy while thinking of me. I pulled down my shorts, my cock stiff and thick. I was about to cum just thinking about her sweet little mound hidden under her tee shirt. I took my length in hand, giving it a few strokes. It wasn’t long before I came hard. Shame filled me up, and I refused to speak to her the rest of the day.

~~~~~

“Alex, can we talk about yesterday?” she asked meekly the next morning.

“I’d rather not.” My tone was harsh, but I didn’t want to talk about how beautiful she was when she came to visions of me.

“It’s just…”

I made her feel bad and I didn’t want that. It wasn’t her fault that I was too old for her. “Listen, I shouldn’t have rushed in there like that. We all do that. There’s nothing wrong with it,” I offered.

“So why are you avoiding me?” That was a good question.

“I thought you were feeling embarrassed about it. I didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable,” I lied. I was trying not to sneak into her room and commit a crime.

“Can we pretend you didn’t see me?”

“Definitely.” I answered too quickly and she took my meaning the wrong way. It was better that way, though, but I didn’t like the sad look in her eyes.

“Are you two ready to watch the Mavs play the Heat?” Rob asked interrupting us, something about it told me he didn’t like me talking to her alone. This would be the last private conversation I would have with her during my stay.

The rest of my time at her house only made me fall deeper into her spell. My heart was like a fly teased and taunted into her spider's web. I knew by the end of the week I was in love and thoroughly fucked.

Alex comes to visit his best friend from college for spring break instead of the usual party scene it's the first time he's been to the house, the greeting at the door floors him (Insta-Love) when he see's her Calista the most beautiful girl he's ever seen. But that's the problem she was just a child at sixteen with the face and body of a twenty-one year old. So despite his explosive need , he had to stay away from her. And as hard as the decision was he took the opportunity to work at Italy for two years, with Cali's family knowing his feelings for her and respecting his decision and the fact that he has respect for them and her in waiting until she is older they are more than happy for them to have a relationship.

We jump forward two years later and Alex is ready to come home and be the man for Cali in true Alpha Male Mode. Cali has been left in the dark thinking Alex feels nothing for her, but the night he turns tragedy falls!!

I don't want to give away to many spoilers Always You is the first standalone book in the Best Friend Series. This was a sexy quick read which had some intense moments. I look forward to read the next books in this series.

I read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.

C.M. Steele is a mother of three and a wife of one. Being a voracious reader of romance novels, she decided to create her own heroes to fall in love with. Although, the process was harder than she expected. There were times when she wanted to throw in the towel and go back to work in the business world, but it was the few readers that kept her going.

Now she's living her dream of creating characters she loves and sharing them with other readers. She's had moments of doubt and disappointment, but the voices in her head want their stories told, so she must go on. The voices are always naughty, bossy males. She knows they are never to be resisted so she must comply and tell their tales.