Colby Johnson and his cousin Megan have been practicing all summer for Wildwood's annual Beach Volleyball Tournament. The evening before, Colby drops by the bar where Megan works for a quick drink before heading home and meets sexy Vander "Van" Byron. The instant attraction is mutual, but they only share a few brief hours before Colby has to call it a night.<br><br>The next day, Colby and Megan are on a winning streak, advancing through the tournament ranks with ease. When Colby runs into Van and his twin sister Vallery at the tournament, he isn't surprised -- more than half of Wildwood's population, tourist and local alike, are crowded on the beach for the event. But he is shocked to see the numbered vest Van wears, marking him as a competitor.<br><br>A quick look at the schedule shows that if both teams continue their winning streaks, the day will end with Colby and Van facing off through the volleyball net. To up the ante, Van proposes a little wager. Whoever wins their game advances in the tournament, of course, and continues on for a chance to win one of the grand prizes the next day. But whoever loses gets whatever he wants from the winner.

Playing the Field: Served!

“Big day tomorrow.”Colby sips at his beer,torn.Meg’s right,he needs his sleep.But Van is charming and cute,his hands so warm where they rest on Colby’s body.All summer long,it’s been the pitching booth and volleyball—no time for himself,no time for fun.No time for this,he thinks,daring to poke at the erection straining the front of Van’s shorts.With a glance at the clock above the bar,he makes himself a deal.It’s just after eleven now.Another hour and I’ll get his number before heading home.It takes less than ten minutes to walk from the boardwalk to the duplex apartment he shares with Megan,so if he leaves at midnight,he’ll still get a good seven hours’sleep before he has to be at the tournament in the morning.


Seven hours.Hell,he lived on less than that his whole senior year at Rutgers.If he leaves at midnight,he’ll still be on his game tomorrow.


Van touches his face,one forefinger tracing the curve of Colby’s jaw.“Where’d you go,sexy?I lost you.”


Chapter 3