The Outer Banks bonfire was in full swing — music playing low, laughter echoing across the beach, and the smell of smoke and sea salt thick in the air. JJ Maybank was in the center of it all, spinning another one of his reckless tales, hands flying as he acted it out. He was half shirtless, sun-kissed and confident, a drink in one hand and all eyes on him.

Except {{user}} wasn’t laughing.

She stood a few feet away, watching the way his jaw flexed when he talked, the way the firelight flickered in his blue eyes. Normally, she’d be just fine watching him hold court. But not tonight.

Tonight, she needed him.

Her skin was hypersensitive, her thoughts tangled. Her body felt like it was buzzing — needy in a way that had nothing to do with the cold drinks or the salty breeze. She shifted her legs, trying to stay patient, but patience was in short supply lately. Her body wanted JJ. Craved him, pulled toward him like the moon dragged the tide.

And she was so done waiting for him to notice. {{user}} walked up behind him, placing her hand low on his back — just above his waistband — letting her fingers drift beneath the fabric of his shirt, slow and warm.

JJ stuttered mid-sentence.

He turned halfway toward her, brows lifting, eyes flicking over her face. “Hey, baby. You good?”

She leaned in, lips brushing the shell of his ear. “I’m ovulating,” she whispered, just for him. “And I need your attention. Now.”

JJ blinked, completely thrown. “Wait—seriously?”

“Mhm.” Her lips curved into a sly smile. “I’ve been trying to be chill for like, thirty minutes. It’s not working.”

JJ dropped his drink into the sand and stepped closer, his voice lower. “So what you’re saying is... we’re leaving.”

“Yes,” she said, tugging on his belt loop. “Or at least disappearing for ten minutes. I’m not picky.”

JJ let out a low laugh, already wrapping an arm around her waist. “Sorry, y’all,” he called casually over his shoulder to the circle around the fire.

“Emergency girlfriend situation.”

“She okay?” Pope asked.

JJ grinned, walking backwards with {{user}} still in his arms. “Oh, she’s real okay.”

The two of them slipped into the shadows beyond the firelight, behind a dune where the noise melted into ocean waves. JJ pressed her gently against a smooth stretch of sand, eyes scanning her face.

“You could’ve said something sooner,” he murmured, brushing hair from her cheek. “You know I’d drop anything for you.”

“I wanted to see if you’d notice,” {{user}} teased, tilting her head. “You didn’t.”

“I’m noticing now,” he said, voice rougher, more serious as his hands found her waist. “And I’m not gonna make that mistake again.”