The friendship we’ve built.
The sneaking around.
I thought she liked me too, but maybe I’ve misread everything over these last few years.
“That’s all it can be. My brother…” Her voice trails off as she pushes up to kiss me again. Her eyes are full of sorrow, but her words have finality to them, and they ignite something inside me.
She wants me too, I know she does. She’s scared—doesn’t want to hurt her brother, and I get it,fuckdo I get it, but Iloveher. And I want all of her, not just a secret fuck on a random Friday night.
Pulling away, I crawl off her, my bare feet hitting the floor before I take a step back, running my fingers through my hair in frustration. “Okay.”
That’s all I can manage to pluck from my jumbled mind.
Indy rears back like I’ve slapped her, confusion washing over her beautiful face. “Okay?”
“Yeah.” I scoff, shaking my head. How the hell did we find ourselves inthissituation? “I’m not just going to fuck you, Indy. You mean more to me than just a quick lay while your family’s asleep on the same floor as us.”
I watch her mask slip. The one of a confident, controlled goddess replaced by a sad, timid girl. A brief moment passes between us where we realize we’ve reached a crossroads—we chooseusor our relationships with her brother. My heart twists inside my chest, fingers twitching as I restrain myself not to reach for her.
Then I witness the exact moment her demeanor changes, watching her stack brick by brick of a protective barrier between me and her heart. It slices through me like a knife.
She’s chosen Dylan.
But didn’t I choose him too, in an indirect way?
Her jaw tics, and it looks like she’s holding back tears. “Not everything has to have sentimental meaning behind it,” she snaps, unable to keep the quiver from her voice. “We can just get this out of our systems, and?—”
“You really don’t get it, do you?” I choke on my words. It feels like we’re both causing each other unnecessary pain.
“Get what?” she asks while lifting her hips to unbutton her jeans.
I track the movement. “What are you doing?”
“What?” She shrugs, looking at me from half-hooded eyes. “I’m horny, Gareth, but you needmore. You’re welcome to stay and watch, though.” Her words are venomous as she tries to hide the emotions I know she’s fighting—desire, sadness, longing. Iknowshe’s fighting them because I am too, and I’m not so sure I have the restraint to walk away.
But one time with Indy would never be enough. I want a lifetime.
Shimmying out of her pants, she kicks them off the bed, and her smooth, delicate legs bend at the knees as she thrusts her hips up to slide her panties over her curves.
My mouth goes dry. I can’t peel my gaze from her.
When the black scrap of fabric reaches her feet, she leans over and balls them up, then tosses them at me.
Catching them midair, her arousal immediately soaks my fingers.
“Indy—” I groan, my voice strained and hardly audible.
Her voice is barely a whisper as she locks her gaze with mine. “Don’t overthink it, Golden Boy.”
Reaching between her legs, Indy moans as her fingers find her clit. They move in precise circles, her back arching as another moan pushes past her lips.
My mouth falls open, and I find myself moving closer again until my shins hit the edge of her mattress.
“Go on.” She whimpers as she pushes a finger into herself, pumping it slowly. Her teeth sink into her bottom lip, then she tips her head in my direction. “Use them.”
For a second my brows furrow in confusion, then I realize what she’s talking about.
Rubbing the fabric between my fingers, I swallow thickly, glancing down at her—her eyes closed tight, her back arched against her duvet as she pleasures herself—then I lose my last strain of control.
