Fuck. How did I let everyone get in my head like this? I need to be keeping my distance from Blake, and instead I’m sticking to herlike glue because the entire family keeps reminding me she’s fresh off a breakup and needs someone to watch out for her.
That someone shouldnotbe me.
Like, I’m the worst person for the job.
Whatever she sees in my expression has Blake rolling her eyes. “Jeez, Graham. Your brooding is off the charts, even by your high standards of brooding.”
“Stop flirting with the waiter,” I say flatly.
She gapes at me. “I’m sorry, what? What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Nothing. But don’t think I didn’t see that hand action when he gave you your drink.”
“Hand action?”
“You touched his hand. And your smile was too friendly. He thought you were hitting on him.”
“Oh my God. My handgrazedhis when I was accepting my drink, and I gave him a polite thank-you smile.” She bends her head to wrap her lips around her straw, taking a long sip. “Why are you suddenly so concerned about everything I do? You’re not my dad.”
She’s right. I’m not her dad. I’m the selfish prick who has no right to want her this badly. But I do. Every time she laughs, I want to inject that sound directly into my soul. Every time she rolls her eyes at me, I want to shove her against the wall and show her exactly what I’ve been holding back.
I’ve always been attracted to her, but until now, it wasjustattraction. Which made it easy to draw a line and follow a self-imposed hands-off rule. I can get sex anywhere. I don’t need to risk hurting a close family friend for it.
But today, it’s felt like a lot more than lust. It’s felt like goddamn obsession. Because today, she’s been living inside my head. Even now,I keep replaying every conversation we had, every time she smiled, every dumb joke she made. And that strange ache I’ve felt in my chest since she got here is the worst part, because it reminds me too much of being a preteen with my first crush.
This isn’t a fucking crush. I’m not that guy. And I’ve known this girl most of my life. Why the hell am I obsessingnow?
It’s the celibacy vow. That’s got to be it. Combined with the fact that I can’t seem to get away from her. Close quarters, hot girl, no sex. Clearly that’s a recipe forfuck with Wyatt’s head.
I set my glass down too hard, jolting the tabletop. “I’m just trying to look out for you.”
“Well, don’t. I don’t need it,” she says irritably, planting both hands on the table before wincing. “Ew! Why is this so sticky?” She lifts her palms and grimaces at them. Then, with a grumble, she slides off the stool. “Awesome. Now I need to wash my hands.”
Every man in a fifty-foot radius watches her go.
Once she disappears into the restroom corridor, I reach for my phone and text the dude who put me in this position. Cole swore this celibacy plan would help. He did it himself last year, a full sex cleanse after years of fuckboying his way through life. And I’ve heard his celibacy tracks. His new album slays, and he’s going on a world tour this fall, which means there’s obviously some method to this madness.
So why isn’t it working forme?
This no-sex thing is messing with my head.
COLE
Told you it wouldn’t be easy. Chin up, little buddy. Just avoid temptation.
How am I supposed to do that when temptation literally showed up at my door?
COLE
What does that mean?
It means the girl who’s the definition of forbidden fruit is spending the summer with me.
COLE
Fuck’s sake. Only you have this sort of luck, Graham. I swear you were born with a horseshoe up your ass.
Oh, and she likes to tan topless.
