This isn’t helping. I’m spiraling.
I glance at the bathroom door again just as the water shuts off.
My pulse jumps, fingers tighten on the Kindle.
This is fine. I’m fine. We’re just two friends sharing a room. Two friends that like to flirt with each other. And if we end up in bed having fun, I will not complain.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Esteban
I’m not proud of it, but it had to happen.
After spending the entire day with Eva, watching her laugh, watching her try not to stare at me, and then nearly walking in on herhalf naked—I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to relieve the pressure building inside me. So yeah, I jerked off in the shower thinking about my best friend’s little sister.
Not exactly my finest moment.
But who could blame me? I’m a man who’s been trying damn hard to be on his best behavior.
I swore I wouldn’t touch her. That I’d keep my distance no matter how badly I wanted to break every rule I set. But she’s not making it easy. First, she asked for a kiss. Then I taught her how to dance, her body molded to mine like it belonged there. And let’s not forget how close she’s been to my face every time she props her phone up to record content for her socials using me as her background prop, like she doesn’t know exactly what she’s doing to me.
But today? Today has been torture.
It’s not just her walking around in that green swimsuit that clings to every curve like a second skin, or the lace panties that barely cover anything, least of all that perfect pussy or the flash of rosy nipples peeking out when I accidentally opened the bathroom door. It’severything. The way she looks at me like she wants me just as much. The way she trusts me enough to share a room, a bed, and not worry about whether I’ll lose my mind.
So yeah, after I relieved some of the pressure building in my body, I step out of the shower and dry myself off. Leaning over the sink, palms braced on the cool marble, I stare at my reflection. My skin’s flushed, my hair damp, and the look in my eyes is still unhinged.
“Get it together, Báez,” I mutter under my breath.
I splash my face with water and reach for the cleanser Eva made me start using a few weeks ago. I’d never taken more than five seconds to think about face wash before that, but damn, now I’m hooked. My skin looks brighter and feels smoother.
Not that I’d ever admit that out loud.
Noah and Austin wouldneverlet me live it down. They’d throw words like “exfoliate” and “glow” at me just to be assholes.
I finish rinsing and pat my face dry, eyeing the bottle of serum I travel with now like it’s normal. Jesus. I’ve been domesticated.
I take a deep breath. Okay. Time to get out there. Be cool. Be respectful. Go to sleep.That’s it.
Even if all I want to do is walk straight to her side of the bed, pull her into my arms, and kiss her until she forgets we’re faking any of this. Even if I’m dying to taste her, to feelthose long legs wrapped around me, to hear her moan my name like I’ve imagined a thousand times.
Nope. No. Not happening.
Squaring my shoulders, I grip the handle, and give myself one last look.
“You’re a grown man. You have self-control. Now go out there and act like it.”
I open the door and see her lying on the bed, Kindle in hand, the screen casting a soft glow over her face. She tenses the moment I step out of the bathroom. With the towel wrapped around my waist, I try to move fast, heading straight for my suitcase to grab a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. No need to be half-naked in front of her longer than necessary—not if I want to survive the night.
Still, I catch the way her eyes follow me. The hunger on her face is unmistakable, and it makes me smirk. Yeah. She definitely wants me. And I definitely need to keep it together.
I duck back into the bathroom, close the door, and change as quickly as I can. Towel goes on the hook. Deep breaths. Focus. When I step back out, she’s in the same spot, like she never moved, legs tucked under her, tablet resting on her lap, pretending she wasn’t just checking me out.
I sit on the other side of the bed, giving her space. “You okay?” I ask.
“Yes.” Her voice is soft.
Then she sets a plate with the chocolate cake on the bed between us and I grin. “Thanks. I totally forgot about the cake.”
