Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 17184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 86(@200wpm)___ 69(@250wpm)___ 57(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 86(@200wpm)___ 69(@250wpm)___ 57(@300wpm)
Grabbing one of her decorative pillows, I sneakily adjust it down my body and rest it over my ever-swelling cock. It’s not my proudest moment to be flaunting an erection. Especially when I’m annoyed and embarrassed at myself for overreacting. But one look, that’s all it takes. Her body has a direct connection with every pleasure receptor in my brain. Defeated or not, nothing will change the way I see her. Like every time is the very first. Her plump lips in a brimming smile, joyful eyes holding the promise that everything’s going to be okay.
God, what I wouldn’t give to just kiss her right here. Throw myself into her and dissuade this foolish notion of spending her time with another. Somehow, it feels cruel. No matter how I feel inside, throwing away the best friendship—hell, the only real friendship—I’ve had because of my own wants isn’t something I can do.
“You should try it sometime. A handsome man like you, I’m sure you could get any woman you want,” she concludes before stepping into high heels and collecting her purse.
“Who’s the lucky guy?” Deflecting her statement is easier than playing along. I’m already walking a fine line between exposing my desires and annoyance at the straw man she’s going to see. I might say or do something regrettable if I’m not careful.
“Ezra Green.” Her eyes are locked on mine. Scanning not only my reaction, but searching into my soul for some answer I don’t know how to give other than with bitter disgust.
“You’re kidding me, right?” How I manage to say it without sounding furious is beyond me. “You can do so much better than that asshole.”
Ezra Green, with a pencil-thin line of black running along his receded smile. Too much gum showing to be genuine, especially when plastered on his gaunt, sickly face. Some higher up in the mega corporation setting up shop in Boulder, Ezra has been on my radar for a while now. And after tonight, he’s got a ticket straight to the top of my list of dick heads to keep an eye on.
“Maybe,” she says, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. “But I’m not looking for the guy I’m going to spend the rest of my life with tonight. And Ezra may be an asshole, but he’s an affluent asshole, and he’ll treat me to a good time.” She crinkles her nose at me and leans a little bit closer. Every inch an excruciating test of my resilience.
‘I’ve got cash. I could treat you to a nice night out any damn time you want,’ is what I would’ve said if my backbone hadn’t turned to fucking jelly.
“Affluent asshole.” I chuckle, but I like it. Alliteration tickles my brain in ways I don’t understand. It’s better when it comes from Gracie’s lips. “Well, he’s one lucky guy. I’d kill to have someone like you on my arm. Even if it’s just to spoil you.”
Where the hell did that come from? Fuck. I knew I should’ve kept my big mouth shut, and seeing Gracie’s eyes widen and her teeth sink into her lower lip nervously, I couldn’t help but feel I’d crossed a line.
It would’ve come out sooner or later, of this I’m certain.
But why did it have to be tonight? The first date she’s gone on since college. Now I just look like a jealous fool, covering his cock with a pink, fluffy pillow.
2
GRACIE
There’s no way he means it the way I want him to. While I’ll never discredit Talon’s compliment as anything but, he’s just saying it because he doesn’t approve of the man I’m going out with tonight. Right?
Sure, I’d have to be blind, deaf, and dumb to miss the way he looks at me. How his eyes travel the length of my body when I wear something a little too skimpy. Subtle changes in the tone of his voice when I parade myself around one of our apartments in short shorts and a tank top that hardly covers my tits. But he’s never shown interest in that way, much to my chagrin.
I’ve always chalked it up to him being a man and me being a woman. No matter where the friendship flag stands, we can still appreciate one another as the attractive people we are.
I rest a hand on Talon’s chest and feel the slow, rhythmic thump of his heart. He’s barely moved since I sat next to him, and if he weren’t talking, I might’ve believed he fell asleep.
“It’s not that big a deal, you know? And it’s not going to change anything. We’ll still hang out all the time.” I shouldn’t feel ashamed for going on a date.
I’ve waited for Talon to make a move for years. If he has any hidden feelings inside, he’s damn good at keeping them locked away, but if I’m being honest with myself, I know why nothing has come of us.