Page 76 of Don't Fall For Your Best Friend

“You’re always so wet for me, Hart. It turns me on knowing that you get so wet for me.”

I clasp my hands on his face. “I do,” I say before kissing him.

His tongue dances along my tongue, and my body grows hot with desire. I need him. I need him one last time before this all comes to its inevitable end.

“Hartford…” Paxton pauses, gazing into my eyes as he holds me close. He looks so serious, and I swear I feel like he’s going to tell me he loves me. My heart jumps into my throat as I wait for him to speak. “I love feeling your body against mine,” he finally says, and it’s like a whoosh of air escapes my lungs.

He may not love me, but I definitely love him. I love him so much that I imagine he’s promising me forever with every touch.

With every kiss of his lips on my skin. I ingrain the memory into my brain. With every movement, I pray it’s not the last time.

He makes slow love to me, or at least that’s what I keep telling myself, and when we’re done, he holds me tight. Our hearts beat in unison, and I nearly cry at the thought of this ending.

As we lie there, I kiss his throat before propping up on my elbow. “My article is done.”

Paxton studies me for a beat before smiling. “That’s great. What did Mr. Charleston think?”

“He loved it. And thank you for letting me stay. My place is ready to move back into.”

“Sure, always. You’re my best friend. I’d do anything for you.”

I lay back against his chest, thinking about how this is all over now. We’re done. This is over. I don’t know how I feel about that.

Who am I kidding?

I’ll be a wreck for the unforeseeable future.

On my lunch break at work, I stop by my favorite Pad Thai place. I think about Paxton bringing me lunch yesterday and decide to return the favor. To make sure we’re friends. That things haven’t gotten weird between us. I order him chicken Pad Thai and walk across the street toward Atta Boy.

The sun’s shining overhead, and I’m actually happy. Sure, it’ll be weird going home to my empty house, but things are feeling the same between Paxton and me. We’re slowly heading back into the friend zone where we belong.

Right?

I head into Atta Boy’s and I walk over to the bar.

“Hi, Trudi. Do you know where Pax is?”

She jabs a thumb over her shoulder. “He’s in the brewery. Go on back.”

I walk past the bar, into the kitchen, waving at Griffin in his chef’s jacket as I pass through. When I head into the brewery, I don’t see anyone.

I walk up to the office door and stop dead in my tracks when I hear Paxton talking with Brock and Tripp.

“It’s obvious you’re in love with Hartford.”

I inch closer, wanting to know how Paxton will respond. My heart beats loudly in my ears as I stay as still as possible.

“Love?” Paxton roars with laughter. “I’m not in love with Hartford. We’re just friends.”

Just friends.

And there’s the final nail in the coffin.

Just friends.

I race back to the bar and leave the Pad Thai with Trudi to hand off to Paxton.

Then I bolt.

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