Page 65 of Every Beat of My Heart

“We’re not. He used to help Owen with football and his workouts. He knew Owen was nervous about cooking, so he offered to be in the kitchen the first time he attempted a recipe.”

Violet touched her chest with her hand. “Be still my beating heart. Could he be any more attractive?”

I rolled my eyes. “That night I walked him outside, and we kissed.”

Violet snapped her fingers. “Just like that. You kissed? There has to be something more. A lead-up.”

My face flushed.

Violet leaned in, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “Claire Coleman, tell me everything.”

I sighed. “It was cold, so he gave me his sweatshirt. We were standing close, and it just happened. There was always this underlying attraction, at least on my end. I wasn’t sure if he felt the same way.”

She gestured for me to continue. “Obviously, he does.”

“I told him I didn’t want anything serious.”

Violet’s face fell. “You’re being cautious. I get it. But don’t push him away before you know what it could be.”

“Then he started texting me later that night.”

“Oh, this is getting good.”

I looked around to ensure no one was listening to us, then lowered my voice, “I sent him a picture of me in his sweatshirt.”

Violet’s eyes widened. “Tell me you were naked under his hoodie.”

I nodded. I’d wanted to feel his scent on my skin. The picture was an impulse after we started texting. It was reckless and crazy. If the image got out, I could lose my job. But I couldn’t help teasing him.

Violet waved a hand for me to continue. “And?”

“One thing led to the other, and he asked me to touch myself.”

Violet closed her eyes and dipped her head back. “You’ve gotten more action in one night than I’ve had in about a year.” Then she opened her eyes. “I’m living vicariously through you. It’s your duty as my best friend to share.”

“I was going to anyway because I need your opinion.” I had to talk to someone outside of school.

Violet sobered. “First, tell me if Jameson has any brothers.”

I couldn’t stop the grin that spread over my face. “Five.”

Violet sucked in a breath. “Can you introduce me?”

I shook my head. “Not yet.”

Violet’s face fell. “I get it that you want Jameson all to yourself. But once you’ve locked him down tight, you’ll introduce me?”

I sighed. “I don’t think this is a long-term thing but sure.”

Violet’s forehead wrinkled. “Why not? He sounds amazing: mature, protective, hot.”

I leaned on my elbows. “How do you know he’s hot?”

Violet ticked his jobs off on her fingers. “He’s a firefighter who substitute teaches on his days off. He plays basketball with kids at recess. And to up his hotness factor, he makes house calls as a firefighter and offered to help Owen cook so he could get over his fear of fires. But more importantly, he has to be smoking hot to convince you to have phone sex with him.”

I frowned. “Is that what it’s called?”

Violet smiled and nodded. “Yep.”

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