Page 50 of The Winning Ticket

He kisses me gently while he traces his finger around my belly button in a lazy circle, causing me to shiver again. He pulls away and looks at me with a slightly more serious expression.

“So, I think we should probably talk about this,” he says, gesturing between us.

“I guess…” I say, not sure I’m ready for any serious conversations right now.

I can tell that my lacklustre response doesn’t impress him, and his expression hardens slightly.

“What is this, Bri?” he asks, locking his eyes on mine.

I swallow hard while I regard him. “I don’t know… I know I had a great time last night and want to keep doing that. But… I just came out of a relationship that, in hindsight, was incredibly unhealthy. And I still need time to work out who I am now,” I say, praying he’ll understand while I stare at him.

His expression softens, and he nods, moving to cup my cheek. “I get that. And I respect that. But hanging out with you these last few weekends… That’s the happiest I’ve been in a while. I really like you, Bri. I always did back in school as well. I don’t want to mess up our friendship, but… I want more than just being your friend,” he says, and my eyes widen while I scan his face.

“You liked me back in school?” I ask, unable to believe him.

“Of course I did. Have you met you? You’re one of the nicest people I know. You’re so easy to be around. You accept people for who they are. You’re beautiful both inside and out, Bri. I don’t think you realise just how many guys were into you at school.”

I stare at him, wrapping my head around this declaration. “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“Because you were so smart, and I just… I guess at the time, I thought you were too good for me. I couldn’t see what I had to offer you.”

I feel my chest tighten and reach up to stroke his cheek again. “I had the biggest crush on you in high school, Jake. If you’d asked me out, I would have said yes happily.”

“Yeah?” A gorgeous smile spreads across his face.

“Yes. I just figured you saw me as Morgan’s little sister, but I always felt like you were just as much my friend as hers.”

“I have always been your friend, Bri.”

We regard each other quietly for a moment before he grabs the back of my thigh, tugging me onto my side to wrap my leg over his hip. I’m reminded of how naked we both are when I feel his hard length slide between my legs, rubbing against my sensitive clit, and I gasp.

“But I want to be more than your friend now, Bri. If you’ll have me,” he says, kissing my neck.

I moan when he rocks his hips a little while he holds me close, his hand pressed against my lower back.

“How about friends who have sex? At least until you’re ready for more?” He moves his lips up to my ear.

A shiver runs through me again, and I shift slightly, causing him to groan when I rub along his shaft.

His teeth graze my earlobe. “Say yes, Bri,” he whispers, rocking his hips again.

I gasp. “Ah… God, yes, just keep doing that.”

“Is that a yes to my question or what I’m doing to you right now?” He runs his nose along my jawline, and I close my eyes.

“Both,” I say, feeling breathless.

“Good,” he says before finally claiming my mouth with his.

I melt into him, allowing myself to get lost in the sensation of our bodies moving against each other. He rolls me onto my back, moving over me as he deepens the kiss, his tongue running over mine as I moan.

Slowly, he begins to work his way down my body, pausing to give each breast attention until I’m a panting mess. His hand travels down slowly, and he begins circling my clit lightly, and I lift my hips slightly, seeking more friction. He chuckles against my breast before applying more pressure with his finger and sucking harder.

“God,” I moan, my eyes rolling back in my head.

“Not quite.”

I open my eyes to find him smirking at me from where he’s positioned himself between my thighs.

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