Page 23 of Never Say Never

As soon as I say it, I know it was a bad idea to admit to Tucker that something stopped me from going all the way with Will. It was only two days ago that I vowed to forget all about Tucker Collins, and now here we are, casually discussing a friends with benefits scenario. What is happening?

“Why?” he asks, refusing to let it go.

“Why what?”

“Why couldn’t you sleep with him?”

My mouth goes dry as a bone as tension simmers in the air between us. Part of me wants to spill my guts, to tell him everything. But I can’t do it, so instead I just say, “I wasn’t attracted to him.”

I release a slow breath and force my racing heart to relax. When Tucker speaks next, his voice is low and laced with heat that wraps itself around my chest.

“Then I have one more question… are you attracted to me?”

NINE

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS

Tucker

I’m sitting next to Daisy on her couch, a little too close, the question I just asked her a little too raw. But I need to know her answer, and my body buzzes in anticipation as I wait for her response.

I’m close enough to her to see the blush that creeps over her cheeks, the rise and fall of her chest; I hear the slight hitch in her breathing.

Finally, her lips part, an answer on the tip of her tongue. “You’re a good-looking guy, Tuck. Who wouldn’t find you attractive?”

A smile curls the edges of my lips. The satisfaction her answer brings me is almost enough, but I want more. “I’m sure there has to be someone who thinks I’m not hot, but I haven’t found them yet.”

When Daisy rolls her eyes, I can’t help but laugh.

“Seriously, Tuck. You are your own biggest fan.” My laugh only gets louder as she grows more annoyed. “You’re such an idiot.”

“An idiot whoyoufind attractive. Another reason this is going to work.”

“What is going to work?”

“Friends with benefits.”

She shakes her head, but her eyes don’t leave mine. “You realize it’s a terrible idea, right?”

I admit it’s wild, but I couldn’t care less. I only care about making Daisy mine, even if it’s just until she leaves. The attraction I feel for her vibrates through me. I want to mold my body to hers and take her right here on this couch. “Daisy, if you need a release, I want it to be from me.”

Shock flashes across her face before she quickly shakes it off. “We can’t, Tucker. This is crazy. I can’t sleep with you. Your parents are my aunt and uncle.”

“But they’re not.”

“They basically are!”

I’m prepared to argue with her all night if that’s what it takes. Daisy is coming up with all of the reasons weshouldn’tdo it, but I can’t help but notice that she hasn’t said that she doesn’t want to. “We can keep it between us. And when you leave, that will be the end of it. No strings, no one gets hurt. Our parents never need to know. No one needs to know. It can be our secret. We’ve always had secrets.”

All these years later, I still remember the rush of sneaking out of my house at night and meeting Daisy in my backyard. The high I felt at having something that was just ours. When she’s quiet, I press on, sensing her hesitation starting to wear down. “I promise you won’t regret it. I’ll give you more orgasms than you’ve ever had in your life.”

I realize that Daisy is not looking for a relationship, and if she was, she wouldn’t be looking for one with me. We can barely have a conversation without it turning into an argument. But sheislooking to have her needs met, and I am definitely the right guy for that job.

Her eyes widen, betraying her. She’s considering it. I’m so close to getting the answer that I want. “What do you say? You set the pace,” I say, but add, “But if we do this, I don’t share. Nobody fucks you but me.”

“And what about you? Same goes for you?”

“Same, Dais. It’s just you and me. Well? What do you say?”

---