Page 29 of Light My Fire

“Oh, so now you’re psychic? You know what she’s expecting?” He sits forward again. “I like her. She’s smart, she’s beautiful. I wouldn’t justfuckher.”

“I want todateher,” Wyatt says. “I think she’s incredible.”

I’m both pleased by that and jealous as fuck. “She is incredible,” I agree. “Which is why she’s off-limits.”

“To you,” Jackson repeats.

He’s right. I’m the one who said it. But I want to hear why he thinks it’s true. “Why is she off-limits tome?”

He tilts his head. “You’re the one who said she is.”

“But why?”

“Man, what are we even talking about here? You sound crazy right now.”

“I think I am crazy.” I run my hands through my hair. “But didn’t it freak you guys out that she said she’s a virgin?”

“A little,” Jackson admits. “I don’t think I’ve ever had any sexual contact with a virgin. Even when I was a virgin.”

“Right?” I plunk down in my chair. “There was nothing shy about my high school girlfriend.”

“I think it’s sweet,” Wyatt says. “Plus, it’s sexy as hell to know that you can show a woman how amazing sex can be. Help her figure out what she likes and needs. That’s pretty damn cool.”

He means it. He has a look on his face that is calm and confident. He raises his beer to his lips.

“Wyatt, I think you should be the one.” I nod my head firmly. “This is the best solution. You should be the one to take her virginity.”

Wyatt sprays beer all over the table. “What the fuck?” He swipes at his mouth. “You don’t even know she wants to lose her virginity!”

“Oh, I think what I heard is confirmation she does.”

Okay, that’s not fair. A woman can use a vibrator, her fingers, whatever she wants on her own body and it doesn’t necessarily mean she wants to involve anyone else. She didn’t know I was listening. It’s not like she was doing that to entice me.

But I can’t say out loud that I want to control how and with who it happens because I realize that sounds controlling and, well, insane, but I can’t help it. I’m going out of my fucking mind thinking about some idiot twenty-something guy not giving two shits about Brooke’s pleasure.

Wyatt stares at me, hard. “You’re serious.”

“As a heart attack.”

“Okay, I’m in.”

“What the fuck is wrong with you two?” Jackson asks. “How about you let Brooke decide who she wants to get naked with? Maybe it’s neither of you. Maybe it’s some guy at school. Maybe it’sme.”

“She just met you,” Wyatt says.

“So? You don’t know what she wants, if anything. You sure in the hell don’t knowwhoshe wants.”

I think about it for a second. Then I turn to Wyatt. “I think it’s you.”

Jackson throws a beer cap at me. “You didn’t hear a word I said.”

“I heard everything you said.” I snag a peanut from the bowl on the table. “You’re right. Brookeobviouslyneeds to decide for herself. I didn’t mean she doesn’t. I just think that if she’s interested in having sex, it’s better it’s one of you two than some random guy we don’t know. What if he’s an asshole to her and breaks her heart?”

“Or is selfish during sex,” Jackson nods. “I get what you’re saying.” He turns to Wyatt. “We’re definitely the best options for her. So turn up the heat. Flirt harder with her.”

That makes me feel better in a way I don’t care to reflect too deeply on.

Wyatt nods. “I can do that.”

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