Page 38 of Light My Fire

Fortunately, Jackson is never speechless.

“No, no, no,” Jackson says, leaning in and taking Brooke’s chin, turning her to face him. “You don’t keep quiet about who you are and what you need. Not for anyone. Ever.”

Yeah, that’s a good answer.

She presses her lips together and stares at him.

“You understand?” he asks. “The lucky bastard needs to make it special. He needs to understand what a gift you’re giving him. But you also don’t tell him on the first date. He has to earn even thepotentialto be with you like that. If you tell him you’re a virgin upfront, he’s gonna think it’s a sure thing that he gets to bewith you.” He strokes his finger along her jaw. “You keep these high standards and hold out for the right guy.”

See? Jackson is a good guy.

And fuck. I want to be the right guy he’s telling Brooke to wait for.

Hell, Jackson could easily be the right guy. He’s kind, definitely knows how to treat a woman right, likes Brooke, sees underneath her sweet shyness. He can make her smile, laugh, blush.

And he’s not a stranger to me.

There’s something about the idea of her being with some nameless, faceless fuck that I can’t be sure deserves her that makes me feel irrational rage. I need to fully vet the guy. I need to be sure he understands how amazing she is.

At least, if it’s Jackson, I know she’s with someone great. Someone who will treat her right.

“Brooke…” I start. But I’m not sure exactly how to make this offer without sounding like a creep.You can have me or my best friend. That just sounds a little weird even if we weren’t talking about her first time ever.

“There’s an easy solution,” Luke finally says, his deep voice calming me for some reason.

Probably because I’m used to Luke taking charge and making decisions for the better of a whole group of people I care about.

We all look over at him.

His eyes are on Brooke. “The easiest way to deal with bringing your virginity up with future guys is to not need to do it.”

Her eyes get wide as I frown.

“So just not tell them? I feel like my inexperience will be obvious.”

But Luke shakes his head. “No. I mean, make it a non-issue. Don’t be a virgin the next time you go out with someone you want a relationship with.”

The meaning behind his words slams into my gut.

Yes.

She needs to take care of this before she goes out with anyone else.

Right now. Here. With us.

If I wasn’t so close to her, I probably would’ve missed the way her breath catches.

She swallows hard and then Jackson leans in. I tense because I don’t know what he’s about to say or do. And I don’t know how I’ll react if he tells her he wants to be her first. But he looks at me over her shoulder quickly, then meets her gaze.

“Luke’s right. You need to lose your virginity to someone that you know and trust. A great guy who really likes you, who knows what he’s doing and can make it good for you, and who wants you more than his next breath.”

“Ideally, yes, that’s what I want,” she says, practically whispering.

Jackson gives her a slow smile as he reaches up and traces a finger down her cheek. “And then after you’re not a sweet little innocent virgin anymore, and you want to branch out and have a little more fun, maybe try some extras, or some unique locations…” He winks at her as that sinks in. “You know where to findme.”

His meaning slams into me.

Jackson and Luke are bothverygood friends. I owe them both enormous Christmas gifts this year.

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