She scoots toward me, but she doesn’t reach for me and stops before we touch. “Gabe, can I ask you something?”

I turn to my side to look at her. The only light in the room is coming from the moon through the window, and I see her looking at me. “Yeah, you know you can ask me anything.”

She opens her mouth and then closes it. “Forget it.”

I reach over and tap a finger on her chin before drawing my hand back. “Tell me. What are you thinking about?”

Her eyes widen, and her voice is strained and nervous. “Have you… I mean, have you ever thought about us getting together?”

My heart literally starts to slam in my chest. “What do you mean, getting together?”

She shrugs. “You know… have you ever thought about having sex with me?”

Fuck. How do I even answer that? She’s been through so much, and she’s talking out of her head. I can’t take advantage of this situation. She must see the conflict on my face because she continues. “You’ve never lied to me before, please don’t lie to me now.”

I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I think about it every damn day.”

She lifts her head up, and there’s no hiding the surprise on her face. “Really? You’ve thought about me like that?”

I’m probably going to regret this later or tomorrow. “Yeah, I have. How could I not?”

She leans up and moves toward me, and I have to put my hands out to stop her. “Honey, not likethis. You’ve been through so much these last few days and—”

She looks at me, and as if she’s made a decision, she uncovers her body. I watch as she pulls her panties off first and then her T-shirt. When she’s completely naked, she presses her body to mine, and I let out a guttural groan.

She is resting her head on my chest, drawing patterns on my abdomen with her fingers. “Hear me out. I need this, Gabe. We both do.”

“Yeah, but—”

“You’re always trying to protect me, but you don’t need to protect me from this. I want to feel close to you. I want to be with you.”

I tilt her chin up so she’s looking at me. “Chrissy, we are close. Hell, I’m closer to you than I’ve ever been to anyone in my life, and I can’t let you do this and then regret it in the morning. That’s not how this works.”

“Do you want me, Gabe?”

Fuck, there’s so many things I’m thinking right now. I can’t lose my best friend. I should tell her no just to buy us some time until we can talk about this, but I can’t bring myself to lie to her. “Yeah, I want you. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.”

She blinks up at me with her big eyes. “Kiss me.”

And because I’ve wanted this for so long, I don’t hesitate. I press my lips to hers. I intend to go slowly, but as soon as our lips touch, I lose control. It’s like I’ve wanted this for so long that I’m letting all my pent-up desires take over. She slides her tongue with mine, and I groan. We kiss until we’re both breathless and I pull away, panting. I push her to her back and hover over her. Her eyes are wide, her lips swollen, and there’s no doubt she wants this, but I need to hear her say it. “Are you sure about this, Chrissy?”

She widens her legs and lifts her hips to meet mine. My hard manhood, which is still covered by my underwear, presses between her legs, and she groans. “I’m sure. I’m really sure.”

I kiss her again and then kiss, nip, and lick down her throat. She moans as I suckle her breasts, laving one with attention before moving to the other. As I suckle her, she lifts her hips, seeking the friction that she needs.

I kiss down her belly, and she sucks in a breath. “Gabe.”

I’m lying between her legs, my mouth almost toher mound, and I’m practically salivating. “Do you trust me?”

"Yes!" is her immediate reply.

I nuzzle the soft curls at the apex of her thighs, and she whimpers. I press my tongue to her core and slide it along her wet heat. Her legs tighten around my head, but I don’t stop. She’s so wet and responsive, there’s no way I can stop now. I press my thumb to her swollen clit, circling it until she’s panting, begging me for a release.

Her fingers dig into my head as she holds me to her. I fuck her with my tongue as I circle her clit. She comes in an instant, saying my name, and the sound of it is the best thing I’ve ever heard. Covered in her arousal, I lick her once more and then sit up, disposing of my underwear. My cock is hard, swollen, and angry. I look at Chrissy, and she looks satisfied, her eyes hooded. I could stop and continue this another day, after we’ve talked. That’s what I should do.

She must realize what I’m thinking because her legs lock around my hips, and she pulls me toward her. Her hands go to my shoulders. “Don’t even think of stopping now, Gabriel Gray.”

“Are you sure?” I ask her again.