Page 36 of The Friend Zone

“Yes.” She nods.

It’s fucking official, that’s my new favorite word.

“Let’s go, the rain has eased enough that we can at least see our way back to my car.”

We walk back down the now deserted pier without a word, but I don’t let go of her hand.

If she changed her mind now, I’d be even more disappointed than after the ass kicking we got tonight on the ice.

I open the car door for Bay, helping her into my SUV and running around to the driver’s seat quicker than when I’m on a breakaway.

The second I close my car door, Bay leans toward me. “No,” I stop her, entering the ignition code. “If we kiss now, we’re not going to make it home.”

She giggles. “Would that be so bad? There’s no one else in this parking lot.”

“I’m tempted, believe me, Bay. But my house is five minutes away. And I want you completely naked. In my bed. I want to kiss every inch of your skin and take my time with you.”

Her smile widens. “That sounds better than doing it in the car.”

“Good girl,” I smile, peeling out of the parking lot as if I had the devil on my heels. “I promise you won’t regret it.”

CHAPTER 9

FALLING FOR YOU

BAY

Please don’t hurt me.

That’s the thought swirling in my head during the short ride to Ryker’s apartment.

If I learned something from what happened with Jagger, it’s that I’m not a casual sex kind of girl.

I don’t judge women who can leave their heads and their hearts out of bed, but I can’t.

Probably because I need to feel more than just physical attraction to get into bed with someone.

Physical attraction was the spark that ignited everything with Jagger without a doubt, but by the time we slept together, I had come to appreciate his caring side. His killer sense of humor, his sense of duty to his team and his family.

Obviously that must have been just an act, since he didn’t even have the decency to tell me in person that he got bored with me.

I shake my head as Ryker pulls into the parking lot of the same apartment complex where Lakyn used to live last year.

I need to get out of my head and concentrate on the hot man who just parked the car and looks at me as if I was the last cinnamon bun at an all you can eat buffet.

Ryker is just as tempting as the most decadent sweet treat one could ever imagine.

He’s tall and athletic, his short, dark brown hair was soft between my fingers and let’s not talk about his soft lips and his perfect jaw.

His ice blue eyes are mysterious and intense, drawing my gaze to his as he offers me his hand to help me out of his car.

His palm is slightly rough, his hand so big, it completely engulfs mine.

I lag slightly behind as he guides me toward the same building my sister used to live in.

If Ryker’s face is so perfect that he could be in a Hollywood movie, his long, muscular legs and his perfect ass wouldn’t look out of place on any fitness or fashion magazine.

I know I just said I need more than just physical attraction to jump into bed with someone, but hot damn.

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