Page 73 of The Friend Zone

Cole’s dark blue eyes are full of understanding. His face is so close that I can see the silver and white flecks swimming in the sapphire blue of his irises. “That’s one of the many reasons why I fell for you, baby. You’re so kind and considerate of other people’s feelings. I think sometimes things happen for a reason. Maybe I had to pine for you to appreciate you enough to know that I can’t ever fuck this up. Maybe you had to go through that breakup to really see beyond our friendship. Last year, it wasn’t the right time for us. But now it’s our time and you better believe that I’m never going to let you go. I love you, Bay.”

“I love you, Cole.” I whisper before kissing him like my life depended on it.

His lips are soft, but he kisses me hard.

Every brush of his tongue against mine, every scrape of his teeth, skilled and deliberate.

My body responds to him as if I was made for this. For his kisses, for his arms.

When my back hits the mattress, Cole comes down with me, covering my body with his, but careful not to crush me with his much bigger frame.

Fire is coursing through my veins, my nipples are two hard, aching points as Cole’s fingers close over the globes of my tits.

I’ve never been so aware of the fabric of my clothes touching my skin, my senses heightened by the warmth of his body so close to mine.

“You know,” he murmurs, lifting the thin material of my jersey and exposing my stomach with excruciatingly slow movements. “You’ve always looked hot in a Star Cove Knights jersey, but we have to do something about you wearing another guy’s number. I know you care about Ryker just as much as you care about me, but he’ll have to learn how to share. I want to see you wearing my name on your back, too. I’ve always wantedto see you in my jersey, but I couldn’t ask you when you weren’t mine.”

I love how possessive he is. “I’m sure we can work it out. I can alternate jerseys.”

Cole’s lips twist in an amused smile. “Is it weird that seeing you kiss Ryker bothers me less than seeing his number on your back?”

I lift my back to help him slide the jersey off of me, giggling when he throws it behind him with a satisfied look on his face. “Cole, play nice.”

He lowers his face, taking one of my nipples into his mouth and sucking on it through the thin lace of the half-cup of my bra. “I’m going to play very nice,” he chuckles, adding his teeth to the mix. “I know you love Ryker and during summer training we got very close. I’m going to do my best to make this thing work. All I want is to see you happy, Bay. And if Ryker is a part of it, I’m never going to get in the way.”

Cole’s words fill my heart with hope. And yet, there’s a part of it that still isn’t mended.

I thought he cared and I miss that easy, natural connection we had from the moment we kissed. He was the first person I felt truly comfortable with, enough to let go, to finally get out of my own head and just feel.

My teeth catch on my bottom lip as I focus on the man in my bed. I should think about all the things that make my heart feel full, ignoring the fresh scar Jagger left in his wake. Eventually, it’ll heal or at least scar over. I make a conscious effort not to think about Jagger.

Cole’s mouth leaves my chest, starting a slow, sensual journey down my stomach.

The feeling of his silky soft lips, in contrast with the hint of blond stubble that’s beginning to appear on his face, lights my skin on fire.

I’ve imagined being with him like this so many times lately, but the reality surpasses every dream I’ve ever had. He’s my best friend. He feels safe and familiar, but at the same time, this is Cole. The hot, blond Viking with sexy blue eyes and a hard, muscular body sculpted by years of hockey.

“Cole,” I whisper when his lips reach the line of my lace panties.

He lifts his gaze to meet mine, but his lips stay the course. “Hmm.” It’s his only answer.

He takes off my panties with deft, practiced fingers and I brace myself for the inevitable nerves at the thought of getting completely naked in front of someone new.

There’s nothing but excitement as Cole drinks me in, looking at my exposed body as if it was the most beautiful work of art he’s ever seen.

“You have no idea,” he murmurs. “I’ve been dreaming about this so many times. But you’re more beautiful in reality than in any of my fantasies, Bay.”

I believe him, because I feel the same way. “I think you should take your clothes off, too. You aren’t the only one who has been imagining this moment. Give a girl some man candy.”

There’s a wicked glint in his eyes. His lips curved in a smile so full of promises that my skin tingles in response.

He does that thing all men do, grabbing the back of his t-shirt to take it off.

I’ve seen Cole without his shirt before at pool parties, but holy fucking shit. This time I can look my fill without needing to hide how much I like what I see.

The second his shirt hits the floor, he lowers his jeans down his hips, revealing a pair of skintight navy boxer briefs that do nothing to hide the fact that I’m not the only one who’s excited.

My eyes feast on Cole’s trim, muscular hips, on that deep V that points down to the impressive, thick length I can make out clearly from under his boxers.

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