Page 42 of The Friend Zone

She pushes me away, too sensitive for me to continue kissing her.

“Are you ok, Cinnamon?” I murmur, leaving a trail of open mouthed kisses as I crawl up the length of her body.

She cups my jaw, pulling my face to hers. “I’m more than ok. But if that’s how you punish bratty behavior, I hate to tell you, I’m a lost cause from now on.”

I smile. “You know I would never seriously hurt you, right?”

Bay nods. “I know. Look, since the second we met, you’ve been nothing but honest with me. I trust you, Ryker.”

The meaning of that statement isn’t lost on me. If Bay can trust me after the way Topher let her down, I need to step up too.Possessiveness isn’t the only obstacle to my happiness. I’ve been betrayed before, but I need to find a way to get past that. You can’t truly give your heart to someone unless you trust them to take care of it.

“I trust you too, Cinnamon.”

Her lips find mine and our kiss is soft, slow. “There’s just one thing I don’t understand.” Bay whispers.

“What is that?”

“How is it possible that you made me come so hard I almost passed out, but you’re still wearing all your clothes from the waist down?”

I shrug, pretending to be chill. “I didn’t want to assume. You can still say no and I’ll stop if you aren’t ready for more.” My cock is screaming at me, having even less chill than I do. But I want to do this right.

“I thought bad girls got fucked. Have I not been naughty enough for you, Ryker?” Bay pouts.

I struggle to keep my cool, but I’m hanging by a thread. “I just want you to be sure.”

“Lose your clothes, Ryker.”

Thank fuck.

I don’t think I’ve ever gotten naked faster than this. My jeans and underwear hit my bedroom floor one second after I kicked off my shoes and ripped off my socks.

I hover over Bay on all fours, careful not to crush her as I stretch to open the top drawer of my nightstand.

“I fucked up,” I groan, hiding my face in the crook of Bay’s neck.

She forces me to look at her, with two gentle fingers under my chin. “What’s up?”

I sigh as I admit it. “I came to Star Cove resolved to stay away from all kinds of drama. Eat, breathe and?—”

“And sleep hockey. Yeah, I know.” Bay interrupts me. “What does that have to do with us right now?”

“I was determined not to get involved with anyone, not even one night stands. So I didn’t bring any condoms.” My admission tastes bitter and I’m already wondering if Bay would wait here while I drive to the closest place open this late where I could find a box of rubbers. A grocery store, a night pharmacy, a gas station. I’m not beyond going to the bar on campus, I know they have vending machines in the restrooms.

Bay’s lips curl into a little smile. “Look, I don’t think condoms are a deal breaker. I’ve only not used them with Jagger. And we’re both clean. But if you feel uncomfortable without…”

Trust.

I don’t need to think about it twice. “I’m clean too, and I’ve never not used one before. Are you sure?”

“Fuck me, Ryker.”

Those are my new favorite words ever. I like them even more than Stanley Cup. Because right now? There’s nothing I want more than to have Bay.

“I’m not going to be gentle,” I warn her. “I can do gentle later, right now I’m too worked up.”

“I trust you.”

Those words again. I like them just as much as “fuck me, Ryker.”

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