Page 34 of Sticking Around

“Meaning?”

“After sex, we both spill our deepest, darkest secrets.”

“Yeah, crazy,” I agree, my chest tightening.

She laughs. “Damn emotions.”

I stiffen at that one word. Emotions and vulnerability. Something I was never allowed to feel, something I had to constantly hide. But dammit, I can’t seem to do that around this woman, can’t seem to ignore the fullness in my chest. Everything in her honesty—my own honesty when I’m with her—has created a new kind of closeness, intimacy between us, and I can’t let that happen. Fuck, I don’t believe in love at first sight or instalove. Christ, we’ve only been sleeping with each other for one weekend. No one falls that fast.

Ah, but you’ve been watching her from afar for a long time now, dude.

“We should get back home. I have some footage I need to go over tomorrow before Noah and I have our conditioning the next day.” That’s when another thought hits. “Maybe I should go sleep in my own bed,” I suggest, even though all I want to do is take her to bed and make sweet love to her all night long. Sweet love? Who are you, Brady? “We don’t want our friends to catch us in bed together and get the wrong idea.”

She cocks her head. “What idea would that be?”

“That we’re sleeping together.”

“So,” she teases, drawing out that one word. “The right idea.”

“Uh, yeah.”

She grabs my T-shirt and tugs, the corner of her mouth lifting in a half smile. “Come on, Coddy. I already told Brighton. But don’t worry, our secret is safe with her and Noah.”

I follow her, my thoughts on my friends, and the things we discussed tonight at the pool. If she doesn’t want anyone to know, it might be too late. I scrub my chin, worry niggling its way through my body as she glances at me over her shoulder.

She must sense the unease in me, because her eyes narrow, and her smile falters when she asks, “Did you tell Conner?”

12

Melanie

The morning sun shines in through the windows and I roll to check the time. It’s early, and I have no idea why I’m not asleep. After sex with Brady at the pool, and again here in this bed, you’d think I’d still be asleep until tomorrow morning.

I turn slowly, not wanting to wake him, and my heart jumps into my throat at the gorgeous man sprawled across the bed, taking up well over half of it. I had no idea how much I liked to snuggle until him, and honestly, it’s hard to believe how much I told him last night. I don’t regret it. He was an apt listener and offered comfort and support. For a guy who does nothing but joke around, he sure knows when to be quiet and thoughtful.

I should try to go back to sleep, although I know it’s futile. I have a lot on my mind with school and needing to find a place to live and the second I close my eyes again, I know my brain is going to start racing. Sticking one foot out and then the other, I try to make a quiet escape. I only manage to lift myself halfway up when a big arm pins me down.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

I laugh as he hauls me back down and buries his face in the side of my neck. His breath is warm on my flesh and seeps under my skin, arousing me all over again. How is that possible? I think I’ve had more sex this weekend than I’ve had my entire life. That’s kind of sad, really.

“I was going to make us coffee.”

He positions me under his naked body. “Coffee is overrated.”

“I’m not sure I agree with that.”

“Okay, how about this…” He takes one nipple into his mouth and sucks gently. “This is better than coffee.”

I arc into him and sink deep into my pillow. “I really like coffee. It helps perk me up.”

He chuckles against my skin and presses hot, wet kisses to my other nipple. “You seem to be perking up to me.” I lift my hips as he rolls the soft blade of his tongue over my puckered nipple.

I rake my hands through his mess of hair. “Coffee warms me up.”

“I’ll take that challenge.” He slides down my body more, his hot lips leaving a wet trail as he sinks lower and lower, until he’s between my legs. He slides his hands under my backside and lifts my sex to him, moaning like I’m a buffet and he’s about to eat his fill.

The first lick of his tongue against my clit sends shards of heat through me, and I reach up and grab the bed slats, shamelessly wiggling my sex against his face.

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