Page 45 of Bite Your Tongue

“In my opinion, both are overrated.” I shrug, and instantly, you’d think I threw a grenade at her.

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that or else I’ll have to force you to pull over so I can dump your ass off on the side of the road and drive away.” She looks as baffled as she is annoyed. “You sound like Gemma. She isn’t a Taylor fan, but at least she loves Morgan.” She rolls her eyes and huffs. “She’s lucky I love her so much; it was almost a deal-breaker when she admitted that to me when we were younger.”

“I see you take this love for her very seriously,” I say, amused. “You look like you’re ready to throw fists over there.”

“Uhh … duh. You’re lucky I’m agreeing to still be your friend, by the way. I mean, bad enough you don’t respect Taylor’s music, but Morgan Wallen too? Are you serious?”

“It’s probably because of what my tongue can do, huh?” I tease her lightly, even though the image of her riding my face as she sucked my cock sends a shiver right down my spine and directly to my balls.

Scoffing, she rolls her eyes.

I pull up to the curb at the airport and shift the car into park. Before I say what I’m about to, I sort of wish I had worn a cup today to protect my dick. Sometimes, she’s a little fucking crazy.

“So, look. I have an idea, and I’m hoping you don’t punch me in the balls or anything.” I pause nervously, attempting to play it off like I’m joking but I’m actually fucking terrified. “Just hear me out, okay?”

“What?” she says, already wary of me. “What is this undoubtedly terrible idea you’ve concocted?”

What I’m about to say could go one of two ways. She could love it and make me a damn lucky man. Or she could get mad and freak the fuck out. Because she’s so unpredictable, I don’t know what to expect.

“Since we’re practically besties—” I start, but she stops me instantly.

“Gemma is my best friend,” she says sharply. “Okay, carry on.”

“Okay, since I’m your second-string best friend, I have to ask, what would be wrong with being friends with benefits? I understand you’re on some path to finding yourself and all, but during that time, you know you’re going to crave riding a dick or having someone’s face between your thighs—”

She opens her mouth to interrupt me, and I stop her.

“And, yes, I know. Your vibrator and whatever else you’ve got do the trick.” I smirk at her. “But not the way my dick does, Brat. Admit it.”

Her mouth falls open, and she scowls. “If you add sex—and, yes, I’m aware of what we did last night. But that was different. It was a one time thing to seal a great fake date. But entering into a friends-with-benefits ordeal? That’s going to create a disaster.” She stops, sighing. “I think you know it too.”

She’s right; I do know it. I know it because the only reason why I’m suggesting it is to be closer to her. I’ve had her multiple times, and I somehow convinced her last night was just part of our fake date, but it wasn’t enough. So, yeah, I know she’s going to eventually push me away when she finds Mr. Right, but until she does, I want to be the only dick she’s using.

“If you aren’t worried about getting attached to me, what’s the harm?” I say, wrapping my fingers around her wrist. “You know you’re going to get lonely on this journey you’re on. Use me during those times, Sail-On. I’d be fucking honored.”

Everything on her face screams she’s scared to say yes, but something tells me she can’t say no either. She’s enjoying whatever this thing between us is, even if she’s lying to herself, acting like she isn’t.

“And what happens when you get attached?” she bites back. “What then? Suddenly, it’s awkward between us, and when my brother wants his best friend at family things, you won’t want to join because you’ll feel uncomfortable.”

“I’ll step away before that happens,” I say, even though it’s bullshit. I’d ride this thing till the wheels fell off, and then I’d probably still try to stay on board. “And if you ever want to just go back to being friends, that’s fine.”

She pushes her cheek against her headrest and stares at me. “I’m having so much fun, but I meant what I said. I don’t want to create another shitty situation for my brother. Not when he’sdone so much for me.” She blinks slowly. “And I’m a mess. A dumpster fire. So, I don’t need anyone else’s feelings to take care of. You know I moved here to find myself. Please, Ryder, don’t take that away from me.”

“Then say no, sweetheart,” I utter. “Tell me no, and I’ll leave right now and never bring it up again. I’ll be the best damn second-string best friend you ever saw. And I’ll do it with my clothes on.”

That’s not what she wants though. Saylor is having fun, just like I am. Our sexual chemistry is off the charts. And if you ask me, there’s no way we could be around each other and not rip our clothes off. If she wants to try it though, I’ll do my best.

She’s been through enough with her ex. The ball is in her court, and I’ll let her make the call. But, fuck, I really hope she says yes.

“No expectations, right?” she whispers, surprising me with those three words. “Just two friends, enjoying each other’s company. When we feel like it, we can fuck. That’s it.”

“Yeah,” I say, “that’s it. It’s not complicated if we don’t make it that way.”

It’s a bald-faced lie. Of course it’s going to be complicated.

“And what about my brother? Smith hates feeling like people are keeping something from him.” Her face pales. “I don’t want him to get hurt in all of this. Especially after everything he’s done for me. Getting me this car, flying me to Florida …” She sighs. “I feel like we’re doing something wrong.”

That feeling I’ve had in the pit of my stomach comes back. It’s not a great sensation because she’s right. We are keeping something from Smith, and that’s wrong. It just never seems like the right time to say something to him, and now that he’s dealing with everything with Gemma and navigating that, he’s got so much on his plate.

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