Page 73 of Finance Bros

“Probably not.”

I shrug like well—there you have it. Nice it is.

“Put on some pants,” he says. “Please.”

I make a face. “Are you sure?”

He nods.

“Can I ask why?”

“I just need to slow down.”

“And if I say I don’t need you to?”

“It’s got nothing to do with you,” he says.

“Okay.” I let go of him and grab the towel from the couch. When I stand, I wrap it around my waist, covering my hard on and my ass.

I swear he sighs with relief. Throwing myself at him is obviously not the move. I tell myself to back off and give him some space, but I’m not sure I can do it. I’m not sure I remember how to. Not when we’re alone. What seemed like a terrible, impossible idea when he first got here feels like the only option now. I want him close. Closer.I need it.

Ryan follows me into the bedroom, and I like the sight of him lying down on my bed after he kicks off his shoes. I go into the bathroom and pick up the pants I was wearing before I took the second shower where I was mainly making sure my asshole was clean, because I took a shower right before he got here, too.

I turn the TV on before I get into bed with him, putting on “Battlestar Galactica”—the most recent version. We used to watch it when we were kids, and I’ve watched it many, many times since. I notice his scowl when he sees what it is, and I crawl into bed, making myself comfortable on my side, propping up on my pillow so I can see him and the TV. For the moment, I keep my legs to myself.

“I don’t need space,” he says after a minute, reading my mind like I think he’s always been able to, even when we weren’t friends.

I don’t question him, I just move over, slotting my leg between his and putting an arm around his waist. I rest my head on his chest, hoping he’ll run his fingers through my hair, and he does.

From this angle, I study the waistband of his jeans. They’re a good fit, not loose like my sweatpants. It wouldn’t be a smooth move if I tried to get my hand inside them. I’d have to unbutton, unzip, dig around…it’d be an event. Whereas, if he wants, he can just slide his hand down the back of my pants and play with my very clean ass. I sigh.

“You okay?” he asks.

“Yeah.”

“I’m better now, too,” he says. “Sorry about that.”

For slurping up my dick?“Still nothing to apologize for.”

“You might think differently later,” he says.

I think I get what he means, but I’m pretty sure he’s wrong. If he wants to be feral, I’m confident I can match his energy. My balls are so blue they might bruise.

“Are you really on a break with Kaylin, or is she just out of town?” he asks out of nowhere.

I wish he wouldn’t bring her up while I’m literally all over him, but I guess it’s a fair question. “It’s a real break. She and I are on the same page about it.”

“Why did you need a break?” he asks.

“It’s just not going anywhere. We’re great friends, and the sex is okay, but it’s not like I’m ready to have kids. I don’t even have a real job yet.”

“Is that what the break is for? Once you get the job you’ll re-evaluate?”

I reposition so I’m looking at his face. I’m propped up on one elbow with my other hand on his chest. “The situation’s a little different now.”

His scowl deepens. “Say more.”

“Okay…I don’t know if she’s what I want.Sexually.”

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