Page 62 of Falling Offsides

Court smiles, her eyes dropping to my lips.

All I can tell myself isfuck itas I grip her hips, bringing her flush to me. She smells delicious, like ripe peaches and sunshine.

“You have no idea,” I say, voice low, “how hard it was not to touch you on that ride.”

Her breath catches.

When she licks her lips, I amble forward, pressing her back into the refrigerator.

I let my hand trail up her bare thigh.

Higher up to her bare waist when she doesn’t stop me.

Not with words.

Not with breath.

Not even when I lean in and press my mouth just beneath her jaw.

“I want you, Court,” I murmur. “So fucking bad.”

She exhales, shaking her head. But her hands grip my shirt like she’s ready to fight me for it.

“You can’t,” she whispers back.

I brush my nose down her neck, inhaling her beautiful scent all the way to the depths of my lungs until it burns.

Pulling back, I nod. “I know.”

Her laugh is hoarse, tinged with disappointment as she pushes a popsicle into my chest. “We can be friends. Stay friends? Right?”

I don’t answer.

Because I don’t know if it’s possible to just be friends with Courtney.

All I know is—if this is a line, I’m already over it.

And I’m not going back.

We didn’t plan it.

Not really.

But somehow, we end up here—side by side on the couch, lights dimmed low, a movie flickering across the screen while the city hums softly beyond Courtney’s balcony.

Her thick hair’s still damp from the shower. Her curls tickle my jaw now she’s curled up next to me, blanket pulled up to her chin, a bowl of popcorn resting between us like some unspoken peace treaty.

I’m not even sure what movie we’re watching. Some historical romance she mumbled was her comfort pick. I said yes before she finished the title because I just want to be near her.

Courtney’s shoulder brushes mine every time she shifts. Her legs are tucked under her. Her pinkie finger keeps brushing mine when she reaches for more popcorn.

It’s a quiet kind of torture. The best kind.

About halfway through, I feel her head tip against my shoulder. It’s the most natural thing in the world. And I savor the feeling of her so close.

When I glance down, Courtney’s eyes are closed. Her breathing is slow. Even.

My tired girl is asleep with Sammy right next to her.

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