Page 54 of Second Down Darling

He snorts. “That totally works. Thanks. And I’m sure you’re gonna kick ass thisweekend.”

“She always kicks ass,” Jake adds, making mesmile.

I grab my stack of clothes and head back down thehall.

As crazy as he makes me sometimes, I have to admit Jake’s a great guy. He’ll make a lucky girl really happysomeday.

I just wish that girl wasme.

20

JAKE

Float chamber.Choke valve. Throttle valve. Pistonvalve…

As I drive the guys back to the stadium, I mentally review all the parts of a carburetor. It’s something my older brother David drilled into my head when I was younger because he assumed I’d work for himsomeday.

And as much as I hate the idea of toilingin his garage, I find the exercise takes my mind off Charlotte’s perfect, bouncytits.

Her tinywaist.

And that flimsy strip of silk between her slenderthighs.

Billy taps on the window. “So we’re not gonna talk aboutit?”

My hands tighten on the steering wheel. “Nope.”

“Really? Because I just wanna say I always knew underneath her prim little exterior, Chuck was a stone-cold fox. Talk about spank bankmaterial.”

“Shut the fuck up, asshole. We’re not talking about Charlotte.” When he doesn’t say anything, I look over to find him smirking. “What?”

“Just wondering when you’re gonna admit you have a thing forher.”

My knee-jerk reaction is to deny it. I’ve always denied it. But after everything she and I have been through lately, I’m not sure I cananymore.

“She went on a date last night.” With Kyle fuckingGreen.

“And you let her?” Billy gives me a look ofdisgust.

“What was I supposed to do? Tie her up?” It’s not fair that I’ve had my share of experiences over the years and no one has even taken her out on adate.

She’s always been at the beck and call of her family. Now that she’s on her own and more adventurous, I don’t want to sway her one way or the other. If she wants to date other men, sheshould.

And I’d felt fine with her going out—until I saw how drop-dead gorgeous she looked in that black dress and wanted to drag her back into my bedroom and fuck her until she cried out myname.

Billy’s eyes light up. “Didn’t realize you were into ropes, but sure, let’s go with a little light BDSM. Chuck might enjoy giving upcontrol.”

In the back seat, Camlaughs.

I glare at Billy. “Charlotte and I have a complicated history. She’s my ex’slittlesister.”

He scratches his head. “Yeah, but weren’t you two friendsfirst?”

Instantly, I’m on guard. “How do you knowthis?”

“Relax, dude. Charlie told me.” He points a finger in my face. “And I can see by your reaction that you want to know what else shesaid.”

I pull into the stadium and throw my car into park. “Look, I’m not going to deny I have feelings for her, but my last relationship—with her sister, coincidentally—imploded spectacularly, and I’m not sure I’m ready for anything serious. The thing about Charlotte is despite her…” I pause, not wanting to share her plans to lose her virginity because that’s none of his fucking business. “Despite her casual dating plans, she is serious relationship material. And I really don’t wanna fuck her up or fuck up our friendship. She’s important tome.”

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