Page 43 of One of Them Girls

She leans back, but stays in my lap. “I need to tell you something.”

“Anything,” I tell her, reaching up to brush a stray strand of hair out of her face.

“I like you. I don’t know when it happened, but I really like you.”

I let out a sigh. “I like you too, Adra, but I’m not sure either of us are really in the right frame of mind to start anything now.”

Her bright turquoise eyes peek up at me from under her eyelashes. Tempting me to take back what I said and take her to bed to worship her the way she deserves.

Almost.

Cassi’s gorgeous. There’s no doubt about that. She’s funny and quirky. It’s easy to be around her. That’s not the problem.

The problem is that she has unresolved issues in her life and I can’t put myself through that again. As much as I love Tinsley and am happy for her, I won’t put myself in the position to be anyone’s second choice. Not again.

The worst part is, the way I’ve been feeling about Cassi is way more intense than I ever felt about Tinsley. With Tinsley, my ego was wounded, but with Cassi, I don’t think I’d leave with my heart intact.

She frowns. “I’m not asking you to marry me.”

“What are you asking for then?”

“Friends.” She brushes her lips across mine once more. “Friends that are exploring the possibility that there could be something more here? Who’s to say friends can’t kiss?”

Fuck.

This woman is going to be the death of me.

When I don’t respond right away, her face falls. She goes to pull back from me, but I don’t let her go.

Fuck it.

I told her I wasn’t in a good place and I know she’s not either, but she still wants this. As much as I want to, I can’t deny her. Maybe I can keep her at a distance while fucking her out of my system. Seems like the perfect combination.

Yeah, right, my brain tells me.

“Are you sure?” I ask, threading one hand into her hair and wrap the other around her waist, pulling her into me, making me gasp.

“What I’m sure of is I can’t take it anymore. I want to know what your lips feel like against mine.”

I slam my lips down onto hers, taking her into a brutal kiss. Neither one of us is gentle as we press closer, attempting to meld together as one. I swipe my tongue against her lips, urging her to open up. When she doesn’t right away, I nip her bottom lip, making her gasp. Taking the moment of surprise, I slip my tongue into her mouth, rubbing against hers. She doesn’t hesitate, moving her tongue into my mouth for its own exploration.

We kiss and kiss for who knows. Hands roving. Her hands make their way under my shirt, up my abs, and around to my back. She grinds down onto me, making me groan.

“Avi,” she whimpers.

“Not here, Adra. I won’t have our first time be on a beach where sand can get into places it doesn’t belong,” I tell her, making her laugh.

“I’m sorry,” she says once she calms down, pulling back.

“What are you sorry for?”

“Pushing.” She sighs, brushing her loose girls away from her face.

“Hey, I like you pushing, but not here. I’m thinking about the both of us when I say no,” I tell her, running my thumb over her bottom lip.

“Make-out buddies?”

“For now,” I say, making us both smile.

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