Page 16 of Sexploration

I’m beginning to, but it’s terrifying. Sleeping with August could complicate a lot of things. It won’t be the kind of no-strings-attached encounter that comes from picking up some stranger. He’s someone I care about. Someone who’s in my life. There will be no avoiding him in the future. And I’m not sure what it would mean to him. What if he wants more than sex? What if he doesn’t?

My stomach flips at the thought, my mind scrambling to find some evidence that Parker is wrong. “Why would he agree to be my wingman then?”

“Wait...you asked him to be your wingman?” I shush her as she laughs. “Oh, Josie. Sometimes, your cluelessness astounds me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

She shrugs, her lips curling like the Cheshire Cat. “I’m going to let you figure that one out on your own.”

“Figure what out?” August asks, walking into the room.

My stare finds him, and my mouth goes dry. His white T-shirt is clinging to his sculpted arms, his muscles flexing as he picks up another box to take to the truck.

“Damn, girl, take a picture.” Parker chuckles, making me realize I’m ogling August.

I blush, the warmth coating my cheeks. I’m going to kill her.

“See something you like, gorgeous?” August asks with a wink.

“Yeah, it really does something for me knowing I don’t have to carry those boxes,” I quip with a smirk. “Keep up the good work.”

“Is that all?” He stalks closer, putting the box down on the couch.

I take a step back when that mischievous gleam lights up his eyes, my pulse racing with anticipation. He lunges for me, sweeping me into his arms, and spins in a circle, around and around. I’m laughing so hard, gasping between breaths, demanding that he stop and put me down. He makes one more spin and then sets me on the ground, leaving a hand on my back to make sure I don’t fall on my ass.

When the world stops spinning, I slap August playfully on the chest, trying to ignore the way his chest feels beneath my hand. Firm and solid. I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. It’s pretty much permanently etched there these days.

August keeps his eyes on me, his hands still splayed across the small of my back, turning a playful moment into something more. My stomach tightens with need, the world around us seeming to slowly melt away.

Until Parker clears her throat, cutting through the tension with a jagged knife. “Well... Josie and I were just talking about going out for a drink tonight to celebrate. We’ve got to find her a new cowboy to ride. What do you say, August? You in?”

His jaw tics, his mood noticeably shifting. “If Josie is going, I’m going.”

There’s a sharp edge in his tone and a pleading behind his stare, making it clear that he doesn’t want me to go. But I can’t just let this happen. There are too many variables at play. It’s too risky.

“Yay!” She claps her hands. “It’s gonna be so much fun. Now, let’s finish this shit up so we can go get ready.”

His eyes avoid mine as he steps away, the loss of his touch leaving an aching cold in its wake. Guilt gnaws at my stomach as he grabs the box from the couch, walking back out of the room without another word or glance at me.

“What the hell was that?” I hiss as the screen door slams.

She holds her hands up. “Hey, I’m just trying to help you see things a little clearer. I don’t care what you say, August is crazy about you. And don’t even bother trying to convince me that you aren’t interested after that little display I just witnessed. I thought the two of you were going to go at it right here. God.” She gasps, amusement dancing across her face. “Can you imagine if Tommy came home and found August fucking your brains out? His whole head would explode.”

We both die laughing. It would serve him right, too. I’d bet my anything that Tommy screwed that woman in this house.

“Okay, fine...” I relent as our laughter dies down. “Let’s say, for argument’s sake, that you’re right.”

“Because I am,” she says, her lips curving into a cocky grin, “but go on.”

“It’s a terrible idea.”

“Oh, honey. I promise you there will be nothing terrible about sex with that gorgeous ass man.”

She’s not wrong there. I’m confident that August would rock my world. It would be the best sex of my life. I’m just not positive that would be a good thing.

I throw a roll of bubble wrap at her. “I’m being serious here. He’s still so young. And Milo’s best friend. Not to mention, we’re currently living together. It would end up being one giant mess.”

Parker lets out a long, dramatic sigh. “Josie, I love you, but you’re being an idiot. So what if things get a little messy?”

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