Page 29 of Sexploration

JOSIE

There’s a lump in my throat as I stare at my reflection in the mirror, rubbing my clammy hands down my jeans. I don’t want to do this. Not even a little bit. But it needs to be done. August may be upset right now, but this is for the best.

I haven’t seen or spoken to him since he walked out of the house after our fight. He came back in late that night, his shadow pausing at my door. It killed me not to go to him, to take everything I’d said back. Seeing the pain on his face when I told him about my date was like a knife to the chest. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt him.

When I walk out of the bedroom, my heart skips. August is right outside the door, leaning against the wall as if he’d been waiting on me. God, he’s so beautiful. It’s only been a couple of days, but I’ve missed him so much.

“You look great.” He smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Going somewhere?”

My body heats as he moves closer, my feet refusing to move. “I have a date.”

He tries to appear indifferent to my answer, but the slight twitch in his eye gives him away. “Is he coming here to pick you up?”

“No, we’re meeting at the restaurant.”

He closes the remaining gap between us, his hands trailing up my arms. “Probably wise.”

My skin comes alive under his touch, my stomach quivering as humor dances across his handsome face. “I thought you weren’t speaking to me.”

He brushes the hair away from my neck, his fingertips tracing over the gold chain hanging from it. “Who says I want to talk?”

It feels like I can barely breathe as he leans in, my head tilting when his soft lips land just below my jaw. He works his way up, his teeth nipping at my earlobe. The warmth of his hands sends a shiver of anticipation through me, gripping my waist. My abdomen tightens, moisture already pooling between my thighs. I’ve gone days without his touch, and my body is jonesing for him.

I turn my head and capture his mouth with mine, my fingers tangling in his hair. His kiss is punishing, his body pushing into mine until my back hits the wall. He follows the curves of my hips to my ass, his erection pressing into my center. It’s enough to drive all rational thought from my mind, leaving only the desire to meld my body with his.

He tears his lips from mine, a fire burning behind his eyes. “Why are you doing this, Jos?”

His question should give me the clarity I need, but the fog of lust is too thick to see past it. “You know why.”

My insides tremble as he unbuttons my jeans, his hand slipping into the front of them and under my panties. I arch my hips, whimpering as his fingers glide between my slit, down to my soaked entrance.

August smirks when he pushes a finger inside me. “Someone’s missed me.” My head swims as he adds a second finger, working them in and out of me. “Tell me something...” He pulls out of me, his drenched fingers moving to my swollen clit. “Do you even like this guy?”

“I like that it’s not complicated,” I answer with panted breaths.

“There’s that word again.” There’s a hint of agitation in his tone, his fingers increasing the pressure as they circle my clit. “See, I’ve thought about it... about everything you said.” He plunges into me again, thrusting in and out. I moan as my walls clench around him, my release quickly building. “I thought about all those years spent wanting and longing for you.” His thumb attends to my throbbing nub while he continues fucking me with his fingers. “I thought about this past month, about how fucking good we’ve been together.” My muscles tense, my mind unable to fully process what he’s saying as I make my way to the finish line. “And I’ve decided something.”

“Oh, God,” I cry when my orgasm tears through me, gasping with each violent ripple.

His movements become slow and gentle, helping me ride it all the way through before removing his hand. My breathing gradually returns to normal once the waves subside, my body going limp against his.

He places a soft kiss on my lips before leaning in close again, whispering in my ear, “I’m not giving up on you. On this. On us. Not now. Not ever.”

His words slowly sink in as he meets my stare again, and waring emotions flurry inside me. I did everything I could to push him away, but the stubborn bastard still wants to fight for me. And he clearly doesn’t care about playing fair. Having thisconversationnow was no accident. The cheeky little bastard wanted to be sure I was thinking of him on my date. There’s no way in hell I’m going to so much as kiss Elias goodnight now. August knew exactly what he was doing.

August puts his fingers into his mouth, sucking my juices off them. “Just a little taste to hold me until you get home.” My cheeks heat as he winks at me, a smug grin on his face. “Enjoy yourdate,” he singsongs, walking away.

Well, fuck.

* * *

My hands drum on the steering wheel, my mind and pulse racing. I’ve been sitting outside this restaurant for the better part of ten minutes, trying to convince myself to go inside. There’s a perfectly nice man waiting for me in there, but I can’t bring myself to get out of this damn car.

Goddammit, August.

It took everything in me to walk out of that house—away from him. It was willful defiance that propelled me forward. I wanted to prove to him and myself that breaking things off was the right thing to do.

This is all so insane. Nothing has changed since the other night. August is still my brother’s best friend and still way too young for me. I don’t see how things between us could ever work.

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