Page 10 of Just Friends

When we’re hanging out and I have to fight to keep from getting hard.

It wasn’t like that in the beginning. Sure, I thought she was cute, but I only saw her as a friend. As we grew closer and older, my attraction developed. Everything about Carolina is perfect. She has the biggest heart I’ve ever known, and once you cut through her shyness, she’s pretty funny. She’s too gorgeous for her own damn good—a one-of-a-kind beauty hiding behind her glasses and sweaters.

I’ve come to love those damn sweaters.

Bought her two for Christmas.

No lie, I’d love to throw her on my bed and give her what she’s asking.

But I can’t.

Sleeping with Carolina is a line I’ll never cross.

She’s my person.

She knows me better than anyone, and I’ll be damned if I give that up to temporarily get my dick wet.

“I’ve thought about this for a while, and I’ve made my decision.” She exhales a sharp breath. “I don’t want it to be with some random guy, and I trust you more than anyone, Rex.”

I clench my fists, standing only inches from her.

How can she come here and ask me that?

How can she put me in this position?

“I’m not taking your virginity.” My tone is sharp. My body is tense.

“Fine.” Her tone mimics mine. “I’ll find someone else to take it.”

I grind my teeth when she turns to leave, and I move faster than I ever have before in my life. I catch her elbow, hauling her deeper into my bedroom and away from the door.

I tilt my head down, glaring at her while my hand is still latched on to her elbow, and my lips meet her ear as I speak. “Don’t do this. Don’t be stupid.”

“Do what I’m asking then.”

“No,” I bite out.

She jerks out of my hold and pushes my chest. “Why?” she hisses. “You screw girls on the regular. It’s nothing out of the ordinary for you—rinse, wash, repeat. Act like I’m a random girl you’ve texted for a week and met up with at a party to bang.”

“You’re not some random girl I’ve texted for a week.”You’re everything to me.

She’s also fucking insane. Carolina has officially lost her goddamn mind.

She quietly stares at me for a moment.

Thank fuck.

I think I’ve won this … talk, argument, whatever the fuck it is.

She proves me wrong when she falls back a step and starts unbuttoning her sweater.

Motherfucker.

“Carolina,” I warn.

She ignores me, and the sweater falls to her feet, giving me the sight of her chest in only a plain black bra. I lose a breath, my heart beating wildly, and my stomach knots in nervousness. Just as I’m about to bend down and scoop up her sweater to hand it back, I stop.

I’m frozen in place as she unbuttons her jeans.

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