Page 17 of Eligible Best Friend

I roll out of bed and rub my eyes. I need to rub something else.

My boxers strain against my raging morning erection. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been laid in a while and I’m not used to waking up with a load that weighs a ton. Or maybe it’s because I tossed and turned, dreaming of soft lips against my mouth and hard nipples pressing into my chest. With that dress she wore, it wouldn’t have been anything to sneak her into a bathroom stall or behind the bushes or, hell, even into my car.

Lia’s not like that. She’s not public sex and meaningless fucks. She’s classy. Sex in the bushes at my stepsister’s wedding is not sophisticated.

Dammit. We left before I could congratulate Karoline. I’m sure she’ll hold it against me, and it’s not like I can tell her that I couldn’t hold Lia through another dance and keep my body under control. When Lia said twerking and I pictured her ass bumping up and down, ripe enough to sink my teeth into—

Then the kiss.

I give my face one last scrub. My erection is painful now and I have no options. Okay, maybe one…

I heave my way to the bathroom. I have a full day before I work with her again. And while I’m willing to jack off in my bed like a fifteen-year-old, I can take care of business in the shower like an adult and find some relief.

I flip the water on and get in before it warms up. No help. I’m still hard enough to carve my name into a diamond. As the water heats, I palm myself, hissing at my own touch. I’m desperate. Giving my dick a pump, I let my mind wander to Lia’s wide eyes and kiss-plump lips. Involuntarily, I tighten my grip.

Releasing myself with a jerk, I grab the shampoo. I can’t do this. I can’t jerk off to my partner. But by the time my scalp’s scrubbed and rinsed, nothing’s changed. My erection isn’t going away.

What did I used to think about when I masturbated?

The last time was when Cass was pregnant. She felt bloated and enormous—her words—and refused to let me touch her. Before she left me and stomped on my heart—before the big ultrasound I wasn’t invited to—I used to dream about her larger breasts and the curve of her growing belly.

I hate to do it, but I wrap my hand around my dick again and stroke.

I try picturing Cass’s face, but all I can see is her pout when she tells me I disappointed her. Then the way her eyes flash when she says a manwhore like me can’t be a role model for her kid.

Her kid.

My grip tightens painfully.

Dammit.

Well, that takes care of my erection. I should feel like running a marathon the way blood’s streaming back into my body. By the time I wash myself and do a down-and-dirty shave, the feather of Lia’s lips under mine fills my brain and blood’s rushing back to my groin.

Fuck.

Just get it done.

I squeeze my eyes shut and try to think of nothing but the paltry pleasure I can bring myself. Finally, I’m getting somewhere. As steam billows around me and water sluices down my hypersensitized skin, I pump my fist. A shock of red lips flashes through my brain. A firm ass bouncing up and down with gauzy yellow material swaying over flesh that has to be as creamy and smooth as the rest of her.

I grit my teeth and slam a hand against the slippery shower tile, my other hand working so furiously that the water makes a piss-poor lube. If I have a heat rash when this is over, I deserve it. I can’t stop the erotic images of Lia streaming through my imagination. Her swaying backside in that dress at the country club. Her slow bend.

What would she look like naked, nothing impeding my gaze from her narrow ankles, up her strong calves, to those thighs rounded with muscle?

Electricity tingles at the base of my spine. All I have to do is imagine slipping that same dress over her shoulders, downward, until one rosy nipple pops free. My balls tighten, and in my mind’s eye, I’m lowering my head to capture one of those tight peaks that poked me in my chest. A roar rips from my chest as my climax crashes over me. Water runs into my eyes, down to my mouth, only to turn to spray as I moan and heave.

Fuck.

I sag against the wall, my stroking hand hanging limp, water washing my release away. I don’t even know where I sprayed. I don’t care. I’m too lost in the empty afterglow, my brain reeling over an orgasm that’s stronger than any I’ve had since…ever.

I can’t afford to think about Lia this way. She’s too important to me and she’s hung up on some other guy. I’ll only stomp on us and ruin our friendship when she wants more. They always want more.

I’ve shirked relationships for so long. My only serious one ended with Cass taking the most important thing in my life. I left my career before it started for my mom. I’m pretending to date Lia for Cass so I can get that time with Jayden. Beyond that, I had no other plans.

So, where does that leave me?

As I towel off, only one question roams through my mind. What do I want?

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