Page 77 of Brittle Heart

“I really enjoyed that short walk alone with you,” I tell her.

“I did too,” she says.

“I would love to spend more time with you, get to know you better,” I say, stepping even closer. “I want to get to know the side of you that you don’t show anyone else.” Her lips part slightly, and her breath hitches. “At the risk of getting brutally shot down…” I smirk, “… would you go out with me?”

“On a real date?” she asks, her eyes wide.

“Are there any ‘not real’ ones? Sorry, it’s been a while since I’ve been in the dating scene, but yes, a real date. Let me take you to dinner?” I ask, my voice hopeful.

“I’m working every night. I don’t have time to go out,” she says, looking down at her feet.

“If that’s a nice way of saying no, that’s okay. But if it is about the time, what would you say if I brought the date to you?”

“What do you mean?” she asks.

“Just tell me, would you like to go on a date with me, Carolina?” I ask, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Yes,” she whispers, making my stomach flutter.

“Then I’m going to make it happen. Wednesday?” I ask.

“Wednesday,” she echoes softly.

I lean down and kiss her on the cheek, lingering for a moment before whispering in her ear. “I can’t wait.”

I straighten and find her surprised golden eyes gazing up at me. I smile once more before walking out of the lab to find Clay and Sophia and trying hard not to skip like a kid.

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

Carolina

Sleep seems impossible.

I’ve been laying in bed for an hour now, my mind filled with thoughts of Josh and our date.

I can’t believe I made it through my bar shift tonight with how all over my emotions are.

He actually asked me out!

Normally, I’d doubt it and think he’s just making fun of me, but deep down, I feel he’s genuine. He’s so sweet, kind, and considerate. He makes me believe he’s truly interested in me, even if I have no idea why he would be.

I mean, look at him, then look at me.

I never thought a guy like him would give me the time of day, but there he was, smiling down at me with those dimples, making me feel all dizzy. I have no clue how he plans to make this date happen or what he has in mind, but I would’ve been so disappointed if my schedule had messed it up.

So, I’ll just wait and see. But the wait itself feels like torture.

Dio.

With Chiara spending the night with Leo, laying alone in bed leads to thoughts about Josh, and they are getting less innocent by the second. I’m a virgin, but not naïve. Taking care of myself is something I do every once in a while when I have some privacy. I thought I’d be alone forever, so there’s nothing wrong with a little self-care.

My hand starts to wander between my thighs, and my other hand slips under my T-shirt, cupping my breast.

In my fantasy, Josh is there, kneeling between my thighs, holding them open while he devours my pussy. I look down at him, and he slowly licks from my entrance to my clit, never breaking eye contact.

“Fuck,” I whimper out, my head falling back.

I’m so close to coming, but just as I’m about to reach that point, my fantasy has a mind of its own, and Xander’s voice says, “Good girl, come for us.” Clay’s chuckle follows right after.

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