He’s wearing a blue checked button-down, which I manage to get undone as he continues to explore the tiny scrap of my panties.

Reece’s hands slide back up my body, but I push them aside, gripping his wrists as I let my lips explore his perfect upper body.

He’s strong enough to throw me off in an instant, but he stands perfectly still, his only movement the quickening of his breathing as I kiss every inch of him I can reach.

I reluctantly let go of his hands, only so that I can unfasten his jeans, reaching inside and cupping him over the fabric of his boxers as I look up and meet his eyes.

Reece swears softy, kissing me hard before pulling my hand aside, scooping me into his arms, and carrying me easily to the bed.

I reach for him again, but he shakes his head, holding me still with only his gaze as he kicks off his shoes and ditches the pants and boxers.

Reece is wonderfully naked as he slowly lowers himself on top of me, once again kissing my mouth as though he’s a starving man.

We break contact only long enough for me to arch up so he can undo my bra, and then his mouth is on me, kissing my breasts as his fingers slide beneath my panties, teasing me with soft strokes.

Through the almost unbearable pleasure, I feel his eyes on me, as though committing my every moan and sigh to memory. When he finally pulls my underwear down my legs, that too is slow, sensual.

Reece settles between my thighs, but I catch him off guard, pressing both hands against his chest, somehow managing to roll him onto his back.

I straddle him, loving the way his eyes darken as I lower myself over him, taking him in hand, rubbing him against me before lowering myself onto him.

Finally, he’s all the way inside me, and the room’s filled with the sound of our labored breathing as we both strive for restraint, wanting the moment to last.

His hands curve around my hips, but he doesn’t move, somehow understanding that I need this my way. I take the control he’s offering, rocking my hips onto his in rolling, needy motions.

My head falls back as I ride him harder, and he lets me, his hands everywhere. My waist, my hips, my breasts, rubbing my clit.

I cry out, my release so close, and at the last minute, he rears up to a sitting position, one arm wrapping around my waist, the other around my head as he thrusts inside me, taking my mouth in a kiss at the exact moment we both explode, coming together in an orgasm like nothing I’ve ever felt.

Like nothing I’ll ever feel again.

For long moments, neither of us moves. I’m draped over his shoulder, breathing hard into his neck as he holds me close, his breath moving in rapid pants against me, until slowly he lowers us back to the bed.

I mean to look at him. I mean to make some saucy comment, but all I want to do is cry.

Reece seems to understand—maybe even feels the same. Because he doesn’t talk either, only pulls me against his side, and after a distracted kiss to the top of my head, exhales with something that sounds very much like despair.

Chapter 35

Reece

Craig picks up on the second ring. “Hey, man! Where you at? I’ve barely heard from you.”

“L.A.,” I say, sitting back on the hotel bed and reaching for the remote, turning on the TV and flipping around idly until I find the Dodgers game.

Craig laughs. “Damn, Spock really did drag you out of the way, huh? At least you’re in California.”

“Yeah.”

I don’t tell my best friend that I’m looking forward to my final destination a lot less than I was two weeks ago.

“Got any plans? Seeing the Hollywood sign, that sort of shit? I’m sure Spock’s got a bucket list in each city.”

“Not sure what the plan is for later,” I lie. Lucy’s been talking all day about some fancy restaurant known for its celebrity sightings that she wants to try.

I agreed to that, although I drew the line at going shopping with her, which is how I’ve ended up with a few minutes to myself to check in with Craig.

I was hoping that talking to him would distract me from her, but I’ve realized my mistake. If you’re trying to not think about a girl, don’t call her fucking brother.

“She’s driving me nuts,” I say, before I can think better of it.

He gives a startled laugh. “Yeah, Spock does that sometimes.”

“No, I don’t mean in the annoying-little-sister way,” I say, pacing in short, agitated movements.

Craig’s laugh breaks off. “Then how do you mean it?”

I stop pacing, tilt my head back, and stare up at the plaster ceiling, debating the wisdom of what I’m about to say.

He may be my best friend, but we’re not really the chat-on-the-phone types. We’ve never had to be. Apart from during the four years Craig was in college, we’ve always been a twenty-minute drive away from each other, more inclined to catch up over a beer and a game than have a long, girly chat on the phone.

And yet everything that’s happening with Lucy, I’ve been feeling so overwhelmed with…something. I just need to talk it out, and it says a hell of a lot about my life that I only have one option.

“Craig, I’ve gotta tell you something,” I say, closing my eyes and praying for mercy.

“You slept with my sister.”

Damn. He’s not my best friend for nothing. The guy knows me.

I clench my teeth as I shove my hand in my back pocket, forcing myself to be straight with my friend. “Yeah.”

I hear a sigh, followed by something that sounds like a gum wrapper. The slight chomping noise that follows confirms that he’s chomping on the wintergreen gum he’s loved since the sixth grade. “Thought that fizzled out a long time ago.”