“What about you?” she asks, suddenly turning the line of questioning on me.

“I definitely know my way around a clit. No worries there. It’s all about pressure and speed.”

She barks out a laugh. “No, that’s not what I meant. Surely you’ve got a crazy-ex story of your own.” She’s looking over at me with hopeful eyes, wanting me to take the bait.

Tightening my grip on the steering wheel, I shake my head. “It’s not something I want to talk about.” We’re just starting to get close; I don’t want to scare her away yet with the mountain of baggage I’m pulling along behind me.

“Now or ever?” she asks, her tone filled with curiosity.

Ever . But I’ve just pried into her past, and withholding my own isn’t exactly fair. “Now,” I settle on.

“Okay.” She shrugs. “I’ll just have to keep supplying you with vegetarian food and regular yoga classes until I get it out of you.”

I grunt. “No way. The next time we go out, I’m choosing what we do. Something manly. Sport fishing, cross-fit, all-you-can-eat Brazilian meats.”

She makes a gagging noise next to me, and then laughs. A sweet sound that’s full of life and promise, just like her.

When we reach our building, I walk her upstairs, stopping outside her door. She looks beautiful in her simple white cotton tank and jeans; somehow her casual dress makes her look younger than her twenty-four years. I’m filled with desire for her, but I know if she invited me inside right now, I’d fuck everything up.

“Thanks,” she murmurs, her wide-set eyes fixed on mine.

Tracing my thumb along her jawline, I revel in how soft her skin is. “Anytime.”

Emery’s breathing hitches, her only indication that my touch affects her. I want to lean in and kiss her, press my lips to hers, but I won’t. Can’t.

After a wistful moment, she turns and heads inside, the lock clicking into place once she shuts the door.

“Good night, Emery,” I say, and turn to head for my place.

When I get inside, I toss my keys and wallet onto the tray on the counter and sigh. I’m trying to figure out why hanging out with a woman has never felt like that before. It was easy and fun, and I already want to do it again.

Shaking the thoughts away, I open the fridge and peer inside. I’m still fucking starving from that vegetarian dinner. It may work for Emery, but I need meat to sustain me. After making myself a sandwich, I sink down onto the couch and grab the remote. The TV may be playing in the background, but I can’t help but recount the cute little things Emery said and did tonight.

Fuck.

Roughly swallowing a bite of roast beef, I sit straight up in my chair. I realize, with stunned horror, that I like her. I like hanging out with her. I like her personality, her sass, the fact she has goals. The curve of her hips, her tight ass . . . and the fact that she took the time to put on earrings before our non-date .

I’d also like to bang the shit out of her, but I know that isn’t possible, both because of my vow to Hudson, and to Beth, but also because it’s not what Emery wants or needs. She needs a friend. And that’s what I’m going to be.

Setting my unfinished plate aside, I get up and head into the bathroom. I need a cold fucking shower. I need to knock this shit off. I’ve made a goal for myself, and I’m not going to fuck it up. Even if my dick is rock hard right now just thinking about her.

Quickly stripping down, I step under the spray of lukewarm water. It does nothing to quell my erection, especially since I know that Emery is just one floor below me. She’s probably changing into her pajamas, and my mind spins with the possibilities. Does she sleep in a matching shorts-and-tank set, or maybe just her panties and an old T-shirt, her beautiful tits straining against the softened fabric?

My hand finds my cock and I squeeze, trying to quiet the images in my brain. It’s no use. The way her round ass filled out those jeans, the hint of cleavage that peeked from her tank top, it’s been burned into my brain. Knowing I’m going to give in to temptation, I grab the bottle of body wash, squeeze a generous amount into my palm, and use the suds to stroke my cock up and down. A grunt pushes past my lips as my hand speeds up. My shaft feels like steel and my balls draw up closer to my body.

The images in my brain turn far more salacious . . . Emery naked and kneeling between my feet, her pink lips sucking on the head of my cock, her bent over my bed with her ass up nice and high so I can see her glistening pussy, me pounding into her, showing her what it’s like to be fucked by a man who knows what he’s doing.

As I pump my fist over the sensitive head of my cock, a strangled moan crawls up my throat and I come hard, sending semen jetting onto the tile below. As the water washes away the evidence of my lack of self-control, I take a deep gulp of air. Jacking off to thoughts of my friend isn’t normal. I need to lock this shit down. Right the fuck now. But as I towel off, I decide that if this is what I need to do to remain in control around her, so be it.

After my release, I feel a bit more disciplined, my head clearer, and I’m thankful for that. I put on a pair of sweatpants, and then head to the kitchen to grab my phone.

Sitting down on the edge of my bed, I send a text to Emery, inviting her to join me at my nephew’s soccer game tomorrow. I figure there’s no way I can bend her succulent ass over and fuck her in front of twenty four-year-olds. It’s safe, and I need to stick to safe activities. Ones where my cock won’t get me into trouble.