Jerking my gaze from the spot that’s currently stabbing at my cold heart like an icepick, I grab some fresh threads and hurry into the bathroom, trying my best to not touch Tucker’s dirty ass underwear strewn all over the floor. I really need to talk to the man about that shit.
I set the water temperature to blazing hot, thankful Tuck’s place can handle the type of hot I prefer.
Standing under the near-scalding stream, I squeeze my eyes shut and images of silky light brown hair and kind green eyes flash in my mind. It may have been six months since I saw her, and we may not even be friends at this point, but I can conjure the image of Haley in a heartbeat. I’ll be damned if it doesn’t make my dick hard.Must not stroke off to Haley. Must not stroke off to Haley.
Six months have gone by since we’ve spoken, we’ve never kissed, never even thought of turning our friendship into anything else, and I still can’t get this woman out of my head.
I’m tired. I’m horny. And I miss Haley. The combination isn’t good.
Despite the numerous times I tell myself I shouldn’t, I wrap my hand around my erection, slowly squeezing and pulling on it. I can imagine her spread out across her bed with the sexy-as-hell grin she’s always sporting gracing her lips. Her legs are slightly parted, waiting impatiently for me to bury myself between them. Everything about her, from the way her back is arched out toward me to the way her breaths are coming in uneven pants, is screaming,Fuck me, Gaige.
I want to. Badly.
I’ve been without sex for a long time. I want it. I need it. I have no idea if this weird tango we’re doing is the cause, or if it’s because I’ve spent so many nights wrapped around her, but Haley’s been in the forefront of all my fantasies lately. The sparks between us out of bed are enough to ignite a fire. I’m more than willing to stoke the flames at any time.
My unhurried strokes have picked up the pace and my balls are drawing up tighter and tighter. I can feel an orgasm racing up my spine, and I’m lingering on the edge in the best way possible. One stroke, two, three…
BOOM!
There’s a loud thump on the wall next to me and I jerk my hand away, reminded I’m in my apartment with the cranky old lady next door that doesn’t allow you more than a five-minute shower and Idon’tin fact have Haley spread before me like a dessert bar, waiting for me to take my fill.
Motherfucker!
I hurry through the rest of my shower, my erection long forgotten. All I want is to get to Haley’s and somehow convince her to let me stay the night, because I could really use a good night’s sleep, which is something she provides.
Real talk: I just want to sleep next to her again.
My hair isn’t even dry and I’m out the door within three minutes. I trudge my way to my black Civic, noting that I need to get a car wash but pushing it off for another day…again.
Haley’s. Get to Haley’s.
I shouldn’t want to run to her when she calls out of the blue. I shouldn’t want to see her after she cut me off with no warning. I shouldn’t want her, period.
But, I do.
I made a promise that I’d be there for her at any time, and Ineedto start keeping my promises no matter what.
I suppose I’m starting now.
The drive is quick, not taking more than ten minutes. I inhale a steady breath, needing it to get me through the walk to her door. I’m nervous and tried to talk myself out of coming the entire drive here, but she needs me.
So, here I am at her doorstep, knocking twice and hoping she’ll let me in this time.
I hear quiet shuffling from the other side of the door. A deafening click of a lock being pulled out of place sets my teeth on edge. This is it. The last chance. Either she’ll let me in, or not. I hope she’ll let me in to be her friend, the one she turns to. I miss it. I miss what we were becoming. I want that companionship back. I need it, she needs it.Weneed it.
The doorknob twists and I know she’s going to let me in.
“Gaige?”
I take a step back, surprised. “Rae.”
“Um, hi. What’s up?”
Panic races through me and I have no idea what I’m supposed to say or do. Do I tell her I’m here to see Haley? Lie? Run? Because running sounds like a good idea right now.
“Gaige?” she asks.
I straighten and say the first thing that pops into my head. “I delivered a pizza in the complex, thought I’d pop by and say hi real quick. So, hi.”
