That Secret Crush (Getting Lucky #3)(24)

“Because you can. Come on, hit me with your worst.”

“Fine,” she says, succumbing to my strength. “Are we seeing each other now?”

“Yes.”

“Are you going to see anyone else?”

“No.” I press a kiss to her nose. It’s cute that she’s worried, but I’m not that kind of man—never have been, never will be.

“Are you going to take me out on a date?”

“Do you want me to?” I counter, seeing how serious this is for her.

“Yes.”

“Then yes, I’ll take you on all of the dates.”

“What about Eric?” she asks, worry filling her eyes.

“What about him?”

“Are you going to tell him?”

“Well, since I haven’t seen him in years, and he never comes back to Port Snow, I’m going to say no. Not right now, when I’m trying to fuck you every chance I get.”

“Is that all this is to you? Fucking?”

With that question, I straighten up and sit back a little. “No. It’s not.”

“You’re making it seem like it is.”

“Because you fucking rocked my damn world last night, Eve,” I answer honestly, realizing it as the truth comes pouring out of my mouth. She did: she took me by the balls and flipped my life upside down in the best way possible. And the fact that I can actually be open with her about that is probably even more startling than the revelation itself. I don’t talk emotions, and I sure as hell don’t admit to having them, but Eve somehow pulls them out of me. Enraptured by how beautiful she is, I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, letting my fingers linger on her soft skin. “Last night meant more to me than just fucking my friend—it meant connecting with someone in a way I never have before. You made me feel shit, Eve, and I don’t let myself have feelings. But it felt good. Fuck, it felt so damn good. It’s why I want to sink myself inside of you all over again, because I want that feeling of euphoria to take over me, that feeling of comfort, of belonging. This isn’t just about fucking, at least not for me. This is about starting something new.”

She stares at me, her mouth slightly ajar, as if I’m a completely different person.

“Wow,” she finally says. “I knew you were going to make me scream in bed, and I knew you were going to be irresistible, but I had no idea you were going to bowl me over with your words.”

I wiggle my eyebrows at her. “Is that a good thing?”

“It’s a very good thing.” The smile in her eyes promises some more good things to come.

Very good things.

“So then it’s settled. We’re seeing each other, we’re not seeing other people, we’re going out on dates, and we’re creating something—not just fucking.”

“And we’re not telling my brother or anyone. Just keeping this on the down low for now.”

“Yeah, no need to get him involved or anyone right now.” Eric hasn’t truly been a part of my life for years. Sure, we shoot each other the odd text messages, but when it comes to my love life . . . yeah, he can fuck off for now.

“And that’s not going to backfire?” she asks, heavy concern in her voice. “I mean, we do live in a gossipy town where everyone knows everyone. He could find out, and what would he say to that?”

I think back to all the times he told me to stop checking Eve out, to the times he would punch me in the arm every time I stared at her in a bikini, to the small moments he would catch me just talking to her. He warned me, told me not to mess with her, to stay away because friendship with her should always be my number one priority. He didn’t ever want to lose me as his best friend because I fucked something up with his sister.

Well, we’re no longer talking—at least not as much—and not because of Eve but because of our own stupidity. I might have told him a long time ago when we were young that I would never go after his sister. But that was then; this is now. I can’t hide the feelings I have for her, and yeah, maybe this will backfire on us, but that’s a chance I’m willing to take when it comes to exploring what Eve and I could have.

Continuing, she says, “You know how all of those movies and stories go: the brother accidentally finds out and then blows up, the couple breaks up, and heartbreak takes over.”

“You’ve been watching way too many Lovemark movies.” I laugh her off, holding back the niggling fear that tries to make itself known. Eve doesn’t need to shoulder any more thoughts, secrets, or responsibilities. “No, that won’t be us because when the time comes, we’ll let Eric know. But for now, let’s just get to know this new development in our lives. Deal?”

I lean over and press my forehead to hers, still in awe that this girl is beneath me, running her hands up and down my back.

She tilts her chin up and presses a kiss against my hungry lips. “Deal.”



Reid: Dude, I have to tell you something.

Brig: Jesus, my mouth is frothing just from reading that text. You know I love juicy gossip. Give it to me.

Reid: You can’t tell ANYONE.

Brig: Yeah, sure, lips are sealed. Give Daddy the deets.

Reid: I’m not fucking kidding. You have to keep this between us.

Brig: Come on, who would I tell?