Forever Love: A Friends to Lovers Collections Read online

  “At least you didn’t use the word wild.”

  “Wild’s different. I prefer adventurous.”

  “Me too. Your brother used the word wild.”

  “My brother was talking about you being wild in bed?”

  “Yes. At least he was hinting at it.”

  “I’m going to kill him.” Kyle’s hands balled into fists.

  “Does it really bother you that much? It’s not like he’s hitting on your real girlfriend.”

  “But he’s talking inappropriately to the girl he thinks is my girlfriend, and either way you’re my friend. You deserve respect from everyone.”

  “Thanks.”

  “For?”

  “Saying I deserve respect. I don’t hear that often.”

  “You should, but back to that adventurous stuff…” He grinned. “Am I right?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t have enough experience to tell you either way.”

  “Are you a virgin?”

  “What do you think?” It really was fun to ask the questions.

  “No… I don’t think you would have agreed to this if you were.” He stretched out his legs.

  “Why not? This trip doesn’t involve sex.”

  “But it involves sleeping in the same bed with me.” He patted the bed, making our sex talk seem even crazier—and possible.

  “We didn’t know that before we came.”

  “But you’re not, right?” He studied me.

  “No. I’m not.” I wished I was.

  “I’m not either.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you told me you’d had random hook up sex the other day at the station. Besides, you dated Abby for months.” Saying her name put a bad taste in my mouth.

  “Good point. I forgot about that. But, how do you know I slept with Abby?”

  I stared at him.

  “Ok. I did.”

  “What was the point of denying it?”

  “I wasn’t denying. I was seeing if it was really assumed.”

  “It is. You date in college, you have sex.”

  “Not always, but yes. Sex is a part of most relationships.”

  “I want more experience, but I don’t want the relationship.”

  “Why?” He kicked off his shoes. “Why are you so anti-relationship?”

  “Because they’re never worth it.”

  “I don’t know if I’d say never, but sometimes.”

  “At least not now. What’s the point of a relationship at nineteen? Chances are it won’t go anywhere.”

  “Says the girl whose friends are all practically engaged.”

  “Not all.”

  “Most.”

  “But they’re not me.” I shrugged.

  “No. They’re not.” He brushed a piece of hair away from my face.

  “I’m not sure if I should take that as an insult or a compliment.”

  “Take it for what it is. You’re unique. That’s a good thing.”

  “You’re unique too.”

  “And inventive.” He laughed. “Don’t forget that.”

  “Although I still don’t know if that’s true in bed.”

  “I guess you’re going to have to wait to find out.”

  I laughed dryly. “Oh yeah? Is that a fact?”

  “I haven’t decided if you can handle it yet.”

  “Handle it? Aren’t I the one who’s supposed to be adventurous in bed?”

  “But what’s going to happen when we combine inventive and adventurous? Might be too much for us.”

  “Be careful Kyle, it almost sounds like you’re propositioning me.”

  “I already made my offer as idiotic as it sounded.”

  “How could I forget?” I got up and dug through my bag for pajamas. I wasn’t sure how much more of this sex talk I could take.

  I closed myself in the bathroom and took a deep breath. I wasn’t allowed to want Kyle. That wasn’t what this trip was about. Was it? Or was that why I’d said yes in the first place? I needed time. I couldn’t go right back out there. “I’m going to take a shower.”

  “Enjoy,” he called back.

  I heard the TV turn on right before I turned on the water. I stayed under the hot stream for a few minutes, hoping it would knock some sense into me. Sure sex with Kyle could be fun. Could be very enjoyable… but what would happen after? Could we really go back to being just friends?

  I couldn’t risk it. I turned off the water and toweled off before putting on my shorts and cami PJ set. It wasn’t overly sexy, but the cami was tight and the shorts were short. Oh well, I wore far less to the beach.

  I brushed out my hair, brushed my teeth, and walked out of the bathroom.

  Kyle turned off the TV and watched me. “Nice shower?”

  “Very. Nice and hot.”

  “You look really good with your hair wet.” His eyes weren’t focused on my hair. They were moving up and down me in a way that had my whole body heating.

  “Oh. Thanks.” I hung my dress back up in the closet and kept my back to him so he wouldn’t see me blush. “Are you going to shower?”

  “Why? You afraid I’ll get the sheets dirty?”

  “No, of course—” I turned from the closet to find Kyle standing there without his shirt on. My eyes trailed up and down his chest.

  “What were you about to say?” His lips twisted into a smile.

  I forced my eyes to stay on his face. “Nothing. Go ahead.”

  “All right.” He walked into the bathroom and closed the door.

  I grabbed my phone before sitting on the bed. I leaned back on the bed not caring that my hair was going to get the pillow wet. What was wrong with me? Was I really going to get that excited over seeing Kyle without a shirt on?

  I texted Savy. How goes it at Harrison?

  She replied right away. Miss you.

  No you don’t. She was busy enough with her part-time job and boyfriend.

  Yes I do.

  How’s Glen?

  The bigger question is how’s Kyle? I can’t believe you went along with his insane plan.

  Me either. I was crazy. Completely and utterly crazy.

  Has it been ok?

  Aside from his annoying brother, his sex-therapist cousin, and the fact that I kind of want to have sex with him. Yeah everything has been ok.

  JADE!

  What? I smiled, I knew exactly what reaction my text would get, but I had to get it out. Savy would understand, and I knew I could trust her. Besides if Kyle found out he wouldn’t be surprised.

  You just told me you want to sleep with Kyle.

  I said I kind of want to.

  Same thing.

  No. totally different. I’m going to resist. The shower shut off. I’ve got to go.

  So you can get it on with your FRIEND.

  No. It’s not happening.

  Let’s see what you’re saying at the end of the week.

  It’s not happening. It couldn’t happen.

  Promise to tell me if it does.

  It’s not happening.

  Just tell me.

  Sure. Tell Glen I said hi.

  Tell Kyle the same.

  K. I tossed my phone onto the bed stand as the door opened.

  Kyle walked out with just a towel around his waist. His hair was wet, and beads of water streamed down his chest to the top of the towel. I was going to die. Was he doing this to me on purpose?

  “Forgot to bring in a change of clothes.” He pulled out a pair of boxers and a t-shirt from his bag, and I tried to look away.

  “You okay, Jade?”

  “Yeah.” I forced myself to make eye contact with him. “You look good with wet hair too.”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “Do I?”

  “Yup.”

  I waited for him to return to the bathroom to change, but he didn’t.

  Instead he stood right there and pulled on his t-shirt. Next he put on his boxers, blocking himself with the towel.
“I get it Kyle. You can stop.”

  “Stop what?” He stepped into the bathroom and hung up his towel.

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

  “Do I?” he asked innocently.

  “Yes. You do.”

  “Let’s say I don’t.” His eyes twinkled. They twinkled way too much.

  I sat up. “I know you’re hot. Okay? I’ve known that for ages, as has everyone else. You already know I like you, so why mess with me like this after I agree to help you?”

  “Whoa. Back up there. I’ll take the hot part and put it to the side.” He smiled. “But the whole I already know you like me thing? Yeah…didn’t know that.”

  “Yes you did. Even Savy knew.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s good information to know.”

  I covered my face with my hands. “This week just got worse.”

  “It doesn’t have to.” He got into bed as though I hadn’t just aired my feelings for him.

  “And that’s it? You’re going to go to sleep?”

  “Is there something else we should be doing?”

  “Nope. Nothing at all.” I slipped under the covers on the opposite side of the bed. “Goodnight, Kyle.”

  “Goodnight, Jade.” He turned off the light.

  It was going to be a really long week.

  Kyle

  I lay awake in the dark staring at the ceiling. I may have played it off like I was fine, but I wasn’t. My mind was running a million miles a minute, and my body wasn’t making things easier on me. Discovering Jade was as attracted to me as I was to her made it nearly impossible to stay on my side of the bed. And did she have to wear such a skimpy set of PJs? A girl with legs like those had to know what those shorts would do to a guy. Or maybe that was the point. She was wearing them to get my attention.

  “Kyle?” she spoke my name softly.

  “Yeah?”

  “I was checking to see if you were still up.”

  “I’m still up.”

  “I can tell. You’re talking.”

  I rolled over so I was facing her. The room was too dark to see anything, but somehow I needed to look in that direction. “Very perceptive.”

  “This feels like a sleep-over.”

  “Like with your girlfriends?”

  “Yes, but obviously you’re not a girl.”

  “Glad you noticed that.”

  “Yeah, it’s kind of obvious.”

  “Sorry I didn’t think ahead and pack romantic comedies or nail polish.”

  A pillow made contact with my face. “What’s that for?”

  “We can still have a pillow fight.”

  I laughed. “You’re kidding, right? It’s pitch black in here.”

  “Yes, I’m kidding, but I can’t sleep.”

  “We can talk.”

  “Aren’t we doing that already?”

  “True.”

  “How do you think we’ve done so far?” She shifted, pulling the sheet off me in the process.

  “We’ve done well.”

  “I don’t like lying.”

  “Yeah, me either.”

  “Then why did you ask me to come?” She shifted again and moved closer.

  “Haven’t we been over this already?”

  “Yes. Plenty of times.” She brushed her arm against mine, and I didn’t know if it was intentional. “Can I make a weird suggestion?”

  “Weirder than any of the ones I’ve made lately?”

  “No. Not that weird.”

  “Then ask away.”

  “Want to go out and take a walk?”

  “Now?” I leaned up on an elbow so I could see the clock. “It’s after eleven.”

  “That’s still pretty early.”

  “I’m up for it if you are.” It’s not like we were going to get any sleep anyway.

  “Ok, turn on the lamp. It’s going to take me a minute to let my eyes adjust.”

  I shifted over and turned on the lamp. I blinked a few times to get used to the light.

  Jade sat up. “That’s bright.”

  I laughed. “You can’t blame me. This is all your idea.”

  “I know, but it sounds fun, right?” She hopped out of bed before pulling on a zip up sweatshirt. She walked into the bathroom with a pair of jeans.

  “It does sound fun.” I jumped into a pair of jeans. Maybe some fresh air would clear my head.

  The resort was silent as we wove our way around down toward the lake. I had my phone ready to use as a flashlight, but the moon was bright enough to light our way.

  “There’s nothing like a night walk.” She spoke softly as though she was worried about someone else hearing. “I used to try to sneak out when I was a kid to do it.”

  “But you always got caught?”

  “Always.” She laughed. “One time I thought I’d made it, but it turned out my mom had followed me to see where I was going.”

  “Where were you going?”

  “Into the backyard. I couldn’t sleep and needed to get outside.”

  “Do you still do that?”

  “Get up to walk in the middle of the night?” she turned to me.

  “Or wake up a lot at night?”

  “Almost every night. I’m not the best sleeper.”

  “Me either. If you ever feel the urge to walk outside in the middle of the night, just call me.” I wanted her safe, but I also wanted her with me. Whatever I felt about Jade before had intensified, and I already knew there was no turning back.

  “Is that before or after I call you for sex?”

  “Before, after, in any order you want.” I laughed. As embarrassing as my offer was, I didn’t mind her bringing it up this time. I definitely had no problem with her talking about having sex with me.

  “Why don’t you sleep?” She looked out at the water.

  “Lots of reasons.”

  “Like?”

  “You already know I’m screwed up. That secret got out of the bag when I invited you here.” There was something freeing about that. I didn’t have to pretend to be put together for her anymore. Like it or hate it, she now had a hint at how messed up my life was.

  “Not any more screwed up than me.” She smiled slightly.

  “I guess we’re a lot alike then.”

  “I guess so.” She gazed out at a spot somewhere in the distance.

  “What are you looking at?”

  “Nothing. Just looking.” A tear slid down her face.

  Without thinking I wiped away the tear.

  She turned to me with her wide brown eyes, and I didn’t think. I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers.

  Her lips were soft and welcoming, and a single touch wasn’t enough. I started to move my lips against hers, and she responded, giving me all the encouragement I needed to deepen the kiss. She eagerly welcomed me into her mouth, letting me explore every corner as her hands twisted in my hair. I wrapped my arms around her, needing her closer than she could ever be.

  I couldn’t get enough of her taste, half sweet and half a minty flavor lingering from her toothpaste. Her body felt so warm pressed against mine.

  Finally we broke the kiss.

  She stumbled back out of my arms. “Wow.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” I was probably grinning like an idiot.

  “I can’t believe we did that.”

  “I can. I’ve wanted to for a long time.” It was even better than I expected. She was so responsive, and there was none of the usual first kiss awkwardness that could sometimes ruin the moment.

  “So have I.”

  “There’s only one problem though.” I looked right into her eyes.

  “And what problem is that?” She raked her teeth over her bottom lip.

  “I want to do it again.”

  “Then do it.” She started into my eyes intently.

  “Ok then.” I leaned in. She didn’t need to tell me twice.

  My lips connected with hers again, a
nd the second kiss was even hotter than the first. I was barely able to pull myself away from her. How the hell was I going to sleep in the same bed with her now?

  She smiled, and I took her hand in mine. We started a slow walk back to our room. “The good news is it might be easier to answer questions and pull off everything this week.”

  “That is good news.” I could have cared less about what my parents thought. All I could think about was how to make sure I got to kiss her again.

  “What are our plans for tomorrow?”

  “Anything you want to do,” I answered quickly. I was still tongue tied, no pun intended. I would have agreed to anything.

  “Ok, I’ll have to come up with something good then.” She didn’t pull her hand back, which I took as a good sign. Maybe, just maybe, she was as affected as me.

  I inserted the key to the room and held open the door. She slipped under my arm and inside. I followed, locking the door behind me.

  I took off my jeans as I watched Jade unzip her sweatshirt. She was still wearing her pajama tank top underneath, but she might as well have been topless for how sensual the action seemed. I quickly jumped into bed, not wanting her to see how badly I wanted her. Once again she walked into the bathroom. She came out a few minutes later back in those short shorts. Without another word, she slipped back into bed beside me.

  I didn’t rush to turn the light off. I wasn’t sure if either of us were ready to go back to darkness again. If she was feeling even remotely like me, then sleep was the last thing on her mind.

  If a kiss could make me feel that way, the sex was going to be incredible. That thought ran through my head on repeat as I tried to keep my eyes anywhere but on her. Eventually my willpower gave out, and I turned to look at her lying under the sheets next to me with a soft smile on her lips. I wanted to taste those lips again so bad I could barely take it.

  She read my mind. “You officially have permission to kiss me anytime.”

  “That’s great permission to have.” I rolled over on to my side next to her. I wasn’t giving up any opening she was willing to give.

  “Do I have it too?”

  “On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.” I ran my hand down her bare arm.

  “But today is Sunday.”

  “I guess I can make an exception.” I grinned, loving how she’d moved us back to the teasing that came so naturally.

  “Can you?” She sat up and looked down at me.