She grinned at Nick and left the room. Nick looked like he was about to blow a gasket, but I tamped down the small part of me that enjoyed his obvious jealousy. Nothing would come of it.

  “I want to meet this Ethan guy,” Nick said.

  “No way.” I stood and started to hang clothes back in the closet as Nick glowered at me.

  “Yes, Alina. If you won’t let Liam meet him, then I have to. What if he’s a serial killer?”

  I laughed. “He’s not a serial killer, Nick. He’s a lawyer.”

  “Even worse,” Nick snapped.

  I laughed again. “He’s a nice guy. I like him, and I’m having dinner with him tomorrow night, and no, you can’t meet him, and don’t you tell Liam about this, or I’ll light a bonfire in my backyard and burn all your clothes.”

  “What restaurant are you going to?” Nick asked.

  “Why?”

  “I’m curious,” Nick said.

  “Like I’m going to tell you so that you can show up there in the middle of my date.” I reached past Nick for a sweater, going still when he grasped my wrist.

  He was distractingly close, and my pussy did this weird tingling thing when he rubbed his thumb over my pulse. “Tell me which restaurant, Alina.”

  “Stop that,” I said. “Don’t distract me with your touching and your ridiculously good smelling aftershave.”

  He leaned down and brushed his mouth against mine. “Tell me, baby.”

  “Vintage Kitchen,” I said, my body swaying toward his. “We’re having dinner at Vintage Kitchen.”

  He released me and stepped back. I glared at him as the fog of lust lifted a little. “That’s playing dirty, Nicholas.”

  “I know,” he said without a hint of shame. “How are you getting to the restaurant?”

  “I’m riding my bike. How else would I get there?” I asked.

  “It’s too far,” he said. “Why aren’t you taking the bus?”

  “Because I hate taking the bus. It’s hard for me to get up the bus steps with my leg and everyone stares at me, and… you know what, I’m not talking about this with you. Promise me you won’t show up at the restaurant, Nick.”

  He hesitated, and I glared at him. “Promise right now, or I’ll ask Ethan to meet me at a different restaurant, I swear to God.”

  “Fine.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I promise.”

  “Thank you.” I glanced at the clothes on my bed. “I need to get this cleaned up to go to bed. Good night, Nick.”

  With a muttered curse, Nick turned and stomped out of my room.

  CHAPTER 5

  Alina

  “Thank you for buying dinner, Ethan.” As we stepped out of the restaurant, I smiled at him and didn’t object when he took my hand.

  “You’re welcome.” He squeezed my hand, but his touch didn’t affect my pussy one bit the way Nick’s touch did.

  Disappointing, but I’d work with it. A qualifier for sex wasn’t pussy tingling when they grabbed your hand, right?

  Ethan led me into the parking lot, even though my bike was locked to the bike stands close to the restaurant. I smiled at him as he leaned against his car and then brushed a lock of my hair back from my face. “You look beautiful tonight.”

  “Thank you,” I said.

  Ethan bent and kissed me. It was a perfectly nice kiss that didn’t send a lick of lust through my body. I parted my lips when he probed at them with his tongue. Ethan stepped closer, backing me up against the car as his tongue - his admittedly very large and suddenly very wet tongue - invaded my mouth. He tasted like beer and the shrimp he’d had for dinner, and I pulled my head back before doing something unladylike, like gagging in his mouth.

  “What’s wrong?” Ethan asked.

  “Nothing,” I said before taking a deep breath. Okay, so my sexual attraction to Ethan was minimal -

  Minimal? Is zero considered minimal?

  I ignored my inner voice. Once we were in my bed, it would be fine. I’d be turned on, I was sure of it. Ethan was a nice guy.

  Ethan, the nice guy, smiled at me. “So, what do you think about heading to your place to….”

  “Netflix and chill?” I asked.

  Ethan laughed and caressed my arm. “Something like that. I don’t want the night to end yet, Alina.”

  I smiled before I could blurt out that I did. “Sure. Um, but…”

  My plan to bring Ethan back to my place and just be really quiet while we boned finally loomed large as the ridiculous plan it was. I couldn’t have sex with a guy while Nick was in the next room. I just couldn’t. And I knew for a fact that he wasn’t out tonight. He was at home waiting sullenly for me to return from my date with Ethan, the potential serial killer.

  Although to give him credit, Nick hadn’t shown up at the restaurant, and I’d really expected him to despite his promise.

  “Alina? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” I said, “but, um, I have a friend staying at my place, so maybe we could go to your place?”

  “Sure. But I live over on the north side, so it’s too far for you to bike.”

  I frowned. “But you matched with me. Your profile said you were only a few miles away.”

  He grinned at me. “Oh, yeah, that was my old place. I moved a few months ago but forgot to change my location in the app. It’s no big deal, I’ll just throw your bike in the trunk, and you can drive with me. I’ll drive you home later, I promise.”

  “It’s not that,” I said. “You know that I have issues with cars.”

  “Yeah, I get it,” he said as he opened the passenger door. “It’s a little scary for you because of that car accident you were in as a kid, but I promise I’m a really safe driver. Get in the car, and I’ll go grab your bike for you.”

  “I can’t,” I said, resisting when Ethan tugged on my elbow. “It’s more than just being scared, okay?”

  Annoyance flickered across Ethan’s face before he smoothed it out. “I promise, sweetheart, it won’t be that bad. And when we get to my place, I’ll make you forget all about the big, bad car ride.”

  He leaned down to kiss my neck, and I jerked out of his grip. “No, I can’t, Ethan.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” The annoyance was back.

  It changed his face from something blandly appealing to mildly dangerous, and my heart rate kicked up a notch. I looked around, but the parking lot was empty.

  Ethan took my elbow again. “C’mon, just try it. Okay? Don’t be such a baby.”

  “Let go of me before I kick you in the nuts,” I said.

  He sighed impatiently. “You fucking chicks are all the same.

  His hand squeezed tighter, and I glared up at him. “You’re hurting me. Stop it now, or I’ll hurt you.”

  “You’re barely five feet, and you’ve got a bum leg,” Ethan laughed. “You actually think your threats even -”

  “Let her go now, or I’ll rip your fucking head off.”

  Nick’s voice sent fresh adrenaline roaring through me and a rush of relief. Ethan dropped my arm and turned around, staring at Nick. “Who the fuck are you?”

  Ignoring him, Nick stared at me. “You okay, Alina?”

  “Yes,” I said. “Ethan was just leaving.”

  Ethan stared at me and then at Nick before rolling his eyes. “Whatever. This cold bitch isn’t fucking worth it.”

  Nick started toward him, his hands clenched into fists, and I immediately pushed my way between them, wincing at the pain in my leg from the sudden movement. I grabbed Nick’s arms and said, “Please don’t, Nicky.”

  Nick slipped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into him as Ethan walked around the car. He opened the driver’s door as Nicky said, “Lose her number, asshole.”

  “Fuck you,” Ethan said. “I wouldn’t call this bitch again if you paid me.”

  Nick’s body stiffened, and I tightened my hold on his waist, pulling him back as Ethan got into his car and flipped us the bird before driving away.

  I sagged against Nick, the adrenaline making my body shake. Nick pulled me even closer, cupping my face and stroking my cheekbone with his thumb. “You’re all right, baby. He’s gone.”

  “What are you doing here?” I asked.

  He flushed. “I didn’t break my promise. I didn’t show up at the restaurant. I stayed in the parking lot.”

  I stared at him before bursting into laughter. “Oh my God, Nicky. Have you been sitting in the parking lot my whole date?”

  “Maybe.”

  I leaned against him, resting my forehead on his chest as he rubbed my back. After a minute, I said, “Aren’t you going to tell me I told you so?”

  “No,” he said. “C’mon, let’s go home, Alina.”

  “I’ll meet you at the house,” I said.

  He shook his head. “You can double me on your bike, and I’ll pick up my car tomorrow.”

  I frowned. “Nick, that isn’t -”

  “No arguing,” he said gently before kissing me on the forehead. “It’s late, and I need to make sure you get home safely. Okay?”

  “Okay,” I said.

  “Good. You comfortable with me riding double?”

  I smiled up at him. “Yes, but I think it might be illegal, so you're paying the fine if the police pull us over.”

  He laughed and took my hand. “Deal.”

  Nick

  “Alina? I’m back!” I shut the front door and kicked off my shoes before heading toward the kitchen. Alina sat at the table typing on her phone, and she smiled up at me.

  “Hi there. How did it go with the car?”

  “Fine. I picked it up from the restaurant, and it was all in one piece.” I grinned.

  “Good.” She sipped at her coffee as I poured myself one.

  “You didn’t have to pay for the Uber,” I said as I sat in the chair next to hers.

  “Yes, I did,” she said. “Your car was only at the restaurant because of me.”

  I wanted to keep arguing, but I knew it was pointless. Alina was stubborn as hell.

  “What are your plans for the day?” Alina asked.

  “Not sure yet. Might go for a run,” I said. “What about you?”

  “Not much. I have a new embroidery pattern I want to design, and I need to go to the grocery store. Liam and Sophie are coming over for dinner tonight. Will you join us?”

  I should say no. Spending time with Alina, especially when Liam was there and could potentially pick up on the sexual tension between his sister and me, was dangerous. But the prospect of sitting in my room or at some restaurant alone wasn’t exactly appealing. I could behave myself for an evening. I’d been pretending for years that I didn’t see Alina as anything but a little sister.

  Yeah, but that was before you kissed her. Before you knew how it sounded when she moaned and how tight her nipples got when you touched them. How wet do you think she was that day? Wet enough to take your dick?

  “Nick?” Alina said.

  “Sorry. Yeah, I’d like to join you. If you give me a list, I’ll run to the grocery store for you and save you a bike trip.”

  “You sure?” she asked.

  “I am.” I drank some coffee as Alina stood to refill her cup. I watched the sway of her firm ass in her leggings, adjusting my semi under the table. Christ, her ass was amazing. Her whole body was amazing, and watching that fucking douchebag Ethan manhandle her last night had made me see red. The only thing that had stopped me from breaking his nose was Alina’s soft voice.

  Her phone dinged, and I glanced idly at the screen, my eyes widening when I saw the message. “What the hell, Alina?”

  “What?” She joined me at the table again, the steam from her coffee rising in the cool air. “What’s wrong?”

  “You just got a message from some guy named Royce,” I said.

  “Oh, perfect.” She opened her phone and scrolled across the screen. “I matched with him earlier this morning.”

  “You matched… you’re still on that dating app?” I said in outrage.

  “Yes.” She glanced at me. “What’s wrong?”

  “What’s wrong? The last guy you matched with turned out to be an asshole,” I said.

  “True. But not a serial killer.” She grinned at me.

  “This isn’t funny,” I said. “Look, I get that you want to date someone, but this is not the app for that, okay? You need to try E-Harmony or some shit like that. This app is for people who are only looking for sex.”

  “I know.” Alina was still typing on her phone and missed my bug-eyed look of surprise.

  “Alina, are you… are you just looking to get laid?” I asked.

  She set her phone down. “What if I am?”

  “That’s not you,” I said.

  “You don’t know that,” she said.

  “Yes, I do,” I said.

  She made another infuriating shrug. “I want to have sex without commitment. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

  “Your first time shouldn’t be with some random hookup,” I said.

  She froze, her pretty blue eyes studying me intently. “How did you know it’s my first time?”

  A shudder of awareness washed over me. I’d assumed it was her first time but was also well aware of what assuming did. To find out that it would be her first time sent a wave of unexpected emotion over me. I was a little ashamed to realize that emotion was excitement. I was immediately annoyed with myself over my patriarchal response to her virginity. It was sexist and pointless since it wasn’t like I would be her first.

  Nope, some asshole like Ethan will be her first. Is that what you want?

  Jealousy flamed to life. Its fire so intense it threatened to melt my bones into ash.

  “How did you know, Nick?” she asked as her chest went blotchy and redness crept up her neck.

  “Just a lucky guess,” I said.

  She laughed, the sound a little bitter. “An easy guess, I suppose. I’ve basically been a damn hermit since the accident.”

  “That’s not your fault,” I said. “But I don’t think a random hookup is the best idea for your first time.”

  “I’m tired of being a virgin,” she said. “I want to have sex, Nick.”

  “I get that,” I said. “But the right guy is out there. You’ll find him.”

  She laughed again, and this time the bitterness was unmistakable. “That’s complete bullshit. We both know I’ll never find someone to deal with all of my trauma and my baggage. It’s not fair to them to have to deal with that.”

  “The right guy won’t have a problem with it,” I said.

  She brushed off my comment. “Maybe, but the odds of me finding him are slim. But that doesn’t mean I have to live the life of a nun. So, I’m finding someone to have sex with. And this Royce guy has potential.”

  She turned back to her phone, and with my jealousy a roaring, raging, rolling inferno burning me alive, I said, “I’ll do it.”

  She glanced up at me. “Do what?”

  “I’ll have sex with you.”

  CHAPTER 6

  Alina

  The last thing I ever expected was for Nick Campbell to volunteer to have sex with me. A myriad of emotions swept through me - surprise, excitement, embarrassment… lust. The lust overpowered everything else, which probably explained why I quickly blurted, “Okay.”

  Nick twitched slightly, muttering a curse when hot coffee sloshed over the cup rim and onto his hand. “That was quick. Maybe you should think on it overnight.”

  “Why?” I asked. “You know I’m attracted to you. You know I want to have sex. Why should I wait another twenty-four hours to make my decision?”

  “I don’t want you doing something you’ll regret,” he said.

  “Why would I regret it?”

  “Because I can’t give you anything more than what I’m offering - only sex. But I’m Liam’s best friend, which means we’ll be required to socialize even after the sex stops. It could be awkward and uncomfortable.”

  “Maybe,” I said, “but life is full of awkward and uncomfortable moments. You can’t avoid them all.”

  “Sure, but you also don’t need to create those moments deliberately,” Nick said.

  I sipped at my coffee. “Are you worried that I’ll go all psycho weird when you eventually fall in love with someone else, and I have to spend time with her?”

  Nick set his coffee down, then stood and paced the kitchen, his lean body tense with nervous energy. “No. I told you - I’m not relationship material. I won’t be dating anyone.”

  “You’ve dated in the past,” I pointed out.

  “Nothing serious for the last five years,” he said.

  “Why?”

  He answered with a question of his own. “Are you sure you’re good with this being a one-time thing?”

  “Can we make it a weekend event?” I asked. “I imagine the first time won’t be that good for obvious reasons, so I’d like to have at least one other shot at it where it isn’t going to hurt.”

  He sat in his chair and reached for my hands, staring earnestly at me. “Alina, I promise I’ll do everything I can to make your first time feel good.”

  God, he was so sweet. It was a real shame he was so determined to stay single. He’d make a fantastic boyfriend.

  Yeah, to another woman. Alina, this is a mistake. You know it is. You love him, and if you sleep with him -

  I shut inner Alina out before she could really hammer home how stupid I was being. I’d been in love with Nick Campbell since I was seventeen years old. I wouldn’t turn down the chance to have sex with him, no matter how much it hurt later.

  “I appreciate that,” I said, squeezing his hands.

  He smiled at me. “That being said, I’m good with a weekend event.”

  “Fantastic,” I said cheerfully, making him laugh. “When do you want to start?”

  “How about right now?” he asked. “Unless you need to finish that embroidery pattern first?”

 

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