Am I really going through with this plan? The better question is, will I be able to pull it off?
Twenty minutes later, Echo emerges again in a golden sundress that gathers tightly across her breasts and ties in a bow just beneath them, emphasizing her cleavage. She’s tossed her hair into a loose braid, face made up with a dusting of mascara and some lip gloss. And she glows.
I’m a sucker. I’m an idiot. And I’m going to regret what I plan to say, I have no doubt.
The food arrives, and once the server sets up the table, I sign the receipt. Then Echo and I sit.
I’m nervous as hell, but she dives in, gaping at the stack of pancakes and moaning at the plate of fresh fruit.
She pours some juice while I suck down black coffee and gather my nerve. “What did you want to talk about?”
“Are you absolutely set on losing your virginity this week?”
Echo blinks and blushes, but sets her lips in a stubborn line. “I have no reason to wait. And before you give me all the arguments about why Xavian won’t make it special and insist I deserve more, I appreciate that. But he’ll make it good, and when I finally have the kind of relationship where sex is involved, I’ll be confident that I know what I’m doing.”
“If you’re sure, Fay’s call gave me an idea. Hear me out.” I take a deep breath. “Since we’ll be having dinner with your new bosses—and their single son—on Sunday, and we have to convince them we’re a couple…what if I took your virginity instead?”
A little gasp escapes her lips. “Are you serious?”
No, but the lie will help her.
“Why not? We have this room and this bed and…if you’re set on doing this, I want to make absolutely sure you’re treated well.”
Echo is quiet for such a long time, I start to sweat. And I start to doubt. Would she rather have Xavian? That possibility bugs the hell out of me.
Finally, she sets down her fork and bites her lip. “Would you really do it?”
“If you want, yeah.”
She’ll thank me for being less than honest when she’s found the guy she’s really in love with and her hymen is still intact.
Slowly, Echo gets to her feet. I stand, too. She holds out her hand. “I’d like that. I know it wasn’t easy for you to offer, especially after we fought the other night, but—”
“Stop worrying about that.” I take her palm against mine, aware of my heart gonging against my chest like a wild drum. “Let’s take this slow, okay? We have all week. There’s no rush.”
“But not too slow, promise?”
I just smile. Maybe I’m splitting hairs. I can stomach lying to her for her own good, but I won’t break my promises. With parents too busy to notice any of their kids, especially the youngest, Echo has had a whole life of those.
“Come here.” I tug on her hand.
She tumbles against my body, and her head falls back. Our stares meet. Jesus, I’ve barely touched her, and my blood burns, jetting fire to my cock. I’m ashamed of how much I want her, but at least every time I touch her, the desire will be authentic.
The bigger problem is, once I start kissing her, the clothes come off, and I show her what passion feels like, can I fucking stop myself from taking her in every way?
“Be sure,” I warn.
If she says yes, I’ll do my damnedest to ensure she leaves this week still a proud V-card carrying member, but I’ll touch her in every other way she’ll let me. And with desire scalding me to my bones, I’m going to enjoy every fucking minute.
“I am,” she whispers so quickly, it’s clear she didn’t think twice.
Electricity pings through my body.
“Then this week, you’re all mine. Xavian and every other guy can fuck off.”
“Absolutely,” she murmurs.
“Good. Are you done with breakfast?”
“Yeah.” She skates her palm up my chest, looking at me with pleading eyes. They’re impossible to resist. “Are you going to kiss me now? For real?”
She thinks that kiss I laid on her the other night, the one still spooling through my brain, wasn’t genuine?
“Yes, I’m going to kiss you, long and slow and hot.”
Swallowing, I cup her nape and tilt her head back as I wrap my other arm around her waist and drag her close. If she didn’t know this earlier, there’s no escaping the obvious now. I’m hard as hell.
Echo’s lips part. Her breathing picks up pace. Color rushes to her cheeks. “Hayes…”
The way she half moans my name, like she’s on the edge of pleasure, kicks my desire up another notch. “Yeah, shortcake. Come here.”
I’m dying to kiss you.
Finally, I close the distance between us and crush her soft lips under my own. She welcomes me with a gasp and curls her arms around my neck, pressing her body to mine.
Fuck, she’s like candy. The first time she kissed me, she took me by surprise. Now? There’s no mistaking her flavor. Her sweetness lingers on my tongue, addicting. I sink deeper to get more of it. Her scent fills my nostrils, flaring lust through my body.
I need to get closer.
Echo has been my best friend, but right now she’s an offering of silky skin, sugary lips, and eager need. I’m a guy, stupid for a pretty face and a banging body. But she’s…more.
I’m naturally guarded, but from the day I met her, she’s been dedicated to her friends and her causes with open-hearted zeal. I’d prefer to stay home and alone. But she’s enthusiastic about new adventures and good times—and determined to bring me along, making sure I enjoy both. I can be a pushy, caustic, suspicious-as-fuck asshole. But Echo is kind. She always believes the best about others, at least unless they prove her wrong.
But I’m not thinking about her sparkling personality as she wriggles her fingers under my T-shirt, trails them up my abs, and palms my hair-roughened chest. Then she brushes a curious thumb across one of my nipples, making me jolt and hiss.
Fuck, I’m on fire.
Desire forces me deeper into her kiss. I lash her tongue with my own, prowling through her mouth like I own it. Her moan becomes a whimper when I fill my hands with her ass and flatten her against my aching cock.
I half expect her to push me away, tell me I’m taking too much, too fast. But no, she stands on her tiptoes, clawing at me to get closer, then lifts her leg over my hip.
Holy shit. If I’m not careful, my fake promise to take her virginity will turn all too real. Hell, thinking I wasn’t getting any action this week, I didn’t bring condoms…except one emergency prophylactic stashed in my wallet.
Nope. I’m not using it on her. Impulse isn’t dictating what happens between us. I need to keep my head and stay the course.
If I don’t, my plan will end in disaster, and our friendship will be toast.
It takes all my willpower to tear my mouth away.
“You okay?” I pant.
“Really good.”
Her lips look rosy and slightly swollen. I can’t stop staring at them. We should talk—about anything—until I get control of myself.
My brain is on board with that plan, but my cock has other ideas.
Before I can stop myself, I skim my lips over her bare shoulder. “Is this weird?”