Breaking Even (Sterling Shore 5)

I know Ash didn’t put me through this on purpose. Guys put on their best performance around her, so she couldn’t have known what a douche he is. But it’s the last time I accept her date offer. She should stick to her day job because she’s a terrible matchmaker.

“You don’t need a cab. I have a driver, so I can take you home.”

And the humiliation just keeps coming in the form of his pity. Great. I’m not going to work tomorrow. I’m going to stay in bed all day and pray for good dreams.

“I don’t want you to do that. The cab will be here in about ten minutes. Go back out to your date. She seems... I think she seems perfect for you. I heard her talking about cars earlier. She seems to know her stuff. That’s cool. And she’s really very pretty. I see why you wanted to cancel our stay-in night so badly. I don’t blame you at all.”

It’s hard not to choke on envy or cry. I’ve never been the girl that hates another girl for being sexy, but right now, I’d love to see Leah fall off a cliff.

He blows out a breath while dropping his head back. “Ash and Tag set this all up to try and push us together—you and me. Ash didn’t know the guy was going to be a total tool. The only reason I even came here with Leah was because Tag told me you had already accepted a date. I guess he thought I’d storm over to your house and do something.”

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse...

This was all an elaborate setup meant for manipulation. All because they thought the same thing I thought earlier today. I guess Rye proved them wrong.

“Ah,” I say with a bitter laugh. “Well, I’ll make sure to kick her ass when she’s not pregnant. I bet they feel like idiots right now. At least you got to meet someone that wasn’t a total tool.”

I aim for joking, but I sound so resentful. In an effort to help, they only made things impossible.

“I wouldn’t have canceled on tonight to go out on a date with a girl I didn’t know if Tag hadn’t told me you were going on a date. I swear. I just don’t want you to be mad at me.”

It’s sweet, but it’s also making me feel pathetic. I’m his friend. I’m always the friend.

“It’s fine, Rye. I’m not mad. At all. I honestly didn’t expect anything any different. And I’m sorry Ash and Tag thought you had a thing for me. I know that must be—”

I’m cut off and shocked when Rye’s lips are suddenly on mine, his tongue sweeping in when I try to gasp. His hands roughly push my legs apart, making room for his body, and he grabs my waist and jerks me to him. It’s hard to not to moan when he devours me harder than I’ve ever fantasized about.

I thrust my fingers in his hair and pull him even closer, relishing the taste of his mouth as my tongue goes to meet his. Oh dear God he can kiss.

When his hands slide down my waist and start pushing my dress up, I don’t even think about stopping him. When his hands start sliding up the bare skin of my thighs, I pray he hurries. And when he brings our centers even closer, I wrap my legs around his waist to make us touch, and the friction becomes divine.

He groans and breaks off the kiss while pushing his forehead against mine, his body trembling slightly as he pants for the same breath I can’t catch. I’m frozen, stunned, and doing all I can to slow down my erratic heartbeat as my legs drop from his waist.

“You’re driving me fucking crazy,” he says in hushed tone before turning and walking away, leaving me feeling bereft and confused.

With unsteady legs, I leap off the counter and follow him out, unsure about what I’m going to say or do, but he’s gone. He just... left. What the hell just happened?

***

BRIN

“So he punches your date and then kisses you?” Maggie asks, looking just as confused as I feel.

“And then tells me I’m driving him fucking crazy. Don’t forget about that part.”

I drop my high heels to the floor of my bedroom and try not to think of the delicious smell he’s left behind on me.

My lips are still a little swollen from the breath-stealing kiss, and I honestly don’t know if I’ll ever think about anything else ever again. Why’d he have to go and kiss me?

“Any insight would be great,” I mumble when Maggie stays quiet.

“I’m as confused as you are. It’s times like these that I’m grateful I’m into women. Men are too fucking weird.”

I laugh humorlessly while scrubbing my face with my hands.

“Well, maybe... Hell, I don’t know,” she says, still at a loss.

What now?