Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

LUKE

I was leaning against the side of my Jeep, arms crossed, eyes locked on Jess and Tom. The midday sun was beating down on the parking lot, but the heat was nothing compared to the fire simmering inside me. I should've been the one standing there with her, not Tom. Especially not Tom.

Well, Tom would be leaving soon anyway, I thought, then stopped myself right there. What does it matter if Tom leaves? I can have her, but it means open season on this school's prettiest girl.

No scratch that the most beautiful woman on this earth.

My gaze zeroed in on the way Tom held her hands, the way he looked at her with those puppy-dog eyes, like he had any idea who she really was. My fists clenched at my sides, knuckles turning white. The tension rippled through my muscles, coiled tight like a spring ready to snap.

This wasn't how things were supposed to go. I was supposed to stay away, to keep my distance for her own good. I'd promised myself I wouldn't get involved, wouldn't

let my feelings get in the way of what was best for Jess. But seeing her with Tom, watching as she plastered on one of those fake smiles she always used when she was trying to hide her hurt, was pushing me to my breaking point. 0757

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my teeth, swallowing down

he was. He didn't know her like I did. He didn't see the way her eyes dimmed just a little, the way her shoulders tensed ever so slightly. He spoke right over the flash of disappointment that passed

that she was barely holding it together. But I did. I knew every little tell, every subtle sign that something was off. I knew because I'd spent years watching her, stopping assholes from even looking at her, but also years of wanting Now I fucking jumped over it, and

this time in the shadows, and it was safer for both of us.

into my palm as I gripped it, my eyes never

him to get lost because she didn't need him. She needed someone who really saw her, someone who understood her, someone who could protect her from everything, including me. But I stayed rooted to the spot, jaw clenched so tight it hurt. This was the battle I fought every single day-the war between what I wanted and what I knew I could never have. I wanted

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ever tried to touch her. That's what she wanted that night. in the pool house, to forget his touch, and I couldn't

I had to keep my