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

PART 3 - CHAPTER 160

JESS

I slipped of my sandals and walked barefoot across the grass until I got to the pool. Walking along the edge and watching the water sparkle.

From inside, through the sliding glass door, I could hear Aiden's voice, low and steady, mingling with my father's deeper timbre. I knew the conversation well enough by now-

plans for his future, for our future, investments, and business propositions. I had tried to tell him, please don't involve my dad, but his words came back like an iron wall: It's for our financial future, Jess.

I had no response, just a tightening in my chest, so I turned and walked out.

Now, outside by the pool, I exhaled, letting the tension drain through my fingertips as I rubbed my arms against the evening chill.

The soft creak of the door sliding open behind me broke the silence. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. The shift in the air around me, the low hum of tension that always seemed to follow him, told me enough. "You don't need to thank me," Luke's voice cut through the quiet, calm and sure.

I spun around, narrowing my eyes at him. "For what?"

He smirked, that familiar, infuriating half-smile that could make

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PART 3 CHAPTER 160

PART 3 - CHAPTER 160

JESS

I slipped of my sandals and walked barefoot across the grass until I got to the pool. Walking along the edge and watching the water sparkle.

From inside, through the sliding glass door, I could hear Aiden's voice, low and steady, mingling with my father's deeper timbre. I knew the conversation well enough by now-plans for his

for our future, investments, and business propositions. I had tried to tell him, please don't involve my

had no response, just a tightening in my chest, so I turned

the pool, I exhaled, letting the tension drain through my fingertips as I rubbed

it was. The shift in the air around me, the low hum of tension that always seemed to follow him, told me enough.

around, narrowing my eyes at

infuriating half-smile that could

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PART 3 CHAPTER 160

288 Vouchers

and my blood boil at the same time. "For lying for

second, I just stared at him, trying to form words. "Lying?"

few casual steps toward me, his eyes never leaving mine. "About the Jeep. I sold that thing when I moved to L.A. There's

me, his gaze steady and unyielding, cutting right through every wall I had tried to build. Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them

because I remember a little doesn't mean I remember everything," I snapped, my words tumbling out faster than I could

die the second I don't

I swallowed hard, turning away from him. The lump in my throat made it hard to breathe, let alone speak. My fingers curled into fists at my sides, nails biting into my palms. "It's like they're waiting for me to be whole again, but I'm not. And I don't know if I ever will

didn't say anything right away. He stood there, just watching me, and for a second,

took another step closer. He reached for me, his arms pulling me into a hug, but

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PART 3 CHAPTER 160

288 Vouchers

until my body molded to his, and

wait," he whispered, his breath warm against my

Something inside me snapped.

to wait, Luke!" My voice rose, louder than I intended, shaking with all the anger and frustration that had been building for so long. "Don't you get that? The old me-she's gone! I m it never come back!" Luke's face fell, the smirk replaced with something darker, something more painful. His jaw clenched, but before he could respond, the unmistakable sound of the back door opening reached

ragged bursts as I turned to see Aiden standing in the doorway, my father just behind him. They were both staring at us,