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

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JESS

I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The soft fabric of Luke's T-shirt brushed against my skin, the scent of him lingering in the cotton. It was ridiculously oversized, hanging down to my thighs, but I loved it- loved the way it felt like a shield, wrapping me in a piece of him. Through the muffled sound of water running in the bathroom, I could hear him moving, the heavy tread of his steps as he adjusted the faucet.

Another shower.

I'd asked him about it after dinner, trying to keep my tone light. "Another one? You just had one this morning."

He didn't answer right away, just looked at me with an unreadable expression before muttering, "The waterfall on the island doesn't compare to the water pressure here."

I almost laughed at that-almost. But something in the way his jaw tightened, the distant look in his eyes, told me it wasn't a joke.

Now, as I stared at the ceiling, my mind wouldn't stop spinning.

The island.

He didn't talk about it much. I was too afraid to ask because asking would have made him relive it.

And yet, the selfish part of me wanted to know.

Luke wasn't a man easily shaken. He was steady, solid-like the

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JESS

the ceiling. The soft fabric of Luke's T-shirt brushed against my skin, the scent of him lingering in the cotton. It was ridiculously oversized, hanging down to my thighs, but I loved it- loved the way it felt like a shield, wrapping me in a piece of him. Through the

Another shower.

him about it after dinner, trying to keep my tone light. "Another one? You just

looked at me with an unreadable expression before muttering, "The waterfall on the island

almost laughed at that-almost. But something in the way his jaw tightened, the distant look in his eyes, told

I stared at the ceiling, my

The island.

it much. I was too afraid to ask

the selfish part

a man easily shaken. He

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who put me back together. But since he'd come back, I'd seen cracks

cracks, but

looked like it might shatter. Or the way he'd grab my hand a little too quickly when I reached for him like he needed the contact to remind himself he

With me.

me out of my thoughts. I heard the squeak of the shower door and the faint rustle of a towel. My heart thudded in my chest as I rolled onto my side, watching the sliver of light

wanted to ask

just ask

okay to talk about it. That he didn't have to carry it all by himself. But

myself. I

myself up on one elbow, my breath

still clung to his skin, glistening under the soft light, tracing the lines of his muscles. For someone who'd been stranded on an island, he looked... well, unfairly good. Less

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