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

HOT WATER

JESS

The early light of dawn spilled softly into the room, painting everything in muted greys and blues. Luke's arm was draped across me, his steady breaths tickling the crook of my neck, his chest rising and falling with a rhythm that somehow matched my own.

I let my fingers trace the faint scars and tattoos etched into his back, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my touch. Every line and mark told a story, even if he hadn't shared them with me yet.

Last night had been about him. I hadn't wanted anything else. When he'd tried to return the favor, I'd pressed my lips to his and whispered, "Soon. But for now, let me take care of you." And I had.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, the sudden sound jarring in the stillness. Carefully, I reached for it without disturbing him, glancing at the screen.

Laura: "How did the night go?"

Balancing the phone awkwardly with one hand, I typed back.

"He wanted to shower a few times and managed to fall asleep after midnight. You?"

Her reply came almost instantly, the brightness of the screen making my eyes squint.

Laura: "Josh had a nightmare. It was bad, but he's sleeping now. He

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me anything about

Luke. His features were relaxed in sleep, but even now, shadows lingered under his eyes,

hasn't spoken

buried his face against my shoulder. I froze, holding my breath until his grip loosened, his

Laura's messages. A pang of worry gnawed at me. Whatever had happened on that island had left its mark on both of them, and while I wanted to ask and ease the burden they carried, I couldn't bring myself to

toward Luke, letting my fingers brush through

soap.

wait," I whispered to him, even though he

warm, like a space heater warm. I needed a

over my shoulders, soothing and warm, as steam curled around me. My hands worked through my hair, the familiar floral scent of my shampoo filling

T

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HOT WATER

me from my thoughts. I froze for a moment, the water drumming against my back before I

though I already knew the

through

the scent of your shampoo... so much," he murmured, his voice low and rough, lips

his embrace,