Page 19 of North

“Fuck, that was good,” I say, still pumping slowly as the last effects of my orgasm fade away.

“Didn’t think you could top the other night, but damn, North… that was intense.”

I smile, feeling a little proud of myself. With my hands on her hips, I pull out of her.

Farren straightens and glances around. “Hand me that roll of paper towels, would you?”

I glance at it and then back to her, shaking my head. “I don’t think so.”

She arches an eyebrow as I squat down to grab her panties. I tap her leg, indicating I want her to hold it up. She does so and I slip the lace over one foot, then the other. “I want you to feel that wetness for the rest of the night. I want to watch you out there, talking to all our friends, knowing that your panties are soaked with what I just gave you.”

“Jesus,” she whimpers, letting me slide them up her legs and over her hips. “Why is that so fucking hot?”

Chuckling, I rise and brush my lips against hers. “No clue but fuck if I don’t like knowing you’re wearing my brand tonight.”

Her eyes narrow slightly. “You know, I’ve never been with someone so high-handed before.” She bends to grab her jeans and shimmies into them.

“Really?” I ask. “Or do you just mean that you were always in control?”

“A little of that,” she admits with a sly smile.

“Well, get used to it,” I say as I rest my back against the shelves. “You may have set the boundaries, but I’ll be in charge of how we operate within them.”

Farren is quiet as she puts her boots on and then straightens to meet my eyes. I see a confidence in there that tells me she’s still retaining a little control.

Stepping into me, she puts a hand on my chest and goes to her tiptoes, nuzzling her nose into my neck. “Ithink I’m going to like strutting around with my wet panties tonight. And I’m glad that will please you.” She pulls back, looks at me soberly with a hand to my cheek. “Just promise you won’t fall in love with me.”

My first inclination is to scoff at such a thought, but I can see how serious she is about this. I attempt to lighten the mood. “Relax, Abrams. I’m well aware that this is just sex.”

“Fucking phenomenal sex,” she clarifies.

“That it is. Now let’s go out there and act normal. And I’m driving you home to your brother’s tonight. I’m not drinking any more so feel free to drink all you want.”

“Hmm,” she says, considering the offer. “I might just do that. Of course, you know I don’t need to be inebriated to give you a blow job on the way home tonight, right?”

I groan at the thought, knowing that Farren is just the type who would try to suck me off while I was driving and wouldn’t need a drop of alcohol to go there. “Probably not going to say no to that,” I reply.

“No, I don’t imagine you would.”

She goes back to her tiptoes and plants another kiss on my cheek and then turns for the door.

CHAPTER 8

Farren

Iwake tothe muffled hum of voices drifting down the hallway to my room. The smell of fresh coffee wafts under the door, and I groan, rubbing sleep from my eyes as I roll over to check my phone on the nightstand. No missed calls, no texts, but who exactly did I think would be texting?

I swear I’m not disappointed there’s not something from North.

Rafferty and Tempe are awake, their easy laughter filtering through the condo. They sound good together, like they’ve found their rhythm, and for once, the thought doesn’t make me roll my eyes. Instead, it makes me smile. My brother deserves this kind of happiness even if it’s not something I’m interested in.

I stretch out under the covers, my body aching in all the right ways. Last night was something else. North took me home after we left Stevie’s, as promised, but not before we’d played darts and pool with the others. I couldn’t help but watch him—how he moved, how hesmiled, the way he pulled people into his orbit like it was effortless. He’s attractive on a cellular level without even trying, and I hate how much I liked it.

North’s so different from me. I’m sharp edges and hard walls. He’s warm. Easygoing. But not in a way that feels false or shallow. It became clear last night, watching him be himself that he’s deep-down genuine. The kind of guy who helps a stranger without a second thought and operates with zero pretense.

And I’m starting to like him.

That realization sends a prickle of unease through me, and I shake it off.It’s just sex, I remind myself. Fun, meaningless, incredibly satisfying sex. That’s all it is. That’s all I want it to be.

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