Page 128 of The Friend Situation

He gives me a smoldering look as I barely suck on him. He throbs hard in my hand.

“You want it?”

“Fuck yes,” he whispers.

His muscles tense, and I pull away, rubbing circles on my clit. His eyes are closed when I look at him. I have him dangling on a thread.

“You’re perfect.”

He looks down at me. “You are.”

I grab him, bringing him back into my mouth, giving him exactly what he craves. I nod, letting him know I’m coming. He screams out his orgasm as I hum mine, letting him fuck my throat. His deep voice, echoing off the walls, makes me feel like the most powerful woman on the planet. He’s salty and sweet, and he tastes so good. I pull back, sticking out my tongue so he can watch the silver strands shoot into the back of my throat. I drink him down, massaging his balls with my free hand, sucking and swallowing all of him until he stops pulsing in my mouth.

Weston breathes rapidly. I stand and wrap my arms around him, and he holds me too.

He dips down and kisses me, and I can taste myself on his tongue, the remnants of my orgasm mingling with his. An unspoken conversation streams between us, heavy with the weight of our secrets.

“That felt like we just ended the world,” Weston says, reaching for the body wash and a black loofah.

Everything about this man is elegant—from the way he moves to the little details he chooses.

“I felt the shift,” I say, reliving it. “I think that was our trauma telling us to run.”

He laughs, wrapping his arm around me, capturing my lips again. “I’m only running toward you, Carlee.”

“You shouldn’t say things like that,” I whisper. “Unless you want me to fall in love with you.”

“It wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen,” he replies, leaning in to plant a kiss on my nose, his breath warm against my skin.

“I literally said no kissing or snuggling,” I protest, yet he brushes his lips against mine, igniting a warmth deep in my chest.

“Projection and reverse psychology. This is what you really want because you want a real taste of what it’s like to be with me before you decide if it’s worth going official or not. You’re transparent,” he states. A glint of something dances in his gaze.

“How did you know that?” I whisper, genuinely intrigued, the weight of his words hanging in the air between us.

It’s the truth. He knows me too well, and he has probably predicted every single one of my moves before I made them.

“I know you better than you think,” he says, his voice steady.

He washes my shoulders. The warm water glides over my skin, cascading down my chest. Then, his touch lingers between my breasts.

“Really?” I ask, my heartbeat quickening with curiosity and a hint of vulnerability.

“I’ve read every word you’ve ever written and learned a lot about you. I’m aCarleencylopedia,” he declares, a proud grin spreading across his face like he’s solved the mystery of me.

I smirk, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve read everything?”

“Yes. I can predict what you’re thinking with a single glance. Your face gives you away every time. I know you as well as you know me. I know how your heart works, how your brain puts pieces together. I also know you overthink everything. Like the possibility of us. Right now, you’re unsure. Hesitant. Trying to be careful. I’m not going to hurt you, I promise.”

Weston squirts shampoo into his hands with a nonchalant ease and begins to run his fingers through my hair, massaging my scalp until I relax and my eyes close.

“You can’t make promises like that. I’m too jaded,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know how to date anymore. Ipush away everyone who’s good for me. I’m scared I’ll do it to you too.”

The electricity swirling between us begins to wrap tightly around us, binding us together.

He gently cradles my head, guiding it under the stream of warm water, washing away all the suds and the weight of my worries. I lift my head to find his gaze steady on mine.

“I’m not letting you walk away from me, and I’m not going anywhere,” Weston asserts, his tone firm yet comforting, reminding me he’s by my side. It’s something no man has ever truly done for me. “No matter what, we are forever—friends or lovers—I promise. I will always keep my promises to you.”

---