Page 16 of Even Exchange

“How do you know about that?” I force out, preparing to add whoever broke bro code to my shit list right below Jonathan.

She laughs softly, and it reverberates in my chest like a light echo throughout the universe. “Everyone knows about it.”

My mouth opens and closes as I struggle to form a coherent thought.

She drags a thumb beneath the hem of my shorts. Ohhhhh,fuck.

Rule number two: don’t think about Charlotte.

And definitely don’t think about her slipping a hand into your pants and gripping your dick until you?—

“Season’s over, Noah,” she says, feigning confidence, but the quiver of her lip gives her away. She removes her torturous touch from my stomach. I breathe a sigh of relief until her fingers find the hem of her dress, and she pulls it over her head, then tosses it to the floor. Her perfect, perky tits stare at me. Nipples pebbled from the AC hitting her wet, bare skin.Fuck.Pretty black satin panties have drool pooling in my mouth.

“I know you’re aching for it,” Charlotte says, voice sultry but shaky, bringing my gaze back to her eyes. “And I’m aching to make sure I’m not the problem, so for the love of god, will you justfuckme?” The desperation in her tone shoots straight to my dick, and it threatens to take over the rest of this conversation.

How could she be the problem?

“Charlotte.” I attempt firmness, but it comes out a breathless moan as her pleading eyes bore into mine.

“Please.” Her hands find my neck, and I allow myself one breath to enjoy the feeling of her touch before I do the right thing. The noble thing.

An inhale as her thumb glides slowly down my Adam’s apple.

An exhale as her fingertips trace my collarbone.

My breath stops as she drags a nail between my pectorals, causing my own nipples to harden.

Being the good guy sucks.

Begrudgingly, I place a hand on hers, halting the torment, and hopeful, pained eyes meet mine.

This can't happen. Not here. Not like this.

“No,” I force out, and her lips part open, eyes welling with tears before darting away.

It’s official. The hardest thing I’ve ever done is denying this naked, beautiful, desperate woman sex. Never have I ever hated a two-letter word so much.

Cursing myself, I drop her hands, head to the dresser, and grab a blue CBU hoodie. She doesn’t protest as I tug it over head, pulling her arms through the warm material that drops to her upper thighs.

She takes the hem of the hoodie between her fingers, a small smirk gracing her lips that’s fiercely feeding the devil on my shoulder, and tucks the material to rest on her waist.

“You’re killing me, woman,” I groan, retrieving the matching sweatpants, and I bend down, helping her into them. Standing, I’m greeted by her brown eyes glistening to the brim with pain.

“You don’t want me?” Her voice cracks, a tear rolling down her cheek.Fuck.

“Char, this isn’t you,” I say, chest aching at her tone. “This isn’t us.”

She blinks rapidly, more tears escaping, and I reach up to brush them away. My thumb pauses on her jawline, and I know I should keep my distance, but how can I when she stands there looking like a weeping angel fallen from heaven?

“I know,” she says, leaning into my touch.

“Get in bed,” I instruct, pulling away and pointing towards mine.

She smiles weakly, brows furrowed. “I thought we weren’t?—”

“We’re not,” I say firmly, cocking a brow.And please don’t ask me a second time because I am not that strong.“But you’re, like, two degrees away from hypothermia.”

“I’m fine.” She gestures at the sweatsuit. “All warm.”

---