Page 27 of The Boyfriend Effect (Frisky Business 1)
What the fuck?
I know that voice. It’s Holly, and she sounds like she’s really enjoying herself, maybe even a little too much. But with who?
I climb out of bed and venture out into the hallway to investigate. But when I open the door, I stop short because Maren is standing there, looking as confused as I feel, dressed only in a T-shirt that barely covers her panties.
The moans turn to pants, then screams.
My wide eyes meet Maren’s. “Is that . . .”
“Holly,” she says.
“But with who?”
“I was in the bathroom when it started. I figured you went in there.” Her voice is soft, almost tentative, and she drops her gaze to the floor.
“God, no. I have no interest in her.”
Maren’s posture changes, her back straightening. It draws up the T-shirt an inch higher, so I can see the front of her panties now. They’re soft white cotton. I want to peel them off her with my teeth.
“Well, if you’re not in there, who is?”
I shrug. “I think it’s just her.”
At this, Maren’s eyes widen. “Is she trying to make you jealous?”
I shake my head. “No, I think she’s trying to make you jealous.”
Maren’s brows draw together. “I don’t understand.”
I lick my lips, trying to shake off the strange vibe that’s filling the hallway. The moaning hasn’t stopped. Not even close. “Holly always thought I had a thing for you. Maybe she wants you to think that she and I are in that room.”
Maren laughs nervously at the suggestion that I had a thing for her. “Well, that’s obviously not true.”
My throat dries out, and I don’t say anything else. Maren shifts nervously, tugging her T-shirt lower.
After a beat of awkward silence, I say, “Come on, you can bunk with me.” What choice do I have? She can’t exactly stand in the hallway all night.
Maren follows me inside the bedroom, dark but for the moonlight. We lie down cautiously, each taking a side of the bed, and I give her as much space as I can, careful not to make inadvertent contact.
I have no idea how I’m going to keep my hands to myself. I really should have rubbed one out earlier when I had the chance.
There’s one small blessing, though. It seems that Holly has ended her performance. I can’t believe her, and I really don’t know what I ever saw in her.
Now that it’s quiet again, my heart is pounding so hard, I have no idea how Maren doesn’t hear it.
Just then, she turns toward me. “I can’t sleep,” she whispers. “Can you?”
“No.”
With the softest featherlight touch, Maren reaches out, placing her fingertips against my jaw. Slowly, she turns my face toward hers. Our eyes meet in the darkness, and I’m still trying to make sense of the heat I see reflected back at me when she leans in and kisses me.
It’s the smallest movement—at first. Just the soft brush of her full mouth against mine.
But then I shift, pushing up on my elbow to lean over her, and Maren responds with a small, pleased sound. Her mouth is hungry and hot and moving against mine, making endorphins flood my system.
When I part my lips and her tongue slides easily inside, my entire body jolts at how good it feels. Her warm mouth is incredible.
My brain is a scrambled mess of lust and want. Heat and emotion.
I should leave. But as my control quickly crumbles, I give in and touch her cheek, angling her chin so I can taste more of her. I’m shocked at my actions, but her mouth feels too good to stop, and soon I’m drowning in her.
Taking a deep breath, I fight to get myself under control, but it’s useless. She’s ruined me.
Heat pulses between us. I tilt her chin, and with my other hand, give my balls a warning squeeze beneath the blankets. It does fuck all to cool me off.
Wolfie wouldn’t care that Maren was the one who came on to me. He’d only know that I betrayed him. And that’s what this would be. Despite how right it feels—and believe me, right now it feels really fucking right—it would be a complete and utter betrayal of twenty years of friendship.
Desire rips the air from my lungs. I’m not easily shaken, but this . . .
I struggle to stay in control, knowing I should leave. Flee the bed, the room, the lake house, and put as much distance as possible between Maren and me.
Instead, I completely give in. Nothing matters now except for getting inside her. Her breath catches, and she makes another desire-filled sound.
Indecision paralyzes me, a sharp ache inside my chest.
Leave. Stop this now, my brain begs.
The thought of having to look Wolfie in the eye and tell him I defiled his sister is the only thing that can curb the desire ripping me apart like a bomb. I can’t. Won’t.
