Page 20 of Corrupted Lies

What would life even look like without his best friend?

Not something Jake had any interest in finding out.

“Me too,” Alannah agreed as she began to rub at the back of her neck. With the way she’d been hunched over her laptop andphone all day, it was no wonder she had some kinks that needed working out.

“Here. I got it.” Nudging her hands out of the way, he moved so he was right behind her and covered her shoulders with his hands. While his fingers worked the tight muscles in her shoulders, his thumbs attended to the ones along the back of her neck.

With a moan, her head tipped forward, and he almost froze.

That sound.

It did … things to him.

Things down south that he should have no business thinking about when it was his best friend moaning like he’d just given her the best orgasm of her life.

What would Alannah look like in bed? Would her creamy skin pinken? Would her golden-brown eyes light with desire? Would she toss and turn her head on her pillow as he worked her higher and higher until her blonde locks spread out around her face like a halo?

Would her hips come off the bed seeking more as he put his head between her legs and made her come with his mouth?

How tight would she feel as he sunk inside her?

How loud would she scream his name as she came, clamping around him and setting off his own orgasm?

“Jake? Everything okay?”

It wasn't until her pretty golden eyes looked up at him that he realized he’d stopped massaging her shoulders and instead was just standing there with his hands resting on them, staring at her with an intensity he couldn’t help but feel was betraying every inappropriate thought he’d just had.

How tacky could he be?

Alannah had just survived two fires. She was scared and vulnerable, staying in his house because her safety was at risk,and there he was, daydreaming about having sex with her. Sex that would without a doubt ruin their friendship.

He wasn't losing his best friend for anything, including sex.

“Uh, yeah,” he said, taking a step back so he wasn't tempted to touch her again. “Just thinking we should order something for dinner since we both worked right through lunch.”

The look she gave him told him she didn't quite believe him, but thankfully, she didn't push. “Actually, instead of ordering, I'd much rather cook. I could use the distraction for a while, and I've got a craving for homemade lasagna.”

“Course you do,” he said with a smile and an eyeroll.

Alannah was a great cook, and it was often her go-to when she was stressed. She’d taught him everything she knew about cooking, and as kids they’d spent hours in his house cooking dinners for the three of them. Whoever was babysitting him and Jax was always happy to have one less job to do and her parents didn't care where she was and what she was doing. So, the three of them had banded together, and thanks to her, they’d been able to eat delicious homemade meals rather than frozen junk.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think my cupboards are prepared for that.”

“Oh.” Disappointment lit her face, and she chewed on her bottom lip. Something he’d seen her do hundreds of times before, but never once had he thought about replacing her teeth with his own as he kissed and nipped at those plump lips of hers.

To shove all thoughts of kissing his best friend out of his head, he offered something that wasn't the best plan given their situation. “We can hit up the grocery store down the street. I'm sure they’ll have everything you need.”

Immediately, her eyes lit up with hope. “Are you sure that’s okay to do?”

“We can be quick. Straight there and straight back. You stick close, and if anything feels off we’ll leave immediately.”

“Done, done, and done. Let me grab my shoes.”

While she ran upstairs, he found a pair of sneakers by the door and shoved them on. For some ridiculous reason this almost felt like a date. Taking her to the store, helping her cook dinner, and eating it together while they watched a movie.

No.

No date.

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