Page 42 of The Wingman

“Sure.” A pleased grin spans his handsome features. “They’renotdiamonds.”

“Hayden.” I was trying to scold him, but it comes out softer than I meant.

“They’re lab grown,” he adds, watching me. “I know you.”

I’m speechless. Lab-grown diamonds, or synthetic diamonds, are the same composition as traditional diamonds—same hardness, structure, and sometimes better clarity—except they’re grown using high heat and pressure rather than mined. They’re another example of how math and science improve our world.

“I love it,” I whisper, smiling up at Hayden, pleasure wrapping around my ribs in tight bands. “It’s too much.”

Hayden just smiles and shrugs, and my stomach flutters. No one sees me like he does, and I’m not sure what to do with that.

“Thank you.” I reach for a hug, and he wraps his arms around me, pulling me into his hard chest.

“Happy to, Darce.” His voice is low in my ear, making my skin prickle. Against me, his chest rises and falls with his steady breathing, and my mind flips to earlier, when he took his shirt off.

Muscles. Ridges. Smooth, golden skin. A light smattering of dark blond chest hair trailing from his defined pecs, down his abs, and into the waistband of his pants.

I wanted to count each of his muscles with my tongue. I wanted to press my lips to his collarbone and then skim them down each ab, feel them jump under my mouth as his breath catches.

An image filters into my head, of running my palms over his smooth chest while I’m on top of him, straddling his lean hips, working myself down his thick length. Arousal shocks through me.

My crush is stronger than ever, and I really, really want to fuck my best friend.

Against my fingertips, his t-shirt fabric is soft, and he’s so warm. Hayden smells like a fresh, clean forest. I take a deep inhale and my scalp tingles. His scent does something to mybrain, making my thoughts sharpen and focus on him and him alone.

The hug should have ended seconds ago, but he’s still holding me tight.

I’m about to do something stupid.

“I do miss this part,” I murmur against him.

His voice is low, his breath tickling my ear. “Which part?”

“Physical affection.” Nerves tumble around me. I should stop talking. “Cuddling. I miss cuddling.”

I miss sex, and every brain cell in my head wonders what it would be like with him.

Electricity snaps in the air, tense and sparking like the moments before a thunderstorm. He pulls back a few inches with a serious expression, his breathing uneven, and the hairs on the back of my neck rise. His entire thigh is pressed against mine, so solid and toned. His eyes are such a crushing blue I could fall right into them.

His jaw flexes and he swallows. “Then we should cuddle.”

CHAPTER 19

HAYDEN

Darcy’s eyes widen,pupils flaring past every shade of green in her irises, and my blood drums in my ears.

Why did I say that?

Because I want her. I want her so fucking badly. Being so close to her is agony, inhaling her scent and feeling the warmth of her skin, watching her pretty, plump lips curve into a pleased smile in response to the present I picked out for her.

At dinner, she claimed buying gifts was one downside of being in a relationship, but shopping for her Valentine’s Day gifts was the highlight of my week. Spending money on her gave me an expanding sense of masculine pride. Buying her things could become an addiction if I let it.

And now I’m proposing we cuddle? What the hell am I doing?

My arm is still around her shoulder, and I can’t bring myself to move it. She’s so warm. Her hair smells so good. My control is shredded.

I’m her wingman, and she isn’t interested in anything serious, but I want her too much to think clearly.

---