She exhales. “It doesn’tbotherme, exactly. If I’m being honest, I kinda like the familiarity it implies. Don’t stop using it, Logan.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Women are so confusing.”
Rosie grins. “Oh, whatever. You’d be bored out of your mind if we didn’t keep you on your toes.”
I laugh, knowing she’s right. “You’ve got me there, Morales.”
“Exactly. Now shut up and thank me.” She winks, nodding toward the back door. “C’mon, there’s a hot tub calling our names.”
I follow her, mesmerized by the sway of her hips. Rosie flips on the exterior lights, brightly illuminating our path. She squeals as she opens the door, a blast of cold air rushing in.
I’m pretty sure my balls shrivel up as it hits me. “Holy shit, that’s cold!”
We both start hauling ass across the snow-covered deck in our bare feet, racing toward the gazebo where the hot tub is. I barely have time to appreciate the view as Rosie tosses her robe onto the built-in bench and flips the lid open. In true Rosie fashion, she wastes no time, submerging herself into the bubbly water within seconds.
Dammit.
“Ah, that’s good stuff,” she groans, resting her head against the lip of the tub as the water lifts her legs when she stretches them out.
“I wouldn’t know.” I hop from side to side, trying to ward off the chill. “Think you could make a little room?”
She opens her eyes and spots me literally freezing my balls off while she hogs the whole thing. “Oops.”
“Oops, my ass,” I grumble, knowing damn well she did that on purpose.
The top of Rosie’s breasts are exposed as she slides to the otherside of the two-person tub. My eyes are instantly drawn to them like a beacon through the fog. I shake it off as I climb in, feeling like a creeper. I don’t know what it is about this girl, but I can never seem to keep my eyes off her. Maybe it’s the forbidden aspect—her being my best friend’s little sister—but that thought fades as I reflect on the invisible tether that’s always been between us. Normally, I’m much more discreet than this, though. Over the years, I’ve practically mastered the art of sneaking glances without getting caught.
“Shit,” I say as I realize I didn’t bring the wineglasses. The thought of getting out of this warm tub so soon makes me cringe. “I forgot glasses.”
Rosie smiles, taking the bottle of wine from my hand. “I don’t mind drinking straight from the bottle if you don’t.” She takes a healthy swig. “I’m classy like that.”
I grab the bottle back from her and take a small sip. “I’ll swap bodily fluids with you any day of the week, babe. Just say the word.”
Her eyes widen, and mine do, too, when I realize what I just said. Fuck. It was off the cuff, but the tension between us just went nuclear in this tiny Jacuzzi, the bubbly water doing nothing to suffuse it. We lock eyes, silently acknowledging just how slippery this slope has become. How obviously tempted we both are to lean into it. If she were anyone else, I’d have closed the distance and kissed her by now.
I should make some lame excuse and head back inside, but I’m frozen, wondering—waiting to see—what Rosie will do next. I’m leaving the ball in her court, letting her decide whether she wants to cross this line. We’ve danced around this for years, but her brother was always a barrier. And then Julian…that prick. But now we’re both single, and Ryan’s back in LA. There’s nothing in our way if she gives me the green light.
Please, for the love of God, give me the green light.
Her gaze flickers to my mouth, and for a split second, I’m sure she’s about to lean forward, but then she bites her lip instead.
Okay, I need to lighten this up before things go downhill. The last thing I want is for her to feel pressured.
I smirk, letting my shoulders relax a bit. “You know I was?—”
“You know what we should do?” Rosie interrupts. Her voice is softer now, almost as if she’s testing the waters herself.
“What’s that?” I ask, half expecting her to suggest we head back inside, but hoping like hell she doesn’t.
Her gaze flickers downward, as if she’s trying to see beneath the water. My pulse thrums in my ears as the moment stretches, the tension between us palpable.
After what feels like an eternity, she looks back up at me, a small, almost teasing, smile playing at her lips. “We should play,Never Have I Ever.”
I blink a few times, processing her words. It wasn’t a direct invitation to ravage her body, but I don’t exactly hate the idea.
“Standard rules?”
“Yep.” She nods.