Page 34 of Forever Wild
I can practically see her rolling her eyes, but Ash is so gone for her, I don’t even question if he’s being serious. The moment he laid eyes on her, that was it.
“Hang in there, Ev,” he says. “You’ll find someone great.”
“I don’t want someone great. I want great sex.” I’ve always been able to separate sex from relationships, and I prided myself on being independent and not needing to be part of a couple to be happy. I believe that big, all-consuming love is out there. I mean, of course, I do. So many of my friends are madly in love, there’s no way I could deny it’s possible. But I haven’t sought it out. Everyone always says college is for having fun and finding yourself, and I took those wordsto heart. I always assumed I’d find love about the same time I started contributing to retirement.
Ash’s deep chuckle continues. “I’m afraid I can’t help you there. Though I am great at it. Has Bridget told you? She has, right?” He goes quiet and then asks her, “You tell your friends how great I am at making you come, right?”
I stifle a laugh as they playfully banter about what she does and doesn’t tell her friends, then I can hear them kissing before Bridget says, “Okay. I’m going into the other room. Let’s talk this out.”
There are so many things I love about Bridget, but her sincerity and the seriousness in which she takes my cry for help makes me adore her that much more.
For the next few minutes, she lays out options like the world depends on my getting laid. She has some good suggestions, most obviously finally going out with Will or more practically, spending the rest of the day in bed with my vibrator.
But while she troubleshoots the problem, I’m only half-paying attention. Because the guy across the yard—the one I definitely should not be ogling—has other ideas in my head. Ones that are absolutely out of the question. Outlandish fantasies. Completely impractical.
But goddamn I watch anyway.
11
SHE’S NOT HOT
JACK
“She’s hot,” Brian says as we’re finishing up our workout.
“Who?” I ask like I don’t know. Like he hasn’t been checking her out at every opportunity. I know because I was trying very hard not to do the same.
I don’t like him looking at her and I especially don’t like him calling her hot. She’s not hot, she’s…Everly.
Brian motions with his head toward where the girl in question is stepping out of the pool. Today’s bikini is white and cuts up high on her hip bones. She’s adjusting the sides, inching them up higher and exposing a tan line that makes me imagine where else she has them.
Not that I care. Because she’s Everly. Off-limits for so many reasons. Not that my dick seems to have gotten the memo.
“Is she single?” Brian must be oblivious to the anger radiating off me. If he could read my thoughts, he’d know I’m imagining about a dozen different ways to dismember him. I’m notusually prone to violence off the ice, but my heart is pumping as my fingers curl into fists like I’m preparing to go at it with a member of the opposing team. It’s Brian. He’s the other team. I don’t want him or anyone else near her and I’m ready to throw down. It’s a startling realization that has me inhaling and forcing myself to chill the fuck out.
“As far as I know.” I make it a point not to look at her, but Brian has no such self-control.
“How do you know her?”
“Are we done here?” I ask him. My tone borders on rude but considering he’s checking out a girl while on the job, I don’t feel too bad.
“Yeah, yeah.” He manages to tear his gaze away from Everly and regain some of his professionalism. “Great workout, man. Same time tomorrow?”
I’d like to tell him to fuck right off, but he came highly recommended by the team doctor. He’s young, but already making a name for himself with other professional athletes. So, I ignore my better instincts and say, “See you then.”
While Brian packs up his bands and other miscellaneous workout gear, I head inside. I need a shower but settle for a clean shirt until I’m alone. Jerking off while I have company feels inhospitable and that’s exactly what I plan to do. Me and some soapy water. It’s sadly becoming a routine.
After I grab a Gatorade from the fridge, I head back out. Brian has moved from the patio where we were working out to a lounge chair next to Everly.
Annoyance prickles down my spine. He leans forward, talking and laughing. And she smiles back like she’s just as thrilled.
As I approach them, Everly shifts her attention from Brian to me.Her smile falters and then she inches back slowly.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“I was just telling Everly about a new restaurant that opened. It has a great patio and the best sushi in the city.” He turns to her. “We should go sometime. I’d love to take you. Here, let me give you my number.”
Before she can agree or object, I cut in. “I think it’s time for you to go, Brian.”
