Gifting Me To His Best Friend - Katee Robert Page 0,25

exchange bodily fluids. Something like panic flutters in my chest. I thought it would be simple to put Derek back in the “safe” box in my mind once this was over, but now I don’t know if it’s possible. “What if this was a mistake?”

His fingers feather over my temple. “This stops when you want it to. If you’re not comfortable with it, we can stop now.”

But what if I don’t want it to stop?

I don’t say it. It feels like a betrayal to take this gift Grayson gave me—gave us—to ask for more. “I’m okay.” I manage a smile. “It’s just a little surreal that this is happening at all.”

“Fuck yeah.” He leans down and brushes his mouth against mine.

I should leave it at that, but I’ve never been good at sitting back and letting something I want drift past. I run my hands up his broad chest. “It’s the same for you, you know. If you want to stop, we stop.” I hesitate. “If you don’t want to fuck Grayson, you don’t have to. I just—”

Derek catches my mouth with his. He kisses me hard, hard enough that I can’t help writhing a little, my body already demanding more despite the two outstanding orgasms I experienced not too long ago. When he finally lifts his head, we’re both breathing hard. He runs a big hand down my back and over my ass. “It’s complicated.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“Guess not.” His gaze falls to my mouth and he looks like he’s considering kissing me until I forget what we were talking about. “But it’s the truth. It’s complicated.”

“Uncomplicate it.”

Derek huffs out a laugh, though it sounds strained. “Grayson is…” He rolls onto his back, but keeps me tucked against his side. “We’ve been friends for most of our lives.”

I have to press my lips together to keep from peppering him with questions, from dragging his thoughts out one by one. He’ll tell me or he won’t. I have to learn some freaking patience.

While I’m wrestling with myself, he keeps going. “There was always something more, but the timing was never right, you know? We went to separate colleges and I had a boyfriend when I came back home for Christmas. Then I was single at graduation, but he was talking about moving in with that guy he’s been fucking semi-regularly.” He studies the ceiling as if it’s the most interesting thing in the world. “We were both single for a hot minute before he met you, but I was stuck in London for a few months working with a new client. By the time I got back, he’d met you and that was that.”

My chest pangs and I sit up. “I didn’t know.”

“We’ve never talked about it.” He still isn’t looking at me. “Easier to just be friends and stay in each other’s lives. And, fuck, Emma, I like you. You’re cool as shit, and you’re good for him. He lights up whenever you walk into a room. I can’t hold it against either of you.” Derek gives a faint smile. “Though I’m not even going to lie; wanting both of you has been irritating as fuck.”

“Derek—”

“It’s enough. It will be enough.” He moves before I can come up with a response, toppling me back to the bed and kissing me hard. He slides down my body, pausing to worship my breasts for several long moments before he kisses his way down my stomach.

“Derek, we haven’t—” My breath hisses out at the first long drag of his tongue. “You can’t distract me with this.”

“Mmm.” He works my clit slowly. “If you say so.”

“If you don’t want to—”

He exhales harshly and lifts his head. “I want to, Emma. I want to so fucking bad, I can barely stand it. My control is hanging by a thread. So yeah, if it happens today, I’ll happily fuck Grayson. Is that what you want to hear?”

“Yes.”

He laughs, and this time it doesn’t sound quite so rough. “But not yet. First I’m going to give your pretty pussy the attention it deserves.”

I lace my fingers through his hair and lift my hips. “I still can’t believe we’re doing this.” There are other things that need to be said, subjects that need to be broached, but now isn’t the time. I’ve pushed both Derek and Grayson enough for the moment. Even I know when to dial it back. Sometimes. “It feels wicked.”

“You taste wicked.” He gives me another lick. “Even more wicked than normal because I