The Moth and the Flame (When Rivals Play #2) - B.B. Reid Page 0,39

had been hit on by men before, and just like the many women he found no interest in, he was always gracious when he turned them down. No, he wouldn’t go after her because he would have done far worse in my shoes. I’d die a virgin if Wren had any say.

The look he threw me said he knew I was bluffing. Sighing, he did the only thing he could. He rubbed his forehead and stared at the floor.

“Why are you so upset?” I asked as I sipped at my water. “Alex is one woman. There is plenty of fish out there.” I knew I’d been cruel, regardless of the reason, and if I ever saw her again, I’d apologize profusely…and then I’d warn her to stay the hell away.

“Yeah?” He lifted his head, and our gazes connected. “Then tell me why I’ve been fucking my fist ever since I met you.”

I choked on my water.

He held me hostage with his stare, showing no mercy as I fought to catch my breath. I blinked away moisture pooling in my eyes and rasped, “I didn’t need to know that.”

Regardless, it lingered in my mind, poking and taunting, daring me to do something about it.

“Really? I thought you’d be happy to know.”

“Why would you think that?” I squeaked.

“Because you’ve been cockblocking me for two years, and I want it to stop.”

I didn’t need to question if he was serious. I may not have known he didn’t eat pork, but I knew that tone and that sniper-focused intensity. Still, I heard “I’ll stop if you stop” and knew that sultry voice belonged to me.

He went so very still, his eyes now a telling blue as the temperature in the room dropped dramatically. Gray meant he felt nothing, while blue…blue meant he felt everything.

“What did you say to me?”

His sharp whisper had me taking a step back even as my nipples threatened to pierce my camisole. I hadn’t realized he was closing in or that I hadn’t stopped backing away until my back was against the wall and he was caging me in. His forearms were on either side of my head, ensuring I couldn’t escape. With nowhere to go, I did the only thing I could. I lifted my chin and met his gaze.

“You want sex?”

Heat shot from my belly to my core at what sounded like an invitation—a promise to fulfill my every need or desire no matter the cost to our friendship.

“I—” Sinking my teeth into my lower lip, I kept whatever I’d been about to say from escaping. Unfortunately, it also drew Wren’s attention to my mouth.

He was still staring at my trembling lips when he said, “Speak up, Lou. I can’t hear you.”

I tried, but the words became lodged in my throat. As if sensing this, Wren’s right hand curved around the column of my neck where he caressed my skin.

I felt each sweep of his thumb in every nerve and the warning behind it.

“Look at you…virgin pussy ripe for the picking, and you’re just dying to hand it over to some undeserving guy. And the icing on the cake, or should I say the cherry on top, is that you can’t even admit it to your best friend. Why is that?”

Because the undeserving guy is my best friend.

And there was the undeniable truth, out in the open—at least in my mind. I could never go back to a time when I was blissfully unaware, and I hated him for it.

“I don’t know, Wren.” My voice was cold but clear. “Could it be the same reason you’ve allowed me to stand in your way?”

I saw the guilty shift of his eyes, felt his thumb pause, and wondered if he could feel my galloping pulse. “I guess we’ll never know.” Regret laced every word, but we both pretended not to notice. “You’re tired. Go to bed.”

It took a moment for the command to register—especially since he made no move to put much-needed space between us.

“It’s the middle of the day.”

“Think of how well rested you’ll be when morning comes.” He jerked his head toward the stairs. “Go.”

I didn’t argue again when I realized he was giving me an out. With all these ‘not so new but no longer dormant’ feelings stirring in my gut, putting distance between us was ideal.

“Good night, Wren.”

“Good night, Lou.”

I dipped underneath his arm and headed for the stairs. Once I reached them, I looked back and found him with his hand still braced on the