“So…” She nodded toward the door.
Jake shrugged. “I can close my eyes if you’re being that much of a prude, but let me just justify my actions for a brief moment here…”
“Oh please do.” Char turned to him and crossed her arms, again causing her breasts to spill over her dress. Good Lord, she had a nice body. He licked his lips and looked away so he could concentrate.
“One.” He held up a finger. “I’ve seen you naked like four times in my life.”
“Four?”
“Four.” He confirmed. “Once when we were in sixth grade. I was supposed to be in my room when you and Kace changed for the pool. Instead, I snuck over to the guest room and peaked through the door.”
“Pervert.”
“Hey, I’d just discovered I liked girls.”
“Versus what? Mice?”
“Cute.” Jake scowled. “The second time.” He waved two fingers in front of her face, and she pushed his arm away but he kept talking. “Junior high camp. You and Kacey thought I was asleep and you changed into pj’s. I swear ever since then I can’t even look at blue and white stripped underwear without getting a—”
“Stop.” Char moved to stand. “I think it’s safe to say I know where that was going.”
“A huge smile”—Jake winked—“on my face. Gotta love stripes. Anyway, the third time was in high school when you tried out for the basketball team and hit the showers early because you had to go home sick.”
“You do realize that you sound like a Peeping Tom, right?”
Jake shrugged. “And you realize that guys are desperate enough to not give a shit how creepy we sound. We hear ‘naked’ and all bets are off.”
“Which brings us full circle. You want me to trust that you won’t watch when really we both know you will, so let’s get it over with.”
“P-pardon?”
“Stand up.”
He wasn’t really sure he could, or should, for that matter.
“Or sit.” Char moved to straddle his legs. Holy shit, was this really happening? Was she going to—?
“I think you’re under the false impression that I don’t know how guys think.”
“Well I—”
“And because of that little mishap, and you know, for all those times you watched me like the creepy, horny little high schooler you were…”
She grabbed his hands and placed them on either side of her thighs.
“… you don’t get to watch.”
Did that mean he could touch?
She ran his hands from her thighs all the way up her sides, stopping right below her breasts, and then she lifted his hands to her chest and up to her face. “Feel that, Jake Titus?”
Hell yeah, he felt that.
He felt his eyes flare with desire as his body hummed with need to have her.
“Now you don’t have to watch.” Char stepped away. “You and your perverted little mind can imagine. Now, out.” She pointed to the door and crossed her arms.
Was she serious?
She wanted him to stand? Right now? And actually walk to the door? And close it behind him? Without…
“I’m waiting.” She winked.
Well played, damn it.
With difficulty he rose to his feet and slowly shuffled out of the room. It wasn’t until the door clicked shut behind him that he managed to exhale, and even then he had to lean against the wall so he didn’t collapse in a pool of his own unsatiated lust.
“Things go well?” a voice called from down the hall.
Travis walked slowly toward him and smirked. “Ah, so you’ve finally lost it.”
“Huh?” Was he sweating? What the hell! When had a woman ever affected him like this!
“Your game, skills, wooing magic, ability to charm a nun out of her skirts—”
“Point made,” Jake interrupted.
“So…” Travis crossed his arms. “You and Char, huh?”
Jake was silent.
“Don’t do it.”
“Clearly, I’m not doing anything. That’s the damn problem,” Jake muttered.
Travis swore. “Just… don’t do anything rash before the wedding, okay? I can’t even imagine how pissed Kacey would be if she found out you were trying to dally with her best friend and maid of honor.”
“There was no dallying, believe me.” Was that bitterness seeping out of his every word?
“Good.” Travis slapped him on the back. “Because I’ve already got someone lined up for her. Someone stable who doesn’t date chicks with names like Jak-Jak or Honey.”
“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?” Jake pushed away from the wall.
“It means,” Travis stepped closer to him, “stay the hell away from her. You just want her because she’s playing hard to get. The minute she makes it easy, you’ll be gone, and I’m going to have to deal with two hysterical women, not to mention Grandma, on the happiest day of my life. Just… Jake, for once in your life, leave it alone, okay?”
What the hell? A pain hit him sharp in the gut. Was it disappointment? Guilt? Shame? He wasn’t really sure, but the last thing he wanted was to continue to let everyone down in his life. He backed away and sighed.