****
Rae twisted her keys around her index finger. Why did this feel like a bad idea? She dropped the keys into her jeans pocket, then retrieved them. She clipped the ring to the strap of her purse and listened to the tinny clatter echo in the empty hallway.
Zach’s accusations hadn’t stopped echoing in her head since their fight, making her question her own motivations. She was offering to help save their company—or rather, start a new one—because she cared about the people involved. Not because she’d always said the one thing that would convince her to change her career path would be an executive position at a gaming company. Not because she needed an excuse to stay in Zach’s life.
Even though she knew those things were true, she struggled to believe them. She reached for her watch, grimacing when she remembered she hadn't worn one. Maybe telling Scott what had happened with Zach would help—all of it. About sleeping together, her suggestion, that she knew it was over. Except the thought of coming clean made her fidget more. Without a watch, she settled for wrapping her purse strap around her wrist and releasing it again.
When she knocked, the walls bounced the sound back at her. She and Scott were hanging out to take his mind off things. She didn't need to burden him with her petty woes. He had bigger issues to deal with.
Besides, once she told him her idea—the one Zach had flat-out refused to listen to—dealing should be easier for him. The last thing she wanted was to pit them against each other, but starting over was a viable answer, and it at least deserved to be looked at. If they could recover from the hostile takeover, she wanted to see them try. For Scott, for Chloe, and for anyone involved.
The deadbolt clicked back, and the door flew open. The worry in Scott’s brown eyes reinforced her decision to be there for him that night.
“Hey.” She gave him a sympathetic smile. “You okay?”
He stepped aside to let her in then pushed the door shut behind her. “As much as I can be. I'm glad you were free.”
“Of course. Always for you.” As soon as she dropped her purse on the table by the door, he hugged her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the squeeze. Instead of letting go and stepping back, he rested his hand at the base of her neck, searching her face with hesitation. Her pulse screamed in response, but it felt more like panic than excitement. What was he doing?
He brushed his lips over hers, and her heart crashed into her feet, driving a hole through her gut along the way. She should stop him. Distract him with her idea.
Wait, why would I distract him? This was good. It was perfect. She repeated the words in her thoughts. He was exactly what she needed, this man she was closer to than anyone. Who got her jokes, who was always there for her, and who made a battered T-shirt look like the hottest fashion from Paris.
She tilted her head up and kissed him back. It was brief and hesitant. This was good. It was great. Her brain kicked into overdrive, amping up her rationale. So much of her hesitation about Zach was centered on how Scott would react. That had to mean something. Maybe Scott was what she really needed. The obvious answer she’d overlooked all these years.
Her heart protested. Stupid, illogical emotions. The answer was right here in front of her.
Smiling, she kissed him again. His lips were soft and undemanding. Something whispered through her. A need for a spark of passion instead of comfort and safety.
Her pulse increased when his tongue slid over her bottom lip and then deeper to dance with hers. She pressed against him, feeling his solid chest through their thin shirts. His fingers tangled in her hair. He pulled her head back and scraped her throat with his teeth.
“I really only want one thing tonight, and only with you.” His mouth moved against her skin with each hungry word. “Stop me now if you’re not interested, so we don’t destroy our friendship.”
Physically, every motion was perfect. If she dove into the moment, she’d find the fire she craved. The ravenous need that had to be lurking just under the surface. “I’m interested.”
She trailed her nails along the back of his neck. He was already hard against her hip. She shifted her weight, rubbing against him. His mouth trailed along her jaw to her throat, aggressive and greedy. Why couldn’t she find that last little connection?
“Bedroom?” he said, the single word strained.
She nodded and followed him into his room. If she got closer to him, she’d forget there was anyone else in the world and make him do the same. Don’t use him like this. The jarring thought almost made her stumble. That’s not what this was. Scott was her best, closest, dearest friend. This was his idea.