𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 with soft and mature themes.
College senior Sierra adores her best friend Brian, but he inadvertently thwarts her love life on occasion. She didn't expect to meet Nick that night, but they quickly fel...
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Late Saturday afternoon, I march up to Zane Michaels leaning against his dark green SUV, eager for a weekend at home. Aviator sunglasses, black, ripped jeans, and a muscle t-shirt. The man can rock a suave look, but I've seen him sport socks with sandals.
He peers up from his phone while I'm ten yards away. "What's up!"
I'm soft-spoken, not one to yell, and I wait until I'm within arm's reach to reply. "Heyyyy, love your glasses."
"Thank you." Zane hugs me a little longer than usual. Everybody's treating me with kid gloves these days. "How are you?"
"Fine. Are we ready to go?"
"Dumbass said he messaged you about his hangover. He had a girl over last night and kept falling asleep again. I imagine he's got rocks for brains today."
"A sex stupor?"
He meets my gaze with a pointed look, extending his arm for my bag. "Uh-huh, I'm confident a few select people can light a fire under him."
I shoot him a wink and salute before beelining for Brian's room. I was annoyed when reading the text message this morning. Nick and I could have spent more time together if B mentioned leaving at four o'clock. Too many annoying barriers pop up between Nick and me.
Can't a girl just fall in love?
Nobody answers when I knock, and I cringe, listening. If he's having sex, I will die.
I count myself lucky, never facing the horror of full-frontal, but I'm 80% positive I could pick a Pena brothers' butt out in a lineup.
"B?" I creak the door open, peeking around to find him lounging, arm draped over his eyes as he lightly snores in his bed.
Kneeling on his dark cotton sheets, I gently jostle his upper body. "Brian."
Brian grips my hips and rolls me on top of him, calling me Gia with his eyes half-closed until I wallop him in the chest.
THWACK!I smack his chest with a stinging slap as panic builds inside me. "Stop!"
"Whoa, hey!" Brian bolts up and reaches for me with remorse. "Sorry, I'm sorry."
My apology is a silent scream, and I melt into him, unable to articulate more. His erratic heartbeat rivals mine for speed. "I'm sorry," he murmurs, stroking my hair. "You're here to wake me up?"
I nod, sniffling and dragging my palms across my eyes. His deep voice is slow and warm, like dripping honey. "Clothes on, and I'm ready to go, cielo. Three minutes, tops."
Harsh lighting from a tube bulb in the hallway blinks at me while I wait. Messy-haired Brian approaches with an apologetic smile, anxiety lines creasing his forehead as he holds my shoulders. "I'm worried about you, sweetheart."
"Join the club," I murmur, scuffing the floor.
He makes a face. "Maybe...we should talk to my parents? Give them more info?"
