Seducing My Best Friend (Fated #3) (2 page)

I couldn’t unlock my eyes from his. Something about the
expression on his face was so intense, like my hooking up with him was
inevitable and he knew it. It actually made me feel completely out of control
in a way I didn’t recognize, a way I wasn’t sure I liked.

Not that I didn’t want to kiss him again, but I was afraid to be
in that situation again. I didn’t understand how something could feel so right
and so wrong at the same time. It felt like no matter what I did, I was letting
myself down.

When I finally peeled my eyes from his, I focused them on the
menu. Maybe if I just stared at it the whole time, I wouldn’t notice his dimple
that Fiona always went on about. Or the way his thick eyebrows framed his face.
Or the way the adorable smattering of freckles he always got in the summertime
had come up.

I took a deep breath and tried to figure out what was on offer,
but it was confusing. There were only six things, and there were no prices. I
had no choice but to look back up at Aiden.

“Sorry to be dense,” I said, “but I haven’t seen a menu like
this before.”

He smiled. “It’s not really fair to call it a menu,” he said.
“It’s more like a brochure. These are the things they’re going to bring you.
It’s just for your information.”

“So you don’t pick what you want?”

He shook his head. “No. They assume you want it all, and they
bring each dish to you one at a time.”

“But there are six things on the list. I can’t eat that much.”

“Sure you can. The portions are smaller so you can get through
each plate.”

“Weird.”

“I could’ve taken you to Eddie Rockets for a big dirty burger,
but I’m trying to impress you, remember?”

“Right.”

“Actually, the last course is really why I wanted to bring you
here.”

I looked down at the menu, letting my eyes scan to the bottom.
“A medley of sorbets…” I read the flavors to myself: passion fruit, mango,
pineapple, papaya, and pomegranate. “Oh my god, each one sounds more delicious
than the last.”

“Apparently the guy that makes them is some famous master sorbet
maker. I figured that would be right up your alley.”

“And how did you figure that?” I asked. “Considering you hardly
know me at all?”

He shrugged. “Just a hunch.”

“I have to admit, I am looking forward to trying those.” I
turned the menu over. “And what about drinks? I don’t see a drinks menu at
all.”

He smiled. “That’s because they’ve paired each course with a
wine that will compliment it.”

“Who’s they?”

“I don’t know. Someone whose palate is more refined than ours.”

I laughed. “Well that could be anyone.”

“So true. They probably just asked some random guy in the wine
aisle at the grocery store. It’ll probably be a bunch of house reds with fake,
fancy names.”

“I have to hand it to you, Aiden. I had no idea you were this
classy.”

“I’m not,” he said. “I just know people who are and sometimes it
rubs off.”

“Well, maybe some of your class will rub off on me.”

“I hope not,” he said. “I like you just the way you are.”

I pursed my lips. I was beyond confused. Every time I let my
guard down, I found myself having a good time and thinking it was the best date
I’d ever been on.

Of course, it wasn’t really a date. Not in the technical, going
out with someone new sense. I mean, Aiden wasn’t new. This side of him was, but
there was nothing out of the ordinary about feeling at ease with him.

But what we were doing was so out of the ordinary. I mean, he
was clearly trying to impress me, as if I was a woman he was attracted to, a
woman he wanted more than gentle teasing and genuine encouragement from. Even
the way he’d slipped his hand across my lower back on the sidewalk outside sent
chills through my body.

And while I desperately wanted to forget about our history and
keep pretending we just met, I couldn’t entirely forget about the fact that
every time I felt my feelings for him try to be something more, I hit some sort
of glass wall that made me want to shut down.

If I got carried away with him, I wouldn’t have any secret parts
of me left. There would be no one on Earth that knew me better than he did, and
I hated the idea of giving up what little control I had over my life by oversharing
myself with him.

Plus, what if I shared myself and he didn’t like what he learned,
what there was to see? What if the fantasy of hooking up with his best friend
was better than the reality?

And even in the best case scenario, if we fooled around and it
was amicable, he’d eventually date someone else and it would be weird,
especially for her. He might have to distance himself from me like I’d seen my
married friends do with the people they used to hook up with.

But something had already shifted between us, and I couldn’t
help but feel like no matter what happened, our relationship would never be the
same. And even if I hadn’t agreed to come on the date, the fact that we’d kissed
was enough to set us on a different course.

And as desperate as I was to know how things were going to end
up, I felt like I was playing Mario Kart for the first time, like I could
barely see around the next corner, much less the destination.

“So are you ready for an adventure?” Aiden asked.

My face dropped. “What?”

“Are you ready for a culinary adventure?”

“Oh right,” I said, feeling the tightness in my chest dissipate
as I noticed the staff beside the table. “Yeah, I’m ready.” As ready as I’ll
ever be. “Bring it on.”

“The first course is a veal mousse bruschetta,” the waitress
said, setting a small plate down in front of us.

Then the wine guy stepped up. “We’ve paired that with a with a
sherry aperitif to bring out the gaminess of the veal, the creaminess of the
mozzarella, and the sweetness of the tomatoes.”

Aiden and I smiled, and the staff nodded and disappeared.

“Pretty fancy,” I said, eyeing the row of perfectly toasted veal
mobiles.

“And I thought I took food seriously.”

“Maybe your bloody nachos are the next course.”

He nodded. “I hope not.”

“Should I just use my fingers?” I asked, trying to see what the
people at nearby tables were doing.

“Do whatever feels good,” he said.

“That’s the same advice my roommate gave me before I came on
this date.”

“In that case,” he said, grabbing his stubby wine glass. “I’d like
to propose a toast.”

“Okay,” I said, raising my glass.

“To doing whatever feels good-”

I clinked his glass.

“And to old friends and new beginnings.”

I kept my eyes on him as I brought the drink to my lips and took
a sip. “Whoa, that’s strong,” I said, licking my lips.

“Yeah, aperitifs often are,” he said. “They’re definitely an
acquired taste.”

“I was expecting wine.”

“The rest of the courses probably will be,” he said. “Except
maybe the last one or two.”

“What will they be?”

“Maybe brandy or something to compliment the dessert.”

“Brandy?!”

He shrugged. “Sure, why not?”

“I thought brandy was only for gangsters.”

“Gangsters and little old ladies.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’ll be sloshed if the other drinks are as
strong as this one.”

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll take good advantage- I mean care-
of you.”

I swallowed. “Speaking of taking advantage,” I said, eager to
change the subject. “Before you try and pull anything, I want to make sure you
know I intend to go Dutch with you on the dinner bill tonight.”

“That’s not happening.”

“Why not?”

“Cause it’s my treat.”

“But I always go Dutch on the first Tinder date.”

“That may be the case,” he said. “But this isn’t your first
Tinder date. It’s your last.”

“So do you always go home with guys after the first date?” I
asked, opening my front door for her.

She smacked my chest playfully. “No.”

I felt myself glowing inside from her physical attention. She’d
kept her hands to herself over dinner, but the brandy seemed like it was
starting to take effect.

“I just feel like I’ve known you forever is all.”

“I see.” I headed to the kitchen. “What would you like to
drink?”

“Well, I suppose I’ve been mixing drinks all night so…” She
rolled her eyes up and pursed her lips. “Can you make a screwdriver?”

“I sure can.”

“Hey.” She wagged a finger at me. “Don’t get the wrong idea.”

I smiled as I put some ice in a glass. I was way past getting
the wrong idea. Over dinner, my attraction to her only grew. I always knew she
was good humored, but it was fun to see how interested she was in all the
different foods. She seemed willing to try anything, and once I got that
thought in my head, my mind was a mess of filth.

As I set the vodka on the counter, I saw Lucy pushing the
balcony door open, letting the humid night air rush into my apartment. I liked
how she looked out there on my balcony. I could get used to her being part of
the view.

And for the first time, I wondered what it would be like to not
have to say goodbye to her after we hung out, to not have to spend so much time
apart. I wondered what it would be like if her easy smile and her generous
laugh were just parts of my every day.

I guess I just couldn’t shake the feeling that her presence made
me feel even more at home in my own place.

I carried our drinks out to the balcony and leaned against the
railing. Her eyes were closed, and she was listening to the sound of the city,
smiling into the night, looking sexy and inviting as hell.  

“Your drink madam.”

“Ooh madam. I like that. Thanks,” she said, taking the glass
with two hands.

“So you know I’m a competitive guy at this point-”

“Uh-huh.” She kept her eyes on me as she took a sip. “Whoa,
that’s strong.”

“I’m trying to get you drunk.”

“And if you succeed?”

I smiled. “Then we both win.”

She looked down, her eyelashes casting shadows over her cheeks,
but it was too dark out for me to see if she was blushing.

“What were you saying about being competitive?” she asked.

“Oh yeah. I’m dying to know how your date with me compares to
others you’ve been on?”

“You mean other first dates?”

“Yeah.”

“This hasn’t been too shabby.”

I rolled my eyes. “Tough critic.”

“Let me finish.”

I took a sip of my drink and set it down on the small glass
table by the balcony door.

“You get bonus points, too.”

“For what?” I asked.

She set her glass down beside mine and started counting on her
fingers. “Well, you didn’t bring your parents.”

“Obviously.”

“You didn’t ask me any inappropriate personal questions.”

“Like what?”

“Like whether I want kids or have a history of mental illness or
am on the pill.”

“What?!”

“You’d be surprised how inappropriate some people are.”

“I guess so.”

“I am though,” she said.

“You are what?”

“Nevermind.” She reached for her drink and took another sip
before setting it back down and leaning against the railing. “Let’s see. I also
liked that you didn’t check your phone while we were at dinner.”

“What do you mean?”

She shrugged. “Some guys will be on Tinder while you’re out with
them.”

“You’re joking.”

She shook her head. “I’m afraid not. And I’ve even asked around,
you know, to see if other girls have had the same experience. So I know it’s
not just me-”

“Of course it’s not you. You’re-”

“What?”

“Enchanting.”

She rolled her eyes. “Thanks.”

“It’s true.”

“Well, you can be kind of charming when you want to be, too.”

“Just kind of?”

She shrugged.

I took a step closer. “Well, I’m glad you think so. I’ve always
thought you bring out the best in me.”

“Shut up.” She pushed her hand against my chest but didn’t let
it drop right away. Instead she just stood there like she was trying to decide
whether she wanted to push me away or pull me closer. Finally, she sighed and
dropped her arm. “And I know I thanked you for dinner a million times already-”

“And that was just before we left the restaurant.”

“But it was a real treat for me to go to a swanky place like
that. I mean, I usually think I’m splurging when I get a milkshake with my Potbelly’s
Sandwich so getting to try all those new things was exciting.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“I’d never had any of those things before. It was like a whole
night of firsts.”

I slid my hands around her waist and pulled her close. “And the
night’s not even over.”

She looked up at me and I went for it, planting my lips on hers.
She kissed me back right away, filling my body with fire as her hips leaned
against me.

I parted her lips with mine, slipping my tongue in her warm
mouth, tilting my head so I could kiss her more deeply. A little whimper
escaped her mouth and it was another first, the first time I’d ever heard her
make a sound like that, and I wanted more of it. I wanted her to moan louder,
to hear my name on lips as I made her breathless.

I let my hands drift down over her ass, squeezing her round
cheeks in my palms. I’d never touched her there, not since I pinched her ass
once on the playground and she punched me in the stomach. But this time instead
of a pinch, I took two handfuls, and she didn’t stop me.

As her tongue twisted around mine, I felt her slide her fingers
into my hair, sending shivers of pleasure down my neck. I curled my fingers
around the bottom edge of her dress, scrunching the fabric in my fists until I
could slide my hands against her smooth ass.

The feel of her bare skin made the base of my cock tingle. I
couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a thrill like the one I was having
groping my best friend’s perfect butt in the warm summer air. And when I
realized the whole city might be watching, I decided I didn’t want to share the
faces she was about to make with anyone else.

I knew then that I had to steal her away to my bedroom, where my
tongue might actually have a chance to go as deep as I wanted it to so badly. I
reached a hand around the back of one of her thighs and hoisted it up against
my leg, lifting her off the ground until she took the hint and wrapped her legs
around my waist.

She slung her arms over my shoulders and took a deep breath as
she hugged my neck, her heart beating against mine. I considered closing the
balcony door to block out the sounds of the city, but I was in a hurry, and I
knew my room was quiet enough that I would still be able to hear every breath
she took and every breath I took away.

When we reached my room, I didn’t turn on the light. I still
felt like she was some kind of delicate nocturnal creature, like a sudden
movement or a bright light might scare her away. And I was desperate not to
interrupt what we’d started.

I laid her down on the bed where the soft light from my cracked
blinds made lines across her body.

When I straightened back up, I looked at her face.

But she wasn’t looking at mine.

She was looking at my cock, which was straining against the
zipper of my jeans, starving for her.