Not Even Close (A New Generation) by Elizabeth Reyes (books to read in a lifetime txt) 📗

But he hadan idea of what she meant by friends since she’d been so honest about not doingthe boyfriend thing.  Seeing the humor in her eyes begin to wane, Byron’s head racedto come up with something to say to cut the undeniable, and no doubt, confusingas shit growing tension.

“Never been into using anyone for any reason.” He wiped his mouthwith a napkin. “But I sure as hell wouldn’t mind having a friend who can cookme up this kind of hellacious grub from time to time.” Smiling even bigger asher eyes brightened again, he added more. “We can barter. Anytime you need workon your car I got you.”

“Well, I can’t pass up that kind of deal.”

The bright smile morphed into that timid almost startledexpression he’d seen all those times he’d been caught gawking at her. Onlyinstead of her smile flatlining like they had in those other instances, herexpression softened into a sweet, yet still timid smile again. Byron swallowedhard, for the first time since she’d arrived, he was at a loss for words.

She was so beautiful, yet he was certain she didn’t even realizejust how beautiful. For an instant he was so tempted to kiss her. Untilshe cleared her throat and finally spoke again.

“I’m, uh . . .  hopelessly lost when it comes to anything thatlights up on my dash or any weird noises my car makes.” Her eyes dropped fromhis eyes to his lips momentarily when he licked his aching-for-a-taste-of-herlips. “So, I guess it’s a deal.”

“Deal.” Byron gazed at her trying desperately not to ruin the moment,but his next words just flew out before his dumb ass could stop himself. “Except,I think this makes us more than friends.” As expected, her eyes widened, thoughByron could see she tried to suppress her surprise or was that unease? “We’recolleagues now, Vannah. Bartering, remember? Business associates.” He shrugged,glad this seemed to ease her. “That’s more than friends.”

She smiled sweetly again. “I like that.” Her words surprised himgiven everything she’d said to him on the topic Friday night. “More thanfriends.”

They were caught in a moment again until she suddenly glanceddown at her dinging smartwatch. With her phone in her purse now, Vannah readthe screen on her smartwatch instead. “Oh, hold on.” She pulled her phone outof her purse and started tapping away, then stood up. “Yikes, I almost forgotabout this guy I was supposed to meet with today.”

Byron stood up just as suddenly now. “You’re shitting me?”

Once again, the words had escaped him without thought but hedidn’t even care. His first instincts had been right. There was no way he wasgoing to be able to handle this shit. While he’d never understand it, and hewas willing to see a shrink if need be, because this was insane, he feltready to shove the rest of her enchilada tray at her and tell her to get the fuckout.

Those once again bewildered, huge eyes stared at him in question,then she shook her head. “He’s not a friend.” Feeling her hand on his arm was enoughto calm him—a little. “I hate my parents paying for everything. I’ve beensearching for this particular textbook online, so they don’t have to pay fullprice for it. This guy from OfferUp has it. I need it for tomorrow’s class, andhe can meet with me but only in the next half hour.”

Feeling the insane tension drain drastically, Byron rolledhis neck but was now concerned about something else. “So, you don’t know thisguy and you’re meeting him to exchange money for a book? You know how dangerousthat is?”

Vannah smiled. “I’m meeting him at the school. Inside the library.Perfectly safe. I never meet anyone unless it’s a public place.”

From the moment he’d seen her last night in that sexy as shitoutfit and then again today he knew touching her might be the end of him. Givinginto any temptations he had about her would only make staying away fromher—like he should—that much harder.

But it just couldn’t be helped. Just like all his previousimpulsive verbal outbreaks, Byron brought his arms around her neck and pulledher to him. To his surprise her tense body eased quickly, then her arms wrappedaround him. Breathing in deeply he reminded himself he still had a chance tofight this. This was just his way of thanking her for her delicious food. Kissingthe top of her head he knew he was in trouble. “You sure you’re gonna be okay? Icould go with you.”

She tensed up for a moment again before looking up at him andsmiled. “No. I’ll be fine. There’s security and all kinds of cameras there. Thelibrary is the place to go to do these kinds of textbook OfferUp sales.”

Gazing silently down at those eyes for a moment so long he knew hemight regret it, he said something he knew could be even more regrettable. “Youmake and deliver food to all your friends?”

He’d never get enough of it. The first stupid thought that cameto him nearly had him laughing—fifty shades of pink. Her face growing brightwith color any time he said something that made her uncomfortable, was fuckingadorable.

“No,” she said almost in a gasp. “Only my family andgirlfriends.”

Once again, Byron made an impulsive decision. He’d take hischances and not push for more, because there was no way he wasn’t giving intothis next unyielding temptation now that he had her at his door.

“Thank you,” he whispered cupping his big hands around her daintyface. “The food was absolutely delicious.”

Then he did the one thing he was certain he’d regret the most. Heleaned in and kissed her. Deep. For as long as she’d let him, and to hissurprise she was all in. He devoured her mouth and she let it go on for so longhis rock-hard cock threatened to rip through his pants. But he knew there wasso much more to this than a hot chick turning him on. When he finally pulled awayand stared into those amazing eyes, heart pounding like it never had before, heknew he’d either made the best decision of his life or he’d just fucked up, royally.

Ten

Surprise Invite

Vannah

Now she