Made to be Mine (a steamy friends to lovers novella) Read online

  She shook beneath me and brought my mouth back up to hers. Her hold on me tightened, and she didn’t speak, but her eyes told me enough. They were heated and tender. This suddenly didn’t feel like we were fooling around. Each lingering embrace replaced the words we weren’t sure how to say. We kissed and touched and teased forever before I couldn’t take the lust anymore. I put on a condom from the drawer and braced myself on my forearms before looking at her. “You okay?”

  She nodded and put a finger on my lips. “No talking.”

  If that was what she wanted, I could obey. I slid into her, groaning at how damn good she felt. She wrapped her legs around me, making me go deeper, and I slowly thrusted, hoping she could feel every inch of me. It was slow and sensual, and she tilted her head to kiss me again. My heart pounded in my chest.

  Fucking often didn’t require kissing, but this was different.

  I quickened my pace and grunted when she arched her hips to take me in even more. My control was slipping. Her eyes were closed and sweat formed between our chests as we moved together. I slipped out and rolled her to her side, sliding into her from behind so I could reach around to stroke her clit.

  She moaned, and I ran my tongue along her neck. My spine tingled, and my balls tightened.

  “I’m close, baby,” I said, quickening my pace with my fingers. She whimpered with need.

  I moved faster, and she clenched around me, her body jerking as an orgasm hit her. Those deep moans set me off. With three final thrusts, I gripped her tight and spilled into her, unable to let go of this incredible woman.

  She rested her head on my pillow as I slid out and tossed the condom into the trash.

  A part of me worried she’d try and leave, so I hurried back into my bed and pulled her against my chest. “Stay with me tonight.”

  “Okay.” Her face was devoid of expression, but her voice was soft and warm, like she was into the idea of us sleeping together.

  That one word made me smile, and I shut off the lamp, pulled the sheets up, and wrapped my arm around her. Something shifted between us, something that didn’t freak me out, and I needed to talk to her about my feelings in the light of day.

  I wanted to date Lexi Vanderbilt.

  Chapter Nine

  Lexi

  Waking up with Will’s arm around me was a special slice of heaven. Last night was incredible in so many ways that my face heated and my smile threatened to hurt my cheeks. My stomach growled. Making him breakfast seemed like a great idea. I could whip up some eggs and toast and bring food back to him before talking to him about after.

  Charley’s comments the day before started a chain reaction of thoughts and maybe… Will could be into me. He looked at me with a tenderness that made my toes curl into the floor. He was such a kind man—nothing like Ashton. Ashton would constantly jab at me about eating salad instead of carbs, turning the lights off instead of leaving them on, and saying he didn’t like giving oral.

  Will wasn’t like that, and it was time I stopped assuming all men were. Content with my plan, I slid out of bed and put on his shirt that hung above my knees. I tip-toed toward the door and shut it without making a sound. The second I got into the hall, Charley was there and raised her brows at me.

  “Uh, well, hi,” I said, stammering and putting my hands behind my back like I got caught stealing. “This is awkward.”

  She grinned and shook her head, walking toward the kitchen. She was uncharacteristically silent. My nerves got the best of me, and I followed her, desperate to read her mood. “Charley, look, it’s not what you think. It’s really not.”

  “Oh, tell me what I think then, because I know exactly what’s happening.” She plopped down on the top barstool, her lips still curving up but her eyes unreadable. “You slept with my brother.”

  “Yes.” I slammed my eyes shut and gripped the counter. “I did.”

  “Do you like him?”

  I laughed and shook my head. “It’s Will. What’s not to like about him?”

  “Be serious. It doesn’t matter that you’re my best friend and he’s my brother. Nothing you two do will change the fact I love you both to pieces. If y’all don’t work out, that’s on you guys. I will still have you both in my life, so as long as you understand that, then go for it. But Lex, he’s been fucked over, so you need to be careful.”

  “Wait, I need to be careful?” I said, blinking in surprise. “He’s the one with all the power. He has the looks, the job, the fame. I’m a nobody who asked him to help me get over my naked nerves. I’m the one who’ll be heartbroken if things don’t work out, not him. I couldn’t possibly hurt him.”

  She frowned and bit down on her bottom lip, her eyes going dark. “You’re wrong, you know.”

  “About what? About the fact Will is so far out of my league it’s not funny? He’s the hottest guy I’ve ever seen, and women have whole Pinterest pages dedicated to him. Am I wrong that people will look at us and wonder how I got him? I’m too heavy and so not his type. I’m not wrong, but it’s worth trying.”

  She tapped her nails on the counter and pinched the bridge of her nose with the other hand. “He’s more than a pretty face.”

  “Of course he is,” I said, unsure why my heart beat so fast. Charley almost looked disappointed in me. “I know that.”

  “Then don’t get caught up in looks and who’s in who’s league. Some things go deeper than what’s on the surface. Lexi?” she said, giving me a sad smile. “Don’t let what Ashton did to you ruin this before it’s even started.”

  “I won’t, I’m not. I just… I’m going to talk to him about trying this for real. It’s hard when I’m worried that one day, he’ll realize I’m not his type and walk away.”

  “You have to trust he’s not that shallow. You’re one of my favorite humans, beautiful on the inside and out, but don’t let your head get so far up your ass you hurt him. That’s my only warning, and I won’t say another word.” She walked over and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. “I love you, Lex. That never changes.”

  I squeezed her back, her words weighing heavy on me. They were the truth I needed to hear. “You too, Charley.”

  She patted my butt and pulled back. “I’ll give you both two hours and then we’re going to the beach. I don’t care if you’re boning or not—you’re still hanging out with me.”

  I snorted. “Never change, please.”

  “Not in my plans, don’t worry.” She sauntered down the hall, and shadows danced under Will’s door. He must be up! My breath caught in my throat at seeing him face to face, and I busied myself with getting the eggs and bread out. Every sound made me turn around, and finally, after three minutes, he came into the kitchen wearing athletic shorts, shoes, and headphones.

  God, his stomach was a work of art. I licked my lips only to meet his hard, icy gaze. Wait. Why is he looking at me like that?

  “G-good morning,” I said. My mind reeled as I tried to figure out the cause of that cold look. “I’m m-making you breakfast.”

  He looked at the pan then the shirt I took from to wear him before he clenched his jaw. “I’m going for a run.”

  “Will, are you...upset?” I wrung my fingers together, on the verge of tears after seeing the cold way he looked at me. Even as friends, he never had this much anger in his eyes. “I wasn’t running away. I wanted some food.”

  “We’ll talk after I run a few miles. I need the release.”

  He didn’t stick around after that. He walked out of the condo, leaving me in absolute panic. He was done. He was done with me and wanted out but wasn’t sure how to tell me. I gulped and gripped the edge of the counter to not fall down. My eyes watered. I felt so stupid. It was a few days with him. That was all.

  He’s my dream guy.

  Nausea hit me, and I gagged, taking a long breath to pull air into my lungs. I knew us fooling around wouldn’t last. I wasn’t his typical girl and to think we could be more was foolish and naïve. Sex must not mean feelings to him l
ike it did to me.

  I was a fucking idiot.

  Wiping my eyes and blowing my nose, I put away the food with shaky hands and grabbed a granola bar before retreating into my room. Charley said this was on us if it went badly, and well, I didn’t expect it to happen so soon, but she was right.

  I let myself get too deep with him way too fast, and I had to pull it together. When we got back from vacation, I’d tell him he was off the hook. He could be my New Year’s kiss, my holiday fling, but that was it. That’s all I would get from him.

  * * * *

  The knock on my door sent a bolt of dread straight to my heart. I wore my swimsuit and coverup with a large hat, and I had braided my hair down the side--but most importantly, I plastered a large fake smile. “Hey Will, you have a good run?”

  “Not really.” He scanned my outfit and flared his nostrils twice before he winced. I held up a hand, stopping him before he could utter the words to break my heart further.

  “There’s no need to say anything, really.” My hand shook, so I crossed my arms instead. “I understood this was a temporary thing, a fun, sexy moment between us, but I’m under no illusions this was real. So, don’t worry about ending it or hurting me. I’m fine with what happened and hope we can still be friends.”

  There, I said it. I smiled despite the urge to cry and waited for him to respond.

  He ran a hand over his jaw, his sweaty and bare stomach still on display, and he shook his head. “That’s what you think?”

  “Y-yes,” I said, standing straighter and holding his gaze.

  “Fine.” He swallowed, gave me one long look that made me clench my legs together, and he left for his room. Before he got all the way out the door, he put a hand on the frame and shook his head at me. Disappointment rolled off him in waves. “You were so worried about getting hurt that you damn well made sure you hurt me first.”

  The shock of his statement turned my blood to ice. “Wait,” I said. There was no way… how could he think that? He was the one who ran out after glaring at me. “Will…”

  “No, you said what you felt, and I did too. I’m done.” He pressed his lips together and looked so sad. An entirely new wave of regret numbed me as he went into his room and shut his door.

  He thought I hurt him? How was that possible? I fell onto my bed, confused and upset at what the hell happened. Last night was special, something I’d never forget, and this morning was awful. Will meant more to me than just a hook-up. He’d been a part of my life for decades, so it was unacceptable for us to end with hurt feelings and confusion.

  I was missing something, and I needed to find out what.

  His door was locked, but I banged on it until he opened the door in a towel. Shit, I forgot how distracting his body was when he showed skin, but I focused on his face. His jaw was tight and his eyes blank, like he was trying to act as aloof as possible with me. I called bullshit.

  “Let me in.”

  “Why?”

  “Because last night meant something to me, and for you to go a complete one-eighty… I want to understand. We’re friends, Will, and if we leave this trip knowing this was a holiday fling, then fine. We both agree on it, and we can move forward being friends. But honestly…” I paused, terrified and nervous. Not like it mattered—I knew I had to put everything on the line.

  “I want you. I want more.” I gulped and waited, hoping he’d smile or wink or drop the towel. Any combination of those would work, but instead he stared at me with an unreadable expression. “I’ve always had a crush on you from afar, and when you suggested we do this… I had to say yes. But you made me feel cherished and safe, and I think…I think I can do those things for you too.”

  “Come here, Lex.” He pulled me into a hug, his sweaty chest pressed against my face. When he wrapped his arms around me, he let out a big sigh. “I want more of you too.”

  Every muscle in my body relaxed, and I sighed. “Thank god.”

  He chuckled and tilted my head up so we were face to face. He grinned my favorite Will smile, all teeth and dimples, and he pressed his lips to mine in a slow, dangerous kiss. “I overheard your conversation with Charley, well, parts of it, and your comments pissed me off. I went on a run to gather my thoughts before talking to you, but when I got back, you seemed to want to stop things between us.”

  “No. No!” I shook my head and dug my nails into his back to prevent him from ending the embrace. It seemed to make him smile more, so I continued. “I said those things because I assumed you were going to end this after how mad you looked earlier. It was easier to call this off before I got hurt… which wasn’t fair.”

  “It’s not, Lexi. I know your ex did a number on you, but I’m not that guy. Just like I know you’re not going to take pictures of me or sell stories to tabloids. The most important thing I need in a partner is trust, and baby, I’d trust you with my soul. This needs to go both ways though, okay?”

  I blinked a few times as the emotion in his voice got me feeling all tight. “Yes, I do. I will.”

  “Good, because I’d like to get you naked again before I have to see you in this sexy-as-hell suit all day.” He wiggled his brows, and I giggled.

  “So, we’re dating. You and me,” I said, my heart exploding with happiness.

  I groaned when he slid one strap off my shoulder, stopping myself from jumping onto him.

  “Yup. Exclusively, please.” He slid the other and gave me a heart-stopping smile. “You’re perfect for me, Lex, and I think I’m good for you too.”

  Yeah, he definitely was.

  As he stripped me down and pushed me onto the bed, my heart thundered in my chest, but it wasn't from worry, regrets, or second thoughts. It was from lust and hope. Giddy didn’t begin to describe it. My dream guy, the wonderful, kind man I’d known for years was into me as much as I was into him. We would try this for real, and while giving him my emotions and my body terrified me, it was exhilarating. Instead of focusing on all the ways we couldn’t work, I was going to focus on all the ways it could. Dating Will was going to be an adventure, and I was in it for the long haul.

  Chapter Ten

  One year later…

  Will

  Charley got the same condo as the year before and spent the entire morning distracting Lexi with shopping and pedicures. Visiting this place for New Years was going to be our yearly thing, the one time the three of us got together no matter what. Charley was tenacious, and even though I knew Lexi would’ve preferred sitting on the beach or walking in the water, she’d do what my sister wanted. It was perfect though because her absence meant I could get everything set up.

  It was the day.

  I was going to propose to Lexi and ask her to be my wife.

  My sister’s best friend, the girl who I grew up around, had become the love of my goddamn life, and the ring was heavy in my hand. Coming home to her, talking to her, and getting to be myself with her all the time was a gift I never realized I was missing.

  And the woman’s curves were mouthwatering.

  I couldn’t imagine living without the happiness of being with her. Now, I needed to make it permanent, starting with asking her to be my wife. I lit two candles and paced the main living room of the condo, eyeing my watch like a madman. Charley said she’d be back five minutes ago, and if my sister was up to one of her schemes… I gritted my teeth, pocketed the ring, and stared out the window. Relief flooded my veins at seeing Charley and Lexi walking up to the door, a huge smile on my girl’s face. My nerves disappeared.

  We were good together, and if she said no, then we’d wait. It was that simple. There was no way we would end what we had. After living together for three months, I could envision a life with her. She walked inside, and her eyes lit up when she saw me.

  “Hey, Will. Oh, what’s this?” She eyed the candles and the flowers I’d put out before her lips parted.

  “I’ll come back in an hour,” Charley said, wrapping her arm around Lexi’s shoulders in a quick hug. “Gah! I
can’t believe it. Okay, bye!” She left, meaning it was showtime.

  I glared at my sister for a second before moving in front of Lexi and getting down on one knee. Her eyes widened, and she pressed her lips together before swallowing loudly.

  “Lexi, I love you so fucking much. Life with you the past year has been the best, and I don’t want it to end. I want more trips, more laughter, and more stripteases like that time at the rooftop bar.”

  She rolled her eyes and laughed like I wanted her to before she gripped my hand tight. Her full lips trembled, and I stood up, unable to wait any longer. With my face inches from hers, I cupped the back of her head. “Will you marry me?”

  “Yes!” She closed the distance between us and kissed me with so much heat and energy that my heart swelled in my chest. I kissed her long and soft until my lips hurt, and my forehead beaded with sweat before I got the ring out of my pocket and slid it on her thin finger. The diamond band looked good there. Before I could lift her up, Charley burst in the door and threw her arms around us.

  “Ohmygod! You’re going to be my sister in law! I knew bringing you here last year was a fucking good idea. I planned this, so you both owe me.”

  My gaze met Lexi’s, and her soft brown eyes warmed.

  “Yeah, we do,” I said, squeezing both women tight and feeling like the luckiest bastard alive.

  Also by Jaqueline Snowe:

  Moo U Series (Sarina Bowen’s World of True North

  Holdout

  Cleat Chaser Series

  Challenge Accepted

  The Game Changer

  Best Player

  No Easy Catch

  Out of the Park Series

  Evening the Score

  Sliding Home

  Rounding the Bases

  Shut up and Kiss Me Series

  Internship with the Devil

  Teaching with the Enemy

  Take a Chance on Me