Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card (Jessie and Luke)

COOKIES

LUKE

Darkness swallowed me whole.

The water was frigid, cutting into my skin like shards of broken glass. I fought to find the surface, my arms thrashing through the black abyss. My chest burned, my lungs clawing for air, but no matter how hard I kicked. I couldn't tell which way was up. I was lost.

Panic wrapped around me like chains, dragging me deeper. The cold pressed in on all sides, suffocating and relentless. Jess's face flashed in my mind-her smile, her laugh, the way she looked at me like I was worth something. I'd never see her again.

The thought was more suffocating than the water filling my lungs.

I was drowning.

My chest seized, my heart pounding like a drum, faster, harder-until suddenly, everything stopped.

I jerked awake, snapping back to reality like a ripcord yanked too hard.

Air rushed into my lungs, sharp and hot, and I doubled over, my palms finding the wooden floor. It was cool beneath my palms and real. Rock solid and real.

My chest heaved as I fought to breathe, my skin slick with sweat.

17.560

COOKIES

288 Mouchers

Every inch of me trembled, the nightmare's icy grip refusing to let go.

It wasn't real. It wasn't real. It was a dream. No, it was a nightmare.

I forced it in through my nose and blew out through my mouth.

I dragged a hand over my face, trying to shake off the lingering echoes. of the cold. My heart still thundered, but another sensation crept in-a

warm, sweet smell.

Cookies?

I pulled myself back onto the couch and looked around. It was dark outside. I must have passed out on the couch, so I made a mental note to drag Jess back to this couch for something other than sleeping. The reality of my surroundings settled in slowly-Jess's touch everywhere, from the soft throw blanket draped over the couch to the framed photos on the walls.

This was home.

Swinging my legs off the couch, I stood and made my way toward the kitchen. The sound of her humming softly reached my ears, grounding me with every step. As I entered, Jess turned, saw me, and gasped.

"Luke!" she squeaked, clutching a spoon to her chest like a weapon.

Her startled expression made me grin, and the tension in my chest eased a little. "I didn't mean to scare you," I said, my voice still rough from sleep.

She relaxed, laughing at herself as she set the spoon down. "You didn't scare me okay, maybe just a little. But what are you doing creeping around?" 17.56

COOKIES

288 Vouchers

"Smelled cookies," I replied, leaning against the doorframe.

Jess smiled, her blue eyes sparkling with amusement. "Cookies, huh?"

"For dinner?" I teased, arching a brow.

She was wearing one of my T-shirts, although she's been wearing it a lot, it seems. Even with her pregnant belly, it's way too big for her, hanging off one shoulder.

"Did I tell you how insanely sexy you are in that t-shirt?" I asked, leaning over the dining room table. Jess blushed and fuck if that wasn't the most beautiful thing I've seen...

She laughed softly, the sound wrapping around me like a balm. "If you want cookies for dinner, you can just say so-no need to filter me. I'm basically a humane incubator right now, and there's nothing sexy about me."

"You are not a human incubator - well, technically - but that's not what you look like to me. I'd choose you over a chocolate chip cookie any day..."I bit into one that was hot

and sticky from the oven, closing my eyes and savoring the taste of chocolate. "Okay, maybe I'd take the cookie today, but tomorrow - tomorrow I'd choose you. Promise. "I grinned, chewing.

"How about a chocolate chip cookie over steak?" Jess smiled, and I stopped chewing - dead serious now.

Relief washed over me. "What I wouldn't give for a steak right now."

I crossed the room in a few strides, closing the distance between us. She didn't move, her gaze steady and full of warmth as I reached for her. I pulled her to me, her soft hands coming up to cup my face. Her eyes searched mine, the worry clear. "You okay, babe?" she asked, her voice quiet but steady.

COOKIES

1288 Vouchers

Instead of answering, I leaned down and kissed her. Slow, deep, letting her ground me in a way nothing else ever could. When I finally pulled back, I rested my forehead against hers.

"I am now," I murmured.

Her smile lit up the room, and for the first time all day, the weight on my chest didn't feel so crushing.

SHOWER