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

PART 4 CHAPTER 170 JESS

The warmth in Eric's cabin settled around me like a blanket, the steady crackling of the fire adding a comforting rhythmn to the quiet. I took a deep breath, feeling the familiar flutter of nerves, but I pushed them down, determined

to just enjoy this night. I reached for the bottle of red wine on the kitchen counter and poured two glasses, watching the rich liquid swirl in the firelight.

Eric was crouched by the fireplace, adding another log. He'd been so incredibly patient, never pushing me or making me feel like I had to rush. It was nice-calming in a way I wasn't used to.

Taking a deep breath, I walked over and settled onto the thick rug beside him, handing him his glass. He turned to me, his eyes crinkling as he accepted it. "To a perfect night," I said, raising my glass. His smile grew, and he clinked his glass to mine.

I took a sip, savoring the warmth spreading through me as the wine mixed with the fire's heat. "This place is beautiful," I said, taking in the cabin. "When you said 'cabin,' I'll admit I thought you meant some small, spider- filled shack with no electricity. But this... this is gorgeous."

He laughed, his dimples deepening. "I'm Glad it lives up to your expectations. I designed it myself years ago, and I wanted something entirely off the grid." He gestured around the room, pride shining in his eyes. "It lets me stay out here, away from everything." I nodded, impressed. "How do you work with no signal out here?"

"In the winter, I spend more time in the city," he explained, his tone easy, "because the weather messes with the signal. But come summer, I'm here, and the connection is usually great."

I glanced at my phone, where my messages were still stubbornly unsent. "No luck for me, though," I muttered, a little more disappointed than I wanted to admit.

Eric shrugged, smiling. "It'll probably go through in the morning. The weather's been unpredictable."

I nodded, letting it go. The fire had warmed the entire cabin, and I slipped off my coat, draping it over the arm of a nearby chair. I noticed Eric's gaze flicker to my shoulder, where the thin strap of my tank top clung snugly against my skin. I'd picked it on purpose, a small reminder to myself of why I was here.

This is what I wanted, I reminded myself, taking another sip of wine. Eric had waited and had been nothing but understanding and gentle, and tonight, I wanted him to see I was ready for this.

We just sat like that, sipping wine and listening to the wind and the fire crackle. The last bit of light filtered out, and the cabin became this cozy little haven.

I was about to say something when Eric took my glass of wine and placed it on the table behind me, leaning over me. I stared at him, then his mouth and back up to his eyes.

Eric leaned in. His lips were soft at first, his kiss tender and inviting. I leaned into it, trying to let go of the fluttering nerves twisting inside me. He deepened the kiss, his tongue grazing

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mine. His hands moved to my waist, fingertips slipping just beneath my shirt. His mouth traveled down my neck, warm breath ghosting over my skin. My body stiffened as I tried to relax, to be present, but something just wouldn't let me.

He pulled back slightly, eyes searching mine. "Relax, Jess," he murmured, his voice soft and steady. "We don't have to do anything you're not ready for. I know it's been... a while. You can trust me."

I swallowed, feeling my pulse race even as I nodded. "It's not that," I said quickly, scrambling for an excuse. "I, um... I think I just forgot something upstairs. Give me one sec?"

I shot to my feet and made a beeline for the stairs, clutching my phone and hurrying up to the small bedroom. The polished wood floor was cool beneath my feet. I placed my phone on the dresser and stared at my reflection, catching my own wide- eyed, slightly flushed face. I took a deep breath, hands braced on the edge of the dresser.

"Come on, Jess," I whispered, closing my eyes for a second to steady my breathing. "You're ready for this. You like him; he's a good guy. This is normal, so why are you acting like you've never done this before?"

My eyes drifted down, and I found myself laughing softly. It's not like you're some clueless teenager; you're an adult, and you've had sex before. But the thought only brought Aiden's face flashing into my mind, then Luke's, both tangled somewhere in my memories. But the Aiden and... Luke. I shook my head, trying to shove them both from my thoughts.

"Okay, no thinking about Luke or Aiden," I muttered. "Think

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PART 4 CHAPTER 170

about Eric. Erio. He's here now, and he's everything I said I wanted.

I gave myself a firm nod, exhaling as I straightened my shoulders. I could do this; I wanted to do this. Eric was a genuinely nice guy, thoughtful, patient-everything I'd told myself I needed. So why did I still feel so... off?

Pushing down the last tendrils of hesitation, I smoothed my hands over my top and squared my shoulders. This was my choice, my decision. I wanted to be with Eric. I had to focus on him and let the rest of it go. I could do that. I would do that.

I took one last look in the mirror, willing my nerves to settle. "It's Eric," I whispered. "Just think about E