I take that as my green light and hold her gaze as I skim my hand down her neck, across the swell of her breasts and the peak of each nipple. She leans into my hand and moans softly at the light friction.

“I can’t give you anything but friendship right now,” she says, even as she leans into my touch.

“I’ll take it.”

“We really could be great friends.”

I roll her nipple under my thumb. “The best.”

“We should do that, then.” She gasps when I pinch her opposite nipple. “Is this breaking the rules?”

“Only if you say it is.” I trail my fingers between her breasts and over her stomach, slipping them beneath the waistband of her flannel pants. “What do you say? Is this allowed?”

She lifts her hips off the couch. An invitation.

I stroke back and forth beneath the elastic and circle her navel with my thumb. “This is your call, Shayleigh. You make the rules.”

“I can’t be . . .” She squirms under my hand, no doubt fighting the instinct to guide my hand where she needs it. “It’s not fair to you. I might not even live here much longer.”

The idea of her leaving is a kick in the chest, but I push that pain aside. “As your best friend, I’m sure I won’t want you to leave whether I touch you tonight or not.”

Her eyes are closed and her tongue darts out to graze her bottom lip. I can barely breathe I want her so badly.

“Can your best friend touch you?” I ask, hearing the desperation in my voice. “Can I make you come?”

She opens her eyes and searches my face. “Please?”

That’s all I need. I cup her between her legs. She’s so wet, and I’ve barely started. She parts her legs for me, giving me easier access to her slick folds. I circle her entrance. Once. Twice. She whimpers, and I plunge a finger inside her. She’s so hot and wet and tight. Her eyes shut again, and those soft pink lips part. I want to kiss her, but the way our bodies are positioned, I can’t, so I watch, my gaze switching between the way she’s moving against my hand and the pleasure on her face.

I stroke her cheek with my free hand. I wasn’t lying that night at the bar when I told her I wanted her to choose me, but I lied when I implied I wouldn’t play dirty to get her there. We’ve spent too many years apart, and if the insane chemistry we’ve always had is what’s going to make her give this a chance, then I’ll use it to my full advantage.

I add a second finger to the first and find her clit with my thumb. Her body clenches tightly, and blood pulses to my cock.