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“I mean he needs to ask me out.”

“Or you could ask him out. Maybe he’s shy. Or he doesn’t want to be unprofessional.”

She chews her lip. “I would be so unprofessional with him.”

I laugh and start folding boxes to pass to her.

“For real though. I’ve been reading fantasy and my brain is running overtime.” She sighs. “What’s happening with you and your Ashford?”

I narrowly avoid ripping the box I’m prepping as adrenaline unloads through my veins. “You won’t believe what that asshole did to my shifter—”

“Theo sabotaged your car?!” I realize my mistake too late. Her eyes narrow. “I thought you were vibing with Theo.”

“We are.” There’s a stack of six boxes next to Bree and only four pies.

My friend gasps. “Are you thinking about Jameson?”

“No! But…” I tell her about the car feud.

Her eyes are gleaming before I finish. “So Jameson Ashford broke into the Fastback, your baby, and made it his.”

“It’s deranged.”

“It’s sexy as hell. Welcome to your villain origin story.” Bree makes a purring sound. “Can’t you picture him under the hood with his sleeves rolled up, getting grease on his designer shirt and giving zero fucks?”

I shift on my feet. As natural as it is to put the words Jameson and fuck in the same sentence, I shiver when she does.

Sure, he’s gorgeous. He’s also arrogant, cold, and completely insufferable.

“It’s like this one book I was reading,” she goes on. “We have the charming playboy brother. And the strong silent one…”

“Not silent enough.”

“My point is, older brother’s always endgame. It’s practically canon.”

I give her my best side-eye as a stray blueberry falls off the edge of a pie crust. I pop it in my mouth, sucking on its sweetness before swallowing.

“Not this time,” I promise.

Today, we’re on a beach. He’s shirtless, and he’s kissing down my neck.

Somehow, I’m only in a bra and panties. It still feels like way too many clothes.

His voice hums along my skin. “You feel so damn good. Going to find out everything about you.”

I’m lying in bed, halfway between asleep and awake. It’s morning but no alarm yet, which means I don’t have to tear myself out of this place.

I’ve been amped all week, my stress over school and this car feud and flirting with Theo colliding. I slide a hand down my pajamas and settle between my thighs.

Yes. Right there.

His head moves lower. He drags down my bra, lips skimming my breast. My eyes squeeze shut and I press harder against my clit.

Pleasure races through my veins. Since it’s my fantasy, everything he does feels addictive.

Damn, imaginary guys are good in bed.

I feel his cock between my thighs, grinding impatiently like he wants me to feel every inch of him.