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She already knew he wasn’t going to be her boyfriend. He didn’t need to underline that by letting her wake up alone after their night together. But now, in the quiet, his brain was going into overdrive. He’d fuckedO’Neal Lory.Virginity might be a social construct, but first times were a big deal, especially for someone like O’Neal, who’d grown up in a world where her sexual purity had been lauded as her most prized possession. He had never been with a virgin, even when he’d been a virgin. The weight of that felt so much heavier in the morning light. He’d been her first kiss and her first lover. And she’d admitted that she’d had a crush on him at some point. The risk of hurting her was real.
But he couldn’t be the kind of guy she needed even if he wanted to do the boyfriend thing. He’d discovered things about himself over the past few years that he couldn’t ignore. Things that he was still working through. Some he’d happily share with O’Neal, but others…others would change her opinion about him. She’d never look at him the same way. He’d scare her. He’d already crossed too many lines with her last night.
He’d enjoyed the hell out of every minute because goddamn, she was something, but the dynamic was uneven. Her inexperience gave him too much power. He could tell her anything was normal, and she’d probably believe him. He had resisted doing that last night, had tried to be honest about what had happened in the car, but the temptation was strong.Sure, O’Neal, lots of people give their lovers orders and get off on being in charge. Sure, lots of guys share women with their roommates and enjoy watching them with someone else. And of course, it’s totally fine for a guy to sometimes get off on pretending to force a girl in bed.
He closed his eyes and groaned softly. He could picture the horrified look on her face. She liked him because he was the nice guy, the literal boy next door. He’d shatter all those illusions. He didn’t want that. Part of him really liked how she saw him. But even knowing all that, he didn’t want last night to be their only time together. He’d enjoyed every second with her. Maybe he could manage vanilla for a while, maybe…
The bedroom door swung open with a sharp squeak, and Auden’s eyelids flew open. Lennox slipped into the room like a cat burglar.
Auden sat up and glanced at O’Neal’s still sleeping form.
“What the hell, man?” Aud asked, keeping his voice low.
“Dude,” Len whispered, rushing over and crouching down next to the bed. “You gotta get up.”
“You can’t just walk into my room and—”
“Doesn’t your mom drive a white Tesla?” he went on.
That stopped him in his tracks. “Yeah, why?”
“I think she and your sister just parked out front. I was taking out the trash and saw them turn in. You’ve got about thirty seconds before they knock.” He glanced meaningfully at O’Neal. “I’m guessing you don’t want lil’ sis knowing you just devirginized her BFF.”
Panic zipped through Auden, and he flipped the comforter off himself. “Shit.”
“Hmm,” O’Neal said sleepily as she turned over.
Lennox stood. “Sweets, Auden’s mom and sister are outside.”
O’Neal’s eyelids flew open. “They’rewhat?”
Auden was already on his feet and yanking open a drawer to grab a pair of track pants, his mind racing. His mom had a penchant for surprise visits, but if he didn’t hurry, this time he was going to surprise her back. “I’ll go. You stay in here.”
There was a knock on the front door.
O’Neal sat up, pulling the covers up to her neck, a freaked-out look on her face. “What are they doing here?”
“I don’t know. Surprising me with breakfast or something? Spying on me?” he said in a rush. “Havingimpeccable fucking timing?”
“Go answer it. Get them out of here,” Lennox said. “If they aren’t here for breakfast, take them to one. I’ll take O’Neal to my room and drive her home when y’all leave.”
“Right.” Auden looked to O’Neal after pulling on a T-shirt. He leaned down to give her a quick kiss. “I’m sorry.”
She shook her head. “It’s fine. Just…take care of it. Please don’t let Maya find out. She’ll freak.”
Auden frowned, another thought hitting him. “If they drove all the way out here, they’re going to want to check on you too. Have an excuse prepared if they call you.”
She winced. “Crap.”
Auden gave Lennox atake care of herlook and then hustled out.
* * *
O’Neal tookLennox’s offered hand and got out of bed, relieved that she’d borrowed a pair of boxers and a T-shirt from Auden last night. She grabbed her phone and swept up her clothes and shoes from the floor. Then, they both hurried out of Auden’s room and into Len’s.
Lennox shut the door behind them just as she heard Auden open the front door and welcome someone. She pressed her fingers over her mouth, afraid she’d make a noise.
Len gave her a little smile and said softly, “Breathe, Sweets. They’re not going to come into my room. Auden will tell them I’m sleeping in. And you didn’t drive your car here. You’re fine. They can’t hear us back here.”
