Avoiding Temptation

by Van Dyken, Rachel

  As the memory of my high school geometry teacher’s voice droned in my head, addressing my immediate situation, Tatum disappeared for a minute and came back into the living room with a large fluffy pink blanket. We didn’t talk as we sat on the couch.

  I turned on Netflix.

  And she put her head on my shoulder.

  And for the first time in my entire life, I was okay with holding back, with just being near her even though it was physically painful.

  Like I said, worth it.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Tatum

  I held his hand under the blanket like I was back in high school, trying to hide from Finn.

  And Slater held on to me, squeezed my fingertips tight.

  An hour later, when we were into episode two of Dead to Me, Finn came strolling into the room with what smelled like Chinese takeout.

  I leaped off the couch. “Is that for us?”

  “I’m disappointed.” Slater laughed. “You said you were cooking?”

  “But—” I flashed a smile at my brother. “Fried pork!”

  Finn rolled his eyes with a grin. “I got you fried pork, yes, and I got Slater his weird-ass dumpling roll things.”

  “They aren’t weird,” Slater grumbled, getting to his feet.

  I nearly choked when I realized he still looked ready to pound nails into the first surface that he encountered.

  Luckily, Finn was digging in the bag.

  I tossed the penguin at Slater and pointed down.

  He gave me a what look, then quickly turned around and made a beeline to his bedroom, dropping the penguin back on the couch in the process.

  “What’s his problem?” Finn laughed as he pulled out all the takeout.

  My mouth watered. “Who knows? I’ve been forcing him to binge-watch with me—he knows it makes me feel better.”

  Finn hesitated and then glanced up at me. “At least we have each other.”

  “Yeah.” My voice shook. “We do.”

  “You look happy, Tatum. I’m glad you’re liking school here. You making friends?”

  “Yeah.” I needed to tell him, someone needed to tell him. “I mean you’re my friend, Slater’s my friend—”

  “Slater!” He barked out a laugh. “Yeah, Slater doesn’t have friends who are girls, trust me, I mean I guess if you count Shawn his ex-roommate, but other than that, he doesn’t do it. Girls tend to get the wrong idea, you know?”

  Yeah, I could totally see that.

  But this was different.

  “Did you start a new show without me?” Finn asked, interrupting my guilty thoughts.

  “Sorry,” I grumbled. “But—”

  He cut me off with a shake of his head. “I can’t believe you would binge without me. Are we not family anymore? What did you do? Find a replacement brother?” Another laugh erupted while I died a bit inside, nope, not a replacement brother.

  So not the time to confess anything.

  Slater reappeared in some low-slung sweats and a tank that showed off his impressive biceps, and I wondered how good he would taste if I just dipped him in soy sauce and licked.

  He knew I was staring if his smirk was any indication. And yes, I may have stared at his ass in those gray sweats as he grabbed his food and then returned to the couch.

  After some arguing, we decided we’d continue with episode two and catch Finn up.

  I tried to sit near Slater, but Finn grabbed me and sat me directly in between them, where the fires of hell lived.

  Where I existed.

  I gulped and tried to eat despite the sand in my mouth, despite the fact that my brother was to my left, Slater to my right.

  The lights were down low.

  The blanket was on.

  And since I couldn’t stomach any more food, I put it down on the table and leaned back, holding my penguin as a barrier between Finn and me.

  I slid my right hand under the blanket and touched Slater’s thigh.

  He stiffened, but his face gave nothing away.

  I inched my fingertips higher. He seemed to stop breathing.

  I kept going, pressing my palm against the front of his sweats. He shifted in his seat like he was getting more comfortable, and I used that opportunity to slide my hand under the waistband.

  No briefs.

  No boxers.

  He let out a rough exhale.

  And I gripped. Hard.

  His right leg jerked.

  “Dude, if you’re sleeping and jolting awake, I’m going to strangle you.” Finn didn’t look our way.

  “Sorry.” Slater’s voice sounded drugged. “I was just trying to get comfortable, at least I’m not stuck with the penguin.”

  Finn patted the penguin and kept watching while I moved my hand up and down.

  Slater grit his teeth but said nothing.

  I was about to increase my movements when Finn suddenly paused the TV. I jerked my hand away innocently.

  “Guys, we need to talk.” Finn sighed. “I’ve been trying to act like it’s not a big deal, but it is…”

  No, oh no. Tears filled my eyes. The guilt was almost too much.

  “I’m so sorry!” I blurted, earning a panicked look from Slater, who looked ready to join in and then fall to the ground and beg for forgiveness.

  Finn gave me a funny look. His blue eyes narrowed. “Tatum, it’s not your fault.”

  “It’s not his fault either,” I said defensively.

  “Damn right it is!” He roared. “Men are supposed to be leaders. I expected more of him!”

  “Bro—” Slater’s voice interrupted. He released a slow sigh. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

  “It is what it is, you know?” Finn grimaced. “I just never thought that it would happen to us is all?”

  “Er…” I shot a look toward Slater. “Us?”

  “Yeah,” Finn looked ready to throw the remote. “I mean, Mom and Dad have no right to be so immature. We shouldn’t have to be the parents in this scenario. Mom knew better than to clean out your room as if you never existed. She did the same to me. I just don’t understand how money can make people so stupid and mean.”

  I reached for his hand, part of me relieved that he wasn’t talking about what I had thought he was talking about. “Like you said, we have each other.”

  Finn pulled me in for a hug. “I’d do anything for you, baby sis. I love you.”

  Slater stood. “Hey, guys, I think you should spend some time together, I’m going to go work on a paper…”

  He didn’t have a paper. I’d asked him earlier about homework.

  I frowned, suddenly defeated.

  He shook his head slowly.

  And I knew.

  He was ending this.

  Whatever it was.

  The sneaking around.

  The touching.

  The kissing.

  “I’m sorry,” he mouthed.

  And then he was back in the room, the door shut behind him.

  “What was that about?” Finn asked.

  “Hm?”

  Finn jerked his head toward the door. “Slater just seemed bummed.”

  “He’s…” I didn’t know what to say. “It’s been a long day, that’s all, and you know he didn’t sleep much last night because he was trying to make sure I was okay.”

  “Ass better have slept on the floor.”

  I smiled at that. “Does it really matter that much to you? I mean obviously, he’s your best friend for a reason—you rarely tolerate people who annoy you or you who you don’t trust.”

  “Yeah, but…” Finn’s eyes flashed. “You deserve better.”

  “Better than Slater? Your best friend?” I challenged.

  “Yes,” he snapped. “You haven’t seen the trail of girls he’s gone through.”

  “Is it as long as yours?”

  “Very funny.”

  “You shouldn’t throw stones from a glass house, brother.” I patted him on the shoulder.

  He grimaced. “It
’s different.”

  “It’s not, but I’ll let you win this one because I know you’re sad about Mom and Dad.”

  He let out a ragged exhale and pulled me in for another hug. “Thanks.”

  “You’re crushing my penguin.”

  “Where the hell did you find this anyway?” He pulled back and shook the penguin in my face.

  “Oh um,” My cheeks heated. “Slater actually surprised me with it.”

  “He did?” Finn said it slowly. “He went and bought you a stuffed penguin in between classes today?”

  “Yeah.” I gulped.

  “Huh.” Finn tossed me the penguin and yawned. “I think I might go to bed too.”

  “All right.” I made my way over to my room and quickly shut the door, then grabbed my phone and sent off a message.

  UnluckyinLove: Hey, I want to see you.

  Slater8: I don’t know if that’s a good plan…

  UnluckyinLove: Please?

  Slater8: You grossly overestimate my ability to slither across the living room and into your arms without detection.

  UnluckyinLove: Just tell Finn you’re sick and sprint in my direction.

  Slater8: Because nothing says midnight rendezvous more than puke.

  UnluckyinLove: Oh, I’m sorry, did you have a better plan?

  Slater8: Yes, not sneaking around and having an actual discussion with him, so he knows that this isn’t a fling between us.

  UnluckyinLove: It’s not a fling.

  Slater8: I literally just said that.

  UnluckyinLove: I just wanted to repeat it, because it’s true, because it terrifies me—how much I care about you.

  Slater8: Damn it, brb I’m going to go tell your brother I’m puking my guts out and may crap my pants.

  UnluckyinLove: Be still my beating heart! MY HERO!

  Slater8: …

  He must have figured out something because seconds later I jerked open my door to find Slater literally crawling behind the couch toward me.

  It was unfortunate that Finn chose that moment to open the door and stare across the living room at me.

  Slater paused; I could see his lips moving like he was cursing me to hell.

  “You’re still up?” Finn leaned against the door.

  “Yeah.” I fake yawned. “I just thought I heard something.”

  “Slater’s got the shits.” He said it so nonchalant that I burst out laughing even though I knew it wasn’t true. My brother would stop at nothing to shove me away from his friend, wouldn’t he?

  “That’s… too bad.” I said when I finally stopped laughing.

  Slater held up two middle fingers behind the couch.

  “I was thinking,” Finn said slowly. Oh good, he’d been thinking. Meanwhile, Slater had fake diarrhea and was hiding behind the couch like a criminal.

  “Can it wait until the morning?” I asked, yawning again. Get the picture, bro!

  “I’ll be quick. It was more of just an idea. You know great Aunt Nadine?”

  I smirked. “I think the world knows her, but yes.”

  “She’s back from her cruise in Panama and was texting me selfies that I don’t care to discuss considering the content, I think she got my number confused with someone else.” He shuddered. “At any rate, you know how much she loves you—and hates our parents just as much as Grandma did—what do you say we go visit her this weekend? Go out to dinner? See the cousins?”

  It was the best idea he could have possibly had. I felt myself instantly relax. “You mean it?”

  He frowned. “Of course, family’s important, and you know they’ve always been closer to us than our own parents anyway, I mean Mom and Dad went to Aspen for Christmas while we stayed at Jake and Char’s house last year.”

  “True.” I sighed happily. “I love the idea. I think we should bring Slater.”

  Finn’s head jerked up. “Bring Slater? Why?”

  “Because, Aunt Nadine,” I said triumphantly. “And I think the entertainment will be worth it.”

  He cackled out a laugh. “Yeah that’s brilliant, all right I’ll let her know. I promise we’ll get through this, all right?”

  “Yeah.”

  He started to shut the door.

  “Hey, Finn, one more thing…”

  “What’s up?”

  “I have a crush on a guy.”

  “I’ll kill him!” he roared.

  “Stop.” I held up my hands. “I just need you to know that I like someone, and that my choices are my own, and that eventually, you’re going to have to understand that I’m not the same little girl I was anymore, all right? I don’t want to go behind your back.”

  His jaw clenched. “Who is this dick-faced seducer of innocents?”

  I gaped. “Was that a British accent?”

  “Who!” His fists clenched.

  “I’ll tell you when I’m ready. I just want your word you won’t kill him.”

  He stared at me in angered silence.

  “Tatum…” he growled.

  “Your word, or I’m going to show him my boobs and run off to Las Vegas and make a living as a stripper.”

  Finn cursed under his breath and mumbled. “I won’t kill him.”

  “What was that? A little louder for the people in back?”

  He glared. “I won’t kill him. Happy?”

  “Extremely.” I grinned cheekily. “Now off to bed with you.”

  He rolled his eyes and shut the door quietly behind him, while I opened my own door and reached for Slater’s hand, jerking him inside my room and slamming the door closed, locking us in.

  His mouth was on mine in seconds, his tongue twisting with mine, his hands in my hair, pulling, tugging. He tasted like minty toothpaste, I wanted to lick him from the inside out.

  We broke apart. Slater’s chest heaved as he cupped my chin. “So, at least he won’t kill me?”

  “Oh that, I was talking about my other boyfriend.”

  His eyes lit up. “So, I’m your boyfriend now?”

  My jaw dropped. “N-no I mean—”

  He silenced me with another kiss and smiled against my lips. “I like it. I want to be your boyfriend. I want to be a lot of things to you. And I promise I’m not going to fuck it up like the asshole that you left.”

  For some reason, that made me feel like crying. “I know you won’t.”

  “So now that I’m apparently losing control of all bodily functions in the bathroom…” He reached for my silky camisole and peeled it off my body. “I should make good use of my time.”

  My eyes widened as a chill wracked my body. “Wait, you’re serious?”

  “I’m going to implode if I don’t get inside you.” Slater kissed me hard across the mouth. “But I’ll wait if you want to. I’ll do whatever you want as long as you don’t make me leave.”

  “No.” I smiled through my tears. “I won’t make you leave.”

  “Good, now if you’ll excuse me, I have some nipples to tease.”

  “Ah, so you’re going to turn yourself on and let me watch?”

  “What the—?” He burst out laughing. “Cute, no I meant yours, not mine, not that I don’t have mighty fine nipples.” He flexed his pecs.

  I just rolled my eyes. “You aren’t The Rock, but nice try.”

  “He’s like ten of me.” Slater pointed out. “And ten of me would crush your body, meaning sex would naturally turn into a murder scene—not sexy.”

  “Nope.” I looped my arms around his neck, and my breath came in short gasps. I was suddenly nervous. Nervous that we were doing this, that we were doing it behind my brother’s back, that we could ruin everything if he found out that his best friend was cupping my breasts with his hands in reverence.

  I arched under his touch.

  “There it is,” He flicked a nipple. “I love how sensitive you are.”

  “Your hands are so warm.”

  “And big, don’t forget big.” He lowered his head, licking and sucking, giving them both equal attention
before lifting me onto my bed and tugging my sleep shorts down.

  “Someone isn’t wasting any time.” I gasped when his mouth found mine again.

  “I’ve wanted you since that first kiss, I’ve known you for almost a year without realizing it. Hell yes, I’m impatient. I should get an award for celibacy.”

  I patted him on the shoulder. “Good job. I’ll make a nice little participation certificate for you later.”

  “Aw, like best self-control of the year?”

  “He says as he grips my naked ass.”

  “Your ass should always be naked.” He squeezed and then pulled me toward the edge of the bed, licking the inside of my knee.

  I squealed, but he held me there, his eyes locking on mine as he moved higher and higher until his head disappeared, and all I felt was the five o’clock shadow he was sporting against the sensitive skin of my thigh.

  And then his warm breath against my most sensitive place. And then his lips and tongue—

  “Slater!” I hissed out his name then clamped my lips closed. I couldn’t scream, my brother would come running, and Slater would probably die between my legs—but not in a happy way. “Do that again, slower…”

  “Bossy…” The word vibrated against me, sending a ripple effect across all my vulnerable nerve endings. And then he was licking and sucking and doing exactly what I’d asked him to do.

  My toes curled as he drew back to gaze into my eyes, his mouth swollen, his eyes lit up like he was high on me. Deliberately, he swirled his tongue over his lips as if to savor my taste.

  “I want to touch you…” My voice cracked.

  Slowly he drew back, and I leaned forward, reaching for the waistband of his sweatpants, jerking them down and allowing him to spring free.

  With greedy hands, I took him.

  He bit out an ugly curse and then reached for the bed to stabilize himself. “Yeah, I’ll last like zero seconds if you keep moving your hand.”

  “That’s the point,” I said.

  Sweat beaded on his forehead as he visibly struggled to maintain control. “No,” he said, his voice tight and hoarse. “The point is to be inside you.”