No Feelings Involved: A Brother's Best Friend Standalone Romance

by Siobhan Davis

  But it’s everything.

  Everything.

  I feel his touch everywhere as if he’s kissing me all over my body. How the hell can a few feather-soft kisses make me feel so damn much?

  He angles his head, moving his lips more precisely over mine as the kiss deepens, and I eagerly open my mouth, ready to welcome his tongue when my brother pours ice water over our moment.

  “Summer! James!” Austin hollers, his voice way too close for comfort. We rip our mouths apart, and I wriggle out of his hold as he quickly puts me down. I move away from him, and one infinitesimal second later, my annoying, cock-blocking brother is right up in my face. “There you are.”

  “Yes. Here we are.” I smother my frustration as adrenaline courses through my body and my core aches with need. My heart pounds against my chest as I consider how close we came to being discovered.

  Holy shit.

  If Austin had arrived and found me wrapped up in Ryan’s arms, kissing him, there would’ve been hell to pay.

  Talk about a close call.

  “It’s time to go,” he says. “I don’t want Miley driving back in the pitch-dark.”

  “We’re ready.” Ryan’s voice sends shivers cascading up and down my spine, but I purposely don’t look at him, and he’s keeping his distance from me too. “Let’s go.”

  ✽✽✽

  “And he hasn’t mentioned it all week?” Hannah asks, on Friday at lunchtime, as we share a table in the campus cafeteria. This is the only day of the week where our different schedules enable us to have lunch together.

  My first week as a college freshman is just about over, and I lived to tell the tale. Truth be told, I’m loving all my classes, and I’ve made friends with a bunch of guys and girls who share some of the same electives, so things are good.

  “Not a word. In fact, I’ve hardly seen him. If I didn’t know how busy he was with the gym, I’d say he’s avoiding me.” And even though I spent two nights this week training with Miley, Ryan still evaded contact with me.

  “How do you feel about the kiss now?” she inquires. I had called Hannah the minute I got back to my room Sunday night and told her everything.

  Ryan was quiet and distant in the back seat of the car as we drove to Newark from his sister’s house, pretending to sleep most of the journey, but I knew from his breathing he was awake.

  I shrug. “Whatever. It’s not that big of a deal. Austin interrupted before we were properly kissing. It won’t happen again, and that’s probably for the best.”

  “Probably?”

  “I mean it is for the best.” I stab a piece of chicken, popping it in my mouth. “Nothing can come of this attraction between us. I know it. He knows it,” I add, once I’ve chewed my food.

  “Well then, we’re going to that frat party tonight. You need to find another pair of hot lips to distract you.”

  “You won’t hear me complaining, sister.”

  ✽✽✽

  “Who else is going to the frat party tonight?” Austin asks as we eat dinner alone at the apartment later that day.

  “Hannah and Jordan and a bunch of people from class,” I confirm, shoveling a forkful of pasta in my mouth.

  “Be careful. Some of those frat boys are complete assholes with no agenda except fucking as many girls as they can. Don’t leave your drink unattended, and don’t go off with someone you don’t know.”

  “I know how to take care of myself, Austin, and you’ve got to quit this shit. I know you mean well, and I appreciate that you care, but you’ve got to stop treating me like a little girl. I’m an adult now, and I can fend for myself.”

  “I want nothing to happen to you. And I want to protect you from assholes who might break your heart. Is that so wrong?” He places his silverware down to take a sip of his water.

  I reach across the table, curling my hand around his. “I love how protective you are, but there are some things you can’t and shouldn’t protect me from.”

  I bite down on my lip, carefully considering my next words. “I need to make mistakes, Austin. Because it’s all part of the learning process. Part of growing up and discovering who I am and who I want to be. I’m not planning on falling in love or getting my heart broken, but if it happens, I’ll embrace it fully. And if anyone is doing the protecting after that, it’ll be me. I’ll be the one protecting my heart until I’m ready to give it away again.”

  My brother smiles at me. “You always had such a wise head on your shoulders, yet you’re so innocent and excitable at the same time. I hope you know how special you are, Sum. You’ll make some guy so fucking lucky someday.”

  He looks down at his plate, toying with his food, looking contemplative. “It goes against my nature to say this, but I’ll stop. Or, at least, I’ll try to. I respect your wishes once you promise you’ll do your utmost to stay safe.”

  “I have no desire to be utterly reckless.”

  He scowls. “That’s hardly a reassuring statement.”

  “Austin, you’ve just got to trust me, and know that if I need anything, you’ll be the first one I come to. I promise.”

  He sighs, nodding. “Okay. And for the record, I do trust you. It’s those dicks on campus I don’t trust.”

  ✽✽✽

  I’m finishing curling my hair when my cell pings with an incoming text from Hannah letting me know they are on the way up in the elevator. Unplugging the curling iron, I apply a light layer of lip gloss before casting one final glance over myself in the mirror.

  It’s my first frat party, and I’ve no clue what the usual dress code is, so I’m playing it relatively safe tonight, and my ripped jeans, stiletto heels, and black lace-trimmed tank top scream sexy without looking like I’ve tried too hard. Grabbing my gray leather jacket and a silk scarf from my bed, I pull them on and then tip my head upside down, loosening out the waves in my hair so they flow naturally down my back.

  Satisfied with my appearance, I exit my bedroom just as the doorbell chimes, almost colliding with Ryan in the hallway.

  “Shit, sorry. You okay?” He grips my elbow to keep me from falling, and his touch electrifies me.

  Like always.

  “I’m fine.” I shuck out of his hold, offering him a brief smile.

  His eyes rake up and down my body like a sultry caress, and butterflies scatter in my chest. He’s only wearing plain sweats and a tee, and his feet are bare, but he looks totally hot. This guy could wear a sack, and I’d still want to bang him. The air is fraught with the usual tension, but neither of us makes a move to separate.

  I’m acutely aware of how close we’re standing to one another, and the chiming of the door for the second time, but I can’t drag my gaze away from him, and it appears he’s the same. His eyes drink me in, his gaze caressing me with intent, and he may as well be undressing me for the way it makes me feel.

  When Ryan focuses his singular attention on me, it’s intense and all-consuming, and it’s difficult to remember how to even breathe.

  “You look…” he says before backtracking. “You’re going out?”

  I nod, as the doorbell rings again, finally snapping me out of my trance. “Yep. Heading to my first frat party, and I need to answer the door before Hannah busts her way through it.”

  I walk as quick as my heels allow, swinging the door open as Hannah has her finger poised over the doorbell. “About damn time,” she says, pushing past me. “I desperately need to pee.” She runs off in the direction of the bathroom, and I step aside.

  “Come on in,” I say to Jordan and the two guys standing behind him.

  I lead them into the living room when I hear Ryan tinkering about in the kitchen. I’d rather avoid another confrontation between him and Jordy. There’s still no love lost between them. “Summer, this is Dalton and Sean,” Jordan says, introducing his friends.

  “Hey.” I smile. “Good to meet you.”

  “Trust me, the pleasure is all mine,” the taller, dark-haired guy says taking my hand and planting a ki
ss on the back. “I’m Dalton.”

  “I’m Sean,” the second guy says, nudging his friend out of the way and stealing my hand. “And you’re fucking hot.”

  A snort resonates from the doorway, and I glance over to where Ryan is propped against the doorjamb, eyeing the guys warily. Crappity crap. Things are about to go south.

  “Who are you?” Sean asks, the same time Dalton says, “Got something to say, buddy?”

  “He’s the douche I was telling you about,” Jordan pipes up, and I glare at him. I will beat his stupid ass if he told them the story of how I lost my virginity.

  “Relax,” he whispers in my ear. “I didn’t tell them everything. I just warned them he might be here.”

  “You’re really begging for an ass kicking,” Ryan says, sauntering into the room with a nonchalant look on his face.

  “Do I look like I care?” Jordan retorts, squaring up to him.

  “What’s going on?” Hannah asks, arriving into the room with impeccable timing.

  “Nothing,” I say, grabbing Jordan and shoving him toward his girlfriend. “Let’s go.”

  “Lead the way, babe,” Dalton says, draping his arm around my shoulder without invitation.

  Tossing his arm off, I purposely ignore Ryan as I walk toward the door.

  “Summer. Wait a sec,” Ryan says just as I’m about to step foot out into the hallway.

  “I’ll meet you at the elevator bank,” I tell the others, beseeching Han with my eyes. Taking the cue, she drags Jordan and the guys away as I turn around to face Ryan.

  “If you’re planning on lecturing me, save your breath,” I say before he’s opened his mouth. I fold my arms across my chest, daring him to challenge me.

  His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat as he fixes those gorgeous blue eyes on me. “You sure you want to go out with them? Those guys seem like dicks.”

  I shrug. “Maybe, but I don’t see how it’s any of your business.” I’m not being rude, just stating a fact.

  He’s quiet for a few beats, and then he exhales loudly. “You’re right, it isn’t.” A muscle pops in his jaw. “Have a good night.” With a brief nod, he goes into the apartment, slamming the door, leaving me staring at the wooden frame, wondering what the hell is going on between us.

  CHAPTER 12

  Ryan

  “We’re going to head, man,” Austin says, clapping me on the back. Miley is tucked under his left arm, smiling up at him like he hung the moon.

  “I think I’ll stay.” I gesture with my eyes, capturing the bartender’s attention. “I’ll have another.” I point at my almost empty beer.

  “Thought as much.” Austin grins, his eyes darting to the curvy brunette pressed into my side. “Later, bro.”

  Miley kisses my cheek, whispering in my ear. “You are so much better than this.”

  Her words piss me off, and I scowl at her, ignoring the warning look Austin shoots my way.

  The brunette maneuvers herself into the space between me and the counter, pushing her ample tits into my chest. “How about we go back to my place?” she purrs, setting her hands on my shoulders and leaning in close.

  “I’m not interested.” I gently remove her hands from my body.

  “What?” She plants her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes at me. “But we’ve been flirting for the last hour.”

  “No. You’ve been flirting. I’ve just been sitting here listening to you blabber on.”

  Her cheeks inflame, and her nostrils flare. I’m being an asshole, and it’s not her fault I’m in a fucking shitty mood and taking it out on her. “Look, Sasha.”

  “My name’s Sandy, asshole.”

  “Sandy. I’m sorry. You’re beautiful and great company, and at any other time, I would be up for going home with you, but I’ve had a crappy week, and I’m just not in the mood.”

  Her features soften. “Do you want to talk about it?” she asks, and now I feel even worse. Because I just want her to leave me the fuck alone. I don’t want to talk to anyone. I want to drown my frustrations in my beer and anesthetize my brain so the images of Summer fucking that douche Dalton leave my mind. My head is a melting pot of confusion, thanks to Summer and Myndi fucking with my sanity. I certainly don’t need to add another female to the mix, no matter how much a physical release might help.

  “No, but I appreciate you asking. You should go. I’m lousy company tonight, and you deserve so much better.”

  She grabs her jacket and purse, surveying me with keen eyes. “Whoever the woman is, I hope she realizes how lucky she is.” She kisses my cheek. “Take care, Ryan, and don’t get too drunk.”

  Pity I didn’t heed her warning. I’m in the taxi on the way back to the apartment, and I’m seeing double and triple of everything. But my head is too foggy to fixate on Summer, so it’s mission accomplished.

  I stumble into the apartment, heading straight to the kitchen where I down a couple bottles of water with a few pain pills as a precautionary measure.

  Against my better judgment, I knock on Summer’s bedroom door, telling myself I just want to check she got home safe. Austin is staying at Miley’s again, and I promised him I’d look out for her when he’s not here, so it’s not like I’m doing anything wrong. Her room is dark, with no light seeping out from under the door, which indicates she’s either asleep or not home yet. My vision is blurry as I check the time on my watch, but I decipher it’s just past two a.m. Risking it, I gently open her door, cursing when I spot the empty room and her unmade bed.

  My jaw locks tight as I head into my bedroom, stripping my clothes off and walking naked into my bathroom. I turn the shower on and step under the cold stream of water, needing the icy shock to help sober me up.

  It’s not unheard of for frat parties to go on until all hours. Hell, I remember coming home a couple times at eight and nine in the morning, but this is Summer we’re talking about, and I don’t like thinking of her out there somewhere, alone and drunk and vulnerable.

  I’m considering options as the cold water batters my body like a thousand tiny knives penetrating my skin. But it works as an effective sobering agent, and my head is a lot clearer when I finally step out, shivering and shaking as I wrap a towel around my hips and another one around my shoulders.

  I grab two more bottles of water and make a strong cup of coffee before retreating to my bedroom again. I turn on the TV, pulling a pair of sweats on as I prop myself up on the bed to wait for her. I’m giving her until three a.m., and if she isn’t home by then, I’m calling her.

  It’s now three forty, and she’s answered none of my calls or texts, and I’m going out of my mind with worry. I’ve just decided to head out in search of her when the front door crashes open, and the sound of footsteps in the living room confirms she’s home.

  I walk with urgency out of my room, my heart careening around my chest when I find her lying on her side on the couch, passed out, with Jordan and Sean looming over her.

  “What the actual fuck?” I growl, storming toward them. “What the fuck did you do to her?”

  “Sus drunkkkk,” Hannah slurs, and I whip my head around, discovering her sprawled across the lounge chair.

  “No one did anything to her,” Jordan snaps, sounding coherent. “I’d never let anything happen to Hannah or Summer. I only had two beers, and she was by my side all night except for the times she was sucking face with my buddy here.” Jordan smirks, elbowing Sean in the ribs as a muscle ticks in his jaw.

  “I think I’m in love,” Sean slurs, crouching down beside Summer. He reaches out to brush hair back off her face, and I’m done.

  Yanking him up by the shirt, I pull him away from her, shoving him toward the door. “Get the fuck out of my apartment, and don’t come back.”

  “Someone sounds jealous,” Jordan taunts, and I’m this close to punching the annoying punk. I know he’s doing it to wind me up, but I’m a ball of pent-up-frustration, and it won’t take much to snap.

  “Yeah, Dad,” the other asshole
says, shucking out of my hold and swaying on his feet. He’s completely wasted. “It’s obvious you’ve got a boner for her. Too bad you’re too old.”

  Now I really want to punch something. Preferably his annoying, ugly head, but I doubt I’ll win any brownie points with Summer if I go around beating up her friends.

  “Get him out of here,” I tell Jordan. “You and Hannah can stay if you want to wait for an Uber, but he leaves now.”

  “We’re going.” Jordan scoops Hannah up into his arms, before glowering at me. “Keep your hands off Summer,” he warns.

  “Mind your own fucking business,” I snap. As if I’d take advantage of any girl in that situation.

  “This is my business. She’s Justin’s girl, and I promised him I’d look after her.”

  “Who the fuck is Justin?” Sean asks, frowning.

  “Not now.” Jordan dismisses him, eyeballing me like I’m scum of the earth. “You had your fun with her. Now let her be. She doesn’t belong to you, and it’s pathetic how obvious you are around her.”

  “Get the fuck out,” I demand, losing the last semblance of my patience. “And in case that isn’t clear enough for you, you’re not welcome here again.”

  “Fuck you, man.”

  Refusing to be dragged into any more of this juvenile bullshit, I ignore him, closing the door after them with relief. When I return to the living room, Summer is quietly moaning on the couch. “Summer?” I kneel beside her, sweeping hair back off her face as she slowly opens her eyes.

  “Ryan,” she mumbles, reaching out for me. “Don’t feel so hot.” She reeks of beer and cigarettes, and from the way her eyes are rolling around her head, I’d say she’s drank more than her body weight tonight.

  “Do you need the bathroom?” I ask as she gags.

  She nods and I lift her into my arms, racing toward the bathroom.

  I position her on her knees in front of the toilet, removing her jacket just before she retches. Grabbing a hair tie off the counter, I gently pull her hair into a messy ponytail, rubbing her shoulders as she pukes.