Brendon has a date.

He's seeing another human being.

Romantically.

I'm going to throw up.

Emma presses her hands together. "You could make us more pancakes before you go."

"I'm running late," he says.

"Who are you dating?" Emma's voice is casual. Like this isn't the worst news in forever.

Okay, that's not even close to true. Everything with Grandma is worse. But Brendon on a date...

Touching some girl.

Kissing her.

Binding her to her bed.

I... I'm going to throw up.

"We're not dating." His voice is curt. Obvious. We're meeting for dinner and a fuck.

I try to settle back into the routine of watching and laughing and teasing, my body refuses to relax.

Nothing helps.

Not even my dirty thoughts.

They all go wrong. He's touching me, stripping me out of my clothes, dragging his lips over my neck.

Then she's there.

Some girl with big tits and pretty lips and a tight dress that screams please take this off.

He'll fuck some girl he barely knows.

But he won't even talk about sex with me.

It's bullshit.

Total bullshit.

He moves into the kitchen. Comes out with an apple between his hands.

Takes a bite.

He shoots Emma a stern look. "No guys or drinks while I'm gone."

She rolls her eyes.

He shakes his head you're a brat, but there's concern in his eyes. "Kay. Promise. No drinks or guys."

"I'm not Emma's keeper," I say. I don't add fuck you for this date bullshit. Fuck you for acting like it isn't a knife in my chest. And for doing it in a towel, just to add insult to injury.

But he doesn't know I know.

He doesn't know I'm crazy about him.

He...

He must have some idea. There's a connection between us. He gets me in a way no one else does.

And he's different with me. He smiles. Laughs.

I watch him walk away. Watch his back tense and relax. Watch that towel slip lower and lower on his hips.

My body screams all of him now, please.

My heart is more reluctant.

He's going on dates.

I... I can't deal with this. Even if it's inevitable.

"Excuse me." I tug at my dress. "Pajamas."

Emma nods. "He's weird, huh?"

"Yeah. Annoying."

"Finally, you see it my way."

I do. I see exactly why Emma has a problem with her brother.

He demands his way.

But offers nothing.

I just barely restrain myself from stomping up the stairs.

Okay, that's bullshit. My steps are as light as they usually are. I'm still the good girl. The one who keeps things together. Who doesn't cause a scene.

The hall is dark.

There's light coming from Brendon's room.

And his door is open a sliver.

And there he is, in front of his bed.

Turned toward the wall.

Naked.

It's only his back.

His ass.

His legs.

Fuck.

I've never seen a guy naked before. Not in person. Not one I wanted to see naked.

But Brendon...

Heat pools between my legs. I want him. Every inch of him. Every way I can have him.

I want the sight, the sound, the taste, the smell, the feel of him.

I want him owning every one of my senses.

I...

He pulls on a pair of boxers.

Steps into his jeans.

Turns.

I jump out of the way just in time. I think. I hope.

God, I hope he didn't see me gawking.

He can't.

That's so...

I dart into my bedroom. Fumble out of my dress and into my pajamas.

A tank top. Panties. Sleep shorts.

That's it.

I'm barely wearing anything.

And he's there, barely wearing anything, thinking about me naked.

About to go on a fucking date.

I move back into the hallway. Nearly run downstairs.

A few moments later, Brendon walks through the main room. He grabs his keys from the table and slides them into the front pocket of his skinny jeans.

"Text me when you go to bed." He looks to Emma. "Or if you need anything."

She nods. "I won't wait up."

"You too, Kay. Text me if you need anything." He holds my gaze. Promise?

I'm pretty sure I can't request him naked in my bed. So I force my lips into a smile. "I'll be fine."

He takes that as a yes, turns, walks out the door.

On the way to his date.

With some girl.

Some girl who isn't me.