The cake lady—who looks even more uncomfortable now—taps her pen against the pad nervously. “Should I put you down for the lemon raspberry then?”

“No,” I say at the same time his mother hisses, “Yes.”

We both turn to Stone who looks like he’s contemplating the best way to drill a hole through the floor so he can escape.

“Let’s let Stone decide,” his mother says.

I cross my arms. “Fine.”

Stone takes a bite of the red velvet cake. “This one is delicious.”

I’m about to gloat, but he takes a bite of the lemon raspberry again. “But I like this one better.”

Of course, he does. Mama’s boy.

I start to protest, but he gives my hand a gentle squeeze under the table. “Come on, Bourne.” His lips find my temple. “Just let her have this.”

I try to ignore the look of sheer satisfaction on his mom’s face when I mutter, “Fine.”

Chapter 22

Bianca

My steps slow when I spot Oakley sitting on the bench by the lake, inhaling a gigantic sandwich.

I probably shouldn’t be so fascinated by the sight, but there’s something about the savage way he tears into it with abandon.

I can’t stop myself from staring.

Some people are just so unequivocally interesting…everyone else becomes boring in comparison.

“Hey.”

Oakley scoots down on the bench, making room for me. “Hey.”

I place my purse and the Styrofoam carton containing some cake samples down next to me.

Given we—correction, Stone’s mom—already made the decision, I suppose there was no reason to take any home, but I figured I deserved some goodies.

“It’s a nice day out,” I declare, looking around the lake.

Pausing mid-bite, he gives me a pointed look. “Don’t do that.”

I bristle. “Do what?”

“Talk about the weather.” He gulps down the rest of his sandwich. “We’ve never done the bullshit small talk.”

Part of me wants to remind him that I don’t remember everything we’ve done or haven’t done—and he’s no help because he won’t tell me—but it’s oddly refreshing how open and honest he is.

And how at ease I feel in his presence.

I’m suddenly struck by how I’ve never felt more myself than when I’m in his company.

Which is weird because I’m still trying to figure out who I am.

“Okay, no small talk.” A nervous feeling zips up my spine when I see a few students walk by the lake. Jace and Cole could stroll by and spot us at any moment. “Do you want to go somewhere else?”

His response is gruff. “No.”

Okay then.

It’s almost comical because Stone avoided my brothers like the plague…yet Oakley isn’t scared one bit.

Not that I should be comparing them. They’re totally different. Like apples and oranges.

Reaching down, I pick up the container and open it.

The cake lady must have felt bad for me because I notice she slipped three red velvet samples inside.

I happily reach for one and take a bite.

Oakley’s expression becomes curious as he eyes the container.

Seeing as he just devoured his lunch, I’m almost positive he’s not hungry, but I offer him one anyway. “Do you want some?”

“Hell yeah, I do.”

He happily picks one up and takes a hearty bite. A moment later he makes a bitter face.

“Yeah, I’m not really feeling this one.”

I have to suppress a laugh because it’s the lemon raspberry. “I’m not a fan either.”

He places it back in the container and goes for the carrot cake next. “This is pretty good.”

I’m surprised he actually had a chance to taste it because it’s gone so quickly.

Bottomless pit that he is, Oakley picks up the red velvet and pops it in his mouth.

His eyes close and he utters a low moan…almost like he’s savoring it.

“Fuck yeah,” he groans.

Arousal snakes up my spine and I almost drop the damn container.

I’m suddenly very aware that he’s seen me naked.

And gave me the best orgasm of my life.

When he brings his thumb to his mouth and licks it, I have to force myself not to think about what else his tongue can do.

“That shit’s amazing.”

I lick my dry lips. “Yup.”

He tilts his head. “Why are you acting weird?”

I straighten my spine. “I’m not acting weird.”

I’m totally acting weird.

His gaze is penetrating. “Yeah, you are.” Those blue eyes drop to my lips, lingering on them. “You should stop looking at me like that, baby girl.”

Both his threat and his piercing stare send a trail of goose bumps down my arms.

Feeling bold, I whisper, “What happens if I don’t?”

He leans in so close his mouth hovers just above my ear. “I’ll bend you over this bench, tear your little panties off with my teeth…” The tip of his nose skims the column of my throat. “And fuck you so hard everyone on campus will hear you scream my name.”

Instantly, my head goes light and my body tightens, my nipples becoming so hard they could slice through glass.

“I—”

In the distance someone clears their throat. Loudly.

When I turn my head, I see Sawyer standing there. Her brown eyes are as big as saucers…and she’s muttering the Lord’s prayer.

Shifting down the bench, I put some much-needed physical distance between Oakley and I.

“Hey, Sawyer.”

“Hi.” Her stare ping pongs between us. “Guys.”

“We were just eating lunch,” I explain, hoping she didn’t hear any part of what Oakley said.

Sawyer nods slowly. It’s evident by her expression that she doesn’t know what to make of finding us together. “Uh-huh.”

I’m starting to feel like I got caught with my hand inside the cookie jar.

You know, if the cookie jar was a devastating sexy guy you’re undeniably drawn to threatening to fuck you so good that everyone in a fifty-mile radius would hear you scream his name.

I grab my purse and get off the bench. “I just remembered I have a class that starts in ten minutes.”

I don’t…I just need a moment to gather my bearings.

I turn to Oakley. “See you around.”

A wolfish grin stretches his delectable mouth. “Enjoy your class.”

Chapter 23

Oakley

Friends.

A groan rips from my chest as I toss and turn in bed.

What the fuck was I thinking?

You can’t be friends with someone you’re in love with.

Especially when she’s engaged to another man.

Sitting up in bed, I scrub a hand down my face.

I should stay the hell away from her.

But I can’t.

Because she looks at me like she needs me.

Like I can fix her.

As if I’m the remedy for whatever turmoil is happening inside that beautiful head of hers.