Zane (The Bad Boys of Saddle Creek #1)

by Kat Baxter

“I think we’ll have to agree to disagree about that, Starfish.” “What else is better?” “Nothing you’re ready to hear about.”

I know, intellectually speaking, that I have zero reason to be so damn angry. It doesn’t change the fact that I want to get up, cross to that doofus at the counter and rip his fucking head off. That puny guy didn’t even glance in Emmaline’s direction since he walked in. Which is just a sign of what a dumbass he is, because she’s always the first thing I look at in every room. Clearly, he hadn’t noticed her at all, or how fucking gorgeous she looks today. Her pale, whitish-blonde hair is in a side braid, across her shoulder—like Elsa. Fuck off, I know my animated princesses.

She never—not once in all our years of friendship—indicated she might want more from me. I’m the idiot who caught feelings. I’m the idiot who fell in love with my best friend.

“That is not what I was suggesting, dumbass.” I rub at my ear where she hit me. “Then what are you suggesting?” “She wants you to teach her about sex, right? So, use that to your advantage. Instead of teaching her just about sex, teach about sex and love. Teach her she’ll never be happy with any man but you. Remind her how compatible y’all are. You’re already a couple, in many ways, she just hasn’t seen that yet.”

if you can have a soulmate who's a friend—then that's what Zane is. He’s my friend-mate. No, that doesn’t sound right. Well, whatever you call it, that’s him. He’s my person, my ride or die.

“So you will help me?” “Of course. You’re my starfish. I’ll always be here for you.”

😭

He reaches over and squeezes my knee. “I don’t care what other girls think.” His words along with that innocent touch spread through my body like a wave of warmth, leaving tingles in its wake.

I laugh and swipe at my spontaneous tears because this man—my beautiful best friend—has created the perfect date for me.

“My starfish deserves the very best. Plus, I wanted you all to myself.”

throat. I’d always thought the notion of French kissing sounded gross and unnecessary. But I have completely changed my mind. Kissing Zane is a revelation.

I cannot afford to have feelings like this about my best friend. I should never have suggested to him he be the one to teach me these things.

I force myself to not have a physical reaction, but damn it’s hard. Because it feels like she slapped me.

I stand up because now my body is flooded with restless energy. I want to grab her and show her how much I want to touch her. Touch her fucking everywhere.

I want to press against her. Grab her hand and wrap it around my dick. I want to kiss her again, slide my tongue to hers and hear those sweet little whimpers she made in the back of her throat. But I need her to feel like she’s in control.

she is the one in control here. Whatever she wants, however much she wants, I’m here for it. I’m here for her.

“The texture might bother you,” I say. Unsexy, but my girl is sensitive to certain textures.

He lifts one of my legs and places it over his shoulder. “That’s it, Starfish, spread that pussy open for me. I need to fuck you with my tongue. Have you come all over my face.”

I take off my clothes, one piece at a time and wait for her to see what’s plainly hidden in my tattoos and call me on it.

“I didn’t mean to yell.” Fuck. I feel like I kicked a puppy, but she’s right. I’ve never raised my voice with her.

I have never yelled at Emmy, because she hates loud noises and… fuck, because she’s my girl. My starfish. So prickly and delicate and strange and beautiful all at the same time.

“You are fucking gorgeous. You are a beacon, shining so damn bright, I can’t believe I get to look at you every day. So find commonality with Daniel if you must, but not there. Now continue.”

The way she says that—about people not wanting to hang with her—so matter-of-factly, like it was not a big deal and it didn’t hurt her feelings, when I know it did. That nearly breaks my heart all over again.

“You told me so many times over the years that you were not a couple person. You’d never be in a romantic or physical relationship. So, I became your friend because I thought it was the only way I’d ever have you. I wasn’t going to squander that opportunity for anything.”

“I know you might not ever want the same things that I want. And that’s okay. I don’t want to pressure you, ever, to do something you’re not comfortable with. But I’m never going anywhere. And there will never be another woman for me besides you.”

“I don’t like my brother being that close to your tits, Starfish.” “I’m not looking at her tits,” Ian growls. “She’s like my fucking sister, you asshat.”

Of course he agreed, because he loves me. I’m not just talking about the emotion that he obviously feels, but he loves me in the verb sense of the word. His every action demonstrates how he cares about me and it’s addictive.