Free Duncan - The Deal (The Cocky Smiling O Series #1) by Jade Sinner Page A

been texting me all day. She's sure she's 'in love'. And by the way, 'you're the best.'" Her voice does this sing-song thing when she relays Maura's messages.
    "Oh, I am the best , but love ? No way." I shake my head. "I told her the same thing I tell them all: I'm not a commitment kind of guy."
    "She mentioned that," Jess says. "She also asked me what your favorite color is. Your favorite food. Your favorite TV show...on and on. She's got it bad."
    I bypass our neighborhood and keep driving. It's easier walking away from someone if there's no connection. I should have followed my gut and told Maura no. I should have realized that her friendship with Jess would be an issue. But I swear, Maura wouldn't take no for an answer, and well, my dick wasn't saying no.
    "Where are we going?" Jess asks.
    "How about coffee?"
    She shakes her head. "No, I'm broke."
    "I'll buy." I offer, but we both know I don’t have much money either.
    "No. How about the lake? It's a beautiful afternoon."
    I nod, taking in the bright blue sky.
    A few minutes and a few dirt roads later, I park and turn off my truck. The lake isn't big and it's kind of hidden away. It's owned by some guy who doesn't even live close by. The old gate at the end of the lane that is supposed to keep people out has been permanently removed from its rusty hinges.
    Now it's one of the places teenagers in our town go. It's not just teenagers. Dads bring their kids here to fish and families even come to swim. It's too early in the year to swim. The water would be freezing.
    I lead as we walk the edge of the lake, up some high rocks. It's the perfect spot. From up here you can see down into the depths of the dark water and over to the lane. No one can sneak up on you here. You can see everything, like being on the top of the world.
    "Truth or dare," I say.
    Jess sways her shoulders back and forth as she contemplates my question. "Truth, you know I'd never lie to you."
    "Are you still holding out?"
    She smiles with her eyes gazing down. "Do you mean have I put out yet?"
    "I mean, has Todd gotten in your pants yet?"
    "Those are two different questions. Pick one."
    My chest aches a little at the thought of that dick with his hands down Jess's shorts. But I remind myself that she's my friend. I have no right to expect her to stay a virgin when I'm fucking every other girl out there. "First one."
    "I am, but I don't think it can last much longer."
    I stand taller. "Jess, if that ass is pressuring you..."
    "That’s not what I mean. I mean, I think I want to. I just don't know if he's the forever kind of guy."
    "Your turn," I say as I peer down. The water is easily twenty feet below us. In the summer there were many times we'd jumped from here into the cool spring-fed lake below.
    "OK. Truth or dare?"
    I look up at her sparkling green eyes and realize that she's seeing the same thing—the water. I can practically see her think about jumping or making me jump. It's not that I don't want to. If it were summer and twenty degrees warmer, I wouldn't hesitate, but well, my better sense says, "Truth."
    "Do you think you'll ever be a forever kind of guy?"
    Shit! That wasn't what I expected.
    I sigh as I lower myself to the warm rock and stretch out my legs. "I really don't see it. I don't see me being committed to anyone but myself. That makes me sound like an ass, and I probably am, but forever is a really long time."
    Jess nods as she sits beside me. "What if I never find that forever guy?"
    I reach out and squeeze her hand. "You will, but if you don't, you'll always have me."
    "Always?"
    "Always."

PRESENT
    " N o , no..." Jess's words trail away as she shakes her head.
    The whiskey burns as I take a long sip. It doesn't dull her pain, but it helps calm my rage at her no-good asshole ex. Even half-toasted, she's adorable. I love the way her long, wavy hair becomes curly in the summer's heat. She hates it. She always has, but I can't stop myself from reaching out and tweaking a long blonde curl,