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Ashley gazed down at Jeff's face as they lay there togeher, still on his couch. They were both sweaty, and his head was on her stomach as she lazily played with his hair.
She could hardly believe they had just made love. It had been amazing and so passionate. Jeff was an excellent lover, more skilled than his brother. Funny enough, he was also bigger, and he was the 'little' brother. She would have laughed at that thought, but instead, she was a bit on edge about where exactly they stood.
"Hey." The young man moved, sitting up slightly to peer into her lovely, thoughtful face. She'd been so silent ever since their lovemaking had ended. He reached out for her face, gently tracing her profile with his left forefinger. "Penny for your thoughts?"
She offered him a weak smile but couldn't seem to find her voice. She couldn't help but feel somewhat empty now that he was no longer inside of her... And she worried about the state of the two of them, their friendship. What would become of it now?
Jeff gazed at her wordlessly for a beat. His hand lowered to grasp one of hers, and he held it against his heart.
"Ash, I have to be honest with you... I... I..."
The blonde steeled herself, but she felt her emotions well up inside of her. So, this was it, he was going to blow her off, tell her that what had just happened was strictly sex and that he only wanted to be friends... He didn't feel that way about her, he'd only gotten caught up in the moment.
"... I think I'm in love with you."
Ashley stared at him with surprise. He loved her? It was just about the last thing she'd expected to hear... And yet, he'd said so, and his green eyes were soft, almost caressing as he gazed at her. She smiled, feeling the tears well up in her eyes.
"Really?" When he nodded, she let out a soft little chuckle. "I love you, too, Jeff." She cupped his face in her hands, her heart swelling as she brought her lips closer to his for another kiss. He was so kind and tender, sweeter than probably any man she'd ever known.
Moments later, he raised his head from hers to gaze into her blue eyes. He gently brushed away her tears, then kissed the tips of her fingers one-by-one. Then, holding onto her hand again, he spoke.
"I'm so grateful toward you," he murmured. "You have been so amazing... Thank you for being there for me, and for all your support." He felt his own eyes growing misty as he went on. "You've stood by me when no one else has... not even my own brother. You've been such a great friend to me."
Ashley smiled and brought her face to his again. She kissed him on the forehead, her free hand stroking his hair. She was at a loss for words again and not quite sure what to say. But she wouldn't have been anywhere else while he needed her, and she hoped he knew that.
They stayed there like that for awhile longer. Jeff thought it would be paradise to just hold the beautiful blonde forever and ever, but he suddenly realized he was hungry. He moved, though reluctant to part from her.
"I'm a little hungry," he said as she watched him. "Lunch?" He picked up his pants off the floor and slipped into them.
Ashley retrieved her own garments and began to get dressed. Now that she thought about it, she was actually famished. She joined him in the kitchen, smiling as she sat down at the table. He had already gone looking in the fridge, which she'd made sure to stock full of newly purchased groceries just in time for his homecoming.
"Mmm... How about ham and cheese?"
"Sounds good to me," she replied. Absently, she played with Jack, who had suddenly appeared at her feet. Her mind began to drift, her thoughts focusing on the fact that somehow, she had fallen in love with her ex-boyfriend's brother. That led her to begin wondering how Matt would take this.
Although she was feeling elated at the moment and didn't want to spoil it, Ashley knew she had to bring it up. The subject was bound to arise anyway, so there was no time like the present.
"Um... Jeff?"
"Uh huh." He was busy making their sandwiches over by the counter next to the sink but cast her a smiling glance over his shoulder.
"I think..." She bit her lip, hesitating as she sought the right choice of words. "Well, maybe we shouldn't let Matt know about this just yet."
The young man turned with the two plates of sandwiches and met her eyes. He nodded as he came over to sit near her.
"Yeah, you're right," he said. "I'm not sure he would be wild to the idea of his brother and ex-girlfriend being together." He took a bite of his lunch and chewed, thoughtful as he swallowed. "So, what re we gonna do in the meantime?"
Ashley rose to grab a couple of glasses and a bottle of cranberry juice from the refrigerator. As she poured for each of them, she answered his question.
"In the meantime," the blonde began, her eyes locking with his, "we'll see each other but be discreet about it." She raised her glass to her lips for a long sip of juice.
Jeff nodded and elaborated on the plan.
"Sounds good. So, we'll keep it a secret for awhile, until we just tell him."
Ashley smiled at the sound of that. A chill crept onto her skin, but it was one of delicious anticipation. The
thought of the two of them meeting secretly was highly erotic to her. She nodded, loving the idea.