Bedding The Best Friend (Bedding the Bachelors, Book 4) by Virna Depaul

Since he’d kissed her. He didn’t know what was going on with the whirling emotions inside of him, but there was one thing he did know. He couldn’t let her go to Vegas and hook up with some random guy. She’d end up hating herself.
    He forced out a breath. "Come on, Annie. You’re hardly making wise decisions. With the weight you’ve lost, you have to be taking something. Something unhealthy. And now there’s this list."
    "Those are my decisions to make," she said slowly, an edge of steel in her voice. "And you have no right to dictate to me what I can and cannot do. I’ve lived my life doing exactly what other people have expected of me. I’ve always been a good girl. I’ve been fine with that. But in case you haven’t noticed, Ryan, I’ve changed . And I want to explore this new side of me."
    He didn’t want any part of this new side of her. She was perfect the way she was before. His jaw tightened. "You think because you’ve lost a little weight that it’s okay to compromise your principles?"
    "How dare you!" she all but shouted. "This isn’t about compromising who I am. This is about exploring who I’ve always wanted to be—a person who’s comfortable in her own body and not afraid to show it. This is about me reaching for the stars and grabbing them."
    Had she really wanted to be a little looser with her sexuality? And if so, why did that make him so frustrated? He had no right to judge her for that.
    But still…
    He didn’t want to see her get hurt. He cleared his throat. "Just so you know, casual sex isn’t that great.”
    On the other end of the line, he heard her inhale sharply. Then she said, “Really. Is that why you’ve had so little of it?”
    His silence answered her loud and clear.
    "Yeah." She gave a harsh laugh. "That’s what I thought."
    “Yeah, I obviously have a problem with commitment. That’s not you.”
    "Ryan, I know you’re worried for me, and I appreciate your concern, but I need to do this."
    “Tell me what this trip to Vegas is really about.”
    “Why? So you can tell me again what a stupid idea it is?”
    “I won’t. I promise. I’m sorry I came off like a Neanderthal. It’s just…that list took me by surprise. You’ve taken me by surprise. You look different. You seem to want different things. I just—I don’t even know if I know you anymore, and that scares me.”
    The vulnerability in his words seemed to give her pause and penetrate her anger, because she hesitated for a few seconds. When she spoke, her voice was softer. Gentler. “You know me, Ryan. I’m the same person. I just want to be more adventurous. I want to know what being a bad girl has to offer. I didn’t get to explore my bad side so much in high school, with my mom being sick and me having to take care of my dad and my sister, but… It’s never too late, right?”
    His mind scrambled for an answer that would be supportive yet not so supportive that it would encourage her on her reckless path. Okay, so he could see how she might want to be more adventurous. But, damn it, she couldn’t put herself in danger. How could he help give her what she needed but in a way that was safe?
    The idea came to him out of nowhere, shocking him.
    But he leaped on it instantly.
    “Annie, as you pointed out, I’ve had casual sex. More than I’m proud of. Honestly, it’s just not that great. Sex is better with someone you care about.”
    “Well, I’m not going to have casual sex with someone I care about, Ryan, so…”
    “Why not?”
    She blew out a breath. “Because I’m not dating anyone right now.”
    “You want to be a bad girl, right? Well, you can be pretty darn bad in ways that don’t involve getting on that plane tomorrow.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Have casual sex with me. Now. On the phone.”

Chapter Four
    Wait— what had Ryan just said? Have phone sex with him? Annie’s chest tightened up on her, and suddenly she found it difficult to breathe. He was joking, right?