Page 1 of Take My Love

prologue

Silas

EIGHT YEARS AGO

“You nervous?”I smack my childhood best friend’s shoulder, staring at his reflection in the mirror.

He adjusts his tie after his mother commented it was crooked.

He’s in a fancy-as-fuck all black tuxedo, moments away from walking down the aisle to his high school sweetheart.

“Nope. Been waitin’ to marry Maze since I was fifteen.” Warren grins like a lovesick fool as he folds his collar down. “And gettin’ to spend the summer with her before she goes back to college is somethin’ I’m not takin’ for granted.”

“So…lots of baby makin’ practice.” I smirk, squeezing his shoulder once before releasing him.

He probably won’t come up for air until she leaves.

“Don’t worry, we’ll still hang out,” he reassures me, but I’m not holding my breath.

We’ve been friends since elementary school. Most of my middle and high school summer memories revolve around him and Maisie. Riding on horses or four-wheelers through his family’s ranch, swimming in the river, camping in the woods, throwing bonfire parties—we’ve been inseparable.

It was a shock to no one when they started dating at fifteen and later got engaged.

Unfortunately, that made me the designated third wheel. But I didn’t mind,usually.

“It’s fine. I’ll just have to find someone else to take your place until I getcha back.”

“The fuck you will.”

I chuckle at his aggressive taunting voice because he knows he has nothing to worry about. I can keep myself busy with work for a few months while the newlyweds stay glued at the hip. It’s not like I have anyone else to hang out with in the meantime besides my older sisters.

Making friends and dating never came easily to me, especially as a nerdy kid who didn’t hit puberty until my senior year of high school. Even now at twenty-one, I’ve still never had anything serious.

Warren and Maisie set the standard, and I haven’t wanted to settle for anything less.

Not to mention the one girl I have a crush on is strictly off-limits.

She’s two years younger and Warren’s little sister.The biggest fucking cliché.

Posey Langston is breathtaking, is always the life of the party, and has my same zero risk o’meter. Hell, she’s more ballsy thananyone I’ve ever met. I’ll try anything once, but she’ll do it twice just to prove she can.

Being raised on her family’s ranch and resort has made her fear nothing. From zip lining, to cliff diving, and standing upright while her horse runs forty miles an hour, she’s always had an adventurous spirit.

Although she tagged along with us sometimes, I never saw her as anything more than Warren’s sister. But last summer changed everything. She had a bonfire with some friends and they roped me into a game of Truth or Dare.

After a few drinks, someone dared her to kiss me. I figured she’d find a way to get out of it and say she thought of me as a brother, but then she straddled my lap and stuck her tongue down my throat.

I was in such shock, the only thing I could do is grip her hips and kiss her back.

We never talked about it, but ever since, she’s been the star in all my private fantasies.

Something I’ve actively tried to get over, but so far, no such luck.

The secret glances and blush that spreads over her cheeks anytime I’m near tells me she’s not over it either.

“Hey, I know you’ll be busy with best man duties and flirtin’ with all the single ladies, but if you can, keep an eye on Posey for me? Some guy she was datin’ broke up with her a couple days ago and she’s been pretty upset about it.”

Fuck.I didn’t even know she was dating anyone.