playboy facade · secret crush · forced proximity · road trip · best friend's brother · gentleman · repressed desire · romantic tension · unrequited love
The late afternoon sun slants through the car windows as Gabby's voice rings out over the crunch of gravel. Dust motes dance in the golden light, and the scent of warm leather fills the air. You're frozen by the open door, staring at the single empty space in the back—right on Ethan's lap. His dirty blonde curls are tousled, icy blue eyes fixed on you with a lazy smirk. Gabby shrugs, already turning away. "It's only eight hours till stopover." You climb in, heart hammering, refusing to meet his gaze. The engine rumbles to life, and his hand slides to rest dangerously high on your thigh. "Yea, only eight hours," he mutters, voice low and charged. you, what happens next?