Forbidden Flames: My Best Friend (Book 1)

Sky's P.O.V. "What happened to your leg?" I ask Zoe as I take a seat beside her on the desk in the classroom and notice a deep red mark on her shin. "I slipped in the bathroom," she replies casually, taking a book from her bag. "When? Are you alright?" I freak out, concerned. "I'm fine, Sky. Don't worry." She reassures me, glancing at me. Before I can ask more questions, Selena enters the classroom and walks over to us. "Thanks for last night, Zoe." She glances at Zoe's leg. "I'm sorry you got injured because of me." I stare at them, baffled. "What happened last night?" As Selena tells me how Zoe confronted the guy for her, Zoe hides her face behind her hand. That bastard. I'm not going to let him get away with hurting my best friend. He's going to face my wrath. And what can I say about my dear Zoe? First, she puts herself in danger instead of asking for my help, and then she lies to me. God! This girl. She's going to drive me crazy. After getting the guy's details from Selena, I leave the classroom without saying a word to Zoe. She rushes after me. "Sky, stop. Listen to me." I turn towards her, scowling. "Zoe, don't follow me." She tries to explain, "I just wanted to help my friend, Sky. She needed me." "You could've called me, Zoe. Why do you never understand?" I ask, irked. "Please, stop lecturing me. I handled the situation so well last night," she retorts. "Yeah! I can see how well you handled it," I taunt, glancing at her injured leg. "My leg is fine, Sky. See..." She tries to jump, but hisses in pain. I catch her before she falls. "You're unbelievable, Trouble." I shake my head. "I know." She giggles. No matter how much she annoys me, I can't stay mad at her for long. *** It's been a week since Alex and I dealt with the guy who hurt Zoe. Nobody can lay a finger on the people who are important to me, especially Zoe. I just lose control when I see her in pain. I can't let anyone harm her. After college, Zoe and I are sitting in the garden, sharing an AirPod each and listening to music, when Alex comes to call me for match practice. "Alex, you're a buzzkill." Zoe chides him as we stand up, but Alex just rolls his eyes. "Go home safely, Zoe, and don't forget to text me," I instruct her. "Yes, boss." She salutes, and I shake my head. *** As I head towards the basketball court with Alex, he shoots me a curious glance. "Hey, Sky, can I ask you something?" I nod at him while walking. "Sure. Go ahead." "Well, you and Zoe have been close for so many years, and yet nothing's ever happened between you two. Why is that?" I pause at his question. It's not new; others have asked me the same thing over the years. I take a deep breath before responding. "Alex, Zoe and I... our friendship is pure," I begin, glancing at him. "She's been my best friend. I've never looked at her that way. She's like family to me, you know?" "Yeah, I know, but it's still shocking." I chuckle at his words. "I know it's shocking, but I've never felt anything more for Zoe than deep friendship." "No physical desire for her?" He raises his brows at me. Physical desires for Zoe? Never. It feels like a sin. I shake my head. "Nope. Just a strong bond, which is rare." *** Zoe: I've prepared chocolate mousse for you. Are you coming? I receive a text from Zoe as I'm on my way to my penthouse. Chocolate mousse is my favourite, but I can't have any because I have an urgent meeting in an hour. Me: So sorry, Trouble. I can't come. I have to attend a meeting. Zoe: What? You told me you would come. Me: I'll taste it tomorrow. It's important. I know she's upset, but I plan to surprise her after the meeting by dropping by. Zoe loves surprises. Zoe: Okay. All the best. Me: Thank you. *** After my meeting, I come to surprise Zoe at her apartment. I unlock the door with the key she gave me years ago. When I don't find her in the living room, I make the mistake of directly heading upstairs toward her room. As I near her door, I hear faint sounds that make me stop in my tracks. Moans. Soft, breathy moans. They send an unexpected jolt through me. Fuck! My heart races, and I feel a flush of heat wash over me. It's Zoe. My best friend. I should turn away and give her privacy, but something compels me to look. Just run away, Sky. Just Go. A voice inside my head keeps telling me to go, but I don't know why I can't stop myself. The door is ajar, so I make the mistake of peeking inside. Fuck! Fuck! There she is, lying on her bed, legs spread open, one hand clutching a vibrator between her thighs, the other gripping the mattress. Her face is flushed, her eyes closed, and her moans fill the room, each one sending a shiver down my spine. I've never seen Zoe like this, never imagined her this way. But now, as I watch her, every part of my body wants her. My dick hardens painfully inside my tight pants, straining against the fabric. Her moans become the most alluring sound I've ever heard. They're intoxicating, and I can't tear my eyes from her. Damn, she looks so hot while pleasuring herself. The way she is arching her back and biting her lip-it's driving me insane. I feel like rushing to her and replacing the vibrator with my dick. Fuck! No. What am I doing and what am I thinking? I should leave. This is wrong. She's my best friend. She trusts me. "Oh God! I shouldn't have peeked inside her room and seen her like this," I mutter to myself, backing away hastily. I dash outside, guilt washing over me for seeing her like this. She's awakened an intense desire within me I can hardly control. I can't even describe how hard I am for her, and how difficult it was to stop myself from entering her room and knowing how tight she would feel around my dick. Fuck! What is wrong with me? What am I thinking? She is my best friend. What I witnessed today, will I ever be able to see Zoe the same way as before? This question runs through my mind as my driver opens the car door and I settle into the backseat.