by Sandi Lynn
I pulled out my phone and sent Mason a text message.
“I get off at nine o’clock. If you’re going to be home tonight, how about a game of Mario Kart?”
“I guess I could stick around to kick your ass.”
“We’ll see about that, Mr. Wolfe. Game on. Better use your off time to practice before I get home.”
“Turning the game on as we speak. I’ll see you later.”
“Can I ask you a question?” I said as we sat on the couch and played our game.
“Sure.”
“How do you feel about friends with benefits?”
He paused the game and looked at me.
“I don’t really know. I’ve never had a friend with benefits. You?”
“I never had one either.”
“I suppose it could be fun. Are you suggesting that me and you—”
“Maybe.” I bit down on my bottom lip.
“Oh.” His brow arched.
“Okay. It was a stupid idea,” I said as I got up from the couch and grabbed two beers from the fridge.
“No. It’s not a stupid idea at all. I’m just surprised you would want that.”
“Why?” I handed him his beer. “I have needs and believe it or not, I have a big sexual appetite.”
“Damn. Really?” He grinned.
“Yes. Sometimes I think I was supposed to be born a guy.”
He chuckled.
“You know I don’t trust guys and I’m not looking for anything else besides sex. To be honest, I trust you enough for that.”
“Dr. Sara Davis.” He smirked. “I knew there was a wild side to you.”
“Stop it. This is hard enough as it is.”
“Trust me. It’s hard all right.”
“Mason.” I smacked his arm as I sat down next to him. “I’m serious.”
“So am I, Sara. Look.” He pointed to his cock.
Sure as shit, he was sporting a rock solid hard on.
“I’m in if you are.” He grinned.
“We’ll need rules first,” I said as I sipped my beer.
“Rules, rules, rules. We will come up with a set as soon as I take care of this hard on.”
He set his beer on the coffee table and took mine from my hand. Bringing his hand up to my cheek, he softly brushed his lips against mine.
Chapter 22
Mason
I thrust in and out of her from behind as she held onto the back of the couch. Her moans heightened my sexual excitement while she came. I pulled out of her and sat down, bringing her on top. She guided my cock inside her and quickly took in every inch of me. The pleasure was so intense it sent my eyes to the back of my head. She rode me without fear and without hesitation. This woman was on fire, and I loved every second of it. She let loose on me and it felt amazing. She had another orgasm, and just as I was about to come, I gripped her hips and held them down as I exploded inside her. She wrapped her arms around me as I held her in place. Our skin melted with sweat and our hearts rapidly beat. I could feel her erratic breathing on my neck as she could feel mine on hers. She climbed off me and fell onto the couch.
“Fuck.” I smiled as I glanced over at her, trying to regain my breath.
“Yes, we did.” She grinned.
I removed the condom, got up and threw it in the garbage.
“I’m going to clean up and get in my pajamas. I’ll be right back and then we’ll discuss the rules.”
“Anything you say, sweetheart.”
I grabbed my clothes from the floor, took them into my room and grabbed a pair of sweatpants from my drawer. After slipping into them, I went back out to the living room, grabbed my beer from the table and brought the bottle up to my lips.
“Okay. I made a list of potential rules,” she said as she sat down on the couch with a piece of paper in her hand.
“Did you just write those down now?”
“No. I worked on them all day in between patients just in case you said yes.”
“Wow. Okay. Let’s hear them.”
“Like I said, these are only potential rules that we will thoroughly discuss. If something doesn’t sound right to you or you disagree with any of them, we’ll talk about it.”
“Got it.” I smiled.
“Okay. Rule number one. We both need to be very clear about what we’re looking for and what we’re not looking for. I think transparency is a must in this situation.”
“I agree. I’m not looking for anything other than sex. I don’t want a relationship, commitment, nothing. Just sex and friendship,” I said.
“That’s exactly the way I feel, Mason. I want nothing other than great sex.”
“Not a problem.” I gave her a wink. “What’s the next rule?”
“I think it’s important that we check in with each other periodically about how we feel about our ‘friends with benefits’ relationship. Is it working for us? Are there any issues we need to work out?”
“Good idea. Open and honest. I like it.”
“The next rule is how will we keep our newfound friendship? Are we going to tell people about it? Or agree to keep it between ourselves?”
“I don’t think it’s anyone’s business what we do. So I think we should keep it to ourselves,” I said.
“That includes your brothers.” Her brow arched.
“I know and trust me, they do not need to know about our arrangement.”
“We’re doing this just to have fun and enjoy each other physically, right?” she asked.
“Definitely.”
“Okay. As long as we’re both clear on that. As for the ultimate rule, if one of us should meet someone and it becomes serious, we need to talk to each other about it.”
“That’s fine, but I don’t have any plans on seriously meeting anyone. Seriousness isn’t my thing.” I finished off my beer.
“You never know, Mason.”
“Trust me, sweetheart, I am not a serious relationship type of guy. Never have been and never will be.”
“I’m sure your brothers said the same thing.”
“They did, but they’re weak. I’m like them in certain ways, but nothing like them in others. I have my own set of beliefs that are set in stone for me.”
“Okay. That wraps up the rules then. I will make a copy for you to tuck away in your drawer, just in case you need reminding.”
“Sounds good. You’re coming to Vegas, right?”
“Do you really want me to?”
“I do.” I smiled as I took hold of her hand. “With our newfound friendship and rules, we’re going to have a blast.”
“Then I’ll come.”
I leaned over and planted a kiss on her lips.
“Um, is random kissing allowed?” I asked.
“Sure. I like random friend kisses.”
Vegas was a blast, and I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that my mother was married. To each his own, I guess. Sara and I had been in our friends with benefits zone for two months and what a whirlwind it was. My brothers hadn’t a clue what was going on, and that’s how I planned to keep it. I was having fun, plenty of sex and enjoying life. Then one night, after a round of sex with Sara, I found myself not wanting her to leave my bed.
“Stay,” I said as I grabbed her hand before she got up from the bed.
“What? Why?”
“Why not? We haven’t slept together in the same bed yet. I was thinking we could wake up together and have morning sex while we were still in bed. Sleeping in the same bed means nothing, Sara.”
“I guess you’re right. Okay.” She climbed back under the covers.
I wrapped my arms around her and closed my eyes.
Chapter 23
Sara
I purposely never stayed in bed with him for a reason. The reason being because I was afraid to get too close. We were having fun, and I was letting some emotions run high. Emotions such as missing him when he was at work or out with his friends. We were over two months into our arrangement, and I was alread
y starting to break the rules. I was falling for him. Hell, I’d already fell. I thought this would be no big deal, but the more time I spent with him, the more I trusted him. We just didn’t have sex all the time. We played games; we went grocery shopping together when we were both home, and we’d listen to the same music. He’d break out his guitar and strum a tune, and we’d both sing the lyrics together. I considered him my best friend, and it scared the hell out of me. But I wouldn’t tell him for fear he’d end our arrangement. So for now, I needed to keep silent, breaking one of my own rules.
Lying there, wrapped up in his muscular arms, made me feel safe. A feeling I hadn’t felt in many years. There was only one man in my life once upon a time that made me feel the way Mason did, and he was my father. But all that went out the window and set me on a path of loneliness and unsureness the day the ugly truth came out.
I had my alarm set for five a.m. for I needed to be at the hospital by seven. Reaching over to shut it off, Mason tightened his grip around me.
“Good morning,” he sleepily spoke as his lips pressed against the flesh of my back.
“Morning.” I turned in his arms.
“What time is it?”
“It’s five. I need to be at the hospital by seven.”
“And I need to be at the fire station by eight.” He sighed.
“You still have some time to sleep. I’m going to take a shower.”
“Sounds good to me.” He rolled over.
I sat on the edge of the bed for a moment and stared at him. This all sounded easy when I proposed the idea. Now, it had just become complicated.
Mason
She left the bedroom, and I turned on my back and placed my arm behind my head. Sleeping with and holding her all night felt — Hell, I didn’t know. I liked it and I didn’t want her to leave. If there was one thing I knew for sure, it was I enjoyed being with her. And not just sexually. I enjoyed being with her period. Life always seemed to be better when she was around.
I was only working an eight-hour shift because I’d agreed to cover another firefighter’s shift. It was the least I could do since I owed him a favor. But even if I didn’t owe him a favor, I still would have done it because that’s what we did. We always had each other’s backs.
It was a rare quiet day. When my shift ended, I headed over to Rudy’s.
“Hey, Mason. You here alone?”
“Hi, Hanna. Yeah. I just stopped in for a quick drink, then I’m heading home.”
“What are you drinking tonight?”
“Give me a scotch and make it a double.”
“Coming right up.” She smiled.
As I was drinking my scotch, an older gentleman sat down on the stool next to me. I glanced over at him, gave him a nod, and then went back to my drink.
“What can I get you?” Hanna asked him.
“I’ll have what he’s having,” the gentleman spoke. “Thank you for your service,” he said as he glanced over at me.
“Excuse me?”
“I see you’re a firefighter.” He pointed to the logo on my sleeve. “And a captain. Impressive.”
“Yeah.” I smiled. “Thanks.”
“Is that something you always wanted to do?” he asked.
“Ever since I could remember.” I smiled.
“That’s one hell of a dangerous job.” He took a sip of his scotch.
“You sound like my mother. She’s always trying to get me to switch careers.”
He let out a chuckle.
“I’m not surprised. Moms are always overprotective. But the important thing is to do what you love and what makes you happy, regardless of the danger.”
“Trust me. I am, and this is one battle my mom won’t win. What do you do?”
“I’m retired. I just got into New York a week ago.”
“Oh yeah. Where are you from?” I held up my glass to Hanna to let her know I needed a refill.
“Alaska. I was a commercial fisherman.”
“Crab?” I arched my brow.
“Yep.” The corners of his mouth curved upward.
“Talk about a dangerous job.”
“One of the deadliest.” He grinned as he brought his glass up to his lips.
“Wow. I bet you have some great stories.”
“I do. I’ll tell them to you sometime.”
“By the way, I’m Mason.” I held out my hand.
“Nice to meet you, Mason. I’m Jack.” He shook my hand.
“So, what brings you to New York?” I asked. “Do you have family here?”
“Nah, no family. I came here for personal reasons. You’re actually the first person here I’ve met. I better get going.” He finished his drink. “I don’t want to overstay my welcome here.” He threw some cash down on the bar and got up from his stool. “It was nice to meet you, Mason.”
As he walked away, I shouted his name.
“Hey, Jack?”
“Yeah?” He turned around.
“How would you like to come to dinner at my place tomorrow night? I know it must be hard not knowing anyone here.”
“That’s very kind of you, but I don’t want to impose.”
“If I thought you were imposing, I wouldn’t have asked. Say around seven?” I asked Hanna for a pen and wrote my address on a napkin and handed it to him.
“Seven sounds good. I’ll be there.” The corners of his mouth curved upward. “You’re a good man, Mason.”
I gave him a small smile, and he walked away.
“Looks like you made a new friend.” Hanna grinned as she grabbed my glass. “Refill?”
“Nah, I’m going to head home.” I threw some cash down.
Chapter 24
Mason
I had texted Sara on my way home to ask her if she wanted a burger from the place around the corner from the apartment. I was starving and a burger sounded good.
After I got home, I set the bag of food down on the island, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and went straight to my bedroom to change. I stopped in the doorway and smiled when I saw Sara lying across the bed completely naked.
“Hello there, beautiful.” I quickly pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it to the floor.
“Hello yourself, handsome.” She grinned.
“To what do I owe this surprise?” I kicked off my shoes and undid my pants.
“I’m horny.” The corners of her mouth curved upward in a seductive smile.
“Good enough reason for me.”
I pulled off my pants and underwear and climbed on the bed as I softly kissed her lips.
“If you want to eat first, go ahead. I can wait.” She ran her finger down my chest.
“I’m going to eat, sweetheart, but it won’t be that burger first.” I gave her a wink as I made my way down her torso.
I let out a loud moan as I exploded inside her. Trying to catch my breath, I pressed my lips against her bare shoulder.
“Have I satisfied your sexual need?” I asked.
“You always do.” She smiled with the turn of her head.
I pulled out of her and she rolled on her back. Pulling the condom off, I disposed of it in trash and grabbed my bag of food from the kitchen counter.
“Fry?” I pulled one out and held it up to her.
“Thanks.”
I climbed in next to her and sat up so I could eat.
“By the way, you reek of scotch,” she spoke as she reached over and grabbed another fry.
“That’s because I was at Rudy’s. Are you working tomorrow?”
“No. It’s my day off. Why?”
“Good. I invited someone over for dinner. You are more than welcome to join us. I’d like you to meet him.”
“Okay. Who is this man I’ll be meeting?”
“His name is Jack. I met him at Rudy’s, and we sat and talked for a couple hours.”
“What?” Her brows furrowed. “You just met a strange guy at the bar and now you invited him over for dinner?”
“I kno
w. It sounds crazy and so out of character for me. But there’s something about him.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. We connected. He was so easy to talk to and listen to. I know this sounds weird, but I kind of feel like I’ve known him my entire life.”
“Sounds like you’re in love.” She grinned.
“Shut up.” I laughed.
“Seriously, Mason. Don’t you think it’s kind of dangerous inviting a stranger to the apartment?”
“I do it—or at least I did it all the time.”
“But those were women. Big difference. What if he’s a murderer? What do you know about him?”
“He’s not a murderer. He’s from Alaska and he’s a crab fisherman. Well, he used to be. He’s retired now.”
“So he’s an Alaskan crab fisherman murderer?”
“Very funny.” I nudged her shoulder.
“How old is this guy?”
“I’d say around sixty, maybe early sixties.”
“Really?” She bit down on her bottom lip.
“Yeah. He just got into New York about a week ago and doesn’t know anyone. We talked, he told me some stories, and I invited him over. I think you’ll like him.”
Sara
I found it odd that Mason would just up and invite a total stranger to the apartment for dinner. But then again, he invited a total stranger to live with him. That stranger being me. He was a kind-hearted person, and his generosity made me fall more in love with him. But I still couldn’t help the feeling that something wasn’t right.
When we got back from the grocery store, I realized we forgot to pick up something, so Mason ran to the corner store to get it. As I was putting away the groceries, there was a knock on the door. When I opened it, Nathan stood there with a grin.
“Hello, Sara.”
“Hey, Nathan. Come on in.”
“Mason told me he’d be home in a few and just to wait for him.”
“Yeah. He just ran to the corner store. We forgot something we need for dinner.”
“Oh. So you two are cooking dinner together?” He smirked.