by KyAnn Waters
Both of his hands stroked down her back, along her spine, until he cupped her ass. His fingers pressed into her buttocks, and he growled deep in his chest. The vibration tightened her nipples and shot a tingle lower. Heat simmered in her pussy, and her clit pulsed against the hard bulge in his jeans. Her head spun as desire licked her pussy. Fluid dampened her panties as she rode his solid, thick length.
A low hum vibrated her throat. Breath rushed from her lungs, replaced with the intoxicating scent of his cologne. Johnny shifted, bent his knees and aligned their bodies more perfectly. His cock felt huge, rubbing through jeans against her wet folds and aching clit. God, she wanted this to happen with both of them naked. The fingers of one of his hands trailed up her side with gentle pressure. Her heart raced as he grazed the edge of her breast. Desire warmed her, and she melted against him, molding as much of her body to his as she could.
A whimper slipped from her lips, and his touch inched along her arm in a soft lover's caress.
Her tummy fluttered when that hand tunneled into her hair, holding her head. His velvet tongue stroked hers, sending a pulse straight into the depths of her pussy. The walls of her channel clenched, anticipating fulfillment.
She wanted more than kissing— she wanted cock— his cock— when she pulled away slowly. “What took you so long?” she asked on a breathy pant, passing her thumb over his moist, lower lip.
Her heart beat faster. Blatant sexual energy vibrated into her flesh from the gentle pressure of his warm fingers as his hand rested on her hip.
“Had I known this would be my reception, I would've hurried.” They stared at one another. Johnny's hand moved to the curve of her ass, pulling her more intimately against him. Darkened eyes moved over her face and down her body, hungrily eating her up.
“I'll see you around,” Trent said and then stepped away.
The tension in her shoulders eased, but not the heat flowing through her body. She sighed, but it was far from relief. Johnny had her burning up to the point of wanting to tear off his clothes, topple him to the floor, and ride him like a wild steed. “Um, thanks.” She struggled to sound normal and not the turned on mess creaming her jeans. “I don't have the patience to deal with Trent.”
And she didn't need complications. Falling for her best friend would be a monster- sized problem.
Johnny's stomach dropped to his feet before rocketing into his chest. Some welcome! One he'd never forget. He'd always suspected Krissy's kiss would be memorable. His cock swelled and his balls tightened. Hell, more than that, he needed to come. Kiss? That was no kiss, rather an oral assault and he wanted more. He wanted to fuck her— right now.
“No problem. Use me anytime.” He slapped her rear and then caressed his hand over the curve.
Ryan and Drew finished their set and came up to the table. “Where's mine?” Drew asked Krissy.
“Right here.” She smacked her ass and headed for the bar to order a drink.
“When I told you to kiss her, I was only joking,” Drew whispered to Johnny. “Didn't think you'd take me literally.”
“I didn't. That was all Krissy.” And all for show. His stomach lurched.
“Call it what you want, but that kiss looked hot as hell,” Ryan said.
“It was and now I'm going to need a beer to douse the flames.”
Drew slapped him on the back. “That my brother, is doable.” His mouth twitched into a grin. “Just like the wood girl.”
“Only in your dreams,” Ryan said.
“Only in your wet dreams,” Shelby said from behind them. Then she sauntered over to join Krissy and Casey at the bar.
Chapter Three
The Problem with the Plan
Johnny lay in bed with his eyes closed. Krissy and tonight's kiss lingered in his thoughts and kept him from being able to sleep. He leaned over and picked up his cell phone off the floor. With a groan, he sat, dialed her number, then went to the kitchen to scrounge for food while he waited for her to answer. On the fifth ring, he hung up.
Spending time in his kitchenette was an exercise in futility. He either ate at Krissy's or grabbed fast food. He slapped the small refrigerator door closed. Good thing drive- thru stayed open late. And since he had to go out, he might as well swing by Krissy's first— just to be sure she was okay. He smiled. If she didn't answer the phone because she was sleeping, she'd be hungry when he woke her up.
Johnny yawned as he drove down the deserted streets. Leave it to Krissy to cause him another sleepless night. He had a plan. If she wasn't home, he'd get a value meal, come back, let himself into her apartment and eat.
Only she was home. Her Saturn was parked in its space. And the lights were on. The girl had some explaining to do. She couldn't avoid him after that kiss. Not to mention, she needed to answer her damn phone. He parked in a visitor slot.
He knocked once, tested the doorknob and knocked again.
Krissy flung the door open. Her eyes were swollen and red- rimmed. “Why are you here?”
“Because you didn't answer the phone. What happened?” Johnny walked into the apartment and Krissy closed the door behind him. “Why didn't you answer your phone? I've been calling.”
“When a person doesn't answer the phone, it means they don't want to talk.”
“No, you don't want to talk about the kiss.”
“I don't want to talk to you.”
“Too bad. You can't avoid me.”
She sniffed.
Great, now he felt like shit. Tears streamed down her cheeks. He didn't intend to make her cry. “Come here.” He pulled her into a hug. “I'm sorry. I worry about you because I care about you.”
She held him tightly around his waist. “It's not that. It's about the pregnancy and trying to find Mr. Perfect. No more searching. My plan won't work. I won't find someone because no one will be good enough.” She lifted her gaze to his. “It's all your fault.”
Krissy could see her comment confused him. His eyes narrowed as the wheels of his mind turned. This monumental step in her life was too important to chance on a perfect stranger. She wanted Johnny— her best friend.
“I'll never find someone like you. You have a great family, you love kids, and as soon as you finish your degree, you'll have a great career. I know about your prowess in bed. We've probably shared too much about what we've done and who we've done it with. I've seen you naked— ”
“Skinny dipping doesn't count. Cold water alters perception of certain body parts.”
Krissy rolled her eyes. “Johnny, I peek all the time.” She laughed when he opened his mouth to speak. “You peek, too.” There were times when he crashed on her couch that she knew he wasn't asleep. She'd purposefully pranced back and forth from the bathroom to her bedroom giving him a peep show.
“I never peek.”
“Liar, but it doesn't matter. I can't stop thinking about our kiss. You were turned on, too. The erection you pressed between my legs proved it.”
Johnny crossed the living room floor moving away from her. No way could he have forgotten the way his cock hardened when they kissed. Clothing was the only thing that had kept them from making real the movements their bodies simulated.
Who better than her best friend? Of course, the risks were high. Getting intimate with a man always brought about emotions with the potential to destroy a friendship. For that reason alone, Johnny should remain off limits.
All through high school, when he invaded her dreams, she'd convinced herself she couldn't act on her feelings. She cared for him too much to risk what they shared. Any innuendos they'd made had been in jest. Hers had covered her secret desires. Over the years, she'd been able to put those feelings aside. She would rather have Johnny as her friend than not have him at all. Except now the stakes had changed. The risks were greater.
She had to ask him again. God, please this time let him agree. Trembling started in her chest and traveled down her arms until she clasped her hands together to keep him from noticing the shake. How was she goin
g to make him see that he'd be the perfect long- term solution?
“Are you listening?” he asked.
“I'm sorry. I was thinking. Johnny, I could search forever and never find the right man to father my baby.”
He sat in the ratty recliner. “If you expect me to disagree, don't. I think you're crazy.”
“I know. That's just my point. Don't you see? No one is ever going to be good enough. Just because a man is nice to look at, fun, and can show me a good time, I want to take him home. The problem is that the package is beautifully wrapped and never what I bargained for on the inside.” She fidgeted with the ring on her finger unable to look Johnny in the eye. If he said no, she'd be devastated. And if he said yes, would sex change them forever? Could they become lovers and then return to just friends as if nothing happened? Probably not. But maybe they could be better. “I already know him. Johnny, I wasn't joking. I want you.”
Johnny didn't move. He didn't speak. God, was he even blinking? He just stared at her across the living room. What was he thinking? The stupid muscle in his jaw worked overtime. Not a good sign. Why wasn't he saying anything? She'd just asked him to have a baby. He had to have an opinion. With the way he had acted in the beginning, surely he'd thought about it. She wasn't completely oblivious to his mood swings. And he thought she was irritable. “Well?”
“Well what?” The footrest slammed back under the seat of the recliner. Johnny bolted out of the chair and stalked into the kitchen.
“Don't walk away.” She followed him. “It's the perfect solution. All the rules still apply. You don't have to do anything but enjoy the ride. It wouldn't have to change anything between us. It's the perfect solution,” she repeated, wanting to grab him by the shoulder and swing him around to face her. Instead, she pleaded her case to his back.
“I'm not ready for kids.”
“You don't have to be. I'm not asking for more than sex.” He did turn around at that. Oh, hello. So it was easier talking to his back. The glare in his eyes more than intimidated. However, cowering wasn't her style. “Don't tell me it'll be a hardship. We both know we've been curious. You've thought about fucking me as much as I've thought about fucking you. At least I can admit it.”
“Hell yes, I've wondered. After a dozen years of being best friends, I never intended to find out.”
She took a hesitant step closer. “I trust you.” One more step. “Our child would have a mom and a dad that get along. We've never been in a relationship, so we won't have the burden of an ugly breakup.” She touched his arm. “Best friends. Our child would have loving parents.”
“I didn't think you wanted the father involved.”
“No, because I had assumed you'd fill the role! You're in my life, and I know you'd be around for the baby. You could spend as much time with our child as you wanted. I'd want your parents to be grandma and grandpa. You'd be around regardless of the biological father. You are the only constant in my life.”
Johnny growled and stepped away from her touch. So much for an easy undertaking. She needed better arguments than the ones spilling from her lips. “My parents live on the other side of the country. I love your mom and dad. Think about how great it'll be for your parents. They love me.” She gave him a coy smile. “You'll put your mama's mind at ease. She's worried about the kind of girl you'll bring home.”
“My dad will have a heart attack. And I won't be bringing you home. I'll be knocking you up. Do you still think they'll be thrilled?”
Why did he have to think things through all the time? For every point she made, he offered a counter. When he finished school, he'd make a great lawyer. Time to face the truth; this wasn't going to work. Johnny took responsibility for his future.
“You're sure? I can't say anything to change your mind.”
Johnny growled again and ran his fingers through his hair. He hopped onto the counter and wrapped his hands around the edge of it as his legs dangled. Funny, she'd always known he was attractive. Yet, never before had her mind detailed his thick thighs encased in denim or the way the muscles of his forearms bunched as his hands white- knuckle- gripped the edge. His fingers were long and tapered. A man's hands. Hands she imagined on her body and felt an instant response fluttering in her belly. Creamy heat pooled in her core and emotion swelled in her chest.
“I think it would be a mistake.” He glanced at the floor and then met her eyes again. “I don't want us to end up hating each other.”
“I could never hate you so that will never happen.”
“Hear me out. What happens when at some point in the future one of us gets involved in a relationship?”
“I can't foresee anything coming between us. I'd never be with a man who couldn't accept that you're my best friend.” She scrunched her brows. “You know me. I dump a guy when he tries to tell me what to do.” She popped up onto the counter next to him. “Except you. I'd do exactly what you tell me, if you agree.”
He snorted. “You're full of shit.”
“I promise I'm not. I can think of a way for you to know exactly what I have on the inside.” She wagged her brows and smiled. Johnny chuckled. At least he hadn't outright refused. Although taking the technicality of the actual act of intercourse out of the equation was important. She had to appeal to him as her best friend. “We start as we intend to finish. If we talk about each of our concerns, no one will get hurt.”
He shook his head. “We aren't fuck friends.”
She'd better start talking fast because she was losing him. “I know you love me and I love you. Keeping out the usual problems that go along with relationships will be easy. We don't have a relationship.”
He jumped from the counter. “I don't do casual sex.”
“Oh, give me a break,” she said, exasperated. “You don't do commitment any better than I do. This is probably the best argument I have. I don't want you to have any obligation to me outside of the baby. At least no more than you would feel if someone else fathered my baby.”
Johnny nearly sagged under the weight of her statement. Hadn't that been his problem from the beginning? Krissy's determination to have a baby directly impacted how they'd relate to each other for the rest of their lives. Could he realistically watch her create a lifelong bond to someone else? No. But, there were so many complications to consider. Namely, how did he ensure they remained friends?
People loved, married, had children, and still ended up hating each other and making their children pay the price. Nothing could make him hate her. Only he had no control over her emotions. Thinking of not having her in his life depressed him. There was one sure way to stay connected.
“Fuck me,” he said, scrubbing his cheeks with his palms.
She smiled. “Yes, that is what I'm propositioning.”
“This isn't the time for jokes. If I say yes, and we do this, we're going to have some ground rules.”
“Absolutely.”
Krissy slid off the counter. Her smile widened and her eyes sparkled like diamonds. Pure pleasure at his response manifested itself in every beautiful line of her face. A face he just ensured he'd see for the rest of his life. Unable to stop his own smile, he grasped the magnitude of the decision.
“We can't let our sleeping together change us. We won't let it,” she said.
He stood in front of her and put his hands on her shoulders. Just touching her sent adrenaline surging through his veins. His body heated and his head lightened. She was compact and feminine. And he was going to have her naked, writhing beneath him. His heart galloped. Fuck.
“The first thing we need to do is be honest. It is going to change us.” Her hair felt like silk against his hands. He wondered how it would feel against his chest or spread out across his pillows. How many times had he imagined her sitting astride, riding him with her hair falling around her shoulders? At least as many times as he'd imagined sliding his cock into her perfectly fuckable ass.
Shit. His cock head oozed and the shaft pulsed. Pressure tightened his balls a
nd his muscles tensed. Like getting ready for a fight, he buzzed. Only this time the energy was sexual. He couldn't just fuck her once. He'd wanted to fuck her forever. “We need to talk about everything. What I expect from you, what you expect from me, and don't tell me you don't want anything.”
“Okay, you go first.” She took a notebook out of the drawer next to the kitchen sink and a pen from the cup on the windowsill. “I'll write down the rules. This is our contract.”
This was stupid. He wasn't detached enough to lay his emotions out on the bargaining table. “I don't want you sleeping with other men while you're pregnant with my baby.”
“Fine. But if I'm going without, so are you.”
Not a problem. Sleeping with Krissy would undoubtedly ruin him for anyone else.
“What are we going to tell our parents?” she asked.
He went to the refrigerator. “You hungry?” he asked, helping himself to her groceries.
“I can eat. So what do you want to tell them? We're getting pregnant on purpose, but maybe we should let them think it was an accident?”
Johnny paused in the task of getting a frying pan. “I don't want our baby ever thinking he or she was a mistake.”
“Our baby,” she whispered with awe and wonder discernible in her voice. “Is this really happening?”
Her eyes filled with tears. Johnny set the frying pan on the stove and pulled her out of the kitchen chair and into his arms. “Scary when it finally becomes real, isn't it?” He stroked her back. He felt her head nod against his chest. Then she went rigid and pushed against him. “What?”
“We have bigger problems.” She took two retreating steps. “The when, where and how.”
“Pardon me?”
“I don't want some magical date etched into my mind reminding me of the day we conceived our baby. Where are we actually going to have sex? Not my bed. I'm not going to remember us every time I crawl beneath the covers. Not your bed either. I don't want you thinking about me when you go to sleep.”