by Anne Lange
Table of Contents
~ Acclaim for Anne Lange ~
~ Look for these titles from Anne Lange ~
Copyright Warning
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Epilogue
~ About the Author ~
~ Also by Anne Lange ~
~ More Romance from Etopia Press ~
~ Acclaim for Anne Lange ~
For Worth the Risk
“Worth the Risk is my first book by Anne Lange and I loved it. ...[I]t piled on the personality and hot scenes. I never felt like anything was being rushed along because of the length of the book. If you are looking for a sweet, fun, hot read to pass a few hours this is the one for you.”
—Tina Coffee and Books 4.5 Stars
“A smoothly-written and well-executed erotic romance novel, Worth the Risk immediately captures the reader’s attention and emotions and maintains that grasp throughout until the ending, leaving the reader to relax in satisfaction with a ‘well done!’ to the characters and the author.”
—Mallory Heart Reviews 5 Stars
“As Molly and Tanner reunite through numerous steamy sexual encounters (and there are A LOT of encounters) we get brief glimpses of a fun and supportive group of friends and I was intrigued by all of them. It was easy to immerse myself in this story as each member of the group was easy to relate to. On a whole this story was sexy yet heartwarming, intensely emotional and painful with an epilogue that's uplifting and joyous. Ms. Lange has created a wonderful hero and sets us on an emotional roller coaster ride that ends in an immensely satisfying conclusion. So take a risk and read Worth the Risk.”
—J.Falty’s Words of Wisdom from the Scarf Princess
“Worth the Risk starts off pulling the heartstrings of the reader. The story involves a woman's search for self, making a decision that cuts to the marrow. Then the story shifts forward to the reunion of Molly and Tanner. Their lost love demands a reconnection, and then Tanner very much becomes a man on a mission. The sexy scenes deliver up the goods and the story weaves angst coupled with rocking desire. I look forward to Anne Lange's next book. Keep them coming!”
—Book Reviews and Peeks 5 Stars
“The story was well paced, and the flow was smooth enough to follow without getting pulled out of it. For a novella there were quite a few sex scenes, but all of them were scorching hot! Thunder storm—enough said. The first scene was a little unexpected, but since those two never stopped loving each other, even after ten years, I got it—feelings, opportunity, desire all led to ‘deed now, talk later’. I loved the ending in the form of an epilogue. It was perfect for them, and Tanner became more swoon-worthy in my eyes.
“If you love second chances, toe-curling moments, and happy ending that put a perma-smile on your face, this story is for you. It's definitely Worth the Risk. I would definitely read more books by Anne Lange.”
—Michelle W “MsRomanticReads” 4 Stars
~ Look for these titles from Anne Lange ~
Now Available
Worth the Risk
Friends with Benefits
The Vault Series Book One
Anne Lange
Copyright Warning
EBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared, or given away. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is a crime punishable by law. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded to or downloaded from file sharing sites, or distributed in any other way via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/).
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are fictitious or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real in any way. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Published By
Etopia Press
1643 Warwick Ave., #124
Warwick, RI 02889
http://www.etopia-press.net
Friends with Benefits
Copyright © 2014 by Anne Lange
ISBN: 978-1-940223-83-4
Edited by Julian Smith
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First Etopia Press electronic publication: January 2014
Dedication
This story is dedicated to my critique partner. For two people who came together from opposite sides of the world, we clicked from the start. And with her help, Friends with Benefits grew beyond its initial intent, becoming much more than I ever envisioned for my little story.
Most of all, I love that we can be there for each other, even when we’re physically not. We’ll probably never have an opportunity to meet face-to-face, but I feel like I’ve known her forever.
This one is for you, April. I can’t tell you how much your support, your encouragement, and your insight mean to me. My stories are so much better because of you. Love and hugs my friend.
Chapter One
“You want me to do what?”
“I want you to seduce my wife.” Tyler O’Neil grinned. Connor stared at him from across the table, mouth hanging open, eyes wide, as all around them men and women filed into the bar.
“I…ah…mmm…Christ, Tyler, I’m not sure what to say.” Connor set his beer on the table, a soft tap of glass against wood, and rubbed a hand over his face. His head swiveled in slow motion, his gaze shifting to the window overlooking the street. He appeared to be staring at two seniors arguing over a parking spot.
“Listen, it’s not what you’re thinking,” Tyler said.
“How do you know what I’m thinking? I don’t even know what I’m thinking.”
“OK then, how’s the new job looking?”
Tyler laughed out loud when Connor squeezed his eyes shut and then pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. While he waited for Connor to regain focus, Tyler picked up his drink and downed a swig of ice-cold beer.
“Job’s fine. And don’t change the subject.”
“You appeared to need a moment.” Moving from construction site to construction site had kept Connor at a distance—so far, in fact, he hadn’t been able to attend his and Angela’s wedding. For Tyler, it hadn’t been the same without his best friend standing at his side.
“Tyler, what’s going on? Is everything OK with you and Angela?”
“We’re…fine.” Tyler shifted in the chair, coughing into his fist to hide the subtle waffle in his speech. “We’ve just, you know, hit our seven-year itch. So, I’m looking for ways to spice things up a bit.”
“You want to recharge your relationship by brin
ging another man into the bedroom? Are you insane?”
He leaned in and pinned Connor with a dark stare. “Not just any man. It’s not like you and I haven’t shared women before.”
Connor returned the intense gaze, his voice dipping low to match his friend’s. “You weren’t married then.”
Sucking in a deep breath, his chest expanding in the heat of the late afternoon, and an overcrowded room, Tyler straightened and scanned the area around them. That’s why he’d picked tonight when he’d asked Connor to meet him. They’d managed to snag a table near the open patio window. The after-work crowd on a Friday, floor-thumping music on the inside, and passing traffic on the outside would ensure their conversation remained between the two of them. Working in the downtown core of a city the size of Rosewood, he ran the risk of running into people he either knew personally or did business with, but the odds were better here than taking a chance at a bar closer to home.
“Talk to me, Ty. I’ve never met your wife, but I can’t believe she’d agree to this. And we’re not in school anymore.”
“We’ve been talking about our fantasies a lot lately. Pillow talk. Some of hers involve strangers and the possibility of a threesome.” He shrugged, adding in a quiet but sure voice. “I’d like to fulfill them.”
“What exactly are you suggesting?”
“I have a business trip at the end of the month. I plan to extend it by a few days and go visit my mother for the weekend. Angie’s staying home. She’ll probably want to do a few things around the house, but will end up sitting by the pool, reading. I thought maybe you could show up and offer to help her out.”
“Help her out?”
“Yeah, impress her with your carpentry skills. Judging by some of the books she reads, she likes big, strong, guys—men who do honest work to build their muscles. She’s horny as hell when she comes to bed some nights. I’m thinking you could offer to mend some fencing, finish my deck, or something. Watching you work would get her juices flowing.”
“Is this your way of tricking me into doing your yard work?” Connor snickered and raised his beer. “Strange way to go about it, bud.”
“Getting one more item off the to-do list is just a bonus, Jonesy.” Tyler chuckled.
Connor’s right brow shot up as he sipped his drink and then lowered the bottle. “I’d prefer you call me by my first name. I ditched the stupid nickname after graduation.”
“Excuse me, Connor.”
“Is that why you found me a rental in your neighborhood?”
“Let’s focus on you getting it on with my wife.”
“I can’t believe you’re asking me to do this.” Connor shook his head and downed the remainder of his beer in one long swallow.
“Believe it. She’s pretty, and she’s hot. You’ll love her.” His gorgeous wife filled his every dream. He loved the way she looked, smelled, and moved. He lived to see her smile—would do anything to put one on her beautiful face.
“I’m sure she is.”
“I wouldn’t even consider suggesting this with anyone other than you.”
“I can’t believe you want to go down that path again.” Connor set the empty bottle on the table, shaking his head.
“Connor. I know you, and I trust you. So trust me. This isn’t a whimsical decision on my part. The timing’s right. And really, do you have anything better to do until you start the new project?” He knew Connor had no other friends in the area.
“You know I don’t. We don’t break ground for another three weeks. But that’s beside the point. You’re asking me to have sex with your wife, Ty.”
“Yes. I am. Initially, I want to fulfill her stranger fantasy. But I’m also asking you to participate in a threesome with us.”
The memory of how wet Angela had been the last time they talked about it entered Tyler’s mind. Fuck, she’d been so turned on by the conversation, foreplay wasn’t necessary. Afterward, she’d blushed, embarrassed at her body’s eagerness. He wanted her to understand he’d do anything to make her feel good. It wouldn’t change how much he loved her. If things worked out as he hoped, their bond would be stronger.
“Fantasy and reality are two different things. Are you sure this won’t freak her out?”
“Will she be nervous? Hell yeah. But she’ll be excited, too. And don’t worry. I’ll talk to her. I don’t want it to appear too pre-arranged, but I don’t want to scare her either. Personally, I can’t wait to see her with you. It’ll be fucking hot.” Tyler watched as Connor rolled his head on his shoulders and began rubbing the back of his neck, a habit he had when working something through in his mind. “Cindy left what…ten months ago?”
“Twelve. Why bring her up?”
“I thought part of the reason you took this job was to get away from all that drama, to start over.” Tyler had never had the displeasure of meeting Connor’s ex, but from everything he’d been told, the woman didn’t deserve a man like the one sitting across the table from him.
Connor snorted. “Drama. That’s one word for it.”
“Forget Cindy. And you can’t work all the time. This will keep you occupied when you’re away from the job site.” Tyler raised his voice to be heard over a rowdy group of executives a few tables over. “Are you settled into the house yet?” When a small bungalow had become available down their street, Tyler had hooked his friend up, figuring he’d prefer his own space rather than a hotel. If he’d believed in fate, he’d have said the stars were aligned.
Connor closed his eyes. When he opened them, his pupils had dilated until not a hint of color showed. Tyler smiled. His friend had made his decision. He just wouldn’t confess to it yet.
“I’ve got the basics covered,” Connor said. “Thanks for scoping the place out. But I’m not staying long, so no sense in getting comfortable.”
“No problem. Besides, it serves my selfish purposes too.” Tyler grinned.
“I like the area. Unfortunately, the project I’m working on is a quick build—eighteen months, tops.”
“You’re a great project manager, Connor. You know your stuff. I’m sure if you contacted the local construction firms, one of them would hire you in an instant. It would be great to have you living in the area.” Tyler cleared his throat, turning to acknowledge their young server as she bounced to a stop at the end of their table.
“Do you need another round of drinks, or would you like to order some food?” She snapped her bubblegum, sounding and behaving far younger than she looked.
“I’ll finish the drink I have, thank you,” Tyler said. Although the end-of-day rush hour would be over soon, the drive home ran close to forty-minutes.
“Same here, thanks.” Connor nodded his agreement.
“OK, then. Here’s your bill. You can pay at the table. Let me know if you need change, or if you’re paying by debit or credit card.” The waitress blew a small pink bubble, letting it expand until it popped, and flounced off across the room, her blonde ponytail swishing from side-to-side, the uniform short shorts and cropped top more conducive to a car wash than a bar.
In this crowd, they’d have to send smoke signals to attract her attention again. Tyler turned back to Connor. “You got cash?”
“You want me to fuck your wife, cross some item off your honey-do list, and pay for your beer?” From his wallet, Connor pulled a twenty-dollar bill and dropped it on the table. “Let’s get out of here. We can finish this conversation in the parking lot.”
Tyler followed his friend as they made their way to the exit and out the front door, pushing through a crowd of at least a dozen waiting for tables to open up. Silently agreeing to wait before they continued their discussion, they crossed the street, maneuvering among the throngs of people window shopping or patio hopping in an attempt to postpone heading home.
The high-rise backing the cramped parking lot cast a partial shadow over Connor’s black F-150 truck. Coming to a stop next to it, Connor glanced around. With his head cocked to the left, and a concerned expression o
n his face, he met Tyler square on. “You’re sure about this?”
“About you crossing some items off my list of chores? Oh, yeah, definitely.” Connor rolled his eyes. “OK, I’ll be serious. Yes, Connor, I am. This is something I’ve been thinking about for some time.”
Tyler’s gaze swept the sidewalk, the patio still in his line of vision, noting all the individuals searching out companionship for the evening. A drink, simple conversation, or something more? How many of them lived normal, accepted lifestyles? How many of them were happy in those relationships? How many of them dreamed of something unconventional?
Tyler loved his wife more than his own life. She was an open-minded and open person, but he sensed she held back when it came to sex. She had no issues telling him how hard or how fast she wanted him to go, but his gut told him she wanted more edge to their sex life. He couldn’t wait to open the floodgates and let her loose.
“I think she’s holding back, and the kinky side of her is itching to fly. I’ll talk to her about it tonight. I’m not going to tell her who you are though. I want the first time she actually meets you to appear spontaneous, the stranger fantasy thing. I’ll make sure she’s aware something might happen, and that I’m okay with it, but she won’t know when. I’ll call you in a couple of days to confirm.”