Arranged Love

by Lacey Wolfe

  “Like?”

  She smiled. “We aren’t really boyfriend-girlfriend. You don’t have to take an interest in my life.”

  “I’m your friend.”

  Friend. A friend she wanted to kiss and get naked with. “Thanks. I could use one right about now. I’m sure my gym partner is tired of hearing me complain all the time.”

  “Lay it on me.” He bit the taco.

  Kayla sighed. “My parents are getting a divorce.”

  He froze. It was shocking news. Then again, when was it ever not? “Why?”

  “Not sure. Dinner ended before it even began with them going separate ways in the house. I need to call my mom and see if she’ll give me some details.” She dipped a chip in the white cheese. After she finished the chip, she proceeded. “This thing between us should probably end.”

  “How come? It might be what they need.”

  Kayla raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah, why?”

  “We can show them what love is.”

  Kayla burst out laughing. “Have you fallen off your rocker? You’ve got to be kidding. You, who doesn’t believe in love, want to show my parents what it is?”

  “Maybe if we hold hands or something.” He paused to take a bit of his food. “Let’s get engaged!”

  Had he been drinking again? “You really have lost your mind. No, Ryan. Not happening.”

  “Just don’t end this between us.” It almost sounded like he was begging her.

  She stared at him.

  “The last thing your mother needs to worry about right now is you. If we break up, it’ll crush her. She has enough on her plate at the moment.”

  Kayla rubbed her temple, hating that he was right. Her mother would be upset. “Fine.”

  “Maybe we should start seeing one another more.”

  “We’ve been seeing each other twice a week. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  He shrugged and took a chip. “Just an offer. I guess that would cramp your style on finding your true love.”

  She rolled her eyes, not wanting to even think about finding a new boyfriend. “If it really exists. This thing with my parents is beginning to make me think you’re right.”

  “I usually am.” Ryan snickered.

  “Don’t let it go to your head.” She scooped up some more beans.

  By the time they had finished lunch, they’d stopped talking about her parents and Ryan had actually gotten her mind off of it. Together, they bagged up the uneaten food. They worked well together. He set the dirty dishes in the sink and she put the garbage in the bin.

  Kayla leaned against the counter, wondering what was next. He’d brought her lunch. But as she stared at him, she found herself moving closer to him.

  She gazed into his eyes and felt as though they were communicating. The next thing she knew, she was nodding and his arms were around her, his lips capturing hers. Greedily, she tugged at his shirt as she hopped up, wrapping her legs around his hips.

  Her back firmly met the fridge. But the kiss never broke. There was something about this man. He heated her up in ways she’d never experienced. She could quickly become addicted to him. Which wasn’t a good thing. But at this moment it was too hard to convince herself otherwise.

  “Stop me now. Or we aren’t.” His voice husky.

  She should stop him. Yes, she should end this before sex complicated it. They’d already done it once. She’d already had a taste of him and what he could do to her. But she couldn’t stop this even if she tried.

  “Don’t stop. I want this.”

  He grunted. “Which way is your room?”

  “Down the hall. Room at the end.”

  It took him no time to get there. She landed on the bed, still clinging to his shirt. They tugged at one another’s clothes until they were both naked. Kayla rubbed her hands up and down his chest, feeling herself growing moister between the legs. No foreplay was required. She was ready to spread them and let him rock her world.

  Leaning forward, she kissed him again. Her hand went lower, where she found his cock. Wrapping her fingers around it, she began to slowly guide her hand up and down. He groaned and pressed her so she lay on her back. Kayla spread her legs fully open, hoping to guide him straight inside her. But Ryan had a different idea.

  His fingers danced circles around her clit before pressing deep inside her, letting his palm stay at her sensitive nub. Unable to resist, she arched back and grinded her hips into him.

  “Oh, Ryan.” She moaned. “That feels amazing.”

  His lips sucked on her collarbone, sending a whole other sensation of pleasure through her body.

  “I can’t take much more. I don’t want to come without you being inside of me. Please.”

  He whispered, “I like hearing you beg.” He increased the motion of his fingers, pushing them as deep inside her as he could.

  “God, Ryan. Now, please.” She released his cock from her hand.

  He pushed her legs farther apart then placed them over his shoulders. She grabbed a pillow from behind her and put in underneath her bottom to elevate her hips.

  “Are you ready?” He stared down at her, his erection in hand. A small drop of cum seeped from the tip.

  Kayla licked her lips, wishing she could have a taste. There would be time for that later. She nodded and watched as he rolled the condom down his swollen shaft. Then with a hard thrust, he was inside of her.

  She cried out right away, and with each pump into her, she grunted. He was so long and thick that he filled her completely. He glided in and out. She was certain her knuckles were white as she gripped the sheets for dear life. Release was coming. Each and every nerve in her was on end. She’d never felt so good.

  Her orgasm was building much faster than she anticipated, and she couldn’t hold it off. Tangling her fingers in his hair, she pressed his face to her breasts as she let go and her release tore through her body. “Ryan. Ryan. Ryan!”

  Her back arched, her head fell back, and she rode out one of the best orgasms she’d ever had. When she finally relaxed, she expected Ryan to finish up, but instead he said, “Ready for another? I plan to make you come over and over.”

  She didn’t have the breath to speak. Instead, she nodded and leaned forward, taking his lips as he sped up his thrusts once again. She had no doubt this man could make her come over and over again. And she’d enjoy it.

  This time, he moved in a slower rhythm, which was almost a pleasurable torture. He lightly toyed with her clit between his fingers as he bit down on her nipple.

  She chewed on her bottom lip until she tasted blood. And then it happened. Her body was ready again and, from his breathing, she could tell he was too. He thrust harder, and a moment later they both cried out together.

  This was one benefit to their arrangement she could get used to. They’d have to make a point to do this more often. As she lay there catching her breath, she let her fingers rub up and down his spine. Her eyes slowly drifted shut and the warmth of his body sedated her enough that she was able to relax and fall asleep.

  Chapter 7

  “Good workout today.” Kayla pressed her water bottle to her lips.

  “Yeah, I needed it,” Abbie said as she wiped sweat from her forehead with a white towel.

  Kayla grinned. She’d gotten a pretty good workout last night with Ryan. If she kept up this charade, she’d be model thin in no time.

  “What’s the mischievous smile for?” her friend asked.

  “What smile?” Apparently she couldn’t hide her happiness.

  “The one plastered on your face. Got something to share. Maybe something dirty?”

  Kayla didn’t know Abbie well enough to share the details. Abbie spent much of her time groaning about her current boyfriend and what a mistake he was. At one point, Abbie had mentioned something about an ex she was hung up on, but Kayla hadn’t been listening well. Typically, as she chugged away on the treadmill, it took everything in her not to fall off the back of it, let alone concentrate on a
conversation.

  Abbie poked her. “Come on. Are you getting some?”

  Kayla shook her head.

  “Darn. I was hoping one of us was.”

  Kayla didn’t feel comfortable having sex discussions with this woman. She liked working out with her, but something in her head told her to watch out. It was silly probably.

  “I guess I should get going. I’m going to stop by my parents’ place for a bit.” Kayla opened her locker.

  Abbie dug through her gym bag. “Oh, yeah? Are they up your ass as much since you’ve started seeing this fake man?”

  “Surprisingly, no. I was going to end things with Ryan, because this whole thing is insane, but, like always, he made some good points as to why we should keep it going.”

  “Men.” Abbie rolled her eyes.

  Kayla closed her locker and turned to her gym partner. “Same time tomorrow?”

  She nodded. “Of course.”

  “All right. See ya then.” She headed out of the room and for the entrance of the building.

  Once in her car, Kayla opened her purse to get her keys and noticed the notification light blinking on her phone. After unlocking the screen, she saw she had a new email from Ryan.

  Kayla,

  Took the day off again. Want to get together? I had a great time with you yesterday. We could meet up for lunch, if you want.

  -R

  She smiled. Ryan most likely wanted a repeat performance of yesterday. And could she blame him? No. She’d love to hop in the sack once again and forget the rest of the world existed. But she had to find out what was going on with her parents. And with her father at work, now was the perfect time to see if her mom would talk.

  I’m heading to my mom’s. Maybe later.

  -K

  Setting the phone down on the console, she started the car and began the journey to her mom.

  * * * *

  Ryan’s phone beeped on the desk. He picked it up, wondering if Kayla had changed her mind about going to her mom’s and was heading his way.

  No such luck. It was a text from his ex.

  We need to talk.

  Like usual, he was going to ignore it. At least once a month she messaged him. He never wrote back. He always swiped his finger over the message, as he was doing now, deleting it forever. He had nothing to say to her. Abbie had made her choice when she hopped in the sack with another man—in their home! She hadn’t even had the decency to go back the other guy’s place.

  He wasn’t going down that road again and getting mixed up in her drama. If she wasn’t happy in life, it was her own fault. Not his.

  Placing the phone back down, he tried not to let old feelings creep up. The memory of coming home and hearing the sounds of her giggles throughout the house. He felt sick as he remembered creeping slowly down the hallway and seeing nothing but flesh.

  Ryan balled his hands into fists.

  “Ryan, what are you doing here?” she asked as she pulled the sheets up around her small breasts.

  Taylor stared back at him, the color drained from his face.

  “It isn’t—”Abbie started.

  “Don’t claim it isn’t what it looks like. I’m pretty sure you’re fucking another man in my bed,” he yelled.

  “I told you I needed more attention.”

  Ryan was so angry that he laughed. The nerve she had. “I’m leaving, but I’ll be back in an hour. I expect you to be gone.”

  Ryan left the house and when he returned that night, he’d gotten his wish. Abbie had left. And within a week, he listed the house for sale.

  That was a pain he never wanted to feel again. To see the woman who claimed she loved him, wrapped up with another man—one who happened to be a good friend of his at the time. This was why he could never go back down that road. Every month when Abbie started her shit on trying to get him to talk, the feelings came back. Right now, it only confirmed why what he had going with Kayla was the way to go.

  He was doing her a favor. If she stuck it out with him, she’d never have to have her heart broken.

  * * * *

  “Mom!” Kayla called as she entered her parents’ place. “Are you home?”

  The house was dead silent. No TV playing, no music, nothing. She quietly closed the door and then proceeded to search for her mother. She knew she was there, because her car was out front.

  “Mom,” she called again.

  The kitchen was empty, as well as the living room and dining area. She went to the back sliding door and saw her mom sitting outside on the patio. As Kayla slid the door open, her mom didn’t budge.

  She walked closer to see that her mother was asleep. Lightly, Kayla tapped her shoulder and finally she startled awake. “Oh God. You scared me. What are you doing here?”

  “I came by to check on you.”

  “That was sweet of you, but I’m fine.” Her smile was weak.

  “You don’t look fine. Your face is puffy from crying.” Kayla took a seat in the chair opposite her mother. “Why are you and Dad divorcing? It makes no sense.”

  She waved her hand. “It’s nothing for you to worry about.”

  “I’m your daughter. I’m going to worry. You meddle in my life. I’m going meddle in yours.” Talk about the tables turning.

  Her mother took in a deep breath before speaking. “How are things with Ryan?”

  “I’m not here to talk about him. But to be honest, I’m wondering why I should continue with him when my own parents can’t stay together.”

  Her mom reached out, taking her hand. “No, dear. Don’t let us affect you that way. I want to see you in love and happy.”

  “I don’t know if Ryan is that guy.”

  Her mom squeezed her hand. “He is. Mothers know these things.”

  Kayla felt like laughing and filling her in on the whole sham, but figured it was probably best not to. Her mom had enough to worry about right now. Kayla didn’t need her mad at her.

  “Enough about me. What could’ve possibly come between you and Dad to cause such a drastic decision?”

  Her mother sighed. “I pushed him to this point.”

  “How?”

  “I nagged him so much that I drove him away.”

  “Dad loves you. And nagging is who you are.”

  “I’m not so sure that’s a compliment.” She slightly chuckled. “This is between him and me. I think I should leave it that way until we work out the details.”

  “So, you’re not going to tell me anything? Just leave me in the dark? My parents are splitting up and I should just go on about my life happy as can be.” Kayla’s voice was rising, but she didn’t care.

  “Yes. That is exactly what I expect.”

  Kayla couldn’t believe her ears. She’d come there hoping for answers, but she obviously wasn’t going to get them. Maybe she should’ve gone to Ryan’s. It would’ve been a much more productive way to spend her afternoon. “If you need to talk, you know how to reach me. I need to go home and finish some work.”

  “Thanks for stopping by. It means so much to me.”

  Kayla stood then leaned down to embrace her mom. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Kayla went back into the house, leaving her mom where she’d found her. As she walked back through the house, she wondered if talking to her father was a better bet.

  In the car, she pulled her phone out and quickly emailed Ryan—which was becoming one of her favorite past times.

  Didn’t go as planned with Mom. Still no given reason. Supposedly this is between them and I should wait until they’re ready to tell me. Doesn’t seem fair when her nose has been stuck up my butt all these years wanting every detail of everything I do.

  I’m headed home to work. Some of us do that, you know. *wink wink*

  -K

  As she made the drive home, she longed to see Ryan. But if she did go to him, they’d end up between the sheets again. And she was having a hard time trying to decide if that was a good or bad thing. He
’d made it clear that he wasn’t looking for love. And now that she saw things falling apart between her parents, perhaps Ryan would be the key to her happiness. With love off the table, there wasn’t any room for a broken heart. All that would be left was a friendship with really awesome benefits.

  Kayla pulled over on the side of the road, looked both directions, and then turned around and drove the opposite direction of her home.

  Chapter 8

  Ryan tossed the pencil down onto his desk. He was making headway on the medicine he was working on. Being home might have been just what he needed. Or maybe it was Kayla.

  He shook his head. It was being home, away from the lab. Not because Kayla was the best sex he’d ever had. And he wanted more and more. If he had a choice, he’d tie her to his bed and have his way with her for days. Even then he wasn’t so sure he’d ever tire of her. How did this happen? How did Kayla satisfy him so completely that the thought of being with someone else didn’t exist?

  Ryan was not going down that road. No way.

  A car door shut in the parking lot in front of his apartment. He peeked through the blinds. Kayla. He’d just gotten an email from her saying she was going home, yet here she was. He and his cock were very happy.

  She rapped on the door. He jogged over and opened it. She looked incredible. Her dark hair was tied back in a high ponytail, and her green eyes almost sparkled in the sunlight.

  As he leaned against the doorjamb, trying not to stare at her cleavage in the purple low-cut blouse, he said, “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  She smirked. “You know why I’m here.”

  “You’re selling cookies?”

  “Nope.”