A Friendly Arrangement

  “It’s a cause for worry.” She chewed her bottom lip.

  “Don’t worry. I get it. Although our arrangement has no time limit, you don’t have to worry about me changing the terms of our deal.”

  Her shoulders sagged. She didn’t want to break things off with another guy like she had with Clark. The crappy feeling afterward, combined with the look in his eyes, wasn’t anything she needed to repeat. Ever. Again. If things were kept up-front from the beginning—maybe reiterated from time to time so that neither of them lost track—then nobody would have to get hurt. “Good. Although I thought I’d been pretty open with Clark, I wonder if I had been more straightforward he wouldn’t have been hurt so badly. Not that I’m saying we should’ve stayed together, because obviously, in the long run, we wanted different things.”

  He shook his head and smiled.

  She didn’t want to dwell on the past. She and Roth would move forward with something new. The idea excited her. They’d always been so candid with each other. How could this not go well? A mutually respectful sexual alliance with no strings. If she could say relationship without breaking out in a cold sweat, this would definitely be the perfect relationship. Sex with your best friend. Life couldn’t be any easier.

  “I can tell you’re having an internal ramble.”

  “I know.”

  “I wasn’t going to say anything, but you started to zone out.”

  She jabbed him in the shoulder. “Thanks for that.”

  “No problem.”

  She cleared her throat. “So, we both agree this is the perfect setup. Neither of us wants anything traditional, we both agree we won’t change the rules of our deal, and that we’ll talk things out if anything becomes awkward.” She hated the slight tremble in her voice that lent an air of uncertainty to her words. And she wasn’t uncertain, that was for certain.

  “And we’ll do all those tasks without a slumber party?” He winked and shifted his weight, brushing his fingers through his still-damp hair. “Now I do have a question.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Let’s say the unthinkable happens, and one of us decides we want more.” One eyebrow shot up.

  Over the years she’d always marveled at his ability to lift one eyebrow—either side—so high. It was kind of sexy. Kind of intimidating. She grinned. “I don’t see that happening. We’re both too set in our ways. At least I know I am. Plus, why would we want to risk this arrangement? It’s the perfect solution for two people like us.” She tried to return his eyebrow raise, but when she didn’t get a reaction she figured she must’ve failed.

  “Humor me.”

  “Fine. If hell freezes over and one of us does start thinking along those lines—”

  “They should be shot?”

  “That’s too easy.” She flicked him on the chest. “Our friendship has always been based on our ability to talk honestly. Why should it change because we’ve had sex? If one of us has a moment of insanity and thinks we need anything more than hot sex and friendship, we should talk it out and agree here and now that we’ll just go back to the way things were before. Friendship minus the sex.”

  “As easy as that? Do you think you can do that?” He tilted his head as he regarded her.

  “Oh, I know I can.” Although she’d miss the sex, at least if last night were any indication, she’d miss having Roth as a friend more. “If I had to choose between sex and your friendship, I’d want your friendship. But for now, why not take both?” She laughed. “How about you?”

  “Not a problem because it won’t happen.” He squeezed her hand. “No offense.”

  “None taken.” The sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach called her a liar, but she ignored it and held out her hand. “So, do we have a deal? A friendly arrangement add-on?”

  “I’m in.”

  Holly gasped when he pulled her to him so fast and tight her fingers splayed against his chest. He smelled like soap. Spicy soap.

  He circled her waist, and his breath fanned her cheek. “I’m tired of handshakes. Since you made the rules of the arrangement, I think it’s only fair we seal the deal my way.”

  “What do you have—”

  “Oh, a little bit of this”—he kissed her mouth softly—“a little bit of that.” He slid his finger down her chin, along her throat, and let it trail between her breasts before bending to tease one tightened nipple between his warm lips. “And a whole lot of—”

  Holly moaned and arched her back as Roth tugged her down upon the bed, moving his lips over her stomach, nipping the flesh of her hips as his hand moved over her mound, spreading her legs so his mouth had easy access to her center.

  Holly’s legs shook as he ran his hands up her inner thighs and his tongue flicked over her already slick folds. Her body quivered with a searing heat, and all sound tunneled into her own labored breaths. Last night she’d been turned on beyond belief, but that didn’t compare to what pounded through her body now.

  His tongue moved over her sensitive flesh slowly and in control. When she felt on the edge of climax he slid the warm tip of his tongue inside, and her hips bucked. He licked and sucked before sliding one, then two fingers deep inside to tease and drive her further insane with the pressure against her walls.

  She fought to breathe, reaching out to grip the sheets, twisting them in her hands as she arched her back. Her entire body tensed and convulsed as an avalanche of shivers started at her middle and worked out to encompass her body’s furthest points. She squeezed her eyes closed, tossing her head from side to side before she gave herself up to the blanket of warmth swirling around her.

  Her body luxuriated in the afterglow. Roth moved over her, raining tiny kisses up and over her mound, across her belly, and farther north until he found her mouth.

  She could taste herself on his lips, smell herself on his breath.

  “And you said I was the naughty one.” She gently bit his shoulder as he lifted away from their kiss.

  “Can’t we both be naughty?” He rubbed against her, sending more ribbons of silky desire across her skin.

  “I-I guess it doesn’t matter. I have more pressing issues to concentrate on at the moment.” She rolled him onto his back and straddled him, rubbing her heat against his length. She’d barely given her body time to come down from her last orgasm, but she wanted more.

  She might have already become addicted to Roth.

  “Holl, you’re killing me.”

  “But in a good way.”

  He couldn’t think. He couldn’t focus on anything but her naked body on top of him. Moving against him.

  He slid his hands over her hips, then up farther to tease the soft skin of her belly until he cupped her perfect breasts. She squirmed, squeezing her legs around his middle as he rubbed his thumb against her hardened peaks.

  She tilted her head back and released a guttural groan from deep within. His cock swelled as she wiggled over his shaft, and her wet center not only turned him on but added to the anticipation building inside of him.

  Roth fought for control. He ached for her, wanted her like he’d never wanted a woman before, but at the same time he needed to savor every moment, touch, taste, and sound. Last night they’d gone at it hard and fast, but this morning he wanted to take things slow.

  He closed his eyes as he moved his hands over her trembling flesh, memorizing each curve. He lifted his hips to push against her wet heat, letting the anticipation build and tease his senses as she moaned. He slowly opened his eyes, drawn in to the passion filling her face as she pulled at her lower lip with her teeth.

  Just as his body screamed yes, Holly stopped and lifted away from him.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  Whatever she wanted to do could wait. He reached for her, but he didn’t move quickly enough. A cold rush of air tingled across his flesh when she slid off his body and rushed across the room toward her purse. She pulled out a packet and waved it at him. “You took the honors last night, this morning is my t
urn.”

  “I love a woman who takes control.”

  “I can do that,” her husky voice promised. She tossed him the packet.

  He ripped it open and slid on the condom as she climbed across the bed and retook her position over his center. “Now where were we?”

  “At the good part.” He grazed his knuckles across her already tightened nipples, and she arched in to him, lowering her lashes.

  She moved her hips over the top of him, and he wanted to roll her on to her back and plunge deep inside, but she squeezed his hips with her legs when he lifted.

  “Not yet.”

  Her fingers snaked across his skin. Need simmered between them as she doused special attention to his nipples, the muscles of his abs, then reaching behind her to run one hand up his thigh to cup his balls. He bucked against the pressure, and she leaned in to graze her mouth over his, a whisper of a kiss so erotic he reached to pull her in for more, but she pushed his hands away, pinning them above his head with one of her own as she pressed her center into his.

  He could break away any time he wanted, but he didn’t want any such thing. Let her have control, power. He wanted to see where she’d take him.

  She lifted slightly and ran her slick center over the tip of his cock. He moaned, arching his neck as he watched her through his lashes. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  Her tongue flicked out to moisten her bottom lip. He lifted his head to invite her lips to his, but she gripped his hands tighter and urged him back. She lifted again and positioned his length at her opening, moving just enough to drive him insane and make his cock twitch. He held his breath, waiting, anticipating the moment when she’d slide over him, and he could thrust into her snug heat.

  In one pulsating moment she glided down his shaft, and he swelled inside of her, unprepared for the rush of pleasure that wrapped around him and kinked his toes.

  Her soft moans filled the air as he pushed up, driving deeper inside. She clenched her walls around him, and the pressure pulled at him until he wanted to explode.

  She released her hold on his wrists, and together they moved in unison—she pushed to meet his thrusts. Their breaths matched the rhythm of their bodies, and he ran his palms down her sides. Her body arched to his touch, and he gripped, kneaded, and pushed with his fingers. Her belly quivered, and tiny goose bumps flecked across her flesh. He needed to feel her lips on his.

  “Kiss me.” His voice came out hoarse and rough.

  She matched the thrust of his hips and bent until their lips touched, and then she slipped her tongue inside. A rush of heat devoured him as her tongue teased his. He slid his hand farther down her sides and cradled her hips as he flipped her onto her back, positioned her legs in the crooks of each of his arms, and pushed deep inside her. Her surprised gasp turned to a soft mewl. She lifted her hips to accommodate his thrusts, tilting her head to reveal the column of her throat.

  “Oh, Roth. Oh…”

  “Holly…” His single word came out tortured, but in a pleasurable way.

  He plunged inside of her, faster, harder, and she shook in his arms, her legs trembling against his biceps.

  “Oh my gawd…”

  Her soft murmurs and groans fueled his fire, and he went deeper as she bucked against him, pressing into his thrusts. Her breathing turned into short, rasping pants that matched his movements.

  Her eyelids fluttered as she gave way to the pleasure, and he could feel her coming apart beneath him. Her legs tightened and then relaxed, and he thrust farther in, grinding himself against her center as she screamed out his name, fisting her fingers into his hair.

  He closed his eyes, his body on the brink as he thrust one final time and filled her. A stream of white light and silver flecks flashed across his eyelids.

  Holly’s hands dropped down to grip his shoulders, her fingers flexing as she caressed his skin, rising up to brush gently over his neck, and finally cup either side of his face as he sank into her, releasing a long breath.

  She pulled him down to meld her mouth with his. He kissed her tenderly and relaxed against her warm body. Within minutes their kiss took on a life of its own and became brazen, hot, heavy. He rolled onto his back, taking her with him so that she lay across his chest.

  She traced the side of his face with one finger, tucking a strand of his hair behind one ear before tweaking his nose with her own. “If that’s how we’re going to seal all our deals, I might have to think of a daily addendum.”

  He laughed as she snuggled into the crook of his arm. They didn’t speak for the longest time, and he didn’t want to get up even though they’d planned on meeting Brooke and Ed for breakfast before heading to the airport. His friends would understand.

  He couldn’t let go of this feeling. This feeling of something so right.

  Chapter Seven

  Holly flung the Wonder Woman cape over her shoulder as she pulled out the loaf of banana bread from her oven. She closed her eyes as she took in the aroma and smiled. It smelled like Grandma’s bread. Hopefully it tasted as good.

  This had been one hell of a week.

  She slid the loaf pan onto the stove top.

  After she and Roth returned from the airport Sunday afternoon—her body still tingling from their night in Chicago—she’d had Sunday dinner with her family. They’d taken the news of Clark well, commiserated with her about the job, at the same time encouraging her to make a change into something a little more mainstream. After she assured them she had a few new clients on the horizon, they’d calmed down.

  But the real kicker of the week had been the damn tooth infection that had her forming a new closeness with her dentist, Dr. Kroemer.

  She hit send on the text inviting Roth over. Within seconds her phone dinged with a reply.

  On my way.

  She hadn’t expected such quick action, but she wouldn’t complain. It’d been five days since they’d spent the morning in bed at the hotel in Chicago. She ran her hands up her arms and bounced on her feet. She’d missed him but because of the toothache hadn’t been in much of a position to jump his bones. Although her fantasies had gotten her through some of the pain—along with the drugs she’d been prescribed.

  She pressed her tongue against the problem tooth. All was better now. Thank goodness. Had it really only been five days? Right after dinner Sunday she’d had to excuse herself as a slow, pulsating throb invaded her mouth. More than likely her family thought she’d just used it as an excuse to avoid their questions—or more like their suggestions—about her career.

  Come Monday morning she’d been lucky to get an early appointment with Dr. Kroemer. Her wowser of a toothache had been an infection, and she’d been down and out most of the week. Although, sheer determination to keep her business alive had given her the strength she needed to touch base with a few prospective clients through email as well as several short telephone calls.

  And then there was Roth.

  Classic Roth—he’d not only driven her to the dentist, where they’d prescribed an antibiotic and painkillers that would hopefully take care of the issue, but he’d plied her with soup and even managed to cheer her up by bringing her a pretty bouquet of daisies. He might have given her a back rub, but maybe that’d been a dream. The painkillers had been pretty powerful.

  She touched the flowers filling the vase in the center of her counter. He always looked out for her, and after this little ordeal she appreciated his thoughtfulness even more.

  The sound of Roth punching in her keyless entry code sent the butterflies in her belly into a death-defying nosedive, then tossed the spiraling feeling up to encompass her chest. She straightened her blue stars-and-stripes skirt, tugged at the gold belt at her waist, and took the Wonder Woman stance—legs spread shoulder width apart, hands on hips, and a stern expression on her face. Although, she had to bite her lip to stop from smiling.

  He entered and froze, throwing back his head to laugh as his gaze raked over her in complete costume. “Weren’t those c
ostumes due back?”

  “I rented this one for a little longer. I have plans.” She waggled her brows.

  “I see that. And I guess that means you’re feeling better.”

  “So much better that I not only have a few prospective clients I’m wooing, but I baked you that banana bread I promised. Are you game to give it a try? I think I mastered it.” Not that she’d tell him it’d taken her three tries, and she’d tossed the other two, burying them at the bottom of her trash and covering them with paper towels. He didn’t need to know she hadn’t made perfect on the first try. Why spoil the illusion?

  He moved toward the loaf pan and sniffed. “Smells good. Looks good. Got butter?”

  “Do I have butter? What household wouldn’t have butter?” She opened the fridge and pulled out the tub she’d bought last night on her midnight run to the all-night market.

  He pulled a plate from the cupboard and sliced off a thick end piece, slathering it with a good amount of butter.

  “Mmm.” He nodded as he chewed. “Milk?”

  “Geesh, anything else?” She poured him a glass of milk. At least that was something she always did manage to have on hand—well, for the most part. If she didn’t order out, she generally ate a large bowl of cereal for dinner. Her pantry could attest to her slight cereal addiction.

  “Very good. I’m impressed,” he said around another mouthful, nodding his head as he chewed.

  “Thank you.” Funny how pride enveloped her over a simple accomplishment like baking. Maybe cooking wasn’t such the devil she’d always thought.

  “I guess I won’t have to worry about roping off the kitchen.” He took another large bite and walked his gaze up and down her body, lingering over her legs. “Okay, what gives with the costume?”

  “I thought my baking talents might inspire you for a little role-play.”

  His eyes sparkled. “Hmm. Wonder Woman gets busy in the kitchen?”

  “We’re not making a movie. I’m kind of doing this for selfish reasons.”