A Friendly Arrangement

  “Really?” Skepticism filled his eyes.

  She shrugged. “Because of my little tooth infection and feeling crappy, I haven’t had a chance to work out all week. I’ve missed our sessions. I want to stay in shape, and you’ve always pushed me when I’ve wanted to give up.” She hadn’t expected to suddenly be timid, but she couldn’t deny the rush of heat that spread across her skin from head to toe.

  His dimples appeared, and he slid his half empty plate to the side of the counter, downed the last of his milk, and crooked his finger in invitation.

  “I’m game for that. Especially if you’re talking about a horizontal workout and you’re dressed like Wonder Woman.”

  “For starters.” She walked into the circle of his arms. Her entire body thrilled when he pulled her in tight and brushed his cheek along the side of her face.

  “Hmm. It’s been less than a week, and I already miss your lips.” He lifted her chin with his thumb and scanned her face.

  The sexiest move she’d seen all week. Then he lowered his head, blocking out the light overhead, and claimed her lips with tender kisses before parting the seam of her mouth with his tongue.

  “You taste like banana bread.” She pulled back and licked her lips.

  “And you taste amazing, Wonder Woman.”

  He scooped her into his arms, carried her toward the bedroom, and lowered her feet to the floor just inside the door. “I feel naked without a costume of my own.”

  She shook her head. “I vote that Hot Neighbor Guy’s costume should be his bare chest.” She grabbed his T-shirt by the hem and slid it up and over his head as he lifted his arms. Her hands slid down his torso and stopped at the button on his jeans. “Maybe your costume should be boxer briefs only. Or better yet, complete nudity.”

  “That’d make me too vulnerable in public.”

  “Hot Neighbor Guy doesn’t make public appearances.”

  His throaty laugh filled her ears with a sexy thrum. The heat between them kicked up a notch, and she rolled his nipples between her fingers. He closed his eyes, letting his head loll back.

  “I’ve missed these pecs.” She flicked her tongue over his nipples and smiled against his chest as a shiver rippled across his toned abs.

  “And I’ve missed that tongue.” His voice shook.

  She scattered kisses along his chest as she pushed him back onto the mattress. “You taste yummier than my bread,” she said as she undid his jeans and slid them down his muscular thighs. He shook them off when they reached his ankles and made a grab for her, but she shook her head, pushing him away.

  “Not so fast. I’ve heard you haven’t been completely honest.”

  He frowned, and she bit her lip to hide her laugh.

  “What—”

  She silenced him with her finger. “I only know one way to get the truth out of you.”

  Holly leaned over him and opened her bedside drawer, pulling out a gold-colored stretchy rope that she’d managed to find on last night’s shopping spree.

  Roth lifted his head and smiled as realization dawned. “Is that the lasso of truth?”

  She nodded. “And I’ll have to tie you up while I question you.”

  He held his wrists toward her. “Tie away, Wonder Woman.”

  She snapped the lasso to her side and waggled her eyebrows at him. “If you tell the truth this week, I see a cheerleader in your future.”

  “As in your high school cheerleader outfit?”

  She nodded her head slowly.

  He rolled his eyes back and groaned. “You really are trying to kill me.”

  “Now who’s trying to kill who?” Holly giggled and then chased down her antibiotic with a glass of water. Roth lifted her up onto the counter and hand-fed her another strawberry from the bowl he’d brought over from his condo after they’d initiated her bedroom, her shower, and the couch. Where’d he get the energy?

  Where’d you get the energy?

  “Give me a break. How was I to know Wonder Woman was such a horndog? Or is it those little pills you claim are antibiotics?”

  She laughed. “I wouldn’t be a horndog if it weren’t for Hot Neighbor Guy. Unfortunately for me I’m not the Energizer bunny, and you do have the power to drain my reserves. If you whip that penis out at me one more time, this horndog is going to fall to the floor. Little magic pill or not.”

  He popped a strawberry in his mouth and coughed to stop from choking. “Hmm. We haven’t initiated any floors yet.”

  “Now who’s the horndog?” She licked her lips as he turned to refill her glass from the refrigerator’s water dispenser. He had the nicest ass. So round, toned, and with a nice dusting of manly hair. “I can’t believe we’re sitting here naked, eating strawberries, and talking about your penis and who’s the biggest horndog.” While I’m dreaming about groping your butt.

  He flashed a saucy grin over his shoulder and waggled his brows. “You definitely have a way with naked. I can’t get enough of you.”

  “I can’t complain about my view, either.”

  She parted her legs as he stepped toward her and moved between them, handing her the glass of water.

  “Speaking of initiations and floors.” He jerked his head toward the fireplace in the living room.

  “Again?” Not that she was complaining. He impressed her with his stamina.

  “Can’t you handle it?”

  “I can handle whatever you can give.”

  “That’s a proven.” He lifted her easily in his arms, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  Everything with Roth seemed easy and natural. She hadn’t even gotten that self-conscious twist in her gut when they’d been naked together for the first time. She couldn’t quite figure that one out, but guessed it might be because they knew each other so well.

  The only thing that had surprised her was how easily she’d let go when he brought her to the brink of passion and then carried her over the edge. She’d held nothing back and had bared herself more with him than she’d ever done before. She’d never screamed out before, never talked dirty, and never dared to do some of the things she’d done with Roth with any other man. And more than anything, she’d never had the guts to ask a man to do some of the things she’d asked Roth to do while having sex. With him she felt brazen, carefree…herself.

  She buried her face in his shoulder and kissed the pulse pounding at his throat. At the same time, she swallowed a thin layer of trepidation. That total baring of herself kind of scared her…but enthralled her at the same time.

  He flicked on the flame and dialed down the lights from the kitchen. On his way past the sofa, he grabbed a chenille throw hanging over the arm, tossed it onto the floor in front of the fireplace, and kicked it out into a messy-looking square before kissing her soundly on the mouth.

  He lowered them both toward the floor, slid a sofa pillow from underneath the coffee table that they’d dislodged earlier from their sexual acrobatics on the couch, and slid it under her head.

  The flames from the fire reflected in his eyes and added a shadowy glow to his skin.

  “What’s your pleasure this time?” He kissed a trail along her chin, teasing the edge of her mouth with little nips and kisses.

  Her head lolled back as his hand slid down the column of her neck, sending an array of goose bumps over her flesh. Gawd, I love how he touches me.

  Even though she’d talked big a few seconds ago, she wasn’t sure she had any more to give, but the vee between her legs grew moist and throbbed with anticipation. She slid the tip of her finger inside her mouth and pursed her lips as if in thought. “Let’s see, I was on top, then we were up against the shower wall, then you were on top, how about we sit face-to-face?”

  She sat upright and pushed him down onto his butt as she ripped off a condom packet from the string of them strewn across her coffee table. “Cross your legs,” she said.

  Her body tingled as his cock pointed skyward, the thick vein throbbing. She slid the condom down his length
, paying special attention to the tip. Her nipples peaked as a soft groan sneaked past his lips.

  Holly stood, then crouched down above his crossed legs and lowered herself over his shaft, slowly sliding down. Her legs shook as he filled her and, once she sat nestled between his legs, they rocked back and forth. The friction had them both moaning, and he hungrily grabbed her face between his palms and locked his mouth over hers in a mind-blowing kiss that left her shaking.

  A growl formed deep in the back of his throat, and he gently pushed her onto her back. He entered her more deeply, taking her breath away. His movements inside of her became fast, and her mind whirled as she fought to find that point that would carry her over the edge and into paradise. She arched to meet his thrusts as he took command. Her body hummed every place they connected.

  She couldn’t get enough of him, and the passion between them became quick, furious, and intense as their grunts and groans crackled with the fire lighting the room.

  Her body tightened, and his shoulders bunched beneath her fingertips as he pushed into her.

  “Holly.” His voice shook.

  Hearing the emotion in his voice was all she needed to push her over the edge. Her toes flexed and then curled. An aggressive tingle spread out from her center and covered her entire body.

  She heard herself moaning Roth’s name over and over again, but it sounded far away, as if in a tunnel. His shoulders became her anchor as she gripped their strength, savoring the feel of his power beneath her fingers.

  He fell against her, his heavy breath lost with her own.

  Several minutes passed as their pulses returned to normal. She sank into the warmth of his arms, closing her eyes.

  “I think we have a problem,” he whispered against her temple.

  “Yeah, I think we’re addicted to sex.” She rubbed her cheek against his ear, nipping the helix of his outer ear until she got the desired effect—little goose bumps running the length of his spine.

  “Besides that.” He chuckled, wiggling against her so that she’d stop teasing his ear.

  “Okay. I give. I can’t think.” She squeezed her thighs around his middle. “What’s our problem?”

  “I think the condom broke.”

  They both stiffened, and he sucked in a breath as he waited for her response.

  She relaxed first, smiling against his head before lifting his face with her palms. “I’m not worried. I’m on the pill. And I have a feeling we’re both pretty clean.”

  He nodded, relief mingled with the flames from the fire dancing in his eyes. He took her mouth in a soft kiss, pulling at her lower lip as he released her.

  “No worries, then?”

  “None.” She brushed her nose against his.

  He sank down beside her and tucked her into his arms. Heat radiated from his body as well as the fire. She luxuriated in lying naked in his arms as she curled into his side. The soft throw separating them from the floor warmed their backs.

  “I’m not going to be able to concentrate on work this week.”

  “You have a busy week?” He rubbed his chin over the top of her head. The little gesture was always a comfort.

  “Besides my normal duties for my clients, I have my interview with the Art Prize people this Tuesday. I’m also scouring the want ads so I can send out a few more resumes.”

  “I thought you weren’t going to look for a nine-to-five?” His fingers drew lazy circles on her back, and she closed her eyes.

  “I don’t want to, but I also don’t want to be dumb. I have to have a backup plan.”

  “Smart.”

  The soft sounds from the gas log flitted in the air around them, and Holly snuggled up closer to Roth’s side. “Did you have anything else you need my help with?”

  He shook his head, his soft hair tickling the side of her face. “I’m heading out of town Monday. One of my suppliers is giving me first choice on some new stock he got in. I have a feeling I’ll find some amazing stones. I can’t wait to see what he has.”

  “Nice. Anything you can use for the special project you’re keeping under wraps?”

  “Maybe.” He shrugged.

  “You’re not going to fill me in? I’m kind of dying to know. I think it’s all part of that nosy neighbor thing.”

  His chest rumbled with his soft chuckle. “I’ll tell you when the time is right. Until then you’ll just have to forget you even know I’m working on something so top secret.”

  She jabbed him playfully in the stomach. “You’re a tease. Are you heading to the west coast again?”

  “Hmm.”

  “Are you picking out some stones for the engagement ring Omar’s having you design for Devi?”

  He nodded, and she smiled because he hadn’t tensed up at the mention of his brother.

  “I’m glad you guys are working out your differences.” Life seemed so good right now, for both of them. Even though she didn’t have a steady replacement for Alan, she’d be okay. She had plenty of prospects. And Roth had his brothers. Finally.

  “What’s the plan for the weekend?” His fingers slid down her backbone in a lazy massage. She normally didn’t like to snuggle and make pillow talk, but with Roth she wouldn’t have it any other way. It only seemed to build anticipation for the next time.

  “I’m up early tomorrow. The family is heading to Andrew’s cottage on Lake Michigan. He and Susie need help painting a couple of rooms downstairs.” She loved Lake Michigan. Her brother and his wife had worked hard on the decrepit cottage they’d bought, but with all the work they’d done it was coming along nicely.

  “Sounds like things there are shaping up.”

  “It looks great. I’ll take some more pictures and show you next week.” She rubbed her cheek against his chest and looked up at him as he stared at the ceiling. She slid her hand along his abs, trailing her fingers down the patch of hair below his belly button. He squeezed her against him.

  She loved how their pillow talk could be the exact opposite of their frantic, intense sex. They could lie in each other’s arms. Calm and relaxed. To the point that it felt like they were each on the verge of drifting off.

  “Are you excited about the interview with the Art Prize committee?”

  Her fingers stopped as his question pierced her with a tinge of excitement and brought her out of her haze. She flattened her palm against his stomach as she lifted to look in his eyes. “Very. From the little bit they told me about the position over the phone, it’s something right up my alley.”

  “You’ll kill the interview.”

  “Thanks. I’ll text you afterward to let you know how it goes, but I doubt they’ll make a decision for at least a few weeks. Then again, you never know. They could love me and forget about all the other applicants.”

  “I can see it happening.”

  She rubbed her nose against his before resting her cheek back on his chest, scrunching her nose against the light dusting of chest hairs tickling her.

  He kissed the top of her head, rubbing his chin against her absentmindedly. “I’ll be back Friday night. We’ll celebrate with pizza.”

  “And?”

  “Video games,” he teased her.

  “Anything else?” She traced a circle around his nipple.

  “I’m sure we’ll think of something.”

  She could hear the smile in his voice. “I’m sure we will.”

  He cupped the back of her head as he lifted himself up on his elbow, lowering her to the soft blanket and melding his lips to hers.

  She enjoyed his kisses and already dreaded the week ahead without him. Here they were, only a week into their arrangement, and she already wanted to break one of her own rules. She circled her arms around his neck and drew him in close, pressing her tongue against his so that she’d stop herself from asking. No matter how much she’d like to lie like this in his arms all night, she wouldn’t break the sleepover rule.

  Adrenaline pumped through Roth’s veins as he sat on the edge of Holly’s sofa an
d worked the controller with his thumbs so fast he’d stopped breathing. The moment Luigi fell off the screen he slammed the controller against his knee and threw himself back onto the sofa. “Not fair.”

  Holly popped her last bite of pizza into her mouth and laughed. “All is fair, bud, especially when it comes to classic video games.”

  “If I’d been Mario I’d have won.”

  “Bull. You tried that complaint already. You’ve played both Mario and Luigi, and it hasn’t changed your game.”

  “Maybe we need to play on my home turf.”

  “Give it up, Roth. I’m a better player and that’s all there is to it. Just admit it.”

  “Never.” He grabbed the last slice of pizza and ripped off a section and chewed. “Rematch?”

  Holly shook her head, pushing tendrils of hair off her face. Damn, he’d missed her this week. Not just the sex, but the conversation, their laughter, the way he could relax like no other time in his life.

  “There’ll be no rematch tonight. You get so into the game and that damn controller I’m afraid you’ll have a coronary.” She took a swallow of his beer and grimaced. Yes, they lived in beer city USA, but she’d never developed a taste for the stuff. She held the bottle out to him, and he traded her the beer for her glass of tea.

  “I still say you need to come to a few breweries with me. Try some variety. We’ll find you one you’ll like.”

  “Somehow I doubt that. To me all beer tastes the same.” She burrowed in beside him, so tight their shoulders overlapped.

  “I think those words are beer sacrilege.” Her laughter tickled his ears and made him forget all about video game rematches for a moment—hell, even beer, for that matter. He couldn’t smell anything but her flowery scent. He’d missed this, too. The way she smelled, the heat of her body, how her soft skin tickled the tips of his fingers and put him at ease.

  Shit. He better start thinking about rematches before he ended up ripping their clothes off and pressing her back into the couch. He didn’t want them to become the couple who had sex every time they got together. Did he? Well, hell yeah, you do, but you can’t.

  “You sure you won’t reconsider a rematch?”