A Friendly Arrangement

  They’d been friends for years, but now that they’d added sex to the equation things between them seemed to be moving too fast. Or maybe it wasn’t the speed that worried him, but that he felt like they were headed toward commitment. Could either of them handle it? Did either of them really want that?

  Hell. Roth ran his fingers through his damp hair and groaned.

  Sex shouldn’t have changed things. They’d both agreed on the terms. They’d been up-front. No commitment.

  But part of him couldn’t help but think that Holly deserved more than just sex.

  His cell rang, and he checked the screen, smiling as he slid the bar to pick up the call.

  “Hey, bro.”

  A rich, throaty chuckle came across the speaker. Definitely not Omar. “Hi, Roth. This is Devi.”

  “Sorry about that.” He clicked his phone over to speaker and set it on his dresser as he pulled open his top drawer.

  “Not a big deal. An easy mistake since I’m using O’s phone.”

  Roth smiled at the nickname she’d given his brother. He couldn’t picture Omar being comfortable with a nickname, but then again, Roth never thought Omar would get married, either.

  “How’s it going, future sister-in-law?”

  “I love that.” The smile in her voice resonated through the receiver full of warmth. “All is well, but I wanted to call you on the sly. So this phone call never happened.”

  “Gotcha.” He liked her playfulness. His curiosity peaked as he pulled a fresh tee and jeans from the second drawer.

  “First, we love the designs you came up with for the ring. You nailed it.”

  “I’m glad.” He tossed the towel into the hamper in his closet and slid into his boxer briefs. “The one you chose was my favorite.”

  “It’s gorgeous. Now, this is the top-secret part.” Her voice lowered an octave, as if Omar could hear her from wherever he was.

  Roth smiled at the phone as he slid his shirt over his head. “Shoot.”

  “Is it possible for you to use the same design for my ring, but make another more masculine version?”

  He nodded, even though she couldn’t see him. “Sure. I can use the same stones and thicken up the platinum band.”

  She clapped. “Yay. That’s great news.”

  “Are you thinking of using it for Omar’s wedding band?”

  “No. I want to give O an engagement ring, too.”

  Now that was unique. Omar had sung Devi’s praises the week they’d spent at Jared’s. One of the things he’d stressed about why he’d fallen so hard for her was because of her unique way of looking at life. This had to be a perfect example. How many brides-to-be thought of giving their fiancé an engagement ring? Hard to believe his stick-up-the-butt brother had fallen for a woman who didn’t follow rules or traditions.

  Holly would love her. There you go again, thinking of Holly. He couldn’t seem to go longer than five minutes without thinking her name.

  He cleared his throat, brushing his hands through his still-damp hair. “Interesting, Devi, but are you sure Omar will wear an engagement ring?”

  “Why not?”

  “I know he’s a changed man, but that might be a bit much for him to handle. I picture him all about the baby steps.”

  Her husky laugh came out playful. “You have to erase the old O from your mind. He’s much more in touch with his true self now. I think—no, I know—he’ll love the idea. This is something he’ll never expect, and he’ll like that it’s different. Plus, he asked me to show him the world.”

  Roth laughed outright. “As in Aladdin show him the world?”

  She chuckled. “Exactly. When you meet that special someone, you’ll both want to show each other the world.”

  Holly popped into his brain again, and he pushed her image slowly aside.

  Time away really was needed. Both of them claimed they didn’t want commitment, but why couldn’t he get the word out of his head?

  “I know you guys haven’t been close the last few years, but trust me, he’ll love this.”

  “You know him best.”

  “He’s a freaking teddy bear.”

  The humor in her voice made him smile, too. He could see how Devi had found her way into his brother’s heart. Even a serious business-minded man like Omar wouldn’t be able to stay immune for long.

  “After our week at Jared’s, I did notice he’s a lot more mellow and personable. He credits you for the changes, and I can see why.” He buttoned his jeans.

  “I’m blushing. Thank you. I’m glad I could help Omar see that he didn’t have to be a suit and tie twenty-four seven. He’s definitely enjoying life a lot more. And that makes me happy.”

  It made Roth happy, too. Not only had his brother gotten to know himself, but it’d opened up the door for them to connect. For the brothers to become brothers—in every meaning of the word. Omar had found a great woman.

  “I can already picture O’s face when I give him the ring at the engagement party.” Her excitement bubbled over the phone.

  “I don’t think you could do anything he wouldn’t like.” At least if all he’d heard from his brother were correct. Omar had put Devi on a pedestal, and it sounded like she had done the same with him.

  “Aww. All you Esterly boys are so sweet. Your mom raised you right.” Papers shuffled in the background, and then Devi cleared her throat. “Now, one last thing.”

  Her serious tone made him pause as he sat on the edge of his bed to pull up his socks.

  “Omar and I will be in Grand Rapids in a few weeks. Do you think you could have his ring ready that soon?”

  “Not a problem.” The design was simple and smooth. He could finish it up within a week and a half since he didn’t have anything pressing in the works other than his design idea for the charity. He’d already met with the director and promised a prototype of the necklace within the month.

  She released a relieved breath. “Good. And you’re planning on coming to the engagement party, right?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it. Jared’s driving up here, and we’ll fly out to North Carolina together.”

  “Our visit to Grand Rapids coincides with the weekend you’ll be flying out for all the engagement party hoopla. I told O I wanted to get to know my future family better, so if you’re good with it, I’m going to stay at the Grand Plaza an extra day and fly back here with both of you.”

  “What about Omar?”

  “He has a business meeting, so he’ll fly out a day early. By staying an extra day without him, it’ll give me a chance to check out the ring and—”

  “And we can do a quick tweak if we need to.”

  “Wonderful. I hoped you’d understand. And I really do want to get to know both of you on a one-on-one basis, without Omar hogging the show. He’s turned into quite the social bug.”

  Roth laughed. The more he talked with Devi, the more he liked her.

  “I’m looking forward to meeting you again.” They’d met briefly at Leland’s funeral, but that’d been over a year ago, and Roth hadn’t paid much attention.

  “Me, too.”

  “And O mentioned that you and I have something in common.”

  “What’s that?” He furrowed his brow as she giggled.

  “We’re both hot dog addicts.” The full force of her laughter trickled across the phone line. “Every Friday whether I need one or not.”

  His brother had also mentioned it was a weekly indulgence, because Devi preferred a more organic diet. That alone made Roth grin. Had Omar converted from meat and potatoes as well?

  “Then I have a surprise for you the night before we fly out.”

  “I love surprises.”

  “Jared and I are going to take you to the best hot dog place in town.”

  “Oh, that sounds wonderful. My mouth is watering already. But I’ll have you know that our hot dog vendor near the office will be tough to beat.”

  “Grand Rapids is up for the challenge.”

  “I ca
n’t wait. And”—her voice filled with emotion—“thank you, Roth. For everything.”

  All the tension he’d been feeling eased away at her sincere words. “That’s what family is for.”

  They said their good-byes, and he ended the call. Maybe he’d ask Holly to join them for hot dogs.

  No. You don’t have to include her in everything. As a matter of fact, you shouldn’t. And even though he’d thought about asking her to go with him to the engagement party, he’d just made up his mind that he’d go solo. His family had never been an issue when it came to matchmaking. He didn’t need to pacify them in that respect.

  His stomach sank at the idea of not asking her, but he’d felt confused lately: torn over all the emotions coursing through him when it came to Holly, sex, and their arrangement.

  He brushed his hair and then gathered the length at the back of his neck as he eyed the grocery list lying on the dresser.

  Although he wasn’t exactly sure what was happening between Holly and him, he couldn’t wait to cook her birthday dinner—to see her, kiss her.

  But that didn’t necessarily mean he wanted commitment. Did it?

  Holly yawned and stretched as the light from outside filtered through the plantation blinds of her bedroom and cast a glow around the room.

  “Happy birthday to me.” She sat up. A day of celebrating should automatically put her in a great mood, but a gray shadow marred her excitement.

  Monday’s phone interview had gone well. Way too well. She didn’t want the nine-to-five job, but a backup plan needed to be in place. She had to play things smart. Life had a way of throwing curveballs. She might not want a normal job, but surviving might require she swallow her desires and go the safe route. Sometimes wishes and dreams had to take a backseat when it came to mortgages and utility bills.

  At least for the moment.

  That was the awesome thing about life. It could change daily.

  She pressed her hand to her middle to calm the queasiness in her belly. All this job stress would give her an ulcer. Just what she needed, a medical bill.

  She threw herself backward onto her bed and stared up at the ceiling. Her gaze traced the silvery pipes and duct work from one side of the room to the other, and then she closed her eyes, flinging the back of her arm over them to block out the sunshine filling the room.

  Maybe if her birthday weren’t on a Thursday things would be different. A Thursday birthday still meant she had to work, and work again tomorrow. So no staying out late to party. Not that she wanted to party.

  Don’t forget about Roth.

  At least she could look forward to their dinner tonight. Gawd, he made the best freaking meatballs. Her mouth watered at the thought.

  The best part would be seeing him again. It’d only been three days, but she’d missed him. Missed his voice—so sexy and strong; his jokes—sometimes corny, but always cute; and his kisses—her body melted at the thought.

  He’d backed out of their morning workouts the last two days—had it only been two days, it seemed so much longer—claiming he wanted to get ahead on his secret project. Not that he’d never done that before, but he hadn’t done it since they’d added the addendum to their relationsh—arrangement. She’d been kind of hurt when he hadn’t gone into details, but he didn’t have to tell her everything. That’s not how their friendship worked.

  She shouldn’t feel let down. It wasn’t like they hadn’t gone days—sometimes weeks—without seeing each other in the past. But she’d started to look forward to their time together. And their extracurricular activities even more. She’d always liked sex, but lately she liked it a bit too much. Roth was the perfect lover. In tune to her body. She’d never felt so comfortable, free, and freaking horny. Just thinking about him sent all the blood in her body to every lady part below and above her waist. Her breasts tingled, and the vee between her legs throbbed. If she closed her eyes she could smell him, remember how his skin felt when she ran her fingers up his back and gripped his shoulders. Trace the tat on his back by memory.

  He’d infiltrated every fiber of her being, and it excited her at the same time it scared her.

  She hugged herself. She’d always liked Roth, but lately she liked him on an entirely new level, and she couldn’t get him out of her mind. That couldn’t be good. Then how come it feels so good?

  She rolled her head from side to side. Shake it off. Let’s start this day again.

  “Happy birthday, Holly.” She forced the words out with a smile. She had a lot to be thankful for. Another day. The work she did have. And besides dinner with Roth tonight, she had two more birthday dinners this weekend: plans with Grams and Hailey Saturday and the annual Sunday dinner with her family. But Grams asking Roth to join them threw her for a loop.

  Guilt over not asking him burned through her, but that little selfish part inside of her wanted to keep him separate from her family, and at the same time she wanted their traditional dinner to remain just the three of them.

  She forced herself up and off the bed, then slid the box containing the purchases she’d made over the last few months for her twin from underneath the bed. If she could keep her hands busy wrapping her sister’s gifts, maybe she could keep her feelings of guilt over not wanting Roth at her birthday dinner with Grams and Hailey out of her head.

  She pushed the top off the box and pulled out Hailey’s presents. Although she normally wanted to be her own person and receive recognition for her own accomplishments, sharing a birthday with her twin was something she’d never minded. They’d always celebrated together, and that had made the day more special.

  Holly picked up the bottle of her sister’s favorite perfume and smiled as she took a quick sniff. She opened the square jewelry box with the silver earrings Hailey had admired the last time they’d walked through the artsy shops in East Town, then slid her hands into a new pair of slippers that she’d bejeweled and walked them out of the box. She lifted Hailey’s favorite seasonal coffee that was only sold a few months out of the year and put it beside the slippers and then finally grabbed the envelope with the tickets to The Wizard of Oz play at the theater they’d talked about attending.

  She’d done well with her purchases and looked forward to giving Hailey the silver earrings on Saturday when they ate with Grams. The rest of the gifts she’d give during Sunday dinner, when everyone else brought their gifts. The Sunday dinner her mom had wanted Roth to attend.

  Maybe you should invite Roth. Not to dinner with Grams, but what’s the harm in having him come for Sunday dinner at Mom and Dad’s? Everyone likes him.

  But that familiar nagging voice told her that inviting Roth would only add another element of change to their relationship. It was starting to feel like their arrangement might be getting too real. Too committed.

  She coughed.

  Things were fine the way they were: friendship, humor, morning workouts—and delicious, decadent sex. A shiver ran across her skin and she grinned, hugging herself tight. She hoped their evening ended with them naked and—

  Stop it!

  Roth was right. She really was a horndog. Maybe some hot birthday sex would be enough to get him out of her system so she could make it through the weekend without him clogging her mind.

  Yeah, right. You’re hopelessly addicted to your bestie.

  Chapter Nine

  Holly nibbled on another one of the delicious peanut butter cup brownies Roth had made for her birthday treat as she waited for him to make his move. She shuffled the cards in her hands, glancing from him to the coupons in the center of the table. “Come on, at this rate we’ll be here all night.”

  Even though it was her birthday, thoughts of her business clouded her head. Along with images of Roth naked. She pushed that second thought aside—at least temporarily.

  She’d made a conscious effort all day to stay upbeat and not let the stresses of uncertainty sit on her chest like an elephant. More like a parade of them. Even though she hadn’t added any new clients, she’d
made several more contacts. No news had to be good news when it came to the Art Prize people, and not hearing back from the nine-to-five job gave her another day to work on getting her business in order so she could hopefully turn it down if it were offered.

  “It’s not like you have another party to go to tonight.” Roth had been calm and relaxed since she got here. If only some of his serenity would rub off on her. He leaned across the table and swiped the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip. Her belly swooped with an expectant heat, but he merely showed her his thumb with a smear of icing on the tip. “You’re a messy eater.” He slid his digit into his mouth and sucked the frosting off.

  Why hadn’t he just sucked the frosting right off her lip? No need for that damn thumb to be a middleman.

  Ever since she’d walked through the door for dinner tonight, the sexual tension between them sizzled and popped, but she couldn’t just jump right in to the good stuff and tear off his clothes. Not after all the work he’d put into dinner.

  So she’d gone through the motions. But damn it…would he just kiss her already? Or at least touch her for longer than three seconds, for freaking sake?

  All this pent-up sexual tension set her on edge. No wonder her tone sounded a tad grumpy. She wasn’t grumpy. She really wasn’t.

  She grabbed his hand and licked the tip of his finger. “Missed a spot.”

  He tweaked her nose in the most anti-sexual way possible. “You kicked my ass at video games, can’t you at least let me revel in the glory that I’m not a messy eater and I’m beating you at coupon poker?” He pulled a card from his hand and tossed it on the table. “Hit me.”

  “I’d like to.” Instead she slid a card toward him with a saucy grin. “And stop gloating. It’s not very becoming.”

  “Not only are you Miss Moody on your birthday, but you take your competitiveness to an entirely new and unbecoming level. Here I cooked you your favorite dish and—”

  “The meatballs were superb. Thank you.” They shared a grin across the table¸ and his smile sent a dose of heat straight from her belly to encompass the farthest reaches of her body.