Hunter put his phone in his pocket and sat on the couch next to her. They were both quiet for a few minutes and then he turned to her.
“So, we need to talk about what happened the other night.”
Bailey groaned. Okay, scratch that. Hunter is an asshole.
“No, we don’t. I’m totally on board with pretending that never happened.”
He leaned closer, crowding her until she couldn’t ignore his warm sugar and sandalwood scent. “I’m not okay with that. Damn it, Bailey. You can’t just get naked and grab my dick and then act like nothing happened.”
Hearing his version of events somehow made it all worse. Mortification flowed over Bailey like lava. She covered her eyes with her hands. Maybe if she didn’t have to see him, she could pretend this conversation was happening to someone else.
“I told you I was sorry about that.”
Bailey wasn’t much of a drinker usually and this was a perfect example why. She didn’t like being out of control and she sure as hell didn’t like making a fool of herself. An image of her rubbing her bare breasts against Hunter in the shower flashed through her mind and she groaned as a new wave of shame returned.
“I’m never drinking vodka again!”
Hunter chuckled. “I’ll believe that when I see it. And I don’t want you to be sorry.”
Bailey peeked between her fingers. “You don’t?”
“Hell, no.” He sent her a look that was hot enough to instantly incinerate her panties.
Bailey clenched her thighs together. Hunter had never looked at her like that before. Was he thinking about what she looked like naked right now? Was he as hot as she was, remembering what they’d almost done?
Then she realized that despite them being just friends, Hunter was still a guy. He probably figured if she was looking to get laid, why not? Why else would he suddenly be looking at her like a lollipop he wanted to taste? He just wanted to hit it and quit it and she’d made it seem like she was open to that.
“Look, Hunter. I think we should just forget what happened. We’re friends. Good friends. And I don’t want this to ruin everything. I’m not into just screwing whoever comes along.”
Hunter frowned and looked hurt. “That’s not what I thought at all.” He looked like he was about to say something else, but the doorbell rang just then. He cursed, but got up to answer it.
Bailey let out a sigh of relief. Maybe if they focused on eating they could get past all this weirdness and go back to the way things used to be.
Hunter returned with the food, and for the next twenty minutes, they were completely consumed with doling out portions from the various containers of food. Bailey finally started to relax when Hunter dug into his beef and broccoli, and showed no interest in talking about their almost-sex the other night.
Maybe it would be fine and she’d been worried for nothing.
But after he’d cleaned up all the remnants of their dinner, he sat next to her, and she could tell he wasn’t done exploring the topic.
God, she’d created a monster.
“So you’re really going to pretend like that night didn’t mean anything?” Hunter asked. His tone of voice indicated that he thought she was full of shit but was trying hard not to say so.
Bailey sat up on the couch slightly. If they were going to hash this out, she needed to be forceful. Otherwise, she had a feeling he’d bring it up every time she saw him.
“Look, Hunter. That was a mistake, and I know it was confusing to you and I apologize for that. You shouldn’t have had to deal with me when I was drunk and horny. I don’t know why I was acting like that. In fact, I barely remember it.”
“Oh really? Hmm.” Hunter eyed her curiously. “So you think you would have reacted that way to just anyone?”
“Probably,” Bailey lied. “I was clearly out of my mind. It didn’t mean anything.”
Hunter grinned. “Really? Well, if you think so, then you won’t mind putting it to the test.”
“What does that mean?” By the hungry look in his eyes, Bailey had a feeling she knew exactly what he meant.
Hunter had always considered himself a pretty good judge of character. Liars were easy to spot if you knew what you were looking for, even skilled ones.
Bailey was not a skilled liar.
She swallowed nervously and he watched with interest as her throat moved. Hiding a groan, he reached down and tried to adjust his suddenly hard dick inside his pants. Fuck, he was turning into a sick sonofabitch if he was getting off just at the sight of her throat working. But he couldn’t deny that it brought to mind a fantasy of Bailey on her knees, swallowing around his swollen cock.
She wasn’t doing anything so pleasurable in real life though. Oh no, right now she was glaring daggers at him with her eyes that were so sharp he almost ducked.
“What do you mean, a test?”
Hunter figured this was the time to tread carefully. Bailey could be unpredictable, and he was trying to get her closer, not scare her away. But she also couldn’t resist a challenge; something he had no problem using to his advantage.
“Well, you said you were out of your mind and didn’t know what you were doing.”
“I didn’t,” Bailey insisted before crossing her arms.
Danger. Danger. Alarms were blaring in the back of Hunter’s mind but he pressed on. He’d been subtle this long and where had that gotten him? Maybe it was time to try a different approach.
“And you said that you would have responded that way to anyone.”
“I know what I said, Hunter. Do we really need to rehash this?” She stood abruptly and made a move to grab her bag next to the couch.
Oh shit.
Hunter jumped up and grabbed her wrist. If she left now, they’d always have this awkward thing between them. And frankly he wasn’t sure he’d survive never knowing if things could be as hot between them as they’d been in that drunken, shower kiss.
“Let me go, Hunter.”
“I can’t. Because I need to know. Kiss me again. We’re both sober now. Then we’ll see what’s real and what’s not.”
Bailey’s mouth fell open and a tinge of pink appeared in her cheeks. Interesting. She wasn’t turned off by the idea. That gave Hunter hope. Because there was a little part of him that was afraid she wasn’t lying. That she really had been just drunk and horny and willing to hump anything. But a greater part of him suspected that little Miss Innocent had a thing for him just like he’d had a thing for her ever since they met.
“That’s, that’s ridiculous!” she stammered. “You’re just trying to cop another feel!”
Hunter moved a little closer and her lips parted slightly, her eyes going soft as she regarded him from under lowered lashes. Oh yeah, she was into this. She could protest all she wanted, but the look on her face gave her away. It also bolstered his resolve to have another taste—a sober taste—of Bailey.
He wanted to see that look on her face while she was spread out underneath him.
“I don’t think this is such a good idea.” Bailey bit her lip and slanted another look in his direction. But then she licked her lips, unconsciously giving away her thoughts. She wanted this. And Hunter found that his new mission in life was to give her what she wanted. Especially when she was eyeing him like a treat she wanted to lick up.
He raised his hand slowly, so as not to startle her. She watched it warily, but let out a soft little moan when he palmed her cheek. Her eyes closed and she turned into his touch.
“I think this is a very good idea,” Hunter muttered. “Let me taste you again, sweetheart. I’ve been dying for another taste ever since that torture session in your shower.”
Her eyes popped open so he made his move before she could say anything. The instant their lips met, Hunter knew he was in trouble.
Fucking hell, she tasted like peaches and sex.
Bailey moaned against his lips and the sound drove him out of his mind. Then he turned his head to get a better connection between them
and that’s when everything blazed out of control. Bailey practically jumped into his arms, and then they were kissing like they wanted to inhale each other while she scratched the hell out of his back. Their mouths fused together, and Hunter wasn’t aware of anything other than the slick glide of her tongue against his and the fireworks exploding inside his mind.
This was what he’d been missing, the thing he’d always suspected would be between them, and while his mind soared, his dick got harder than ever.
If she walked away from him after this, he wouldn’t survive it.
Hunter walked her backward until she bumped up against the wall. All he could do was be thankful it was there because otherwise they would have landed on the floor. Neither of them was aware of their surroundings, only of each other and the way it felt to be in each other’s arms.
In the moment, Hunter realized what a mistake he’d made. Not in kissing Bailey, that was nothing short of a miracle. But in thinking that he could walk away unaffected if she turned him down after this.
Because if Bailey didn’t want him, it would have been better to never know just how damn good it could be between them.
Six
Oh God, yes. Bailey couldn’t hold back a moan.
Hunter's tongue slid over hers, demanding that she respond. His big body crowded her. And then he took her hands in one of his and pinned them above her as he licked into her mouth.
This. This was what she needed. And she wanted more of it. And, bonus! Hunter was more than capable of giving her…more. His huge erection pressed against her belly, and she groaned.
Why did it feel so good to have him pressing into her? Why the hell did it feel so good to have him be so take-charge and in control? Why did she crave it?
She didn't want to be this woman. She didn't want to need him to restrain her hands above her head and to make her moan as he sucked at her neck.
Who are you kidding? Yes, you do want this. You do need this. This was Hunter, and like it or not, she’d been fantasizing about him long before the events of last Friday.
That was the truth. She had been fantasizing about him. And so what if her vibrator got a lot of use since she’d started working at Bold Horizons? She wasn’t admitting that. Not to him, anyway. Because they were friends.
Oh yeah, you kiss all your friends like this?
Her mind tried weakly to restart. Tried to take over the thickening of the lust in her blood. It tried to come online and use rationality to quell the burning need Hunter had sent thrumming inside her body. Her brain tried to flush out the lust that was making her skin hum and her body purr. Unfortunately, her brain was losing that battle.
Hunter tore his lips from hers. "You taste so fucking good. I could do this all damn day."
He slid his hand up her torso. And despite herself, she arched into the caress, seeking more, wanting his hands on her. With his other hand, he palmed her breast, gently swiping his thumb over her nipple, and her clit throbbed.
She was going to come. Just like this. With Hunter pressing up against her belly, swiping his thumb over her, she was going to come apart, standing up, backed up against a wall in his apartment. Was she really ready for that?
Quick answer, no. Because Hunter was her friend. And whatever the hell her body wanted to do, whatever the hell she’d managed to convince his body he wanted to do, that line they were crossing was going to break them. And she couldn't have that. She needed Hunter. He was one of her few true friends at the company. And she wasn't about to ruin that or her career just because Hunter Richards made her panties wet.
With that, Bailey's brain finally started to come online. Started to run through all the reasons why this was a terrible idea. Her brain helpfully listed the reasons why:
The two of them were friends.
The morning after had sucked hard. She wasn't eager to repeat that experience.
Hunter had one helluva reputation.
He never talked about it, but the interns in the office pretty much swooned whenever he walked by. One of the interns told her that he’d dated a friend of hers. And word was, his dick was huge. Huge. Like world-record sized. And from the feel of it, they weren’t kidding.
Was Bailey really willing to have her vajayjay stretched out by her best friend? Yes absolutely yes. What? No. Of course not. Not at all. And given what she was feeling pressed up against her, the rumors were not false.
Bailey slid her hand down his chest. And then gently shoved. "Hunter. Stop. We can't."
Hunter shook his head and looked like he was battling to open his eyelids. "What? Why the fuck not?"
"I'm sorry. I just can't. We’re going to ruin everything if we do this. If you just wanted to prove a point, yes, I remember. I remember everything. But I can't handle this." That was the truth at least. She slid out from under his arm.
"Bailey, wait. Look, if we just talk —"
But she was done talking. She knew what would happen if they talked any more. She was going to climb him like a tree. She was going to sit on that monster dick and demand that he give her orgasms. And that wasn’t going to work out well for her. So, better to run.
Yes, tomorrow at work would be awkward, but they would manage. As long as they didn’t cross this line.
"I'm sorry, Hunter."
She grabbed her purse and made a beeline for the door. She tried not to think about how hurt he looked. She tried not to think about how much her body already missed the press of his skin against hers. No, better not to think about that.
For some reason, traffic leaving downtown up to Banker’s Hill was a bitch. When she finally got home, she let herself into the apartment and went straight for the shower. She could still smell Hunter's cologne all over her, and she’d have an impossible time sleeping if she didn’t wash it off.
After a hot shower that did nothing at all for her knotted muscles, she headed for bed. But the moment she plugged in her phone, it rang. Hunter’s smiling face appeared before her and she scowled. Why couldn't he just let this go?
The thing was, she wanted to talk to him. She wanted to regain some of who they were. Friends. Friends who were desperately trying to ruin everything they had.
She answered. "Hunter, if this is to somehow get me back to your place, it's not going to work. I said everything I needed to say."
He sighed. "No, Bailey. Let me apologize. I didn't mean for things to get so out of hand. But the moment I kissed you—" he took a deep breath, started again. "Look, all I'm asking for is a shot. Obviously, there’s something going on with us. Something more than just being best friends. Just come with me on a date tomorrow night. Somewhere that isn’t either of our apartments, and if you don't feel what I feel, I'll leave you alone. We’ll never talk about this again. We’ll go back one hundred percent to being Bailey and Hunter."
"Hunter, it's not going to be that easy."
"Yes, it will be, because your friendship is more important to me than anything else. But if I have the chance at more with you, then I want to take it. Because just feeling what I’ve felt the last couple of times we’ve been together, I have to take the shot."
"Hunter, how are you so sure?"
"I just am. What do you say? Will you let me take you out?"
All she wanted to do was blurt out yes. But she was cautious, trying to think it through. If it didn't work out, he’d promised her they could go back to being normal. And she wanted that. So if one date was all it took for them to get on an even keel again, then she was in.
"Okay. Let’s go on a date."
When was the last time Hunter had been this nervous for a date?
He’d been of two minds about what they should do. Part of him thought he should pull out all the stops. Super fancy restaurant, followed by some insane view of the city, usually at Mister A's, followed by some underground speakeasy type of bar. Somewhere cool and intimate where he could turn on the charm.
He wanted all of that for Bailey. He wanted to show her the moon and stars. But he also
wanted to show her that even if things went wrong, they could still be them.
So he was going to skip all that.
He just hoped she liked it. He didn't want to come across as if he wasn't trying. Hell, he was actually trying really hard.
Why is this so important to you?
Because it was Bailey. And he’d been falling for her slowly over the last year. Also because a part of him knew she was right. What they had was good. He knew they could be better than good, but he didn't want to fuck this up. So he was gonna go low key. Make her comfortable. And if somehow she didn't want to see him like that, he would deal. He would have to buy some major stock in a porn company, but he’d be okay.
Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.
He picked her up at seven on the nose. And when she opened the door, he had to swallow hard to resist the urge to reach out and touch her in all kinds of inappropriate ways.
That afternoon at work, he’d told her to dress casual. For Bailey, that evidently meant tight leather leggings that hugged her ass and her legs, black low-heeled boots, and a pink off-the-shoulder top that clung to her tits in ways that made him want to bury his face between them.
No. The early part of this date was about him and Bailey finding their footing and being able to still be themselves. Later tonight, he might do just about anything to bury his face in her tits, but right now he wanted to have fun. He wanted them to play.
"So why the mystery? Where are we going?" she asked.
“You know, you're just going to have to trust me."
She wrinkled her nose, but when he offered her his hand, she slid her palm into his. Hunter tried not to focus too much on how it felt to touch her. He tried not to think about the satin smooth feel of her skin, the charge of electricity running up his arm. No. Right now, all he wanted to think about was enjoying her company…and not where else that satin soft skin would feel good.
Bad Benefits Page 4