Frenemies With Benefits (Geek To Chic Book 2)

by Brinks, Nikki

  Pushing away from him, she stared in awe of him. Her heart doing a little flip at the thought that he had not only listened to everything she had said to him over the last few months but also to what she had been saying her to friends when he was near. “You heard that?”

  Shrugging, he took a step closer to her. “Of course, how else would I become stalker of the year?” He winked at her, flashing her that killer smile. His dark blonde hair moved a little in the breeze, causing it to fall in his face.

  Before she could stop herself, totally caught up in a trance of his creation, she reached her hand up and brushed the hair from his eyes. Trailing her fingers down his cheek before her hand fell back to her side. His eyes held a surprise look. He looked down at her hand and up into her eyes as though he was trying to figure out if she had really touched him. In complete silence, they stood near the large oak trees off the side of the running path and stared into each other’s eyes.

  Breaking the moment first, Izzy looked down at her watch. “I…um…I better finish my run. Good seeing you Alex.” She stepped to move around him and return to her run. Her head spinning with more thoughts of the man she was supposed to hate. Why did I touch his face? Big mistake.

  ~*~*~*~

  “Hey, why don’t we run together? I still have a few miles to get in.” Alex called out as he moved to catch up with her.

  “Umm, ok.” She put her headphones back in and kept running.

  He could tell she wanted to ignore him, pretend he wasn’t even there. He was going to allow her to do so. For a few miles anyway. He wanted her to relax, concentrate on her run. Once she was in that state he would pounce.

  Like Izzy, running soothed Alex. It gave him time to think and return to the reality of life with a clear head. After last night he had needed a good run. When she melted into his gentle kiss in the kitchen, he was sure he had finally made some head way. Of course, he was wrong. Very wrong. The kiss he thought had melted her had in fact renewed her fire against him. She had done everything in her power to ignore him the remainder of the evening.

  Normally he would have given her space, regroup and found another place to run today. However, when Roni was chattering on about how excited she was to be moving in with Derek, he saw the brief sadness flutter across Izzy’s face. She didn’t want her friend to leave her, he could tell. They had been living together for the better part of a decade, so he understood her apprehension when it came to change. Especially when that changed involved moving. Moving sucks!

  Thump, thump, thump. Their feet hit the pavement in an even rhythm. A soothing rhythm. A rhythm that matched his heart. They had to be on their millionth or so mile, Alex thought, and he was starting to fade, Izzy, however was going strong. Grabbing her hand, he stopped her forward momentum and pulled her earbuds from her ears. Bending over with his hands on his knees, he tried to catch his breath.

  Laughter from beside him made him turn his head. “You’re trying to kill me.” He mumbled.

  More laughter came in response. This time she sat down on the dying grass and started to stretch her legs out. “Oh did the petite little woman run do many miles for the overly large Viking like man?” Her giggles continued as she continued to stretch.

  He collapsed on the pointy grass next to her. Laying on his back, with his knees bent and his right forearm over his eyes, he dragged in long breathes. His legs were screaming at him for the long miles he had put them through. “Viking like, huh? I like that description. And yes, the little woman kicked my ass today. Remind me never to run with you again.”

  She lay down next to him on her back, turning her head his way. “Wimp. I don’t know how many miles you did before we started running together, but we only did twelve miles together. I needed to do twenty today to keep on track. You and your wimpy legs are putting me behind.” She smirked.

  “Fine, go finish your run. Leave me here to die.” He said in his best imitation of a Hollywood dramatic voice.

  “Oh poor baby.” She lightly tapped his cheek with her warm small hand. “I didn’t mean to make your old bones do so much work in one day. I will tell everyone you were simply too old and frail to keep up with a woman half your size. I will even make sure your beloved nickname, Super Asshole, is on your tombstone.” Izzy tried very hard to hold her serious face, but he saw the corners of her lips twitching.

  “So now I am an old Viking?” He smiled.

  “Old yes, Viking not so much.” She shrugged.

  He lunged for her at that moment. She shrieked as his hands fell to her sides, tickling her relentlessly. “Stop. Stop. I’m sorry, you’re not old.” She shrieked between gasps of laughs.

  “Nope, not until you admit I am a Viking.” Alex responded with his own laughter mixed in. He was enjoying this interaction with her so much. She was the carefree, funny woman he had met so long ago. All hate for him evaporated. Maybe it was the runner’s high, or the fresh air but whatever it was he didn’t want the moment to end.

  “Stop. Fine. Fine. You are a Viking.” He paused in his tickle torture with her whispered admission. She looked beautiful beneath him. Her curly hair that was pulled back into a ponytail was spread out on the grass behind her, with tendrils breaking free all over. Her brown eyes sparkled with mischief behind her glasses and the sun lighting her face. “Well…an old Viking anyway.”

  Quickly she removed herself from underneath him and took off running. Giggling the entire way. Laughing as he got to his feet, he took off after her. Unfortunately, his legs decided to seize up four steps into his pursuit of Izzy. He tumbled forward, landing hard on his knee. “Shit!”

  Izzy was immediately at his side, helping him up. “Crap, are you ok?” Her eyes large with concern.

  “Fuck, my legs just seized up on me. My left calf has the worst mother fucking Charlie horse ever!” He growled in pain.

  “You didn’t hydrate properly. Come on, dumb ass let me help you to your car.” Izzy admonished him.

  Ever so slowly she helped him to the parking lot and to his SUV. “No Porsche today?” She asked, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

  “No, I prefer my Range Rover actually. The Porsche just makes a better statement.” He winked.

  She rolled her eyes and leaned him against his car. “Whatever, S.A. I have done my duty and helped your injured ass to your car. I am going to walk home. See ya around.”

  Before she got more than a step from him he grabbed her elbow. “Let me take you to breakfast as thanks?” His voice sounded desperate even to his own ears.

  She stared at him, not blinking for a moment, before she pulled her arm from his hand. “I don’t think that’s a good idea Alex. I am actually walking away from you not wanting to kill you today. Let’s not ruin it with your mouth.”

  “If I remember correctly, you love my mouth.” His eyes looked directly at her mouth. “Among other body parts.” He was so distracted by her luscious lips, that he didn’t see the hand coming towards his head. Her hand connected with the back of his head. “Ouch! What was that for?” Now he looked at her eyes as he rubbed his head.

  “For ruining the first good day we have had together.” A deflated Izzy walked away from him.

  Stupid lower brain! Alex wanted to go after her, to make it better. Only he didn’t know how to fix what he said, nor were his legs going to take him even a step further. Sighing he pulled himself into his Range Rover and shook his head at his own stupidity the entire way home.

  Chapter Six

  Izzy looked around the house, she had shared with Roni for almost seven years. Everything they owned was now boxed, ready for the movers to come. Roni was moving in with Derek. A decision Izzy supports one hundred percent. Those two were perfect for each other. That knowledge however, didn’t keep Izzy from feeling a little sad at the thought she was no longer going to come home to this small house or her best friend.

  Instead of coming home to this brightly colored home, she would be living in a condo downtown. Granted the condo would mean no yar
d work and the building had a gym and a coffee house. She would be living alone for the first time in her life. Part of her was excited for the quiet time, the other part thought she might be lonely.

  A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She looked at the clock, it would appear the movers were a little early. Good thing she and Roni had everything packed. Since Roni was out back, Izzy went to get the door. Her mood turned even darker when she saw that instead of the movers standing at the door it was Alex.

  Of course the man looked edible in his worn jeans and T-shirt. Oh the things she wanted to do to him and have him do to her. Izzy hated that her body heated every time he was around. He smiled, giving her that smile that told her he knew exactly what she was thinking. Putting back on her tough exterior, she walked away, leaving the door open for him. “Roni, the Supreme Douche Bag is here for you.” She called out to her friend.

  He pushed up against her back, leaning in close to her ear. “Actually, little Demon Pixie, I am here for you.”

  The words were innocent but the sexual laced tone he used made her body shiver. In the great way a woman does when a gorgeous man makes contact with her. She caught herself before she leaned back into his large chest.

  “In that case, you can go. I don’t need anything from you.” Izzy spat.

  Rubbing her arms with his large warm hands, he continued his sensual assault on her. With him this close she remembered how he felt, how he tasted. He whispered in her ear again, this time she could feel his lips move as he spoke. "That shiver that just ran through your body tells me that you do need something from me."

  The apex of Izzy's legs was screaming for what he could give her. She wanted to be sweaty and writhing under him. She wanted to experience his mouth licking and sucking her skin. She wanted to do every dirty thing that had passed through her mind in the last few months of being near him. She wanted...no she wanted nothing from him.

  "I already had what you're selling mister, and let me tell you I think I can get better by screwing the next random guy I see. So if you don't mind I have packing to do.” She freed herself from his light grasp and his hypnotizing whispers. Walking straight to her room without looking back.

  Once safely tucked behind her bedroom door, she leaned against the wood and prayed for the strength to resist Alexander Porter.

  ~*~*~*~

  “Alex what are you doing here?” Roni questioned him suspiciously as she gave him a welcoming hug.

  “Since Derek was helping you get settled, I figured I would lend a hand to Izzy.” Alex shrugged. He had been trying to get Izzy alone with him to finish their discussion since the welcome home party. Unfortunately, other since he screwed up after their fun together, she wanted nothing to do with him.

  His texts and calls had been met with a level of hostility usually saved for terrorists. He had even learned a few new four letter words. He knew his chances of ever getting her to forgive him were slim to none, yet, here he stood in her living room ready to get slapped again.

  Roni assessed him for a moment. “Fine, but be nice to her. Or I won’t do that data analysis you need on the forecasts.” She threatened, poking him in the chest with each word.

  He laughed. “Um, Roni, I’m your boss you have to do that analysis no matter how I behave outside the office.”

  “True, but I don’t have to present it for you. So, be nice!” Her pale face scrunched into what she must think was a threatening look but made her look constipated.

  “Fine, I promise to be nice.”

  With one more exasperated huff, she walked away. Leaving him to go bother Izzy. His favorite pass time. He walked to her bedroom door. Walking right in without knocking, because he knew it would get a reaction from her. And right now he was dying for any type of attention from her.

  “What the fuck are you doing in my room? Did your mother only teach Derek manners?” Izzy huffed at him.

  He smiled, finally she was acknowledging him again. He walked over and sat on the corner of her bed. Bouncing a little to test the springs. “Nice bed, pixie.”

  “Glad you think so, but this will be the only time you ever see my bed.” She stood as far away from him as she possibly could get without leaving the room.

  “You’re being so mean to me, and I am only here to help you settle into your new place. Where are we moving you to anyway?” He continued talking as though the look on her face didn’t give away that she was plotting to murder him in a very creative way. He would guess she even knew where and how she was going to hide his body once the deed was done.

  “Why?”

  “Why what?” He leaned forward and peeked into the box sitting at his feet. His hand was immediately slapped away.

  “Why do you want to help me settle into my new place?”

  “I’m a nice person, helping a friend out comes with the territory.” He tried to peak in the box again. This time she snatched the box away. “Is that your box of panties?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

  She blushed. “Ugh, you are such a pain. I can settle in by myself. Now, go away.” She set the box down. Putting two rows of packaging tape over the top.

  “You didn’t answer the question, where are we moving you to?” He moved back and rested his head against the headboard, with his hands behind his head, he stretched out on her bed.

  She let out a heavy breath. “Since you have decided to be such a dear friend all of a sudden. I am moving into the Spire building on 14th Street.”

  That had Alex’s attention. “Really, what floor?”

  A few months ago Roni and Izzy had lost a bet over a pool game, forcing Izzy to make dinner for him at his home. A night spent arguing over everything except the big elephant in the room. That night was the first time her had kissed her, since reuniting. A kiss that proved the passion between them was not left in Cabo. A kiss that also ended with him on the floor clutching his family jewels. Yeah, he had misread that situation.

  A few months later, he sold his house because it was too big for only him. He had purchased the penthouse in the Spire building. Sometimes he loved the way destiny intervened. The best part was she had no idea she was moving into his building.

  “9th floor.” She mumbled as she continued to tape the boxes.

  Five floors under his own. “Should I start taking these boxes in the living room to make life easier for the movers?”

  “Fine. The boxes with the pink duct tape are mine. The ones with the yellow duct tape are Roni’s.” She was always so organized.

  He picked up a couple of boxes, including the one with her panties in it, taking them into the living room. A shit eating grin on his face.

  Chapter Seven

  Izzy and Roni had hugged and cried all over each other, while Derek and Alex rolled their eyes, before taking off to their separate places. She wiped her tears as she pulled into her new assigned spot in the Spire building garage.

  The moving truck would be along in a few minutes, she had just enough time to get upstairs to open the door for them. Walking around her car to the trunk, she pulled a few boxes out. “Guess I made it here just in time to help.” Alex’s sensual baritone voice called from behind her.

  I will not succumb to his sexy voice. I will not succumb to his sexy voice. This had become Izzy’s mantra over the last few months.

  “I got it.” She picked up two boxes and stumbled backward. Of course, Alex’s large arms were there to catch her.

  His laugh rumbled through his chest. “I don’t think you do. Come on, let me help. You don’t even have to be nice to me.”

  Turning in his arms, she shoved the boxes at him. “As long as I don’t have to play nice, you can help all you want.”

  “Not today you don’t. But someday you will.” Alex bent over and whispered in her ear before brushing past her.

  She shook off the heat building within her with every word he spoke. She would not give in to temptation. The only defense she had against his charm was being a complete and total bitch. L
uckily for her, he also brought out that part of her personality with his arrogant playboy attitude.

  Putting her bitch armor firmly in place she moved ahead of him, mainly so she was no longer tempted to stare at his perfectly sculpted ass. Walking to the main entrance of the building off the parking garage, she held the door open for Alex.

  “Look at you being nice to me.” Alex said with a wink as he walked past her.

  It took everything in Izzy not to put her foot out to trip Alex. Her mind immediately went from fantasying about getting Alex into bed, to new and untraceable ways of murdering him. Had he not been carrying boxes of her items, that would break if he fell on them she would have tripped him.

  They walked to the marble laden lobby. “Hold on, let me grab the key.” Izzy went into the office to grab the key to her new apartment and sign a few random rent agreements. Within five minutes she was back with Alex. “The elevators are straight ahead.” She led the way, passing the kindly older man who manned the security desk, whom she had met when she came to see the apartment. “Hello, Mr. Guzman.”

  The man smiled brightly at her. “Welcome to the Spire, Ms. Newport. I would offer to help you with your boxes, but I see you have Mr. Porter’s help already.”

  “Mr. Porter? You know him?” She pointed with her thumb over her shoulder towards Alex. Before the older man could answer she was in Alex’s face. “You must be here often if Mr. Guzman knows you. So tell me how many of your girlfriends do I need to avoid in the building’s gym on a daily basis?”

  A slow sexy smile spread across his face. “I have no idea what you are talking about Izzy.” He leaned into her personal space. “I can promise you I have no girlfriends in this building. Although, I am working on making one.” With a wink he walks passed her. “Good to see you Mr. Guzman, how is that beautiful bride of yours?”

  Mr. Guzman laughed. “Do me a favor Mr. Porter, next time Amanda is visiting me at work, just keep walking. Last time you smiled at her the woman swooned, I swear.”