by Isabel Jolie
I grab his t-shirt from the floor then locate his jeans across the room where they landed when he kicked them off. I toss them both onto his lap.
Jackson’s voice rings with caution. “Are you okay? Is everything okay?”
His question stops me. Yes, I’m a little embarrassed. It’s a little awkward now. But I’m okay. I enjoyed everything we did. I want to do more.
I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile. “No. I mean, I feel a little awkward, but I’m good.” I tilt my head, uncertain but wanting to give him more. “I enjoyed that.”
Jackson sits up and pulls on his jeans. Then his t-shirt. He grabs my waist and pulls me down on top of him and kisses me. His kiss calms me, and I rub my hands along his chest then start toying with his hair. I breathe him in. He smells like pine, clean and fresh. He smells like Jackson. And arousal. And sex.
He exhales and shifts, putting some distance between us. “Good. Tomorrow afternoon, you doing anything?”
My brain’s foggy. The orgasm and the wine blend together to slow my thoughts and responses. “No, I don’t have plans for tomorrow. Doing some work. I won’t be running tomorrow, but maybe sometime next week.”
He stands up, decisive. “I’ll stop by in the morning to bring Chewie with me on my run. Tomorrow afternoon, let’s plan to hang out.”
He starts heading toward the door.
“Jackson, wait. Are we okay? I mean, this was intense. I’m not sure I totally buy into the whole friends with benefits thing.”
Grinning, he saunters back to me and rests his hands on my shoulders. “We’re in a great place for friends with benefits. We’re both workaholics. Neither of us wants a serious relationship at this time in our lives. But we both like sex. And we are really conveniently located near each other.” He grins and bites his lip in the sexy way he has, then leans down and presses a soft, sweet kiss to my forehead.
“If you change your mind, just let me know. We can play it by ear. Day by day.” He brushes his lips against mine. “See you tomorrow.”
The brush of lips leaves me wanting more, needy. My intense arousal alone tells me this is not a risk-free plan. But, damn, I really am horny. I’d started watching pornos in my bedroom recently while I masturbated.
Friendship with benefits, as strange and probably unwise as it is, could be the right solution for this time in our lives. There’s no risk of slipping into a relationship. Not with Jackson now. Maybe four years ago he wanted a relationship, but today he’s a different person. And me. This isn’t going to develop into the kind of relationship that derails my future. There’s no risk of blinking and becoming my mom. Or finding myself in some controlling relationship without any say in my life. Maybe this isn’t the worst idea. Friends with benefits lays the parameters out clearly. No emotion, no demands.
Chapter 15
Jackson
Sunday morning, I wake with a raging hard-on. And then I jerk off thinking about eating her salty-sweet pussy and sliding into her later today.
Our arrangement will be good for her. Whether she admits it or not, she loves sex. There’s no reason for a healthy woman in her twenties to forego sex simply because she doesn’t want a relationship. Now that she didn’t go and bang my roommate, I can buy she’s not a casual sex kind of girl. Friends with benefits will allow her to have sex with someone she’s comfortable with. Casual but not random.
I wasn’t lying when I told her I’m not crazy about the whole trolling the bar scene for a sexual release. That’s never been my jam. I’ve considered escort services. Visions of a police raid and getting caught with my pants down—literally—kept me from ever pursuing the sex for hire avenue. Sex with Anna on a regular basis. My cock responds the moment she’s near. She’s my wet dream. Has been for years. And now I can have her. Without any pressure to buy flowers, get off work early for dates, or spend weekends playing house. No stress. Friends with benefits means work remains my highest priority, sans guilt. This solution falls in a huge win-win bucket. No doubt about it.
After having my coffee, I knock on Anna’s door to take Chewie for a walk along the East River. She answers the door like normal. This is gonna work. We’re friends. Friends with a little extra on the side.
Sunday’s my off day, the day I don’t run or lift. As I walk Chewie, I initiate the dog’s training. Anna loves her dog, but she’s soft. It’s not okay to have a sixty-five-pound dog jumping on everyone she greets and lunging toward any smell or person. I’ve never asked, but I’d bet Anna’s had many skinned knees thanks to that dog.
Chewie’s a fast learner. She responds to a stern voice and quick snaps on the leash. I picked up a book on dog training, and I test out the techniques touted by this supposed dog whisperer. She’s a smart dog.
When I return Chewie, Anna opens the door, and Chewie wags her body frantically in her signature I’m-so-happy-to-see-you dance. She rears back to lunge forward, and I pull on the leash with one quick snap and say, “No.” The brown mound of fur tilts her head up at me. I hold my hand up and she sits. I pet her and pull a small treat out of my pocket. Small treats for good behavior are a dog whisperer secret.
Anna’s jaw drops. She falls to her knees and greets Chewie, hugging her and running her hands all around the dog’s back. She’s going nuts over this dog, acting as if I hurt her. Eyes searching the dog, she asks, “What did you do to her?”
I roll my eyes. “I’m working with her. She needs training.”
Anna removes the leash and opens the door wide. Chewie trots inside, her tail wagging. Anna stands and squints. A wrinkle forms between her eyebrows. She says, “Thank you,” but it sounds much more like a question. That’s okay. She’ll thank me once her giant beast stops dragging her around the city.
“Your ankle looks much better.”
She holds it out into the air for me to see. “Yeah, it’s not as sore.”
“You’ll be back to running with me soon. I’d say in maybe two weeks.” By the time those two weeks are up, Chewie’s gonna be a new dog.
We stand in the hallway, staring at each other. Anna’s cheeks are flushed pink as if she’s been working out. What have you been up to, Anna?
“Well, I’ve got some work I need to get to. Still up for hanging out later?”
A beautiful smile lights up her face. I stifle the urge to pull her into my arms and kiss her. I’ll hold her later. And I’ll be doing a lot more than just kissing her.
In my apartment, I jam through revisions on two contracts. Then I read some of the research on Esprit Transactions, a potential new client we’re trying to win.
By two o’clock in the afternoon, I have nothing else to do. Someone cleans my apartment. I have groceries delivered. I had planned to wait until four o’clock, but I have nothing left to do.
I rap lightly on her door. Vicious barking booms from the other side, and it sounds like someone’s pounding on the door. You’d think a trained-to-kill German shepherd is on the other side attempting to crash through. Yeah, no one’s going to attempt to break into Anna’s place. Good. A double layer of protection. First layer, a doorman. Second, loud, scary, vicious-sounding dog.
The door swings open. Chewie stops barking and wiggles her body in happy greeting. I hold my hand out with the sit signal before she can launch herself onto me. She obeys, and I bend down to her level, pet her, and slip her a few treats.
“I’m not sure what to think about this whole change in her behavior.” Anna twirls two fingers around a section of hair, her eyes seductive.
Is she as excited to do this as I am?
She’s wearing a fitted, thin, gray t-shirt and no bra, tight, ripped jeans, and no shoes. I can see the entire outline of her erect nipples beneath the thin cotton. This braless weekend look rocks.
I had planned on hanging out first, doing the friend bit, but I can’t wait any longer.
I stalk toward her, maintaining eye contact. Her dark brown eyes draw me in.
I reach for her, wrapping her soft, long ha
ir through my fingers, and pull her to me. I kiss her, slowly at first, and then when I don’t sense any hesitation, I devour her. She presses her body to me and grinds against me, showing she wants this as much as I do.
Still kissing her, running my hands down her back, I guide her to the bedroom.
Her legs hit the side of the mattress, and I grab her perfect, tempting ass and lift her onto the bed. I stand between her legs, pressing my hard erection against her crotch, her bed the perfect height.
I break our kiss, panting. “Did you decide? Are we doing this?”
She runs her hands down my back, her golden-brown eyes taking me in. Damn. Everything about her says she wants this. A devious grin flashes across her face, and she licks her bottom lip before she bites. Fuck.
“Yeah,” she murmurs in a sultry way, the sexiest tone I’ve ever heard.
Facing me, she crawls backward on her hands until she reaches the headboard, her eyes never leaving mine. I stand, staring at her, my brain cut off from the equation. All I want is to fuck her. Now. We need to be on the same page, though.
“Friends with benefits. We’re going to do this?”
Please don’t change your mind on this.
In response to my question, she bites her bottom lip again, slowly releases it, and nods. Then she lifts her hand and signals for me to come to her. A teasing temptress.
I crawl up the bed to her. Kiss her.
Her hands wander down my back, and she grabs my ass as I settle myself between her legs and press against her, swiveling my hips into the apex of her thighs.
Her hands drift and pull my t-shirt up and over my head. Hell, yes.
I follow her lead and toss her t-shirt to the side. She’s braless. I groan. “Fuck. So gorgeous.” Those nipples. I dream of these breasts.
I lower my head, kissing and sucking on one nipple, then moving to pay attention to the other one. She whimpers as I suck her and apply pressure to her center, rubbing her core. I’m on the verge of coming just from sucking her tits and rubbing it out. Christ, how long has it been since I’ve had sex?
I lean back on my knees to slow this down. As I unbutton her jeans, she gives me a soft smile and lifts her hips, giving me permission to remove her jeans. I pull off both her jeans and panties and throw them behind me. She lowers her legs, one resting on each side of me. Her pussy is wet and spread open, waiting for me.
“Fuck. Look at that.”
I kiss along her thighs. I spread her open and dip my tongue into her juices. She’s so wet. She tastes so good. She grips my hair and whimpers. She loves when I go down on her. I want to make her come with my mouth just like yesterday. I set to work, licking and sucking on her clit, toying with her button as she squirms and whimpers. She gasps, “Oh, yes. Oh, yes.” I place two fingers inside her and move as my tongue circles her clit. Her back arches off the bed.
“Oh, god, yes. Right there!”
Her tight canal squeezes my fingers as I pump them into her. Then I lean down and blow softly on her center as my fingers milk the remains of her climax from her. She breathes heavily. The sunlight coming through the transparent shade reflects on a hint of sweat on her brow.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, pretty sure I know.
She runs a hand over her forehead and smiles. “Amazing. God, so amazing.” One hand rubs against the side of my face, the other on my chest. Hungry eyes search mine. Desire. “I want you now. Inside me.”
Oh, fuck.
She slides forward and unbuttons my jeans. I roll onto my back and lift to help her pull them down my legs. She pulls my boxers off with my jeans, leaving me completely naked, my cock throbbing.
She straddles my legs, placing her warm, wet pussy over my cock. She presses her breasts against my chest and leans in for a kiss. Our kiss sets me on fire as she soaks my cock with her wetness.
“Oh, my god. Yeah. Right there. Keep doing that.”
“Do you have a condom?”
I reach over to the bedside table where I tossed a condom when we’d first come in. I rip the package open and offer it to her as her hands firmly stroke my cock.
She shakes her head, timid. “No, you.”
Not a problem. I slip it on and flip her on her back, situating myself between her legs, flirting with her entrance. I press in slowly, watching her. I could stop now, but soon I won’t be able to. I kiss her then nip at her delectable lip. “You sure?”
“Fuck, yes. I want you. Inside. Now.”
I push in. She’s so tight, I pause to let her adjust to me and to slow this down. I don’t want to come before we get started. She grips my forearms and gasps, her nails digging into my skin. She lifts her hips, showing me she wants to move.
And then I start thrusting, fucking her hard, deep, and fast. Her hips meet mine, and our rhythm feels fucking spectacular. Her legs wrap around me, and I slam into her over and over. I lower my hand and rub her clit, just like she did to herself yesterday.
She groans, arching into me, and screams out, “Oh, god! Yes, right there.”
It’s all I can do not to explode right then. But I want to give her one more orgasm.
I lift her leg, adjusting my angle so I can go deeper. I slam into her cervix.
“Oh, my god! Fuck. Yes. Jack. Yes!”
Her muscles contract around my cock, and my release explodes inside her. My body surrenders as I climax. Nirvana. Oblivion.
I fall on top of her, my breathing heavy. I shudder. “That was amazing.” You are amazing. I lie down beside her and run a hand over her flat stomach and up to her breasts, caressing her soft skin. My thumb lightly circles her nipple. “You okay?”
She rolls her body onto mine and kisses me, a slow, deep kiss as her hand rubs the growth along my jaw.
I could definitely get used to this.
We hold each other as our breathing calms.
My eyes close. Her naked, sweaty body pressed to mine feels like heaven. I could hold her like this for hours. Cold air flushes against my body, and I open my eyes. She’s sitting straight up. She glances at me then jumps off the bed and gathers our clothes. I study her. Suspicious.
“Anna. What’s going on in that mind of yours?”
Pulling on her jeans, she answers, a forced smile on her lips. “Nothing. Just getting moving. It’s the afternoon. Ya know? Figured we shouldn’t just lay around in bed.”
I lean back on her bed. Throw pillows are stacked four or five deep against her headboard. There’s a wet spot on the comforter, and I slide a pillow over it. “So, we’re good?”
She answers as she slides her top back on so her answer comes out muffled and rushed. “Yeah. Definitely. Incredible. I’ve definitely missed sex.”
“Yeah?”
She nods, fully dressed. Well, that’s good news. I decide to follow her lead and get dressed too. She leaves the room before I’ve located my boxers.
When I enter the den, she’s in the kitchen, pouring herself something to drink. “Do you want anything?”
“Water. Thanks.”
I take the water from her and sip. “I guess this means next time we have to work on spending some time together in bed afterward?”
She raises her eyebrows inquisitively.
“To get you comfortable so you can have sex and not have to bolt from the room immediately.”
She pulls out a dish towel from the drawer, sprays the counter, and wipes away at something I can’t see. “Does it matter in a friends with benefits situation?”
She has a good point, but something tells me something else is going on. Or maybe friends with benefits means no snuggling. Who am I to judge? I can’t remember the last time I snuggled with someone after sex. It was probably with Anna. Why am I pressing for snuggling? What am I doing?
She flops down on her futon. The futon we did naughty things on yesterday.
She gives me an unsure look. “So, you want to keep doing this?”
Without hesitation, I answer, “Absolutely.”
She sq
uirms. “I think we might be improving with age.” Her cheeks glow with a haze of pink. Damn. She’s so sexy.
I sit down beside her. “Yeah? Well, I guess we can work on improving each time. I like goals.” I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively. She giggles. I want to pull her against me and hold her, but I suppress the urge. Something tells me that’s not what she wants right now. It’s probably not the best tactic for keeping it to the friendship level.
“All right. What do you want to do now?” I ask.
“Watch the Carolina game? After the game, take Chewie for a walk down by the river.”
“Sounds perfect.” I don’t want a girlfriend, but if I did, Anna would be it. Hot as hell, great in bed, and she wants to watch the Carolina football game then go outside. The perfect Sunday afternoon. Oh, wait, her ankle. “Wait. You don’t have any business going on a walk. After the game, I’ll take her.”
She rolls her eyes. “You may be right, but just so you know, I don’t want you to start feeling like you can tell me what to do. That pisses me off. And you don’t want to piss me off.” She points her finger at me, and she sounds like she’s joking and mimicking Arnold Schwarzenegger. But something in her eyes tells me in this case, I’d be smart to listen.
“Yes, ma’am,” I respond, suppressing my grin in an attempt to appear sincere. Don’t step on her independence. Message received. I’m not looking to control her. I don’t want a girlfriend. We’re good friends blowing off steam together. This might be the biggest win-win scenario I have ever encountered in my life.
Chapter 16
Anna
All six elevators are on the top floors of the building. I flick my wrist, and my Apple watch lights up. 11:30 p.m. Exhaustion sets in under the fluorescent lights. I usually aim to get home by ten. This week’s been intense. I’ve had to pay the dog walker for an evening outing every day this week.
I roll my head back and forth, the muscles in my neck tight. I’ve run in the morning with Jackson every day this week. Running is becoming an addiction. Seeing Jackson every morning is an extra perk. It’s not awkward between us. It’s been simply two friends meeting up for a run. He’s been working long hours this week too, and like me, our morning run has been his only time outdoors.