The Sunday Arrangement

by Lucy Smith

  “So what now?” she asked. “Are we just gonna get there and hop to it?” Her turquoise eyes lit up with curiosity. The loud purple eyeliner she wore perfectly accentuated the shape and color of her very best feature.

  “I thought I would take you to dinner first. Do you want me to invite Pierce?”

  Kat stiffened and looked at me. “To dinner or the sexy time?”

  “Dinner,” I said. “But just so you know, he will be at my condo when we . . . when we’re together.”

  “I assumed he’d be watching us do it since you two seem like a two-for-one deal now.”

  I could feel a blush stain my cheeks. “I want him there to watch, but if it makes you uncomfortable, I can call that part off.” I squeezed her hand. “What’s important is that I’ll be searching an entirely different side of myself, thanks to you.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t mind him watching, but I would like dinner to be just the two of us.”

  “Okay.” I smiled. “How would you feel about videotaping it?”

  She arched an eyebrow at me. “You are a kinky little minx, aren’t you?” she smirked. “As long as I get a copy, we can record all night!”

  “That’s what I thought you’d say.”

  ~*~*~*~

  I had a little more wine than I normally drink at dinner. It wasn’t exactly intentional, but I wanted to calm the nerves that welled within me. Never before had I been with a woman, explored her body, and made love to her. I didn’t even know where to begin. This wasn’t just any woman either—she was my best friend and I longed to do right by her. And to think, the man I was developing uncontrollable feelings for would be watching the entire encounter. It was arousing and completely terrifying.

  Soon, we were in the elevator leading up to my apartment. Before I convinced myself not to, I pushed the red stop button. The elevator froze just before it reached my apartment. Maybe it was the wine—my liquid courage—or maybe it was the wild animal inside of me who longed, once again, to take control of me.

  Kat looked at me. I could see the nervousness in her usually confident eyes. “Why did you stop the elevator, Lo?”

  In one quick motion, I pushed her up against the metal wall of the elevator, mimicking the erotic movement Pierce had performed on me a few weeks ago. I was in control now. My hands were on either side of her, our bodies mere inches from touching each other. The shock on her face was matched only by the longing I saw there. Her dark blue eyes locked on mine. Slowly, she licked her cherry red lips. I couldn’t help myself. I kissed her quickly, my entire mouth covering hers in a heated, passionate moment. Just as quickly, I pulled away.

  There was a spark there, an undeniable ignition, that I knew, once fanned, would turn into a blazing fire. Relief washed over me like water on a sinking ship.

  Kat pulled me in for another kiss. Her lips were soft as they moved against mine. I moaned as her tongue broke through my lips, deepening the kiss. I moved closer to her until our bodies were touching. I could feel her breasts against mine. Her long leg swung around to rest on my hip, and my hands moved down to her sides. One of her cool hands cupped my cheek while the other moved over my neck and down my chest. Our tongues continued to dance and explore. I pulled away to look at her and to get a full breath. She looked at me and smiled knowingly.

  “I wanted to do that,” I whispered. My hand rubbed her thigh resting on my hip.

  She kissed me again briefly before putting her leg on the ground. “Well, I don’t think we have any concerns about how this whole thing is going to play out,” she said as though voicing my very thought.

  I smiled and fixed my hair and blouse, and Kat did the same. I knew Pierce was already in my condo, waiting with the camera for our arrival. And for some reason, I didn’t want him to know about the moment we had just shared. That was meant just for Kat. Restarting the elevator, we finished the ride to my apartment.

  The doors to my penthouse opened. Pierce was sitting on the couch waiting for us. From across the room, I could see his eyes look me over. He didn’t even look at Kat as he walked toward me slowly. He stopped just in front of me, and I resisted the urge to kiss him. I stared up at him, waiting to see what he would do. He licked the pad of his thumb before using it to wipe along the side of my mouth. It took me a second to realize that he was wiping off some of Kat’s lipstick.

  “Have a fun time?” he asked. He didn’t wait for an answer as he turned to Kat. He held out his hand to her. “I’m Pierce. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Kat.” She looked at his hand and took several seconds before she lifted her own in return.

  “Likewise,” Kat said.

  The aggression between them was tangible. Having two people want me wasn’t something I was used to. They both clearly felt entitled to me in some way, and I found myself not hating their desire for me. I stood between them. I didn’t like the angry looks they gave each other, like young children fighting over a toy.

  “Why don’t we get started?” I said, hoping sex would ease the awkwardness starting to surface within the room. I then pushed Kat back closer to the couch, making a bigger gap between her and Pierce. Both seemed to relax more the farther apart they were from each other. I’d have to ask Kat why she was so quick to dislike him, especially since he hadn’t been his usual arrogant self.

  I moved to the couch as well and pulled her down to sit next to me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Pierce turn on the camera to begin recording us. The power of the recording device no longer terrified me. Though I still hadn’t seen the tape Pierce and I had made the week before, I felt confident in my own skin.

  Kat still focused her death glare on him. Not wanting to have her so emotionally invested in whatever was going on between them, I moved to straddle her lap. That got her attention. She looked up at me and her hand went to my side automatically.

  I ran my hand along her cheek and made her look me in the eyes with her big beautiful blues. “It’s just the two of us, okay? No one else.”

  She smiled and gave me a slight nod. I leaned down and kissed her. Her lips hungrily accepted mine. We kissed long and hard, the moisture of our lips hot and heavy as our tongues danced together. I loved the way she coaxed her tongue against mine, drawing out sensations that sent thrills down my spine and into my panties.

  She broke the kiss suddenly and looked at my blouse; without a second thought she used her hands to rip it open. The clinking of buttons could be heard throughout the room. My breath quickened at the thrill of having my shirt ripped off me. I quickly removed the rest the rest of the blouse, and she expertly unhooked my bra. Soon her red lips were encircling my nipple. Her tongue moved over the taut peak, and I moaned as I watched her. This was happening. This was really happening. A woman was sucking on my breast, and God, it felt incredible.

  My hand went into her short hair. Her other hand came up to massage my other breast, and my own hand moved downward and underneath my skirt to touch myself through my panties. Before I could really start, however, her free hand pushed mine out of the way and replaced it with her own. I rocked myself on her lap and into her hand as she stimulated my clit. The pressure started to build, like a rocket just before launching into space, as I watched her continue to circle my nipple with her tongue.

  As I came down from the high, I moved off her lap and had her sit forward so I could undo her corset. She slipped out of the dress and her panties. Quickly, I removed the rest of my clothes. I pushed her back to lie on the couch and moved to have a better look at her body. It was then that I noticed Pierce standing near us with the camera. I smiled up at him before returning my attention to Kat. I spread her legs apart and looked at her pussy. She was bare. Her outer labia were swollen and flushed pink; I could see her clit was aroused. With my thumb I lightly touched her clit.

  She jumped and laughed. “Sorry, I can’t have the front of my clit touched unless I’m sopping wet.”

  I nodded my understanding. “Well then, I’ll just have to make that happen no
w, won’t I?” For the next few hours, we explored each other’s bodies. I tasted her, smelled her, and learned what areas of her almost made her come when kissed. Every sensation was heightened because it was Kat.

  Eventually Pierce stopped filming, and Kat and I fell asleep together on the couch.

  “I think it’s time you go now, Maverick,” Kat said as we lay on the sofa. I heard my front door open and close. Kat lightly touched my arm. “Lauren, wake up. Let’s go to your bed. It’s more comfortable than this couch.”

  “Where’s Pierce?”

  “He didn’t want to take up the space on the bed.” She pulled me up and led me to the bedroom where we crawled into my bed and fell asleep.

  ~*~*~*~

  “How ya feeling?” Kat said the next morning.

  I stretched my arms over my head and yawned. “You wore me out,” I teased. Glancing at my friend, I saw that she was sitting on my bed. Her usual perky self seemed glum and melancholy.

  “You said Pierce in your sleep several times.”

  I laughed. “Look at him—he’s even penetrating my dreams.” Kat didn’t budge. She didn’t even acknowledge my silly pun. “Hey, what’s wrong?” I asked.

  “Nothing, really. I should be happy right? It finally happened.”

  “Finally?” I asked, sitting up against my tufted headboard.

  “After all these years, you and I finally fucked.” Kat still avoided eye contact with me. Her tattooed arms were crossed against her flat chest. Her black tank top was haphazardly wrinkled.

  I put my hand on her shoulder. “You okay, friend?”

  “I’m okay, Lo.” She finally faced me. Her usually bright eyes were overcast. “I just wish we hadn’t done that. Part of me feels like our friendship just died . . .”

  “What? How could it have?”

  “Everything’s going to be different now. I wish I had thought this through. I wish I wasn’t so blinded by my desire for you.”

  “I thought we agreed that this was just sex. You were helping me. I wanted you to be my first. I don’t understand—”

  Kat gave me a weak smile. “No, and I don’t blame you. We’re different, you and I. This really meant something to me.”

  I squeezed her shoulder even tighter. “It did for me, too, friend. It really, really did.”

  “Thanks for saying that, but I don’t think last night meant the same to us.”

  I let my hand fall limply onto the bed. It was as lifeless as I felt. “What are we going to do now?”

  “I’m going to go home now, and I think I may need some space. Really, I’m not trying to be all dramatic on you, but I think last night had a much bigger impact on me than I could have anticipated.”

  “No, I get it. Trust me. I really, really do,” I said softly. “And for that, I couldn’t be more sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. Ever.”

  “Don’t sweat it, okay? I’ll be fine. You know me. Tougher than your grandma’s toenails.”

  I smiled though my heart was heavy. “Are you gonna take the jet?”

  “It’s already been arranged. I was just waiting for you to wake up. I didn’t think it was right to escape in the night like this was a measly one-night stand instead of a simple mistake between two best friends.”

  “Thanks for waiting for me, Kat. I really and truly do love you.”

  “Me too, Lo. Me too.” She reached to the floor and grabbed her tan combat boots. Slipping into them, she quickly rose to her feet, leaving the laces loose and untied. “I’m going to head out now. I’ll call you in a few days, okay?”

  It felt strange not to hug her as she walked toward my bedroom door, though I suspected physical touch from me was not what she needed at that moment.

  She turned toward me when she reached the door. “Lauren, I know I’ve told you this and I know you know . . . but be careful, okay? Sex, as last night proved, really does change things. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  I nodded, forcing the lump in my throat to go away. Tears brimmed in my eyes as I realized with an undeniable certainty why she uttered those words. My best friend was in love with me.

  “Goodbye, friend. We’ll talk soon,” she said, and with that, she was gone.

  I crumpled into my bedroom, clutching my body pillow as I let the tears pour unreservedly. My sweet, wonderful Kat. I would take it all back in an instant if I could.

  Chapter Seventeen

  After Kat left, I had to return to reality, to deal with my current situation. Now I had two secrets. Toby and Pierce were planning something, and my father was being blackmailed. Undoubtedly, the two things were connected. I tried to focus on this rather than the sickening feeling I had in my gut ever since Kat walked out of my apartment.

  I felt conflicted about the unwanted feelings that were starting to grow for Pierce. I knew he was planning something with Toby to hurt his father and mine. I didn’t know their motive or what they wanted to do.

  My cell phone rang. It was Toby. He always had the uncanny knack for calling when I was thinking about him.

  “Hello,” I answered.

  “Hi, I was calling to let you know that I have the new model done. I won’t be able to fly out until next week, however. Mar is sick and she needs my help caring for the kids. I’ll call you Monday and let you know if I can fly out on Wednesday. The deadline isn’t until then, so I figure it will be okay.”

  “Wow . . . that was fast. I understand. Don’t worry about it. It should be fine for you to wait until then. Margret wasn’t too hard on you about you calling her drunk, was she?”

  “Not too bad. She was madder about the fact that I had gotten drunk several days after our daughter was born. She thought that was the reason why I did it. I explained that wasn’t the reason at all, that you and I were just having fun and lost control a bit. She was a little more understanding after that. I only had to sleep in the guest bedroom for four days before she let me back in our room. That was better than the time she caught us playing poker and smoking cigars in her dining room.”

  I laughed. That was just before his son was born. We had a nice game of poker going with a couple of his friends, and she had come home to us smoking in her house. She wasn’t too happy about it; in fact, she was livid. Toby had to stay with me for three weeks while she cooled off and had the room repainted. “How are my new niece and the Troublemaker doing?” I asked.

  “The baby is good. Troublemaker is ecstatic about having a baby sister. He likes help do everything for her. He told me when she’s old enough he’s going to teach her how to hit a ball out of the park.”

  “I hope he does. All the Hart women need to know how to do that.”

  “Exactly! That’s what I’ve been telling Mar. Well, the baby is crying, so I’m being paged. I’ll call you next week. Bye.”

  I hung up the phone. He hadn’t sounded at all guilty for anything. I thought maybe he might tell me what he’d done in a drunken haze, and I’d realize that it truly didn’t mean anything. There was still a lot I didn’t know at this point—how much I didn’t know I hoped wouldn’t shock me to the core.

  ~*~*~*~

  “Toby said he should have the new model out here by next week. His wife is sick and needs him to help with the kids.”

  “All right, we have the proposal pretty much finished. We just need to add the information on the model. All we have left is scouting more places, but we already have an idea of what the best places on the strip do to attract people. So I guess that means we get a week off.”

  I leaned back in my chair. “I haven’t had an entire week off since college. What am I supposed do for an entire week?”

  He smirked. “Go shopping?”

  I shook my head. “For an entire week? I don’t need that much stuff.”

  “Fly back home until Saturday?” he asked. I could see him tense up.

  “I’d rather not have my mother harping at me about the flight back out here. The woman is terrified of flying. And I don’t want her to ask me over and ove
r when I’m going to give her more grandchildren,” I said. It was true, but that wasn’t the real reason I couldn’t face her right now. I knew that, if I saw her, I’d tell her about everything involving Dad and his apparent rape charges. It’d come spilling out of me, and I’d be powerless to stop it.

  “Spend it with me then.” It wasn’t a question, and it took me by surprise.

  “Wouldn’t that be going against our arrangement?”

  “No, we wouldn’t be having sex. Just spending time together as friends. Let’s get to know each other better.”

  This floored me. How was I supposed to take that? He had told me several times that he never allowed himself to get attached. Now he was asking me to spend the week with him? I figured he was either serious about wanting to move on to a friendship, or he was messing with me for his own personal enjoyment.

  “Okay,” I agreed hesitantly.

  He stood from his chair with a megawatt smile on his face. “I’m glad to hear that. Why don’t we start with lunch? I know this great place I haven’t showed you yet. It’s really a hole in the wall. Not what you are used to, I’m sure.”

  He must think I’m a rich snob. “I doubt that. Let’s go.” I stood.

  We took his car to a small restaurant that was part of a shopping chain. It seated maybe a half-dozen couples, and the menu was on the wall behind the cashier. It reminded me of the small places I’d go to for lunch in high school. This place served Mexican food, and it smelled good.

  We got in line to order. “I’ve been to a place like this.”

  “Your father let you?” he asked, surprised.

  I frowned. “What does my father have to do with where I chose to eat growing up?”

  “My father said that yours had always been very picky. That he wouldn’t have supported a small business like this with even a few dollars.”