Friends Without Benefits

by Dena Blake

  Glo smiled softly and tilted her head the way she always did when she read Emma. “You’re blushing.”

  She put her hands to her cheeks and smiled. “I really like her, Mom.”

  “Tell me about her.” Glo picked up her sandwich and continued to eat.

  “She’s smart, funny, and very creative. She does landscaping for a living.” She took a bite of her sandwich.

  “Outdoorsy, huh?”

  Emma nodded as she chewed. “Has her own company.”

  “Maybe she can give your father a few tips on how to keep the grass alive.”

  “I’m sure she can. Her yard is gorgeous.”

  “So when do I get to meet this wonderful landscaper, Dex?”

  “I’m gonna hold off on that for now. I’m just getting to know her, Mom.” All she needed was for her mother to get in the middle and scare Dex away.

  “You’re not embarrassed to bring her home, are you?”

  “Of course not. I just want to see where this is going first. Okay?” She finished the last bite of her sandwich, wadded up the paper wrapper, and tossed it onto the tray.

  “Okay, but when you’re ready to rein her in, I’m on board to help.” Glo continued to eat what was left of her sandwich, as she’d been doing more talking than eating.

  Emma chuckled. Her mom was totally serious. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll keep you in the loop.” That was so not happening.

  After Glo finished her sandwich, Emma cleared the table, and then they headed to the next store on her mom’s list.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The doorbell rang three times in a row, and then the knocking began. Dex knew it would ring several more times before she could get downstairs and answer the door. It had to be Grace, given the fifteen texts she’d sent her already this morning. She’d been in too good a mood to talk to her, but now she was going to have to do it whether she wanted to or not.

  Panda hopped up onto the bed, and Dex rubbed her behind the ears. She’d interrupted them only once during the night with a loud meow, which, thankfully, Emma found hysterical. Except for that little incident, both last night and this morning had been perfect. Well, until Grace showed up.

  She got out of bed, pulled on her hoodie, and went downstairs. She still hadn’t showered. She’d put it off to keep Emma’s essence with her for just a little while longer. She could still smell Emma on herself, and it did something wonderful to her—calmed her and made her feel content. Dex’s outlook on relationships was changing. Maybe life would have a happy ending in store for her after all.

  As soon as she opened the door, Grace barreled through it. “Where have you been? I haven’t heard from you in days.” She dropped her purse on the couch.

  “I’ve been busy estimating jobs and taking orders. Light season’s about to hit.”

  “You’ve called me every day for as long as I can remember.”

  “Well, um…I thought maybe I should cool that since Brent moved in.” It was a plausible excuse.

  “Is this your sweater?” Grace plucked the sweater from the counter with her thumb and index finger. “Oh, I see. This is why.” She held it up and scrutinized it. “You found somebody to fuck, and you don’t need your old friend Grace anymore.”

  “Jesus, Grace.” Dex swiped it out of her hand and took it to the laundry room. Emma must have put Dex’s on upstairs by mistake. “I can have a life too, you know.”

  Grace closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. I just miss talking to you. You get me. Remember? We go perfectly together. Dex and Grace like Dolce and Gabbana.” Grace used to say that often, but had rarely mentioned the phrase in recent years since she’d met Brent.

  “There is no more D and G, Grace. That’s done. You have Brent. You’re GB…Gianni Bini now.”

  Grace scrunched her face. “That’s not fair. You can’t just throw me out of the fun like that.”

  Dex shrugged. “I didn’t throw you out, Grace. You left the party.”

  “But you’re the only person who truly knows me. Even Brent doesn’t know me as well as you do. We’ve always been each other’s person.”

  “Things have changed, Grace. You’re married now. I need that person to be someone else.”

  “And you think that’s Emma?” Grace’s voice rose again.

  “Maybe. I don’t know yet.”

  “She is so wrong for you.” Grace strutted across the room.

  “Why?” Dex followed her, took her arm, and swung her around. “Why is she so wrong for me, Grace?”

  “She just is.”

  “Because she’s not you?”

  “You’re damn right she’s not me. No one can be me.” The anger in Grace’s voice spiked.

  “You made your choice, and it wasn’t me.” She shook her head and blew out a breath. “It was never going to be me.”

  Whenever Dex would take the slightest interest in another woman, Grace would show up full force in her life and shatter any chance the other girl had at finding a place in Dex’s heart. Purposely or not, she did it every time. Dex wanted it to be different this time. She really liked Emma.

  Grace took in a deep breath. “Okay. Clearly you haven’t had enough sleep.” She spun around and snatched her purse from the couch and sped to the door. “Call me when you’ve gotten some rest. We can talk again then.” She yanked open the door. The house rattled when she closed it behind her.

  “Clearly, I wasn’t saying what you wanted to hear.” She mimicked Grace. “Right, Panda?” She gave the cat a quick scratch before she filled her food dish. Then she went to the laundry room, picked up Emma’s sweater, and smashed her face into it. Her head filled with comforting thoughts of Emma, and her world was good again.

  * * *

  Dex’s stomach fluttered when the doorbell rang. She’d been antsy since she’d received Emma’s text letting her know she’d just dropped off her mom and was on her way. She’d been looking forward to seeing her again since the moment she’d left this morning.

  When she opened the door, Emma stepped inside and kissed her until her knees wobbled.

  “I take it shopping went well?”

  “It did, but I couldn’t wait to get back here.” Emma tugged off her coat, and Dex hung it on the hall tree.

  The somersaults in Dex’s stomach continued. “Really?”

  “Yes, really.” Emma went immediately back to kissing Dex. “You haven’t started dinner yet, have you?” she asked, breaking away for a moment.

  The spark in Emma’s eyes was unmistakable. “Dinner can wait.” She took Emma’s hand, and they hurried up the stairs. This woman was unbelievably sexy and had her turned on as soon as she walked through the door. Just the thought that Emma wanted her sent a surge of heat through Dex.

  Clothes came off without delay, and as Dex took in the gorgeous woman before her she wanted to take her time and explore every inch of her. But when Emma pushed her onto the bed and trailed her tongue up Dex’s neck to meet her mouth and kissed her with such urgency and power, it was clear who was in control tonight. Emma pulled back and heaved out a breath as she stared. Dex was mesmerized by shimmering silvery-blue eyes, heavy with desire, staring down at her. She was immediately ready for this woman and bit back the surge of arousal threatening to consume her.

  “You’re so beautiful,” Emma whispered as she ran her fingertips across the swell of Dex’s breast to her stomach and back again, grazing her nipple with her palm. Dex’s breathing increased and her heart pounded wildly. She thought she might explode right then. Emma seemed to notice, and she immediately moved her hips between Dex’s legs and pressed up against her. Dex let out a gasp at the contact and wrapped her legs around Emma’s, urging her closer. The friction was delicious, and just when Dex was on the verge of spiraling into pure pleasure, Emma slowed and kissed her so deeply Dex thought she would implode. She reached to touch Emma, to feel her wetness, but Emma broke the kiss and stayed just out of reach before she slid down Dex’s body. She
slowly ran her fingers across Dex’s thighs and around to the backs of her knees before she kissed the soft skin of her lower belly. Dex quivered at the contact, and Emma glanced up and smiled before she trailed her tongue farther, parting her folds and sending Dex spiraling upward again.

  “Oh my God, yes.”

  With that, Emma pushed her fingers inside, and Dex couldn’t help the cry that ripped from her throat as she sailed over the edge into a surging orgasm. Emma had watched her throughout the whole thing, and Dex had thoroughly enjoyed taking in Emma’s heated desire as she came. When her muscles relaxed and the spasms began to slow, Emma slid her fingers free, moved up next to Dex, and kissed her softly.

  “I like having you for dinner.” Emma slapped her hand to her mouth. “Oh my God, I’m getting really bad about saying what’s on my mind.”

  Dex laughed and pulled one side of her mouth up into a grin. She liked flustered Emma, who was extremely beautiful. “You are.” She kissed her softly. “But I like it too.” Dex enjoyed Emma’s warmth as she nestled on her shoulder, her hand across Dex’s stomach and their legs entangled. Her satisfaction and contentment were revealing. She’d been keeping her heart locked down for so long, she hadn’t realized how good it felt to let someone in—someone other than Grace. What she had, right here, with Emma was so much better.

  * * *

  Dex settled into the seat across from Juni in their now-usual booth at Crushed Beans. Josh had already delivered their coffees before she’d arrived: a vanilla latte that included a special heart design in the foam for Juni and a mocha with a reindeer, which resembled a dog, for Dex.

  “Wow. You certainly are glowing for this time of year.” Juni reached across the table and felt her forehead. “You’re not sick, are you?”

  “Lovesick maybe.” She pulled her lips into a grin.

  Juni’s eyes widened. “Spill.”

  “I’ve spent every night this week with someone. Her name’s Emma.”

  “Every morning too?”

  She nodded. “I’m telling you, Juni. It’s like we’re made for each other. I’ve never been with anyone who’s so aggressive, yet so sweet and gentle.”

  Juni leaned forward and whispered, “Wow. Every night. You really like her.”

  “Like her? I think I’m falling in love with her.” Dex grinned as she raised her cup to her lips and slurped down a sip of warmth.

  Juni clapped her hands like a little kid. “Oh my God. It’s finally happened.” She took Dex’s hands and squeezed them. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “Stop. It’s not like I just lost my virginity.”

  The grin on Juni’s face was ridiculous. “No, but your heart is moving forward, and that makes me really happy.”

  Dex sighed. “I think so.” Every bit of what Juni had said was absolutely true. Her heart knew it too.

  “Have you told Grace about her yet? Or how you feel?” Juni took a drink of her latte and licked the foam mustache it left from her lips.

  “Yeah. She came over yesterday while Emma was shopping with her mother.”

  “And?”

  “And she freaked out a little when I told her things were different now.”

  Juni flopped back into the booth cushion. “Fuck her.”

  “Don’t act like that. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.”

  The table rattled when she popped forward again. “She’s freaking married.” Juni’s voice squealed, and they got a couple of stares from a few of the other people at tables surrounding them.

  “That’s what I told her.” She spun the knife on the table in front of her.

  Juni slapped her palm to it, sending it flying to the floor. “She wants the best of both worlds, and you have to tell her she can’t have it.”

  “I’m working on that. It’s just not easy.” Dex smiled at the people at the table next to her as she picked up the knife and set it on a napkin near the corner of the table. “You know how long she’s been in my life.”

  “I do, and I know how she treats you.” Juni flopped against the booth cushion again.

  “Stop.” The booth was going to fall apart if Juni kept that up. “Can we move off the Grace subject for now? I was having such a great day.”

  The muscle in Juni’s cheek jerked as she swung her gaze from Dex and stared at the ceiling. “Okay. Tell me more about Emma,” she said, returning her attention to Dex.

  “She got her marketing degree at Northwestern and works in advertising at the same firm as Brent.”

  “With Brent? Really? That’s quite a coincidence.”

  “No coincidence. Brent thought Emma and I might get along, so he set it up. We met at their housewarming party.”

  “Wow, that must be chafing Grace’s—”

  “We’re not talking about Grace anymore, right?”

  “Right.” Juni crossed her arms across her chest. “Well, I’m just glad he didn’t let her stop him from doing it.” She snarled her nose and flattened her lips.

  The irritation on Juni’s face was clear. Dex knew she was keeping a lot of choice words about Grace inside at this moment, and she was grateful for her restraint. While Emma occupied her mind, she wanted Grace as completely out of it as possible. Emma was taking over her thoughts in a colossal way, and the feelings of contentment Dex was experiencing astonished her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Emma ran to the car and hopped into the passenger seat almost before Dex could put it into park. She’d been waiting on the porch dressed in a cute, above-the-knee-length royal-blue dress, flats, and a pastel-pink wool coat when Dex pulled up in front of her house. Apparently she was just as eager to see Dex as she was to see Emma. They’d spent a couple of nights away from each other, and Dex missed her warmth. The scorching kiss Emma gave her was worth the wait.

  She glanced up at the house, noticing the lack of Christmas lights. She’d have to remedy that. She couldn’t have her girlfriend living in a house with no holiday spirit. Girlfriend? Is she my girlfriend? She pushed the thought from her head. One step at a time, Dex.

  “Which theater?” They had planned to go to a movie, a new factual drama that Emma really wanted to see.

  “Let’s go to the Cineplex. They have those cushy recliner seats.” She fastened her seat belt and settled in. “And the popcorn’s the best.”

  “I guess that means we’ll need to get a large.” Dex took her hand, lacing their fingers together, then placed it on her own thigh. Emma squeezed it slightly, and Dex smiled.

  They were almost to the movie theater when Emma pointed frantically out the window. “Ooh!” she squealed. “Let’s go bowling.”

  “But I thought you wanted to go to the movies?”

  Emma dipped her chin. “Is that where you want to go today?”

  “No, but you seemed excited about it. And now I want popcorn. And you’re wearing a dress.” Dex took in the legs slipping out from beneath the hem of the dress. Beautiful, shapely legs.

  Emma smiled, seeming to catch Dex’s assessment. “I’ll be fine, but will you?”

  The heat in her cheeks rose. “Oh yeah. I’d much rather watch you bowl.” Dex flipped the SUV around and headed back to the bowling alley.

  It was fairly empty when Dex and Emma arrived, just a few groups of people scattered across the place. They stopped at the desk to get a lane and shoes and then headed to number eighteen, a little over halfway across the alley. A few young teenage girls were bowling on the set of lanes next to them, as well as a group of rowdy teenage boys a couple of lanes over from the girls.

  Emma started entering their names into the scoring system, and Dex went straight to the ball return to see if any of the weights would work for her. Several alley balls were left from the previous bowlers, so she hefted a few and then set them back down.

  “These are all too small. I’m gonna go look for another one.” She held one of the lighter ones up. “Do you want to try these, or should I find one for you as well?”

  “Trying to sabotage my gam
e already?” On the way inside, Emma had mentioned more than once that she was a pretty good bowler.

  “Nope. I’m looking forward to the competition.”

  Emma grinned and raised an eyebrow. “Care to make a wager?”

  This was getting interesting. “I would.” Dex smiled, slid into the chair next to Emma, and slung her arm behind her. “What do you have in mind?”

  Emma stared into her eyes for a few moments before she cleared her throat and glanced at the keyboard in front of her. “If I win, you put up the Christmas lights at my house?”

  Dex nodded. “And if I win?”

  Emma smiled at her as though she knew it wasn’t going to happen. “I’ll make dinner.”

  “Deal.” Dex held out her hand, and they shook on it.

  The ball return had stolen Dex’s ball early in the first game, and Emma had beaten Dex by twenty-plus pins. Dex obnoxiously blamed the loss on the missing bowling ball, even though Emma had definite bowling skills.

  They were in the middle of their second game when Dex caught Emma watching the teenage boys a couple of lanes down. She followed Emma’s stare to the phone in one boy’s hand, which was discreetly pointed at the girls bowling next to them. When Dex glanced back to Emma, her eyes had narrowed, and she launched out of her seat like a missile. She was charging their way, and Dex scrambled to follow.

  The first thing she heard out of Emma’s mouth was, “What are you, ten?” She plucked the phone from the boy’s hand. “It’s not okay to film someone without their permission.”

  That got the girls’ attention. They stopped bowling and came closer. The tallest of them took the phone from Emma and played the video. “If you dare post any of this on Facebook, Kyle MacGregor, I’ll hate you forever.”

  “I won’t. I promise.” The boy’s face went white as he bolted up from his seat. He even looked a little terrified. “I was going to show it to you later.”

  “Really? Why?” the girl asked.

  “You’re really good at bowling.”

  Dex and Emma both stared up at the scoreboard, wondering if what he’d said was true. One-thirty-five in the sixth frame. She was good.