Friends Without Benefits

by Dena Blake

  “Okay, now step out.” She picked up the bag and tied it shut before she tossed it into the back and closed the hatch.

  “If you want to take shotgun, I’ll drive the rest of the way.” Dex glanced through the window. “Grace seems to be out again.”

  “Sure.” Emma was surprised when Dex swept her up in her arms and carried her around to the passenger seat. She was even more perfect than Emma thought she was before.

  They didn’t talk much, and even if they had, they wouldn’t have been able to hear much. Grace was snoring loudly in excellent rhythm by the time they reached the house.

  Dex gripped the steering wheel and took in a deep breath. “I’m so sorry. This is not at all the way I thought this night would play out.”

  Emma shook her head and chuckled. “Totally not what I expected either.” But Emma saw more good in it than bad. Dex was sitting in the seat next to her smiling. Even Grace couldn’t spoil how she felt right now.

  “We’ll leave earlier next time.” Dex glanced back at Grace. “Much earlier.” She reached into the back seat, retrieved Grace’s clutch, and fished out her keys. “I’ll get her in the house, and then I’ll be right back.”

  Dex seemed to be struggling as she tried to open the door. Given the state Grace was in, she was bound to be dead weight. Emma got out of the car, sprinted up the walkway, took the keys, and unlocked the door. Emma slipped in ahead of Dex and went toward where she remembered the bedrooms were.

  “Last one on the right,” Dex said as she followed her.

  Emma reluctantly pushed through the bedroom door, almost afraid of what she might find, and then quickly pulled the blanket back so Dex could pour Grace into bed. Emma unfastened one of Grace’s strappy stilettos while Dex took off the other. No way were they getting her dress off, so they pulled the blanket up and left her to sleep it off. She was going to have a helluva hangover tomorrow.

  “Maybe you should fix her some of your ginger concoction.”

  “Or maybe I just want her to feel like shit tomorrow for ruining our night.”

  Dex smiled. “I can go with that.” She glanced over her shoulder into the bedroom before she pulled the door partly closed. “You can take my SUV. I think I’ll stay here tonight. Who knows if Brent’s coming home.”

  “Do you mind if I stay with you?”

  “I’d love that. I just didn’t think you’d want to. I mean with Grace here and all.”

  “She’s harmless enough now.” She hesitated. “And to be honest, I’m not quite ready to leave you yet.”

  “Do want to go talk in the other room?” Dex asked.

  “I’m too tired to talk.” She remembered the guest bedroom from the tour Dex had given her at the housewarming party. She pushed open the door across the hall, which was furnished with a queen-size bed. “Can we just lie down?”

  “Sure.”

  Emma climbed into the bed and waited for Dex to take off her shoes and crawl in next to her.

  Dex slipped her arm around her. “Are you okay?” she asked as her fingers floated across Emma’s shoulder.

  “I’m fine.” She snuggled in close and put her head on Dex’s shoulder. “But we’re not having sex in Grace’s guest room.” Even though she wanted to be more than close to Dex, the weirdness of it all was too much.

  Dex laughed. “Uh, no. That would be totally creepy.”

  “Thank you for putting the lights up at my parents’ house.”

  “I was glad to do it. I mean, your dad can be a bit of a control freak, but I like him.” That earned Dex a pinch to the belly, and she squirmed.

  “If you think my dad’s bad, wait until you get to know my mom better.”

  “I got a pretty good glimpse of your mom’s power at dinner. It was surprising how quickly your dad stopped talking when your mom shot him that glare.”

  “Oh, you saw the look.”

  “More than once,” Dex said with a chuckle.

  “That’s pretty powerful stuff.” She sat up and tried to mimic her mother’s glare.

  Dex shook her head. “Not even close.”

  “What?” Her voice rose as she pushed up on her elbow and narrowed her eyes.

  Dex smiled. “You’re in the vicinity now.”

  She flattened her lips and raised an eyebrow.

  “Oh yeah, that’s it. Totally terrifying.” Dex blinked a few times. “Where did that sweet girl who was just here go?”

  “Right here.” Emma gave her a soft kiss. “Now get some sleep before I rethink that no-sex thing and we end up with a creepy memory to deal with.” She snuggled into Dex and let the happiness wash through her. She was ridiculously glad to be close to her again.

  Emma had just started to doze off when she heard the front door slam shut. Multiple thuds in the hallway meant Brent was home and stinking drunk. She glanced up at Dex to see if she’d heard him too. Her eyes were wide open.

  When the headboard thumping and low groaning started, Emma immediately bolted from the warm, cozy spot in Dex’s arms. “Oh, my God.” She floundered to get out of bed. “We have to leave.” The wild stories Brent had told her about Grace and their sex life were true.

  “Yep.” Dex launched from the bed, picked up her shoes, and peeked out the doorway. She took Emma’s hand and quietly led her down the hallway. After stopping only to slip on her shoes, she opened the door, picked up Emma, and carried her to the SUV.

  Emma had no words to deal with what they’d just experienced, and she guessed Dex was pretty tongue-tied about it as well. The vehicle was exceptionally quiet as Dex drove. When the Bluetooth from her phone connected to the sound system, Dex had immediately hit the power button on the console and turned it off. It was late and there was minimal traffic, with no road sounds except the tire whine on the pavement. Emma wasn’t quite sure what to say. The whole disturbing scene had completely freaked her out, and she was sure it had had the same effect, if not worse, on Dex.

  She reached over and touched Dex’s arm. “Are you okay?”

  Dex shook her head before she glanced over at Emma and grimaced. “Now that was disturbingly creepy.” They both burst out laughing.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Emma watched Dex as she slept. It had been close to three by the time they’d arrived at Emma’s house. When Dex had walked her to the door, she’d seemed uncertain. Emma was as well, but she’d asked her to stay just the same. If nothing else, they needed to talk. Of course that didn’t happen. Emma had gotten in the shower to clean up, and Dex had slipped in to join her soon after.

  Soft, slick hands had taken her from behind. She could still feel Dex’s lips as they grazed her shoulder, and she shuddered. Then the deliciousness of her soapy palms circling her breasts had been almost unbearable. When she’d trailed her fingers in tiny circles down her sides to reach her center, Emma’s knees had buckled. Dex had clamped her arm around her, holding her steady. Emma had slapped her hands to the shower wall, bracing herself for the inevitable orgasm, and Dex had somehow made her come three times before Emma had pushed her hand away. They hadn’t taken time to dry themselves before tumbling into bed, where Emma took over and touched every part of Dex, reveling in her scent, her taste, her everything. God, she’d missed that body. She stretched her arm above her head and groaned. She hadn’t been this sore in weeks, and she’d missed it.

  Everything would be perfect if Grace would just back off and leave them alone. She didn’t know what to do about this situation. It was becoming more apparent that a conversation between the two of them was necessary.

  Dex rolled over and slid her arm across Emma’s stomach. “Good morning.”

  “Morning.” She brushed a strand of hair from Dex’s eyes.

  “Last night sure was a mess.”

  “In more ways than one.” Emma laughed. “I don’t think my shoes are salvageable.”

  Dex raised her eyebrows. “But it wasn’t a total loss, right?”

  “No, not total.” She kissed her and was immediately ready
for Dex again. “Why do you have to be so damn sexy?”

  “You think I’m sexy?”

  “Ridiculously, unbelievably, steamingly hot sexy.” She slid her hand between Dex’s legs and groaned. “Do you have to work today?”

  “Uh-huh. But I have time.”

  Emma crawled on top of her. She found this position, gazing down at Dex’s gorgeous body beneath her, stimulating, to say the least. Dex had the capability of making Emma come right now with only one finger, if she’d let her. But this was about pleasing Dex. She wedged a knee between Dex’s legs and pressed it ever so lightly against her center. Emma groaned when Dex bucked into her, and her wetness coated her thigh. Emma moved Dex’s smooth, white thighs apart, settled her hips between them, and began rocking back and forth.

  She took one of Dex’s breasts, kneading the nipple with her fingers while she circled her tongue around the other, making it stand at attention before she sucked it into her mouth. Emma would never tire of this pleasure. Dex’s breasts were soft and firm all at once, and holding them in her hands and mouth totally turned her on. But as Dex raised her hips, it became apparent that more parts of Dex needed attention. She moved slowly down Dex’s body, breathing, hovering just above her stomach. She gave it a quick lick, and Dex responded with a quiver, prompting her to continue downward. She fit her shoulders between Dex’s widely spread thighs and took in the view of her swollen center. She’d never enjoyed someone quite so much as she was enjoying Dex at this moment.

  Dex lifted her hips again and said, “Em, I need you to do something…” She growled. “Now.”

  Emma laughed softly and lightly trailed her tongue through the length of her. Dex squirmed beneath her, pressing hard against Emma for more. Emma sank her mouth into Dex’s center and happily sucked and licked until the noises coming from Dex were no longer comprehensible, and then she slowed. Dex grabbed Emma’s hair and forced her closer. As Emma continued with long, slow strokes, she slipped two fingers inside, angled them upward, and curled them against the perfect spot, creating a pulse of tremors from Dex.

  “Oh my God, yes.” The words rumbled out of Dex’s mouth, and Emma pressed harder until she felt Dex tighten around her fingers and launch into orgasm. Emma watched the beautiful sight unfold. Pleasing Dex was the most intoxicating feeling in the world.

  Dex reached for her. “How do you do that?”

  “What?” She took another swipe at her center with her tongue and watched Dex’s belly bounce.

  Dex growled. “You have no idea where you take me.”

  Emma crawled up her body and kissed her. When Dex reached between Emma’s legs, she gasped at the unexpected pleasure. Dex smiled. Apparently this wasn’t going to be a one-woman show this morning. Her center throbbed and she ached to be touched. It wouldn’t take much to make the finale happen. Dex watched with rapt attention as she circled her hand above Emma’s nipple. Each slight touch sent a ripple of pleasure through her, and the feathery strokes almost made her come right then. She’d been so concentrated on the sensations, she hadn’t noticed when Dex had rolled on top of her and taken complete control.

  She crept down Emma’s body, leaving a wet, hot trail with her tongue that sizzled in its wake. The ripples Dex was creating were long and slow. Emma needed them to peak soon, or she was going to crash into oblivion. When she felt the flat of Dex’s tongue glide across her, she grabbed a fistful of sheet and clasped it. Not yet. She wanted more time to enjoy this feeling of ecstasy. When Dex pushed her fingers inside simultaneously with a long stroke of her tongue, Emma tumbled into a shattering climax. Shards of light flickered behind her eyelids as she rode it out. Dex continued to stroke her, taking her back up again and never letting her come completely down from one spasm before pushing her into another. Emma reached for her to stop. She was so sensitive now, if she let Dex continue she’d never be able to walk again.

  Dex moved up next to her and kissed her. “I could do this all day.”

  “If I could take it all day, I’d let you.” She shuddered as one last jolt hit her. I love you. She stopped herself from saying those all-important three words.

  The lovemaking had been slow and methodical this time. Dex had left every one of Emma’s senses sated. The woman anticipated her every want and need. No other partner in Emma’s life had satisfied her so completely. And she had a few champions to compete with, including her last, who’d left a gaping hole in her heart, which had now begun to fill.

  Dex took in a deep breath and let it out. “As much as I’d love to stay here with you all day, I need to get going.”

  “Do you really have to?”

  “Unfortunately, I have lights to hang.”

  “If I haven’t already told you, my parents’ house looks awesome, by the way.” That miserable weekend flashed through her mind.

  Dex chuckled. “I have a one-hundred-dollar bill I need to return to your dad. He slipped it into my jacket pocket when I wasn’t watching.”

  “Thanks for taking care of that for him.”

  “Anything for you.” Dex smiled.

  Emma smiled. “Really?”

  Dex nodded. “Emma, I really—” Dex’s phone chimed. “Ugh.” She reached over and picked it up from the nightstand.

  Emma caught a glimpse of the screen. Grace again. Up popped the confusing messages teetering between her brain and her heart. Intense as her feelings were for Dex, they were also complicated. There would always be something between Dex and Grace.

  “You should send Grace a bill for your shoes.”

  “I should.”

  “I’ll deliver it personally.”

  She’ll deliver it personally. The sinking feeling returned, but Emma shrugged it off. She didn’t want to think or talk about Grace right now. It would crush the whole wonderful experience she’d just had.

  “How many houses are you doing today?”

  “One, possibly two.” She glanced at the time on her phone. “In fact, I’d better get going. I’ve got a big two-story on South Grove booked this morning. My crew will be there soon.” She got up and pulled on the pair of jeans, T-shirt, and hoodie she’d brought in from her SUV the night before. Dex always kept a spare set of clothes in case weather hit while she was working.

  “Okay. Can I fix you something to eat?”

  “Nope. You just stay right there looking beautiful. I’ll grab something on the way.” She gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll call you later, okay?”

  “Sure.”

  Emma had something to do today as well. She planned to let Grace know there were boundaries with Dex now.

  * * *

  Emma waited down the street, watching as Brent pulled out of the driveway and drove in the opposite direction toward work. She didn’t want this scene to play out while he was around. In fact, Emma didn’t want him involved at all. Hurting him was something she wanted to avoid at all costs, and if this happened the way she thought it might, he and Emma could both end up the losers in this whole mess.

  She knocked on the door and waited. No answer. She knocked again. After a few minutes she heard Grace’s sickeningly sweet voice say, “Did you forget your key, baby?” The door flew open, and she was met with the stunning image of Grace dressed in only a bathrobe. The woman knew how to train a dick.

  Her smile dropped. “I thought you were—”

  “Brent? Dex? Or some other unsuspecting soul you’ve captured with your magic?”

  “What do you want, Emma?” She closed the door slightly, and Emma pushed through it. “I’m really not up for this. I have a huge headache.”

  “I know. Who do you think brought you home and poured you into bed?” She didn’t take off her coat because she wouldn’t be staying long. “You need to stop. You can’t tease Dex all night and then go home and fuck Brent like a savage.” She’d heard plenty of Brent’s stories about his wild wife, and last night had confirmed them all.

  Grace’s eyes narrowed. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “We
were here last night when Brent got home. We caught the beginning of the show.”

  “Jealous of what you don’t have?” One of Grace’s eyebrows popped up, and she gave Emma a smirk that she wanted to smack right off her face.

  “Oh, Dex and I have plenty of that.” Emma saw something cross Grace’s face—anger, sadness, surprise. She didn’t know what, but the news she’d just delivered had made the intended impact. “Stop enticing her with something you’re never going to give her.”

  Grace slammed the door as she spun around and narrowed her eyes. “You need to mind your own business.”

  “She is my business. I love her.” I love her? I love her.

  “You could never love her like I do.”

  “You don’t love her. You just want her to pine after you. Just like everyone else in your life. Don’t think I didn’t notice the way you bent over and whispered in Dex’s ear last night. Your boobs were practically in her face.” Emma had also noticed how Dex had closed her eyes momentarily, taken in a breath, and then focused her attention on Emma as though she were trying to resist the temptation Grace had set before her.

  “That’s what you want, isn’t it? For Dex to pine after you instead of me?” Grace’s face was crimson.

  “I would never manipulate her like you do. That’s not normal, Grace. I give her what she wants.”

  “You only say that because she still wants to spend time with me.”

  “You don’t really want her to be happy. If you did you’d leave her alone.”

  “I’m her best friend, Emma. I’ll always be in her life. Deal with it.”

  “I wish you would just disappear.”

  Grace laughed. “So you want me dead now.” She picked up her phone. “Should I call Dex? Tell her that’s what you want?” She pressed a button, then held up the phone to show a call going through to Dex.