Friends With Benefits (3 page)

Floating on a cloud, she lost herself in the sensual moment. Nothing mattered but finding relief. She needed it like she needed her next heartbeat.

He whirled his finger inside her. He found her g-spot and gently massaged the button. Her insides quivered. She bit back a cry. When a second finger joined the first, she could no longer control the deep, ragged moan that grazed her lips. He pumped in and out. The scent of sex filled her nostrils. Urgency spiraled through her tense muscles. Abandonment thrust her into rapture.

The powerful orgasm wracked her body with waves of bliss. Her lover continued impaling her to his knuckles in a rhythmic pace that matched the beat of a heavy metal song. The heel of his hand rubbed her clit. She arched up from the bed, mesmerized in the feeling. Reduced to a ball of nerves, she squirmed against his hand and reached out to grab him. She dug her nails deep into the cotton of his shirt.

He tugged away. Her nails dragging across the material seemed to penetrate the silence like a jackhammer through concrete. She waited. Had he undressed? The prospect of having him inside her sent wicked tingles through her veins. Her eagerness amplified. Longing increased within her, a symphony of utter ecstasy.

Thump!

She jerked.

His boots scuffled on the floor, and then the heavy pounding moved away down the hall, fading on the stairs.

He was gone.

Her stomach twisted. Springing from the bed, she tore off the scarf, and found nothing but emptiness.

She hurried for the hallway, scuttled halfway down the stairs when she came to a sudden halt. Stillness engulfed her.

“Damn.” Her expletive echoed off the walls, a harsh reminder of what had just happened. Or what didn’t happen.

She rushed back up the stairs two at a time and raced across her bedroom. In her haste, she tripped over the corner of the rug. She caught her balance on the corner of the dresser. “I knew I should never have bought that rug.”

At the window, she pulled back the lacy curtain to peer below onto the rain-soaked streets. Her stomach danced. There! Was that him? In the bluish pale light of the street lamps, she saw a dark figure fade.

She stood staring for the longest time.

Her heart sank. She stepped back and leaned against the wall, arms tight around her bare waist. She’d just experienced the best orgasm of her life, and yet a void had wormed its way inside her soul. She couldn’t deny the disappointment barbed-wiring its way through her nerve endings. She’d wanted to feel her lover. She’d wanted to consummate their relationship.

Her feelings tumbled into anger.

After blowing out the partially melted candles, she dressed in a white T-shirt and buried herself in the blankets on the bed. She wanted to cry. She wanted to scream, but what good would it do?

Why had her lover brought her to a wonderful plateau only to disappear like a thief into the night? A thief of seduction.

The question streamed through her mind as she lay there. She’d thought the blindfold had only been an overture, meant for excitement and eroticism, and then he would remove it while they made love so she could meet the man behind the romantic letters.

She was no closer in knowing who he was than she’d been when she woke that morning.

She had a good mental image of his physical characteristics. She made a quick list in her mind. She didn’t want to forget any detail that could help in the question, “Who was he?”

He had thick hair. And silky. His hands were large. He’d held her wrists easily and his long fingers had given her deep gratification. His scent lingered on her skin. She didn’t think it was cologne, but something else. It reminded her of something, but what?

She gave up.

She’d guess he was tall, and built for gratification. Naughty thoughts teased her. She had rubbed her foot across his zipper, considering touching had been forbidden, checking his size through his jeans. She wouldn’t have been disappointed, not in the least.

How could a man she’d never met feel so familiar? There’d been something she recognized in his touch, in his smell, and in his movement.

Sebastian? Could it be possible?

Would her best friend go to such lengths? Could he still love her?

No way.

Maybe?

The idea wasn’t that ridiculous. He’d always been protective of her. He did have the tendency to flirt with her, but he never let it go beyond that. And she’d noticed he hadn’t been dating anyone for almost a year.

Wouldn’t she know, though? He couldn’t hide something like this from her.

If Sebastian was her lover, she had a mind to–to what? She couldn’t deny she found the thought a little exciting. However, it didn’t seem likely he could be her secret admirer. He only had to tell her how he felt.

With that last thought, she buried her face into the pillow and moaned.

She hoped she’d see him, whoever he was, again soon.

* * * *

The sun came up bright and early the next morning. After tossing and turning most of the night, Cassie wasn’t looking forward to a long day in the shop.

She got dressed and trudged turtle-slow down the stairs into the coffee shop. Sebastian was already in the kitchen pulling pans of homemade cinnamon rolls from the Roto-Flex oven.

“Those smell yummy,” Cassie said through a yawn.

He looked up. She saw his narrowed expression through the steam rolling off the confection. “You’re late.”

She rubbed her eyes with the backs of her knuckles. “I’m sorry. You’re a better baker than I am anyway.” She grabbed her apron off the hook on the wall and tugged it on.

“But it’s your day to make the rolls.”

She glanced at him from her position across the room, hand suspended as she reached for the coffee maker. His jaw ticked and his hair looked messy, like he’d had a sleepless night too. His agitation oozed over his expression. He’d covered for her on plenty of occasions, and vice versa. What could be the problem now? “Care to share?”

“Share?”

“What’s eating you?”

He practically threw the pans of rolls onto wire racks to cool. “No.”

She blew out a breath through tight lips. Tired, she wasn’t up to coddling anyone, especially before coffee, but being his best friend, she didn’t like it when a wall came between them. “I overslept. I’m sorry. I just don’t think your foul mood has anything to do with me sleeping in.”

He tossed the dirty pans into the sink. The metal hitting the stainless steel made a loud, dinging sound. Wiping his hands in jerky motions, he finally turned all his attention on her. His chocolate eyes were steely but one corner of his mouth lifted into a beginning of a smile. “I’m not angry.”

“If you say so.” She grabbed the necessary items to make coffee and placed them on the counter while breathing slowly. She felt his eyes on her. She scooped the granules into the coffee maker. The chicory smell made her salivate. She immediately got a sensory buzz. She needed a cup–now. “I’ll take my shift early tomorrow and you can sleep in,” she offered, hoping that would resolve the issue. When he didn’t answer, she glanced over her shoulder at him. “Well?”

He shrugged a shoulder, his black T-shirt stretched across his toned chest. When they were dating, they’d never gotten past kissing and heavy petting. She’d always wondered what sex with Sebastian would have been like. But it wasn’t really the boy she wished to make love to. She wanted the man he was today. The skills he’d had eight years ago wouldn’t even compare to the capabilities he had now. He’d changed, physically, and in self-confidence. He’d become a magnet for women. He even moved liked he could bring a woman’s every sexual dream into reality. Her breathing sped and she felt–well, different somehow.

What was wrong with her?

She swallowed with difficulty. Her heart clenched. Her mouth fell open.

“Late night?” His eyebrow flipped up and he smiled stiffly.

She snapped her mouth shut and sighed. His question tore her mind in a different direction. She didn’t know how much she wanted to share. She’d pretty much convinced herself last night that Sebastian wasn’t her secret lover, but the slight possibility couldn’t be ignored. She could scope him out, see if he actually was the one. “No, not too late.” She attempted to sound casual instead of vague. By his slanted eyes, it didn’t work. “Okay, okay.” She waved a hand through the air. “Maybe a little later than usual, but not because I had company.”

He leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest in a masculine stance. “So, Mr. Can-only-write-letters didn’t show?”

Heat pricked her cheeks. Her throat became dry. “No, he came by.” She started the coffee.

He remained silent.

She watched the slow drip of coffee fall into the carafe. It gurgled and hissed.

He took a step closer to her.

She felt his body warmth, but focused her concentration on the steady flow. Her sudden shyness with Sebastian caught her off guard. It didn’t make sense when they’d talked about everything under the sun. He’d seen her at her best and at her worst. He’d been there for her when her dog had been hit. She’d cried for days. He’d supported her when she’d decided to open a coffee shop. He’d been there for her as long as she could remember.

His chuckle glazed her senses. “Sorry, Cassie. Apparently things didn’t work out.”

Tucking her bottom lip between her teeth, she swept her fingers nervously over her tight ponytail. “They worked out, Sebastian. He just didn’t stay long.”

His chuckle turned into a laughter that lacked joy. “Had another hot date, did he?”

Cassie straightened her shoulders and turned to face him. “Seb, I thought we settled this yesterday? If you have something to say, just say it. Cut the passive-aggressive attitude.”

His amused expression faded. “I have a lot to say, but you don’t want to hear it.” He pulled his fingers through his hair, sending tufts of silk coal sticking straight up.

Tension grew. Awkwardness between them was the last thing Cassie wanted.

She went to him and placed a palm on his arm. “You’re a good friend, Seb. I know you’re only worried, but I’m a grown woman, capable of taking care of myself.”

His eyes turned soft as he gazed at her. His mouth spread with a sincere smile. “I know you can.”

Seconds seemed to pass into minutes. They stared into each other’s eyes as the world around them faded. Uncertainty clogged her intentions. His touch? His kiss? An ache stirred in the pit of her stomach and she wasn’t sure what it meant.

“Cass–” His husky voice intoxicated her.

The ding of the front door made her jerk. She pulled away seconds before the door swung open. Robin glided into the kitchen.

“There you two are. You’re just now making coffee?” Robin had worked for them for two years now while she finished up her degree at the community college.

Neither answered.

Robin looked from Cassie to Sebastian. Her ever-present smile paled. “Did I interrupt something?”

Cassie shook her head and went back to her task of preparing the coffee and pouring the steamy brew into large white Thermos carafes, ready for the first morning customers. She kept aside a mug for herself.

“We were just talking. How are you this morning, Robin?” Sebastian asked.

“Glorious, thank you. I have a surprise.”

“A surprise?” Cassie turned around.

Robin held out her left hand, showcasing the brilliant diamond on her fourth finger.

“You’re engaged?”

“Tommy asked me last night at dinner.” Robin’s eyes twinkled. Happiness radiated in her expression.

“I’m so happy for you.” Cassie tugged her in for a hug. “Tommy’s a lucky guy. You’ll make each other happy.”

“We’ll either make each other happy or kill each other trying.” She held her hand out farther and admired her ring. “He does have excellent taste, doesn’t he?”

“The best,” Cassie assured her.

“He certainly is a lucky man. I wish you luck, kiddo,” Sebastian added.

“Oh well, I couldn’t wait to show you both. You’ve been so good to me.” Robin brought her ring hand against her chest. “I’ll go and get the front ready for business.”