On his command, an orgasm stampedes through my body, leaving wreckage in its wake. I drop my head back against the tile, squirming against his magic fingers. I remember at the last minute to watch as I stroke him to completion. Making sure to absorb the awed expression on his face, the way his eyebrows pucker. He bares his teeth and his eyes squeeze closed like he can’t take another moment of pleasure. He’s never been more attractive. A low groan echoes from his throat and then spills into my mouth when he kisses me. His hands go to my back and he pulls me close, every inch of our bodies stuck together beneath the warm water for several heart-pounding moments.
“How’d I do?” It’s as easy to smile at my best friend as it is to tease him. I already know how I did. A-plus.
His grin is sated and slightly dopey. “That was so much better than me taking care of myself. I’m glad you came to check on me.”
Then he rears his head back to look at me, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. “You heard the shower. You knew I was in here, didn’t you? You looked anyway, knowing what you’d see.”
“I didn’t know I would see that.”
“No, but you hoped you would.”
My cheeks grow warm.
“Naughty girl. You keep this side of you well hidden, don’t you?”
I like being accused of being naughty way too much. I never thought of myself as anywhere near naughty. It’s exciting. Invigorating. He’s giving me an opportunity to explore another side of myself—the side that embraces being sexually satisfied as well as yearns to sexually satisfy him.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“I believe thanks is owed to you, Firecracker.” He pushes a few damp, limp curls away from my face. “If I knew how good you were at that, I wouldn’t have argued with you about you doing it.”
“Well, it was my first time. I’m sure I can improve.”
“I sure as hell would like to see you try.” His devious smile brightens. “I like being your first in so many things.”
“You would.” I quirk my lips. “Your ego.”
“It’s not about ego. I mean, okay, it’s a little about ego,” he amends. “But it’s mostly about you. I like knowing I can deliver firsts you won’t regret later. You won’t, right? That’s a requirement for this arrangement.”
I nod exuberantly and hope it hides my distaste for the word “arrangement.” It sounds so impersonal and, as I’m learning, everything between us ends up feeling personal. But I’m completely capable of compartmentalizing, or so I have to keep reminding myself.
I totally have this.
“No regrets on my end,” I say, feigning confidence. “This is different and unexpected, but we’ve figured out how to do things together before. Like when we were making the team schedule and two employees had too many hours. We didn’t know at first prioritizing tasks based on each individual’s strengths was going to be the key to… Why are you grinning?”
“You’re so fucking cute. I always knew you were. I always saw it. Maybe it’s your nakedness”—he runs his hands over my breasts and around to my back again—“but it’s painfully obvious how fucking cute you are now.”
“I’m talking about staff and scheduling. How can I be cute?”
“You’re naked and talking about staff and scheduling after sucking me and tongue-fucking me. That makes you cute and hot.”
Now my cheeks are burning. With an airy laugh, I ask, “Do I want to know what else you’re thinking?”
“Definitely not. My mind has traveled down an unbeaten path. There are some visuals along the way that violate decency laws in at least four states.”
I hug his neck to bring his lips closer to mine. “Sounds tempting.”
“One step at a time, Firecracker.” He’s adorable and sexy, and suddenly I understand what he means about me being cute and hot. I never imagined he would be as attracted to me as I was to him. It’s jarring, and sort of throwing me.
I smile instead of letting him know I’m thrown. I’m working my way down a first-time list and doing pretty damn well, if you ask me. I’ve never showered with a naked man and I’ve certainly never gone down on one.
Check and check.
Out of the shower, I pull a towel off the towel warmer and snuggle the terrycloth to my nose. Benji grabs his towel and swipes it efficiently along his limbs, down both arms, down his legs, and over the part of him I just had in my mouth. When he turns, his back is speckled with water. I towel him off, being sure to dry his fabulous ass while I’m at it.
He turns and snatches the towel from my hand. “Taking care of me as usual. You have to learn to think of yourself first.”
He dries me next, spending more time than is necessary on my breasts. Finally, I’m dried to his satisfaction.
“I hate to say this but you should get dressed,” he says. “I’m starving. I can pick up dinner if you tell me what you want. Or we can go out.”
“I have chicken thawing in the refrigerator at home, pre-chopped green peppers and onions at the ready. I’m making fajitas.” I lick my lips, feeling as if I’m breaking a rule that didn’t exist until now. “Do you…want to come over?”
“Yeah. Hell yeah.” He gives me a quick kiss, one he didn’t have to think about. I return it and I don’t think about it either. It’s natural. Easy. Just as easy and natural as us enjoying dinner together at my house.
After we eat, he announces he has to go home. When I ask if he wants to watch TV instead, he gives me the most inviting, wicked smile.
“No,” he says, hovering over my lips for a lengthy kiss. “If I stay another minute, you’ll lose your virginity tonight. And that’s not the plan.”
I’ve never been so flattered and sad at the same time as when I stand in my doorway and watch him walk to his car. He sends me a knowing smile before turning over the engine and driving down my street.