Page 23 of Wrong Place, Wright Time
“I didn’t mean to chase him away,” she says once we’re alone. “Your manager let me in and I didn’t realize you were entertaining.”
I laugh as I close up the inventory folder and give her my full attention. “I wasn’t entertaining. I was working. He was slacking off, and you came at the perfect time. In fact, any time is perfect where you’re concerned.”
“Such a sweet talker,” she says, rolling her lips as she looks around the quiet space. “It’s different in here when no one’s around.”
“Yeah. I kinda like it better this way if I’m honest, but I need the people in to pay the bills.”
“I’ll bet,” she says, seeming a little nervous as she meets my eyes. “Is there…somewhere we could talk?” Uh-oh.
“Ah, sure. Is everything OK?” I step out from behind the bar in gesture for her to move toward my office.
“Everything is fine,” she assures me. “I was just thinking about things, and I realize that you and I haven't really set any ground rules.”
We both step into my office and I press the door closed behind her, placing my hands on my hips because I'm pretty sure I want to be standing for this conversation. “Ground rules?”
“Yeah,” she says, stepping a little closer to me. “For our... whatever this is.”
I really want to call it a relationship, but I don't think that's what she wants to hear right now. “OK.”
“I realize that none of this has been particularly normal so far, and I’m more than aware that it’s my own hang ups over past relationships that’s been the anchor stopping us from moving forward.”
“OK?” I draw the last letter out, intrigued as to where this is going.
“I was wondering if maybe we could just take the word ‘relationship’ out of our vocabulary. I don’t want to slow down or go back to how we were before this weekend, but if we can stop looking at this like it has to lead somewhere, then maybe it will take the pressure off.”
I take a pause and think about her words, wondering what they mean for me and what I want from her. Is this something I can accept if it means I have the chance to be with her?
“What are you saying here?” I ask finally. “That you want to keep hanging out and fucking each other but you don’t want to put a label on it?”
She thinks for a moment then nods. “Yes. I think that’s exactly what I want.”
“So, what you’re asking for is a friends with benefits situation?”
Her brow lifts like she hadn't actually considered it that way before she nods. “I suppose so. But with some rules.”
“Rules.” I step closer to her, feeling the heat of her body against mine when I stop. “What kind of rules.”
She licks her lips as she tilts her head up to meet my eyes, and I take the opportunity to back her against the door, deciding I want to have her any which way I can. She smiles when I cage her in. “Exclusivity.”
“Agreed. I would lose my mind if the new toy I just wrote my name on fell into the hands of someone less skilled.”
“And modest too.” She giggles as her hands lift to my chest and she fingers a button on my shirt.
“We all need to be aware of our talents, Isla. And yours is turning me the fuck on every time you move.” I lean in, desperate to kiss her, but she places her fingers on my lips and stops me.
“We’re discussing the rules.”
“Hmm. Well, if we have to discuss things, we can at least make it fun,” I say, sliding my hand down her side and dragging her skirt up her legs. Her breathing deepens but she doesn’t object, and when my fingers slide into the side of her panties, her silken heat makes me groan. “Seems this is exactly what you wanted from me.”
“I want a lot from you, actually. It’s why I’m here.” She gasps as I slide my fingers into her heat, massaging her tight walls as her breathing quickens and she clings to my biceps, her leg lifting to hook on my thigh and give me better access.
“Tell me more about this ‘no relationship’ deal.”
“We get each other. No walls.” She pauses to swallow as I slip my fingers in and out, using my thumb to apply pressure to her clit. “No finding reasons to stay away. We’re together, but we’re still ourselves—Oh god, that feels good.”
“So you want all the passion and the benefits of a relationship without losing who you are as an individual?”
“Yes,” she gasps, her insides clenching around my fingers as her grip on my arms tightens. “Yes.” She spasms against my hand, her clit pulsing along with her orgasm against my thumb as she gasps and nods, riding out her release. “Yes.”
