Friends With Benefits (6 page)

Cassie started to deny the allegation, but Robin lifted a hand to stop. “No, don’t tell me it’s friendship only. You’re both so pig-headed that you’re going to lose one another.”

Cassie moistened her lips. Part of her still wanted to argue, but what would be the point? She finally managed to ask, “We’re going to lose one another?” These words made Cassie curious. “Do you know something I don’t?”

Robin pulled off her gloves and tossed them into the trash bin. “I know that the cute brunette, the one who just moved to town, gave Sebastian her phone number.”

Cassie shook her head. “Robin, you’ve got to stop eavesdropping.”

“You’re right. I shouldn’t have been listening in on their conversation. So, I won’t make you an accomplice by telling you what else I overheard.” Robin started for the door.

“Don’t you dare walk another step. What did you hear?” Cassie couldn’t resist.

Robin sidled up next to Cassie. “They made plans to see a movie together.”

“Oh.” Cassie dropped her arms to her sides. Disappointment ate through her. She bit her bottom in contemplation. Isn’t this what she wanted for Sebastian? For him to start dating again? For him to move on with his life? Loving him meant allowing him happiness. “He deserves to find someone.” The statement was more for herself than Robin.

Robin’s features softened. “Well, then be happy for him. This may be his one. She’s a charmer.” She turned and left Cassie alone.

Cassie peeked out the swinging doors into the shop. The place was hopping. Two rows of people were lined up at the counter and several tables were full. Cassie knew she should help. Rolling off her gloves, she ran her palms down her jeans, took a deep breath and pushed through the door.

* * * *

After a hectic morning, Cassie found refuge in her office. She was doing paperwork when Sebastian came in and sat down in the cushioned chair across from the desk. He sat there in silence, watching her, frowning. His gaze was shining. Her anger dissipated. “What’s wrong, Seb?”

He shrugged a shoulder and lowered his gaze. When he looked back up, he seemed sad. “Still mad at me for what I did at your mom’s?”

She pushed away the papers and dropped the pen back into the holder. “No, I’m not.” His mouth curved at one corner. “But what you did annoyed me.”

“I get that, Cass. I’m sorry.”

Any remaining hurt dissolved. Sincerity turned his eyes warm. She sat back in the leather swivel chair and rested her head against the top. “I hear you have a date.” Best they just threw it out there.

His eyes widened. “Wow, that was fast. Robin?”

She nodded.

“Yes, tonight. Her name is Lila.”

Her blood froze, yet she dared not let him see her discomfort. Planting a smile that she hoped belied her turmoil, she said, “Good for you, Seb.”

His mouth opened, as if to say something, but shut. The tension crawled between them like invisible baby roaches.

That was not what she wanted. “Do you need to tell me something?”

His fingers threaded through his hair, his jaw tightened and his hesitation appeared in his body language. “No, nothing. But I do want to thank you. You’ve helped me realize I’ve been turning my wheels but getting nowhere.”

She swallowed with difficulty. “I’m sorry, Seb. What I said last night at Mom’s, it wasn’t fair or true. I lashed out.”

“An eye for an eye.”

She stiffened. Is that what they’d become? Acting in revenge? Her stomach turned. “I–”

“I–” They both started at the same time. His chuckle was tense. “You go ahead.”

“No, you go,” Cassie offered.

“I wanted to let you know that I’m leaving early.”

“Really?” Sebastian never left early. She itched to ask why, but if he wanted her to know, he’d tell her. “Okay, Robin and I will be fine.” She knew her tone lacked in sincerity. She wondered if he’d catch it.

“And we’re fine, too?”

“We’re fine too.” As Cassie said the words, she knew they were untrue. Change had come between them. She could feel it in her bones. A wall formed. Could it be stopped?

Chapter 5

Cassie sat in the dim lit living room. She checked the wall clock. It was ten PM. She’d called Sebastian ten minutes ago–she shouldn’t have. He was probably out with Lila. Where else would he be? He’d been with the pert chick every other night this week.

She heard the chime ring on the front door seconds before footsteps came up the stairs. Sebastian rounded the corner into the living room of her apartment. She looked up at him from her position on the couch, where she sat nursing a cup of tea, and set the cup on the table. She wiped tears from her eyes with the moist tissue, hoping she could stop now that he was here.

“Cassie? What’s wrong, baby?” He dropped onto his knees on the floor in front of her and placed his hands on either side of her hips. Concern etched lines around his eyes. His musk scent reached her nostrils and she felt an immediate comfort. “I came as soon as I got your text.”

“He stood me up.” The words passed her trembling lips.

“Who, sweetheart? Who stood you up?”

Sniffing back a sob, she wiped her nose with the back of her hand. “My admirer. He left me a note saying he would be here tonight and he didn’t show.”

His olive tone turned pale. “Maybe he’s just running late?”

Cassie shook her head. “Two hours late? Who is two freaking hours late for a date?”

He shrugged. “It’s possible something came up.”

“Are you defending him?” Realizing the harshness in her tone, she took a deep breath and attempted to stop the trembling in her voice. “I’m sorry. I can’t take it out on you.”

Sebastian reached over and slid her moist hair away from her cheek. He took the mucky tissue from her hand and tossed it onto the table. “Sweetheart, I’m on your side.” He grabbed another tissue from the box next to her. Instead of handing it to her, he gently wiped the wetness from her eyes.

“How can I trust someone I don’t even know? I’ve been a fool.” Sliding her clammy palms down her legs, she tugged at the fringed hem of her jean skirt. “You always told me a man who shows up late for a date is not worthy of seeing me in the first place. This must be a sign.”

He nodded. “Yes, that’s true. A man should never be late. But this circumstance is a bit different.”

“How is that?”

“You’ve never met him.”

She cocked an eyebrow. “You don’t call what we did a few weeks ago a meeting?”

He rubbed his eyes. “No, not really. But things happen and you don’t know why he didn’t show up. Maybe he got stuck at work. It’s possible he forgot, or even got eaten by a pack of wild wolves–”

“You’re defending him again,” she snapped.

“I’m not defending him.” He laid one palm on her knee. The other, he used to lift her chin. Their eyes met. “Cass, maybe your relationship with him isn’t meant to be. After all, what do you know about him besides his ability to write attention-getting letters?”

Cassie wiped away one last tear. What Sebastian said made sense. What did she know about the stranger who had come into her life through letters of infatuation and desire? All they’d had was a night with her blindfolded while he’d remained a mystery guest. “What would I do without you, Seb?”

“I imagine you wouldn’t have gray hair.” Sebastian stared at the top of her head.

“What?” she reached up and touched her hair. Seeing the corners of his mouth curve into a smile, she grimaced.

He broke out into laughter.

Laughter bubbled up inside her. She definitely felt much better. “That’s not right. You know better than to ever tease a woman about aging.” She poked him in the chest.

“When is it a bad thing to joke with my best friend?” He tickled her side and she squirmed.

The next thing she knew, Sebastian’s lips were on hers, and he kissed her with the urgency of a man in need of satisfaction. She wasn’t sure how simple banter turned into touching, which then turned into much more, but she couldn’t deny him. His tongue tangled with hers, evoking hidden desires. Every cell in her body puckered and weaved its way to her core. Insanity slithered through her bloodstream. She dug her fingers through his thick hair and tugged him closer. He moaned. He was into it, too.

* * * *

Sebastian lifted himself so he could see Cassie. He stared down into her glistening eyes. Her mouth was red and swollen from his kiss. He’d seen the many faces of Cassie but this look was different. She gazed at him in abandonment, mirroring his own need for release. Whatever happened, he couldn’t stop now. He had gotten a taste of her and it was useless to fight the urge to bury himself inside her love.

He brought his mouth down upon hers again. She tasted like a mixture of cherry Chapstick and chamomile tea. Her fingers were deep in his hair until she lowered them to his back. She dug her nails through the material of his shirt and pulled him closer. She slid onto the edge of the couch and spread her legs wide until her inner thighs connected with his cock-stretched zipper. Her heat penetrated his clothes and seeped into his skin. His nerve endings came alive, wanting body-to-body connection.

“Sebastian…” Her eyes were closed as she called to him.

How many times had he fantasized he’d be here, like this, hearing his name fall from her moist lips? He’d know what she liked, because he knew her as well as he knew himself. He’d laughed with her. Held her when she was sad. Spoon-fed her when sick. With each day, he’d fallen deeper in love with her. She’d clutched his heart and had never let go.

“Wait...” Cassie reached down, grabbed the hem of her shirt and tugged it over her head. He soaked up her partial nudity like a sponge absorbing water. From the curve of her collarbone, to the lacey red bra holding her small breasts, to her flat stomach, she was beautiful. A sexy smile curved her lips and enticed his manliness.

“I don’t see that often,” he said.

“What? I smile at you all the time,” Cassie’s voice turned husky.

Sebastian ran his fingertip along the plump arc of her bottom lip. “Not swollen and pink from my kiss.”

She caught him by surprise when her tongue came out and licked his finger, then she took his digit fully into her mouth and sucked. His breath left his lungs in a whoosh.

Removing her mouth from his finger, she said, “Take your shirt off.” Unabashed in her demands.

He liked this new Cassie, so he lost his shirt and tossed it over his shoulder, hearing the tinkling and then the breaking of glass.

Cassie didn’t seem the least sidetracked. She plucked his nipples with her fingernails until he became sensitive. He quivered under her attention.

He dropped his hand to the button of her skirt and in one swift movement it was off. His hand sank deep inside her panties. He flicked his finger over the moist curves of her center.

She rolled her hips and her head fell back onto one shoulder.

He slid his finger into her body. Her warmth encased him in its hypnotic ability, drawing him into sexual psychosis. No man could be closer to insanity. Consumed in deep need for one woman, he drowned in desire.

She rode his finger as he flicked her clit. Lying back on the cushion, she thrust her hips to his rhythm. His breathing became loud in his ears and the veins in his neck pounded to the beat of his heart. Her scent reached his nostrils and he thought it’d be his undoing.

Vrrr…Vrrrr

The vibration in his pocket made both of them stop and look at one another. “Your phone?” Cassie popped up a thin eyebrow.

“Damn.” Sebastian dug into the front pocket of his jeans and pulled out his cell. He silenced it and tossed it to the corner of the couch in irritation.

Out of the corner of his eye Sebastian caught the familiar stationery on the table–her admirer’s love note. He had a sinking feeling. It drove through him with the intensity of a stake through the heart.

He looked down at Cassie and saw the vulnerability in her pale blue eyes. The flush of her cheeks. And the expectation in her full, pouty lips. His stomach turned. He cared for her. He wanted the best for her. But did she want him, or her secret admirer? Was she with him now because she felt rejected?