Page 33 of Neighbors With Benefits

I started to say no, everything sounded good as it was, but I stopped myself. Therewassomething else. A request that wasn’t as lighthearted as the other rules. I didn’t even want to suggest it because I was scared of how she might feel, but it couldn’t be avoided.

“I don’t want to tell Bash,” I said.

“Oh.”

“Not because we’re doing anything wrong,” I quickly added. “But because I don’t want him to feel like the third wheel. I’ve loved our Sunday dinners and game nights with the three of us. If he knows we’ve hooked up, it will ruin the vibe.”

She was already nodding along. “Makes sense. I don’t want to ruin the good thing the three of us have.”

“That’s it,” I said. “And if-slash-when this affair runs its course, we will both make an effort to keep it from being awkward. We’llstill hang out, and wave at each other when we take the trash cans out…”

“And not light each other’s plants on fire?” she asked.

“Exactly.”

Jazz pursed her lips. “I was hoping to get to do alittlearson, but fine. You have yourself a deal. Shake on it?”

I ignored her extended palm and wrapped her in my arms, kissing her as passionately as I could. “Kiss on it.”

She moaned as my lips churned against hers, and when I pulled away, she was looking up at me through lidded eyes. “How about we fuck on it?”

“I didn’t get apropertour of your bedroom,” I said, walking out of the kitchen.

Jazz followed like I’d hoped, but then she started giggling. “What’s so funny?” I asked.

“You have a white hand print on your ass,” she said. “From when I smacked it.”

I twisted and saw the flour outline on my cheek. “I’m going to make you lick that off, salmonella be damned.”

She grinned wickedly. “I’ll do whatever you want me—ohh!”

Jazz squealed as I threw her over my shoulder. I carried her the rest of the way into her bedroom, laughing as she bombarded my ass with more smacks.

As I lowered her to the bed and swallowed her laughs with my tongue, I thought about our arrangement. I could keep things casual.

At least, I thought I could.

12

Jazz

I was as giddy as a teenager when Aiden eventually left that night. It was probably all the endorphins flowing through my body. I really had been in a dry spell prior to tonight, and my fingers were a poor substitute for the real thing.

I had taken alover.

That sounded so Victorian. It also made the situation seem casual, like we had agreed. He wasn’t my boyfriend or anything. He was my lover, a simple and clearly-defined role.

Although I wished he hadn’t had to leave so soon after our second round of sex. It would have been nice to cuddle for a little while. But he was afraid of Bash getting suspicious, and cuddling might have ventured too far into the realm of romantic intimacy.

To extend our evening a little longer, I texted him when I got into bed.

Me: Did Bash suspect anything when you got home?

Aiden: Nope! He waved, but barely looked up from the Phillies game. We’re winning three-to-two now, by the way.

Me: Oh good, that was my very next question.

Aiden: I’ll turn you into a Phillies fan yet.

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