Page 39 of Wild Promises

"What are the rules?"

Xander leaned in, his breath ghosting over my neck. "That's the beauty of this arrangement. There are no rules. Just feelings."

I fisted my fingers in his hair. "And what if I want you now?"

Xander pulled back, regret filling his eyes. "I'd love to, but I have to get to work. I have lessons."

"Right," I said as he stood and carried our dishes to the sink.

He rinsed them, then placed them in the dishwasher. "Will I see you tonight?"

"I was hoping we could do another night run."

"I can do that."

"Great." There was something about being outside with Xander. It was one of my favorite things in the world. That path was our one magical place away from the rest of the world. Where we didn't have to worry about our relationship or what other people thought. We could just be ourselves.

Xander left the room, and I sagged onto the counter. What was I thinking? I couldn't believe I'd just propositioned my best friend for benefits. Was I that hard up for intimacy? I should thank the alcohol for giving me the courage to ask for what I wanted.

I wasn't sure Xander would ever be ready to hear my true thoughts about him. He might be attracted to me physically, but that didn't mean I was the woman for him.

I wasn't settling anymore. I wanted everything: the practice, the friendship, maybe even a relationship. So why was I persuing something with Xander who had a track record of never committing to anything? Because he'd revealed another side to me, and I was hopeful there was more to it.

That he was looking for the same things I was, and that maybe he could like me. We'd made that marriage pact. That didn't come out of nowhere. He wouldn't have agreed if he didn't feel something too, right?

I was driving myself crazy. Between the million questions swirling in my head and the hangover, I needed a pain reliever. I grabbed the bottle from the cabinet and washed the pills down with water. I'd feel better after I showered and got dressed. I was covering the emergency appointments at the office, and I needed to get ready for work.

I had tonight to look forward to, another night ski ride with my friend. Whatever happened after that, I'd let naturally evolve.

We'd already proved that we could be physical, and not make things too awkward the next morning.

11

XANDER

Iwould not touch myself to the memory of what happened last night. But I was already gripping my cock. I let my head fall back as I gave into the fantasy of the feel of her pussy around my fingers, her moans and cries for more.

In seconds, I was spurting all over the tiles. I braced a hand on the wall and let my head hang between my shoulders. I was spent, both mentally and physically.

Tori's request for a physical relationship had twisted me up inside. Of course I wanted that. My still-hard dick was proof. But I wanted so much more. The thing was, this might be all I'd ever get from her. I had to take what I could get.

How was I going to make it through this friends-with-benefits arrangement? She'd said she wanted me physically. She didn't say anything about emotionally. She'd also said it would help our fake relationship.

That's because I wasn't feeling anything fake about her. Last night was as real as it could get for me. I didn't have the benefit of alcohol to deaden my senses. I remembered everything in vivid detail. I could have refused to take our relationship to another level and kept the memory of last night alive forever.But it wasn't enough. I couldn't resist her sweet request for more.

She wanted to return the favor, and even though I said she didn't have to, I wanted that more than anything. Just the thought of her on her knees, my cock stretching her lips, had me throbbing again.

I wanted Tori, and there was nothing I could do to ignore it. Maybe fooling around would kill this urge I had for her. I'd get her out of my system and could think clearly again. I was looking forward to that. Right now, I felt all mixed up inside, like I could burst open at any second.

I was supposed to be doing things that made me look more responsible. Somehow, sleeping with my best friend didn't seem like a step in the right direction. This fake relationship thing was already going off the rails. But it was too late to stop this runaway skier.

Tori had offered me herself on a silver platter, and I'd be a fool to turn her away. I'd seen the vulnerability in her eyes when she'd asked for more. If I'd said no, she would have been hurt. I couldn't forget that she'd just come out of a rough relationship.

I wouldn't do anything to tear her down. I wanted to build her up. If a hot fling with her friend was the cure for her relationship troubles, then I'd be the one to deliver that for her. I was justifying this situation in my head a thousand different ways. But the truth was that I wanted her, and she was giving herself to me.

I quickly finished my shower and got ready for work. I couldn't afford to be late or distracted with thoughts of my new roommate. Not when I had a job to save and a future to create. My brothers didn't believe in me, and I had to do everything in my power to change that.

When I came out of the shower, Tori was in her bedroom with the door shut. I didn't bother knocking or saying whereI was going. We were only roommates. Our fake relationship didn't need constant tending. Even if I was thinking about kissing her. It was occupying my every thought.

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