Page 40 of Friends With Benefits

“Hi,” he said when she answered.

“Hey!” she said, sounding pleased to hear from him. “How are you?”

“Really busy,” he said. “But okay. You?”

“Yeah, busy,” she said. “I’ve been talking to some girls about instructing, so I can offer more classes.”

“Really? You’re going to give up teaching?”

“Of course not!” She laughed, recognized his teasing. “I just can’t do any more. Part of my plan with this move was to expand, take advantage of the new location.”

“Why don’t you tell me all about it tonight?”

“Tonight?”

“Yeah. Let’s go out. Drinks…dinner? What would you like to do?”

“Um…I was just out last night. How about I cook dinner at my place?”

“Even better,” he said fervently. “What time?”

“Six?”

“See you then.”

After work, he went home and changed out of his suit and tie into a pair of baggy cargo pants and old UCSB T-shirt. He stopped on the way to Kerri’s place to pick up a bottle of wine. Then, as he drove past Long Drugs, he suddenly braked and turned sharply into the parking lot. He ran in, purchased a box of condoms, then sprinted back to his car and continued on to Kerri’s place.

The box of condoms stayed in the car, but a few went into one of the roomy pockets of his pants with a grin.

Tonight her usual black yoga pants tied with a loose drawstring hung low on her hips. A snug pink tank top outlined clearly braless breasts, and her nipples drew his helpless gaze. She smiled when she opened the door to him, but her eyes held a hint of reserve. Things weren’t going to get weird again, were they?

He wanted to grab her, kiss her—basically jump her sexy bones—but instead he leaned forward and planted a chaste kiss on her luscious little mouth.

She’d been preparing food in the kitchen but hadn’t actually started cooking yet, and he took a seat at the small counter that separated her kitchen from dining room. “Should I open the wine?” he asked. She handed him a corkscrew and got two glasses out.

“This is nice,” she approved after taking a sip. “Good choice.”

“Thanks.” He had no clue what it was. He’d asked the guy at the store for a nice twenty dollar bottle of white wine. He sipped his own.

“So tell me about your expansion plans,” he invited. He watched her move around, turning on the stove to start water boiling for the pasta. In another pan she drizzled some olive oil. She picked up a big chef’s knife and deftly flattened a couple of garlic cloves, then minced them with rapid, sure movements while she talked about her plans.

“There are so many great things about the new place,” she said, lifting the lid to check the water. “The reception area, changing rooms, the parking…this is the time to expand. But like I said, I can’t take on much more myself. I have some ideas for different types of classes, too.” He nodded, admiring her smooth graceful movements as she cooked.

“That sounds great, Kerri. Your business has grown consistently since you started, so you obviously know what you’re doing.”

She looked up at him, seeming a little surprised, but touchingly pleased. “Thank you, Mitch. That means a lot to me.”

Kerri could seem flaky at times, but she had a sharp brain and solid business training. She also had the right personality for teaching. She made it fun. Why’d she seem so surprised by the compliment?

She dumped a package of fresh pasta into the water and stirred it, then reduced the heat under it. The garlic sizzled in the pan and she added some huge shrimp, a splash of the wine, some chopped tomatoes and fresh herbs.

“That smells incredible,” he said. “I’m starving.”

She pulled a bowl of salad greens out of the fridge and tossed it with a dressing she’d already made, then popped a tray of crusty rolls into the oven to warm.

“Bread?” He raised his brows.

She laughed. “Just for you, big guy.”

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