Page 12 of Secret Desire
“Maeve,” she said patiently. “I want you. I’m assuming by your reaction just now you want me too. That kiss was hot as fuck. Let’s spend some time exploring this attraction and see what happens.”
What will happen will be me throwing her down on my bed and making her come so many times she forgets her own name,I thought to myself.
“But work…”
I was grasping at straws and I knew it.
“I can keep work separate from any physical relationship we decide to pursue,” she replied quickly. “Can you?”
I nodded, even though I had a bad feeling the answer was actually no.
“Let’s agree to be friends with benefits then. Either it will burn itself out, or we’ll figure out how to tell everyone else later. It’ll be our secret, just between us. What do you say?”
“I have a bad feeling that I’m going to regret this,” I said.
Ashley gave me a smile that was pure sin. “I can assure you that not one woman I’ve ever slept with has regretted it.”
Ashley
Maeve and I were both quiet for the rest of the ride back to the office. It felt like we’d decided on something momentous, even though we’d basically just agreed to have sex, and the weight of it felt heavier than I expected.
It could be that we would have sex once and get it out of our systems, but somehow I doubted that would happen. That kiss had been so hot it had practically melted my panties right off my body. I had a feeling that once we crossed that line I’d want more. Lots more.
I’d never been in love before, never even thought I was in love before – at least not since my childhood crush on Maeve – but if the emotions I was feeling right now weren’t love, I wasn’t sure what they were. There was definitely lust between us, but this felt like more. It scared the crap out of me.
Even though we were adults, I knew Maeve and I sleeping together was probably a mistake. For one thing, it would harm both of our reputations at work if word got out. For another, even though my sister and I weren’t close, she was still protective. She’d probably have some strong feelings about me being with one of her two best friends. There was no way she wouldn’t feel betrayed if she found out Maeve was doing something with her little sister.
But none of that made me want to take back my suggestion to be friends with benefits. It might turn out to be more than that, but for now, the best plan was to keep things secret until we knew for sure what was happening between us.
The limo pulled up in front of AGM Tower, but before I could get out, Maeve touched my arm.
“Let’s give this some thought before we start anything, okay?” she asked softly. “I want us to be sure.”
I nodded, even though I felt disappointed by her backtracking.
“Okay.”
We walked through the lobby, running into Theo on the way.
“I heard you’re finally coming to Found Family Dinner,” he beamed.
Ariel had invited me the day before last month’s event, probably because Theo had badgered her into it, but I’d said no. But when she asked me again, I figured I should check it out.
“Ariel and Sadie were quite insistent that I come,” I explained. “So I said I would.”
“I’m off to deliver some things for the boss lady, but I’ll see y’all tomorrow,” Theo said.
We got on the elevator with several other people, so there was no way to talk. As soon as the doors opened on our floor, Maeve was in motion.
“See you later, Ash.”
I stared after her, wondering what would happen now.
The next night I walked into the AGM Tower restaurant and headed back to the private room where the Found Family Dinner was being held. I was a few minutes late, and the last to arrive. Around a dozen people sat around a long table, talking and passing bottles of wine. Everyone appeared to be having a great time.
Sadie saw me first.
“Ashley, welcome.”
