Page 37 of Beautiful Crazy
His smile grows, and I swear his eyes darken as they watch me. “Okay…”
“And we’re clearly attracted to one another, we get along great, and we can’t deny how convenient it is that we’re neighbors.”
Biting down on my bottom lip, I watch Everett’s cheeks turn an adorable shade of pink. “I’m listening,” he murmurs.
“Friends with benefits,” I blurt, deciding to just spit it out because I’m nervous enough that I feel nauseous.
“Friends with benefits,” he repeats, sitting forward with his elbows on his knees. “Really?”
Panic starts to rise in my chest, thinking I may have it all wrong.
“Yeah, I mean, if I’m reading the situation wrong and you’re not interested, that’s totally okay, and we can just pretend I nev?—”
“You’re not reading the situation wrong,” he cuts me off, his gaze locked on mine as if to make sure Ireallyhear him. “And I am interested.”
I let out a breath, my shoulders relaxing. “You are?”
A zap of desire floods my system hearing him say that.
“Of course, I am, Gemma.” His smile warms my blood. “It’s not a secret that I’m extremely attracted to you… as someone pointed out to you.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, feeling my face flush. “I am too,” I reply, suddenly realizing that I’ve approached this entire situation in the most awkward way possible. Why couldn’t I just sit in his lap and make out with him first, andthenproposition him?Way to fucking go, Gemma.“But I think we should lay down some ground rules before we do anything.”
His eyes crinkle again at the corners as his lips twist into a grin that would make my knees weak if I were standing. “I think that’s smart. I’m assuming you already have some in mind?”
I nod, swallowing roughly. “Yes.”
“I’m listening.”
“Well, for starters, Sutton can’t know,” I say.
“I agree.”
“I think it would be best if we remained just friends,” I go on. “No-strings fun. A way for us both to relieve stress and be a little selfish.”
Everett nods, tongue poking out to wet his lips. “I can certainly relieve your stress, Gemma.”
Fuck. The baritone of his voice sends heat straight to my pussy. “And there’s no staying the night. That goes hand in hand with the first rule. Sutton can’t know, and if you stayed the night, there’s a chance he could find out.”
“That’s fair,” he replies, nodding along. “Anything else?”
“Uh…” Truthfully, I just thought of these rules on the spot. “I don’t think so. Not to put a damper on this, but wanting to have full transparency, I’ve never done something like this. I’ve never…”
Holding up a hand, Everett says, “We can go at your pace.” Eyes locked on mine, he adds, “And I think full transparency is a good idea. I haven’t had many friends with benefits in my day either, but I’m sure communication is key.”
“Yes, please,” I breathe out with a smile.
“Okay.”
My stomach flutters again. “So, what now?”
A crooked grin slides onto his face as Everett sits back in his chair and pats his thigh. “C’mere,” is all he says, but my thighs clench anyway.
On shaky legs, I stand and take the two steps it takes to reach him. Spreading his thighs to allow my legs to fit between them, he gazes up at me with a look of lust and something else entirely as I lower myself into his lap. One of his hands finds its way to my hip, the touch sending electricity through my veins and molten heat to my core. Bringing his other hand up to my cheek, he cradles it as our eyes meet. Just an inch away, we breathe each other in. Something sensual passes between us before he pulls my head down until our lips meet.
Holy shit.
We’re kissing.