Page 33 of Running Risk

CLAYTON: NOW

Looking at this beautiful woman standing in front of me, I think I must have misheard her. I put down my coffee mug on the end table and sit forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “What?”

God, last night was torture enough, having her strip down to her underwear, wanting me to sleep with her.

It took everything I had in me to tuck her in bed and resist my desires.

She was way too drunk, but it’s not easy having the woman that you have liked basically your entire life throw themselves at you with nearly no clothes on.

After I knew she was finally asleep, I laid down next to her and watched her sleep until my eyes were too heavy to keep open.

But in this view, she stands a few feet in front of me in nothing but her beige bath towel.

Her damp hair cascades down her back. She looks absolutely irresistible, and all I want to do is get my hands on her and never let go.

Her legs peek out from under the towel, and it’s hard to focus knowing she’s completely naked under that small piece of fabric.

She stands taller, like she’s more sure in her decision. “I think we should have sex. You know, a friends-with-benefits type of thing. Haven’t you seen all those movies where the couple has sex with no strings attached?”

I scrutinize her. “The ones where they all end up falling in love at the end?”

She scoffs and waves me off. “Yeah, but I’m not talking about that part. Sex. That’s it. No strings.”

I stand up, needing to be closer to her. She must be insane. What did all these years apart do to her to make her think this is a good idea? I watch her throat bob as she shuffles on her feet, the closer I get.

“We obviously have some attraction here.” She takes a small step back.

I nod. “Obviously.”

“Well, this would help us release some of that tension.” She takes another step away, driving me crazy in that towel.

“No strings,” I repeat.

“Yeah. Exactly.”

I nod again. “You’ve said that already.”

“Because I mean it.” She angles her face higher to look at me. “We can just get it over with. I’m sure it would be a one-time thing, especially with our history. I definitely don’t want more from you.” She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

I can tell she doubts her words as much as I do.

Once I get my hands on her, there’s no way to take them off.

I keep stalking toward her until her back hits the wall next to her bedroom door.

“I’m sure.” There’s no way that would be remotely possible, but she’s staring up at me with those blue eyes and jaw set.

She wants this. She doesn’t necessarily want me like I was hoping, but feeling wanted by her at all is sending me into a tailspin.

I’m not sure that's a good thing, but it’s not a bad thing either.

Her breaths are heavy as I stand mere inches away, towering over her. Her hands balled into little fists at her sides, waiting for me to decide.

I lean in, bracing my arm above her head and bringing my face to the side of her neck, right next to the little mark I made last night when I got carried away.

She instinctively tilts her head to the side, and I love seeing how responsive she is to me.

“You sure?” She smells so good, and her skin’s soft under my touch.

“Uh-huh,” her voice cracks. “Positive.”

“And when you want more?” I let the stubble on my chin graze her, and she exhales a breath on my neck. I want to lean in closer.

“Uh . . . we . . . won't.” She audibly swallows, and I can’t help but smile.

I grunt, placing a light kiss on her neck.

Her answer is confirmation that she’s not as certain as she wants to be.

“Just like that.” There’s no way this is a good idea, and I’m trying to show her it can never be just sex with us.

But it doesn’t look like she feels the same way, or she’s in denial. I’m hoping it’s the latter.

“Yes.”

I nod, placing another kiss on her jaw. “You sure?”

“Yes,” she exhales. Her eyes flutter shut.

I kiss her cheek. “Friends?”

She swallows. “With benefits,” she finishes.

God, I hate this, but I want her. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t want her. I wish there was a way for her to want me even a fraction as much. I’d do anything for her, and right now, she wants a superficial fling with me. It might kill me in the process, but I can’t say no to her.

I hover my face in front of hers, meeting her eyes and wanting her to say it one last time. “You’re sure?” I scan her, looking for any doubt .

She stands a little taller and breathes out, “Yes.”

That one little word was it. I cradle her face in my hands and kiss her.

It’s not a gentle kiss you give someone after not seeing them for a day.

I’ve been wanting this for so long, and I long for it with every fiber of my being.

I kiss her passionately, like this might be taken away at any moment.

I explore her mouth, and she wraps her arms around my neck, her body melting into mine.

My hand entangles in her damp hair, grasping it so she doesn’t pull away.

Her lips are soft but not gentle as she kisses me like she has been deprived of this her entire life.

I nip her lower lip, and she moans as her nails dig into me.

My hands trail down her body, feeling the curve of her sides down to her hips.

Somehow, she’s still covered by the towel, hanging on by a thread.

I grab her under her thighs, lift her against me, and walk into her bedroom.

Her legs and arms cling to me. Lying her gently on the bed, I hover over her and trail kisses down her neck, pressing my body between her legs.

“Clay . . .” she pauses, and I reluctantly halt my efforts. Her eyes are wide as they bounce between mine. I search her face, waiting for her because I don’t want her to have any doubts about this. I’ll stop no matter how close we are. “You want this, right?”

I can’t stop a small smile from forming on my lips as I kiss her hard once again, and she melts into me. I pull away and hold her jaw in my hand. “Yes, Ry. I want you.”

Her eyes flick to my mouth as she presses her lips to mine and wraps her legs around me.

The towel falls open between us, allowing me to feel her bare, soft skin against my chest. My fingers trail softly up her body, and she presses into my touch.

I pull away, needing to look at her, as she helps shove my pants down my hips.

Kicking them to the side, I watch as she rolls to the side of her bed, grabbing a condom from her nightstand.

Biting the plastic open, she pulls out the rubber and doesn’t hesitate to roll it onto my cock.

I almost see stars as her hands slide it up my shaft, but all of our movements are rushed like we’ve been waiting our entire lives for this moment.

I stifle back a groan at the sight of her lying back down before me.

This woman is perfect, and I won’t ever get enough of seeing her body naked before me.

Hovering over her, I kiss her hard, and her body arches into me.

My cock rubbing against her entrance has me wanting to thrust inside of her.

My hand skims down her curves to between her legs, and I let two fingers rub against her clit.

She gasps against my lips, and I suck her bottom lip into my mouth.

The heat against my fingertips has me thrusting a finger inside of her.

Her body arches off the bed, and I trail kisses down her neck.

“Please,” she begs.

She doesn’t have to ask me twice. I’d do anything she wants.

Pushing her knees further open, I lay on top of her and gently ease inside of her.

Oh fuck. How am I supposed to last? Just entering her has me ready to go off.

Her entire body clings to me, with her knees clutching me and her arms snaking around my neck.

I stifle back a groan, feeling her wrapped around me.

She grabs a handful of my hair, while her breathing grows heavier.

“Oh, god.” She grips my hair harder, and I kiss her neck, adding to the mark already there.

I ease out of her before thrusting back in.

She feels indescribable, and I don’t think it’ll be possible for me to not want this every day.

I’d be lucky if once a day was enough because I know having her this way will only make me want her more.

A gasp escapes her, and I slow my movements and bring my mouth to hers.

Her lips are soft and inviting, making the world seem right.

It’s a dumb plan to be sex friends, but right now, I won’t be the one complaining.

There’s nothing I want more than to keep doing this for as long as she will let me.

My chest rubs against her full breasts, and her nipples harden with each brush against them.

She pushes on my chest to nudge me to move to the headboard.

I reluctantly break our kiss and move. Sitting up, she crawls across the bed and straddles me.

Her toned body moving in front of me is a sight I will never forget.

She looks like an angel who was made perfectly for me.

I grip her thighs once she’s hovering over me.

Lowering herself on my dick, I groan and bring her nipple to my mouth.

It’s almost too much having her ride me, taking control like this.

Licking the sensitive area, she clenches around me as she throws her head back, moaning.

I will replay this over and over in my mind.

Her breasts pressing into my face as she kneels onto my shaft.

Raking my fingers down her back and holding her closer, I lightly nip her breast. She moves on me, forcing me to look at her, and crashes her mouth into mine as she continues to unashamedly ride me.

My hands snake up her back, bringing our bodies flush together as I kiss her harder.

My tongue stroking hers, needing to feel closer with her before I pull back, when her hands lightly press against me.

I watch her gasp as she rubs against me, grinding harder as she holds onto my shoulders.

She clenches around me, and I grab her hips to help keep the pace going.

Her moaning becomes louder before biting her lower lip, and I watch her ride her orgasm out.

She slumps in my arms as the final waves of her release subsides.

I wrap my arms around her and flip us. Her brown hair cascades around her on the bed, and I peer into her beautiful blue eyes.

“You’re so beautiful,” I say, cupping my hand against her cheek and kissing her.

I move inside her, feeling my own orgasm building with every thrust. Her breasts rub against my chest, and she bites her lip, looking down at our bodies rubbing together.

The way she looks at me is like she doesn’t want this to end.

I don’t either, but I don’t know how much longer I can hold on.

She’s so sexy, and I’m doing everything I can to not go over the edge.

Bringing myself out and moving deep inside her, I can’t help but think about this woman I’ve always had a thing for—and how, despite all the years apart, she’s always been in the back of my mind.

Her hands grab the back of my neck, and she kisses me urgently.

I almost come just by her taking what she wants from me, because a part of her does actually want me.

Our tongues tangle together, and all I think about is how this perfect woman is in my arms, and I want her and would do anything for her.

Sucking on her bottom lip, my hand snakes between us to rub her clit.

My fingers stroke her, and her body begins to move with me.

The moans coming from her mouth are like a torturous song, making it hard for me to stay in control.

My fingers move faster in rhythm with my cock, and she begins to tremble, crying out with another release.

The nerves in my body are heightened as I groan while I find my own, falling on my forearms so I can catch my breath.