After coming to terms with our relationship, the room felt much friendlier.

Jake walked over to the computer desk and peered over my shoulder.

"Are those your designs?" he asked, his mouth open in awe.

I fought the urge to close the laptop, feeling self-conscious as he looked through my latest project. Being a bit of a perfectionist, I didn't typically share my work with anyone until it was complete.

"My God, Cat... you're very good at your job. These buildings are amazing," he said, bending down and clicking through the pictures on the screen. His eyes were wide, thoroughly impressed as he mumbled on and on about how talented I was.

But I could hardly focus on a word Jake was saying; I was too distracted by the fact that he was only a few inches away from me, leaning over the back of the computer chair. I could smell his aftershave invading my nostrils, mixed with the aroma of fire smoke that seemed to permanently linger on his skin. It nearly sent me into a frenzy. It was all I could do not to take a deep breath so I could inhale the fragrance.

There was just a faint amount of stubble on his cheek, and I have the random yearning to feel it against my inner thigh. My groin tightened at the idea, and I have to bite my lip to keep from moaning aloud. I was hyperaware of the fact that his lips were so close to mine. I would hardly have to move to press my mouth to his...

Stop it, Cat, I chastised myself. Jake had explained not even five minutes ago how difficult it was for him to sleep with me, and I was already lusting after him once again.

Contrite as I was, I still couldn't help the yearning that I felt for Jake. It was as if there was some insatiable sex demon that took over my body when he was nearby. My rational thinking took a backseat; all I wanted was to feel his body on mine, the consequences be damned.

I caught Jake's eye through my lashes. His breathing caught as he noticed me staring longingly at him, biting my bottom lip. I saw the transition in his brown irises as the flames ignited once again, and his cheeks filled with a soft rose hue. If he was still feeling regret about our previous sexual interaction, he didn't let it show.

"Cat... I know what you're thinking. But we shouldn't," he said, his voice thick with desire.

"Why shouldn't we?" I asked, getting to my feet.

All I could think about was his mouth on mine. I took a step forward, but he stepped away, trying to keep his distance.

"I've told you I'm no good for you, Cat. You should know what it feels like to love and be loved. That's something I can't give right now, and it wouldn't be fair of me to mislead you along this way," he repeated, pushing me away gently. 

But I refused to be subdued. I closed the distance between us, pressing my hips against him until the only thing that separated us was two thin layers of clothing. I placed my index finger against his lips to quiet him. His biceps constricted at my touch.

"No more talking," I said. "I told you that I'm okay without commitment if that's what it takes to have you in my life. I don't want more from you than that, Jake. In fact, the only thing that I want right now is to feel your body on mine," I whispered in his ear.

"Cat, we shouldn't do this," he murmured again, but there was no authority left in his voice. "I can't control myself when I'm around you."

"Then don't," I said, leaning forward and touching my lips to his neck.

This seemed to push him over the edge, and his hindrances were quickly forgotten. With a groan, he grabbed my hips and pulled me closer to him. I felt fire ignite in my belly as his lips met mine with urgency.

Jake guided me backward until my body met the wall, pinning me against it with his muscular body. His lips trailed down my jawline and to my neck, sending tantalizing chills up my spine. I wanted him, maybe more than I had ever wanted anything or anyone, and the bulge pressing against my inner thigh told me that he wanted me too.

With an uncharacteristic surge of bravery, I broke the kiss and dropped to my knees in front of Jake. I pulled his sweatpants down to his ankles and exposed his impressive member. Jake's breath hitched as he realized what I was about to do. I saw the fire in his eyes blazing like an inferno, and it motivated me even more. 

I grabbed his shaft and took Jake into my warm mouth, the flavor of his erection sweeter than anything I'd ever tasted. I glanced up into his brown eyes as I moved back and forth, watching in mesmerized delight as each stroke of my tongue sent Jake to a state of ecstasy.

The sight of Jake's chiseled body resembling a greek god made my heart thump. I picked up the pace, wanting nothing more than to bring this man the same bliss that he had brought me a few nights ago.

Jake tilted his head back in pleasure. After a few minutes, he placed his hands on my head to stop my movement and eased himself out of my mouth. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion and fought the urge to pout.

"Not yet, baby. I don't want to finish that way," he said, his voice velvety. It was thick with longing, and it sent waves of desire coursing through me.

Jake placed his hands under my shoulders, and with impressive ease, lifted me from the ground. I wrapped my legs around his waist as his lips trailed along the crook of my neck. I could already feel the moisture of my panties as Jake's shaft thrummed against my thigh. Knowing his member was so close to my private area nearly drove me mad.

Jake carried me to the guest bed and pulled my panties off with so much force, the delicate lace ripped. He smirked ruefully and mumbled an apology, but I didn't care about the decimated underwear. The sight of the shredded fabric caused my groin to pulsate. To realize this handsome man wanted me so badly that he couldn't help but destroy any clothing that lay between us, was the sexiest thing I had ever experienced. By that point, I needed Jake Lucero inside of me so badly, it almost hurt.

Jake leaned over me and stared at me through his thick eyelashes, hesitating. He looked deep into my eyes, the implicit question lingering. I gave him a nod, telling him that I wanted him to continue. I parted my legs wide as he straddled my body. Painstakingly slow, Jake eased into me, our collective breathes releasing in harmony.

I felt his erection going inside of me, inch by inch.  As Jake started to move, each stroke entering and exiting me slowly and deeply, I was lost in a state of nirvana. It was as if I was watching someone else have this heavenly experience, for surely it couldn't be me who had this Godlike man inside of her.

Jake took my lip between his teeth and bit softly, sending chills down my spine. His hands, covered in scars and burns from his years on the job, came up to cup my full breasts. His expert fingers rolled my taut nipples between his thumb and forefinger. The sensation made me moan loudly, and my fingernails scratched against his back.

Jake's breathing started to quicken, and I knew that he was getting close. I glanced up to see Jake's brown eyes looking softly into my own, as he came undone. Feeling Jake inside of me and watching him climax was more than I could bear.

The notion that I could cause this man so much pleasure that he would climax at my hand pushed me to the edge. I closed my eyes tightly and leaned my head against the soft pillow, as I felt the familiar buildup forming in my body. My back arched off of the bed as the sensation consumed me.

I called his name loudly over and over again as I finished, my brown eyes never leaving his.

                       * * * * * * * * * *

I watched Jake's muscled chest heaving from exertion as he collapsed on the bed beside me. I tried to slow my breathing as I lay in a euphoric state, basking in the aftermath of my climax.

"That... was...," Jake panted, unable to finish his sentence.

"Mhmm," I murmured, my heart pulsating.

For a while, we simply lay beside one another. Neither of us said a word, but we didn't have to; in that moment, simply being together was enough.

"Cat," he said quietly, turning to face me.

There was an internal battle ensuing behind his guarded, brown eyes. It made me sad to see his temporary elation disappear so quickly, replaced with the usual defensiveness.

"Yeah?" I asked tentatively.

"Are you sure you're okay with this... fling?" he asked, grimacing at the word.

"I told you I was," I said, my reply sharper than I intended. I was annoyed he would bring this up again. All it did was make things tense between us, and I wasn't ready for him to spoil my good mood yet. "Why don't you believe me?"

"I do, it's just...," he said, turning onto his back and staring up at the ceiling. "You've been a great friend to me over the past few weeks. Maybe the closest friend I have, other than Dwayne," he admitted. "Even though I have this undeniable attraction to you, I value our friendship far too much to want to jeopardize it."

I smiled, even more turned on to see Jake so vulnerable. "I feel the same way," I confessed. "But rest assured, our friendship is thoroughly intact. If anything, I feel closer to you now than I did before."

Jake's face turned to a look of panic. "Cat...Remember, I don't want anything serious," he warned. "The last thing I need right now is for you to fall in love with me. I don't want you to get hurt."

Before I could stop myself, my laughter was echoed through the room. Jake smirked too, his eyes showing a combination of amusement and hurt.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing," I said, wiping tears from my eyes. "It's just how serious you were when you said that. 'Cat, don't fall in love with me'," I mocked, my voice deep as I tried to mimic his.

"I'm being serious, Cat," he stated, but I could see the humor dancing in his eyes.

"I know you are," I said, my laughter still shaking the bed. "Don't worry, Jake. I'm not going to fall in love with you. I don't think I've ever even been in love," I admitted, the giggles fading. "I've had infatuations, of course, but never anything serious. In a way, I'm far more equipped for this sort of relationship than you are. Maybe I should be telling you not to fall in love with me," I mused.

Jake let out a sigh of relief. "Okay, good. So we're on the same page then. We won't let this... thing... get in the way of our relationship. We are friends first and foremost. Just really good friends," he said with a smile.

"Yes... friends with benefits," I replied, winking at him.

I watched in delight as Jake's eyes widened and his face turned an unusual shade of crimson.

"I'm not sure I like that term."

"But that's what we are, isn't it? Friends who occasionally sleep together."

"I guess so..."

"Like I said... Friends with benefits," I said with a playful smile, fighting the urge to laugh at the blush that crept into Jake's face.

I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Things had worked out perfectly after all. I got to sleep with Jake but didn't have to deal with the commitment that I tended to avoid.

It really was the best of both worlds.

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© Dawn Norwell