by Liz Durano
It’s making sure I get home from work three times a week in time to enjoy Caitlin’s dinners as she tries to perfect her skills in the kitchen while she continues sending her resumes out. It’s waking up to the feel of her body nestled in my arms, the scent of her hair and the sleepy sound of her voice as she asks me to stay in bed five more minutes before I have to get ready for work. It’s making love to her with everything I’ve got and feeling her surrender herself to me every time. It’s knowing she trusts me completely just as much as I trust her.
I unlock the door to the apartment, catching the aroma of rosemary and balsamic vinegar in the air as I step inside and close the door behind me. Music plays from the speakers, jazzy vocals accompanying the view of the Empire State Building outside the window.
“Cam!” Caitlin rounds the corner from the kitchen and lands in my arms, her lips tasting of wine when she kisses me. “Welcome home.”
As I pull her into my arms, I see that she’s already set the table for two. That’s what makes our intimate dinners even better than going to a restaurant. Where else can one have dinner in their PJ’s with a view of the city before them? “I don’t know what to devour first. You or whatever it is you’re making. It smells amazing.”
“It’s Mom’s recipe. Steak and potatoes with rosemary and balsamic vinegar,” she says as I set the mail on the foyer console and my briefcase next to the couch. “It was the easiest one I could find. Not too many ingredients.”
“I’m sure it’ll be delicious.” I’ve made it before and it’s one of her mother’s simplest recipes, flank steak with potatoes and rosemary, so I know she can’t go wrong unless she burns it. “So how was your day, love?”
The smile fades from her face. “Still waiting to hear from that company Addison recommended. I haven’t heard from them yet and it’s been a week.”
“They could be contacting your references.”
She pouts. “True, but I can’t stand the waiting.”
“All good things come to those who wait, grasshopper. Just look what I got when I waited for the right woman.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “And she’s damn fine if you ask me. Even better than I deserve.”
A blush creeps on her cheeks, her pout replaced with a smile. “Oh, Cam. You really know how to make a woman feel better. Why don’t you go get ready for dinner? I still have to make the salad.”
“That’s a good idea. Any more of this,” I let my hand drift lower along her ass, “and I’ll be having you for dinner.”
She pushes me away playfully. “Go get ready, you. I won’t have anything ruin this dinner.”
“Not even sex?” I ask, loosening my tie. “We haven’t tried it on the dining table yet.”
“Oh, yes, we have. I’ve lost count,” she says, her hands on her hips as she glares at me with one arched eyebrow.
“Drat! Foiled again,” I say, chuckling as I make my way to the bedroom, everything about my workday fading away with each item of clothing I slip off… tie, shirt, belt. It’s also a Friday which means we have the next two mornings to sleep in and burrow under the covers.
Twenty minutes later, I step into the living room and find her standing in front of the kitchen counter. As I approach, I see that she’s got a piece of mail in one hand, the envelope torn open. In her other hand, she’s holding a letter.
I stand behind her and wrap my arms around her waist, resting my chin on her shoulder. “Everything okay?”
“Cam, look.” Her voice is shaking. Hell, she’s trembling as she shows me the letter. “No, even better. Can you read it and make sure it says what I think it says?”
“What do you think it says?”
She turns to look at me. “Just read it. I don’t want it all to be a dream.”
“Is this from the company you want to work with?” I ask and she nods. I kiss the skin between her neck and shoulder, hoping she calms down soon but I also get why she’s feeling this way. Caitlin is going stir crazy spending her days at the apartment or with her family. She wants to be busy, to work and contribute her skills toward something useful, especially one she spent the last four years studying. To top it all off, she’d prefer it to be in the East Coast which none of the job offers she’s received are based out of.
Except one.
“Dear Ms. O’Halloran,” I begin. “Following our recent discussions, we are delighted to offer you the position of Research Associate with–“
“It’s an offer, right?” Caitlin asks excitedly as she turns around to face me. “It’s an actual offer?”
“Yes, Cait, it’s an offer which means my congratulations are in order,” I say as she remains speechless, as if allowing the news to slowly finally sink in. “Now you’ll need to write them a letter to let them know if you accept their offer or not.”
“I’d be crazy not to accept it. It’s in the city… well, New Jersey, but who cares? It means I don’t have to move,” she says. “Will you help me draft it? All I can think of saying is a long string of happy emojis.”
I laugh. “No, that won’t work, love. But I will help you draft a serious one.”
“Thank you, Campbell.” She wraps her arms around my neck. “I love you so much.”
“And I love you more than you can ever imagine, Cait.” I kiss her hair as I hold her, letting her process this next steps for as long as she needs.
A few seconds later, she pulls away, setting the letter on the counter. “We better start dinner before the food gets cold.”
“You sure?”
“Yup,” Caitlin replies as I follow her to the dining table and pull out a chair for her.
“Will you tell me about this position?” I ask as she’s about to sit down. She stops and turns to face me, her eyes narrowing playfully.
“How much time do you have?”
I kiss her on the lips. “With you, Cait? Forever.”
Thank you so much for reading Friends with Benefits. If you enjoyed Caitlin and Campbell's story, please leave a review. Reviews help indie authors like me find new readers and get advertising. If you enjoyed this book, please tell your friends!
Ever since I met Caitlin and Campbell in Falling for Jordan (Addison and Jordan’s story), I fell in love with their energy. Playful and fun, feisty and sexy. I truly hope you had fun reading their story as much as I did writing it.
Acknowledgments
Thank you so much to the following people for helping me get Campbell and Caitlin’s story come to life.
Michelle Jo Quinn, for always being there for me, helping me see the forest for the trees when I get too lost inside my head with all the muses running around.
Charity Chimni, for cracking that virtual whip so I finish all the stories that I start and for all your valuable input and feedback.
To my awesome Reader Team: Suzanna Lusk Chriscoe, Belinda Bauknecht, Louise Hallett, Evelyn Martha, Jessica Cooper, and Lee Rey. Thank you for helping me bring Campbell and Caitlin’s story to life!
Ready to Dive into another Holiday Story?
Meet Mariah and Logan in The Replacement Fiance
When her best friend volunteers to pretend to be her fiancé during her trip home for the holidays, things get real when a practice kiss reveals how they really feel for each other.
READ NOW
Other Books by Liz Durano
A Different Kind of Love
Everything She Ever Wanted
Falling for Jordan
Breaking the Rules
Holiday Engagement Series
The Replacement Fiancé
The Reluctant Fiancée
The Last-Minute Fiancé
Celebrity Series
Loving Ashe
Loving Riley
California Love
Finding Sam
In His Heart
Fire and Ice
Collateral Attraction
About Liz
Liz grew up devouring fairy tales and her mother’s book collection (don’t tell her!) that included Harol
d Robbins, James Clavell, and Colleen McCullough. Although she studied Journalism in college, she discovered that she preferred writing fiction and so these days, that’s what she does. She writes women’s fiction and romance and lives in Southern California with her family and a Chihuahua mix who keeps guard of her writing space.
You can follow Liz’s book adventures by visiting lizdurano.com or follow her on Facebook at @lizduranobooks.
Let’s Connect!
https://lizdurano.com
[email protected]
