Finally Found You

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “Hey. You’re here.” Her gaze traveled down his body and he felt each lick of heat. “Oh, you brought beer. Good. I’m dying of thirst.”

  “Me, too.”

  He set down the corn, got them each a bottle, and tipped his to hers in a toast before downing half in one long pull. He watched the way her lips sucked on the rim of the bottle, the way her throat worked as she swallowed, and he knew it was going to be one long fucking night.

  Four or five beers in, maybe more since he couldn’t quite remember that last one, he knew something had changed for the both of them. Something big enough they actually had to talk about it.

  “The food was good, right?” she said, her voice soft.

  He sighed then tugged her closer on the porch swing. “Yep. Best ever.”

  She snorted, then giggled, before sighing into his body.

  They’d sat out on this swing dozens of times before, yet right then, something was different. Something he didn’t want to name, but knew they’d have to.

  He pulled away slightly and looked down at her, cupping her face. Her eyes widened and her mouth parted.

  “What are you doing?” she breathed.

  “How drunk are you?” he asked, rubbing her lower lip with his thumb.

  “Mason…”

  “How drunk are you, Pres?” Because if she was too far gone, he wasn’t about to kiss her then.

  “I’m only buzzed. Well, at least I used to be, because from the way you’re looking at me right now, I’m suddenly stone cold sober.”

  He nodded. “The same for me. I’m going to kiss you now. Okay? I just need to see something.”

  She sucked in a breath. “Mason, we can’t. We can’t ruin what we have. I don’t want to do that.”

  He shook his head. “We won’t. It’s just you and me here, Pres. Just you and me. We’re still the same people we were before, and I’m not making us break our promises. But since yesterday in the kitchen? I’ve needed to see if this will work.”

  She nodded and he took that as a yes. He leaned down, brushing his lips on hers, once. Twice.

  She tasted of sweetness, beer, and brisket. He couldn’t ask for anything more. His teeth nibbled at her lips, and when he pulled back, she sucked on his tongue, increasing the pace and deepening the kiss.

  He pulled away fully, knowing they both needed to stop and talk. He couldn’t ruin what they had, not even for something he knew could be—no, would be—fucking fantastic.

  His heart pulsed loudly in his ears as he leaned his forehead against hers, trying to catch his breath.

  “What was that, Mason?” Presley asked, finally moving away. She stood, folding her arms under her chest. That only made him feel like a lecher since he couldn’t stop staring at her tits. So not the time.

  “That was what almost happened in the kitchen.”

  “Yeah. I know that. I know what we almost did, but we didn’t do that. You’re my best friend, Mason. I’m not going to ruin that just because you’re a good kisser.”

  He grinned despite himself. “I’m a good kisser?”

  She flipped him off, rolling her eyes. “So not the point, Mason Sutton. Why would you kiss me?”

  He let out a breath. “You kissed me back.”

  Presley closed her eyes tight, biting her lip. “I know. I know I did. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  “You were thinking that we’re best friends and we do everything else together, and well, why not this? At least, that’s what I was thinking. I like you, Presley.” He loved her like a friend, but he thought saying that right then wouldn’t be the best thing to put out there.

  “I know. I like you too. But, Mason, we’re friends. Friends who told each other we’d quit dating in general. That doesn’t mean we should date.”

  He nodded. “I’m not thinking of dating.”

  She narrowed her eyes, and he knew that was the wrong thing to say.

  “Wait. Hear me out.”

  “Oh, you better lay it all out there, or I’m going to kick your butt.”

  “Okay, so this is going to make me sound like a douche, but what do you say we try out the other side of our relationship? We’re great together, Presley. We fit together perfectly. I don’t want to lose you, and if even having this conversation does that, then let me know and I will never speak of it again. Never think of it.” Lie.

  She tilted her head then sat down next to him again. Thank God. “So you don’t want to date, but you want to look at another part of our relationship? What does that mean? The physical side?”

  He froze, listening to her say what he’d just said made him want to bash his head against the wall. What the hell had he been thinking? This was the one woman in his life who had never let him down, never judged him for being who he was, and what was he going to do? Ask her to sleep with him so they could get their rocks off and not deal with emotions?

  Fuck that.

  He shook his head then stood up. “Fuck, Pres. I’m sorry, honey. I’m having an odd day, I think. I’m sorry for kissing you.”

  Fire licked at her eyes, and she stood toe to toe with him. “Hey, you don’t get to kiss me and then run away. That’s not who you are, so don’t start running away from me now.”

  He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear again. “Baby, I’m an idiot. Just because neither of us has slept with another person in a while, and we’re not looking for serious relationships, doesn’t mean I can use you.”

  “But what if I want you to? What if I want to use you, too?”

  Mason’s heart stopped. She couldn’t be saying what he thought she was. “What?”

  She met his gaze, and he saw the fear there…mixed with determination and excitement. “We’re adults. Consenting adults. We’re old enough and mature enough to explore this facet of our relationship without ruining it. We both have…needs.”

  As she paused before the word ‘needs’, his dick twitched.

  Oh, sweet Jesus.

  “Presley…”

  “Wait, hear me out.” She quirked a grin at him as she said it. “If we both go into this knowing that, no matter what, we remain friends and we know there is no future beyond remaining as close as we are, we can do this. That way, we both get what we need and can keep things how they are. What do you say?”

  His mind and heart whirled, knowing there was only one answer that made sense. Saying no would save them both, because taking each other to bed—or the kitchen table, deck chair, and floor—could only leave heartache. There was no such thing as sex without emotions…but he already loved Presley in other ways.

  They could do this.

  Couldn’t they?

  He couldn’t stop himself from answering, “Yes.”

  He just hoped they hadn’t made the wrong decision.

  Chapter Five

  What had she done?

  Presley had been asking herself that question for five days. Five long days of work, stressful meetings, late nights bent over her computer, and without Mason.

  Maybe it had been the drinks that led her to do what she did. Yes, that had to be it, because no way in her right mind would she risk everything she had with her best friend for sex. Fine, so it would be amazingly good, hot, sweaty sex, but even that wasn’t worth it.

  Right?

  Everything had been fine that night, a little awkward in parts since she now knew they both had been thinking about that near-kiss in the kitchen, but it hadn’t been horrible. They were almost back to their normal selves. Then they’d drunk just enough to be comfortable and warm, leaning into each other like they always did.

  Something changed between them even before they’d spoken. The casual friendship they’d once shared had morphed into something she didn’t understand, something she wasn’t sure she was ready to understand.

  In reality, the idea that the two of them could remain as close as they were might be a long shot. Getting emotionally attached beyond their current bonds wou
ld only hurt them. If they went into that physical relationship, they’d have to set boundaries.

  Damn, she wanted it to work.

  She loved sex.

  She missed sex.

  Sure, Trent hadn’t been all that great in the sack, but he at least tried. No, not really, but she tried enough for both of them. Okay, so maybe she should quit thinking about Trent in bed while she was working on her feelings concerning having sex with his brother.

  There was no greater feeling than letting it all go and coming hard around a man who gripped her hips and pummeled into her. She wasn’t ashamed of that. She might be timid in some respects, but she was a woman who knew what she wanted in bed—or out of bed, depending on choice of location.

  There was nothing wrong with that.

  They were both adults and could separate their friendship from what they would do once the blinds were closed. It had been done before; she knew it. Just because she couldn’t think of any examples beyond a TV show or book didn’t mean it didn’t exist.

  As long as she and Mason were clear with what they wanted and walked away from that part of what they were doing as soon as it became too much, they’d be fine.

  We’ll be fine, she repeated to herself.

  This way they could relieve the pressure and stress that came with celibacy and their daily lives with each other. They already trusted each other in every way possible, so why not this next step?

  Now she sounded like she was rationalizing it to herself, but she needed to be clear with herself, and with Mason.

  Things had changed, and there was no going back. If she was honest with herself, she didn’t want to go back.

  That kiss.

  Oh, that kiss.

  She’d fallen into him, and her breathing had stopped. He’d nibbled at her lips, and she’d sunk into him, wanting, no, craving more. They’d started off slow, tentative, and it had grown into the heated goodness that promised so much more. She couldn’t wait to see what else they could do with each other, because with that one kiss, she’d seen a glimpse of what could happen if they let themselves go.

  She knew he worked hard on his body, not in the gym, but with his job. He was tanned, muscled, and strong. There was no denying he was sexy as hell. She’d thought that since their first meeting.

  Now, she’d be able to see exactly what he could do with that toned body of his.

  She held back a groan, resting her head against the wall.

  Damn it. She needed to get her mind out of the gutter because she wasn’t going to last much longer. Mason was on his way over to start their…arrangement. It wouldn’t do for her to jump his bones the moment he walked through the door.

  The idea held merit though, so maybe later.

  They wouldn’t be dating; they were clear on that. They’d do what they normally did, eat, play, hang out together, and then they’d get to know each other intimately before walking away from that part of their lives and remaining just friends.

  She could do that.

  This is what adults did.

  Right?

  “You’re thinking too hard.”

  She startled and turned on her heel, stumbling into Mason’s hard chest along the way. He caught her effortlessly, the grin on his face telling her he knew exactly what she’d been thinking about.

  “Mason, uh, I didn’t hear you come in.”

  He snorted then lowered his head. She parted her lips, opened for him, but he didn’t kiss her. Instead, he turned at the last minute, blowing a raspberry on her neck.

  Sexy.

  Or not.

  She squealed, twisting and turning in his hold, trying to get away. Only he was way stronger than she remembered, and he wouldn’t let go.

  “I can’t believe you did that.” She gasped as he dug his fingers into her side, tickling her until she begged for him to stop, tears streaming down her cheeks.

  He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. She huffed out a breath as his shoulder hit her stomach.

  “You’re a dork,” he said over his laughter.

  “Me?” She tried to wiggle, but that only made him clamp down harder on her back. “You’re the dork. You’re throwing me around like a freaking sack of potatoes. You tickled me. Who does that?”

  “I do,” he said then threw her down on the couch. She bounced and let her head fall back, her stomach aching more from laughter than his shoulder.

  “I get it now. We say we’re going to have sex, and you act all caveman-like.”

  They froze.

  Did she really just say that?

  From the look on Mason’s face, she had.

  He leaned down so his face was in hers, his breath warming her neck. “I’ve always been a caveman, babe. You’ve just been missing it.”

  “Babe?” If she worried about his words, then she wouldn’t squirm under him. Was it wrong that this whole caveman act was turning her on? A lot?

  He nipped at her lip then licked the sting.

  Oh. My. God.

  “Babe. Or baby. Or Pres. Or whatever comes to mind. Got a problem with that?”

  She shook her head, liking it more than she should have. “What am I going to call you?”

  He smiled wide. “How about Master?”

  She laughed, pushing at him. This time he moved away, and she sat up. “Master? Please.”

  “That’s what you’ll be begging. Please. Master. All that.”

  “Shut up,” she said, leaning her head on his shoulder. “Like I said. You’re a dork.”

  “You like me being a dork.”

  Yeah. She did. Too much now that she thought about it. So she just wouldn’t think about it.

  “So…” she whispered.

  “So…” he repeated. He wrapped his arm around her, and she sighed. “It’s just me, Pres. I promise you. We don’t have to do anything tonight other than hang out, eat, play video games, and all the normal stuff. Like I said before, we’re not going to ruin what we have for what we could have. Got it?”

  She relaxed into him, knowing they were on the same page.

  “Chinese for dinner? I’m not in the mood to cook.” She knew what she was in the mood for, but that would have to wait.

  “Sounds good to me. Want me to order the usual?” She nodded. “Will you set up the game then? We can go beat up some teenagers who have too much time on their hands.”

  She smiled, rolling her eyes as Mason stood up to go call their favorite takeout place. They ordered the same six things every time so they would have leftovers for the next couple days. Call them stale and boring, but whatever. They knew what they liked.

  She blushed, thinking she’d find out exactly what Mason liked later that night.

  “I like the look of that blush,” Mason teased from her side.

  She swallowed hard, her gaze raking his body. Was he always that…big? Damn it. She needed to focus on setting up the game, rather than what Mason would look like without any clothes on.

  And there was an image she never wanted to forget.

  “If you keep looking at me that way, we’re not going to get much game time in.” Her gaze met his. “Unless you want to forego video games altogether.”

  She shook her head. “No, I want to beat that stupid group of boys who think girls can’t play. They’re setting up a match in a bit if they stay true to their timeline.”

  Mason nodded, and she reached out to get their headsets, only to stop as he put his hands on hers.

  “Let’s not plug into the network on our headsets this time. We’ll play with them, but I want to be able to listen and talk to you, rather than have a bunch of prepubescent boys cursing in our ears since their moms are out of the room.”

  Her heart raced, and she swallowed. “Okay.” Seriously, she needed to start acting like her normal self because this tongue-tied woman who practically panted for the man in front of her was so not like her.

  He sat down next to her, his thigh brushing hers, sending shocks down her spine. This was
new…and good. Really good.

  She took a deep breath and started the game, her fingers flying over the controls even though her mind was half on the man next to her. Mason would shift every so often, and she’d suck in a breath, trying to control her reaction. They’d played together countless times before this, yet this time was different.

  By the time the food arrived, they’d won their campaign, and Presley needed a breather. She was overheated and way too turned on from just a casual brush of skin and clothing. Mason got up to get the food, bringing it into the living room, his cheeks flushed.

  It looked like she wasn’t the only one affected.

  Thank God.

  “Want to eat out of the boxes or get plates?” Mason asked, his eyes never leaving hers, even as he set everything on the table.

  “Out of the boxes is fine. Less dishes that way.”

  “Sounds good to me. You want the lo mein or dick first?”

  She blinked. “Uh, what?”

  “Lo mein or duck first?”

  Had he said dick? Or duck? What the hell was with her brain?

  Mason gave her a slow smile. “We’ll get to what you’re thinking about after we eat. In fact, let’s eat quickly and play another game. I have an idea.”

  She blushed, even as she took the lo mein from him. There was no way she could eat duck right then—not when her brain was apparently on dick.

  He gave her another knowing smile then sank into the couch next to her, munching on beef with broccoli.

  “You going to tell me what’s on your mind?” he asked as he dug into the spring rolls.

  “You already have a pretty good idea,” she answered back as she put her fork in his box of beef with broccoli. She smiled and took a big bite.

  “Tut tut. Not even gonna ask me if you want a bite? I see how it is.”

  She rolled her eyes. “What are you going to do? Feed me?”

  “Maybe.” His eyes darkened, and she swallowed her next bite hard.

  He dug out a piece of beef and blew on it. His lips puckered, and she wanted to imagine him blowing on her nipples or even her pussy before he licked and sucked on her. He seemed to know what she was thinking about but didn’t comment. Instead, he brought the fork to her mouth, and she opened for him.