Friends with Benefits

by Amy Brent

  “Here you go.” I handed her the pen, and she slipped it inside her shirt, tucking it in her cleavage. I let out a long breath and headed to my office where I had to go over some of the new property offers. The expansions were already costing me a fortune, and now the land owners wanted to play hardball. I’d been through the same thing every time and now considered the obstacle just another step in the process.

  I glanced at Gemma’s picture and shifted in my seat. She’d looked particularly tasty today, and I wished I had an open office so I could see her. Because of her wardrobe, I considered rearranging and leaving my door open for a better view.

  I took out her stocking, which I’d stuck down in my bottom desk drawer with the other where I kept my emergency stash of condoms and a finger vibe. Her perfume tickled my nose as I held it to my nose and I closed my eyes imagining myself between her legs, slipping those stockings down. My cock stayed hard in her presence, and I was beginning to have thoughts. Maybe if I fucked her and got I over with I’d stop being so tempted, but then again, I kind of liked the longing and how hot it made me look and not touch.

  I got up and went into the bathroom, bringing the stocking with me. And I leaned back against the door and undid my belt. I hadn’t done this at work in a while, and usually, I could control my urges, but I had to feel her against me.

  I wrapped the silky stocking around my cock and rolled my hands at each end and held it tight, squeezing it. My head grew nice and red, like a ripe berry, and I rubbed the stocking up and down my shaft, the soft silk gliding with ease. A small tear wept at the tip, and I worked it faster, knowing it wouldn’t take long. Sure enough, I felt my release and stepped forward roping the bowl with the thick jets of my release. I cleaned up and walked out, still holding the stocking which I quickly returned to the drawer.

  My mind felt clearer already, and when it was time to order lunch, I called her into my office with a plan. “I’m far too busy this morning to go out for lunch, but I thought you could order us something in and join me here?” A smile lit her eyes, and she nodded.

  “What would you like?” She walked up to the desk and leaned on it like she did each time she came into my office. The other secretaries had all kept their distance, but not Gemma. She was always up close and personal, which had made my fantasies that much easier to imagine.

  “You choose. I’m sure you’ve seen the menus in your desk. Find something you like and make it a double. My treat to celebrate your first days.”

  “That’s so thoughtful, thank you.” She hurried to her desk and quickly returned with the menus. I’d assumed that she was going to order from her desk, but she grabbed the phone and dialed. She ordered us two steak sandwiches and asked for them to deliver and then she hung up the phone.

  “I hope that’s acceptable. Those sandwiches are my favorite.” She rubbed a hand flat against her tummy.

  “Mine too, you did good.”

  “Well, it does help that you’ve never been a picky eater. Remember that time Lila and I cooked breakfast? You ate our raw pancakes.”

  I laughed at the memory, and it was nice to have those times to reflect on. “I actually asked the cook to start preparing them a little undercooked for me ever since.”

  “Ah, the cook. How does Gorgio feel about that?” I wasn’t aware she’d been around to meet Gorgio.

  “He’s not happy. But then neither were the last two.” I was sure she remembered Felicity, the cook I was fucking the night she spied on us and then kissed me.

  “What ever happened to that one? You really liked her. Felicity, was it?” I knew she remembered the name and was just being sly.

  “I didn’t see her again after that and kept things strictly professional from then on. It wasn’t meant to be.”

  The phone rang ending that line of conversation, which was a relief considering where my last thoughts about the kiss had landed me with the stocking. If I got that worked up again, I’d surely take her right over the desk and I wouldn’t stop until we were both moaning each other’s names.

  The sandwiches were amazing, and we made small talk, learning we had a few other things in common. Conversation was easy with her, and I found all the stress of the morning gone, which was good since I had an afternoon meeting.

  As we laughed over a story about Lila’s first day of school, there was a knock at the door. I glanced up to see my ex-girlfriend, Samantha giving me a narrowed look.

  Gemma sat up and gathered the remainder of her lunch, and though I hated to, I asked her to excuse us.

  She and Samantha glared at one another, but when Gemma closed the door, Samantha slapped on a fake smile. She had once been the most beautiful woman until I saw that her gorgeous blonde exterior was just a mask to hide the viper beneath it.

  “I see you’re still up to the same old tricks.” She rolled her eyes and brushed off the chair that Gemma was in and took a seat. I tossed the rest of my sandwich in the trash and met her wicked stare.

  “She’s Lila’s friend, practically a daughter to me.”

  “I think I would have known if you had another daughter running around causing problems. How is Lila doing?”

  Things between the two hadn’t ended well, so I didn’t dignify her question with a response. She didn’t care about Lila and more than she’d cared about me. She’d wanted my money all along. “Why are you here?”

  “I need a bit of advice, and I know you’ll want to be the one to give it to me.”

  “Definitely take the pills; a gun is so messy.” It was a cold thing to say, but she’d once suggested something similar to my daughter, so I had no love lost for this woman or concern as to where she got her advice.

  “Before you hurt my feelings, perhaps you should hear me out. I have a friend who wants me to invest in a piece of land that is precariously close to your St. Croix resort. Normally, I wouldn’t give a damn, but since it was where we spent so much time together, it touched a sentimental nerve.”

  “Who is the main investor?”

  “Milton.” Her new lover and one of my biggest adversaries. She hadn’t come to warn me. She’d come to gloat.

  I looked up to the ceiling and let out a long sigh. “Ah, yes. Good old Milton. What’s the catch, Sammy?” She’d always hated when I’d called her that and thought that shortened names were unsophisticated, and she had gotten a bug up her butt that I’d never admitted that Whitt was short for something.

  “There is no catch. I came to warn you. He’s going to buy the land and keep you from having it. He’s bitter knowing it meant something to us. And I wanted you to know so you could beat him to the punch.”

  “What’s in it for you?” I knew there had to be a catch. Samantha did nothing for other without it benefiting herself.

  “Well, to be honest, I have my eye on a little place near the Mediterranean, and quite frankly I’d rather his money not be tied up in some revenge scheme.”

  “Much easier to lay your hands on it if it’s not.” That remark earned me a bitter glare.

  “Think what you want, Whitt. I loved you.” She met my eyes with such sincerity that for a split second, I thought she meant it. But I knew better.

  Hearing the words from her lips made me cringe, and I wondered how I could have ever been blinded by her charms. “Me and my billions? I’m sure you did.”

  She huffed, clutching the front of her blouse. “I didn’t come to fight, but I’m sure you can see my situation without rubbing it in my face.” Her tone was much more bitter than it had been.

  “I appreciate it.”

  “Whitt, he’s going to offer double. Strike fast.” She took her bag from her lap and sauntered out, leaving the door open behind her. I leaned over to see Gemma deliver a venomous glare to Samantha’s back.

  I had to be careful. Either Sam was warning me about Milton was on the up and up, or she was in cahoots with the seller and wanted me to snatch it up in a hurry. I’d have to put my men on it.

  But first, I had something else
I needed to do. I walked out and stood at Gemma’s desk.

  She looked up at me with a half-hearted grin. “I remember her.”

  “I’m going to have to ask you to keep her visit to yourself.” Her eyes widened. “No, it’s not like that. Strictly business with that one, but you know Lila. And I wanted to apologize for sending you out. Lunch was a lot of fun, and I hated that it ended that way.”

  “Thanks,” she said. “And I won’t tell Lila. Secrets are my specialty.”

  And wasn’t that a good thing.

  Chapter 8

  Gemma

  I knew keeping secrets was going to be tough but I found out Lila, and her father would take things to a whole new level when she called me just as I finished dinner. I hadn’t told her about my job, and I hoped that she wouldn’t be mad at me, but she’s the one who had been out of touch for the past few days.

  “Congratulations, Gemma!” her voice sang the word, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I had almost expected her to chew me out and ask why I’d gone behind her back, but I should have known better. Lila wanted the best for others and always had.

  “I was going to tell you, but—where have you been?” I’d tried to call after my first day to no avail.

  She let loose a sound of frustration. “I’ve been with Daniel at his place. We’ve been having some serious issues with his job and relocating, and frankly, I’m exhausted with the commute.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t know you two were having trouble.” They’d seemed like things were perfect.

  “No, we’re fine. The issues are with his job, but I wanted to warn you. My father is pissed off at me, and he’s going to play twenty questions with you. I was hoping you’d keep the things I’ve told you in the past about Daniel and me a secret.” I knew the things she was talking about specifically, without asking. The most important one being the pregnancy scare they’d had a little over a month earlier.

  “Of course.” I had kept her secrets forever and his as well and I often wondered if I’d lose them both if either’s truth ever were exposed.

  “I told him that I want to move out and he’d go crazy. I know he’s only flipping out because it’s Daniel, and now he’s insisting there has to be some hidden reason why we want to rush things. He even accused me of being pregnant and said that Daniel is a master manipulator and insinuated that he'd brainwashed me.”

  “Wow, it sounds like he’s gone off the deep end. Thanks for the warning.” I wondered if my working for him had come at a bad time. I’d hoped that he’d see his daughter happy with an older man and the idea of being with me wouldn’t turn him off.

  She laughed. “If he starts talking to himself or mumbling under his breath, stay clear. It’s better than trying to reason with him. Trust me, I know.”

  “So, what is up with you and Daniel? You two did kind of come up with the marriage talk awfully fast. I remember just a couple of months ago you didn’t want to be stuck in a marriage.”

  “I was just scared. The truth is, it’s not easy being with an older man. He’s so much more experienced in life, and sometimes it’s painfully obvious. But then it’s wonderful because he takes such good care of me.” I hated hearing the negative, but I could imagine how wonderful I would be too and closed my eyes wishing so desperately to have that with Whitt. I’d never had a man take care of me like that; like I was his special girl.

  “Well, I have to admit I’m a little jealous, Lila. It sounds like you’re really in love.”

  “I am, and it’s not just the sex, which is mind blowing, but it’s the way he puts me first. He’s so worried that something will happen to me on those long commutes that’s he’s trying to be closer, but the company he works for is not being good about transferring him. He was going to get a different job, but he makes such good money.”

  “You’d think your father could see all of that.”

  “He’s jealous. He’s losing his baby girl. He’d die if he knew Daniel has me call him daddy in the bedroom. It would break his heart.”

  “I’ll be sure and not let that one slip.” I made a face knowing I couldn’t possibly imagine a situation where that would come out.

  Lila chuckled softly. “Oh, I can’t even believe I told you that.” It had only made me want her father even more and wished things could be that way for us. I’d love to call him anything in bed, in the heat of the moment.

  “It’s okay. Your secret is safe with me.”

  She let out a long breath. “I didn’t want you to end up in the middle if he brings it up. It’s best for you to know and pretend you don’t. Daddy will calm down in a few days when he comes to his senses.”

  “When have you thought about having the wedding?” I thought it might be best to steer the conversation from Whitt for a while.

  “We’ve talked about waiting a month, or maybe at the end of the summer.”

  “Definitely not the spring wedding you’ve always dreamt of.”

  “Yeah, but at least I still have my handsome groom, and I’m learning that’s all that matters. And I’d still like for you to be my bridesmaid. If we have an actual ceremony. I hope though I doubt my daddy will walk me down the aisle.” Her voice broke, and I hated hearing her so upset.

  “Which one?” I had only said it hoping to get a laugh, and sure enough, she giggled, but then I heard a pounding at my door.

  “Hold on, Lila. Someone’s at my door.” I went to peek through the peephole and found Whitt, red-faced and angry on the other side. “Hey, I have to go. I’ll call you later, okay?”

  I made sure the call had ended before I answered the door. “Whitt? What are you doing here?” I decided to play dumb was the best course of action, and he grabbed both of my hands and met my eyes.

  “Is Lila hiding something from me?”

  Saying no right away would be too obvious so I shook my head and pulled my lips in tight as he pulled back and raked his fingers through his hair as he paced the floor.

  “She’s talking about moving out and getting married to that Daniel. That guy has so much influence over her.” He clenched his fist, and I went to the couch to offer him a seat.

  He joined me there and looked me in the eyes.

  “Tell me she's not get pregnant, Gemma. She’d tell you that, I know she would.” He gave me a challenging glare as I shook my head.

  “No, she’s not. She’d tell me that for sure. Have you ever thought that maybe she loves him so much and that’s the only reason?” I rested my elbow on the back of the couch and leaned against my hand.

  “Love? He’s an old man. What does he want with a young girl like Lila? She’s got her whole life ahead of her, and she could do better.”

  “You know, just because that’s your opinion, doesn’t mean that everyone else is so bothered by an age gap. Love doesn’t know age, and neither does attraction.”

  “Attraction is different. There are boundaries.”

  “And she’s twenty-two years old.” I let out a long sigh.

  “I don’t know why I thought you would understand my side of this; you thought you were ready for me at eighteen.” And I had been. I wanted to tell him I was and I’d always been. But I decided to let him ramble. He turned his head and mumbled something under his breath, and I knew that was my sign to steer clear.

  “We’re not kids anymore.”

  “I know that.” He waved his hand dismissively. “But she’s still too young. You’re too young. I remind myself of that all the time, and—

  “You do?” I narrowed my eyes and scooted closer to him on the couch. “What do you mean?”

  “Please, Gemma. Of course, you’re an attractive woman, but it doesn’t make things okay.” He shrugged and looked away then he turned back toward me, shifting in his seat and taking my hands, which this time, he held gently.

  “I know I’ve asked you to keep things secret before and I know that you keep Lila’s secrets as well, but I’m begging you, Gemma. If there is ever anything that you think I should know, you�
�ll tell me. If she’s ever in any kind of danger or if that Daniel does anything to her like knock her up, or God help him if he hits her.” Desperation burned in his eye, and I gave him a nod, and he pulled me closer. “Say it, Gemma. Promise me.”

  “I promise.” I knew it was a promise I could only keep if I felt she was truly in danger and I didn’t think that would ever happen. Not to Lila and not by Daniel.

  “Thank you.” He reached up and stroked my cheek and then pulled me into his embrace. I closed my eyes and smelled his cologne. It was like all of my dreams were so close to a reality that I wanted to kiss him. But it wasn’t the time.

  He pulled back and looked into my eyes. “You’re a good friend, Gemma, to Lila and to me, you both mean a lot to me.”

  I wanted to ask how much I meant and kiss him deeply. “You mean a lot to me too, Mr. Porter.”

  He sat there a minute and looked around my house and then raked his hand through his hair again. “I’m sorry that I barged in here like this.”

  “You’re welcome to come anytime. I wasn’t doing anything. I bought a new blouse.” I held it up, and his eyes widened.

  “Do you like it?”

  “It doesn’t look like it would cover much.” He scratched his hairy chin.

  “You want to see it on me? Then you can tell me what you think.” Before he could answer, I leaned up and stripped off my shirt and slipped the new one on. His eyes widened that I’d done it right there.