Bedding The Best Friend (Bedding the Bachelors, Book 4) Read online

  “Mmm, yeah, that’s good. If I was there, I’d verify that for myself. I’d feel your wetness, but I wouldn’t taste it. Not yet. I’d want to taste other places first.”

  God—he was amazing with this fantasy play. Taking Kyle to the extremes. And she loved it. “Where would you touch first?”

  “Behind your ears first, then I’d bury my face in your silky hair. Your hair smells so sweet and feminine.”

  “I can almost feel your lips on my neck and your tongue grazing my collarbone.” She grabbed the pillow next to her and stuffed it between her thighs as he talked. She was still touching her nipples as she thought about him kissing her, and she twisted and pulled on them, feeling them grow even harder.

  “I’m kissing and tasting your neck now. Grazing your skin lightly with my teeth until you’re begging me to bite down. Would you like that, Annie? Would you like me to bite your neck?”

  “Yes…”

  Annie closed her hand over her breast and squeezed. Another moan escaped from her throat.

  “Would you like me to keep nibbling down to your breasts? Would you like to feel my lips on your nipples? How about my tongue? Would you like me to lick you? Would you let me squeeze your tits?”

  “Yeah,” she breathed. “I’d like that, Ryan—I mean, Kyle. I’d let you.” She almost didn’t have enough air to speak. She’d forgotten to breathe as she listened to his sexy voice drifting softly around the room.

  “Does it make you wet thinking about it? Is your pussy drenched as you picture my mouth on you?”

  “It’s covering my thighs.”

  “Mmm, I like that. Put your hand down there, Annie. Just touch the top of your mound for me. Now, rub it slowly. Don’t touch your clit yet.”

  Annie slowly rubbed her hand across her pussy. She still had the pillow between her legs, and she squeezed it tightly as she played with herself. She gasped—it felt so good that she feared she was going to come. She longed for release but at the same time she wanted to make it last so their time together didn’t end. Not yet.

  “Can you smell it, Annie? Do you smell like sex, baby?”

  “Yeah,” she said in a husky voice as she slid her fingers down farther, trailing them across her wet lips, gliding the moisture across her folds. She tipped her head back into the pillow and arched her back slightly. Her legs were shaking.

  “Are you touching yourself?” she asked in a rasping voice.

  “This call is for you, Annie,” he told her.

  It wasn’t what she wanted to hear. “I am touching myself, and I’d like to have some company.”

  “Tell me, Annie. Tell me what you’re doing.”

  “I’m touching myself between my legs with one hand and—and I’m so wet. I’m moving my hips against a pillow, and I’m squeezing my breast with the other. I’m twisting and pulling on my nipple.”

  “Take some of that wetness between your legs and rub it around your nipples. Rub it all over, and then close your eyes again and imagine me there, licking it off. Lapping up all that sweet, creamy pussy juice.”

  “Ahh!” Annie’s breaths were coming quicker, raspier. She did what he said, using her own arousal to paint around her nipples, but quickly slipped her hand back between her legs. Her eyes rolled back in her head as her fingers grazed across her hard clit, which peeked out between her swollen lips.

  “You want to be fucked, don’t you? You’d love to have a thick, hard cock buried in that wet pussy, wouldn’t you?”

  “Mmm hmm.”

  “Tell me!”

  “Yes!”

  “Slip a finger inside you.”

  “Ahh! Ohh!”

  “Now two, Annie. Use two fingers and work them in and out—just like I’d do if I was there.”

  “Oh God!”

  “There you go, baby. Picture my tongue on your nipples while you’re finger-fucking yourself. Think about my mouth wrapped tight around one of them, sucking and licking furiously, while my fingers pinch and roll the other…”

  “Oh no. Ryan! Oh God!”

  “Fuck yourself, Annie. Rub your clit and move those sexy hips. Thrust them up off the bed.”

  She did as he said. She was out of control now and couldn’t have stopped if she wanted to. She was riding her own hand, pressing her pelvis against the pillow, plunging her fingers in as deep as she could get them, wildly thrashing across the bed. Her mind was blank, her body numb, and her breaths loud and gasping, until her entire body went tense—her explosion unstoppable—then her pussy began to convulse rhythmically. She rocked softly against her hand as each wave of the orgasm tore through her. Then she lay still and silent. She could hear Ryan’s harsh, unsteady breathing on the other side of the line.

  “I—I came. Wow,” she said, more an expression of wonder than a statement of fact.

  She expected him to laugh but he didn’t.

  It made her wonder…

  He’d sounded like he was into what they were doing. Not like a friend who was simply doing a favor for another friend. He hadn’t asked her to be a different person, so had he gotten off on turning her on? Turning on Annie? “Did you come, too?” she whispered.

  “This call was for you,” he reminded her. “So, tell me” he said, with a hint of tender amusement edging his words. “Did you feel naughty?”

  She had, she thought. It had felt incredible. Because it had been with Ryan.

  She’d called his name out at the end, but he’d been pretending to be someone else. He’d explicitly told her to do the same. And that was just sad. But not as sad as the fact she wanted more.

  What if he did, too? What if the reason he didn’t want her to go to Vegas was because the thought of her being with another man made him jealous? Had he been as into it as she had?

  She struggled with her own cowardice, then hesitantly asked, “Do you want to come back over and show me more ways to be naughty?”

  The silence on the other end of the line was palpable.

  Seconds ticked by, and with each one Annie felt the throb of humiliation in her veins. Constricting her throat and mind.

  “Annie . . .” he finally began, his voice way too hesitant.

  “I mean, only because I thought I could return the favor. You put yourself out for me.”

  “Annie. Babe.”

  She winced. She was back to being “babe,” not “baby.”

  “Never mind, it was a stupid idea. Besides, I have to get up early tomorrow for my flight. I’m grateful for what you did, Ryan. It was a great way to warm up for Vegas.”

  As she imagined getting on her plane tomorrow, a sudden and powerful wave of loneliness passed through her. Hurt and anger quickly followed.

  He’d said all of those things to her to get her off, but he hadn’t meant any of them. Of course he hadn’t. He’d been Kyle. She was stupid, pathetic for thinking otherwise.

  “Annie, you can’t be serious. You’re still planning on going to Vegas? Because I just don’t understand—”

  “You don’t need to understand.” She tried her best to keep her voice light, even though she was aching inside. Aching for him. Which was the complete opposite of what being naughty was supposed to be about. “This is for me, about me. I need to prove something to myself. I need be adventurous for a change. And there isn’t anything you or anyone else can do to stop me.”

  “But—”

  “I’m going to sleep now. Have a good night, and I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

  “Annie—”

  “Good night, Ryan,” then disconnected the call before he could hear the sobs that suddenly tore through her.

  Chapter Five

  When Ryan was a kid, his grandparents used to take him to a place along the river near where he lived. They would fish and Ryan would run and play and climb the rocks. When it was warm, he would take a dip in the river and cool off. His grandmother would set up a picnic for them in a little cove that was closed off from the elements. She was a wonderful cook, and those were some of the
best times Ryan had ever known. He hadn’t been there since the summer he turned fourteen, when his grandpa died. He thought about going back sometimes, but it was one of those places that he wanted to go with people he loved.

  In his dream, he and Annie were there, and it was nighttime. They had eaten their picnic dinner and were lying on their backs, looking up at the stars. He was pointing out the constellations to her, making up stories about them, and she was laughing at his silly jokes. Impulsively, he sat up and said, “I’m hot. I think I’ll go for a swim. Wanna join me?”

  “I didn’t bring a swimsuit,” Annie said.

  Ryan had already started undressing. “You don’t need a swimsuit,” he told her. “I didn’t bring one.”

  Annie gave him a strange look. “Are you going in your underwear?”

  “Nope. I’m going in the buff.”

  He was already stripped down to his boxers. He grinned at her and vaulted over the rocks that separated them from the river. He took his boxers off then, realizing even in his dream that he was taking a bold risk. He splashed around after he waded in, trying to get her attention. Finally, he saw her stand up and look over the rocks.

  “It’s refreshing,” he told her. “You should come in. You won’t regret it.”

  “Naked?” she said. “No thanks.”

  “Then just leave your bra and panties on. They cover the same as a bikini, right?”

  The top of her head disappeared. A few minutes later, she reappeared, and to his surprise she wore only a red lacy bra and a pair of tiny red panties. She was round and beautiful the way she used to be. She still had those curves he loved. Her sweet belly looked the way he’d always imagined. Soft. Welcoming.

  “So you’re coming in?” he said.

  “No, I just felt like standing around in my underwear.”

  “I’m okay with that, too,” he told her with a grin.

  Annie stuck her tongue out and headed toward the water. She looked gorgeous in the moonlight, and it was all he could do to keep from swimming over and taking her into his arms. She waded in slowly, and as he went toward her, she said, “No. You stay back, Mr. Naked.”

  “Aw, come on, Annie,” Ryan said with a pout. “I just want one little kiss.”

  “Stay back!” she hollered, splashing in his direction.

  He continued toward her as she splashed him, growing bolder with each stroke. The distance between them lessened and his cock swelled against the rush of the water.

  “I’m not kidding,” she said, but she was laughing.

  Ryan grabbed at her, and she took a step back, stumbled and fell into the water. Ryan dived under and carried her back to the surface.

  “Oh God, Annie. I’m so sorry!” he said, feeling terrible for making her fall. He thought she was crying. Her shoulders were shaking, and her hair was hanging down in her face. She pushed it back over her shoulders, and he could see then that she was laughing. He was so relieved that, without even thinking about it, he kissed her.

  It wasn’t a friendly kiss. It was a hard kiss, one that would have turned passionate had it lasted a few seconds longer. She pulled back, and he could see the rise and fall of her chest.

  “I’m sorry—”

  “I’m not,” she said, then covered his mouth with hers.

  Ryan’s heart beat faster with excitement and he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into him. He couldn’t believe he was holding her this close, his naked chest pressing against her wet, scantily clad body. After all this time, she’d kissed him. She wanted him.

  Her hard nipples strained against the material of her bra, and his erection pressed against her smooth thigh. Her lips parted slightly, and he took it as an invitation. Snaking his tongue into her warm mouth, he began his exploration. Her tongue began to move as well, tangling with his as he ran his hands up and down the silky, wet skin of her back. He grazed the strap of her bra, unsure what his next move should be.

  Annie took that decision out of his hands. She reached up and unhooked the front clasp of her bra.

  Ryan broke the kiss to watch as her gorgeous breasts spilled out of the red bra, nipples as hard as the pebbles in the river under his feet. He bent her back slightly and pulled her forward so he could latch on to her turgid nipple.

  Annie shivered and arched her back to give him better access. Ryan sucked hungrily, running his tongue around her nipple as he did. He slid his hand down the small of her back to grab one ass cheek and knead it. Annie moaned and her hips jerked. She gripped his wet hair, pushing him into her chest…urging him on. He slowly brought his leg up and let it settle between hers. He could feel the heat emanating from her pussy as he pressed against her mound. One of her hands dropped to his chest, and her fingernails trailed lightly down the hard muscle, down over his stomach and slowly toward his—

  The blare of the alarm jolted Ryan awake. For a minute, he stared at the ceiling, chest heaving and body aching badly for Annie’s touch.

  Fuck, he remembered this. The dreams. The feelings of frustration and longing for something he’d never have. He’d lived with them all for years before he’d finally accepted that Annie just didn’t feel the same way about him. That had been back in high school. Or at least college. Hell, maybe he hadn’t truly accepted it until a couple of years ago.

  But the point was, he eventually had, and he’d done it before he’d done something stupid, like telling her how he felt.

  Bullet dodged.

  It had all worked out in the end.

  Even if Annie had been attracted to him and they’d acted on their feelings, he would have eventually disappointed her. Hurt her. As time had revealed, Ryan had a hard time committing, whether it was to a major in college, a career, or a romantic relationship. On the other hand, he’d never had a problem committing to his friends, probably because he gravitated to friendships that were easy.

  Annie’s friendship was by far the easiest thing he’d ever committed to.

  So why now? Why was he suddenly right back where he’d started—wanting Annie so much it hurt?

  Oh right.

  Her naughty list.

  The kiss.

  The smoking hot phone sex.

  Groaning, Ryan closed his eyes and dug his palms into his eye sockets.

  It had taken him hours to fall asleep after their phone call last night, and the only reason it had finally happened was because he’d given in and jacked off.

  To fantasies of Annie.

  With a groan, he sat up in his bed and blearily glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Five in the morning. He had forty-five minutes until he needed to meet his friend Cole at the gym to work out. Cole lived in LA and, along with their friend Luke, ran a private security business called Frontline Inc. They were getting busier and busier, to the point they were thinking of opening a second office in San Francisco. Cole had spent the past few days meeting with potential clients, and they’d agreed to work out today before he headed back south.

  Ryan blew out a breath. The last thing he felt like doing right now was hitting the weights. But it wasn’t like he could do what he really wanted to do either.

  He glanced down at the hardened tent pole lifting the sheets. God, that dream he’d had of Annie had been relatively tame, but his continued state of arousal since that sexy phone call last night was bordering on ludicrous. Even though he’d tried to keep some distance between them by pretending he was acting as her fantasy man, Kyle, Ryan’s body hadn’t been fooled. The sound of her breathing and moaning and clearly getting off had revived his sexual fantasies about her big-time.

  He could still hear her husky voice as she’d told him how she was touching herself. Could still hear her whimpering while following his instructions to touch her breasts, tug her nipples, finger-fuck herself.

  She’d been sexy as hell. And when she’d suggested that he go back to her apartment to be even naughtier with her, he’d already been reaching for his keys before he’d forced himself to freeze.

 
She was obviously going through a vulnerable time in her life—testing out those “waters”—but Ryan wasn’t who or what she really wanted, otherwise she wouldn’t have propositioned him for the very first time on the eve of her bang-a-stranger-in-Vegas trip. And only after he’d helped her get off to her fantasy man Kyle.

  If he’d gone back to her apartment, he’d have been a stand in, a convenience, no more than a warm-blooded sex toy. Not what he wanted from her and certainly not worth risking their friendship over.

  So he’d ended up rejecting her instead.

  “Fuck,” he murmured as he rose out of bed and headed to the bathroom.

  He leaned against the bathroom sink and stared blurry-eyed at his reflection. “You’d better not have fucked up the one good relationship you’ve ever had, Hennessey,” he said.

  An hour later, he managed to make it to the gym and onto a treadmill next to the one that Cole was running on. Around them, men and women were lifting weights, running on the assorted cardio machines, and punching sand bags. This was a serious gym and Cole was a focused exercise partner. Because he was a private bodyguard, staying fit was just an extension of who he was, the same way it was for Ryan.

  “Have you heard anything more from Eric?” Cole asked.

  Still running, Ryan took a drink from his water bottle, swallowed, then answered, “Nope. It’s beyond bizarre. He’s loved Brianne since the day he met her.”

  “We all love Brianne,” Cole said between breaths. “Maybe that’s the problem.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “We love Brianne because we’ve known her so long. Maybe Eric realized he didn’t want to be tied down to the same woman he’d been with since college.”

  In other words, romantic love didn’t last. Not like friendship did. “Maybe. I suppose we won’t know the truth until he shows back up or contacts one of us.”

  Eric’s disappearance had them all on edge. Sure, their group of friends weren’t as close as they’d been in college, but there was a deep connection that held them together. Similar to the connection he had with Annie. He didn’t know what he’d do if Annie took off for parts unknown.