Chapter Three
Friends with benefits.
What did that mean? Maggie sucked for her next breath, her pulse racing as she increased her pace to a determined run up a treadmill hill. Wild, monkey sex whenever they felt the need? No-strings sex? Organized or spontaneous?
Connor’s suggestion stunned her so much her mind had blanked. She had to admit it was difficult to passGowhen her brain commenced a continuous loop centered on a splendidly naked Connor.
She jogged in place on the treadmill, the pounding beat of a song with lyrics about someone who was crazy filling her head. The music wasn’t loud enough to drown out her thoughts, although when the next song mentionedfools in loveshe thought about kismet and serendipity. Did she want to do this? Have sex with Connor?
Hell, yes.
Was it a good idea?
Probably not.
So many things could go wrong. What if they found themselves incompatible in bed? The last thing she wanted was to lose Connor’s friendship. She had to admit it wouldn’t make her popular with the rest of the Tight Five. They all agreed he hadn’t steered them wrong when it came to advice about the male sex. Susan, in particular, felt strongly about the friends-only rule because her ex-friend—the one she’d had since pre-school days—had waltzed off with her fiancé one day before the wedding. Susan didn’t like to talk about it much, but she put loyalty first in any argument. And Maggie sensed Christina was more interested in Connor than she’d let on.
The thought gave Maggie pause. She hated hurting her friends and had tried to cast her growing feelings for Connor aside. It wasn’t working. The wretched man taunted her in dreams, steamy naked dreams that had her waking in a real state. It made every other man pale in comparison.
Connor’s track record was part of the reason she’d consider this friends with benefits deal, although she needed more details about how this arrangement might work.
And lastly, there was also the fact he changed girlfriends regularly. If he did that with her, she didn’t think she’d recover—she liked him that much. Something to ponder. Oh, and the fact she’d be breaking the pact she made with her friends. Could she live with a guilty conscience? That was a real biggie.
Then there was her father and stepmother. The treadmill program went into warm-down mode, slowing before coming to a stop. Grabbing her towel, Maggie wiped the sweat off her forehead and throat while the next song started on her iPod—the New Zealand band OpShop singing about one day. She didn’t hear the lyrics. All she could think about was that there might never be another chance with Connor. Despite her father’s lectures about scandal and keeping a low profile, she’d kick herself if she said no and had to watch Connor with yet another woman. She didn’t think she could handle that—not again. Only a fool would let this opportunity slip through her fingers. Benefits. Yeah, she could see them, but the pitfalls, the potential for pain and loss…was it too much to risk?
She couldn’t forget her promise to her friends. If she messed up with them, no doubt there would be huge consequences. She’d have to lie to them, and that didn’t sit well with her. She let out her breath.
The rest of her workout passed in a daze, and by the time she exited the changing rooms to join Connor, her head whirled with mental arguments, but she’d decided to take a chance on love. Surely wanting love wasn’t such a bad thing? If Connor still wanted to change the dynamics of their relationship, she’d risk it and go along with the idea, keeping her fingers crossed for the future.
She hoped she wouldn’t regret it.
“Hey, how was the workout?” Connor asked, giving her an admiring glance.
She clutched the bag containing her workout gear closer to her chest. She had to admit she was nervous about this whole arrangement.
“Good.” A laugh escaped and her features contorted when she pulled a face. “Nah, that’s a lie. Exercise hurts like hell.”
What Maggie didn’t tell him was that for the first time she’d finished her workout without worrying about collapsing in the middle of the gym and drawing attention to herself. Thinking about Connor and his proposition had let her zip through the workout without too much stress.Amazing.
“How about we go back to my place so I can pack a few clothes?” Connor said. “Then we’ll stop at your apartment and grab a few groceries at the supermarket on the way?”
“I’ve never visited your apartment before. Do I get the tour?” Their gazes met. A flutter started in her belly.Oh, boy. Maggie took half a step toward him, intent on touching, brushing her fingers across his jaw to test the roughness of his stubble. Yes, this would be so easy between them. So easy to relax and let the emotions rule her. Lust. Sex. Togetherness.
“You want to see my bedroom?” he asked, a husky note entering his voice.
“If you want to include your bedroom on the tour,” she tossed back with a casual shrug. Inside nerves quaked while anticipation banked, arousal taking off like a sprinter to race the length of her body. A distinct dampness pooled between her thighs. “Will your flatmates be there?”
“Probably not. They’re away for the weekend.” He offered a sexy smile. “We’re gonna talk. That’s all.” He brushed a strand of hair off her face, tucking it behind her ear. “Hash everything out between us so there’s no misunderstanding later when we hit the bedroom.”
“All right,” Maggie said, surprised not a single qualm remained in her. She trusted him to keep his word.
During the drive to Connor’s central Auckland apartment, they talked about rugby, exercise and the upcoming work function neither of them wanted to attend. Unfortunately, the partners frowned upon employees who dodged their gatherings.
Connor’s apartment was small with two bedrooms—not much space for three men. If Maggie stood on tiptoes and looked out the window of the compact lounge, she could see a sliver of Rangitoto, the dormant volcano island that dominated the harbor. The distinctive cone was visible from most parts of inner Auckland.
Turning back to Connor, she said with a smile, “Great view.”
“Yeah, I like it.” Connor reached for her hand and tugged her down a short carpeted passage to a bedroom. “Sit on the bed while I grab clothes.”
