"Me too," she said, her humor and excitement stalling for a moment. Cupping his face between her hands, she kissed him softly. "I can plan for everything. Every twist in a story, every lie in an interview. But nothing could ever make me ready for this. You break all my rules, Walker, and I love you for it anyway."
He stilled over her and she realized what she'd said. "As a friend, I mean."
"As a friend," he agreed. "We are excellent friends."
"The very best."
"I look forward to getting even closer." A salacious grin crossed his face as he unrolled the condom onto himself.
"Can't wait." The words were strangled as he shifted her under him.
"No going back in a second," he said. "Are you sure about this?"
She ran her fingers over his jawbone. "I want you," she promised. "I'm sure if you are."
"Haven't you realized?" he asked, kissing the tip of her toes. "You're my fantasy come to life, sweetheart."
Catching her gaze with his, he pushed forward into her.
Clara gasped, throwing her head back at the feeling of him filling her to the brim. Her body stretched to accommodate him until he was fully seated within her.
"Christ, you're tight," he groaned, his fingers digging into her hips.
"Again," she sighed.
Taking her lips with his, he withdrew only to thrust back into her.
Clara moaned against his mouth, wrapping an arm around him as he rocked into her. Each stroke sent pleasure rushing along every nerve ending. She'd never needed anyone like this before. Bending her knees, she pulled him in deeper as they moved together with a rhythm that felt too right.
"More," she breathed, throwing back her head so he could run his mouth down her throat. He bit the skin at her nape, making her clench around him.
"Come on, Clara," he whispered in her ear. "Take what you need."
She bit her lip, closing her eyes as the pleasure swamped over her. She was so close. Just a little more and she'd break apart in his arms.
And she didn't want to miss that moment. Opening her eyes, she stared up at her best friend as the best orgasm of her life crept closer.
"Don't stop," she begged.
"Never." His promise was immediate.
Stroke after stroke sent her higher until she trembled on the edge, her climax so close she could almost taste it.
"Clara," he cried, her name a benediction on his lips.
The sound of his need sent her over the edge. With another thrust, her orgasm crashed over her, forcing his name from her lips in a helpless cry.
He drove into her a few more times before his hoarse shout joined hers. Wrapping her arms around him, she held on as pleasure flooded every inch of her, making the world spin before her eyes.
As the tingles of her aftermath tickled along her senses, she turned her head to see the man in her arms. He'd collapsed half on top of her as his own climax had overtaken him.
Now he opened his eyes to meet her gaze, satiation clear in his expression. Shifting, he rolled to the side so he wouldn't squish her, but she didn't want to let him get farther than that.
"Hey," he said as they panted together.
"Hey," she replied to the man who was her best friend and suddenly, so much more.
Pulling her closer, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Thank you," he whispered.
Closing her eyes, she cuddled closer. If anyone deserved gratitude it was him. He'd opened this door for them and despite what might come with the dawn, it was a night she'd never forget.
Here's hoping it was also a night she'd never regret.
Chapter Fourteen
Clara grinned at her reflection.
She couldn't shake the silly smile as she brushed the bird's nest that was her hair. A dreamy sigh escaped her as she thought about the night before. Walker had been as ravenous as she was. She'd lost track of the times they'd reached for each other, reveling in their abilities to explore each other in a way they never had before.
Her responsibilities were the last thing on her mind this morning. All she wanted to do was stay in bed. But Hunter had woken up early, and Walker had gone to see to his son, though not before dropping a kiss on her lips and telling her to go back to sleep before he left.
She'd taken extra care with her clothes and idled upstairs longer than normal. Part of her wanted to go see him, but another part worried that the fairytale would be over when she did. If this had been a one-time deal, she wasn't sure she could slip back into the friendzone so easily if that's what he wanted.
If Walker thought he was capable of giving a relationship a try, she'd say yes without any hesitation. But if he just wanted them to be friends who occasionally slept together …
The smile faded from her lips. Last night had made it very clear to her she wanted more from him. She wasn't content to be just one more name on his headboard as he drifted through his life. No, she wanted to be the last name. Ever.
"Hell," she whispered. This was the worst possible time to be starting a new relationship. Children put seasoned marriages around the ringer, and she thought they'd be able to weather this storm?
Then again, most marriages didn't have access to deep bank accounts and an on-call nanny.
"You won't know anything if you stay up here," she told herself.
Grabbing her purse, she gave her reflection one last look and headed downstairs.
Walker and Hunter were already in the kitchen. The baby was strapped into his high chair while Walker attempted to make him formula.
"Doing okay?" she asked over his shoulder.
"Starting to get it," he replied, reaching out to her. Clara smiled at his morning kiss of greeting, though she couldn't help glancing at Hunter when her lover drew back.
"Relax," he whispered in her ear. "He's just a baby. He has no idea the scandalous things I want to do with you."
"Walker," she hissed, whacking his arm even as she tried to deny the pleasure rushing through her.
"There's coffee waiting for you on the island," he said, turning his attention back to the formula.
"My hero," she said, sliding into the waiting chair. Sipping her drink, she waited for him to finish.
Things don't feel awkward, she thought. But they also don't feel different.
Were they going to fall back into old patterns of just being friends? Her fingers tightened on the cup. Losing Walker would be the worst outcome for them, but bottling up her feelings again to just be his buddy might be even more painful.
He tested the formula on his wrist and walked over to Hunter. She watched silently as he hoisted the baby into his arms and tried to start feeding him.
"Not like that," she said. Slipping from her chair, she helped adjust Hunter's position so the baby could latch on to the bottle more easily.
"What would I do without you?" he asked, staring down at his son.
Clara smiled as she watched them. "You'll never have to find out."
For better or worse, there was no leaving him. If they had to go back to being only friends, then they'd find a way to make it work.
I'll always have the memory of our one perfect night. It's better than nothing.
Wasn't it?
"I should get going," she said, setting the coffee down.
"Now?" he asked, glancing at the stove clock. "Where do you have to be on a Saturday morning?"
"I thought I'd head back to my place to pick up some more clothes. There're a few things I'm missing and a few errands I need to run. I'll probably be gone most of the day."
"Hey," he said, stepping into her path when she tried to leave the kitchen. "What's going on?"
"Nothing," she said, looking anywhere but at him.
"Really? Then you're not wondering where we stand? Because I sure as hell am."
Her gaze flew to his. "You are?"
"I don't make a habit with sleeping with my best friends. This is new territory for me too."
She bit her lower lip. "What do you think?"
His gaze softened. "I think I'd like to have this conversation when I don't have a hungry baby in my arms. Then I'd brush back your hair and assure you I'd love nothing more than to repeat last night."
She drifted closer. "I would, too."
His smile widened. "Then we're on the same page."
"No promises, no strings."
"And no stopping." He brushed a kiss over her lips. "Is that okay with you?"
She reached up to cup his jaw. "I won't lie and say I'm not a little nervous about this no commitment thing, but I do get it. A lot is changing right now. Hunter needs to be the priority for both of us."
She brushed the downy baby hair off Hunter's forehead before dropping a kiss on his head.
"I'm sorry I can't-"
"Hush," she said. "I get it, Walker. Let's just take this one day at a time."
"Thank you," he said, leaning down to join their mouths. The kiss was light and sweet, but it still made her body shiver in remembrance of just how good things could be when they touched.