“Why can’t we keep having sex?”
“Because having sex with someone you live with is halfway to being in a relationship.”
“It is?” She let out a sigh. “Your logic seems sound. I think you might be on to something.” And if it didn’t work out, at least she’d have another evening of good sex.
“Glad I could help.”
“I have to say, since you’ve been married, I haven’t been able to offer you much assistance.”
“I’m happy and secure in my relationship. It’s an amazing thing. You should try it.”
“Uh, oh. I’ve got to go. Seventy-nine emails waiting.”
“Good luck. Let me know how it goes.”
“Will do.”
Alyssa spent her lunch break at her desk listing the pros and cons of hooking up with Grayson again.
No matter how she tried to force a different answer, it kept coming up the same.
* * * *
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Alyssa muttered to herself after work as she took a seat on the same bench where Grayson sat when he waited for her the week before.
Fortunately, she put on sexy panties and a matching bra this morning. She glanced down at her ho-hum black pants and tailored pink shirt. It wasn’t particularly sexy, but he’d already seen the goods, maybe it would be enough to interest him.
Up until she’d gotten off the elevator, she’d been set on going back to her apartment with Sasha to try begging again. But she couldn’t make herself leave.
She watched everyone rushing out of the building, eager to move on to the weekend.
Every tall, dark-haired man made her heart skip a beat, until the tall, dark-haired man she was looking for finally walked out of the building. Her heart pounded erratically.
She watched as he slowed down and glanced around the sidewalk as if he was meeting someone. Then he frowned and started walking again. She almost couldn’t move, but seeing him made her want him all the more.
“Grayson!” she shouted to get his attention.
He turned toward his name and she almost melted at the big grin that broke across his handsome face.
Could he have been looking for her? That was a ridiculous thought.
* * * *
Alyssa was there, and she was walking closer to him.
He’d looked for her for the last three days since she turned down his offer to move in. He’d hoped if they ran into each other again, she might change her mind. He was getting desperate.
Every morning when he got his coffee, he would linger in front of the shop. Every time the elevator opened on the twenty-third floor, he prayed she would get on. Every night when he walked out of the building, he wished she’d be there waiting for him.
And here she was.
“Hey,” he said, realizing too late he was smiling like a complete idiot. He was just so happy to see her, he couldn’t keep it in. “How’s it going?”
“Actually, I’ve had a pretty sucky day. I was wondering if you might want to hang out.”
“Hang out? As in…?” He wanted to make sure he understood.
“You know what ‘hang out’ means, Grayson. Don’t be coy. Coy only works with women you haven’t already slept with.”
“I wasn’t trying to be coy. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t getting my hopes up only to find out I misunderstood and you just wanted to get a pizza.”
She twisted her full lips over to one side while she thought that over.
“Honestly, if we could work in a pizza, that would be awesome because I’m starving.”
Grayson chuckled and nodded.
“I’m hungry too. It’s early, and I assume we have all night?” he hinted.
“Yeah.”
They walked together side by side. When he was forced to step behind her because of other people on the sidewalk, he used the opportunity to check out her ass.
“So is this just another one-time thing or have you reconsidered my offer to move in?” He was in uncharted waters. He wanted to have sex with Alyssa again. The first time he’d gone along with her invitation to have a one-night stand because he didn’t really think it would be only one night. But now he didn’t know what to expect. She seemed pretty serious about it not turning into more.
“It’s a one-time thing. And if I were to reconsider your offer, it would mean we wouldn’t sleep together anymore.”
“I see. No wiggle room on that rule, huh?” Living together without sex seemed impossible. He really liked sex. And he really, really liked sex with Alyssa.
“None.”
“You know, you wouldn’t have needed to stalk me if you’d just agreed to exchange phone numbers,” he said with a laugh.
“Fine. I’m ready to give it to you now.”
“Seriously?” He glanced at her.
“What? Now you’re spooked because I’m showing an interest in you? What is with guys? You all want what you can’t have, but then when you get it, you don’t want it anymore. Just forget it,” she said, and turned to walk away.
“Hey, wait. I didn’t say I didn’t want it anymore. I definitely want it. Whether I have to chase you down or you throw yourself at me doesn’t matter as long as I get to sleep with you again. I was only asking because I wondered what made you change your mind. That’s all.”
“I’m not throwing myself at you.” Her brows moved up to her hairline.
“Fine. You were just resting on the bench when I happened to walk out of the building.”
She seemed satisfied with his answer and nodded.
“I had a horrible week. I know you’re extremely good at relieving stress. Why should I take the time to hunt down someone else who might not do as good of a job when I know where to find you?”
“I think that was my point last Friday,” he noted.
“It was a good point. I just needed a little time to think it over.”
“Stubborn.” He gave her a crooked grin that made her smile.
“I like to think of it as strong-willed.”
“It’s all in how you spin it, I guess.” He shrugged.
“So are you in, or do you just need to be right?” she asked.
“Oh, I’m definitely in.”
They walked along the street among the hordes of excited people who were eagerly anticipating the weekend. Gray found he was eagerly anticipating his Friday night at least.
He looked up at the buildings and breathed in the smell of the city. There was nothing else like it.
Grayson reached over and took her hand in his, giving it a little squeeze. He didn’t say anything, just a twitch of his lips to let her know he was happy. He liked that she didn’t babble. It would have ruined the moment. She squeezed his hand back, making the moment even better. He was trying to keep his smile under control, but it was quite difficult.
It felt like he had rubbed a lamp and had two of his wishes granted: Alyssa. Sex with Alyssa.
His third wish would have been that she moved in,