Tease Me by Melissa Schroeder

didn’t think she could take that. She felt so
damned raw.
    She shook her head, but he leaned down
and kissed her. Just like that, she felt another orgasm
approaching, taking over her every thought. She bucked up against
him, pleasure and pain coursing through her body.
    “ That’s it. Yeah, all
those fantastic little ripples.”
    He thrust into her one more time then
stilled, groaning her name again. He collapsed on top of her but
she didn’t care. She wrapped her arms around Bran and closed her
eyes.
    It wasn’t forever, but it was enough
for now.

Chapter Seven

    Bran pulled out the carton of eggs,
setting them on the counter next to the stove. One thing about
knowing Tess so well, he knew just how she liked her
eggs.
    Tess.
    He couldn’t seem to think of anything
else. Bran hadn’t wanted to leave her to shower by herself. It had
been hard because he didn’t want to let her out of his sight.
Partially because the realization that he had fallen for his best
friend was new and exciting. The other reason was because Bran was
pretty sure if they hadn’t been at her house, she might
bolt.
    He grabbed the butter, throwing a
couple of pats in the skillet, then cracked the eggs carefully
dropping them in the butter. As the sound of them sizzled, he
started to think of the next step. They were too old to play games
and they knew each other too well.
    Not that well, now that he thought
about it. He would have never thought she’d be such a delight in
bed.
    “ Earth to
Johnson.”
    He shook his head and realized he was
standing at the stove daydreaming about her. When he focused on
her, it took him a second or two to come up with any words. How had
this happened? Tess had always been his best friend, the pal he
could talk to about anything. Now, though, he was at a loss to say
anything to her.
    “ You know, I like my eggs
over easy not over hard.”
    Her comment brought him out of his
stupor. “Sorry.”
    “ But I guess I shouldn’t
complain since you are making breakfast.”
    “ And I made you coffee. So
give me a kiss.”
    She glanced at him, as if trying to
gauge his mood. He had been right. She was going to try and keep
some distance between them.
    Leaning over, she gave him a kiss. He
wanted more, more than just the little peck she gave him, but he
let it go. At least for now.
    She poured them both a cup then set
them up on the breakfast bar. He finished cooking and soon they
were eating in silence.
    “ So, what are your plans
today?”
    “ I think sleeping. That
would be good.”
    He chuckled. “Sorry. I should have let
you sleep last night.”
    “ You don’t sound sorry,
and you shouldn’t be. I wouldn’t have changed a thing about last
night.”
    That made him feel a little better.
“But other than that…what are your plans?”
    She set down her fork and looked at
him. “I think we need to talk.”
    Okay, that didn’t sound good but Bran
decided to play along. “About what?”
    “ Well, last night was
great, but I think we need to make sure that we don’t get too
serious.”
    “ What do you mean…don’t
get serious?”
    She shrugged and wouldn’t look at him,
which was irritating. “I just think it would be best if we make
sure we don’t get too…involved. We’re both focused on our careers,
and this could get in the way. Not to mention, the issue of our
families.”
    He blinked trying to decide what she
was talking about. Then, it hit him.
    “ You want to be friends
with benefits?”
    Bran didn’t mean to yell the question,
but he couldn’t help it. It was one thing he hadn’t expected her to
say. Granted, he knew she was wary of him, but that shocked him to
his toes. Tess Keller, the girl who always played by the book, was
offering to be his bed buddy.
    “ I don’t know why you’re
so mad.”
    She looked genuinely confused by his
reaction. Hell, he was confused by it. In most cases, he was
completely comfortable with keeping things light, not making a fuss
over a