✿ Aileen's POV

“I thought we were in this together?”

I drag my eyes from the mixing bowl in front of me, looking up at Tracy. She’s leaning over the front counter of the bakery, a frown on her face.

“We are” I reply with no clue of what she is talking about.

“Really?”

Aahh itʼs definitely what Iʼm baking.

“Yes, Tray” I chuckle.

Iʼll bake you a set later. Iʼm making this especially for Reid.

“Then why didn’t you tell me you and Reid had sex?”

“W-What?” I sputter. “How did you know?”

“I didn’t. But now I do” She beams, clapping her hands together and bouncing up and down. “Oh my gosh. I knew this day would come!”

I huff.

“You suck sometimes, you know that?”

“I’m aware.”

“How did you know?”

She lifts a slender shoulder.

“My sex radar is never wrong. So I just know these things. Plus, you have that I just got fucked glow about you. Man, I miss that glow” She sighs longingly.

Then shakes her head.

“But never mind that. I have so many questions. When did it happen? How did it happen? Are you guys dating now? When are you getting married?”

“Settle down, you freak.”

“I can’t!” She laughs. “I’m just so excited for you. Finally! You two jumped each otherʼs bones” Thereʼs more clapping. “I’ve waited so long for you two to wake up and realize you have feelings for each other.”

“Uh-huh.”

She stops bouncing and pins me with those startling brown eyes of hers.

“Are you still denying it?”

“No. I have feelings for him.”

“And Reid?”

I shrug absentmindedly.

“Yeah, he does.”

“And?”

I roll my eyes at her nosiness but smile anyway.

“What do you want to know?”

She mirrors my position.

“You’re not dating?”

“No exactly.”

“But you are sleeping together?”

“Yes.”

“How many times have you had sex?”

“Thirty... and a half if you count the quickie we had on his office table when I delivered his coffee this afternoon.”

Tracy gasps, excitement in her eyes.

“Oh my goodness! Wait, when did this even start?”

“The day I was released from the hospital.”

“And?”

I know what she’s asking even without her saying it.
I do everything to hold back my sigh as I think about the way Reid is in bed... out of bed... in the shower... on the kitchen island, in the pool... and the backseat of his car.

He’s attentive. Demanding, yet gentle. Rough in all the right ways.

“It’s beyond incredible.”

“You lucky bastard” She grins. “The only reason I’m not jealous is because I’ve sworn off dick.”

“Right” I tease and she swipes at the mixing bowl.

I chuckle and push away from the counter.

“So, if you like each other, and you’re not dating but you’re sleeping together, you’re... what? Friends with benefits?”

“No contract, no labels, Tray. He hasnʼt said the 'L' word and I donʼt want to. I might be coming in too fast and I could scare him. I canʼt handle that.”

Tracy tilts her head, pursing her lips, studying me.

“So he didnʼt said 'Iʼd like to fuck you'?”

I throw a paper towel at her and she laughs.

“You know what I mean, Tray.”

She nods.

“Hm.”

“What?”

“It’s just...” she starts, “Iʼm proud of you for successfully executing your virginityʼs funeral but... do you think this is a good idea?”

“Which part?”

“All of it. No labels. You holding back from saying the 'L' word because you’re afraid youʼll scare him. Your feelings for each other. Aren’t you worried it’ll get all... confusing? Worried this will all go up in flames if you donʼt identify what you two have?”

“No” I immediately shake my head. “We’re adults. We can handle whatever.”

Another head tilt.

“What” This time it doesn’t come out as a question. I’m starting to get annoyed.

“So youʼre okay with it being like this?”

“Being like what, Tray? I let him see me naked. I see him naked. We have sex... a lot of it. Incredible... not forgetting to mention. I like how he makes me feel. He li—loves how I make him feel” I correct with a chuckle. “We balance each other. Weʼre good for each other. Weʼre the perfect fit. He doesnʼt care about what anyone has to say about him choosing to be with me and we donʼt need a label to keep us together, okay, Tray?”

She frowns at my answer.

“Lee.”

“Relax” I chuckle, “You’re overthinking this. One step at a time. But most importantly, we’re on the same page with this so youʼve got nothing to worry about.”

She heaves a sigh.

“Yeah. It’s just... be careful, okay? I love you. And I love this for you. But I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“I’m a big girl now, Tracy. I’ll be fine.”

I hope.

✯✯✯✯✯✯

✿ Reid's POV

“You could have at least told me you were inviting someone over. I would have, oh I don’t know, put a damn bra on.”

“Don’t look at her tits” I point to my best friend, who is still standing in the doorway, a six-pack of beer in one hand. “Sirius move. Come on in, man.”

Hernan steps in.

“Hi, Lee. Sorry, he’s an idiot and didn’t tell you I was coming over.”

Pulling away from their very brief hug, Aileen glares at me.
I shrug.

“What? I wanted someone else to watch the game with for a change.”

“I wasn’t that bad.”

“Weren’t you though?”

I can tell she wants to argue, but she knows I’m right.

Just two nights ago she came home to find me on the couch watching a game. She didn’t even change out of her work clothes, just flopped down on the couch, ate no less than ten wings, and forced me to explain the entire sport to her.

I’ll never tell her this, but it was my favorite game I’ve ever watched.

“I’ll just go busy myself or something. Maybe call home and bathe Sirius while you stare at other guys’ butts.”

“I just want to go on record saying I will not be staring at other guys’ butts. I don’t even like baseball,” Hernan says.

“So you’d be looking at the butts if they weren’t attached to the players huh?” she teases him.

His eyes widen, panicked.

“Leave him alone, Lee,” I tell her.

“I’m going, I’m going. But only because I do have a lot to do and not because I’m letting you boss me around. I just don’t want to be around you anymore.”

“What’d I tell you about your shortness and that sass of yours? There’s too little of you and too much of it.”

She scowls.

“I hate you.”

“Liar” I grin.

Spinning on her heel, she turns to Hernan.

“I won’t tell anyone you watch for the butts. I know that’s why I endure it.”

He laughs.

“I appreciate that.”

She turns her false angry eyes on me once more before stomping off down the hall. And I can’t wipe the goofy smile off my face as I watch her sashay away.

When she disappears into her room, I turn to Hernan and he raises his brow.

“What?” I say, grabbing the six-pack from his hand.

“Nothing. I really like her, man. She’s feisty.”

“If by feisty you mean annoying sometimes, then yes” I motion for him to follow me into the house. “First pitch was already thrown. I put the wings in the oven to warm ’em up. I’ll pop these in the fridge.”

I take off for the kitchen and Hernan heads for the living room.

“’Sup, big guy?” I hear him say to Sirius.

I smile as I slide all but two beers into the fridge and check on the wings. Sirius follows me as I move around the kitchen. I’m on my way to the living room when our bedroom door opens. I stop in my tracks as Aileen walks out.

“Hi, sweetie. Ready for your bath?” she looks down at Sirius.

Then arching a single brow my way when she notices me standing and staring at her, she lifts her shirt, flashing me her tits.

Jesus!

Then she drops her top, blows me a kiss, and hurries away like nothing happened. I fight to not drop the beers, scoop her into my arms, and show her there are consequences for acting like that.

Fucking tease.

Sirius barrels past me and into the room, running straight to Hernan as he takes a seat on the couch. To my surprise, he gets right into Hernan’s lap, even though heʼs too big.

“Well thatʼs a first,” Hernan chuckles, giving him scratches behind his ear. “Leeʼs probably the one behind this positive change in Sirius.”

I chuckle. My best friend grabs the beer I hand him and cracks the top open. “Thanks, man.”

I settle down at the other end of the couch, popping open my own drink.

“I don’t doubt it.”

“And did you redecorate? It looks... different in here. Much homier. You should ask her to redecorate your apartment. Itʼs boring in there” He takes a drink of his beer, turning his attention to the game on the TV.

It was still the same. No redecorating.

Maybe itʼs the sex weʼve been having all over the place.

I hold back a chuckle.

Maybe I will ask her to take a look at my apartment.

Iʼd like to have those silly knickknacks shaped like s’mores she has on the shelves, or the many throw pillows she has piled up on the couch. That ugly bean bag. And our mural on the wall.

Gah, I really like her donʼt I?

And of course, I like her. Itʼs not even because of the phenomenal sex we have. Aileen’s funny. Whip-smart. One of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met. She’s caring and dedicated to the people in her life. And as much as she frustrates me sometimes, she intrigues me.

For the first time in a long time, I’m not looking to fill my life with distractions or activities. I’m good with just existing in this space with her. I don’t bother trying to drown myself in work, and I no longer find myself scrolling my phone at the gym long after my workout session is over.

I just want to race home and be with her.

It scares me, considering our arrangement and how unlabeled it is.

I relax into the couch and try not to think too much about things I shouldn’t be thinking about. I take a long pull of my beer.

“So, when did you start sleeping together?”

Beer bubbles back up, dribbling out of my mouth and down my chin. I wipe the mess with the back of my hand, and Hernan laughs.

“What the fuck, dude?”

“Sorry, not sorry” He shrugs. “So, when did it start up?”

I glance toward the hall, making sure Lee is still tucked safely inside the bedroom where she can’t hear our conversation.

“What makes you think we’re sleeping together?” I ask when I’m sure the coast is clear.

But I keep my voice low though, just in case.

Hernan gives me a 'Don’t bullshit me' look.

“Well for one, you’re happier. That means one of two things: your mother no longer detests Leeʼs existence, or you’re getting your dick sucked frequently.”

“Jesus, Hernan.”

“Just Hernan is fine,” he says.

I shake my head at him, and he lifts a questioning brow.
I roll my eyes.

“About a month ago” I take another drink of my beer. “But it’s just sex.”

He grins, feeling damn proud of himself, I’m sure.

“I fucking knew it.”

“You didn’t know shit.”

“Did too. You usually talk my ear off about this bro, but suddenly you were all clammed up. I’ve known you a long damn time, Ben. When you’re not vocal about what you’re doing, it means you know you shouldn’t be doing it.”

“I shouldn’t be sleeping with her?”

“No, man, you definitely should. You two have danced around it long enough. It’s that friends-with-benefits, just-sex bullshit you’re feeding each other that you know you shouldn’t be doing.”

“Hernan, it’s just—”

“Sex. Oh, I heard you. I just don’t believe you.”

“Why the fuck not?”

“Because it’s never just sex for you.”

“I’ve had casual sex before,” I argue. “Many times.”

“Sure, but not with anyone you actually give a shit about. There’s a big difference between the two.”

“I—”

Fuck. Heʼs onto me.

“So what the heck are you doing, Reid?”

“Hey, itʼs not like I forced her. She was very willing. Trust me.”

Hernan frowns a little.

“Iʼm going to speak frankly here, Reid.”

“I thought you always did.”

“Well, with you it seems to be the only thing that works” Hernan raises a questioning brow at me.

“Fine, fire away.”

“A woman like Lee deserves much more than just casual sex. Sheʼs too good for you Reid. Iʼm sorry to say that, but itʼs true. She deserves a lot more than you can give her.”

The words cut me deeply but heʼs right.

“Look, whatever youʼre doing, break this off man. Please. Before itʼs too late and she falls in love with all your many charms” Hernan places his arm on my shoulder, “Youʼre going to break yet another womanʼs heart. And this heart does not deserve to be broken.”

I groan.

“Iʼm serious dude. Lee is one in a million. She deserves all the bells and whistles that life has to offer. Love, marriage, kids, the full package. And I know you canʼt give her that. So please, step away.”

“But what if I want to give her the bells and whistles, Hernan?” my voice comes out quiet and coy and Hernan snaps his head around to look at me more closely.

“What?” he sounds shocked and scrutinizes me.

“What if I want to give her the full package? What if sheʼs the only person I want to do everything with?”

Then Hernan starts to grin.

“You really like her, don’t you?”

“Whatʼs there not to like? Youʼve seen the woman. And I wouldn’t be sleeping with her if I didn’t.”

“You know what I mean” he chuckles.

I groan, tossing my head back and running a hand through my hair, frustrated with myself.

“That night... in the cellar. I thought I was the one going to die, not her. Iʼd never been that scared in my entire life. It felt as if someone was ripping my heart out of my very alive self when she wouldnʼt open her eyes. I... I think Iʼm in love with her, Hernan. Like really in love with her. And even if we werenʼt having the incredible sex my feelings wouldnʼt change. And this shit scares the life out of me.”

“Does she know?” Hernan asks.

“Weʼve had part of that conversation but... I donʼt want to scare her away with my feelings. Theyʼre overwhelming sometimes and I donʼt want to put her through any shit till I get my shit under control.”

My best friend laughs lightly, turning back to the TV.

“Iʼm happy for you. Whether youʼve got your shit together or not.”

I chuckle.

“But just donʼt hurt her, okay? Because intentionally or not, when it comes to you, it always seems to end in tears.”

Fuck me if I don’t hope he’s wrong.

✯✯✯✯✯✯

Aileen groans when I pull up in front of my parent's house.

“Do we have to?”

I chuckle.

“Yes. Two minutes.”

She turns to me and runs a hand down my chest.

“Do you really have to?” she drops her tone.

A growl rumbles in my chest and I lean over to kiss her. But before she seduces me and I take her right here, I pull away.

“Excellent attempt, angel. But yes. I really need those documents” I smile and kiss her forehead before turning off the engine.

She makes a face and unbuckles her seat belt.

“Couldnʼt you have remembered to pick it up on Friday?” she pouts as I climb out and walk over to her side to open the door for her.

“Well yeah. But I was in too much of a hurry to get home and bend you over my desk. You canʼt possibly blame me for that one.”

She smiles up at me as she steps out of the car and wraps her arms around my neck.

“I wouldnʼt dream of it” she whispers and kisses me.

When my hand squeezes her hips she squeals and pulls away, making me chuckle.

“How about we have a quick one in your office?”

“Supposing you get here fast enough” she pecks my lips.

“One minute” I assure her and close the car door.

She chuckles as I lead her inside the house.

“Okay, donʼt move. Iʼll be right down—”

“Reid” a voice cuts me off.

I turn.

“Pierre?” Aileen speaks up.

Whatʼs he doing here?

“Lee, hey!” Asha chirps out of nowhere, making her way over to us to wrap my girl in a hug.

“Nice to see you, Ash” I tease.

She flips me the bird and I chuckle.

“What are you two doing here?” she asks, looking from me to Lee.

“Oh well he came to get some docu—”

“Was that my babyʼs voice I heard?” I hear my motherʼs voice ring through the house before I see her. “Oh, my sweet boy! Iʼve missed you so much. Youʼre hardly home now—” She stops short when she notices Aileen by Ashaʼs side. “I see why.”

“Iʼm not home, Mom. I came to get something from my room” I say matter of factly.

She frowns.

“Of course you did.”

“Ben” my father appears beside her. “Glad youʼre here.”

“Hi Dad” I smile his way, “Not here for long.”

“Yes but hang on” he stops me. “We need to talk.”

I glance at Aileen and then back at him.

“Okay. What is it?”

My father gestures to Pierre and he steps forward. Something immediately clicks and I tense up.

“Is she okay?” I find myself asking and frowning a little.

Pierre gives me a small smile.

“Yes. She just had a little accident down the stairs but no injuries thankfully.”

I relax as relief washes over me.

Thank God.

“So whatʼs...” I glance at Asha, my parents, and then look back at Pierre, “... going on?”

“She wants to see you... all of you” Pierre replies, then rests his gaze behind me.

I follow his gaze and heʼs looking at Aileen.

“And most especially, your fiancée.”

Thank you for reading!
Please don't forget to vote.
Ciao
~the_atticwriter