When Lightning Strikes (Whiskey Creek #1)(43)
Author: Brenda Novak

“But I’m afraid you don’t really understand what’ll happen on a personal level.”

“We spelled everything out in the contract. What else is there to understand?”

“This could get very complicated.”

“It’s already complicated.”

“Not as bad as it will be with time.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “This is just the beginning.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about met and unmet expectations and desires, our developing friendship, the obligations that’ll go with it, becoming accustomed to having each other around. I’m talking about jealousy, familiarity, entitlement and all the other ways our lives will become entwined, including relationships we form along the way with the people around us. Our ‘deal’ sounded simple enough when we made it, even to me. But I didn’t really like you then, didn’t see myself as ever liking you. I certainly didn’t anticipate coming to Whiskey Creek and getting to know the people who are closest to you.”

“Sometimes you can be too blunt,” she said.

“I’m trying to be fair!”

“That’s the problem? That’s what has you so freaked out? You  like me?”

“Yes, and you seem to like me.”

“I do, but that’s good. It means our marriage won’t be as miserable as we both thought.”

There were a few seconds of silence. “The problem is, I will never love you, Gail,” he said. “You understand that, right? I don’t want to find myself in the same situation I was in with  Bella—ever. I won’t allow another woman to hold that kind of power over me.”

She nibbled her lip. He had loved Bella. He was still in love with her, just as Gail had expected. “I’m not trying to keep you, Simon.”

“I know that. Now. But…what if it changes? What if we make love and—”

“We’re not going to make love. I’ve already told you that. We can keep it simple if we want to. You just worry about staying clean and sober and acting like the dutiful husband in public. I’ll take care of myself.”

He was staring at her; she could see the shine in his eyes. “I just hope you don’t live to regret getting involved with me. I don’t want to leave you worse off than when I found you. I have enough on my conscience,” he said. Then he rolled over and went to sleep.

* * *

When Gail woke up, she had her face pressed to Simon’s back. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of pajama bottoms, probably because her bed wasn’t as big as his and that meant there wasn’t much room to avoid each other. But she didn’t care about staying on her side at this particular moment. She was too relieved he hadn’t left. When she’d finally dropped off into an uneasy sleep she’d worried that he’d be gone by morning.

But he was still here, and it seemed he’d actually stayed in bed and been able to get some rest. She was so happy about those two things that she slid an arm around his waist, gave him a squeeze and kissed his back. “You made it.”

“Hmm?” His arm covered hers, holding it in place, but he seemed reluctant to wake.

“Your first night in Whiskey Creek is behind you.”

Letting her go, he stretched and turned to face her. “Once I closed my eyes I didn’t even stir. I can’t tell you the last time that’s happened to me.”

She leaned over him, smiling. “It’s a sign. Don’t you think?”

Reaching up, he tucked her long hair behind one ear. “What kind of sign?”

“That last night you were worried for nothing. You’re where you should be. I’m glad you didn’t give up.”

“I was too exhausted to drive, anyway.”

He could never take any credit when he did something right. That would destroy his bad-boy image. But she was so proud of him she couldn’t help bending her head to kiss his whisker-roughened cheek. “We can both get everything we want—as friends.”

“You’re becoming pretty comfortable with me,” he said as she pulled away.

“We like each other now, remember?”

His gaze dipped to her braless chest. “I think I’m liking you a little too much.”

“Meaning…”

“What do you have against friends with benefits?”

She made a face. “Quit pretending. Last night you acted as if sex between us would be a terrible thing.”

“It would be. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want it.”

“Sorry. We can be affectionate but not intimate. That’s how we’ll get through the next two years.”

He covered his eyes with one arm. “Sounds safe—but boring.”

Now that he wasn’t watching her, she let her gaze range over him. He was so attractive—even with the imprint of the bedding on his cheek and his hair mussed. She loved the rough-hewn angles of his face, the smoothness of his golden skin, the thickness of his unruly hair.

“You like what you see?”

She felt herself blush. “So I was looking. Big deal. You’re handsome. Everyone knows that.”

“Don’t worry. In case you haven’t heard, it’s only skin-deep.”

She’d believed that once, but not anymore. He had plenty of good qualities. One of them was an active conscience. Who knew?

“Fine. Then I won’t be tempted. Safe is our new buzzword,” she said, and hopped out of bed.

His biceps bulged as he propped up his head with his arms. “Are you really getting up?”

“We both are.”

“Why? It’s early.”

“We have a coffee date.”

He watched as she searched through her suitcase. “We?”

“As in…both of us?”

“That’s the ‘we’ I thought you meant. Who are we meeting?”

“The friends I grew up with.”

“What time?” He didn’t sound particularly enthusiastic.

She glanced at the clock. It was 7:10. “In twenty minutes.”

Sprawling across the bed, he shoved his head under her pillow. “Can’t we put it off for an hour or two?”

“I wish. There’s no time to even shower. But…unlike us, they have to work.”

“How many people are we talking about?” His voice was muffled, but she could understand him.

“Depends. It’s a standing date for anyone who can come.”