The Truce (London Suits 1)

What a way to wake up.

“You owe me breakfast for that,” she announced, satisfied. She climbed out of bed and padded into the bathroom. I lay back, unable to stop a huge grin spreading over my face.

When I managed to drag myself out of bed, throwing on a T-shirt, I headed into the kitchen to find Olivia leaning against the counter, fiddling with her phone. She looked up as I entered the room and placed her phone down. Sliding her arms around me, she went up on her toes and pulled my head down to hers. My arms went around her waist, steadying her, and our lips met in a slow, lazy kiss.

“Morning, again,” I said hoarsely when we drew apart.

She smiled happily at me. “Hi. And what a perfect morning it is. What are we doing for breakfast?”

Moving over to the sink, she filled the kettle for tea, pouring us two large mugs and helping herself to milk from the fridge while I fried bacon and eggs. Depositing the food onto two plates along with slices of hot, buttery toast, I carried them over to my wooden dining table where she’d placed our mugs. We ate and drank in companionable silence until everything was gone. I was struck by how right she looked, sitting there, in my flat. I could get used to seeing that sight every morning.

No. Don’t even think it.

The silence stretched. Olivia fidgeted in her seat, playing with her cutlery.

“So,” I began, casting around for something to break the tension and saying the first thing that came to mind. “You sucking my magical dick first thing this morning was the best wake-up call I’ve ever had.”

I smacked my forehead internally. What the fuck, brain?

Olivia let out a surprised laugh.

“Glad to hear it,” she said, giggling. “I think we both enjoyed it, though, right? I mean, your dick is pretty magical.”

“Sure is.” I smirked, the tension gone. I leaned forward, meeting her eyes. “Listen. Let me be serious for a minute. I need to explain what happened yesterday.”

She sat back, a brow raised, but made no comment.

“I almost didn’t go to the party last night. I wanted to stay away, to let you make your decision about whether you wanted to be just friends or…” My voice trailed off.

“Fuck buddies?” she supplied.

“Well, yeah. I wanted to give you space, but I kept thinking about you, and before I knew it, I was in a taxi. I saw you on the dance floor, and you looked so sexy. I couldn’t focus on anything but you.”

She stared at me, her gaze searching. “So where does that leave us?” Her voice was quiet, unsure. “Have you changed your mind about wanting more? Because, if you want the truth, I really like you, Luke.”

My throat constricted at her words.

I had to be honest with her.

“Liv. I like you, too. Last night was fucking incredible. This morning, too. It’s not even just the sex, though. It’s you.”

Her big blue eyes widened, and a smile spread across her face. She let out a tiny whimper and jumped up, rounding the table and throwing herself into my lap. I encircled her in my arms, stroking her soft hair. She hugged me back, tightening her arms around me.

“I want to be with you,” she said, her voice sure. “Let’s do it, or try it out, at least. Friends with benefits. I have one condition, though.” Our eyes met, hers huge and serious. “I couldn’t handle you being with someone else at the same time. So I want you to promise me that if you meet someone else, or want to sleep with anyone else, you’ll do me the courtesy of telling me. And our arrangement will end. I’ll do the same, if it comes to that. Or…if either of us change our mind and want to go back to friends only.”

Something inside me twisted uncomfortably. “Okay. It’s a deal. We’ll try being friends with benefits, and if either of us want to end the arrangement at any point, we’ll tell the other.”

She pulled my face down to hers, and our mouths met in a hungry, desperate kiss.

“Liv,” I breathed, my dick already hard and ready.

She wriggled, sliding against me. “Luke.” She moaned. “I need you, now.”

I wasn’t about to say no, not when I was starting to need her just as badly.

When we emerged again, sated, I hunted for my phone while Olivia was in the shower, plugging it in to charge since the battery was almost dead. I messaged Ethan to give him a heads-up about Olivia. We’d arranged to go to the rugby together, and he was coming over beforehand. I wasn’t about to kick Liv out, but at least I could prewarn everyone to make it less awkward.

Me: Eth, you around mate?