M: And to trust your gut

Something fluttered in her chest.

Z: My gut says we can do this. I want you, Mike.

There was another very long pause.

M: It’s a good thing we’re in separate rooms behind closed doors right now.

Her mouth twitched.

Z: My door’s wide open.

Total silence. No more squeaky floorboard. His door slowly opened, showing him in silhouette against the lantern light behind him. He’d taken his shirt off, and his solid chest had a shadow of dark hair across it. His jeans were unbuttoned and hung low on his hips. He looked like some Hot Men calendar model. Or a movie star. His hair was a tousled mess—he’d clearly been running his fingers through it the way he did. His eyes were dark and smoldering, fixed firmly on her.

She was sure she did not look like a movie star, despite her pose against the doorframe and the short nightgown. But she did her best, lifting her chin in mock confidence. Waiting for him to make the next move.

Each step Mike took seemed to take an eternity. She wanted his hands on her, but she forced herself to wait. He stopped in front of her and let his gaze move lazily down her body. She felt its path as surely as if he’d touched her. His eyes met hers, and his mouth slid into the sexiest smile she’d ever seen on a man.

He cupped her cheek with his hand, brushing his thumb against her skin.

“So we’re doing this?” he asked.

She caught just enough air in her lungs to let out a soft laugh. “If we don’t do this, I swear I’ll never speak to you again.”

“Well we can’t have that, can we?” His smile faltered. “This is one night out of a lifetime of knowing each other. One night doesn’t get to ruin that.”

She nodded, chewing her lower lip. “We’re two people agreeing to spend the night together with no expectations of...more. We have chemistry. We’re going to enjoy that chemistry. And we’re going to remain friends.”

“With benefits.” He winked, and she finally relaxed. This was her friend. And they were about to benefit. Younger people did it all the time, so why shouldn’t they?

“Friends with benefits. I like it.”

He leaned in and kissed her lips softly, holding there for a moment before speaking against her mouth.

“I like you.”

MIKE COULDN’T BELIEVE this was happening. Zoey, in nothing but her cute little nightie, was pressing against him, returning his kiss with a great deal of enthusiasm. He was instantly and impossibly hard against the zipper of his jeans.