EWB: Enemies With Benefits

by N.R. Walker

I took the short, sharp knife and handed it to him. “Roma tomatoes. Cut lengthways.” He smirked. “Mm, bossy. You know I like that.”

“Oh my god!” He barked out a laugh. “Ream and cream. I’ll have to remember that.”

“A washing machine?” “Yeah. I put loads in it.”

I knew which door was his. I knew where the light switch was. I knew the way to his bedroom. There was no denying shit now.

Lleyton was sitting across from Valentine, and Valentine sighed. “He’s mean,” he mumbled, but at least he sipped some water. “Argues a lot ’n’ makes me eat.”

“He’s never let anyone into his world, into his life. In all the years I’ve known him. Except you.”

“Oh, come on,” he said. “You can open your mouth wider than that. I know you can. I’ve seen it firsthand.”

I know relationships aren’t your deal, Valentine, so I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you’re in one.”

“Hey, cat,” I mumbled. “You’re in my spot.”

Marshall laughed. “You’re cute when you’re hungover and sulking. But if you keep pouting like that, I’ll find a better use for that mouth.”

But then Marshall shoved me onto the bed, folded me in half and fucked me good and hard. Like he loathed me. Like he couldn’t get enough of me. Like he loved me.

I fully surrendered to him, to his power over me, and when he begged me to come inside him, I surrendered that as well.

“You won’t end us,” I murmured. “Because you need me. You need this as much as I do.”

You don’t want to want me. You don’t want to need me. But you do.” Valentine shook his head. “No.” “And I don’t want to want you either,” I murmured. “But I do.”

“We’re finished. This agreement is over.” “No it’s not. We’re far from over.”

“Bullshit. You cannot lie to me.” “I don’t need anything—” “You need me!”

My voice was just a whisper. “You need me to love you and it terrifies you.”

“I hate that I don’t hate you anymore.” Another tear fell and Valentine scrubbed it away. “You know what? Fuck you.”

Valentine’s chin wobbled and fresh tears fell. “Then we’re over. This is done. Whatever the fuck this was. It won’t work.”

“I don’t want you. I don’t need you,” Valentine mumbled. “I don’t believe you.” “I’m better off without you.”

I sighed. “If you really want me gone, if you really don’t want me to love you, then tell me you don’t want me to love you and I’ll go. I’ll walk out right now.” Valentine sobbed. “I don’t want you to love me,” he whispered as he cried.

“I can’t make you love me. But I can love you. I know you think you’re not loveable, or you’re not worth worthy of it, but you are.” God, my heart hurt so damn much. “I wish I could make you see that.”

This is your fault. I was fine before you came along. I never needed anyone until you.”

Because I needed him. I’d never needed anyone or anything in my life. Marshall Wise ruined me. He made me feel things. He made me want things. He showed me what happiness was. He showed me what it felt like to be important to someone.

You’re worth it. You deserve something good in your life. And that’s me, if you haven’t guessed. I’m the good thing you deserve.”

lovemaking instead of the hard fucking I craved—before he left for work the next morning, he flattened me on the bed, held me down, and rammed another load into me. Then he slapped my arse and walked out.

“I said it, and you know what? I’m not sorry. And it’s your fucking fault. You made me fall in love with you with the whole I-want-you-to-come-inside-me thing. Like what was I supposed to do? Not fall in love with you?”

“I love you too.” Holy shit. Holy fucking shit. I was smiling like an idiot and kissed him. “Was it because I came inside you? It was, wasn’t it?” He burst out laughing. “Pretty sure it was, yeah.” “I knew it.”

“Good game,” Valentine said. I turned then, smiling, because I was a total goner. “Thanks.” “I was talking to Taka,” he said casually. “Though the way you fumbled the ball was outstanding.”

He was such a whore. He was my whore.

and I happened to be near Valentine when he was about to get his fight on—which was hot as fuck, by the way—and their reaction towards me made half my team take notice.

Also no one hurt him, so I didn’t have to kill anyone. Always a good thing.

Though if you want me to wear a ring so people know I belong to you, then there’s really no point, because anytime we’re together you kinda growl at anyone who looks at me, so there’s no mistaking—” Marshall patted my leg. “Stop talking.”

“Fucking hell, Marshall. Well, now you better fucking ask me,” I snapped. “Since you brought it up and made a whole scene.” Brooklyn snorted behind her bottle of beer. “This is the best thing I’ve ever seen.”