A Mess of a Man (Cruel & Beautiful #2)(82)

“She’s good.”

Just like Cate knows me, I know she’s nodding her head in agreement.

“Good, I like her. She’s seems good for you.”

“She is. I’m going to meet her family for dinner in a few days.”

“Wow, you are serious about her.”

I shake my head. “I am. It’s weird—I don’t think I’ve met a girl’s parents since high school. And it should scare the shit out of me. And in a way it does. But I’m also kind of looking forward to it.”

“I have a good feeling about you two.”

When my next words spit out, I know I’ve been holding them in without anyone to talk to about this.

“I think I’m falling for her.”

A squeal rings my eardrum. “Oh, Benny, I’m so excited for you. Drew knew one day you’d fall in love.”

“Hey, I didn’t say the L word. I remember when Drew told me he was in love with you.”

The conversation fills my ear as if he were there.

“Ben, I think Cate’s the one.”

“Don’t f*ck around, Drew. She’s like my little sister.”

“I’m not f*cking around.”

“You’re right. You’re a serial monogamist.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“There is. Look at your last relationship with Rebecca and she turned out to be a class A bitch like I warned you.”

“Are you saying Cate’s a bitch?”

“Hell no,” I spit into the phone. “My little sister, remember?”

“I know, but I don’t get your point.”

“My point is maybe you need time before spouting the love shit. Are you even sure you’re over Rebecca? You know I saw her the other day.”

He pauses. The answer sometimes lies in the silence.

“I thought I was in love with Rebecca. But f*ck, man, I got over her. I don’t think love is something you get over ever, not real love at least.”

“Now you sound like a pansy. Dude, how do you ever get so much * being a *?”

He laughs. “One day my friend, you will fall.”

“Never.” And I’m so sure of that.

“You will.”

“Okay, how do you know you’re in love with Cate? I feel like as her big brother I have to make sure you’re the right guy for her.”

I’m teasing. The only friend I would ever have allowed to get close enough to date Jenna was Drew. If he hadn’t seen her like a sister, the way I saw Cate, I would have wanted them to hook up.

“She’s my first thought in the morning and my last thought when I go to sleep.”

“Damn, man, you don’t have to use that poetry shit on me.”

“It’s true. You’ll see. It’s like my mission in life to see her smile.”

“Okay, that shit isn’t contagious, is it? I feel like I’m talking to a girl.”

He laughs. “You’ll know when you’ve hit bottom when a gorgeous girl practically begs you to screw her and you aren’t the least bit tempted because she isn’t ‘your’ girl.”

“So have you been tempted?”

I shake off the memory. Had I just told Cate all of that? But the truth rolls off my tongue.

“No.”





Ben picks me up at six thirty and as soon as I open the door, I’m in his arms and our mouths devour each other’s. The kiss turns into much more and he walks me into my bedroom as he briefly pulls away from my lips.

“Do we have time?”

“Barely.”

“I can be fast and I know you can.” He’s already unzipping his pants and then reaching for mine. He tears mine off so fast, I’m surprised he doesn’t rip them. A giggle rushes past my lips.

“You think this is funny? I’m a desperate man. My cock has missed that * of yours, baby.”

“I can tell.”

His hand reaches for me, and he doesn’t have to tell me how wet I am. I already know. But the smirk that curls his lips tells me he’s happy with what he finds. Then the humor is gone and a seriousness takes its place.

“Sam, you’re gorgeous.” His mouth crashes against mine again as his hands reach under me lifting me onto him. In one movement he plunges into me, filling me deep the way I love. “I’m not going stop until we both come.” True to his words, we’re both fast and find ourselves exploding in simultaneous orgasms. “I think we were both overdue.”

“I’d have to agree. I hate to break up this party, but if we don’t get a move on, we’re going to be late.”

He groans as he lifts me off of him. “I need to clean you up. And I love having you without a condom. I’m glad we did the testing thing.”

“Me too.” He kisses me again.

We get dressed again, and when we’re finished, I ask, “You ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

I sense something odd. He keeps adjusting his shirtsleeves. “Hey, are you nervous?”

His hand furrows through his hair. He’s totally on edge. “Not exactly nervous. I look forward to meeting the people that created such an amazing woman.”