Need Me (Broke and Beautiful #2)(52)

“Honey,” a gruff, sleep-roughened voice husked at her ear. “Roll over and let me f*ck, babe.”

Ben. Oh God. Even as her body reacted swiftly to the command, she registered where they were. Baseball field. Wake me up in forty-five minutes. Honey’s eyes flew open, but they slammed shut again when the overhead sun blinded her. Opening them again in a squint, she turned in Ben’s strong arms and shook him. “Wake up. You have to wake up.”

One eye eased open in his masculine face, made even more so by his morning stubble. Oh shit, he looked really good half asleep, hair all tousled and dewy. He appeared to have the same opinion about her, because his gaze dropped to her still-naked breasts and he groaned. She couldn’t help taking a peek at his morning wood, which was growing by the instant. When he saw where her attention had been drawn, his lips quirked up into a lazy smile. “Climb on. It’s been hours.”

She considered it. She actually considered mounting her naked boyfriend in broad daylight and taking one for the road. Sanity prevailed, however, when she heard an approaching car rumbling in the distance. That was the exact moment Ben woke up fully, his face clearing of any hope of morning sex. His gaze shot to the road before landing back on Honey’s naked body. “Oh shit. Oh shit.”

They both scrambled to their feet, snatching clothes off the field before hightailing it to the truck, where they ducked down against the fender, dragging garments over their heads and up their legs. At least this way, no one could see them from the road. When the car rumbled past without stopping, they looked at each other and released the breath they’d been holding. Honey was the first to laugh, but Ben joined in almost immediately, both of them landing on their—thankfully clothed—asses in the grass.

Honey wiped the tears from her eyes. “We might have avoided a public indecency charge, but we still have my parents to contend with.”

“You don’t think they’ll buy it if we tell them we saw a double feature?” Ben buried his face in his hands, but he was smiling. “I’m going to be shot on sight, aren’t I?”

“I can’t believe you of all people fell asleep.” She got to her feet and buttoned her jean shorts. “You’re so punctual. Never late. Never early. Always timing your lectures down to the minute.”

“Noticed that, did you?” He stood as well, backing her against the side of the truck, making her tip her head back to look at him. “Maybe when I have a sweet little blonde who smells like cinnamon wrapped around me, I stop giving a shit about what time it is.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Is that so?”

“Yeah. I can’t wait to have that smell in my bed. All over my sheets.” He tilted his head to the side, considering. “Is there any chance your father might demand I marry you to protect your honor?”

Her heart tried to leap from her chest. If it succeeded, she had no doubt it would cling to Ben, because that’s what she wanted to do. Wanted to climb his body, dig her face into his neck, and never let go. Wanted to see his face in the morning, just like this, every single day. Sanity took hold, though, at the very last second. What if he was only joking and she came across crazy? He had to be joking, right? He looked serious—very serious—but she couldn’t be sure.

She gave a halfhearted push against his chest. “How many nineteen-year-olds do you know that are ma—” She broke off in the middle of her own sentence, the day’s date dawning on her. “Wait a minute. I’m twenty today.” A laugh tumbled out. “It’s my birthday.”

He pushed a hand through his hair, looking slightly ill. “No, don’t tell me that. I don’t have a gift.”

Her mouth spread into a smile. “The day is young.”

A flicker of relief in his eye quickly disappeared. “Something tells me there aren’t a lot of shopping options in Bloomfield.”

An idea took root in her mind. “I know what I want from you.” Hoping she wasn’t pushing or overstepping, she twined her arms around his neck. “Write me something.”

His throat worked, gaze darting to the side. “What?”

She shrugged one shoulder, chuckling when his eyes dropped to her breasts. “You’ve read dozens of my assignments, but besides the notes you leave me, I’ve never read anything of yours. I’ll even let you choose the topic.” When he still looked dubious, she went up on her toes and kissed his neck once, twice. “Just think about it.”

Without waiting for an answer, she dropped her arms from around his neck and climbed into the truck. The keys were on the seat, where she’d apparently thrown them last night when Ben had pulled her from the truck. Had that only been last night? It seemed like ages had passed since then, so much having been resolved. She understood him now. Understood why he’d pushed her away back in New York. As of last night, she’d let the hurt go. Put it behind her. How could she continue to be upset, when he’d actually changed jobs for her? She still hadn’t quite wrapped her mind around that.

A smile flirting with the corners of her mouth, Honey turned the key in the ignition. Nothing happened.

Ben slid onto the seat beside her, frowning. “Problem?”

She turned the key again and got silence in return. “The truck is dead.”

He pushed up his glasses, understanding dawning on his face. “We left the headlights on.”