Bennett (On the Line Book 2)(36)

“I’m just saying, if a man like him is interested, sink those claws in, honey.”

Ugh. I needed a break from her before I said something I’d regret.

“Actually, I’m staying over at his place tonight,” I said.

“Oh, really?” She smiled broadly. “That’s wonderful.”

“Yeah. I should get my stuff ready and go.”

“Well, I’ll hold the fort down here. Maybe James and I can play Monopoly.”

I took out my phone and texted Bennett.

Me: Is there any way you can get rid of Liam tonight? I’d really like to spend the night with you.

Bennett: Done. I’ll have him taken hostage if I have to.

Me: You’re the best. See you at 6?

Bennett: See you then.

I packed a bag of things and went clothes shopping at a maternity store. It was a relief to buy some clothes that would actually fit me. Then I drank a hot chocolate at the bookstore and picked up the few Christmas presents I needed. By the time I got to Bennett’s at six, my mood was much improved.

“Hey,” he said when he opened the door. I threw myself into his arms.

“Hi,” I said, kissing him.

He pressed a foot to the door and closed it, then reached out to lock the dead bolt, all without breaking the kiss.

“You’re good,” I murmured against his lips.

“I’m ready to tell Liam, but not because he caught us in bed.”

“Will he be back tonight?”

“Nope, but the dead bolt’s just in case. I got in touch with Keri. We’ve got until tomorrow afternoon.”

“But will she tell him?”

He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter if she does. She doesn’t know it’s you who’s here.”

I stepped back to take off my coat. “It smells good in here.”

“I’m making manicotti.”

“Sounds delicious.”

Bennett approached me and put his hands on my belly. Our eyes locked, and the reverence I saw in his melted me and then quickly heated me from head to toe.

“I miss you so much when we’re not together.” He leaned his forehead against mine.

“Me too. So we’re telling Liam Friday night, right?”

He sighed softly. “He’s going to a holiday party with Keri, now. I hadn’t asked him yet, and then he told me about it.”

“Okay. Another night, then.”

“I’m going home for Christmas Day. I wish you could come with me.”

I ran a hand up his neck and into his thick hair. “Me too. But I can’t ditch my family on Christmas.”

“I know.”

A beeping timer sounded in his kitchen, and he broke our embrace to go turn it off. I followed him into the kitchen, sitting down at the table. An open magazine grabbed my attention.

The Twenty Hottest Men on Ice: #14, Bennett Morse Whoa. There was a photo of Bennett in the locker room, sweaty and shirtless. He held on to a hockey stick and smiled the smile that had melted my panties the first time I saw him.

I scanned the Q&A next to the photo as he sprinkled mozzarella cheese over the pasta he’d made.

Q: What drew you to play hockey?

A: My dad was a youth coach. I learned to skate when I was four, and I never wanted to do anything else.

Q: Is there a special woman in your life?

A: Yes, there is.

Q: Details! Who is she and how’d she get lucky enough to steal your heart?

A: Sorry, that’s too private. Let’s just say, I’m the lucky one.

My heart pounded erratically with excitement.

“All set,” Bennett said, looking at me over his shoulder.

“Did you mean me?” I asked, looking down at the magazine and then up at him. “Am I the special woman?”

One corner of his mouth crooked up in a smile. “Of course you are, Char.”

I looked down at the picture again and licked my lips. “You’ll need to keep that warm in the oven.”

“How come?”

“Because we’re going into the bedroom now.”





Bennett

I led Charlotte into my bedroom and closed the door behind us. She backed me against the door, her blue eyes bright as they met mine. When she licked her lips, I wrapped my hands around her hips and brought my mouth down on hers.

The taste and feel of her were becoming achingly familiar to me. Her soft moans and sweet curves were what I fantasized about when I jerked off to get relief from constantly wanting her.

Tonight, I had the real thing, and I wasn’t going to waste a moment. I ran a hand up the back of her shirt and unfastened her bra, then cupped her full, round breasts with both hands.

“Mmm, Bennett,” she moaned.

“I love these tits, Char,” I said, squeezing them gently.

“They’re bigger,” she said, her tone breathy, “I guess because they’re swollen.”

“They’re perfect.” I pulled her shirt up over her head and tossed it to the floor.

Charlotte’s chest rose and fell with her heavy breathing. A lock of hair rested on one breast, its curled end tempting. I took it between a thumb and forefinger and stroked it, soon dropping it to spend more time on her breasts.

I bent and took one tight pink nipple into my mouth, slowly licking and sucking. Charlotte’s moan made my erection twitch eagerly.