Chapter 23
TORI
Oh god.
What was I thinking, having sex with Bennett in my kitchen? On the island, no less?
There’s messy, then there’s that.
His chaos has fully infiltrated my life.
Worse — I liked it.
No. Loved it.
Fuck.
This isn’t good.
He’s not the guy I’m supposed to fall for. With that shaggy flow, those stupidly strong muscles, that sharp jaw.
His amazing cock.
“Rules?” His lips quirk, like he’s about to laugh. But he holds it in.
“Yes. Rules.” I try to hop off the island, but Bennett grabs my hips and helps me down. Bending, I scoop up my bra and turn my back to him.
“Now you’re being modest, Sunshine?” he teases, tugging at my hair. “I just ate you out on the counter.”
Heat flames my cheeks as I flash back to his face between my thighs. He does have a point.
Still…there’s no way I’m having this conversation naked.
I throw my shirt back on and spin around to face him. “Yes, thank you. Now — the rules —”
He folds his arms over his chest, spectacularly unbothered by his nudity.
“We can’t be seen together in public, outside of our previously established relationship.”
“Warden and prisoner?”
“Funny, Steele. No kissing, no touching, nothing intimate.”
“So this would be out?” Bennett winds his muscular arms around me, pulling me up against his bare chest. He drops his lips to mine and I sigh softly into his open mouth.
“Yes. Absolutely,” I murmur, the words muffled and falling flat as my body melts into his.
“Probably this too.” His hand moves from my hip to my ass, squeezing. Tingles radiate through my torso as I nod.
“Yep.”
“And this?” He slides his hand under my shirt, caressing my breast through the thin satin bra until my nipples peak again.
“Most certainly.”
He grins against my lips. “Well, this doesn’t sound fun at all.”
“I know. But it’s necessary. Staying apart will protect your job.”
And mine.
Because being this close to Bennett all the time is distracting as hell.
“So I don’t suppose we’ll be going out on dates anytime soon?” He brushes my hair over my shoulder, tracing the line of my neck with his kisses.
“That would be a very bad idea.” A shiver of pleasure runs through me and I’m wet again.
“No problem — I can dream up lots of fun things to do inside.” He pulls back slightly, shooting me a cocky wink. “I’m actually very creative.”
“Why does that not surprise me?”
There’s a sharp vibration on the desk and I automatically freeze, as if we’re already caught.
“Relax, Sunshine. It’s just your phone.” Bennett points at the buzzing culprit. “You gonna answer it?”
“I’ll let it go to voicemail. Call back later.” I feather my hands over his back, every muscle sharp and defined. He presses against me, his cock already hard again.
Another buzz. Then another.
“Dammit.” I pull away, perturbed. “Just a sec.”
Stalking to the desk, I tap the screen.
Daddy: Where are you?
Daddy: Need to talk logistics for the away game
Daddy: Call me
Shit.
The last person I want to talk to right now is my father. But he’s called twice, left voicemails, and now texted. Max Prince isn’t someone you ignore.
“Who is it? Investor?” Bennett wraps his arms around my waist, pulling my ass back against his hardness.
“Worse. My dad.”
“Oh. You calling him back?” He peers down at the phone like it’s a bomb about to detonate.
Which isn’t too far of a stretch.
“I have to. Be quiet, okay? Seriously.”
“You got it, Sunshine.” He nips at my earlobe as I dial and hit the speaker button.
The tinny rings fill the silent condo. I’m acutely aware of Bennett’s breath on my neck, the heat radiating from his body.
“Tori, where are you?” My father barks rather than answers the call.
“Working, Daddy. What’s going on?”
“We have an away series starting tomorrow. Chicago, then New York. I need you there.”
My stomach sinks, chest tight. Traveling with the team right now feels very dangerous.
“Daddy — I have to run the fund. You don’t need me there anymore. Bennett’s off probation.”
Bennett squeezes my ass and I want to smack him, but don’t dare risk the noise.
“He’s officially cleared by the league. But I need that kid on a short leash.”
Bennett bristles behind me, his jaw tensing. I glance back and he mouths, “Kid? What the fuck?”
“The team plane leaves at 8 AM.” My dad’s booming voice jolts me back to reality. “I’ll be there, and so will Coach Keller. But we need more eyes on him. I can’t have him blowing up this franchise.”
“Rude. I’m not a bomb,” Bennett hisses in my ear and I elbow him hard in the ribs.
“Daddy, he’s not going to blow anything up.”
“Correct — because you’re going to be all over his ass. I’ll send the car to pick you up tomorrow. 7:30. Bring Steele.”
The line disconnects and I toss the phone down with shaky hands.
I should have said ‘no.’
I didn’t.
I never do.
Because saying ‘no’ to Max Prince feels like failing at something fundamental, something I’ve never been able to name.
Bennett’s uncharacteristically silent for a long second. His hand stills on my hip, muscles tight. Then he blows out a slow breath and resumes kissing my neck, his palm splayed on my bare belly.
“I like the idea of you all over my ass, Sunshine.”
His voice vibrates against my skin, traitorous chill bumps rising from my neck all the way down my arms.
“Not funny, Bennett. This is going to be a very big problem.”
“Because I’m irresistible. I get it.” He nips at my shoulder and I tip my head back, staring at the ceiling.
“You are one of the most infuriating people I’ve ever met.”
“And you love it. Your body gives you away.” His fingers dust over my skin and my stomach flip-flops, heart already shooting into overdrive.
He’s one hundred percent right.
Bastard.
I twist around in his arms. “Can you be serious for one minute?”
He tips his head, amusement dancing in his ocean blue eyes. “Just one? I can probably make that happen.”
“Travel rules: We sit separately on the plane. Avoid the hotel bar at all costs. And absolutely no spending the night together.”
“What about adjoining rooms? That could be fun.”
“Bennett!” I shake my head, furrowing my brow.
“Fine. To recap: no fun. Got it, boss.”
“We’ll have fun another time. This trip needs to be about hockey.”
“Hockey. Is that a euphemism for something?” He narrows his eyes, arching a brow, and I smack him in the chest.
“No. We have to keep our distance.”
“Okay, okay. Consider it done.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Because I’m not going to be the reason you get burned.”
Bright sincerity shines in his eyes and my chest loosens a touch. Maybe this will all be fine.
“I’m trusting you, Bennett.” I place my palm flat on his chest, over his heart. The steady thudding beneath my hand’s comforting.
“I’ll be good. Promise.” He kisses me softly on the lips and — God help me — I believe him.
“Hang on—” I tuck my shirt back into my skirt, try to fix my hair. Then I hurry to the door and crack it open. “Knox?”
Knox jerks his head up and stands at attention. “Ma’am?”
“Thanks for your work here. But we’re good. You can cut your shift short.”
He stares at me, a furrow etched deep in his brow. “What about tomorrow?”
“No. We’re done. I can handle it from here. I’ll let Bishop know.”
“Got it. Understood, ma’am.” Knox makes a clean ninety-degree pivot and walks toward the elevator.
Bennett’s at my side when I spin around, his gym shorts back on. One hand on the doorjamb, he leans out into the hall.
“Hey, Knox!”
Knox stops and peers over his shoulder at us.
“Thanks for the bodyguard detail. Hope your kids like the merch.”
Knox salutes Bennett and the elevator dings. He steps in and disappears, discreet as ever.
Bennett waves, then closes the door with a soft click.
“You gave your bodyguard merch?”
“Yeah. He’s got two kids at home. Big hockey fans.”
Warmth blooms in my chest as I stare at Bennett, standing in the living room acting all casually cool. Like he hadn’t just made two kids — and their dad — extremely happy.
“That was nice of you.”
“I’m a nice guy, Sunshine.” He reaches over, brushing my hair away from my eyes.
“You are full of surprises.”
“Baby, you have no idea.”