Chapter 25
BENNETT
Ipromised Tori I’d behave. And I’m trying.
I really am.
But she’s making it fucking near impossible.
Sitting next to me, smelling like a damn rose garden. Better than all the flowers I sent her combined. The way she blushes every time we brush up against each other. Her fingers working that gold chain around her neck.
Adorable.
It’s a shame her dad’s right in front of us, with a fully unobstructed view. I’d love to slide in close to her, slip my hand between her thighs and see just how wet she is.
Because judging by the problem in my pants, there’s no way she’s not turned on right now.
Once we hit altitude, she fires up her laptop and starts clicking on spreadsheets. That’s my cue to pop in my headphones and watch the latest episode of White Lotus. Ironic, considering I’m sitting next to my own personal disaster vacation.
At least the show’s a distraction from the beautiful woman sitting next to me.
The one I can’t touch, kiss, or have sex with for the next four days, according to the travel rules.
Dammit.
I’ve never wanted an away series to be over so fast before — and we haven’t even touched down in city number one yet.
My fingers itch to reach over and touch her. Instead, I drum my thigh, fast and furious. Being this close to Tori and not being able to do anything with her is absolute torture.
I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make it.
After what feels like an eternity, we finally start our descent. Tori’s forced to put away her laptop and I click out of the show.
“So…what’s the plan, Sunshine?” I glance over at her and stretch out my legs. Accidentally brushing up against her one more time.
Her lips press into a thin red line as she shifts away from me, trying hard to maintain distance.
“What do you mean?”
“For today.” I lean in closer, that freckle on her collarbone taunting me. “Now that you’re head babysitter again.”
She chews the inside of her cheek and stares out the window. “I reviewed the schedule. Film viewing this afternoon and an early team dinner. You’re fine on your own, right? You don’t need me to chaperone you.”
Part of me is disappointed.
I fold my arms over my chest as the plane descends, the tarmac coming into view. Cutting my eyes to the front of the plane, I catch Prince staring me down. Giving me the same look everyone gives me when they’re waiting for the screw-up to screw up.
“I mean, not really. But I think your dad might have other ideas.”
Tori’s eyes flick forward and she straightens up in her seat, her posture perfect. She smooths out an imaginary wrinkle in her skirt and crosses her ankles.
“Fine. Watch the film and then I’ll meet you for dinner.”
I tap my foot against hers discreetly and she sucks in a sharp breath, giving her away.
“It’s a date,” I whisper, my gaze dropping to her mouth for a quick beat. She swallows hard, throat bobbing with the effort.
“Don’t push it, Steele.”
“Sunshine, it’s what I do.”
Her cheeks stain pink as the plane touches down in Chicago and I wonder exactly how long my promise lasts once we’re behind a hotel door.
I’m sitting between Weston and Callum in a darkened conference room at the hotel. A projection screen covers the back wall, film rolling. I’m trying hard to stay focused.
It’s not going well.
Keller pauses the film. The frame freezes on a blown play. “This. This is the difference between winning and watching from the couch.”
He hits the remote and the film resumes.
But the only thing on my mind right now is Tori.
No touching. No kissing. No hotel room hookups.
I promised I’d be good, but I’m not sure how long that’s gonna last. I need to get my mind off yesterday. Her taste, her smell, the way she said my damn name.
Bennett.
All breathy and needy, like she couldn’t get enough.
“You think you can pull a move like that off?” Weston interrupts my daydream.
“Huh?”
“That move. Could you do it?”
I squint at the screen, trying to rewind the film back in my mind.
Yeah, I got nothing.
“Sure.” I force bravado into my tone, kick my legs out.
“Bro — you have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?” Weston shakes his head, a half-smirk tugging at his lips. “You’re not even watching the film.”
“Not true. I’m right here.”
“Physically.” Callum grunts the word, leaning forward and pretending to analyze the film. “Mentally, you’re checked out.”
“Fantasizing about the Ice Queen.” Weston elbows me and I grimace.
“Stop calling her that.” I grit the words out, aggravation churning in my gut. “And I’m not.”
“Sure, dude. For starters, you’re grinning like a psychopath. And second, I saw you flirting with her this morning. You called her Sunshine within fifteen feet of her dad.” Weston folds his arms across his chest, satisfied. Like he just solved a true crime mystery or something.
I rake a hand through my hair. “That’s my personality. You know that. I’m a ladies’ man.”
“I hesitate to say this — but you’re usually smarter about your picks.” Weston’s jaw tightens, his eyes trained on me.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I crack my knuckles, aggravation building in my gut.
“It means you’re playing around with the team owner’s daughter. Are you fucking nuts, Benny?” Callum cocks his head at me, scraping a hand over his jaw.
“No. And I’m not playing around with her.”
“So it’s serious then?” Weston asks, his brows knitting.
“I mean, no. We’re…it’s nothing.” The word catches in my throat, totally unconvincing.
“Right…” Weston bobs his head up and down, his lips pressed tight.
Not a chance in hell he believes me.
Callum leans in, drops his voice low. “Don’t get burned, Benny. That’s all we’re saying.”
My chest tightens and I shove a hand in my hoodie pocket. “I know.”
Everyone thinks I’m a ticking time bomb.
Maybe I am.
I’m fresh off probation with everything to lose.
But Tori’s the first person who’s ever made me want to choose the right play.
And after yesterday, walking away is the one thing I can’t talk myself into.
Bennett: Is my warden walking me to dinner?
I pull my quarter-zip over my head, waiting for Tori’s reply.
Sunshine: Tied up. I’ll meet you there
Bennett: I’d like to see that
Sunshine: Not on your life
Bennett: Don’t tempt me, Sunshine
An image of Tori tied to the plush hotel bed flashes through my mind and I instantly get a hard-on.
Great.
I grab my keycard and leave my room before I give into the temptation of jerking off before dinner. Coach will be all over my ass if I’m late and I can’t afford more trouble.
“Benny, what’s good?” Morrison smacks me on the back at the elevator bank and I shrug, acting casual.
“Everything. You ready for tomorrow?”
“Absolutely.”
A few more guys file into the hallway as the elevator arrives and we all crush into the space. Morrison jams the button and my teammates make small talk. I stay quiet, trying to keep my head straight.
All I need to do tonight is grab a quick bite, then head upstairs and go through my pre-game routine: shower, stretch, sleep.
Shouldn’t be tough.
I’ve done it loads of times before.
Before Tori.
Now, though, that all seems like a monumental task.
I move with the crowd toward the reserved dining room. We shuffle in and I automatically clock the set-up. Buffet on the back wall. One round table reserved for management and another long family-style table for players. Unlike this morning on the plane, no assigned seats.
Prince, Keller, and an assistant coach sit at the round table, heads together. Probably deep in talks about game strategy. Several of the guys already have full plates of food, scarfing down steak, veggies, and potatoes. A few waitstaff move around the room, refilling water glasses.
I join the buffet line behind Morrison. The faster I get through this dinner, the better. I put up with my brothers chirping this afternoon and I’m sure there’s more what that came from.
“What’s up, Benny?” Weston snags a plate from the tall stack of dishes next to the buffet.
Here we go.
“Not much. Ready for tomorrow. How’s Harbor?” I tip my head at his girlfriend, chatting with Prince. “She fending off some PR disaster? Or just here as your plus-one?”
“Shut up. You know she’s working.” He scowls at me, and I’m happy to have one-upped him for the first time today.
I slide a piece of salmon onto my plate, scoop some potatoes and broccoli before moving down the line. Weston does the same, still frowning.
He’s easy to perturb, unlike Callum.
“Speaking of girlfriends—” He cocks his head toward the door and I follow his gaze, my eyes landing directly on Tori.
She’s wearing some kind of cream-colored silky skirt with a slit halfway up her calf, a fitted black knit top, and a blazer.
Her dark hair’s pulled back in a sleek ponytail and she’s still in her stilettos.
“Damn.” Weston mutters under his breath, taking her in. I shove down the flash of irritation that spikes, rolling my shoulders.
“She’s not my girlfriend, bro. I told you that.” I white knuckle the serving spoon in my hand, plopping pasta salad on my plate.
“Okay.” He nods and doesn’t say anything else. Which somehow pisses me off more.
I pivot away from the buffet line and stalk to the dining table, sliding into an open seat toward the end. Weston follows right behind and five minutes later, Callum’s here too. I’m sandwiched between my brothers, the air frosty between us.
Not bothering with small talk, I shovel a forkful of food into my mouth and chew. Swallow. I have one goal in mind, and it’s getting out of this dining room ASAP.
“Here comes your babysitter, Benny,” Weston teases and I kick him hard under the table.
“Shut the fuck up, Weston.”
“Want me to trade seats so she can feed you?” He keeps chirping at me and the irritation slides into anger territory.
I keep my composure, staring down at my plate and chewing faster.
“Hey. You good?” Tori’s honey-smooth voice interrupts my feeding frenzy.
I pause, my fork resting on the plate. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”
She locks her eyes on mine, her fingers sliding along her gold chain. “Just checking on you.”
“It’s her job, Benny.” Weston smirks at me and Tori and I both stiffen.
“I fully trust Bennett can handle himself.” Tori’s tone is cool, effectively bodychecking my brother.
Mad respect.
“Mistakes were made…” Callum mumbles, then takes a sip of iced water.
“Grab some food.” I hook a thumb at the buffet table, urging her to get out of here before things get worse.
“Don’t worry — we’ll supervise him until you get back.” Weston grins as he cuts a bite of steak.
Tori doesn’t respond to my dick brother, instead pivoting on her heel to fix herself a plate. As soon as she’s out of earshot, I shoot both Weston and Callum death glares.
“I need both of you to shut the fuck up. Seriously.” I leave it at that, afraid to say more.
I’m a fairly good liar, but not to my triplet brothers. They sniff that shit out like trained drug dogs.
Weston gives me a two-finger salute. “Got it. No more teasing Benny.”
“He’s too sensitive,” Callum snickers and my knee bounces up and down beneath the table.
If we were at home, I’d beat their asses.
But not here. Not with Coach and Prince one table away, their watchful eyes on me.
Just waiting for me to fuck up.
Tori’s back and I’m still fuming. She glances up and down the table, but there’s only one open seat. Directly across from me.
Great.
I could plow through the rest of my food and bolt upstairs. But then I’d risk leaving Tori alone with my brothers.
What could go wrong?
Instead, I take a deep breath and hope for the best.
“So, Tori — how’s it going?” Weston turns on his captain charm, his tone saccharin sweet. Like he’s fooling anybody.
“Very well, thank you.” She unfolds her napkin and places the white cloth over her lap. “Are you ready for the game tomorrow?”
“Absolutely. I enjoy away games. Lots of opportunity to rest and recharge. Not as many distractions as back home, you know?” He arches a brow at her, popping a piece of broccoli in his mouth.
She nods, giving him a wan smile. “Right. Makes sense. Especially after all the distractions during pre-season.” Tori glances directly at Harbor and Weston shifts uncomfortably in his chair.
Sent.
Tori fucking delivered.
My mouth twitches, and I’m equally impressed and turned on. Weston clears his throat and stares at his plate, suddenly fascinated by his mashed potatoes.
Across the table, Tori lifts her water glass like she didn’t just drop a grenade.
Calm and composed. But with a spark dancing in her eyes.
And it hits me right then and there — I’m fucked.