Chapter 38
BENNETT
Ifollow Dr. Sparks’s advice, going over to the house and hanging with Callum. We order Chinese take-out and talk about Weston and Harbor, Coach Keller, Morrison — everyone but Tori.
Then we hop on Call of Duty.
Usually, I’m a sharp shooter. Not tonight.
I’m distracted, imagining the buzz of my phone in my pocket every two minutes. I slide it out, check the blank screen one more time.
“She ghost you?” Callum doesn’t break his gaze from the game, and I’m grateful for that as the tips of my ears burn.
“Maybe. I texted her, but she hasn’t texted back.” The admission’s rough and raw, tearing from my throat.
“What did you say?” Callum makes another kill, covering my ass.
“Sorry. Then asked her to call me.”
There’s a long pause, the only sounds coming from the video game.
“Give her time. I’m sure she heard you.”
I pocket my phone and pick up my controller.
We play until 10 PM, but eventually, I have to go home.
Callum offers me the sofa, but I decline. I’m way too tall to sleep on that thing. Besides, we have a game two days from now. I can’t be tight and sore from sofa surfing.
Taking a deep breath, I shove the key in the lock and push inside my empty condo.
It’s dark, quiet, and slightly messy, just like I left it. I turn on the kitchen light, rifle through the mail. Nothing interesting.
Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, I click on the TV. I plop down on the sofa and kick up my feet. I flip through the channels rapid-fire, but nothing catches my interest. Hitting the power button on the remote, the screen goes dark.
I sit and stare at nothing for a long time, the moon rising higher in the inky sky.
I should go to bed.
But I know I’ll just lay there, unable to sleep. I haven’t slept in two days. Not really.
Because all I can think about is Tori.
The look on her face at the game, right before she walked out. Hollow eyes, her lips a tight, red line.
Disappointed.
I let her down.
She never responded to my texts.
Not the apology. Not the one about talking.
Just silence.
It’s done.
I pick up my phone, set it back down on the coffee table. I can’t text her again.
No matter how badly I want to talk to her.
Too pathetic.
I shot my shot.
Should have aimed better.
Body heavy, I sit still and alone in the dark room, unable to move. I close my eyes and wish I could go back.
Before the Carrington Club. Before New York.
Before I lost control.
Knock, knock.
The sound jolts me from my misery.
Who the fuck’s at my door at this time of night?
I check my phone. It’s almost midnight.
Rising slowly, I crack the door open.
“I have five minutes right now. If you’re not busy…” Tori’s voice is quiet as she fiddles with that gold chain, gazing up at me with her dark eyes. I freeze with my hand on the doorjamb.
She came back.
Heart rate tripling and chest tight, I stare down at her.
Can’t move, can’t think.
She’s in leggings and an oversized sweatshirt, her hair pulled up in a ponytail. No professional armor.
Just Tori.
Pushing through my shock, I step aside and let her in. Every nerve in my body lights up as she brushes past me, her perfume trailing behind her. I can barely catch my breath as the familiar scent winds around me. Mind reeling with all the things I need to say, I close the door behind her.
She stands at the kitchen counter and glances around, sizing up the state of my apartment. Takes a tentative step forward, then stops. I shove my shaking hand in my pocket, frozen in place.
We stare at each other for a long minute, a heavy silence hanging between us.
Finally, she clears her throat. “I had to stay behind to take care of the fund. Emails from investors came in, after the Carrington Club event. They’re pulling out…”
Her fund’s in jeopardy. Because of me.
“How bad is it?”
“I think I stopped the bleeding…” She chews her bottom lip and the same horrible feelings from that night at the Carrington Club come crashing back.
Tell her the truth.
“I’m sorry I shut you out that night.” My voice is low and I swallow hard over the lump in my throat. “I should have talked to you. Told you how I felt.”
Her fingers tighten around the strap of the bag still on her shoulder, her thumb running up and down the leather.
“I shouldn’t have — I’m…” Her voice cracks and she looks away.
“I handled the situation at the Carrington Club wrong. I froze. I didn’t know how to fix things without making them worse. ”
“I know you were in a shit situation. I get that.” I take a shaky breath, digging deep. “But what happened between us that night wrecked me.”
“Bennett—” She moves toward me, but my feet stay planted. She freezes, several feet still between us. Bright moonlight splashes across the floor and the hum of the AC is loud in the quiet space. “I never meant to hurt you.” She lifts her gaze to meet mine, tears glistening in her eyes.
“I’m sorry I let you down,” she whispers. A lone tear spills over, trailing down her cheek, and I break.
“Hey—” I step forward, sliding her bag off her shoulder and dropping it to the floor. Swiping the tear away my thumb, I drop one hand down to her waist. “You’re here now.”
Her lip quivers and I’ve never seen her so vulnerable.
“I…” She tips her chin up, her fingers feathering over my chest. “I should have come to you. After the game. But I was afraid if I did — if I heard your voice, saw your face — I’d fold.
And I couldn’t afford to fall apart.” Her voice wavers and I stroke her cheek, her skin warm and soft beneath my fingers.
“It’s not your job to babysit me, Tori. I don’t want you to. All I want is you. Just you.”
Her breath hitches as she blinks up at me. My nerves on fire, I keep going.
“But if the cost is too high — the fund, your father — and we can’t be together, walk away right now. Because I can’t handle losing you all over again.”
“Bennett—” Her fingers curl in my shirt and I step closer, heat shimmering between us.
“I want to be with you, Tori.” The admission tears from my throat and I’m laid bare.
“I do too, Bennett. I love you.”
My heart hammers beneath her palm and all the air’s sucked from my lungs.
Tori loves me.
And I love her back.
“I love you too.” The admission is quiet, my thumb tracing her jawline.
Leaning down, I press my lips to hers. Soft and gentle, savoring the moment.
She kisses me back. Her tongue slips into my mouth and I pull her up against me, her body fitting perfectly with mine.
My hands glide from her hips down to her ass and she rocks against me. Every muscle in my body tightens.
“Stay with me.” I whisper the words against her lips.
Raw.
Honest.
But I don’t care. I have nothing to hide anymore.
Stilling in my arms, she breaks away and peers up at me. “I have calls in the morning.”
“And I have practice.”
She licks her lower lip, finally nodding. “I’ll stay.”
Those words crack me wide open, my chest lighter than it’s been in two days. I trace my thumb down her cheek, her jaw, brush over her soft lips. Memorizing the lines of her face as her warm exhale feathers over my skin.
I tug my shirt over my head, pants hitting the floor. Her clothes join mine and then she’s in my arms, legs wrapped around my hips. I carry her across the floor toward the bedroom, our lips sealed together.
We don’t make it all the way.
Instead, I lean her up against the wall, desperate to be inside her. To feel her body joined with mine.
Her fingers twist in my hair as our tongues tangle, sliding over one another. Fast and deep, like we’ll never get enough of each other. She’s sweet and slightly salty from the tears and I inhale her scent, skin prickling with heat.
I want this woman.
Right the fuck now.
I caress her arms, chill bumps rising beneath my fingertips. Touching her, holding onto her, making sure all of this is real.
“Tori—”
She murmurs into my open mouth. “Mmm…”
“I want you. Say you want me too.”
“Yes. I want you, Bennett. All of you.”
That’s all I need to hear.
I crush my mouth to hers, kissing her hard and deep. Her body melts against me, nipples peaked against my bare chest.
“Keep those legs wrapped around me.”
She grips me tighter with her thighs, her feet brushing against my ass.
“Perfect. Hold on.”
I lift her a touch higher and sink into her wet heat.
“Fuck, you feel so good.” I kiss her mouth, her cheeks, up and down her exposed neck, drunk on the feel of her. She half moans, half sighs, and the sound wrecks me in the best way possible.
“Bennett…” My name’s a soft whimper on her lips as I drive deeper. “Yesss…”
Her nails claw into my back as her hips rock, seeking friction. I give her everything I have, thrusting harder. Need builds low in my gut until I can’t think straight. Her body presses against mine, breaths coming in small, quick gasps.
“Oh god…” Her muscles tighten around my cock and I know she’s close.
Smashing my mouth to hers, I swallow her cries as her body tremors in my arms.
“Come for me, Tori.”
The command sends her over the edge. She bucks and trembles, shockwaves rolling through her. I tighten my grip and pound into her, chasing my own release.
“Fuccckkkk…” I hiss, exploding. I stay buried inside her, rocking slowly, her legs still shaking.
After a few minutes, my cock softens and I press my forehead to hers. Kissing her lightly on the mouth, my hands massaging her ass. She sighs and her breath dusts my lips.
I’ve never felt more content than I do right now. Her heart’s still racing against my chest, mirroring my own.
“I love you, Sunshine.” I brush my knuckles across her cheek and she smiles at me.
“I love you too, Bennett.”