Chapter 2 Bennett #2
I dragged a hand down my face and turned toward the highway, staring hard into the dark, willing myself to remember that I shouldn’t be lusting after my teammate’s little sister. She might as well have a shirt with “OFF-LIMITS” stitched across it.
Maybe Ian could knit her one.
Behind me, there was a rustle of fabric, followed by the soft slam of a door as she presumably stepped out of the dress and into her spare clothes.
I fixed my gaze on the wet asphalt and counted my breaths, trying to think about anything other than the sound of her moving behind me.
Don’t look. Don’t look. Don’t—
“Ow!”
The sharp sound snapped me out of my counting. “Are you okay?” I moved without thinking, turning to face her.
And then I froze.
Bella stood on the other side of the car, turned away from me, bent at the waist, ass on full display for the second time tonight, only now it was clad solely in nude tights and a scrap of cotton and lace. White. With . . . bumblebees?
Jesus fucking Christ.
“I’m fine,” she said, a breathy moan slipping out. “I just scraped my knee on the door.”
I nearly let out a moan of my own when she stood up and twisted, revealing a glimpse of her in her bra.
Fuck. Me. Her tits were full and round, spilling out of the lace, begging to be touched and sucked.
Her waist was thick and soft, flaring out to hips that looked like they were made for gripping while I pounded into her.
Close your eyes, you fucking perv.
I quickly averted my gaze, giving her the privacy she deserved.
What the fuck was wrong with me? The sight of a woman in her bra shouldn’t undo me like this.
I was twenty-nine-years-old, for fuck’s sake. I had seen my fair share of tits. And yet, I had already committed those five seconds to memory, one that I would no doubt play back on repeat during this evening’s shower.
I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. The rain continued to fall, creating a soothing backdrop to the chaos of my thoughts. Next thing I knew, a light tap on my shoulder had me jerking upright.
I hadn’t heard her approach, hadn’t even registered her footsteps over the rain. I turned, heart still thudding against my ribs. Thankfully, she was fully dressed, this time in gray sweatpants and an oversized Roasters hoodie.
“Sorry,” she said, wincing a little. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“You didn’t.” I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling stupidly warm despite the cold. “I just didn’t hear you. The rain fucks with my processors.”
Her expression softened immediately, eyes flicking up to where the edges of the plastic devices peeked through my hair.
“Right.” She smiled, just barely, then nodded toward the truck. “Still good for that ride? I know it’s out of your way.”
I nodded toward the passenger door.
“Just a little,” I said, even though we both knew it was a lie.
Her townhouse in Rose City was a good forty minutes northwest of Portland and about ten minutes from the stadium. When the Roasters franchise had first formed two years ago, most of us had opted for places in Portland instead.
Rose City had charm, sure, but Portland had convenience, not to mention more options for late-night takeout after road games. And for a bunch of dudes who spent the better half of the year living out of duffel bags, convenience won out every time.
Bella had been to my place for more than a few Movie everyone on the team was too busy pairing off with someone from the Roasters organization. Hell, even the damn mascot had better luck than I did. Maybe it was less of a baseball franchise and more of a matchmaking service.
“It’s closer to the stadium,” I explained. “Quieter than the city.”
Her mouth opened, closed, then settled on, “Oh.”
Just one syllable, but it landed heavier than I expected.
“I take it, uh, Jared didn’t mention it,” I hedged.
She shook her head. “He said he might have someone lined up, but that’s about it.”
“Well,” I said, giving a small shrug, “I guess that someone is me.”
“Yeah, I got that.”
The rest of the drive stayed quiet except for the rain, the kind of quiet that seeped into your ribs and took up space.
I kept my eyes on the road, pretending the lines on the asphalt were the only things that needed my attention, even though every nerve in my body was wired to the presence of her just inches away.
I didn’t have to look to picture her—hood half up, curls slipping free, cheek pressed to the cool glass as she stared out into the dark with that far-off expression she got when her thoughts drifted someplace nobody could follow.
I wanted to break the silence, ask if she was upset about me moving in next door, tell her she deserved better than a man who treated her like a plus one at a funeral. Say something, anything that didn’t make me sound like a complete fucking weirdo.
But the words stayed lodged in my throat. Instead, I tightened my grip on the wheel and counted the mile markers.
Eventually, we turned onto her street and the pair of townhouses came into view—identical shapes, different porch lights. I slowed in front of my future dwelling, the one with the little raised garden beds lining the walkway, each one overflowing with herbs and greens even in the winter rain.
People wouldn’t know it by looking at him, but Jared Pink had a green thumb and zero chill about it. He treated his tomatoes like teammates, talking to them while he watered. The rosemary bush by the steps was nearly waist high, brushing against the porch rail as I eased the truck to a stop.
“Thanks for the ride,” Bella said. “And for not, you know, letting me die on the side of the road.”
I cleared my throat. “Anytime.”
She opened the door and paused, shoulders lifting like she had something she wanted to say, and I held my breath.
Goodnight, Bennett.
I’m glad it was you who found me, Bennett.
Lie back while I fuck your face, Bennett.
A guy could dream.
But all that came out was a polite nod and small wave before she stepped into the rain and hurried up the path, disappearing into the glow of the porch light.
I lingered until the door closed behind her. Then I eased the truck forward, the tires whispering against wet pavement.
Somewhere between her driveway and the stop sign at the end of the street, a stupid smile tugged at my mouth. I couldn’t help it. Something about tonight felt like a beginning.
Even if it was the kind I had no business wanting.