MERRITT #2
I know him well enough to see the not-at-all-subtle shift in his demeanor.
Bennett is the epitome of a “golden retriever.” He’s always happy and joking around, wearing the biggest grin. He is playful and funny. And I’m pretty sure he’d have humped my leg already if he thought he could get away with it.
So this? The distant, guarded look in his eyes isn’t concealing anything.
“It could be a big deal to you, and it would be okay if it were, you know that, right?” I say softly. “You’re allowed to feel upset about your parents not being here, Bennett. You don’t have to pretend that it doesn’t bother you.”
A beat of silence ticks by before he murmurs, “Being upset would mean that I blame them. Then not only would I be upset, but I’d also feel guilty for resenting my parents. Guilty because they’re good parents. Who are just doing their best and what they think is best for me.”
“Two things can be true at once.” Reaching out, I cover his hand with mine. “They can be incredible, loving parents, and they can still hurt you, even if they’re excusing their actions because they think they’re doing what’s best for you. Both things can be true.”
His throat bobs, and I know that what I’ve said hits home somewhere; I just know it, but I’m not going to push him. If there’s anyone who understands not wanting to get too close, it’s me.
I just want him to know that he’s not alone.
That he’s got me, however unlikely our friendship may be. I’m here whenever he’s ready, if that time comes.
Scooting a little closer on my desk, I lift my hand and tip his chin with my fingers, forcing him to look at me.
When he does, the bright orbs of his eyes burn into me. “If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here, okay? Now, later, never, just… I’m here.”
The corner of his lip tugs up slightly. “Careful, Mer Bear.” His fingers circle my wrist, and he holds my hand along his jaw, not letting me pull away. “You’re dangerously close to seeming like you care about me or something.”
“Or… something.” I smirk, and when he chuckles, I feel his breath fanning against my lips.
I didn’t realize how close we’d gotten, but now I can see the scattering of freckles along his nose and cheeks.
I notice the darker blue ring of his irises that surrounds the pale blue and the small scar etched into the corner of his full upper lip.
Things I hadn’t noticed before now.
“God, you’re so fucking hot, Legros,” I groan. “I hate you.”
The laugh that rumbles out of him has the desk beneath me shaking. “Nah. Don’t lie to me, Merritt. I think we both know we’re way past the point of you pretending that you don’t like me.”
My brow lifts. “You wish.”
Bennett hums, slipping his hand along my neck and curving it around the back of my nape, tugging me even closer.
“So you’re telling me that if I were to kiss you right now, you wouldn’t want that?
That if I press my lips…” He trails off, slowly sweeping his thumb back and forth over my pulse point.
“Right here, I wouldn’t be able to feel how wild your heart is pounding? ”
I have no doubt that he can feel it, even as he says it.
I swallow hard and press my lips together tightly to stop from whimpering as he leans in and does exactly that.
His warm, wet mouth presses hungrily against my neck, and then he flattens his tongue, trailing it down to the spot that’s currently hammering so hard my head feels light.
Dizziness washes over me, pulsing behind my eyes, and I have to reach out toward him, my palms curving over the tops of his massive shoulders to remain upright.
“W-What are you doing, Bennett?” I say breathlessly, squeezing my eyes shut when I feel the sharp nip of his teeth along the spot where my neck meets my shoulder.
“Thanking you for my invitation tonight,” he mumbles against my heated skin, not pausing his exploration even for a breath. “The right way.”
“Yeah?”
A deep rumble vibrates my skin. “The only way a man should ever say thank you, if you ask me.”
I’m not sure what it truly says about me that my mind immediately goes to the filthiest depths of depravity when he says that, but Jesus, I can’t help it that my head feels like it’s floating on top of my body the moment that this guy so much as touches me.
“I could think of ten different ways right now,” I say coyly as I slide off the top of my desk and into his lap, straddling him.
His hands find my waist, palms curving around it, his fingers pressing into the bare skin that peeks out from the hem of my shirt.
Bringing my mouth to his ear, I nip at his earlobe and slowly trace my tongue along the shell of his ear, then whisper, “But that can’t happen since it would be breaking your rules. ”
Bennett groans, low and guttural, and drops his head back on his shoulders. “Fuuuuuck, Merritt.”
“Hey,” I say, pulling back to look down at him, wearing a smirk as I poke my finger into his chest. “You started this, remember?”
His response is to flex his hips, thrusting his erection against my already throbbing clit and making stars dance behind my eyes. “And do you have any fucking idea how close I am to ending it, just breaking them for you?”
The words are rough like gravel being dragged across the pavement, immediately causing a shiver to race down my spine.
God, he feels so good beneath me. Warm and solid and strong.
His fingers toy with the hem of my T-shirt along my sides, and when the rough pads brush against my bare skin, my breath catches.