Chapter Eighteen
As they were leaving the gala, they spotted Bentley. Bear heard Aasia growl.
“Can you believe the nerve of him?” she said as they stepped into the cooler evening air.
“Yeah, I can.” Bear jutted his chin. “He enjoys irritating you and you allow him to do it.”
“What an ass,” she hissed.
“How about we do not make this a spitting contest.” He wiped his hand down his face.
She snorted then stomped ahead of him. “At this point I think we should never mention his name again.”
“I can’t agree more.”
She stopped and slipped off her shoes. “I’m over there.” She pointed.
“I’ll walk you to your car.” He pressed his fingers into the small of her back, wanting to have physical contact with her.
When they reached the driver’s door, she looked up at him. “Here I am.”
“You okay?” he asked.
“I’m sorry I get all twisted when I see Bentley. I’m over him. I truly am.”
“We’re not talking about him anymore. Remember?”
“He just makes me so damn irritated remembering our last conversation.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” He wanted to help.
” Do you mean that, Ben?”
The sound of his name on her beautiful lips made his body tighten. “More than you’ll ever know.”
She grabbed his jacket into her fists and pushed him against the car. Their gazes locked a second before she kissed him. Bear wrapped his arms around her and dragged her closer, deepening the kiss.
Within seconds they were both breathless, clutching each other. He swallowed her moan, feeling his pants fit tighter. Her hips brushed over his hard body sending a current through his body.
He swiftly turned her and backed her against the car, pressing her between the hard cool metal and his solid warm body. The lines of their bodies matching.
He lifted his mouth and scanned her beautiful features caught in the dim lighting.
She stared up at him, her swollen lips slightly parted.
He needed to get her out of there before he took her right there.
“Come with me.” He waited a half second for any rejection, but it didn’t come.
He grabbed her hand and they made their way to his truck.
Reaching for the handle of the passenger door, he opened it. “Get in.”
“Yes, sir.” She smiled. Once she was tucked inside, he closed the door and made his way to the driver’s side, his body aching and hard making moving difficult. “What the hell was that about?” he said once he was behind the wheel.
“I-I don’t know really. It just felt right. Are you telling me you don’t agree?”
“Are you using me as a salve after seeing Fletcher?”
“Yes. Does it bother you?” she said in a breathy tone.
“Not at all.”
“Then let’s go back to the farm. Pedora is away for the night, and we have the place all to ourselves.”
“I like the way you think.”
~*~
By the time they pulled into the driveway at the farm, they were both primed and ready to tear each other’s clothes off.
When they met at the front of the truck, she grabbed his hand and together they raced onto the porch. At the door, she spun around and stood on tiptoes to give him a long kiss. “Let’s get inside,” she said.
“Not soon enough.”
She pushed open the door, and they slipped into the dark room, hands on each other, tugging and gripping. His jacket landed on the floor as she walked backward toward the couch. The backs of her knees struck the cushion and she dropped down…
And Aasia came back up when a squeal shot through the room.
She switched on the light and her eyes widened. Tansy was staring back with red-rimmed eyes, hair wild and disheveled, and streaks of wetness streaked on her cheeks.
“Damn,” Bear groaned.
“What are you doing here?” Aasia asked through tight lips.
Tansy sniffed loudly. The kitten lifted his head and seemed irritated at being disturbed. “I-I needed to speak to you. I was waiting.” She lowered her feet to the floor and frowned. “Hi, Bear,” she muttered apologetically.
“Hi, Tansy.” He tore his hand through his hair.
Aasia ran her fingers through her hair, feeling a chill push through her limbs.
Tansy stood, tossing the bright purple blanket back onto the sofa and carefully laying the kitten on top of it. “I’m sorry. I should go.”
Aasia laid her fingers on Tansy’s wrist.
“No, you stay. I should go.” Bear shifted from one boot to the other then swept up his jacket from the floor.
The expectant warmth between Aasia’s thighs completely disappeared.
“I’ll walk you out,” Aasia said to Bear. “Stay, Tansy. I’ll be right back.”
Aasia and Bear stepped outside. The cooler night air stung her heated cheeks. She looked up into Bear’s dazzling eyes, smiling although she wished things could have happened differently. His grin deepened. “I can’t believe that just happened,” she said in embarrassment.
“I think the universe is throwing us some curveballs.” Bear slung his jacket over his shoulder.
She sighed. “Maybe the universe is trying to tell us to slow down.”
“Let’s not get carried away with theories. There’s always tomorrow.” He winked then leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. “See you then.”
“See you then,” she said in a whisper.
Standing on the porch watching him walk away made her heart feel…what? Was it normal to feel sadness with his departure?
She went back inside and went straight into the kitchen, coming back with Pedora’s secret stash of dandelion wine and two mason jars. She sat next to Tansy on the couch, popped the cork and poured a small amount into each glass.
“Holy cow, I haven’t had any of this since…well, since you and I snuck a bottle on graduation day.” She took a sip and winced. “Now I know why I haven’t. It’s like drinking lighter fluid.”
“Here, I’ll take it.” Aasia started to reach for Tansy’s glass, but she pulled it out of reach.
“Not so fast.” She cupped the glass and took another drink. “It goes down easier after a while.”
Aasia set her full glass down on the table. “So why are you here?”
“I’m sorry. I had no clue that you’d have Bear with you.” Tansy rubbed her temple. “I’m a shitty friend. I should have called first.”
“You’re my best friend. You’re always welcome. What’s happened?”
“What isn’t wrong?” Tansy cuddled up on the corner of the couch and picked up the kitten to place on her lap. “I think I’m in love.”
“With the kitten?”
“He’s awfully precious, but no. I’m talking human and the male variety.”
Aasia pulled her legs under her. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
“I can’t say. Yet.” Tansy shifted her gaze.
“Can’t say? You came here to tell me you’re in love and you can’t tell me with who? This couldn’t wait?” Aasia wasn’t following.
Tansy raised a brow. “You’re my best friend. I tell you everything.”
“Obviously you don’t.”
“When I do tell you who he is you’ll understand. Just be patient. So, it appears you might be in love too.”
Aasia laughed. “That’s a stretch. More like in lust.”
Tansy’s smile softened. “He certainly looks at you in that way…you know, like he’d enjoy licking you like an ice cream cone.”
“Yes, I agree. I would have enjoyed finding out.” Aasia wagged her brows.
“Don’t worry. There’s tomorrow.”
“Did you eavesdrop while we were on the porch, Tans?”
“Maybe. I also noticed how you looked at him. There’s something there, honey.” Tansy poured more wine.
“Behave and stop trying to handle my affairs.”
“But you are into him—really into him, aren’t you?”
Aasia shrugged. “I like how I know he’ll be there for me, the way he makes me laugh, and he kisses…well, I’m hooked. But, love? It couldn’t be possible.”
“Why not?”
“It’s too soon. Bentley and I—”
“Oh, please!” Tansy groaned and rolled her eyes. “Can we forget that he existed?”
“I think it’s great that we’re both finally seeing our worth. Whomever this mystery guy is I hope he realizes how lucky he is to have you.”
Tansy scooted over and laid her head on Aasia’s shoulder. “I’m lucky because I have you in my life.”
“Thank you, but next time call,” Aasia joked.