CHAPTER 18 BOWER #2
“What’s that?” I love seeing this different side of him, where he’s clearly lowering his walls, talking about his mom and animals. It’s endearing, human…real.
“An orphaned elephant and wildlife rehabilitation center in East Africa. I should reach out to them, see if they need anything.”
“Now that would be a great way to spend your off time.”
“Well, besides with you.” He winks.
With a flicker of amusement, I say, “Yes, besides with me.”
I check the mirror one more time, tamping down some wild hairs that seem to want to frizz out on the crown of my head, and then adjust my top.
I chose to wear a pair of wide-leg black trousers and a black backless long-sleeved top that shows off maybe an inch of my stomach. If my pants were high-rise, I wouldn’t be showing any skin but my back, but this is fine. It’s chic.
I paired the outfit with some three-inch leopard-print heels and a black clutch. My hair is curled in waves and pinned down tightly, framing my face, but then loose in the back. Pleased, I head to Bennett’s apartment, not bothering with the elevator, but taking the stairs instead.
After my date, I updated Gabby about how it all went and how there was maybe a slight hint of interest on my end when I learned that he was, in fact, not all douchebag.
But the smallest of hints.
Of course Gabby took that as we’re getting married and gushed for a solid ten minutes while I curled my hair.
Married, no.
But another date? Possibly.
Attending one of his games? Not yet.
When I reach Bennett’s apartment, I knock on his door. Technically, I could walk in, because I have a key, but what if he’s naked or not ready? I don’t want to be that person.
After a few seconds, he opens the door and a wave of his breathtaking cologne hits me. It’s woody, spicy, and sensuous. Good God, the man smells divine. My eyes then focus on the stylish, incredibly handsome man in front of me.
Dressed in a black suit with a black button-up and black shoes, he looks all sorts of mysterious with his thick scruff caressing his jaw, but he still has his youthful innocence with his icy-blue eyes. And when his eyes hungrily take in every inch of my outfit, my stomach churns with anticipation.
I haven’t felt this kind of anticipation in an extraordinarily long time.
And I shouldn’t be feeling that about my best friend’s brother.
“Hey, you,” he says, stepping up and pulling me into a hug.
I melt into his chest, my arms clinging on to him as I take a deep breath and soak in his scent, not to mention that he seems a little possessive of me, and I kind of love it.
It might sound crazy, but I’m so glad he’s going with me, instead of Cougar, because at least I can be more myself tonight while I attempt to help my boss.
“You smell good,” I say as his hand lands on my bare back, his fingers flexing into my skin.
“I was about to say the same thing about you,” he says as his thumb rubs along my spine, sending a straight shot of lust between my legs.
Oh my God, is that all it takes? A thumb rub?
Get it together, Bower.
“You also look fucking gorgeous.” He pulls away to look me in the eyes. “Then again, you always do.” He winks and then turns away, where he grabs his phone off a side table, leaving me in a state of…uh, what did he just say?
No, don’t look too much into it.
He’s a nice guy and that’s what nice guys do. They say nice things.
Right?
And friends do the same thing. They say nice things.
“Ready?” he asks, and then threads our fingers together, locking up his apartment.
“Uh, yeah,” I answer, caught off guard for more reasons than one.
He holds my hand the entire way down to the lobby, acting as if this is an actual date. I did tell him there would be touching. Perhaps he’s practicing. “I got us a car service again, just in case there are drinks there.”
“Smart,” I say as he brings me out onto the street, where a black SUV waits for us.
The driver opens the door and I get in first, Bennett following behind. Once we’re settled, he turns toward me. “How was your day?”
“Um, it was good,” I answer as his eyes are intent on me.
“Just good?”
I shrug. “Nothing exciting happened.”
“Didn’t you have a date?”
“Oh, right. Yeah, that was nice. Cougar opened up and seemed more human today.”
“Nothing like date number four to realize the guy you’re seeing is human.”
I chuckle. “Never said I was good at this dating stuff.”
“You probably are with the right man,” he counters.
And for some reason, that hits home, because I think he might be right about that.
“What about you? How was your day off?”
“Wasn’t a true day off. I still worked out and took some batting practice.”
My expression flattens. “Bennett, that’s not a day off at all.”
“Can’t really take many days off in baseball; have to keep up reps.”
“Really? I know nothing about baseball.”
“You can come with me one day, if you want? To take some batting practice, maybe show you some mechanics.”
For some reason, that actually excites me.
“Tell me when, I’m there.”
“Yeah?” His expression softens. “I’ll send you some days. You can even come before a game, in the morning.”
“Will you give me a tour of the stadium?”
“Do you want one?”
“I do,” I say, excited at the prospect.
“Then it’s a date.”
It’s a date…
Why does that give me so much joy and not an ounce of trepidation? With Cougar, I was coming up with any sort of lie to not go to his game, but Bennett…he’s different.
Maybe because it’s Bennett, and if I can trust any man, it would be him.
There’s no pressure when I’m with him. Familiarity, perhaps?
Or maybe because he’s not just trying to score or impress me.
He’s not saying all the words to get me into his bed.
And then leave. He’s just…Bennett. We have history, a solid friendship. Trust.
Yeah, that’s it. Isn’t that what every woman wants in a friend?