CHAPTER 44 BOWER #2
“Stop that.” I step away from him and hold up my hand. “Do not turn me on right before your sister gets here. I’m warning you.”
Smiling a devilish smile, he takes a step toward me and grabs my hand, placing it right over his dick. “Already turned on, babe.”
“Oh my God, you need help. This is why I shouldn’t date someone younger than me. Your virility is unmatched.”
“Don’t really hear you complaining about that when I’m tongue deep in your pussy.”
“Bennett, I swear to God—”
Knock. Knock.
I still and look over toward the door.
“Oh my God, my nipples are hard and your sister is here.”
“They are?” He looks down at my breasts. “Shit, that’s hot.” Then he tugs on my shirt and I slap his hand away.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I whisper.
“Playing with them.”
“Bennett Brinkman,” I hiss, causing him to laugh.
“Chill, baby, it will be good. Promise.”
Then he kisses me on the lips and walks over to the door while I adjust my clothes and hair and will my nipples to calm down.
The door opens and I hear Bennett greet Gabby and Ryland before they walk into the apartment. When Gabby’s eyes meet mine, I feel my stomach twist in knots, with a bout of nausea for fun too.
She pauses for a moment, taking a deep breath, and then to my utter freaking surprise, she walks up to me and pulls me into a hug.
Relief floods through me, tugging on my emotions and turning me into a sobbing wreck as I cling to my best friend.
In between sobs, I say, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I didn’t want to, but it just happened. I meant what I said, that I would always protect him. I just, I couldn’t stop it. I…I love him, Gabby, and I need him.”
“Shhh.” She rubs my back. “I know,” she says softly. “I know.”
I bury my head into her shoulder, crying as I hold on to her, not wanting to let go. “I’m not going to hurt him, I promise. This isn’t a fling.”
“I know you won’t.” She cups the back of my head. “I know you will protect him. You already have by standing up to me. By standing up for him.”
“Because I love him.”
I feel her nod and then after a few seconds, she grips my shoulders, looking me in the eyes.
“I’m sorry,” I say again. “I didn’t want you to find out like that. I wanted to tell you, I was just trying to figure out the best way so I didn’t hurt you either.”
“I appreciate it,” she says, her voice full of understanding. “And I’m sorry I freaked out. I should have trusted that you would have Bennett’s best interest at heart. You always have.”
“And I always will,” I say. “It’s just…it’s just a little different now.”
“Just a little.” She smirks and then hugs me again before letting go.
Bennett comes up to my side and wraps his arm around me before kissing the top of my head. Gabby watches us, curious but also confused, which is quite funny, watching her try to process it all.
“So you two are really together?” she asks as Ryland goes to her side.
I look up at Bennett and say, “Yeah, we are.”
Gabby slowly nods, still processing. “How did it happen?”
Bennett’s hand curls around my waist, holding me tighter. “A lot of fucking patience and pursuing.”
“But…didn’t you set her up with Cougar?” Gabby asks.
Bennett drags his hand over his face. “Please, don’t fucking remind me. That was a huge mistake that caused me far too much anguish.”
“Why did you do it?” Gabby asks, utterly confused.
“Because Nolan Hart told me to set her up with someone douchey so I could swoop in when she got disappointed.”
“Jesus.” Ryland shakes his head. “I wouldn’t take advice from a guy who wears crop tops during warm-ups and humps the water cooler for good luck.”
“He humps the water cooler?” I ask, causing Bennett to roll his eyes.
“It’s a new tradition that he gets fined for by the team, but he doesn’t care, because we keep winning.”
“I like it when he dick-bumps you guys,” Gabby says with a smirk.
“Dick-bump?” I ask, thankful that the tension in the room’s starting to fade.
“Yeah, instead of a chest bump, he bumps dicks.”
“No one likes that,” Bennett says, causing Gabby to laugh.
“I don’t know. Seems like something I’d like,” I say, smirking at Gabby.
“Perhaps we need more of it,” Gabby says.
“I think we do.”
Bennett looks between the two of us and then says, “I will not allow you two to gang up on me.” Then he forces me to look him in the eyes and says, “Remember, I’m your number one Brinkman now.”
“Ooo, I don’t know.” I glance at Gabby. “She’s my girl.”
“Yeah, well, can she make you come on her tongue like I can?”
“Bennett!” Gabby screeches, pushing at his shoulder, making him laugh. “Oh my God, don’t say that stuff. I know I’m okay with this now, but boundaries.”
“Says the girl who was telling me all about the sex she had with Ryland.”
“Bower is my best friend,” Gabby defends.
“Yeah, and Ryland was my coach.”
The room falls silent and Ryland leans over and whispers, “He has you on that one, babe.”
Bennett brings his attention back to me and puts me on the spot. “So…who is your number one again?” He wraps his arms around me and lifts my chin up.
Smiling, I reach behind him, my hand out to Gabby, and I hold it as I look him in the eyes and say, “You are.” And then he kisses me while I squeeze her hand at the same time, Gabby squeezing it back.
“That’s what I thought,” he says as he pulls just far enough away to add, “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“This is great and all,” Ryland interrupts, “but I’m fucking starving. Can we get some food?”
“Yes, we must feed my husband,” Gabby adds. “How on earth will he be able to pleasure me with his tongue this evening if he’s deprived of food?”
“Jesus…Christ,” Ryland groans as Bennett pretends to throw up in his mouth.
Gabby and I share a smirk, one that’s laced with all the understanding and appreciation we have for each other. This might have been a bump in the road, but I know…I know that we will be okay.
“I don’t know. This whole dating-marriage scenario could be fun,” Gabby says.
“You know two can play that game,” Bennett replies, both of them looking at me curiously.
I glance between the two of them and shrug. “Don’t look at me. I’m here just for the plot.”