One Chance (Hogan Brothers 1)

Hearing about the way she’d been treated, he was amazed she was still so sweet and not bitter or jaded. There was a light in her that no matter how hard the older Bennett woman tried, couldn’t be dimmed.

As he drove home, the night clear, moon high and full in the sky, he knew exactly what he was going to do for their next date. The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery had an amazing observatory he thought she would thoroughly enjoy.

Soph was a woman of polish and prestige that enjoyed the littlest things, and that pleased him more than anything. While he was well off and his business was booming, he didn’t think he could give her the things she was used to without tanking himself. And not having her in his life wasn’t an option. Her smile and light were intoxicating. After the way she’d come apart in his arms earlier, he knew he was addicted. All the little aspects of her personality set her apart from any other woman he’d met or dated.

She’d asked him inquisitive questions about who he was as a person as well as what he wanted from life. Not many men or women cared about the fundamentals anymore.

Pulling up in front of his modest two story, four-bedroom house, he admired all the hard work he’d put into the structure. When he’d bought it, everything was in shambles. He was still renovating the basement, a bedroom, and one of the bathrooms.

The master suite was his pride and joy. He’d spent the most time and money there, wanting it to be a perfect oasis for his partner when they finally connected. He’d wanted somewhere they could escape to when kids were down for the night.

The garage door went up as he moved closer to the entrance. Slowly pulling in and parking, he locked the garage up and entered the house through the mudroom door that doubled as a laundry room. Tossing his keys on the counter, he saw the light on the answering machine flashing. Pressing play as he passed, his annoyance spiked.

“Nox, baby, I miss you. Call me.” The nasally voice belonged to a woman he’d been on a handful of dates with. She’d wanted more than he was offering after getting to know her.

Hitting delete, he made his way through the dining room and up the carpeted staircase, passing the first bedroom and guest bathroom as he did. The master suite was at the very back of the house, kept separate from the rest of the bedrooms. Shedding his coat, he tossed it on the lounge chair centered between the two big bay windows, next to the walk-in closet.

Sitting on the end of the bed, he undid his boots, kicking them to the side as he pulled his t-shirt over his head. Next went his jeans as he walked to the master bath. Intent on having a hot shower, he shucked off his boxer briefs as he leaned forward to turn the water on.

Hopping into the warm spray, he took a moment as he always did to admire the labor he’d put into the room. The glass-enclosed shower stall was in a corner so that he could see the entirety of the space. The huge clawfoot tub was under the Lucite crystal beveled window next to the shower. There was a vanity with a small bench seat between the his and hers sinks directly across from him. Everything gleamed with white marble. He’d wanted to leave most of the house as plain as possible, so when he did marry, his new bride would have a say in the décor.

Drying off, he stepped out onto the shag carpet, thinking about how well Sophia would look laying in the white tub, her long blonde hair hanging over the edge. Or her ass hanging off one of the sinks as he loved her body.

Walking back into his room, he could see her on his pillow as well. Body supple, waiting for him, hair fanned out on the white sheets. Yeah, that was an image he would most definitely like to see come true.

Striding to his dresser, he opened the top drawer to grab a pair of boxers, slipping them up his still drying legs. Taking his towel to the hamper, he grabbed the jeans he’d tossed in there, searching the pockets for his cell.

Climbing into bed, he decided to text Sophia. Tell her goodnight and how much he’d enjoyed their evening.

Nox: I had a great time tonight. Thanks for taking a chance ;)

Putting the phone down beside him, he didn’t expect an immediate answer, so he grabbed the remote for the small TV sitting on top of his dresser. Turning it on, he flipped through channels until he found a hockey game. Sports weren’t exactly his go to, but it’d do in a pinch when he was waiting to hear back from his girl.

His girl.

Something he was more than willing to get used to.

His phone finally chimed as he was thinking of just how quickly he could convince her to move in. Disappointment settled in his gut as he saw it was Levi.

Levi: Heard a few rumors about your girl…

Nox: Such as…?

Three bubbles popped up as his brother was typing.

Levi: One is that she’s not even a real Bennett.

With the way her mother treated her, he wasn’t shocked to hear that.

Levi: Another is that Tony had an affair.

Happened all the time.

Levi: Third is he wanted an heir, she wants the money and will do anything to ensure she gets it.

Levi: ANYTHING!

His mind was working overtime with the implications of the third rumor.