Bennett (On the Line 2)

“I do.”

“So the sweaty shirt and hat did it? I would’ve broken them out a long time ago if I’d known.”

I shifted on the couch, trying to ease the ache in my back. “It’s just you, Bennett. You’re so sexy and sweet and reliable.”

“Reliable?”

“You’re always there for me. And you’re my best friend.”

He took my hand and pressed it to his lips. “You’re mine, too. You want a back rub?”

I laughed humorlessly. “I’d love one, but I can’t lie down. I think I’ll have to just stand and lean my hands against the wall for it.”

“Only five more weeks, babe.”

I sighed softly. He stood and bent to help me get up from the couch. I wasn’t exactly the picture of grace these days.

“I just remembered the carpet cleaning place is coming tomorrow to do the whole apartment,” I said. “We’ll have to stay off the carpets until the next day.”

“Good thing I know how to levitate,” Bennett said with a grin.

“Yeah, it’s impossible to stay off the carpet in here, isn’t it?”

“We’ll stay at my place.”

I was about to

lean on the wall for my back rub, but I turned to face him instead. “What about Liam?”

“What about him? We’re on speaking terms now.”

“Yeah, but . . . me sleeping in your bed might . . . inflame things, you know?”

He shrugged. “He’ll have to learn to live with it. You love me, remember? You’re stuck with me now.” He turned my shoulders so I was facing the wall. “Say it again, Charlotte.”

A warm sensation spread from my head to my toes. I felt these words in my soul. “I love you, Bennett.”

He pressed a hand to the small of my back, massaging the spot that was chronically sore. As his hands moved over me, I realized we’d never have to worry about James walking in on us again. We wouldn’t have to muffle our sex sounds in bed anymore.

Maybe the next stage of life wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Bennett

Liam was snoring in the recliner when I walked into the apartment. I closed the door hard and he lifted his head up.

“What are you doing here?” he asked in a groggy tone.

“I live here.”

“You’re never here.”

I carried the bags of groceries in my arms into the kitchen and set them on the counter. Time to get to the reason I’d woken him up.

“Yeah, well . . . Charlotte and I are staying here tonight because she’s getting the carpet cleaned at her place.”

Liam folded down his legs, got up from his chair, and came into the kitchen.

“The couch is open.”