Twisted Love (Modern Romance #3) - Piper Lawson Page 0,89
still love me.”
His hands cup my face, and I draw in a slow breath, my lungs burning but not with pain—with joy.
Ben’s thumb rubs across my lower lip. “All I’ve seen are examples of relationships not working out, but you’re my exception. I want you to prove me wrong, for us to prove me wrong. I will work every day to make that happen. Because I'm in love with my best friend and I want her next to me every damn second.”
Happiness warms me like the candles, like the complete adoration and commitment in his eyes.
“I love you too,” I whisper. “I spent so long wishing I could rewrite our past. But I wouldn’t if I could, because it brought us here. We were supposed to be pretending this month, but it’s always been real with you.”
He drags my mouth to his, kissing me with a fierceness that steals my breath.
My fingers delight in the feel of his suit before threading in his hair. Reassuring myself he’s here, we’re here, that this is real.
Ben’s arms wrap around me, dragging my hips against him. Something digs into my back—Jet, I realize hazily—and I don’t care. Nothing matters but the man kissing me.
I need to touch all of him, to have his hands everywhere, and when he walks me against the wall to crush me beneath him, I tug on his hair until he groans.
I already want him, and the growing hardness between us reminds me exactly how much he wants me too, how much time we have to make up for—not only this week, but our entire lives.
“Nice dress,” he murmurs against my ear.
“Thanks,” I manage.
“I’d like to take it off you.”
“Please do.”
Ben sets Jet on the foyer table next to the flickering candle, a boyish grin on his face.
We come together right there, nothing between us but love and appreciation and enough wonder to light the room without the help of candles.
After, we’re lying on the couch, his arm wrapped around me.
“The candles around the Xbox were a nice touch,” I murmur.
He smirks. “You said you liked candles. This is the extent of my decorating abilities.”
“I respect that.”
Ben traces a finger along my bare shoulder, and I sigh happily.
“So I need a date for a work event next month,” Ben says. “Go with me.”
I shift up on one elbow to scan his handsome face. “No.”
“No?” he echoes, stiffening.
I shake my head. "You should take your girlfriend."
His eyes darken with understanding. He pulls me down to him, his laughter vibrating against my lips. But a moment later, his kiss is hard and possessive, coaxing me open.
Yes. This is what I want.
“What're we going to tell people?” I murmur when I pull back.
He holds firm. “I don’t care. I want you and me just like this.”
I lean against him, loving his warmth. “Wait—do we still get to play Fortnite?”
“Fuck yes.”
31
“Crushed this week,” Rena crows as she, Kendall and I clink glasses at the bar down the street from Closer.
“You signed the contract to handle the new Vane resorts?" Kendall asks.
I nod. "Cami’s heading up marketing now that she’s working at Vane. The one thing she did before she and Aiden left on their honeymoon was award us the account.”
“Richard’s not getting in the way?”
“No. At first I thought he came to the decision himself, but now I think he was pushed into it by Aiden, who protects his wife. It’s cute.”
I know their arrangement is mysterious, but I’m not one to judge. Still, I know there’s also more under the surface.
We catch up on the week, work and gossip.
My phone buzzes, and I read my sister’s text.
“Lil’s stressed out, going through exams and her new research assistantship.” I reach for my drink. “She really seems to like her professor.”
“Ooh, older man,” Kendall says, and I shoot her a warning look.
“That is not going to happen. What’s new with you two?”
“Wes and I are good,” Rena says. “But Scrunchie has been struggling emotionally lately. We’ve been thinking of getting him another skunk as a companion.”
I shake my head. I’ve met her wild pet a handful of times, and he suits her personality perfectly.
Kendall weighs in. “Logan’s been acting strange. Spending time out, which is fine because Rory and I have been having lots of fun together. But still. It’s weird.”
I bite my cheek, exchanging a look with Rena.
“Yeah, I have no idea about that,” I lie, and Rena blinks when Kendall looks over.
Actually, I overhead Ben advising Hunter on engagement rings.