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“Oh, I didn’t. I walked to the bar, then walked here with Lily. She loved our little stroll.” I push myself up, getting ready to go, even though I want to stay. “Speaking of walking, I should go.”
He frowns in concern. “I don’t like the idea of you walking home in the dark. I’d offer to drive you, but I can’t leave Lily alone.”
“It’s okay.”
“No way. If anything happens to you on your way home, I’d never forgive myself.”
I smile. “Really, it’s fine. Bearclaw Ridge is a safe place.”
“It is, but there are no guarantees. I’d feel better if you stayed. I have a pullout bed in my spare room you can use,” he offers.
He wants me to spend the night? Sure, in different bedrooms, but the idea is enough to make me dizzy with joy. I can’t, though. It’s not appropriate.
“What if Lily sees me in the morning?” I ask him.
“She won’t mind.”
My stomach flips. Does that mean this happens often? Maybe his daughter is used to him bringing women home every now and then. I don’t know why I thought I meant more to him. A guy like Benson can probably pick anyone he’d like to date. No woman in her right mind would say no.
“I don’t know,” I say. “I don’t want her to think we’re together when we’re not.”
“Hey, you don’t have to worry. I’ll tell her the truth. It was late and dark, and I didn’t want you to walk home alone. She won’t be suspicious. She’s four.”
I swallow. “Have you done that a lot? Told her that when a woman stays over?”
He gives me a look of incredulity and chuckles. “Hell no. I’ve never had any woman stay over. Well, except for my sister, of course.”
Could he be telling the truth? It seems so odd that he’s never had anyone spend the night. Not that I mind. I’m green with envy thinking about other women and their hypothetical sleepovers.
“I haven’t been with anyone since Lily’s mother and I split up,” he confesses.
I sit back down. “You haven’t?”
“Don’t look so surprised.” He laughs. “I’ve never met anyone who caught my eye. And after what Tina did, I’ve had a hard time trusting anyone. I mean, she was cooking meth in a rented garage box while I thought she was out working. Talk about a hit in confidence. She sure did a number on me.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I say.
And I am but also tremendously relieved that he hasn’t been involved with anyone.
“Yeah, it was a rough couple of years, but I’m good now. Lily and I are doing great, and I have the bar to keep me busy. Plus, a niece or nephew on the way.”
I put my hand on his arm. “You’re doing a great job with Lily. She’s a happy kid.”
“Thanks.”
My hand lingers on his arm. I should pull it away, but he covers it with his. “I’m happy I met you, June. You’re unlike any woman I’ve ever met.”
I flick my gaze up and catch his eyes boring into me. I should lean in and kiss him. Every cell in my being wants to. My heart races as all kinds of conflicted emotions run through me.
“June…” Benson’s words trail off as he intertwines his fingers with mine.
He leans in, and I let him. Hot need spreads through me like molten lava the moment his lips find mine. Damn, he’s a good kisser. With lips like his, he could set any part of my body ablaze in a matter of seconds.
He puts a hand on the nape of my neck, pulling me even closer. I slip my fingers under his shirt, exploring the skin of his back.
A small moan works its way up, and then I come back to my senses. This is so unbelievably good, but also wrong.
“We probably shouldn’t,” I say, letting go of his delicious mouth.
