“What is it, Wren?”
I dipped my head. “I, um, I think I should tell you something first. It’s part of the reason why I haven’t been intimate with a man since…well, you know.”
“Okay.” His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he ran his fingers up and down my arm, over my back. It was so…relaxing.
“But…” I frowned. “It’s not the sexiest topic, and I’m scared it will ruin the mood.”
He tucked my hair behind my ear. “Nothing you say could ruin the mood. Besides, I’m a doctor. You can’t even imagine the stuff I see at work.” When I hesitated, he added, “Trust me.”
I considered it a moment before deciding it could wait. I didn’t want to focus on the past; I wanted to enjoy the present. I wanted to forget about everything but him.
“Later.” I kissed him, pulling him down on top of me.
He tensed briefly before relaxing into the kiss. Our tongues dancing, bodies touching. He explored my body with his hands until I was breathless, arching my hips to show him where I needed him most.
“Bennett, please,” I panted. He pulled back and held my gaze a moment then said, “You’ll tell me if there’s anything that doesn’t feel good or makes you uncomfortable. Good communication is the key to good sex. And a strong relationship.”
I nodded, scarcely able to speak with the way he was looking at me. This was happening,actuallyhappening. All my childhood and adult fantasies about Bennett were about to become reality.
He brushed my hair over my shoulder, and I shivered. “Cold?”
I shook my head. I was burning up, my body in overdrive. He threaded his fingers through my hair, sending goose bumps over my skin. I was so attuned to him, so needy. And he seemed to know exactly what I needed, even when I didn’t.
He kissed me deeply, fusing our mouths together as my heart thundered in my chest. And suddenly this felt like more than a lesson. This felt…real.
He broke the kiss, only to trail his lips down my neck, lavishing attention on my collarbone, my shoulders. He cupped my breasts, pushing them up even higher, my cleavage nearly spilling out. Overflowing his hands the way my heart overflowed with love for this man.
As much as I’d tried to deny it, deep down, I knew it was true. I loved Bennett. I was in love with my brother’s best friend.
“Fuck me, your tits are so gorgeous. When you sent me that picture, I almost came just from looking at them.”
I moaned, leaning my head back. “You’re one to talk. I mean, damn, Bennett. Were you trying to torture me?”
“Me?” He pulled back. “Tortureyou? You started it!”
“What?” My jaw dropped. “I did not!”
“Did so.” He poked my side and started tickling me. I giggled uncontrollably. He’d always been vicious in a tickle fight. “Teasing me with all those sexy pajamas and no bra.”
“Says the man who walks around shirtless.” I grabbed his wrists, at least momentarily. But then he rolled us so that he was on top, straddling me. Tickling me mercilessly.
“You’re the one who made me watch the baking show with all the innuendos.”
“Stop that!” I said between laughter as I tried to grab his hands. “Bennett! I’m trying to be sexy here, and all my jiggly bits are… This is not flattering,” I huffed.
He sat back but continued straddling me. “Lesson number…” He glanced to the ceiling then back at me. “Who knows what number. Doesn’t matter. You have to love yourself. Love your body. Be confident. Confidence is sexy.”
“Easy for you to say,” I muttered and turned away.
He grabbed my chin and brought my focus back to him. “You’re confident in business. You’re confident as a mom. Why aren’t you confident in the bedroom?”
“Because I’m completely inexperienced.” Though it was more than that. The last time I’d trusted a man, it had ended badly.
“Honestly?” he asked. “That’s a huge fucking turn-on…for some guys.” He tacked on the last part as if it were an afterthought. I didn’t care about “some guys”; I wanted to ask if it was a turn-on for him.
“And I have to admit,” he continued, “there are few things I love more than seeing you laugh.”
I smiled, my chest warming at his compliment. He didn’t have to say stuff like that, yet he did. A small part of me wondered why. I knew he was sincere when he said it; I guess it just surprised me.
