He stood and grabbed his boxers before sliding into them. Watching him dress seemed somehow even more intimate than watching him undress. For a brief moment, I could imagine us sharing a room, getting ready in the morning together.
At least until he said, “Let me know when you’re ready for another practice session.”
I forced a smile, playing along. “Tomorrow night too soon?”
He smiled. “Not soon enough.”
He walked me to the door, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Good night, Wren. Sweet dreams.”
As I snuck down the hall to my room, I told myself to be more like Liam. To take emotions out the equation. Even though I’d bared myself to Bennett tonight more than any other man, I needed to remember that this was just sex, nothing more.
Chapter Nineteen
Wren paused at the door and smiled. “What’s all this?”
While she was dropping River off at Aiden’s for the birthday sleepover, I’d been busy with preparations of my own. We had the house all to ourselves, and I planned to make the most of it. I might not be able to take her out for a real date, not that I didn’t want to. I wanted to walk down Main Street, hand in hand, eat at a restaurant together, show everyone in town she belonged with me.
But for now, I’d have to settle for a romantic meal at home for two. “Dinner.”
“Oh no.” She walked closer, inspecting the table with a growing smile. “This is so muchmorethan dinner.”
There were flowers, candles… For a minute, I wondered if I’d gone overboard.
“Bennett Nash, are you trying to woo me?”
“What if I am?” I teased, trying to test the waters.
She’d gone on a second date with Arlo and had plans for a third. She enjoyed chatting with Ben, but she was getting frustrated with him since they still hadn’t met up. As far as I knew, she’d stopped checking for matches on the LoveBirds app and was now focused exclusively on Arlo. I didn’t know if that was a good thing or not, but I sensed I was running out of time.
I was getting tired of keeping this secret. Of lying. Not just to my best friend, but to Wren. It was exhausting hiding my feelings from her.
She smirked then said, “Well, I guess I should put on an outfit worthy of this dinner.”
I took in her ripped jeans and tank top, taking my time to drink her in. To let her see my desire for once. It was so nice not to have to hide it from her. “You’re beautiful just the way you are.”
She smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Even so, you went to all this effort, and I have a new dress I’ve been wanting to wear.”
“You don’t want to save it for your date with Arlo?” I immediately wished I could take it back. I wanted her to be thinking about me, not Arlo. I wanted her to see how good we could be together for real.
Something passed through her eyes, but I couldn’t decipher it. Then she grinned, back to her normal self. “This will be a good test run, especially since our third date is coming up.” Her tone was laced with meaning, and I felt like I was going to be sick.
Was she saying what I thought she was? Were they really at the point in their relationship where she was ready to sleep with him? She hadn’t even mentioned kissing him, and I was too much of a chickenshit to ask. But we’d been doing a lot of practice, which had to mean something, didn’t it?
“I’ll be back soon. Unless…” She hung back, hand on the counter. “There’s anything I can do to help.”
“Nope.” I forced a smile.Not a damn thing.
I turned back to the stove, needing a moment to collect myself. Wren was gone for longer than I expected, so while the sauce was simmering, I went to change. I stripped out of my T-shirt, swapping it for a button-down with a tie. I applied some cologne and ran my fingers through my hair before swishing mouthwash and spitting it out.
Satisfied with my reflection, I returned to the kitchen. Wren was standing at the counter, pouring two glasses of wine.
I slid up behind her, smoothing my hands over her waist until she was wrapped in my arms. Right where she belonged.Fuck Arlo. Fuck any other man who tries to come near her; she’s mine.
“Hi,” she said, a smile in her voice as she glanced back over her shoulder at me.
“Hey, baby.” I kissed her cheek. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thank you. Gorgeous is good.”
