Page 143 of Taken Away

“I’m serious.”

The words came faster now.

“If that’s the case, then fine.”

“No.”

His voice was quiet. Certain.

“Fine isn’t what this is.”

“Then why?”

Bennett frowned.

“Why what?”

She stared at him.

And there it was.

The real question.

The one she’d been carrying since noon.

“Why did you sleep with me?”

The room went completely still.

The smile vanished. Gone.

Aubrey immediately wished she could take the question back.

Not because she didn’t want the answer.

Because suddenly she wasn’t sure she did.

“If Vanessa was still in the picture...” Her voice softened. “If there was still a chance...” She looked away. “Then why did you sleep with me?”

Bennett simply stared at her.

Then something shifted in his expression.

She thought she’d been temporary.

Slowly he crossed the room.

This time, when he reached for her, she didn’t pull away.

“Baby.”

The word slipped out naturally.

His hand closed gently around hers.

“I didn’t sleep with you because Vanessa wasn’t available.”

Aubrey looked up.