Page 146 of Taken Away

She wasn't sure if that was a good idea or a terrible one.

She only knew she didn't want to step back.

Something caught low in her stomach.

“This scares me,” she said quietly.

Bennett looked at her for a long moment.

“Me too.”

The honesty in the answer hit harder than reassurance would have.

“We should probably talk about that.”

“Probably.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow.”

Then he leaned in and kissed her.

It wasn’t careful this time.

His mouth found hers with a certainty that stole the rest of her objections.

Warm. Insistent. Hungry in a way that felt nothing like loneliness and everything like choice.

Her fingers curled in his shirt before she realized she’d moved.

Bennett’s free hand slid to her waist, tugging her closer until her hips met his.

The kitchen island pressed against the backs of her thighs.

A soft sound escaped her.

He swallowed it like he’d been waiting for it.

“Bennett—“

Her name broke on a breath when his mouth left hers and traced a line along her jaw.

He nipped lightly at the spot beneath her ear, his teeth catching her earlobe enough to make her gasp.

“I like it when you’re jealous,” he murmured.

“Shut up,” she whispered, breathless.

He smiled against her skin.

“Noted.”

His hand skimmed up her spine, pulling her flush against him.

The kiss deepened.

Every place he touched her sparked.