Page 238 of Taken Away

Aubrey gripped the back of his shirt.

“I hate that I still want her to love me right.”

Bennett’s hand moved slowly over her hair.

“I know.”

“I’m too old for that.”

“No.”

“She’s never going to be what I needed.”

“Maybe not.”

Aubrey pulled back enough to look at him.

His eyes were dark and steady.

“But that doesn’t make what you needed wrong,” he said.

The tears came harder then.

Bennett kissed them from her face.

One cheek.

Then the other.

As if every place she hurt deserved reverence.

“You’re beautiful,” he said.

She gave a broken little laugh.

“I’m crying.”

“I know.”

“My face is a mess.”

She shook her head, but he kissed her again.

Her cheek.

Her mouth.

Her chin.

Aubrey went still.

“And I want you,” he said, his voice low and rough with honesty. “God, Aubrey, I want you so much.”

Her fingers tightened in his shirt.

“Then want me.”

His eyes searched hers.