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"Well, if I hadn't run away, he wouldn't have come looking for me, and..."
"Don't say it, Jess. Don't you dare say this is your fault."
"How else am I supposed to feel? He is dead because of me."
"No way. He is dead because when he realized he had lost control of you, he lost control of himself. He was the one who ran in front of that vehicle, frantic because you had taken a stand. You didn't push him."
"I know."
"You're safe now, Jess. You can quit running. You can take your time and get back on your feet and start over."
"I guess you’re right."
"I am right. You can take your time with the rest of this renovation even. Just settle some roots for a bit."
"I like that idea."
She sat back on the couch, curling herself up and closing her eyes. I couldn't help but stare at her. She was so beautiful, always had been, but she was very much off-limits to me, and I needed to remember that. I got up and grabbed the plates, stacking them quietly so I didn't disturb her. Once that was done, I cleaned up and put the rest of the food in the fridge. When I turned around, Jess sat on the couch quietly staring at me. I smiled at her, waiting for her to smile back, but she just watched me.
"I guess I should get going. It’s getting late," I said, shutting the lights off over the counter. The only light now was from the TV.
"Please stay."
"Oh, Jess, I don't think that's a good idea with everything that's gone on today. I think it would be best for you to get a good night's rest."
"I don't want to be alone tonight." Her eyes begged me and wore me down within seconds. "Please, Ben," she said, grabbing one of the blankets that lay on the back of the couch and covering herself with it.
Her soft, sexy begging voice sealed the deal. I walked over to her and smiled down at her, smoothing her hair off her face. "Okay, I guess I can stay for a bit."
I lay down on the opposite end of the couch, one hand behind my head, the other resting lightly across my abs, as I relaxed into the soft couch. I reached and pulled the spare blanket off the back of the couch above me and sprawled it over me. We lay in quiet watching TV for a bit, and then Jess got up. She gathered her blanket in her arms and without a word she slid in beside me, rested her head on my chest, and curled up under the blanket.
I couldn't help myself. Lying there with her beside me, I wrapped my arms around her. I didn't fight it. She stared up at me, her hand resting on my chest, and I leaned in and gently grazed her lips with mine. Her body responded in a way it hadn't the other night by pressing into me. My hand resting on her cheek, I kissed her a little deeper than before, my tongue parting her lips, washing through her mouth, she let out a little whimper which went straight to my cock.
Chapter 16
Jessica
It had been two weeks since the accident that had killedKendrick, and I had found an unfamiliar sense of freedom. I had told Ben that the renovation didn't need to move as fast now, so his crew could take their time. Even though I knew I couldn't stay here forever, I wanted to enjoy Ben's company for as long as time would allow.
Over the last couple of weeks, we'd had dinner together almost every night. After dinner he would stay and watch movies with me late into the evening. Other nights we'd spend the evening curled up together on the couch talking.
I yawned as I pulled my hair up into a ponytail and slipped into my favorite pair of jeans. Ben had left late last night, and I had to be up early this morning to make sure the place was ready for the guys. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror and smiled.
I carried my empty coffee cup into the kitchen, passing by the box of donuts and other sweets I had picked up at Bonne Chatte early this morning for the crew. I reached into the box, grabbed a cinnamon roll, and took a bite of the gooey treat. Since Kendrick was gone and Ben had been around more, I didn't feel as guilty eating things like this because he never made the comments Kendrick used to. I had just filled my coffee mug and sat down with my gooey treat when I heard Ben's voice along with the rest of the crew enter.
"Morning?" he called.
"Oh, good morning." I smiled as he set his tools down inside the door. I couldn't help but check him out as the guys followed in behind, smirking. They were finishing up the bathrooms today and then would start on the kitchen.
"I got you guys some donuts this morning, and as always, there is coffee."
"That is great! Thanks." Each of his guys grabbed a donut from the box and some coffee and went straight to work, leaving Ben and me alone.
Ben smiled at me and walked over, leaning in for a kiss. "Hm you taste good," he muttered going in for another. "Kind of like cinnamon and sugar."
I giggled. "You caught me," I said, smiling up at him. "They are so good."
"Yes, that they are." Ben wandered over to the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee. I watched as his muscular arm flexed as he tipped the coffee pot. He winked at me and then heard a crash in the bathroom followed by a string of curses.
