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She wheels us to the exit doors, and the sliding glass opens. A flutter forms inside my belly. My lips part as I stare up in disbelief. Ben casually leans against his Jeep. “Your chariot awaits, Ms. Fischer,” the nurse teases. Ben pushes off his car and walks forward, reaching for my hand.
“Do you need help?”
I eye him suspiciously. “Yeah, with understanding why you’re here and not the more reasonable option.”
His lips curl into the sexiest grin. He takes my hand and helps me stand. “She must not have wanted it as much as I did.”
He guides me to the passenger door, but I stop, demanding to see his eyes. “And you did?”
His smile settles something inside me. “Damn straight I did.” He helps me climb into the Jeep and shuts my door, then rounds to the driver's side and gets in. “You hungry? Want me to stop for food?”
“Ben?”
“Yeah?” He looks at me while pulling away from the hospital.
“What are you doing? You know this isn’t the best option. I can’t just move in with you. We’re not even—”
“We’re gonna figure it out. Just until you get everything worked out. Let me do what I do best.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh, and what is it you do best?” I question, my dirty mind zeroing in on one thing Iknowhe does well.
His low chuckle teases the insides of my thighs. “You wish. This is about making sure you heal and helping you figure out the fire. I’m not some piece of meat. If you think that’s part of this arrangement, I can take you back.”
He’s insane. And beautiful.
“Fine. One night. Then I’m going to find a hotel until I get things worked out.”
“Oh, I wasn’t giving you more than that—”
I slap his shoulder, then wince at the painful sting.
“You okay?”
“No. I burnt my house down. I have nothing to my name. My hands kill. Mythighkills. And I’m suddenly rooming with my childhood nemesis. Did I mention I have nothing to my name?”
Ben reaches over the center console and slides his hand over my good thigh. “I got you covered.”
“Yeah? How so?” I laugh, but it comes out a bit manic. My clothes, my computer, my phone, everything left of my mother. . . it’s all gone.
“Hannah.”
“Hannah?”
“Yep. That one is resourceful.”
I raise my brows, skeptical. Seems a bit farfetched since she’s the only one who understands my feelings about him. Possibly for him. My expired feelings that have nothing to do with hating him anymore. “Hannahhelped you?”
“It didn’t come without a price. Had to make a lot of promises. Stipulations. Trust me. This is going to be strictly a friend helping a friend situation. Otherwise, I get to make Levi a happy man.”
“Ew, what kind of happy? Never knew you swung—okay, sorry!” I squeal when he squeezes my thigh.
“Nice one. But no. I draw the line at playing brother/sister.” He wiggles his brows, warmth spreading across my cheeks. “I have something Levi’s been wanting for a long time. Hannah and I have a deal. I’ll be on my best behavior and not cross any lines. If I do, Levi becomes the proud new owner of a very expensive football, so don’t try anything on me. I’ll turn you down in a heartbeat. Nothing is worse than losing a collector’s item—oh! And I’m only allowed to keep you for forty-eight hours, then you’re going to stay with her.”
I can’t hide my surprise. “She said all this?”
“Yep. And for the record, if anyone in particular asks, you’re staying with her the whole time.” My brows perk up. “Had to fib a little to get your guard dog to back off. Hannah stepped in and talked to Jenny. Said with being the long-time friend and all, it was best you stayed with her.”
My jaw hits my lap. “Wait. . . Hannahlied?”
