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“You’re perfect. Anyone who can’t see that is obviously blind. I mean it, Julie.”
He didn’t use my name often. He liked to use pet names with the women at the office, but somehow him using it only made the statement more special.
I was so wrapped up in the sweet look he was giving me, I didn’t notice Bennett pushing to his feet. He shoved Luka hard enough to make him stumble before spinning me around and yanking me into his arms, kissing me roughly. It was fierce and not at all what I would’ve expected from such a sweet and quiet man. He held me so tightly that my feet almost left the ground and I could only cling to him as he muddled my brain and made me flush all over.
“That was rude.”
Luka’s offhand comment broke us apart. I was panting, my fingers gripping Bennett’s shirt tightly. He rubbed his nose against mine and my eyes slipped close at the sweet gesture.
“This is why I didn’t want you two to come out here.”
Reality hit me hard at Mr Andrews’s remark and I jerked back automatically. Bennett seemed reluctant to release me, dropping his arms slowly. Wide eyed, I looked between the two of them. Never in my life had I captured the attention of men as good looking as them. Certainly not at the same time. It was overwhelming and confusing and I didn’t know what to do about it.
Luka grinned, making my stomach tighten. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ve never been good at sharing, but I’ll learn for someone as perfect as you.”
Bennett shot him a frown before glancing back at me. He seemed to consider it for a minute before nodding. “Me too.”
I was pretty sure my eyes couldn’t get any wider. I stood frozen, staring at them.
“W-What?”
Chapter Fourteen
BENNETT
When Luka kissed Julie, I was ready to deck him. I’d been listening to Grayson’s warning and sticking to comforting her, but then he had to go ahead and kiss her and jealousy hit me square in the gut. I couldn’t stop myself from pulling her into my arms and claiming her lips. She was so soft that it took everything for me not to let my hands wander and explore.
“That was rude.”
Irritation swept through me, and I forced myself to pull away from Julie. I couldn’t make myself go far, though. I rubbed my nose against hers, feeling pretty good about myself when the corners of her lips tipped up. I’d give my right hand for her to smile again, especially if it was because of me.
“This is why I didn’t want you two to come out here.”
Grayson’s comment made Julie stiffen, and she jerked away from me. I tried not to feel hurt about it. She was still recovering. I shouldn’t have kissed her in the first place, but I couldn’t regret it. I didn't want her to think that Luka was her only option.
Her eyes darted between the two of us, and the confusion on her face was a little disheartening. She was going to pick Luka. Of course she was. He was good with the ladies and better looking than me. He also didn’t have a bucket load of baggage that made him ‘too much’ sometimes.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ve never been good at sharing, but I’ll learn for someone as perfect as you.”
I frowned, mulling over his comment. I hadn’t considered that. Luka was one of my best friends. I would feel like a dick if I was the reason he was unhappy. But I didn’t want to bow out either. Julie was too perfect to hand over to someone else, no matter how much I considered them my brothers. I’d never shared a woman before, but I’d be willing to try it if I got to be with her.
I nodded slowly. “Me too.”
Her eyes widened, and she looked stunned. “W-What?”
Grayson sighed heavily, muttering under his breath, but I couldn’t look away from Julie. I wanted to know what she thought about the whole thing. Her mouth opened and shut a few times, speechless. I didn’t fault her for it. It was a lot to take in. I didn’t really know what would happen, either. I was going with my gut and my gut said any way I could have her was better than nothing.
When she whimpered, Grayson finally stepped in. He pushed out of his chair, settling his hands on her shoulders and urging her to sit on the couch. Shooting us both a dirty look, he kneeled beside her, one hand on her shoulder.
“Julie. You’re under no obligation to say yes to them. This was very poor timing on their part and I should’ve tried harder to keep them away from you until you had time to come to terms with what happened.”
He didn’t even need to look at me for me to hear the reproach in his voice. Shamefaced, I dropped my gaze to the floor and rubbed the back of my neck. Grayson was right. I acted without thinking. Julie was still getting over her breakup. It wasn’t fair of us to ask anything from her.
“I’m gonna take these two home. You’re in no rush to come back to work before you’re ready. Feel better and we’ll see you soon, okay?”
As much as I didn’t want to leave, I felt like I’d screw this up. Maybe it was better to follow Grayson’s suggestion and give Julie more time. Now that I knew she was okay, I could probably get through work without wanting to call her six million times a day. Maybe.
When Grayson stopped in front of me, I nodded and took a few steps back. Shooting one last glance at Julie, who still sat frozen where Grayson left her, I dropped my chin and followed him out.
