Rushing the Goal
Page 51

“Okay.”
“And don’t try to be all ‘I don’t want to call him ’cause it will make him think I want him’ and not call me, okay?” he said, impersonating her. He was answered with laughter as she pulled back, looking at him. “I know you want me. It’s cool, ’cause I want you. Okay?”
“I don’t know what in the world you are talking about,” she laughed and he grinned, loving the angelic sound that came out of her sweet mouth.
And because he couldn’t handle it, he kissed said mouth once more, and then a second time for good measure before pulling away.
Tracing his cheekbone with her finger, she looked deep into his eyes. “This really shouldn’t happen. That’s why I ran.”
“What’s happening?” he asked. “I just wanted to kiss you.”
She scoffed. “Sure, and kisses lead to sex, which leads to feelings, which leads to heartbreak.”
He kissed her nose once more, his eyes searching hers. It was obvious that douche had hurt her, but Benji wasn’t that guy and he wasn’t going to do that. “Since I don’t like heartache, let’s skip that part.”
She paused before slowly shaking her head. “It’s not that easy.”
“Before it wasn’t, but maybe now it can be,” he said with another wink that made her lips curve.
But as fast as they curved, they went back into a straight line as she looked away. “I don’t know if I’ve got it in me to try. I’ve been hurt, Benji. I’ve got so much—”
Letting her go because he knew if he didn’t now, he wasn’t going to, he leaned toward her, kissing the side of her mouth before whispering against her lips, “Then I’ll help you try.”
As he pulled back, she watched him and then looked away. “You make it really hard to argue with you.”
“Oh, thank God. I don’t like fighting, but I love making up,” he said with a wink, which made her giggle. Moving toward his truck, very slowly because he didn’t want to leave, he smiled. “Good thing I have your number so we can see how much fighting and making up we’ll do.”
Her lips turned up as she shook her head, watching him. “You stole it and I’m still not sure how I feel about that.”
He laughed. “Hey, what’s the worst that can happen?”
Her eyes said it all.
She could fall for him.
While he really didn’t see a problem with that, it was damn apparent it was a huge deal for her, and that worried him.
Was he, in fact, setting himself up for heartache?
He wasn’t sure. But one thing was for sure.
He wasn’t turning back.
What’s the worst that can happen?
Really?
Easy!
Lucy could like him.
She could miss him.
She could fucking fall for him.
There was so much that could go wrong, but she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t giddy walking back to the house, cuddled in Benji’s jacket.
“Shit,” she said, pulling out her phone to call him. When she went to her call list, the last number she had dialed was listed as “My Sexy Dork.”
Seriously?
This guy.
She hit the number, and Benji answered, laughing. “That was quick. I was convinced you wouldn’t text or call till Wednesday.”
“Shut up. You forgot your jacket.”
“Eh, keep it. Looks better on you.”
She made a face. “It’s huge on me.”
“Yeah, but I like seeing you in it. I feel you should have to wear it all the time.”
“You’re insane,” she laughed, reaching for the door.
“Yeah, but maybe it will inspire you to do something crazy and text me later. When you’re lying in bed, naked—”
“I don’t sleep naked,” she said dryly, a grin pulling at her lips.
“No? Hm, you should. It would be hot.”
“Noted.”
“Okay, but text me tonight when you’re wanting someone to wrap their arms around you. Just a hug, of course.”
“Of course.”
“But then, maybe when you want someone between your—”
“Goodbye, Benji,” she said, hanging up to his laughter.
Sucking in a deep breath, she closed her eyes.
Be still, heart.
And behave, vagina.
But, good Lord, that man was a big ball of hotness and he drove her absolutely senseless. She would never let anyone talk to her like that, but when he did it, it was playful, silly. He was a dork. A big sexy one, but he had her number, which meant he’d call her or text her and then she’d have to talk to him, and then… Shit, were they dating?
No.
No…
“Fuck,” she complained as she pushed the door open and went inside. She found the living room was empty, that was until Baylor came limping through, a plate in her hand. Lucy went to her, taking it despite her protest.
“Just go sit down,” Lucy said with more force, and Baylor took notice.
“Jesus, for someone who just got the stuffing kissed out of her, you’d think you would be a little nicer,” she teased in a whisper as she sat down.
Lucy glared and almost threw the plate at her. “I want to throw this at you.”
“Yeah, I know,” she said, taking it and winking. “But I’m hurt. You can’t.”
Lucy rolled her eyes and then fell into the other chair beside her. Slouching down in it, she glared over at her sister-in-law. “You saw it all?”