“Fuck, that was so hot,” he murmurs against my hair.
I don’t know what to say. I’ve never done anything like this before. Never lost control so completely with someone I barely know. I should be mortified, but instead, I feel oddly peaceful. Satisfied in a way I’ve never experienced.
“Stay with me tonight,” Ben says, his lips brushing my temple.
My heart skips. “Here?”
Ben chuckles. “Yes, here.” His hand traces up my spine. “I want to fall asleep with you in my arms.”
The offer is tempting. So tempting. But my mind is racing with practical concerns.
“What about my shop? I have to work tomorrow.”
Ben chuckles again. “The whole town is going to be focused on the fight tomorrow. I’m sure you can stay closed another day.”
“But I don’t have any clothes,” I point out. “Or a toothbrush. Or?—”
“Audrey can lend you what you need.” His fingers curl around the back of my neck, gentle but possessive. “Say yes, Tilly.”
I lift my head to look at him.
There’s something in his eyes—a certainty, a hunger that should frighten me. This is moving so fast. We just met this morning. Now I’ve just had the most intense orgasm of my life while sitting in his lap.
“Okay,” I hear myself say. “I’ll stay.”
His smile is slow and satisfied, like he never doubted my answer.
He helps me stand on shaky legs, then rises and takes my hand. I expect him to lead me toward the bedrooms, but instead, he guides me to a small bathroom off the hallway.
“Bathroom’s right there if you want to freshen up,” he says. “I’ll let Audrey know you’re staying and get you something to sleep in.”
I nod, grateful for the moment alone to collect myself. When the door closes behind him, I stare at my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks are flushed, my lips swollen from his kisses, my hair a wild tangle around my face. I barely recognize myself.
I splash cold water on my face, trying to calm the riot of emotions in my chest. Part of me is screaming that this is insane, that I should call a cab and go home.
But a deeper part knows I’m exactly where I want to be.
When I emerge from the bathroom, Ben is waiting. He takes my hand and leads me down a hallway to a guest room at the far end of the house. The space is simple but comfortable. There’s a king-sized bed with a navy quilt, a dresser, a reading chair by the window. His duffel bag sits open on a bench at the foot of the bed, a few items of clothing neatly folded beside it.
“Audrey left these for you,” he says, nodding toward a small pile on the bed. A t-shirt, a pair of soft-looking sleep shorts, a new toothbrush still in its package.
“That was nice of her,” I say, suddenly shy again.
“She’s happy you’re here.” He tucks a curl behind my ear. “So am I.”
His touch is gentle, but I can see the barely leashed hunger in his eyes. He wants me. The realization is both terrifying and thrilling.
“I’ll let you change,” he says, stepping back. “I’ll be right outside.”
When he closes the door, I quickly strip out of my dress and slip into Audrey’s borrowed clothes. The t-shirt is soft and slightly too big, hanging to mid-thigh. The shorts are comfortable, with a drawstring I have to pull tight around my waist.
I’m just hanging up my dress in the closet when there’s a knock at the door.
“Come in,” I call.
Ben enters, now wearing only a pair of low-hanging sweatpants. My breath catches at the sight of his bare chest. He’s all sculpted muscle and smooth skin, with a trail of dark hair disappearing beneath the waistband of his pants. His biceps are like carved stone, flexing as he shuts the door behind him. A tattoo stretches across his ribs, bold black script that reads “The Mountain,” curving over the hard planes of his abdomen. Another tattoo, a fierce-looking eagle, spreads its wings over his shoulder, the dark lines standing out against his skin. Everything about him is powerful and commanding and my pulse races just looking at him.
He crosses to me in two long strides and cups my face in his hands. And before I can say anything, his mouth claims mine.
