“Damn, I missed you,” Ben breathed against her lips, and her stomach did a flip.
“I’m happy to see you, too.” Her smile was serene but happy.
He lifted his head, and his eyes searched hers. She wasn’t sure what he was hoping to see, but her eyes spoke the words she hadn’t said out loud. This man was special to her. If shecould come out from under the danger she was in, she wanted to be with him. Moments like this, when she was in his arms, and they exchanged passionate kisses that left them both hot and bothered…well, they were her proof that Ben wanted to be with her, too.
“I love you, Paige.”
Her smile froze on her face, and her eyes grew so wide she expected them to pop from the socket. “Ben, I—”
His hand rested lightly on the side of her neck. “My timing sucks. I get it. I just wanted you to know how I feel.”
Her brow furrowed. “Is something wrong? Did something happen today?”
His intense expression relaxed. “Shit, no. Sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. I missed you, and having you in my arms, having you here when I get home, it feels right. It’s made me realize how much you mean to me.”
Her hands framed his face and pulled him in for a sweet kiss that showed him she felt the same way.
“I love you too.”
“Paige, I didn’t tell you because I expected—”
She placed a finger over his lips to stop him. “I’m telling you because it’s true. And tonight, I’ll show you it’s true.”
Ben’s nostrils flared, and heat simmered in his eyes. “I like the sound of that.”
They kissed again. This time, the kiss was frantic. They devoured each other as if they couldn’t get enough. And she was sure she never would.
His hands gripped her hips and then slid up under her shirt to touch the skin of her waist and her stomach. Goosebumpsrose in response to his touch, and waves of pleasure rolled over her. She fantasized about this, about him. But reality was... So. Much. Better.
He pulled back and touched his forehead to hers, as was becoming his habit. She loved how he seemed to always want to touch her. He held her hand, or draped an arm over her shoulders, or touched foreheads. The attention made her feel special and wanted.
“Oh, baby, I want to take you into that bedroom and strip off your clothes until you’re standing in front of me like the naked goddess you are.”
She smiled wickedly. “Sounds perfect to me.”
“In due time, sweetheart. The first order of business though is a shower and dinner . We’re going to need our strength for the night I have planned.”
She laughed. “I guess I can live with that. Go. Grab your shower. I’ll start dinner, and then our evening together can begin.”
He dropped another kiss to her lips. “I can update you on your case over dinner.”
“I thought you said there was nothing new.”
He shrugged. “There’s not really. But I want you to be kept in the loop every step of the way. It’s not fair to keep you in the dark when your future is on the line.”
Paige sighed. “I appreciate that, but let’s not talk about the mess I’m in tonight. I just want to focus on us.”
“Us. I like the sound of that.” His lips spread in a slow, sultry smile. “I’ll be quick.”
She watched him move toward his bedroom, her eyes drinking in the sight of his broad shoulders, bulging arms, and firm ass. Her mouth watered to think of the night that awaited her. They’d only reconnected a short time ago, but somehow, she felt like she had yearned for Ben her whole life. To hear that he loved her was everything.
Her smile was wide as she went to his kitchen. She searched the cabinets and refrigerator before deciding on what to prepare for dinner. She wasn’t much of a cook, but what she did know how to create was pretty good. And tonight’s dinner had to be the best she’d ever prepared. She wanted their time together to be perfect.
She placed fettuccine noodles in water to cook and began preparing a creamy sauce when her phone buzzed . She stared at the device, surprised to be getting a call when only a select few had her number. Of those few, Ben was the one who used it often. Turning the heat down on her sauce, she reached for the phone only to see that the call came from an unknown number.
She almost didn’t answer. After all, she had a sexy man in the shower who promised her a night to remember. And an unknown member usually meant the call was spam. On impulse, she swiped to accept it before it went to voicemail.
“Hello?”
