His breath tickled her ear as he growled, “Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me?”
She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. The music drowned out the squeak that had surely come out of her mouth. She pressed against his erection. “I think I have a pretty good understanding.”
“You make me want things. Things I shouldn’t want. Things I shouldn’t have.” His grip tightened.
Her body shuddered as he grasped the back of her neck, pulling his head away far enough to gaze at her.
He dipped his mouth to hers, consuming her with his kiss. Sparks and shimmers built into fireworks of need. She gripped his shoulders as he deepened their connection, stealing, staking claim. His hands roamed to her ass, squeezing before trailing down her thighs and leaving goose bumps in their wake. Lust-fire burned her from the inside out, scorching her restraint and silencing her fears, filling her with urgency. All that mattered was this moment. This need that had her ready to throw caution to the wind and burst like an active volcano.
The ground itself seemed to quake from the raw power of his touch. Her legs shook, and her body trembled. His kiss made her feel unstable and volatile. His tongue invaded her mouth in an erotic dance. He tasted like beer and sin. Risk and temptation. Tonight and forever.
He broke away, leaving her breathless. His chest heaved against her breasts. Her hard nipples brushed against his muscles, fueling her ache with the friction.
“Let’s get out of here,” he ground out as he dragged her from the bar into the chilly night. The blast of cold air swept over her, dulling the lust-filled haze enough for her to come back to her senses. Panic gripped her as he led her to his truck. What if this is just like before? Does he want me, or my body?
“Bently.”
“I know, Angel. I know.”
Despite what she’d thought, Belle couldn’t let this go any further unless she knew for sure. She wouldn’t risk it all and give her body to him without assurance. She wished with everything in her that she could be less complicated. But the fear that this would all end once he’d had her body was paralyzing.
She bit down until she tasted blood. “Bently?”
“My place?” He opened the door, his hands immediately gripping her waist.
“I—I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Okay, we can go to yours.” He leaned in.
She pressed her hand against his chest, turmoil raging inside her. As much as she wanted him, she needed to make sure her needs were clear. She’d made the mistake of giving pieces of herself away in the past for fleeting attention and false love. She wouldn’t betray herself like that again.
“No, I meant . . .” She searched his eyes in the moonlight.
He furrowed his brow. “Do you not want this?”
“I do, more than anything.”
He smiled, relief painting his features.
“But . . . unless something’s changed for you and this can be more than one night . . . I really care about you, Bently—more than I probably should. Which is all the more reason that I need you to make your intentions clear. Is this more than sex to you?”
He opened his mouth and then closed it, seemingly struggling with her question. Fear flashed in his eyes. Her hope fell like a rock in her stomach. He wasn’t ready.
“I wish it could be.”
It could, if you let it.
“It’s okay.” She turned to climb in, hoping he wouldn’t see the tears glistening in her eyes.
She had fallen in love with Bently Evans. The man had his faults, but leading her on and lying so he could take advantage of her was not one of them. Of course, when she finally found an honest man she could trust, he’d be incapable of loving her back. Why did life have to be so unfair?
Chapter 27
Bently
Sighing, Bently opened the door to The Stardust Café. Remy was busy helping a customer ahead of him, but she flashed him a smile.
He scanned the room—a habit—searching for potential threats and gauging where the exits were. For the safety of himself and those he loved, he’d had to maintain a constant alertness his whole life. There was no way to turn it off or slow the adrenaline surging through his blood stream. It left him fatigued and on edge.
His head pounded. The few drinks he’d had last night hadn’t helped. He’d been so close to taking what didn’t belong to him that evening with Belle two weeks ago. Even in a club crowded with people, she’d been so responsive to his touch. The woman would be a fucking masterpiece to watch fall apart. The way her tiny body ground against him. The way she tasted when those succulent lips locked with his. He’d forgotten anything else existed outside Belle. His sole focus had been her. She had a way of making him forget his place.
“Bent, what can I get y—you look like crap. Are you okay?” Remy asked, bringing him back to the present where fantasies died and Belle could only ever be a friend.
“Thanks for the compliment, beautiful.”
She shrugged. “Are you okay?”
“Large coffee. You know what, you better make it two.” He pulled out his wallet.
“Should I add a shot of hazelnut to one of them?” she teased.
“No,” he grumbled.
She filled two cups and pushed a paper bag across the counter. “You need to get that blood sugar up, mister grumpy pants. Cookies are on the house, of course. Seven fifty for the coffee.”
He handed her a ten-dollar bill. She entered it in the cash register as he sipped from the first paper cup. His sister-in-law might be nosy, but she had a gift straight from the caffeine gods for making the best coffee around.
“Thanksgiving is coming up in a couple weeks,” she said.
“Mm-hmm.” Like he didn’t know. It happened every year.
“Well, I was just thinking that
