Her eyes lit up as she leaned into his hand. “That sounds like a plan.”
“I thought so,” he said with a nod. He felt good about where they were. He wanted more, but he understood she had to be comfortable too. He didn’t want to rush them, he didn’t want to burn them out, he wanted this to last.
Kissing her forehead, he nuzzled against her as she whispered, “If I close my eyes, I’ll fall asleep.”
He nodded, his lips dragging against her forehead. “Well, then, we need something else to do.”
“The sex?”
He scoffed. “Not yet.”
She looked up at him just as he looked down at her, and they both smiled. “Bath?”
Her eyes lit up. “Bath!”
Of course, Benji’s gorgeous house would have an even more gorgeous bathroom. Everything was very modern, two vanities that were probably the size of her whole bathroom back at her old apartment. It was crazy and amazing, and she never wanted to leave. The shower was completely glass, with three different showerheads and even a place for someone to sit. It was really nice. But that wasn’t the best part. No, it was the huge garden tub that would probably fit the whole Assassins team in it. All this for one man—it was such a depressing thought.
“Why did you buy this big ol’ house for just you?” she asked as she lowered deeper into the hot water, the spa going, the jets hitting her in the ribs. It felt so good. Even with all the room in the tub, she sat between Benji’s legs, her back to his chest as his hands slid up and down her thighs.
“Well, not only did I love the way it looked, but I also wanted a big house so I could fill it with a family one day.”
She smiled. “I’m pretty sure there aren’t many men like you,” she said, cuddling closer into him. A bath had been a good idea and she wished she didn’t have to leave, but she only had three more hours until she had to head home. She had even set her alarm just to make sure.
“We are a rare breed,” he teased against her ear and she giggled, squirming against his lips. “Women need to pay attention to the dorky, geeky guys.”
“Guess so, but I wouldn’t put you in that category.”
“No?”
“No, you’re too hot.”
He smiled. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah, after I decided you weren’t a child molester, I thought you were hot.”
He paused, a little disbelief in his voice as he asked, “You thought I was a child molester?”
“Hey, I was mad. All men were either pedophiles or assholes.”
“Man, damn that Jayden,” he muttered, kissing her jaw. “But, hey, look at you now. I think you knew all along I was okay.”
“Yeah, okay, I guess,” she teased, and when his fingers bit into her thighs as he nibbled on her neck, it caused her to giggle. “I was a bitch. I’m sorry.”
“Another apology. Wow.”
“Shh, take it and run,” she said and he kissed her hard on the cheek.
Holding her close, he kissed her neck and then her jaw once more. “I don’t want you to leave.”
“Me either,” she whispered. “This is nice, and this kind of stuff doesn’t really happen for me.”
“Because you don’t let it and no one ever wants to try to fight you for you.”
Her lips tilted. “So you wanted to fight me for me?”
“Um, yeah, and I still will,” he declared, his arms coming around her belly, hugging her from behind. “As long as you want me to.”
“No one fights for me. I do the fighting.”
He smiled against her cheek. “Well, how about you fight for what you need to fight for, and I’ll fight for you.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I don’t either, I just want to be there for you,” he said honestly and she smiled, her body trembling with happiness.
“Sounds good to me.”
“Good,” he decided, kissing her once more, his hands moving along her stomach. Silently, they relaxed, the water so warm and soothing against her skin. Her eyes fell shut as she cuddled against Benji’s thick, gorgeous body. He was covered in bruises, but it wasn’t a surprise to her. He was a hockey player, a defenseman who blocked a lot of shots. They were kind of sexy. “I have a question.”
Opening her eyes, she said, “Okay?”
“There is a tattoo on the back of your neck. Explain.”
She smiled as he moved her hair off her neck, running his fingers along the ink. “It’s for my family,” she said softly, moving her hands up his thighs. “We all have Sinclair written somewhere on us, I added the peonies to mine along with Angie’s name.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Thanks,” she said and then she sucked in a deep breath.
She needed to ask about his tattoo, but before she could, he said, “Another question.”
“Inquisitive today,” she teased and he chuckled against her ear.
“Yeah, so River Moore, Baylor’s dad, is not your real dad. But he’s marrying your mom, right?”
Lucy nodded. “Aw, you listen when I bitch.”