Page 29 of Extended Bridge

“Understood.”

The classic “Love Rules” by Hunte starts to play. The sultry beat, combined with lyrics about how the band’s lead singer got together with his wife, plays over the dance floor. In front of me, Bennett sings the words directly in my ear.

It’s as if we’re the only two people out here. Bennett’s gaze caresses me with a hunger I’ve only experienced in his arms. He doesn’t make any quick movements or do anything to hurt his muscle pull. No. He’s taking it slow and steady.

Not touching my face, his palms skim the air in front of my cheek. Breaking the barrier, he pushes some of my hair behind my ear, then lets his hand fall down my back. The only way I know this is because I can feel his body heat. He’s back to avoiding actually touching me.

Deciding to test his willpower—more out of curiosity than anything else—I raise my hands above my head and move my hips in time with the sexy beat. In front of me, Bennett growls and takes a step back. I twirl around, giving him a good view of my backside, unleashing my inner bad girl. The one who let this man play me with his fingers not once, but twice. The woman who sucked him off in the shower. For one more moment, I want to be her.

Only with this man.

I twist my head around, taking in the gorgeous rocker behind me. Long and lithe with muscles begging to be licked. I turn to the other side, still keeping my back to him.

“No, no, no,” he admonishes. “You’re not going to trick me into wasting my one and done.”

Standing in front of him now, I chide, “You know how good it could be.”

“Which is why I’m not wasting it in a room filled with strangers.”

“You know Luke. And Río. And Coop, Tristan, even Pierce.”

“Not gonna happen.” He closes all but one inch of the gap between us. In my ear, he whispers, “I will, however, take this opportunity to kiss and bite and nip down your body with these.” He wiggles his fingers. “Only they won’t touch you.”

He demonstrates what he means, running his hands up and down my body—half a finger distance away. In response, my breathing picks up. I jut my chest toward his hands, in a blind offering. One he traces from a millimeter away.

My core clenches. It doesn’t care we’re in the middle of a dance floor in New York City. If it could, my core would tackle Bennett to the floor right here and now. I bite my lip to keep from inviting him.

The song comes to a climax as Bennett’s hands drift lower, almost giving my weeping core what she wants. But not quite. My entire body pulses with need at the spell he’s created around me.

Hunte belts out the final note as Bennett’s face approaches mine. My mouth drops open, waiting for his kiss to destroy me. It never comes.

“Next time,” he husks. “When we’re alone, I’ll give you a proper embrace.” He waits a beat. “Maybe.”

I can’t compute his words, too caught up in the air he blew into my ear. How his teeth clamp down on my lobe.

Oh wait. That’s not him—it’s my own fingers tugging on my borrowed earring. My face radiates heat. Little pants beg for more.

“Crap, guys. I need a shower after that display.”

Luke’s taunting words refocus me. I take one look at the man in front of me and bolt out of the club.

Chapter Eight

Iremain as long as I can in my hotel room, embarrassed over what happened last night. Who was that woman dancing with UC’s lead singer? Perhaps she should’ve worn a sign proclaiming she works for the band around her neck. Or on her forehead.

With all the determination in the world. I pack up my tools of the trade and leave to meet Bennett in the gym. Physical therapy. Something I went to school for and know enough about to mentor up to forty therapists once my third and fourth clinics open. This, I can do.

In the gym, men and women are on the various machines. No one pays me any attention as I commandeer an empty side room. Perfect for therapy.

Quiet. Peaceful. Out of the way.

We need to talk about what happened on the dance floor. Or maybe not? Why do we?Because you’re running scared and giving him mixed signals.I sigh, setting up the various stations around the room.

Bennett enters the quiet room in a pair of shorts and a tank top.Of course he’s wearing another tank top. All the better to taunt me with. “Hi, Jenna.” He walks over to the third exercise station.

“Hey.” I point toward the first station. “Why don’t you start here?”

“I’m feeling this exercise. I’d prefer to do this one first.”

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