Page 85 of Win My Heart

She leans back, and I hold back a groan. “But they know now, right? I mean, Simon saw us kissing. And you haven’t hidden that you’ve been with me. Heck, you’ve probably spent the night here more than in your own bed over the past three weeks.”

“I haven’t talked to Dexter about this at all. Yeah, Simon saw us. And sure, he’s got to know, but he’s not a gossip-ass punk like Link. I guess the guys may just think I’m staying on your couch. But I was thinking, how in the heck do the guys not suspect anything if their ladies know?”

At this, she flushes. “I didn’t tell them.”

What?I thought for sure Ruby knew, at least.

“You didn’t want anyone to know about us. So part of me thought that if the guys found out, they would think it was weird. At first, it made sense to keep it to just us. I didn’t want to upset you, but then it went on long enough that I felt embarrassed that I was in a secret relationship and was worried about what they would say and think. So I just didn’t talk to them about it.” She looks sad, and that just won’t do.

I reach out and brush her hair behind her ear. “Benny, while I appreciate you helping me out, I hate the idea of you not being able to confide in your best friends.”

Her smile is small but genuine. “I know. But I guess I was a little too secretive in my own way. Ruby was onto us, though. That’s how she got me to go camping.”

I let out a laugh. “She blackmailed you?” Bernadette nods. “And then she purposely left the extra tent so we would have to share.” I shake my head, amused at her antics.

“That woman is diabolical,” she says.

“I bet she keeps Link on his toes.” That earns me a big ole grin.

“Oh my god, she does. It’s absolutely wonderful.” I realize how much better I feel now that she knows the truth.

She looks at me thoughtfully, her fingers playing in my hair. “Are you serious about us?”

I don’t even have to think about it. “I’m falling for you pretty damn hard, Bernadette.”

“Yeah? I’ve had a thing for you since you let me cut in line for fried pickles.” I dig my fingers into her side, wiggling them around, and she squirms. To stop the tickle, she grabs my hand and catches my lips between hers. She kisses me sweetly but pulls back after nipping at my bottom lip.

“If we are going to move forward, you need to tell him I’m your girlfriend. I can’t see him being mad, but if he is, he’ll get over it.”

I just grin at her. “So you’re my girlfriend, huh?”

“I’m claiming the title. Deal with it.” Her confidence does nothing to reduce my want for her in this moment. My hand skims the bottom of her athletic shorts. The end of May brought in some eighty-degree weather, so my girl is showing off her long, wonderfully toned legs more often now.

“I’ll tell him. And if he gets all protective of you, I’ll tell him I’ll be the best damn boyfriend because you deserve nothing less.” I mean every word of it.

She melts into me as I slip my fingers closer to her center. She wiggles in my lap a little, her legs widening, giving my fingers more access to their destination. The fabric of her shorts doesn’t make it easy, but I finally brush my finger over her. She whimpers at the contact.

“Let’s move this to the bedroom, boyfriend.” Her grin is devilish right before she presses more kisses onto my lips. I match her want as her tongue swipes into my mouth. A growl rumbles up in my throat as I shift her on my lap so she’s straddling me. I push up off the chair, and her smooth legs clinch around me. With my raging hard-on and her scent and body tight against mine, I force myself to make it to the bed instead of lowering her to the floor right here in the dining room. I carry her down the hall, only bumping in to the wall once or twice.

* * *

I leave Bernadette snuggled in her bed, watching reruns ofAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D. I tell her I’m going to meet up with Dex, but that I’ll be back later before we all head out to the fireworks show at Navy Pier. Link says we’re celebrating Team NoMad’s recent win, but they win so often that they’ve really stopped celebrating a job well done.

But the evening on the Pier will mark the first time we’ll all be together as a group since the camping trip weeks ago. We’ve all been so busy that there hasn’t been an opportunity. Which is crazy if you think about it since most of us live in the same building.

While the team spends a lot of time together practicing, they all have side hustles, and wives and girlfriends are top priority. The group is growing up, and it’s been fun to watch them.

I’ve always envied my little brother’s ability to be an adult but live and breathe his childhood passion. Seeing how his is going to grow into the next chapter of his life is interesting to say the least.

Which is why I hope he will accept my relationship with Bernadette. I’ve thought about what I’ll do if he doesn’t, but it’s not really an option. He can be mad, but I’m not going to deny my feelings for her anymore. He can either get behind it, or we can be at odds. That would just upset our mom, so he’ll have to be okay with our relationship.

That being said, it doesn’t make this conversation any less unwelcoming. I pick up my phone from my nightstand, where I charged it while I took a quick shower. It’s nine in the morning. Normally, I wouldn’t want to risk waking him up, but he’s all domesticated now. And I know for a fact that he and his wife had a nice evening at home. Wife. How crazy that my little brother has a wife.

The thought has my mind jumping into the future, and for the first time, I can picture myself settled and happy. By my side is Bernadette.

The thought gives me a cold chill, but the grin of my face is probably all sorts of dreamy and stupid.

Me: You home?

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