“Are you staying, Jo?” he whispers between well-placed kisses down my neck and into the collar of my blouse.

I nod, unable to find my voice.

“Then I need you naked.”

Chapter 8

Hunter

Ben lowers me to his bed. He stops to check on Zoe, while cradling me to his chest. Then he walks to the far side of the bedroom, and I see a light turn on. It’s a monitor. Who is this man and his baby bear?

I send a quick text to the guys and place my phone screen down on the nightstand. The room is simple in cozy blue matching the front room. Ben stops at the foot of the bed.

“What is that serious face about?” I crawl across the fluffy comforter sitting back on my heels. “Are you having second thoughts?”

“No,” he whispers. Our eyes met and my skips a beat, as weird as it sounds. I guess its because I can’t believe I’m here. He cups my face kissing his way from my forehead to my nose to my lips, and I lean in.

I knew I was attracted to Ben, but there’s something about his quiet, contemplative demeanor that’s calming and knowing that my family name didn’t rush him into the decision that led us here. So, I wait. Because something tells me he’s worth it.

“Jo, you said all pleasantries aside. Well, I have to be straight up, I’ve never brought a woman to our house. And I don’t casually date. So, this is different having to control wanting you with my responsibility to Zoe.”

I sit up, wrapping my arms around his neck, loving the way his hands slide down and cup my butt.

“This is new for me too. I can’t say I’ve thought much about kids. Hell, I’m still my parents baby, hence this crazy journey I’m embarking on to prove to Daddy that I am an adult.” I focus back on Ben and the haze in his eyes. I see his fight. “I think we can do both.”

“You do.” His sexy smile makes my temperature hike.

“I do. We can take it as slow as you’d like.” I brush my fingers through his silky hair.

“I actually want the opposite.”

I freeze. “The opposite of slow. You want us to go back to empty pleasantries?” I want to throttle him.

His head shakes. “No.” He kisses the base of my neck and my head falls back. “Before I lay you down and devour every inch of your body, you have to be my girlfriend.”

I giggle. “Girlfriend? What…grade…are we in?” I shudder, as the tip of his tongue traces a wicked line across my collarbone. I reach for his waistband, and his stops me.

“Do I need to send it in a text message?” His nibbling is closer to the valley of my breast. “Mmmmhhh. I knew you’d taste like chocolate.” He nips at my hard nipple through my silk blouse, and now I’m twisting to free my hands. “Say yes Jo.”

The way he says my name causes a flood to erupt in my panties. The heat of his hot breath on my skin. The suckling sound of his mouth exploring my chest, my neck, and oh good god, my ear.

“This…isn’t…fair.” My eyes are closed so tight, I’m seeing stars, and I swear I’m going to burst, and the man hasn’t done anything yet.

“No, it’s not. But it’s my one condition.” My earlobe is between his teeth, and his hand slips beneath my ass reaching for the heat calling his name. “Say yes, Jo…or—”

“Ain’t no or nothing. You will finish what you’ve started.” He chuckles. “And I can’t think with your tongue in my ear.”

“I’ll stop so you can think clearly. Can’t have you responding in duress.”

“Don’t you dare.” I screech. I don’t want to wake Zoe, the poor thing. But Ben is about to die. Tonight.

He pulls back, and I miss his mouth already. His heated gaze is caressing my body while my hands remain captive with one of his very large hands circled around my wrists.

“Ben this isn’t fair.” I know I’m whining, not mature at all. But damn. “You can’t expect me to have a civilized conversation, like this.”

His head cocks to the side. “Like what Jo?”

The fucking tease.