That didn’t mean she was going to share with them about the in vitro she’d wanted. Perhaps being a mother shouldn’t be her goal. She couldn’t bear to bring a child into her life, as broken as she was. For all I know, I’ll be just as cold and hateful as my father was to me. I’d rather live my life alone than pass this sickness to anyone else. It ends with me.
She turned as she heard Bennett’s voice calling her name from inside the house.
“Bennett, what are you doing here?”
He looked panicked. There was no sign of the control she’d come to expect. In a moment he was by her side pulling her into his arms. “Are you okay? I didn’t mean to hurt you. I shouldn’t have said—”
“Bennett, it’s okay. I’m okay.” She pulled back from him and wiped her cheeks. She’d found her strength. Not in him, but in herself. It must’ve been there all along, but she’d never tapped into it. Or maybe I have all this time, but I never realized that’s how I was able to survive my cold, lonely, and despicable life.
He looked deeply into her eyes and she smiled up at him. “You’re honestly okay, aren’t you?”
Zoey nodded. “Yes. For the first time, I think I am.”
She saw Bennett’s muscles relax. “You had me worried and in a frenzy; I tried calling you back, and it went directly to voice mail.”
Oh, yeah. My phone. Zoey pointed to the now-shattered device lying on the floor. “It had an accident with a wall.”
Bennett looked at the phone and chuckled. “They just don’t make them like they used too,” he teased.
She was glad he’d come looking for her. There was so much she wanted to tell him. First on the list was firing him. “Bennett, you can cancel your trip to New York.”
He arched a brow and asked, “Why is that?”
“I’ve changed my mind. Finding my mother isn’t going to give me what I want. It’s not what I’m searching for anymore.”
“What are you searching for?”
You. Zoey wasn’t ready to admit that to him. She’d barely confessed that to herself. But she knew she loved him. Not a flirtatious lust that’d be gone tomorrow. This revelation was something she felt deep within her soul. “Maybe searching was the wrong word. Unless you consider being able to search for yourself. Because during these last two weeks, I think I’ve seen more of myself than I have in years.”
Bennett brushed away one last tear that had escaped. “So what are you telling me?”
“You’re fired,” Zoey said in a sweet, gentle tone.
To her relief, he seemed as happy to be fired as she was in firing him.
“Good, then there’s nothing standing between us anymore.” Once again Bennett pulled her into his arms. This time his touch wasn’t one of concern, but of passion.
Before he could kiss her, Zoey said, “There’s a lot you don’t know, Bennett.”
Bennett wrapped an arm around Zoey’s waist and drew her even closer in his embrace. “Trust me, sweetheart, I want to know everything about you. We have all the time in the world to talk, but tonight I’ll settle for this.” He kissed her so gently it was almost painful.
She melted against him, enjoying being in his arms again. He was right; they had plenty of time to talk. Tonight she just wanted to feel him again.
Zoey knew she wanted so much more than what was between them sexually. It was another topic for them to discuss. Right now she was trying to resist ripping off his clothes and kissing every sweet inch of him. I’m not sure that will fill my need for him.
She wasn’t sure what she wanted with him long term, but for now, tonight, she was going to enjoy everything they could give each other.
Bennett was trying to go slow and gentle, but she had other ideas. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him closer. Her mouth opened, and his delicious tongue instantly traced her lips and slid inside.
His arms tightened around her, causing her breasts to press firmly against his rock-hard chest. Bennett explored her mouth deeply with his tongue as he sucked and entwined his with hers. I’ve missed you. “Missed this,” Zoey said, moaning into his mouth.
Bennett ran one hand down her back and cupped her bottom, lifting her off the couch and onto his lap. Even through his clothes, she could feel his hard cock begging to be released. I want you.
There was enough heat flowing through her already that she knew if he touched her once between her legs she’d shudder with delight. Pulling away from him slightly, she said, “Bennett, I need you to . . .”
“And I will,” he responded. Scooping Zoey up in his arms, he carried her upstairs to her bedroom. Once inside he kicked the door shut with his foot and stopped at the side of her bed. Letting her go so she stood before him, she quickly began peeling off her clothes, never taking her eyes off Bennett as he did the same.
She’d never been so bold, but with Bennett she didn’t want to hide any longer. She wanted to be nothing but herself with him. She . . . liked who she was. There was no shame. Only joy and happiness.
As she removed her lace bra, she tossed it at him, and it landed on his shoulder. Heck, he even brings out a playful side in me. Who knew I had one?
She stepped forward and brushed it off his bare shoulder. As the garment fell to the floor, she didn’t remove her hand. Instead, she let her fingers slowly run down his chest and across his abdomen.
His voice was deep and filled with need as he said, “You’re so damn beautiful, sweetheart, and if I don’t touch you soon, I’m going to lose my mind.” He really thinks I’m beautiful.
Her pulse raced, knowing he wanted her as much as she wanted him. It wasn’t their first time together, but something was different. The need was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Was it because her feelings for him also surpassed anything she could relate to?
He was perfect. Every inch of him toned and solid. Zoey ran her tiny hand back up his chest. He brushed it away.
“Please.” She begged and would beg some more. “I need you to touch me.” Zoey reached out and took his hand placing it on her most private area. She felt no shame as she continued, “Like you did before.”
Bennett groaned and swept her into his strong arms and laid her gently on the center of her king-sized bed. She loved how he looked at her, his hunger causing his eyes to turn dark green instead of blue. It was as though he couldn’t decide where to start. I know a good place. I need you inside me.
She felt his warm hand gently run up the length of her leg, over her hip, finally resting on her collarbone. Zoey wanted him so badly, but he wasn’t going to give her what she wanted quickly. So she leaned into his touch and was overcome with more yearning than she’d thought possible.
Reaching out for him, he once again brushed her hand away. “Slow. I want to enjoy every inch of you. If you touch me, I won’t be able to hold back, and it will be over before I can enjoy you the way I want to.”
Zoey could feel his hard, hot cock move against her, and she fought the urge to wrap her fingers around it. Knowing how strongly he wanted her, heightened her nearly out-of-control desire but for now, she would obey and enjoy what he offered. Biting her bottom lip she closed her eyes, trying to maintain even the slightest control.
He trailed kisses down her cheekbone and her neck. She was trying to listen to his request to take it slow, but the fire building within her center was screaming otherwise.
Bennett cupped one breast and plucked at her taut nipple. His kisses continued to trail up her body until his mouth replaced his fingers. Once his lips came in contact with her nipple, her body began to twitch in unison with his. “Bennett.” Her voice trembled with need. He ignored her pleas and continued to flick with his tongue and nip with his teeth, and it only increased her desire. “Bennett,” she pleaded her voice barely a whisper now. Oh, God, I can’t wait. I need him now.
“Sweetheart, have patience,” Bennett said, his words muffled by her flesh.
You’re killing me. A sweet, lovely death, but killing me. Her moans gr
ew deeper as he rolled one nipple between his fingers and continued sucking the other. The need between her legs went from an ache to a strong pulsing need. Her plea didn’t fall on deaf ears as she opened her legs. “Please, Bennett, I need . . .”
This time he didn’t deny her. Moving a hand from her breast, he reached between her legs, finding her swollen clit with his thumb. “Yes!” Her back arched, and she opened wider for him.
Slowly, he began to circle, bringing her higher. As her body trembled, he repositioned himself so his mouth was now only inches away from her center, spreading her wider until he had full access. “Open for me, Zoey. Let me have all of you.”
She did as he asked. He slipped one finger inside, and she gripped the blanket as he pulled it back out. Then again and again.
Breathlessly, Zoey begged, “I want you. I can’t—”
“You’ll have me, but first I want you to enjoy this. Then I’ll enjoy you all the more.” Bennett’s finger entered her again, as another circled her clit. She cried out in pleasure. It was more than she’d ever experienced. He was giving, not taking.
Faster and deeper, with skillful fingers, he continued until her body jerked violently, and she lost herself in a powerful release.
“Yes! Bennett. Oh, yes.” Waves of pleasure flowed through her until she could barely catch her breath.
Before her body settled, he left for a moment. She heard him open the foil packet. She needed more than his finger. She needed him deep inside her. She wanted to wrap herself around him and give him the pleasure he’d just given her.
He didn’t enter her right away. Looking down at her he said, “Zoey, I . . . I’ve never wanted anyone like I want or need you.”
She knew it was all he could say at that time. He also wasn’t prepared or ready for what they shared. “Then have me. All of me.”
Bennett let out a low growl as he stroked her with the head of his shaft until she trembled. He slowly guided himself through her folds, then back to her clit. Her body, still so sensitive from the first climax, reignited for a second time, quivering under his. “Bennett!”
As she released, Bennett plunged deep within her. Her body clenched tightly around him. He lay on her as her body continued to rock.
Once she quieted, he began to slowly inch into her again.
She looked at him and saw raw desire in his expression. She felt adored. Cherished. He couldn’t wait any longer.
“Bennett, I want all of you.” Her breathing was coming in short gasps.
“Sweet, Zoey. You feel . . . amazing,” Bennett said, never taking his eyes off hers. Again and again, he buried himself deep inside. She pulled him down to her, and he captured her lips with his as their moans of pleasure blended together. They were no longer slow. She could feel the raw need as he was losing control. She wanted to bring him to the same place he’d brought her. She wanted him to lose himself as she did. Fast and furious, he entered again and again.
“Zoey. I can’t—”
It was as though a sweet, sensational paradise opened up; a feeling like nothing before rocked them both. Her cries met with his deep growl as he released. He gripped her hips for one last deep thrust before collapsing into her waiting arms.
Lying in his arms, for the first time in her life she felt complete. There was no darkness, only light. No pain, only joy. I love you more than I will ever be able to say.
Chapter Sixteen
He’d awaken hours earlier, but this time he wasn’t going to leave her side. He wanted to make every single moment with her last.
She’d opened up with him more than before. Each time he hated her father more than he thought he could hate another human being. The words human being are too damn good for him.
Bennett had seen many evil people in his life. Hell, it had been his job to seek them out. James Henderson was up there in the top five. What he’d done to his family, to Zoey, was despicable. Consider yourself lucky that you’re already dead, Henderson. Otherwise, I’d make you wish you were.
He continued to replay Zoey’s words that she didn’t want to know her mother any longer. It was one major concern off his plate. That didn’t change the fact that he had information about her family that he’d not shared. And once I speak to Jon, I’m going to have even more.
She stirred beside him, and he knew he had to wake her. Telling her he was still going to New York was going to be a blow. There was no way she’d understand without him telling her everything. Instead, he was going to need to leave out some important details and hope she’d forgive him if she ever found out.
“Sweetheart, I need to leave,” he murmured against her ear.
“Leave? Why?” Zoey asked without even opening her eyes.
“Because I need to be in New York.”
Her eyes flew open, and she looked puzzled. “I thought . . . last night, I . . . when I said I’m not looking for her any longer . . . I thought you’d stay.”
“I know. But the person who I requested to help has still done his job. I won’t be long.”
“Can’t you call him?” she asked as she snuggled her naked body up against him.
That’s not playing fair, young lady. “Some things are best handled in person.”
Zoey kissed his jaw then said, “Let me go with you. They are my results, after all.”
Fuck. Not just yours. Bennett knew he could reach out to Jon and make sure he only divulged the information for Zoey while they were there. But how was he going to explain the piano store to her? This is one fucking tangled web I wove. And I think the only thing that’s going to get caught in there is me.
“I’m driving, meeting with him, and coming right back. Besides, he doesn’t want anyone to know who he is.”
She raised herself onto her elbow and looked down at him. “Bennett, I trust you, but I’m not sure you trust me.”
He could see the hurt in her chestnut eyes. Reaching up, he moved her hair from her face and said, “I’m not good at the words you need to hear, but I can tell you, I do trust you.”
“Then let me come. No introductions are needed. Just let me be there with you.”
He laughed. “It’s not him I’m protecting, silly. He has no idea who these results are for. If you haven’t figured it out by now, you’re a face people will recognize. Which means this potentially could make it back to your brothers. Or worse, the tabloids.”
Zoey’s eyes widened. “Oh my God. I never thought of that.”
“And that’s why you have me,” Bennett said and kissed her lightly.
She smiled down at him. “And I’m more grateful than you know.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow for breakfast. How about I pick you up bright and early?”
“The food was great, but please tell me we’re not going back to the truck stop,” Zoey teased.
He could tell she was smiling on the outside only. She wasn’t happy with him still going to New York. Bennett knew how to change that—a hot, sweet distraction that’d please them both.
“How about I give you a proper kiss goodbye before I go?” Bennett asked as he pulled her down to capture her lips.
“Hmm. I think you can talk me into that.”
He spent the next hour doing just that, every single inch of her. When he finally left her, she was curled back up in the sheets and fading off to sleep.
Bennett had a lot of time to do some thinking during the trip to see Jon. He didn’t actually meet him in his office. Instead, they found a quiet bar outside of the city where they could discuss matters privately.
“These results puzzle the hell out of me, Bennett,” Jon said as he handed him the envelope.
“Why?” Bennett asked as he pulled out the papers. Only he knew which number represented which brother.
“They all have a different mother, but all mothers are from the same town.”
Holy shit. Six women, one place. I don’t like what those odds are telling me. Bennett looked up at him. “Is it local?”
“Not ev
en in this country. It’s a very poor place. To have six children from different women from the same small country is highly unlikely. Unless he went there,” Jon said as he sipped his beer.
Bennett looked over the paperwork carefully. He was hearing what Jon was saying, but it didn’t make any sense. Why would Henderson go to such a place, not just once, but six times? Hell, maybe more for all I know.
“What else can you tell me about these women that will help me locate them?”
Jon downed the rest of his beer before answering. “That whoever this guy is, he should be shot.”
Bennett was shocked by Jon’s candid response. He had no idea it was James Henderson, but he sure acted as if he did. “Because?” Bennett asked as coolly as possible.
“We can tell a lot about the testing we’ve done. Things that haven’t been released to the public. Only the government is aware of the capabilities.”
“Okay. And what did these secret capabilities reveal that has you—?”
“Wishing the man dead?” Jon asked, his voice filled with disgust.
Bennett nodded. Your wish came true. He’s already a goner. “Yeah.”
“It gives the approximate age of the girls.”
Girls? “Not women?”
“Barely women. We’re dealing with girls between eighteen and twenty years of age. That’s why some asshole would want to leave the country.”
Fuck! Bennett felt sick to his stomach. They were legal age, but an older man with such a young girl wasn’t right, legal or not. Then another thought went through his head. Had he raped the girls? Wouldn’t put it past the sick motherfucker. “You’re positive on this, right? No chance of error?”
“I wish. You want to tell me who this asshole is so I can pay the sick bastard a visit?” Jon said between gritted teeth.
“He’s dead,” Bennett said flatly, thinking that death was too good for the man.
Virgin For The Fourth Time: Barrington Billionaire's Series: Book Four Page 16