Your Captivating Love (The Bennett Family Book 2)

by Layla Hagen

  I was expecting Summer to protest, but she happily nods. “This place will be kick-ass,” she remarks.

  “Thank you. I have great plans for it.”

  “Let us know if there’s anything we can do to help,” Alice offers. “I opened a restaurant, and Summer regularly has events at galleries. We have some experience.”

  “That’s very kind of you to offer.”

  “Girls have to stick together.” Alice winks at me.

  Pippa looks at her with disbelief. “Since when is that your creed? You always wanted to be one of the boys when we were young.”

  “I grew up,” Alice says, throwing her hands in the air, though I have a slight suspicion there is more to it than she says. By the way Pippa looks at her, she thinks so too. Not wanting to see Alice cornered, I step in.

  “You had in-family gangs?” I ask.

  All three girls roll their eyes. “When you have so many siblings, there’s no other way. We had cliques,” Pippa says.

  “Pippa stuck with Sebastian and Logan,” Alice says. “The twins each had their group. I was gravitating between everyone.”

  “And absolutely everyone loved me,” Summer chirps. “Being the little sister has its perks.”

  “Oy,” Sebastian calls from the front. “How about we don’t make a working clique and a non-working clique? No one’s allowed to slack. Come on.”

  With a smile, Summer heads to the back room. Pippa, Alice, and I start working on the walls while the twins and Logan take care of the rotten floor.

  ***

  Logan

  “I haven’t worked this hard in years,” Daniel complains as we work on the floor.

  “Great. You should be reminded what hard work feels like now and again,” I reply dryly. Blake and Daniel have lived the high life ever since our family started making money. When we set up the company, Sebastian and I decided to give every family member shares, so Blake and Daniel receive a good income without being involved in Bennett Enterprises. That’s not to say they don’t work... occasionally.

  They do small projects of their own from time to time. Fun projects. One’s more likely to find them partying on a yacht rather than working. The Bennett work ethic seems to have skipped these two. Sebastian says they’ll get their shit together eventually. I say if we’d cut their monthly allowance, eventually would become right now. Yeah, I’m all for tough love. I should cut them some slack, though; they didn’t hesitate to show up here today, and they’ll always have my back. Family comes first for them too, just as it comes for me.

  “Don’t be a dick,” Blake says.

  “I’m not.”

  “I meant Daniel,” Blake continues, winking at his twin before addressing him directly. “Nadine must be very special to him if he made us all bust our asses on a Sunday.”

  “She is,” I reply.

  Daniel shakes his head, moving on to patching up a portion of the floor a few feet away from Blake and me.

  Nadine’s with my sister on the opposite side of the room. I smile, seeing how well she blends with my family. I knew they would embrace her, but I wasn’t sure how she’d react. I remember Sylvia scrunching her nose every time I mentioned my family, coming up with excuses to slip out of family gatherings. Thankfully, Nadine is nothing like her. In fact, she’s unlike any woman I’ve dated. When I passed her and Summer earlier, my sister was telling Nadine how stressful the next gallery show would be. Instead of politely giving her sympathy, Nadine offered to help her in any way she could, even though she has a lot on her plate.

  During our second date, she didn’t hesitate to try to cheer up Pippa with a girls’ night. Nadine always puts everyone else first. That’s why that bastard ex of hers took advantage of her, but she didn’t become bitter or hateful, which makes me admire her even more. Finding out about her childhood made many things click. This woman is a fighter, but even fighters need to rest. It’s time someone took care of her, and I’m up to the challenge.

  Right now, watching her from across the room, I know my relationship with her will not be like the ones I’ve had since Sylvia. I don’t want superficial, and I’m not so sure about putting an expiration date on it. That last part scares the crap out of me.

  Blake’s staring at me.

  “What?” I ask aggressively.

  “I know that look,” Blake says. “I patented it.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “That look says, ‘I feel too close to this woman. It’s time to panic and do something stupid.’”

  “That might be your way, but not mine.”

  “Maybe. But you’ve still got that look,” Blake continues with a proud smirk. “If you screw things up with Nadine, I’d be happy to take your place.”

  “Did you just make a pass at my woman?” A vein pulses in my neck as I grip the cloth in my hand tighter. “’Cause brother or not, I’ll rearrange your face.”

  Blake breaks into laughter. “Relax, man. I wanted to prove a point.”

  “If I were you, I’d make that point quicker, or I’ll punch you. So you realize I’m serious.”

  “You always were all ‘shoot first, ask questions later.’”

  “Point, Blake.”

  “The point is if you find a woman, and you can’t stand the thought of losing her, keep her.”

  I loosen my grip on the cloth. “If you’re an expert, why aren’t you fighting for a woman?”

  He shrugs. “’Cause I haven’t found that woman yet.”

  I swallow a sardonic remark. Maybe I can learn something from my little brother, just this once.

  ***

  Nadine

  After Summer finishes cleaning the back room, Ava and I take over.

  “This place will be beautiful once it’s finished,” Ava says.

  “I can’t believe this is finally happening.”

  “I’m so proud of you for sticking with your dream, even with all that happened.”

  Her words tug at my heartstrings. “I can’t believe I have a roomful of people helping me.”

  “The Bennetts are lovely.”

  “I can’t believe they’re doing this for me.”

  “Well, technically they’re doing it for Logan. But they all heard plenty about you, trust me. How are things with Logan, anyway?”

  I drop my voice to a whisper, even though it’s just us back here. “It feels like I’ve known him forever. He’s... I had no idea men could be like him.”

  “You have to thank Mrs. Bennett for raising them the way she did. They’re one of a kind.”

  “He’s made me think about things I wanted to forget. Like love...”

  “It’s the Bennett effect, trust me,” Ava tells me. “On our first date, I was daydreaming about the initials in my signature if I carried Sebastian’s name.”

  “This man could get me pregnant by just looking at me,” I sigh dramatically.

  Ava elbows me so hard I nearly drop my bucket. “He did more than look at you, didn’t he?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Do tell,” Ava beckons.

  “Don’t,” Pippa says, having just entered the room. “I’m all for finding out the dirty details, but Mom’s ears are finer than a rabbit’s. She can hear gossip even through walls. I don’t know about you, but I always thought moms had to be kept in PG-13 territory.”

  Ava and I burst out laughing.

  “Why don’t we do a girls’ night out instead?” Pippa suggests.

  “Sure. I have a ton of work, but I’m sure we can find some time,” I reply. Also, I love the idea of having a group of girlfriends.

  “Letting steam off is important. Though, by the sound of things, my brother’s helping you plenty.”

  “So, you can hear through walls too?” I ask.

  “Maybe,” Pippa answers with a smile. “Or maybe I like to eavesdrop.” Then Mrs. Bennett casually enters the room, asking us if we need any help. With a grin, I assure her we’re fine.

  After she leaves, Pippa asks no one in
particular, “How is it that being around her always makes me feel like a teenager?”

  “That’s the effect moms have,” I reply, thinking fondly of my own.

  For the next two hours, everyone works hard. Except for Summer who, after finishing the tasks Pippa entrusted her with, has found herself with nothing to do. She brought everyone coffee from across the street, followed by sandwiches. After pumping coffee and food into each of us, she proceeded to talk everyone’s ear off. Her current victim is Alice.

  “Summer, I love you,” Alice says, “but for Heaven’s sake, how can you talk so much?”

  Summer gives her the stink eye. “I spend hours alone each day. I love my art, but paintings don’t talk back. So shut up and listen to me.”

  Alice rolls her eyes, but she continues to listen to Summer’s rant, and even shares her opinion whenever Summer pauses for breath.

  “I swear she’s the most talkative of us all,” Blake says.

  “And she has no filter,” Daniel adds. The twins are helping Pippa and me.

  “Well, I will say she’s the only one who calls you man-whores to your faces,” Pippa says. At Daniel and Blake’s stricken expressions, she adds, “Oops, I guess I just did too.”

  “I’m not. . .” Blake stutters. “I mean, lately, I haven’t. . .”

  “Dude, there’s no need to pretend with Pippa,” Daniel says. “She knows who we are. Good thing she also loves us, faults and all.”

  “So, what do you think?” Blake asks Daniel while eyeing Alice and Summer. “Should we save Alice before she turns deaf?”

  Soon enough, Daniel and Blake gather around Summer. Alice inconspicuously leaves, winking at me.

  ***

  We make a lot of progress. It’s pitch dark outside when we finish, and I offer to buy everyone dinner, even though money is tight. It’s the least I can do. They refuse, bringing up some very dubious excuses. I suspect it’s because they want to leave Logan and me alone. Everyone leaves, except for Logan’s parents and Blake.

  “Nadine, I can come by this week and help,” Mr. Bennett says.

  “It’s not necessary.”

  “Please, humor this retired man. I have nothing to do all day, and my wife refuses to let me repair the damn roof. I feel useless.”

  I glance at Logan to make sure I’m not crossing any boundaries, but he’s smiling at his father. I nod. “Thank you.”

  “You’re doing me a favor,” Logan tells me as his parents bicker over Mr. Bennett’s stubbornness.

  “But you said you don’t want your dad to do dangerous construction stuff,” I reply.

  “Trust me, there’s nothing dangerous here. If he stays at home, he’ll want to repair that damn roof.” Dropping his voice to a whisper, Logan adds, “I had a brilliant idea. I can have someone repair the roof while he’s here.”

  “Actually,” Blake says loudly from across the room, “I’ll join you and Dad, Nadine. I have some time off,” he explains at my questioning glance.

  “Thanks.”

  After the three of them leave, I stretch and say, “Why is your family doing all this?”

  Logan pulls me into a hug, kissing my neck. I love being in this man’s arms. No place in the world seems safer. “Because I asked them to, and we always back each other up. As opposed to Sebastian and Pippa, who are the epitomes of self-sufficiency, I ask for help when I need it.”

  I push him away with a smile. “So, that makes you perfect, doesn’t it?”

  “Oh, I have plenty of defects. Wait till you discover them all.”

  “What have you told them to convince them?” I insist.

  “That I believe in you and your dream.”

  “How is it that you always have the right words?”

  “It’s all documented in my secret book of how to charm a woman.” He pulls me into a kiss—dirty, raw, and perfect. I fist his hair, pressing my torso to his. His hard chest feels amazing against my breasts. A groan reverberates in his throat, masculine and dominant. It sends a jolt of heat between my thighs. Damn, this man can kiss. His strong hands cup my ass, sending more heat to my tender spot.

  Then he pushes me away. “Come on, let’s grab some dinner on the way home. I’m starving.”

  “We can buy a sandwich. The coffee shop is still open.”

  Logan snickers. “I need more than a tiny sandwich. I’m a big boy.”

  Naturally, my mind immediately goes to the gutter at the words “big boy.” I sigh, remembering his lovemaking in the shop and later on his couch yesterday. “Mmm. You are a big boy indeed.”

  “I didn’t mean that.” Logan throws his head back, laughing.

  “I didn’t realize I said it out loud.” Blushing, I lick my lips.

  “I’m not complaining.” A boyish glint dances in his eyes. “So, I’m big?”

  I narrow my eyes. “You know you are.”

  “I like hearing it.” Tipping his head to me, he drops his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “All men do.”

  “When they’re teenagers, surely?”

  “Nah, pretty much always. Let’s go. I have great plans for us tonight.”

  ***

  We buy pizza with the intent to eat it after we arrive at the apartment, but end up eating it on the way. Turns out I was starving too.

  “You shower first, I’ll go after you,” Logan says the second we enter his home.

  “Why are we showering separately?” I ask. “Your shower is way bigger than the one at the shop. I foresee a hundred possibilities for sexy times in the shower.”

  “I foresee endless possibilities for that, and we’ll try out all of them. But I want you in my bed tonight. If we shower together...” His voice is husky and full of promise, sending a shiver down my back. “Now, be a good girl and go.”

  Showering alone is torture, but I take the opportunity to make myself as flawless as possible. Afterward, I wait alone in Logan’s bedroom. Unable to stay put, I walk from one side to the other, inspecting it. We were both exhausted when we entered it last night and fell asleep. This morning, we were in a hurry, so I haven’t had a chance to look around. The massive bed with a leather headboard dominates the bedroom. Everything is clean and organized. Even though he told me he has a maid, I’m sure he’s the one organizing his things. I suppose one doesn’t achieve as much as he did without immaculate efficiency.

  I never thought this particular trait to be sexy, but when it comes to Logan, it is. God, everything about this man is a turn-on. I feel his presence in the room before he speaks and turn around to face him. I have a towel wrapped around me. He’s wearing absolutely nothing.

  “Drop your towel, Nadine.”

  His voice drips masculinity and sex appeal. It has such a powerful effect on me, almost as if he touched me. Holding my breath, I do as he says.

  He groans. “You have such a beautiful body.”

  I open my mouth with the intention of returning his compliment, but only an “Oh” comes out. His eyes turn darker.

  “Lie on the bed.”

  Once again, I do as I’m told. In a fraction of a second, Logan is next to me, and he settles on his knees between my legs.

  He puts his forefinger on my mound. “I want to kiss you here, Nadine.”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ve wanted to taste you all day.”

  Running his fingers across one inner thigh then the other, Logan nudges me to open even more for him. Resting on my elbows, I drop my thighs completely to the sides, exposing myself to him.

  “So beautiful,” he murmurs, his lips merely inches away from my swollen flesh. When he blows a cold puff of air on my heated center, I yelp in surprise. He drags his fingers up and down my folds in a slight caress, and I fist the sheet with both hands to keep from buckling against him. He lowers his head, swiping his tongue in a slight touch over my folds.

  “Oh, God, Logan.” Closing my eyes, I shudder.

  “So sweet.” Finally, he places his mouth, hot and firm, on my sensitive flesh. First, he
focuses on my clit, his lips nibbling and sucking it expertly.

  “Holy fuck,” I cry.

  I swear to God, I’m going to grab his head and make love to his face if he doesn’t give me my release soon. But I know he’s not going to be that merciful with me. He presses his lips harder on my clit, and I’m certain I’ll explode. Then Logan puts one finger inside me, torturing me even further.

  “Logan,” I pant, pressing my feet deeper into the bed. When he inserts another finger, stretching me, pleasuring me, I squirm, my entire body sizzling. I touch myself, rolling my nipples between my fingers, hoping to quench the fire. Instead, I’m intensifying it.

  I cry in protest when Logan unhitches his mouth from my clit.

  “You’re so fucking sexy.” His eyes focus on my hands, which are currently torturing my nipples while his fingers torture my pussy. He curves his fingers inside me, and I nearly pass out.

  “Come on, Nadine. I want to feel you clench around my fingers.”

  “I want your tongue,” I manage to say. Logan’s eyes darken instantly.

  “Your wish is my command.”

  He pulls back his fingers, leaving me cold and empty for a split second before his tongue fills me. His thumb flicks my clit as his blessed tongue slides in and out, in and out, in motions so precise they bring me close to climax in a few seconds.

  I lose my control. Instead of fisting the sheet, I curl my fingers around his hair. My hips are about to leave the mattress when Logan puts his hands on them, forcing me to stay put.

  “Don’t move,” he commands. “Just feel. Feel all of it, and let me see and hear you.” He plunges his tongue back inside me. Every nerve ending zaps to life, awoken by the lash of his tongue, the sinful power of his words. I ride the wave of pleasure, giving myself to the release with complete abandon.

  “OhGodOhGodOhGod.”

  My legs jerk violently as I come, Logan’s name on my lips.

  “This was gorgeous,” Logan says. His voice is rough, and lust clouds his eyes.

  Still panting, I push myself to a sitting position. Logan is on his knees before me, his erection inches away from my face. Yumm. I could lick him. Instead, I decide to tease him.