She didn’t write back right away, so I took a shower. When I got out and dried off, she’d written back.
Charlotte: Are you good with cars?
Me: Decent. My dad worked his way through college as a mechanic.
Charlotte: Then yes, please.
Me: Pick you up at noon?
Charlotte: Yes. See you soon.
She was waiting for me outside the courthouse when I pulled up, and we went to a downtown deli for soup and sandwiches. Charlotte talked about her morning at work as she pulled small bites from her grilled cheese sandwich and slowly ate them.
“It was the first time a defendant has hit on me during a court proceeding,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“He said that during the hearing? That you two should find a quiet place to get to know each other better?”
“Yeah, and then he leered at me.”
“Leered?”
“He totally leered.”
I squinted skeptically. “I’m not visualizing this. What’d the leer look like?”
She lowered her brows and did a half smolder, half pout. I busted out laughing.
“That’s what he looked like,” she said, smiling. “And his attorney was trying to make him stop.”
“So what happened next?”
She shrugged. “We went into a side room and I blew him.”
“Funny shit, Holloway,” I said, jealousy rising inside me even though I knew she was kidding.
“The judge jailed him for contempt,” she said. “Don’t worry, my purity remains intact.”
“As intact as a pregnant woman’s purity can be,” I said, winking.
She laughed and dropped a bite of her sandwich into her soup, stirring it in slowly. “True. But I’ve been pure since the night we conceived our little nugget.”
I exhaled deeply. “Me too.”
“Really?” She looked taken aback.
“Really.”
“Well, damn. Look at us. I’m guessing your chances of scoring are better than mine.”
I shrugged and met her eyes across the table. “I’ve been hoping we could score at the same time, if you know what I mean.”
Her cheeks pinked as she looked down at her food. “The other night, I thought . . . I mean, I was starting to . . .”
“Me too. James is not only an annoying dipshit, he’s also a cockblocker.”
She sighed softly. “Maybe next time. I’ll be at your game Friday night.”
I felt a surge of pride at the thought of her watching me play from the stands.
“I told Liam I’m coming to see him, and he set up tickets for me,” she said. “Through . . . Keri?”
“Yeah. Our team’s PR person. He’s got the hots for her.”
“I figured it would be easier if he got me the tickets so he doesn’t look into how I got them and find out it was you. I’m so not ready for him to know you’re the baby’s father.”
“As long as you’re there, that’s all I care about.”
She rested her hand on the table, and I felt an urge to reach across and hold it.
“My friend Tara is coming to the game with me.” She glanced at her watch. “I have to get back. I’ve got a hearing at 1:15.”
I nodded and reached for my coat. “I’ll take care of your car. Let me know when you need a ride home from work and I’ll come get you.”
“Okay. I’ll call if I need a ride. Riley lives five minutes from me, so if we’re leaving at the same time, I’ll just catch one from him.”
Her ex? I didn’t like the thought. That guy wanted back in her pants.
“I’ll pick you up, Charlotte.”
“It’s really not necessary.”
“Yeah, but I want to.”
“Okay.”
I dropped her off, got her car keys, and drove to her place, where her car was parked in the lot of her building. It was an easy fix, just a new battery. Her serpentine belt was shot, so I replaced it too. I lingered a little longer than I had to in her driver’s seat when I tested the new battery, the old-school rap music playing in her car and package of peanut M&M’s in her cup holder making me feel a twinge of desire for her.
The more I found out about Charlotte, the more I liked her. Behind that gorgeous face was a woman who was quirky and had a tendency to shoot from the hip. I’d fantasized about women before getting them into bed before, but this was the first time I was fantasizing about a woman I’d already had. It wasn’t just because we were having a kid together; Charlotte had captured my attention from our very first night together, and she most definitely still had it.
Charlotte
“Your brother’s hot,” my friend Tara said, ogling his photo on the giant screen above the arena’s ice rink. “Does he like redheads?”
“Usually, but he texted me earlier that he’s sort of seeing someone.”
“How sort of?”
“I didn’t ask.”
I scanned the rink and found the “Morse” sweater I’d been searching for, my pulse pounding at the sight of him. His broad back was turned to me until he collided with another player. He pushed away and took off down the ice in pursuit of the puck.
“Damn, he’s hot too,” Tara said, pointing at the screen. “It’s like a smorgasbord up in here.”
“I told Liam we’d go out with him after, so you’ll get a better look at the guys then.”
“Nice. And I have a built-in designated driver in my pregnant friend.”
I didn’t tell her I’d ridden with her in hopes of getting a ride home from Bennett. But if she needed me to drive her home tonight, I would.
Liam yelled in the face of a player from the opposing team and shoved him. The crowd rumbled to life as they started fighting, each one holding the other’s sweater as they punched each other.
My brother ended up in the penalty box, but my attention was focused on Bennett. As soon as the lines changed and he slid over the half-wall, he looked over at where Tara and I were sitting.
I felt his eyes on me, my skin tingling as sure as if he’d touched me.
“You’ve been so mysterious about the father of the baby,” Tara said. “It’s definitely not Riley?”
“Definitely not,” I said, forcing myself to turn away from Bennett and look at her.
Tara was a friend I’d met at a yoga class, and she knew I was pregnant, but that was all. I’d just told her we were coming to watch my brother’s game and left out the part about Bennett.
The Flyers’ first line was fast and strong. It made me proud that Bennett and Liam were on the powerhouse line, scoring two of the team’s three goals.
But at the end of the game, the other team scraped out a 4–3 win. Bennett’s expression was somber, his shoulders slumped forward in defeat on the bench.
“Will the guys be in a bad mood since they lost such a close game?” Tara whispered to me.
I shrugged. “Liam takes all losses hard, but I don’t know if the other guys are as intense as he is.”
Liam had texted me the name of a pub nearby where he wanted to meet up after the game. Tara and I went there and ordered some nachos while we waited. She had one loaded up with meat, cheese, and sour cream, halfway to her mouth, when she paused.
“Jesus, they wear suits?” she muttered. “I think my panties just melted.”
Bennett and Liam were walking toward us, Liam in a light gray suit and Bennett in a dark one. I made sure to at least glance at my brother before my eyes settled on Bennett.
Damn, did he look good. The suit fitted his wide, muscular frame just right. He wore a white dress shirt and blue tie and his hair was fresh-from-the-shower damp.
“Charlie,” Liam said, grinning. His look was also on point, a dark blue dress shirt bringing out the blue of his eyes and his blond hair combed back neatly. “How the hell are you, baby sis?”
I slid down from my stool at our tall table and he hugged me tightly. Even though we lived in the same city, I’d missed seeing my brother in person.
“It’s good to see you,” he said. When he pulled back from the hug, he wrapped an arm around Bennett’s shoulder.
“This is Bennett, my roommate.”
“And mentor,” Bennett cut in, smiling his cute, crooked smile.
“Like hell.” Liam gave Bennett a serious look. “This is my sister, Charlotte. Don’t get within two feet of her, or I’ll use your ball sac as a practice puck.”
I saw the flash of nervousness in Bennett’s eyes as he nodded.
“Noted,” he said.
“My brother’s being overly dramatic,” I said.
Liam considered for a second. “No, not really.”
“Guys, this is my friend, Tara,” I said, eager to change the subject.
“Tara,” Liam said, reaching out to shake her hand. “You single?”
“Yes. Yes, I most definitely am,” she said, taking a step closer to Liam.
Liam clapped Bennett on the back. “My boy here’s in the midst of a long dry spell. I’m just sayin’.”
“Aw, fuck you, man,” Bennett muttered.
“Seriously, he swears he’s not seeing anyone, but I’m starting to think he might be playin’ for the other team,” Liam said as several made-up women in low-cut tops and high heels approached.
“Bennett?” one of the women said, nuzzling against Bennett’s chest. “I’ve witnessed his, um . . . excitement for women, Liam. Several times in one night, in fact.”
I felt my cheeks flushing. Of course, I wasn’t the first woman Bennett had picked up in a bar for sex. Technically, we picked each other up, but still . . . knowing I was just one of many bothered me. Not just knowing it, but seeing another of his conquests grazing her hand across his junk.
“Ah . . . you guys find a table already?” Bennett asked, stepping to the side.
“Yeah, we’re right here. Only four chairs, though.”
Take a hint, whores.
“We’ll pull up some chairs,” said the puck bunny who’d been hanging on Bennett.
Bennett came close to me and my heart kicked up speed from his closeness. He put a hand on my back.
“Can I get you anything, Charlotte?” he asked.
“Don’t touch her,” Liam said, his gaze going straight to Bennett’s hand. Bennett dropped it with an eye roll.
“I’m good,” I said. “But hungry. Maybe we can order some food.”
“Are you one of those pregnant women who eats nonstop?” Liam asked.
I gave him a sharp look. “You did not just say that.”
“Sorry,” he mumbled, looking sheepish.
“You’re pregnant?” one of the puck bunnies asked. “What are you doing in a bar? You shouldn’t drink if you’re pregnant.”
“I’m eating nachos and drinking water,” I said, giving her a look.
“It’s a pub,” Bennett said to the blonde who’d questioned me. “The place has a full menu and there’s no smoking.”
“Smoking?” The brunette who’d been cozied up to Bennett before slid onto his lap, laughing. “Remember when we watched that porn, Smoking Cracks? Oh my God, that was awesome.”
Bennett’s eyes closed for a second. At least he had the decency to look embarrassed. He slid the woman off of his lap and cleared his throat, meeting my eyes in a silent apology.
Two other well-dressed Flyers came up to the table and joined us. Soon everyone was engaged in their own small conversations at the table.
“How are you feeling, Charlie?” Liam asked from his seat next to me.
“Really good. The sickness has passed and the baby’s healthy.”
His gaze darkened. “What about the father? Is he around?”
“Yes. He’s been great about everything.”
“You guys seeing each other, then?”
I shook my head. “He’s been supportive, but we’re not together.”
Liam grunted in acknowledgment. “When do I get to meet this guy?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“It’s a fan-fucking-tastic idea. Guy knocks up my sister, the least he can do is man up and meet me.”
I felt Bennett looking at us and resisted the powerful urge to look across the table at him. The brunette was still standing next to him, which nagged at me hard. Just knowing he’d been with her made me inexplicably edgy.
“So when will this someone you’re seeing be here?” I asked Liam. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Oh, yeah, not tonight. She’s working.”
“At this hour?”
“Yep.”
I gave him an admonishing look. “Are you seeing another stripper?”
“No.” He lowered his voice. “She works for my team, actually.”
“Oh. What’s her name?”
Liam glanced around at his teammates. “I’ll tell you about it another time.”
Beer and shots were ordered by everyone but me, and suit jackets started to come off and get hung on the back of chairs. Bennett had gone to the bathroom, and he brushed against my arm when he returned to the table. I forced myself to look impassive as I caught the tiniest bit of his leather and cologne scent. He settled back into his chair, just looking at me as everyone around us talked.
What was he thinking? How uncomfortable was he right now?
I wished I’d dressed up more. My Flyers T-shirt and yoga pants had felt sporty chic at home. Plus, my jeans didn’t fit anymore. But sharing a table with these women dressed in tall, leather boots and sequined tops made me feel frumpy in comparison.
And we still hadn’t ordered food. I was about to go to the bar and get a menu when a waitress brought a steaming pizza to our table and sat it in front of me.
I glanced up at Bennett, knowing somehow, and he winked at me. He’d ordered me a pizza when he went to the bathroom. Right now that made him my hero, whether he’d slept with the brunette in the past or not.
She whispered something in his ear, and he shook his head and turned away.
Liam was having an animated conversation with some Flyers fans about the game, and Tara was talking to one of the other players. I just ate my pizza in silence, wishing I could get the hell out of here. Bennett and I weren’t together, but pretending I didn’t even know him was just too hard.
But I couldn’t make Tara leave right now. I could tell she liked the guy she was talking to.
I remembered it was Bennett’s invitation that had gotten me into this awkward situation, and I glanced across the table at him. He was looking at me, his coffee-colored eyes warm and intense. I wanted it to be enough that I had his attention. It wasn’t like we could let on to Liam that we knew each other. But when the brunette started laughing loudly and put a hand on his shoulder, I looked away.
“Madison, don’t,” I heard him say to her.
“What?” She gave him a dirty look. “What’s your problem?”
“Just back the fuck off,” he said shortly.
Liam gave Bennett a questioning look. I didn’t like the tension in the air, and I knew it would get worse if I stayed.
“I’m taking your car home,” I said to Tara. “Can you catch a cab?”
“I’ll give you a ride,” the guy she was talking to said.
She gave me a look that said she was more than okay with that, and I promised to return her car in the morning.
My brother was in a happy, inebriated state, so I just gave him a quick hug and promised to see him soon. I’d slipped out the door when I heard someone calling my name.
Bennett.
“Hey. You okay?”
He looked down at me, concerned, as I slipped into my coat.
“Yeah. Why?”
“You don’t seem like yourself.”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure you know me well enough to know that.”
“Charlotte . . .”
“I didn’t expect to spend the evening watching you get hit on.”
He arched his brows. “What, Madison? Are you jealous? Don’t be. She’s nothing to me.”
“She was at some point, if you watched porn and gave her multiple orgasms.” The frustration that had been simmering inside me was now reaching a boiling point.
“Yeah, before I even met you. Don’t hold that against me.”
My nostrils flared with anger as I pointed at his chest. “Yeah, well, now you’re going back in there to be with her, and the pregnant chick is going home to take off her stretchy pants. I’m so glad you asked me to come tonight.”
He sighed and met my eyes. “What do you want me to do? I’m trying to keep Liam from being suspicious. You said you’re not ready for him to know.”
“I know. It just . . . this wasn’t a good idea.”
I fished Tara’s keys out of my purse and headed for the spot on the street where we’d parked. Bennett followed, stopping me before I could get in the car.
“Don’t leave like this,” he said.
Emotion welled in my throat. “How should I leave, then?”
“I don’t want you to leave at all.”
“Well, I’m tired. Growing another person inside you can have that effect.”
He brushed the hair back from my face and spoke softly. “Do you know how much I like your curly hair?”
“Don’t try to sweet-talk me now, Mr. Smoking Cracks.”
“Charlotte, I will come home with you right now if you want. I’d rather be with you than any of them.”
I sighed with frustration. “I wish you could. Liam will probably come out looking for you any minute now.”
“I don’t even care. I’ll deal with it. Keeping it from him is upsetting you.”
“Not tonight. I just want to go home.”
He stepped closer and kissed my forehead softly. And despite my aggravation with him, I liked it.
“When can I see you again?” he asked.
“When do you want to?”
“I’m leaving for a road trip tomorrow. Can I call you after my game?”
I nodded and stepped away, opening the door to Tara’s car. “Call me before you go out if you want.”
His expression was sober and I knew he felt the dig I’d intended. But really, who were we kidding? We hardly knew each other, and he was a sexy professional athlete who could get with women any night of the week. He wasn’t going to stay abstinent just because he’d gotten me pregnant.
Bennett (On the Line Book 2) Page 7