Feels Like Love by Jenna Hartley

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Bennett rubbed his thumb over my bottom lip. We’d packed up the picnic and were standing in front of my car. “Mm. You’re sexy.”

“Ditto.” I grinned. “I’ll get River, and then we’ll meet you at home.”

“Home,” he sighed as he took me in his arms and kissed me.

When his hips met mine, my back colliding with the car, his hard-on dug into me. I wanted him inside me, filling me. And when he slid his hand up my ribs, grabbing my breast, I arched into him.

“I need you,” I whispered, my body aching for him despite what we’d done in the vineyard.

“Need you too, baby.” He threaded his fingers through my hair, and my core throbbed for him.

Someone hummed loudly, and when I realized it wasn’t Bennett, I stilled. “What was that?” I whispered, glancing around for the culprit.

Bennett groaned and hung his head. “One of the alpacas.”

I laughed as he stepped back and adjusted himself, muttering, “Cockblocker.”

“It’s probably for the best,” I said. “We’ve probably pushed our luck enough for one evening. I’d hate to spend our first night back together in jail.”

“True. Though, we could rent a yurt…”

“Another time.” I patted his cheek. “I need to get River from my mom’s.”

“Wait.” He grabbed my wrist. “Is River mad at me? I feel like I let him down. I disappointed him.”

“If he’s mad at anyone, it’s me.”

“What?” He brought my hand to his mouth, kissing my palm. “Why?”

“Because I’m the parent still here. Kade left. You…”

He dropped his head. “I really screwed everything up, didn’t I?”

“I have a feeling he’ll forgive you. He loves you. Besides…” I pulled him closer. “You’re not the only one to blame.”

“True.” He slanted his mouth over mine. “God, I love you.”

“I love you too,” I said between kisses.

He stepped back suddenly, panting. “Now, go. Before I rip off your clothes and we really do end up arrested for public indecency.”

I laughed and climbed into the car, eager to tell River the good news and get back home with my boys.

When I arrived at my parents’, my mom greeted me at the door. “How was your day, sweetheart?”

“It was good.” I bit back a smile. “Bennett and I talked…”

After what had happened at Tessa’s funeral reception, I’d confessed to my mom that Bennett and I had been dating. She was a good listener, like Harper. And she knew Bennett almost as well as Liam and me. She loved him like a son.

“And…?”

“He’s moving back in.”

She squealed and pulled me into a hug. “Oh, I’m so happy. I always hoped you two would end up together.”

“What?” I laughed. When I saw her expression, I realized she was serious. “Since when?”

“Since always. But especially since he moved back and started working at the clinic. He’s a good man. He’ll be a good husband and father.”

I tilted my head to the side. I had no idea she’d given it so much thought. Though I guess it shouldn’t have surprised me. My mom was a romantic at heart.

“I wouldn’t tell Liam that.”

She rolled her eyes. “Your brother needs to pull his head out of his ass. He’s so hell-bent on protecting you that he doesn’t see the strong, independent, beautiful woman you’ve become. Hopefully he will now.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I hugged her. “And thanks for forcing Liam and me to talk.”

“I know you weren’t happy about it, but I couldn’t stand seeing my babies fight.”

“I know.” My shoulders deflated. I was only just realizing the full impact of my choices on my family, especially my brother. “I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize. You both did what you thought was right.” She smoothed a hand down my back.

I nodded. “I think this past month has been one of the hardest in my life. But also, one of the best.”

“You’re a fighter, Wren. Always have been.” She leaned in and whispered, “You’re one of the strongest people I know.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I appreciated her words. She’d always been there with her words, building me up. Helping me when I was at my lowest. “You’re the best.”

“I love you, Wren. And I’m so happy for you.”

“I love you too.” I smiled. “Is River upstairs?”

She nodded. I went off to find him, but not before she called, “Oh, and Wren?”

“Yeah?” I paused, hand poised on the banister.

“Why don’t we plan for River to stay here next weekend? Give you and Bennett some alone time.”

“Thanks. That would be nice.”

“Oh, it’s purely selfish on my part.” She flashed me a wicked grin. “I’d love some more grandbabies.”

I shook my head with a laugh. Who knew my mom could be so shameless?

I continued up the stairs but paused when I reached the landing. Had she known about Bennett and me all along? Was that why she’d never asked what I was doing when I’d ask if River could spend the night?

I laughed and continued on. It wouldn’t have surprised me.

River and my dad were playing a board game. “Hey, kiddo. You ready?”

“Sure,” he muttered and started helping clean up, while my dad headed down the hall.

“Before we go, there’s something I need to talk to you about. How would you feel about Bennett moving back in with us?”

He stilled. “Seriously?”

“Yes, but he’d be moving back in as my boyfriend. He’d be staying in my room. Are you okay with that?”

“Are you kidding?” He stared at me, excitement coursing through him. “Heck yes!” His face lit up with a smile, and he whooped and danced all the way down the stairs and out the front door.

My parents laughed, waving goodbye from the front porch as River and I climbed into the car. River peppered me with questions the entire ride home.

“Are you getting married?”

“Maybe someday, but I don’t know.”

“Do I get to have a little brother or sister?”

I let out a sigh and glanced at the roof. What was it with everyone wanting Bennett and me to have kids?

“Let’s just focus on the now,” I said as we pulled into the driveway. Bennett’s SUV was already parked out front, and I hadn’t even parked the car before River was unbuckling his seat belt.

“Let me out! Let me out!”

I nearly covered my ears, he was yelling so loud. But I was happy. So, so happy.

River ran up to the house and flung himself into Bennett’s arms. “Butter Butter!”

Bennett hugged him close, and I could see the emotion on his face. Joy. Love. Relief. I felt it all too. We were a family.

Bennett held River in one arm, opening the other wide for me. I joined them on the porch, feeling like I was finally home. Bennett pulled me to them, and I wrapped my arms around my boys. My family.

We went inside, but River wouldn’t let Bennett put him down. I wanted to laugh, but I understood how he felt. All I wanted was to touch Bennett, be with him. But that would have to wait until later. Until after River had gone to bed. And it felt like an eternity of waiting.

“Does this mean you’re coming to Grandma and Grandpa’s for family dinner tomorrow night?” River asked Bennett.

Bennett looked to me, and I said, “Of course he is.”

“But what about Uncle Liam?” River worried his bottom lip. “He’s still mad at Bennett.”

“We’ll work it out,” I said, patting River’s hand. “Because we’re family. And that’s what families do. They love one another.”

While Bennett helped River take a bath and get ready for bed, I texted Harper.

Me: Thanks for helping Bennett with his surprise.

Harper: Does that mean you two kissed and made up?

Me: Definitely.

Harper: I’m so happy for you, Wren. Let me know what date you want to hold the winery for.

Me: Date?

Harper: For your wedding.

I laughed, though I knew she was right. Bennett and I might not be engaged yet. But one day…

Me: LOL. Very funny.

Harper: Have you told Liam that you’re back together?

Me: I need to. I’m going to call him now.

Harper: Good luck.

My call went straight to voice mail, so I left a message asking him to call me. Finally, I sighed and dropped the phone on the couch. I didn’t want to think about Liam. I didn’t want to think about anything other than the fact that Bennett was mine. He loved me, and I loved him.

“You look awfully serious,” Bennett said.

I glanced up and found him watching me, and I was reminded of a night not so long ago. One when I’d been scanning my LoveBirds matches and hoping for true love. Here he was—here he’d always been—standing right before me.

“I’m just tired. The past two weeks have been an emotional roller coaster.”

He nodded, taking a seat next to me. He placed his arm behind me, and I nestled into his side. It almost didn’t seem fair to be this happy, considering Tessa had just died.

“It’s good to be home,” he said, and I focused on Bennett.

“So…” I walked my fingers up his chest. “Did you want to watch a baking show or…”

“Or?” He smirked.

“We could go to bed.”

He chuckled, bringing my fingers to his mouth for a kiss. “I thought you’d never ask.”

He locked up while I started the dishwasher, and then we headed down the hall to my—our—room, together. We stepped inside, and I locked the door behind him. Everything was the same but different. Better.

“Wren.” Bennett cupped my face, capturing my lips with a kiss that left no doubt in my mind—I was his. And he was mine, ours.

Then his hands were canvassing my skin, exploring my stomach from beneath my shirt. I sighed, reveling in the feel of his large fingers splayed across my skin. They climbed higher, caressing me over my bra, making my body quiver with anticipation as I groaned with frustration and desire.

“Bennett.” I swallowed. “I need you.”

We undressed each other slowly, as if it were the first time. And in some ways, it was.

He reached for a condom, but I placed my hand over his to stop him. “I don’t want anything between us.”

“Will you think about stopping the pill?” he asked, brushing his fingers along my cheekbone.

“You’re serious?”

He nodded. “I know I kind of sprung this on you. And I know you didn’t have an easy labor or delivery with River. But I promise to be by your side every step of the way.”

This man…

“Just…think about it for now. No pressure.”

“You just moved in, and you’re already talking kids?” I teased.

“Well, we already have one. What’s another?” My heart was goo at this point. Mush. And Bennett held it in the palm of his hand.

“Yes.” I nodded, tears filling my eyes. “Yes. I want that too.”

“And…” He dropped his forehead to mine. “I think we should get River a dog.”

I laughed. “Wow. Anything else?” I teased, arching my hips up to meet his. Needing that pressure. That connection. “I like how you softened me up with an orgasm. Then sprung all this on me while holding my next one hostage.”

“Yeah.” He flashed me a sheepish grin, his dick gliding through my folds. “I would say I’m sorry about that, but I’m not sure I am.”

“You’ll pay for that.” I slapped his ass, and he grinned, taking it as a challenge.

“Fuck, baby.” He tucked my hair behind my ear, slanting his mouth over mine. “I’m not even inside you, and I feel like I’m going to blow. I’m not going to last long.”

I grinned, rolling us over so I was on top. “I guess we’ll just have to do it again later.”

“Yes. We will. Again and again and again.”

I grinned, liking the sound of that. “Forever.”

He pushed up on his elbows, watching as I sank down on him. “Oh god,” he hissed.

My mouth fell open at the sensation of being filled. Claimed. “So good.”

And then we made love, honestly and openly. Baring ourselves completely. Nothing standing between us. Love filling us.