Page 32 of Extended Bridge (Passionate Beats #2)

Chapter Seventeen

“ S hh, Sweetheart, stop.” Bennett’s arms pull me against his naked torso, with his lips on the back of my neck.

“Shit, Jenna. I didn’t mean it the way that all came out.”

My hands never waver from over my eyes. I don’t want to see the destruction I’ve brought to UC. Hearing it was bad enough.

“I’m sorry for badgering you like that,” Luke reaffirms.

Bennett lifts his lips from my neck to agree. “Damn straight you are.”

“You know how I can get, B. I run things down without engaging my brain first sometimes.”

I don’t blame Luke for voicing the things already going on inside my head.

Through hiccups, I get out, “I did know Darren was prescribed Oxy during his treatment and that he was able to return to UC faster because of the medication. I thought he was only taking one if he was feeling pain. Even though I reminded him if he’d taken one that day so he wouldn’t take another, I had no idea he was addicted. ”

Bennett’s hands rub up and down my arms. My gaze remains on my bare legs draped over his jean-covered ones. “Even if you knew he was an addict,” he adds. “You had no way of knowing what was going on that night. You weren’t there.”

“I did talk with him on FaceTime.”

“Could you see any pill bottles in the frame?”

I remember back to that night. “No. But I knew he took a pill before you all went out.”

Luke asks, “Did you encourage him to take another during your call?”

“No, of course not. I told him not to take another until the next night, at the earliest.”

“See?” Bennett jumps in. “That’s all the truth we need.”

I manage to staunch the flow of tears. “The truth doesn’t matter. Whatever sells.”

The room’s silent. I use this time to even out my breathing and slip off Bennett’s lap. My being a diversion has run its course. Thank God I kept my stupid feelings to myself.

Before I can repeat my decision to leave, Luke says, “You just gave me a great idea, Jenna. I need to get the band here for everyone’s input.” He picks up his phone and starts tapping. “They’ll be here soon.”

“It’s like three in the morning.” More proof this isn’t my reality.

Bennett laughs. “You’re with rock stars, Sweetheart. This is midday to us.”

“Unless you want to meet with the band in only a T-shirt.” Luke points to me. “Or half-dressed”—he points to Bennett—“you two should get cleaned up.”

Bennett stands and shakes his manager’s hand.

I must be in a delirium. A nightmare. I’ll wake up and none of this will have happened. It’s the only solution. I pinch the back of my palm. “Ouch.”

“You’re definitely in Kentucky.” Bennett bends down, puts his hands under my legs, and lifts me up. “We’ll be back soon.”

“I’ve got this,” Luke replies .

Bennett carries me into the bedroom. When my feet touch the carpet, I say, “I don’t understand.”

His green gaze spears me. “Here’s what it boils down to. I love you. You said you need more time to reach the same conclusion about me. Which you will.” He licks his lips. “We deserve space to figure out what this means for us and how we want to grow as a couple. All the rest is noise.”

“But...what Lissa told the reporters. About you. The photos. About me and what I’m doing to UC.”

“All lies. Well, except for the high school stuff. Listen, I’m used to this shit.

The only difference here is that some of it is true.

What it doesn’t talk about is how she left me for Curtiss.

Can’t imagine why she didn’t tell the reporters about that.

” His snaps his fingers. “Oh, let me guess. It’s because it paints her in a bad light. ”

I meet his gaze. “But what about Darren and the...” I can’t bring myself to say the words Black Widow aloud one more time.

“Also fake. Our PR team handles shit like this all the time. The only reason it’s causing a bigger deal is because you’re involved.

” He bends his knees to be level with my line of vision.

“And because I hid the real reason why you’re here on tour with us, out of my own stupid pride.

It’s not like I wanted to admit I don’t know how to jump. ”

His wry tone brings a reluctant smile to my face. “That’s not what happened. You jumped just fine.”

“Alright. It’s worse if I can’t stick a landing.”

A giggle bubbles up, yet I ask a serious question. “How can you want me to stick around?”

“How could I not?” His retort is immediate. “Don’t let the media get inside your head. The only people on the planet who know what’s going on between us is us.” His hand bounces between our chests. “You and me.”

“I don’t want to come between the band.”

“Which is exactly why you won’t.” He places his hands onto my shoulders. “If you were like the press is portraying you, you’d be relishing all the hype. Wanting to keep the spotlight on you.” He pauses. “What are you doing right now?”

I swallow. Aiming at the hollow of his throat, I murmur, “Trying to figure out a way to disappear so you guys can go on without this awful glare.”

“See?” I stare at his delicious skin, and a tingle creeps up my body before I shut it down. Mostly. “Wrong answer. We need to face this head on. Show the world how strong UC is and, more importantly, how much you mean to me.”

I work through what he’s told me. I need his expertise more than ever. “I’m a physical therapist, Bennett. When I was with Darren, there was little media attention, so this is far outside my wheelhouse. Are you sure?”

“Yes. Want to know what else?” His hands go to the hem of his T-shirt hanging on my body.

“What?”

“You’re mine. All mine. I think the press is jealous of this fact.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I have eyes. I’ve seen the women who hang around the band. Heck, I remember the girls you used to leave with before.” I pause. “They were gorgeous.”

Bennett’s lips tighten. “Are you with me because of how I look?”

“No. Of course not.”

“Would it matter to you if I were fugly?”

“So long as I find you attractive, that’s all that matters.”

“When I tell you I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, inside and out, do you believe me?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m not. I’m not a double-D. My hair isn’t an arresting shade of blonde. My lips aren’t?—”

“Want to know what I see when I look at you?” He interrupts me.

“I see a capable woman who knows how to heal people, with a body that was created to fit mine unlike any other.” With one step, he invades my personal space.

“You’re all that and more to me, Jenna. You challenge me, make me laugh, make me cry with your exercises sometimes.

” He grins. “How I see you is colored by who I know you are. Let others win Miss America titles, you’ve won the only title that matters—to my heart. ”

I look into his eyes and see only sincerity reflected back.

He means every single word. How can I flee when the leader of the band has placed me at the center of his world, where I dream to place him in mine?

The possibility of not being around Bennett is like cutting off a limb, where no amount of therapy would bring my life back to normal.

Sure, there would be workarounds, but I’d never function the same way I do when he’s with me.

He adds, “You have my heart, Sweetheart. Forever.”

The dam bursts, and I pull his head to mine. Our lips explode in another kiss, more intense than ever before. A draft hits my butt as he pulls his T-shirt up and off my body.

The front door slams shut, and male voices penetrate our heated interlude. “Fuck,” Bennett exclaims. “When will these people leave us alone?”

Despite the circumstances, I giggle. “We’ll figure it out.”

“Damn straight.” He steps back, his heated gaze raking over my body. “Let’s get you cleaned up so we can face this mess head-on. Then, I want you under me for hours.”

I don’t answer him, but my heart screams “Yes!” I allow him to bring me into the bathroom and turn on the water. In the meantime, he strips off his jeans.

“In you go.” He nudges me toward the spray, but not before I catch a glimpse of my blotchy face in the mirror. I never was a good crier, as Kara used to chide me.

Under the showerhead, we wash each other. He takes special care around my eyes, while I focus on his tattooed arms. If I were to dive any lower, I’m not sure we’d ever get out of here.

“Here you go,” he passes me an oversized white fluffy towel while tucking a similar one around his trim waist. “I’ll be waiting in the bedroom.”

For the first time, I’m happy not to have hair that requires any special work to make it presentable.

I scrape my locks away from my face and put it into a ponytail before brushing on some blush and mascara.

Satisfied, I join him in the bedroom where Bennett stands in a pair of workout shorts and a Cole Manchester tour tee. He looks good enough to eat.

“There she is. You’ve already got color back in your cheeks.”

“It’s called blush.”

“No. It’s called being a fighter. You’ve got this.”

He kisses me again and tugs my towel off my body.

Standing naked in front of him while he’s fully dressed is an unexpected turn-on.

What isn’t with this man? My hands slide down his arms as his tongue invades my mouth.

His growl precedes him pulling away. “No more of that, missy. Not if we don’t want to keep the band waiting another hour. Or two. Make that five.” He chuckles.

I join him, the laughter cathartic after the earlier meeting. Not to mention what we’re about to face. I glance down, surprised to see my suitcase. “How did this get here?”

“One word: Jeb. I think he has a thing for you.”

I picture the huge roadie with the bad back. “I helped him, you know?” Bennett raises an eyebrow at me as he places my suitcase on the bed. “He complained about soreness in his back, and I gave him some exercises to help ease the strain from moving all the equipment.” I open the case.

Bennett’s gaze focuses on my clothing, and he picks out a matching panty and bra set. Green. “I bet he appreciated your attention.”