Page 39 of Extended Bridge (Passionate Beats #2)

Chapter Twenty-Two

I freeze. He can’t believe I’m only here—naked—because I’m contracted to do a job? My job is to give him physical therapy, not get him off! My mouth drops open to tell him off when I stare at his face and my teeth click as they shut. Reflected back at me is sheer anguish.

No, no, no. This is not the way things were supposed to go, not with the man I love. His deep-rooted trust issues cannot be brushed aside. He has to believe in the reason I’m here, with him, now. More than that, he needs to embrace this conclusion for himself.

He pushes away from me. In a tone overlaid with love, I say, “Bennett.” He stops moving, which I take as a good sign. I continue, “Do you remember when we met again at the movie premiere?”

His eyebrows come together. “Yes.”

“You’d pulled your groin muscle and were in pain. You didn’t want anything to do with me, right?”

My hand drops to his injured muscle. His gaze snaps to the only place we’re connected.

“Right.”

I cover his upper thigh with my palm. “Your doctor said you needed physical therapy if you wanted to be able to perform at UC’s scheduled concert tour dates. Luke told me he had to talk you into agreeing to any sort of therapy.”

“He did,” is pulled from somewhere deep inside him.

His whole world is imploding. I remove my hand. “Luke was adamant you come to At Your Service PT. Well, actually, he was more determined that I be your therapist.”

He nods.

“I wasn’t convinced. I was an administrator, not seeing patients anymore. Want to know what changed my mind?”

“The money?”

A small huff escapes. “Fine, yes, it played a part. I saw taking this job as a way to get another clinic up and running fast, so I’d be closer to my goal of ten. But it wasn’t the main motivating factor for me.”

“That’s not what Luke told me.”

“Because it was what I told him.” I suck in a breath. “What prompted me to take you on as a patient was”—dare I admit this? I straighten my shoulders. “Darren.”

The ghost I had banished reappears.

Bennett runs his hand through his sexy hair.

Without waiting for him to respond, I rush forward.

“Darren always had wonderful things to say about you. He told me about your early days with the band and how you struggled. He used to play pranks on you to get you out of your head. He helped you study for the GED because he knew how important finishing your education was to your self-worth.”

Bennett blinks several times.

“He loved you like a brother. I don’t know if he ever told you—or if you were able to hear him if he did.

I figured, if he loved you so much, there had to be something more to you than a cocky lead singer.

Quinn’s movie showed me glimpses into the man you are underneath.

” My hand now moves up his chest to cover his heart.

Although he doesn’t respond, his heartbeat increases. Faster. Faster. Faster still. “Do you know what this job has done for me? It reminded me how much joy I get in working with patients and seeing their progress. So thank you for that.”

He grabs my wrist and drops it onto the bed. At least he’s still here with me. I have to take my wins where I can.

“Can you see a difference between merely doing a job and enjoying interactions with the people on the job who give it meaning?”

He swallows. “Like doing all the promo shit, but feeling pride when Luke says we did a good job?”

Not a perfect example, but I’ll take it. “Exactly. Like how you bonded with Luke over it.”

“I wouldn’t say we bonded.”

“Fine. But you accomplished something that you received praise for from him. Tell me, what would happen if you did a poor job at one of the promo events?”

He jerks his head backward. “Luke would hand me my ass.”

My gaze drifts behind him for a second. I want to tap his amazing butt, but refrain. “So you do a good job in order not to disappoint Luke.”

He ponders what I said for a moment. “In a way.”

“Great. So you see, you can be contracted to do a job, like a promo appearance, but your behavior is guided by how you want to please your manager because he means more to you than the single appearance.”

“I guess.”

I push forward. “You see how the one informs the other? You must do your job because you’re a professional.

You do it well not to disappoint your”—I almost say “friend” but search for a more appropriate descriptor, in his world—“manager. The fact you met Luke because of UC doesn’t play into the fact that he’s your frien-acquaintance. ”

Bennett settles on his back. “If he disappeared from UC tomorrow, I guess I would miss him,” he allows.

Score! “You’d miss his not being around and razzing you? ”

His cheeks inflate. “Yeah. He’s annoying as hell, but a good guy. I think we’d all be adrift without him steering the ship.”

Finally! We’re making progress. It’s time to press my luck. “So, you can understand why even if I quit doing your physical therapy, I would stay with you.” I turn onto my side and stroke his hair. On a whisper, I say, “Because I love you.”

Given the rigid set to his jaw and how tight his limbs are, I take the fact he hasn’t moved from the bed as a positive. A small one, but still.

“We met—again—because I agreed to be your therapist. I’m here right now, in your bed, because I want to be.” Please let him agree.

“You’re not with me because of the money?”

“No.”

“Your contract isn’t forcing you to stay?”

I contemplate my response. “Well, the contract makes me want to finish your therapy and see you back to one hundred percent. It’ll end when you’re healed.

Professional ethics say I’m not supposed to enter into a relationship with any current client—I made Darren wait until our therapy was over.

” My face relaxes. “You, however, blew my mind from the beginning.”

He turns again onto his side, facing me. “Please tell me you’re not saying all this stuff because of the contract.”

What his mother and bitch of a high school girlfriend did to this amazing man!

“I’m your physical therapist because Luke twisted both of our arms. I’m a very satisfied woman because you took my arm”—I hold it out straight—“pulled me against your very sexy body and said you wanted to do all types of naughty things to me. You fulfilled each and every promise more than I expected was possible.” I screw up my courage and kiss his lips. “Because I love you.”

His eyes squeeze shut. I allow his internal battle to go on as long as he needs, praying he’ll realize his assumption about me is unfounded. As is his crazy notion that UC are a bunch of colleagues who play music together .

Green eyes open and stare at me. “I have no option but to believe you. Because I love you, too, Sweetheart.”

“Oh, Bennett.”

I lunge at him. Our lips lock together, trying to erase all the self-doubt he has surrounding a lasting love. Our lasting love. Our kiss starts tentative but soon transforms into passion. One thing leads to another and soon we’re panting and sweaty and writhing in pure bliss.

After we take a shower, we retreat into the bus’s bedroom cocoon once again. Under the covers, we get wrapped up in each other. “I’m glad you’re in my life.”

His confession brings a smile to my face. “Me too.”

“Thanks for not letting me push you away.”

“Never going to happen.” My thumb flits over his luscious lips. “You know who else you can’t push away? Your band.”

“I’m not sure about them.”

“You’ve known them longer than me.”

“Well, true. They’re a great bunch of guys and I have a blast hanging out with them.” His forearm crosses his forehead.

“How about trying to open up a little to them?”

Pained eyes turn toward me. “All of them?”

“No,” I backtrack. “How about we start with one?” I consider each of his bandmates. “What about Luke? He’s not in the band, but you admitted you all wouldn’t survive a day without his guidance.”

Bennett wiggles his eyebrows. “You’re not wrong there.”

Not wanting to push him too far outside of his comfort zone, and considering it’s approaching daybreak, I decide to leave this topic for another day. It’s good enough he agreed to try with Luke. He’ll be counting all the guys as friends soon. I know it.

A huge yawn overtakes my entire being. A second later, Bennett’s yawn rivals mine. We both laugh.

He drags me closer to him and embraces me. “It’s been a big day. Let’s get some sleep—I need some time before I can go another round with you anyway. You tuckered me all out. ”

Giggling at his outlandish quip, I kiss him while laughing, another experience I’ve only had with him. “I’ll hold you to it in the morning.”

“You do that, Sweetheart.”

Several hours and a few more orgasms later, the bus stops in the parking lot of another hotel. Dragging my overnight suitcase behind me, I approach our driver. “What town are we in, Danny?”

He has the decency not to smirk at us, no doubt knowing exactly what we’ve been up to. I could kiss him for his discretion. “We’re in Memphis, ma’am.”

My eyes widen. “Awesome!” I turn around and face Bennett. “I’ve always wanted to go to Graceland!”

Bennett chuckles at my exuberance. “I’ll reach out to Luke to see if he can arrange a tour.”

I skip off the bus and almost barrel into the man who can make this happen for us. “Luke,” I yell, not allowing Bennett to say anything. “We’re in Memphis. Think you can get us into Graceland?”

Bennett shakes his head. With a shrug, he adds, “As you can see, she’s sort of excited.”

Luke passes Bennett the room key. “I wouldn’t want to disappoint your physical therapist. By the way, this hotel has a great gym you might want to try for your exercises today.

” He gives Bennett the rundown of the schedule, which is filled tomorrow but free for the rest of today. I rub my hands together.

We drop our luggage in the room and change. Which takes twice as long as usual because, well, Bennett. Once I’m finally in my leggings and tunic top and he’s in his workout gear, we leave to check out the gym. He stops in the middle of the fully equipped room.

“Shit. I wish I could do more than physical therapy. This gym is stocked. ”

“You could do some upper body things,” I suggest. “Not that you need it.”

Aforementioned muscular arms pull me into a tight embrace. “How could I ever think the only reason you’re here is because of the contract?” He kisses the top of my head. “It’s for my body.”

I punch his taut abs, and he emits the obligatory grunt. “If that’s what you believe, then you better keep working out so my eyes don’t stray.” As if.

“Guess I always have my voice to fall back on.” He winks. “And my huge cock.”

“Oh yes, that’s your number one selling point.” At his triumphant grin, I add, “Asshat.”

He rears back. “Hey! I was simply stating a fact. No need to get all personal on me.” He advances.

“Besides, I didn’t hear any complaining last night.

Or this morning.” His hands land on my butt and he pulls me to him.

In my ear, he whispers, “I could take you right here to remind you of how big it is. Give everyone a show.”

I can’t help but burst out laughing. “Add tremendous ego to your list.” Reality rears her ugly head, and I step back from my patient.

“This is inappropriate behavior between a therapist and her patient, Mr. Hardy.” Several sets of eyes enjoy our antics.

I shake my head and instruct him to begin his exercises.

The hour passes quickly. He’s mastered most of the exercises with the exception of the skater leaps, at which he’s still tentative. Given how far he’s come, I’ve added a couple new items to his routine. After all, he thrives on challenge.

In and out of the bedroom.

I wonder how I can use this fact to get him to warm up to the rest of the band?

When we’re finished with therapy, he walks over to a decked-out complicated machine with weights and cables.

At my prompting, he sits and works out his upper body, wearing a happy expression.

Which is mirrored by my own—and those of the females in the gym—especially after he tosses his shirt onto the floor.

He’s all mine, ladies.

I decide to do some research into Graceland so we can get the most out of our experience, even though Luke’s arranging for us to have a private tour tonight, after the mansion’s “closed.” Being a rock star has its perks.

Bennett stands and slings his shirt over his glistening shoulder. All eyes track him moving to the water cooler. Before I can get there, however, three gym bunnies surround him. I decide to hang back and watch their interaction.

The brazen women touch his body as if they have a right to do so. My man ducks and weaves like a pro boxer, all the while giving them the proper fan attention.

A lady in a body-hugging, bright blue jumpsuit exclaims, “I loved your movie!”

“I think you stole the show,” a blonde-headed, big-boobed one in black says, trying to rub against his chest.

“So happy UC is back,” another adds—this one in pink. “We have tickets for your show tomorrow.”

An unfamiliar emotion swells. Jealousy. Guess I better get used to Bennett’s receiving this sort of treatment.

Darren had women coming on to him a lot, but I wasn’t around much to see it.

When I was, he made it obvious we were together.

Should I go up to him now? I glance down at my attire and then over to the gym bodies on display around him, and decide to hang back. How is he going to handle this?

“I’m excited you’ll be at the show,” Bennett replies. “I’ll make sure to reference meeting you at the gym today.” The girls swoon. “Stop by the ‘Will Call’ desk, and I’ll make sure you get something special.”

The one with the big boobs purrs, “Thanks so much!” She glances at her friend. “We’d love to go back with you to your room to show how appreciative we are.”

My eyebrows fly to my hairline.

Bennett chuckles. My man. “Ladies, thanks for the offer, but I’m in a relationship and I don’t think she’d approve.” He pauses. “Neither would I.”

I slink into the hallway, watching through the window as he tosses back his plastic cup of water to the sound of their grumbling. “Hope you enjoy the show.” He ambles toward me and it takes everything inside of me not to jump him.

In the hallway, he stands in front of me, arms wide open. “You’re the only woman I want to show me how appreciative you are.”

When he says stuff like this, there’s no stopping me despite the fact he just finished a workout. Without hesitation, I wrap my arms around his pumped body. “Let’s get you in the shower.”

“Alone?”

“No.”