Page 42 of Friends with Benefits

I didn’t answer that. She could do whatever the hell she liked. I wasn’t going to stop her.

We ignored each other while she picked up trash and dirty clothes. I pretended not to notice her and closed my eyes in protest. If she wanted to waste her time, whatever. I wasn’t her daddy.

When she was done, she sat down beside me, but I didn’t acknowledge her. I knew that if I did, I’d break.

Another knock came at the door, and I cracked open an eye. It was some guy I didn’t recognize. “Hey,” he said to Ember. “I was at your place, but your friend Charlie said you were over here.” His eyes darted to me. “Are you ready?”

“I can’t go out tonight. I’m sorry. I meant to text you.” She lowered her voice. “He’s still a little down. Raincheck?”

“For you, anything. I’ll text you.”

“Okay, bye,” she answered, but I could hear the smile in her voice.

Since when did she have a boyfriend?

Chapter Seventeen

Ember

The twins fellasleep with surprising ease. They weren’t even awake long enough for Tripp to wish them good night. The one night when I could use their bedtime to clear my head and organize my thoughts, and their lights were out in less than ten minutes. Why do they always do the exact opposite of what I want them to? It’s a conspiracy. It’s like they know.

My heart was thundering as I closed the door to their room and headed back down the hall. This wasn’t going to be easy, but it was necessary. Doing the right thing had allowed me to survive thus far. And cutting things off before they got too complicated was the right thing.

Wasn’t it?

I reached the end of the hallway. “We have to talk,” I said clearly, though inside I was shaking.

Tripp got to his feet from where he was reclining on the couch. “Uh-oh, that sounds ominous. Come here. The twins get to sleep okay?”

Why did he have to be so damn nice? I went to him, taking a seat by his side. I hoped he couldn’t tell how nervous I was. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.” Even though I kinda did.

“I know what you meant.” He held up a finger to my lips before I could respond. It stopped me short—like it always did when he touched me. It only made me want him to touch me more. “I bet I can guess what you’re going to say.”

Bewildered, but at the same time not really surprised, I blew out a breath. He always seemed to know what I was thinking before I thought it. It was unnatural. “You do?”

He nudged my shoulder and said with patient exasperation, “C’mon, Em, how long have we been friends?”

To be honest, it felt like forever. “A long time.”

“I bet you’re thinking we were crazy for sleeping together. That a friends-with-benefits relationship could never work between us. That you’re worried it’ll mess everything up. The twins should be your priority. Am I wrong?”

He wasn’t, which was what made it so infuriating. Was I really that easy to read? Apparently, not for him. “No,” I admitted. “But you can’t say you don’t understand where I’m coming from.”

Instead of answering, he gripped me by the arm and guided me to my new room. I could have stopped him if I wanted, but I offered no resistance. Carefully, he shut the door behind us. The click of it closing made my heart stutter. This was why I had avoided being alone with Tripp for all those years. It was easier to deny his effect on me when it was dulled by having other people around.

Funny how I’d never actually been able to admit that to myself before now.

In my distracted state, Tripp was able to maneuver me to the bed. But I couldn’t let the growing sense of intimacy deter me. This thing between us had to stop.

I managed to say as much out loud.

Or, at least, I thought I did.

“I understand where you’re coming from.”

Tripp nudged my shoulder, pressing me inexorably back on the bed. He stretched out beside me, his long, lean body blocking out the yellow light from the bedside table. Shadows painted his face, accentuating his cheekbones and sending thrills down my spine. He stole the fright right out of me.

“You do?” Well, shit, that breathless note in my voice didn’t help my argument. “You know I have to think about what’s best for the girls.” My protests were weak.