Page 25 of It Happened Back Then (Nilsson Family #3)

I went through the motions of my day, trying hard to push everything out of my mind.

I stayed busy at the shop, making small talk with customers, smiling when I needed to, but it all felt hollow.

And when Bennett texted to say he was running late at the restaurant and would just see me tomorrow instead, my stomach sank.

That’s when the doubts crept in. I shouldn’t have checked social media, but I did, scrolling mindlessly, searching for something I didn’t want to find.

Savannah’s name popped up like a thorn commenting on old photos of him, emoji hearts and inside jokes that made my skin prickle. He hadn’t replied, at least not publicly, but that didn’t matter. It was the fact that she still felt entitled to him, like she had a place here, in this town. Our town .

And what bothered me more was that he hadn’t shut it down. If he had, why was she still hovering? Why did it feel like she was waiting for him to open the door again?

Not having any immediate answers, I did my best to try to drown out the noise with work. Thankfully, the town’s Farmers Market had the shop packed, and I kept my head down, pushing through task-after-task just to stop thinking.

But the second I walked through my front door, the weight returned. I showered, hoping the hot water would wash off the tension, and as I stepped out, towel around my body, my phone lit up. A new text. And for one breathless second, I hoped it was him. I needed it to be him.

Bennett: Be there in ten.

My heart flutters, and I feel excited and nervous all at once.

Then annoyance takes over. I roll my eyes and don’t reply back.

I know this is not the mature thing to do, and we need to talk, but the anger I've been pushing away, the nerves and the anxiety that I’ve stifled since seeing her are rising to the top and blinding me right now.

Bennet and I are sleeping together. Why is she still here?

True to his word, ten minutes later, Bennett is walking through my door. “Hi, Peach.”

I throw my hand up to acknowledge him but continue watching television, taking sips of my wine.

He stands in front of me, blocking my view, and leans down to kiss me. I don’t kiss him back and he frowns. “What happened?”

I take another big sip, swallowing hard before looking up at him. “Your girlfriend came to the store yesterday.”

He collapses onto the couch next to me. “That’s weird. Last I knew my girlfriend owns that store.”

“Bennett.”

“Blossom,” he replies with the same exasperation.

“Why is she still here?”

“I don't know. I haven’t spoken to her.”

I stare at him. He doesn’t seem upset or like he’s trying to hide anything .

Actually, he looks his normal tired, after his long dinner shift.

But I have to know if leaving is an option for him.

“She’s playing house, Bennett. Talking like you’re still hers.

She said she’s here to support you and shouldn’t have let you come back here alone. What does that even mean, Bennett?”

He scrubs his face with his hand. “I really don’t know, Bloss. I promise you I haven’t spoken to her. I don’t know what her angle is. Maybe something is going on at home for her and she just needed to be with a friend.”

I scoff. “She’s not looking at you for a friend. She mentioned her father has connections for you in France.”

I watch as he closes his eyes and breathes deep. “I’m not going to France.”

“But you want to.”

He shakes his head. “No, I really don’t. It was something her father and I spoke about years ago, but I never paid it any attention.”

I’m quiet, letting it all sink in. “That’s really a big opportunity for you, Bennett. If it’s something that's possible, you should do it.”

His head rolls to the side watching me. “Are you pushing me away again?”

I take a breath, trying to control my emotions. Of course I don’t want him to leave, but just like when we were eighteen, I don't want to hold him back from something either. “Does your dad know about France?”

He frowns, confusion on his face as he responds, “No, I never mentioned it. And what difference would it make?”

I shrug. “He was always concerned about making sure you got opportunities outside of Bluemoon.”

He watches me, trying to make sense of things. I see his mind churning, past memories coming to the surface, I’m sure. He tries to pull me into his lap, but I resist. “Don’t push me away, Blossom. I’m exactly where I want to be. ”

“Maybe I’ll pick a fight with you, so you get mad and leave.”

He chuckles. “Only pick a fight if we’re going to have makeup sex.” I attempt to push him away but he holds me in place. “Will you please get over this tantrum?”

“Tantrum? I can be mad that your girlfriend keeps butting?—”

“You need to stop calling her that.”

“—into our life. And I can be mad that you aren’t telling me everything.”

He replies sharply, sitting up straighter on the couch, “I’m telling you everything, Blossom. I always have. It’s you who keeps secrets.”

His words hit like a slap to the face. My chest tightens and my pulse races as the weight of everything I’ve hidden rushes to the surface. Does he know what I’ve never spoken out loud?

His eyes soften and his body relaxes. “I’m sorry. I am telling you everything. I don’t know why she’s still here. I’m not going to France.” He lets out a breath. “It’s just been a long day. Come on, let me love on my future wife.”

I let him take my hand before I push him away and sit up on the couch. I need to get out of this funk I’m in. I have to accept what he’s saying. “I wanted it last night, but you didn’t show up.”

He huffs as I stand up. “I told you I got held up at the restaurant.”

“I know. It’s okay. I took care of it myself.” I shrug, appearing nonchalant.

His body becomes tense, his eyes narrowing. “You took care of it yourself?”

“Yup.” I respond sassily as I walk toward the kitchen.

“You stole from me?” I glance over my shoulder in time to see him stalking toward me. My blood pumps through my veins at the warning tone in his voice. Each step toward me is deliberate and sets my body on fire for him. “You took what’s mine to give you?”

“Bennett!” I shout as he lunges for me. My laughs turn into a moan when he presses his hand against my pussy.

“I’ll give you every orgasm you need. But when you take them for yourself, it only happens when I’m there to watch. Understand?”

I melt into his touch, riding his hand, wanting everything from him. He spins me and pushes me face first onto the island then drops down behind me, pulling my shorts and underwear down around my hips, baring my ass to him.

I barely manage to step out of them before he’s shoving me back down, pushing me forward so my hips are raised up, leaving me open for him. He spread my cheeks, his breath hot against my pussy, then his tongue is rubbing against my clit, two of his fingers teasing me.

“Bennett,” I moan as he latches onto my clit.

His tongue laps and flutters, one of his hands squeezing my ass cheek as the other probes deep inside me.

He quickly brings me to the edge, and I hover there, wanting it, needing, but right before I let go, he stops.

His palm connects with my ass cheek, leaving a stinging heat as he urges me to stand, and then he’s leading me to my bedroom.

We don’t speak and he spins me, giving the kiss I’ve been craving before pushing me toward the bed. I smother my smile as he strips out of his clothes then beckons me forward with one finger.

I smile coyly, sauntering closer, slowly.

When I get within reach of him, he pulls my shirt roughly over my head.

He cups my breasts before tugging my bra off, his voice rough as he murmurs, “Remember when I warned you about liking things differently now?” I nod, excitement brewing in my belly.

“You’re about to find out what I meant. ”

He spins his finger in the air. “Turn around.” I do, and he gives me another hard spank before pushing me toward the bed. “Climb on.”

“Wait!” My heart drops to my stomach. “Put a condom on.” I can almost feel his body lock in place, the coldness traveling through the room as I break the spell we were under. Turning, I look at him. “Please.”

He nods and grabs for his wallet again, tossing one onto the bedside table while ripping open another. I watch while he puts it on, and only then do I face forward again, waving my ass at him. “Ready?” I ask softly.

He comes up behind me, running his hands along my back, and my heart soars yet cries at the same time.

He leans over me, kisses my shoulder before straightening, his hands gripping my hips, the head of his cock rubbing along my pussy before pushing inside.

I’m already dripping for him, but his sudden intrusion makes me gasp. “Oh god.”

He immediately begins a punishing rhythm, his fingers digging into my hips.

The sound of our skin slapping together echoes in the room, and with anyone else I'd be embarrassed. But not with Bennett. I’m exactly where I’ve always imagined myself to be; in a position where I let him do whatever he wants to me.

“Are you okay?” He’s panting as he pulls my hair tight in one hand and slams into me.

“Yes,” I moan, my head falling back, neck exposed.

He pulls me upright, so my back is flush against his chest, one hand wrapping gently around my throat as he slips his thumb between my lips.

His breath is hot against my neck as I tease the tip of his finger with my teeth.

His other hand grips my hip tightly, holding me in place as he pounds into me, each movement making my breasts bounce with the force.

He pulls out and pushes me down to the bed again, grabbing at my thighs to hoist me up. “This pose, Peach. Your ass was made for me.”

He’s breathing heavily as he bites my skin, but I move further up the bed then turn over, sitting up to face him. This time, I beckon him forward with one finger.

He stands in front of me, slowly stroking his cock. “Something you need?”

I nod, waiting for him to come close before yanking him onto the mattress, and pushing him onto his back. He stares up at me with lust-filled eyes. “Peach, I'm impressed.”

I straddle him, sliding down on his cock and setting a frantic pace, wanting him deep and fast. But when he slaps my breast, I lose my rhythm, feeling a gush of wetness.

His eyes hold mine and the slightest smirk sneaks out. “You like that?”

“Do it again,” I breathe out, voice trembling with need.

He doesn’t hesitate. His fingers pinch my nipples, sending another jolt of pleasure through me as I grind down harder, riding him like I’m chasing something I didn’t know I craved.

I’ve never had sex like this before. And I should have known the only one I could go to this height with was Bennett. There’s nothing he’d do that I couldn’t handle, and somehow, he knows exactly where my limits are without me saying a word. He knows what I need and when.

His hands grip my hips, his thumbs digging into my flesh with just enough force to hold me in place. Then he thrusts up from underneath me, hard and deep, and my body arches involuntarily. I cry out; the feeling so intense I think I could black out.

“How do you want to come, Peach?” he growls, his voice thick and breathless. “You want me on top?”

My eyes flutter, a soft moan slipping from my lips, as I try to form coherent words. No one has ever spoken to me like this, and I’m shocked by how much I love it .

“I could come just from listening to you.”

“Then let me talk you through it.”

“But I want you on top.”

He smirks and flips me over, climbing on top of me. “I love to hear you beg for me.” He slides his finger into my pussy, pushing in roughly.

“I wasn’t begging. You asked a question.”

Pulling his fingers from inside me, he slaps my pussy, his word gruff. “You’ll beg me.”

He pushes me down, spreads my legs, taps my clit with his cock. He continues to play instead of getting down to business, and I look up in question, earning a wink right before he enters me.

“Bennett,” I cry out as he slides inside. He falls forward, covering me with his body as I wrap my arms around his back. He hammers into me, and I hold on tight, needing to be as close as possible. He pushes up, his strong arms holding his body over me as his hips piston in and out.

When I reach for him, he grabs my wrists, pinning me to the bed, slamming into me over and over. I let him, relishing the weight of all we are together.

And when we come, we come together. The rough ride soothed by gentle touches, slow strokes, and sweet kisses. If I ever questioned it before, this is the confirmation I needed.

This man is meant to be by my side.

If he leaves, I don’t know how I’ll survive it a second time.