Page 71 of Rebellious Hearts

He disappeared into his bathroom, and I stayed right where I was, my body spent, the echo of him still between my legs.

When he came back, Ben got back onto the bed and pulled me close.

“Stay tonight,” he said.

I didn’t hesitate, didn’t fight him when he asked.

No matter what good reasons I had to leave, I didn’t want to.

So, I stayed.

21

BEN

“Perfect timing,” I said when I clapped my hand into Luke’s.

We met at the Harbor Lounge, a bar in the Savannah Bayview Hotel. “You couldn’t even stick out one more night with your family?”

Luke groaned. “No, it was time to go. This place is much better. The price tag is worth not having all the drama.”

“There’s a reason we don’t see our family more than once a year,” Amy said. “They keep wanting to marry me off and get Luke to take over the family business. I’m so sick of being treated like a pawn just because of my bloodline.”

The Harper family had a huge name in Savannah and the fact that Luke and Amy had managed to fly the coop was a feat all on its own. I couldn’t relate to that kind of family drama.

“Hi,” Amy said to Sofia, who stood a little behind me.

“Oh, sorry. You guys remember Sofia, right?” I asked. “Luke and Amy.”

“Yeah, I remember,” Sofia said and smiled.

I put my arm around her, hand on her hip. Amy glanced at my hand before she looked up at me, and she and her brother exchanged glances.

“Let’s get something to drink,” I said.

Luke and Amy nodded, and we sat down in the cozy booth that I’d held for us at the back.

The Harbor Lounge was a great place, looking out over the harbor and the ocean, and it was lively, with music and a lot more patrons than those who stayed at the hotel. It was like Jester but with classy bedrooms and suites on top of it.

The seats were luxurious, deep red velvet, and we were surrounded by brass and marble countertops, giving the place a vintage feel, although it had modern touches like speakers and tablets on each table to place orders.

“What are you having?” I asked Sofia, lowering my voice. “Wine?”

She nodded. “Surprise me.”

I winked at her. “I have just the thing.” When I looked up, Luke’s eyes were on me.

“What are we drinking?” I asked, trying to ignore the pointed looks I was getting from my friends.

“Woodford Reserve Bourbon,” Luke said. “I had it here last night and you’ll want to try it.”

“That’s easy, then,” I said and picked up the tablet. “Amy?”

“Whatever Sofia’s having, we can share a bottle of something nice.” She grinned at me, and Sofia smiled, her cheeks flushed pink. She was shy around Luke and Amy. I didn’t know if she was generally a shy person or if it was just because it was my friends. I didn’t know her well enough to know things like that.

But I wanted to find out.

I ordered the Bourbon for me and Luke to share, and a bottle of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc for the girls. The crisp taste suited Sofia, and I was sure she would like it. I added anartisanal cheese and charcuterie board, with extra dried fruit and nuts to snack on while we chatted. We weren’t here for supper and I didn’t want anything too formal and heavy.