Page 104 of A Stealthy Situation

Looks like my malfunctioning mouth has decided the time is now. Whether I want it to be or not.

My nerves are going wild as I swallow and look down into his gorgeous face. He’s waiting, eyes watching me carefully, and I can’t read whether he’s going to say it back or think I’m jumping way too ahead for even thinking it.

I let all my nerves out on a sigh. “I love you, Benny. Your lips, your snark, your big dick. The whole package. I love everything about you.”

“E-everything?”

“Everything. Especially your brain.”

“Kinda cannibalistic and creepy, but okay.” He can try to lighten the mood all he likes, but I heard the way his voice got all caught up.

“What about you?”

“Me?”

I smirk, loving that I get to put it back on him. “You forced me to talk feelings. Now, it’s your turn.”

“That doesn’t seem fair to me.”

“Benny …”

“Look, I got a tattoo!”

I do a double take at the bandage on his forearm, and he almost has me. But I shake off the distraction and focus. “If you don’t say something, I’m going to assume it’s not returned. If it isn’t, that’s okay—it doesn’t change anything for me. I’d just like to know for sure.”

He huffs, cute nose wrinkling. “Fine.” His voice drops and turns muffled. “Kinda, sort of love you or whatever, I guess.”

“Louder.”

I swear steam shoots from his nose. “I love you.”

“Louder.”

Benny snarls and grabs my jaw, pushing onto his toes until he’s right in my face. “I fucking love you, and I’m pretty sure I’m obsessed with every dumb thing you do because I can never stop thinking about you and talking about you, and if Em kills me, it’s all your fault because he’s sick of how disgustingly schmoopy I am.” He makes a horrified noise and backs up a bit.

“You’re schmoopy?”

“It’s a sickness. I’ll recover.”

“Cute you think I’ll let you.” I link my finger into his belt loop, and even though he tries to act annoyed, he can’t get to me quick enough. I kiss slowly along his hairline, over his cheekbone, and down to his jaw. My chest is so damn light I can’t stop smiling the entire time.

“You’re perfect,” I whisper.

“You’d be the only person alive who’d think that.”

“Bet I’m not.”

“Ohhh, I’m not falling for your bets again.” He pulls back. “Fine. Everyone thinks I’m perfect. I don’t care as long as I don’t get stuck on lawn duty again.”

“Oh, baby, there is still so much lawn duty in your future.”

“Worst boyfriend ever.”

“So …” I run my hand along his arm until I reach the edge of the bandage. “A tattoo? What prompted that?”

“While I was waiting for my appointment today, I really got to thinking. I’ve used Em as a crutch for so long, and truthfully, I don’t trust myself not to do it again. And so …” Benny peels off the bandage, revealing two linked triangles. “We booked in with Remy at Indelible Ink and both got one. Mine on my left arm and his on his right. The added bonus is that it might help me with directions …” He squints at the tattoo. “It’s weird. I know this is left, but my brain keeps trying to say the wrong thing.” When he looks up, his grin is happier than I’ve ever seen it. “It also means the man who loves me isn’t going to get me confused with my brother ever again.”

“Damn. No sneaky butt grabs?”

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