I’d actually love his mind to go there. Would love to join him there, in fact.“How about I show you around the house?” I ask, biting my lower lip to exude sex appeal.
His eyes drop to them. “I’d like that.”
Good. This is good.
We head toward the back door, and I take deep breaths to shove down the absolute ridiculous need I feel for this man. My mind runs through where we can go for some one-on-one time I’ve so desperately missed.
My bedroom?Too easy.
The garage?Too hot.
The study?Mom would kill me.
I glance around, eyes connecting with my mother’s.
“Charlie,” she calls, waving us over with a smile.
“Shit,” I mumble, and Noah reaches out, interlacing our fingers.
“It’ll be fine,” he says as we head towards her.
“This is Tabitha White,” she says, gesturing to a woman who looks to be in her early forties. “She’s a criminal defense attorney in Tampa and offered to host you for an internship next year, should you come to your senses.” Mom’s smile is mocking. Noah’s hand grips mine hard, and I side-eye him, his expression unreadable.
“Thank you for the offer,” I tell Tabitha, using my free, not squished hand for a polite shake, biting back any arguments. I just want to get through this conversation, slip away, and let my boyfriend fuck me six ways to Sunday. Fine,fakeboyfriend, but the orgasm will be 100 percent real.
“It’s my pleasure,” Tabitha says. “Anything for a Benson.”
“And this is Noah Caruso,” Mom says, gesturing towards my date, and Tabitha reaches out a hand. “Charlotte’sfriend.”
Friend?
I introduced Noah as my boyfriend when we arrived, and the intentional omission pisses me off. He looks down at Tabitha’s hand, and I nudge him, letting go of his.
“Have we met?” Tabitha asks Noah as they exchange a polite shake.
“I don’t think so,” he says quickly, placing his palm on my lower back.
“Are you sure?” Tabitha cocks her head. “You look so familiar.”
“He’s a quarterback for the Barracudas,” I say, providing an explanation.
“Hmm,” Tabitha hums. “Maybe, but I don’t really watch football.”
“Georgia,” Patricia calls over. “Someone’s on the phone for you.”
“Excuse me,” Mom says, smile tight, and walks away.
Tabitha studies Noah with a laugh. “I’m sorry, you look so familiar. It’s driving me crazy.”
“I have one of those faces,” Noah answers curtly, fingertips gripping my back.What has gotten into him?
“And thanks for the internship offer,” I tell her. “But I’m no longer pre-law.”
Tabitha nods. “Well, it’s standing should you change your mind.”
“Thank you.”I won’t.
She excuses herself, and I glance around. Mom’s near the food, engaged in a heated conversation with Patricia. Dad is by the bounce house, playing with Nash.