Page 8 of Rebellious

At the threat of Fenn pushing me, which isn’t much of a threat but more like a promise, Bennett steps forward and grabs a fistful of my shirt, hauling me against his chest. It’s warm, hard, and deliciously familiar. It’s also an exception to the rule since Fenn threatened me. See exception:unless absolutely necessary.

“You push her—” Bennett’s voice vibrates with fury as he threatens Fenn over the top of my head, “—and I’ll make sure it’s the last time you use your hands.”

“Wow.” Fenn chuckles, the dark circles under his eyes are evidence that he never went to bed last night. “Someone needs a cookie and a hand job.”

Inhaling, Fenn shouts over Paul. “Drew! Get off the phone and come handle your brother. He’s doing that vibrating thing again. I’m afraid he’ll either explode or mutate.”

Bennett’s nostrils flare, and his throat works to keep his words at bay. It’s not that Fenn’s words upset him—as crass as they may be. But more, Fenn’s comments finally flipped his switch. I’ve put Bennett through hell in the past twenty-four hours, pushing his rules every chance I’ve gotten. And now it’s my brother’s turn to rub in what Bennett hates to discuss most—our relationship.

“Stop,” I scold, eyeing my brother’s face, all grin and lazy attitude. “Let’s just do this. The sun is almost up.” I offer Bennett a relaxed smile. “Is it breaking the rules if you kiss me goodbye?” My heart flutters in my chest at the possibility. “I could die, and this is the last time you’ll ever—”

“Shut up,” he clips.

It’s not the romantic goodbye I was expecting, but it’ll do.

Harnessed and ready to go, Fenn flashes me a look that says,“Tame the beast and let’s do this.”He and Drew have been waiting for Bennett to ease up and let me jump.

Enough is enough.

I blow out a breath and place my hands over Bennett’s fists that still hold my shirt. My voice is a careful whisper when I promise, “It’ll be over before you know it.”

His eyes tighten, and the artery in his neck pulses. “Bennett.” I place my palm on his cheek, my thumb smoothing the tightly coiled muscle. Unlike a few minutes ago, he doesn’t step back. He stands there, tense and angry.

“Cannonball!”

In a flash, Drew sprints across the bridge, his harness jingling while the bungee cable trails behind. He rushes my brother, tackling him and sending them both toppling over the bridge’s low guardrail in a tangle of holy shits and screams.

“Mother—”

Paul, the guy my brother paid to set up this bungee jump, swears and hangs over the side of the ledge watching, his expression pinched and worried as both Fenn’s and Drew’s bungee cables catch on the anchor.

“Don’t worry,” I assure him. “My brother is an underachiever. My parents won’t be too upset if he doesn’t make it.”

Using the distraction to my advantage, I hold my arms out wide and close my eyes, jerking back against Bennett’s grip, intending to free-fall into the space below.

I go absolutely nowhere.

“Come on, Bennett,” I whine. “You already agreed to this.”

“I changed my mind.”

What else is new?

“You can’t just change your mind. I’m strapped into the bungee harness for goodness’ sake.”

Looking toward the sky, Bennett blows out a breath before pinning me with a pointed look.

I arch my brows, waiting for the inevitable, “We’re going home.”

It never comes.

Instead, he clips out, “Give me a harness,” to Paul, who doesn’t even blink when he returns, “Separate or tandem?”

“Tandem.”

I hold back a fist pump. “You know that going with me won’t save me from hitting the pavement if this thing breaks.” I tug on the harness. “Now that I think about it, we’re more likely to plummet to our death with your added weight than me going alone.”

“Shut up, Aspen. I know what you’re doing.” He tugs me away from the railing. “Don’t move.”

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