Page 50 of Boss with Benefits

He stared into her eyes the whole time, never once breaking contact. She knew he was looking directly into her soul. It was such an intimate thing to do her emotions came to the surface, and tears filled her eyes. She felt so incredibly close to him, closer than she’d ever felt to another human being.

“I love you.”

The words tumbled from her lips, unbidden.

She froze.

Her hands tightened on his shoulders as she prayed he wouldn’t abandon her. They had just shared the most beautiful moment of her life. She didn’t want it ruined by a slip of the tongue. Should she take it back? Apologize? Remind him she was drunk?

Chapter Twelve

“I love you,” Jessica said.

Brady’s blood ran cold. His first inclination was to get up, put his clothes on, and go straight to the airport. He could disappear with the wind, never to be heard from again.

Was he overreacting? Perhaps. But he didn’t think so. He was ready to run. The panic in Jessica’s eyes changed his mind. He could tell she hadn’t meant to say the words and instantly regretted them. That made him feel better.

Brushing his lips against her forehead, he mumbled, “Get some sleep.”

The fact she was drunk probably meant she wouldn’t remember saying the words to him by morning. Her mind would be a blissful blank. Or an awful hangover would give her something else to think about besides him.

Brady rolled onto his side and pulled her with him. He held her in a snug embrace. Outwardly, he appeared calm. Inside, he was a twisted mess. The truth was, if it were possible for them to be married and happy and raise a family together, he would be all for it. Unfortunately, he’d seen his future.

She groaned. “I don’t know why I said that.”

“How many glasses of champagne did you have?” he asked.

“Three or four. Maybe five. I lost count.”

He kissed her forehead again. “Okay, then. It was the booze talking. Let’s forget the whole thing.”

She was quiet and still for several minutes. His muscles unclenched, and he began to relax. He was sure she had fallen asleep. Now, maybe he could get some rest.

Her shoulders started shaking, and something wet fell on his bare chest. It took him a second to realize she was crying. His arms tightened as he tried to reassure her without words. He rubbed her back with both hands.

When that didn’t work, he spoke. “Forget about it,” he said. “I already have.”

“I’m not crying because of…” Her voice trailed off. Then she tried again. “I’m just... I made a big mess of everything. You’ve been so good to me and Axl, and how do I repay you? I get drunk, make a scene in front of half of Seattle, and then say the three words I know you never want to hear coming from a woman’s mouth. What is wrong with me?”

“Nothing.” He pulled back slightly so he could see her face. “There is nothing wrong with you. Trust me. You are perfect in every way.”

She scoffed. “Right. That’s why you look absolutely terrified every time I say or do anything too wifey.”

The conversation was on a dangerous track and picking up speed. He didn’t know how to stop it before the inevitable messy crash. After taking a deep breath, he admitted, “If I could love you, I would. If I could give you the life you want, I would. But I can’t. That’s a fact no one can change.”

Part of him expected her to start crying in earnest or plead with him to change his mind. What he didn’t expect was an explosion of anger.

Jessica burst out of bed, jumping to her feet. Her eyes flashed like lightning, and blond waves fell over half her face. Tohim, she looked like an avenging angel. She yelled, “Who the hell do you think you are to decide what I want?”

He blinked, thrown off by her sudden anger. “Huh? Why are you mad at me?”

“Seriously? You have no clue about women. If you weren’t so freaking gorgeous, all of woman-kind would avoid you.”

He repeated, “Whyare you mad?”

She struggled into her robe and prepared to exit the bedroom. “I think I’ll sleep in my son’s room tonight.”

“Don’t you think you’re being overly dramatic?”

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