Page 64 of Extended Bridge

“I asked Jeb to rent the Jaguar.” He glances toward the car. “It’sbeen a hot minute since I’ve been able to drive somewhere for fun, without being chased by the paps.”

We lapse into silence, remembering my birthday dinner, which ended with a car chase. Back then, his injury was still fresh. “Whether avoiding the media or eating up the open road, if you ever need someone to vouch for your driving skills, I’m your girl.”

He tugs me to his side. “I’d say you’re my girl for all things. I deserve a medal for how patient I am in waiting for you to realize I mean the same to you.”

“Cocky much?”

“You have no idea.” We resume watching the meteor shower. He points to the sky. “Make a wish.”

I close my eyes and wish I’m always able to make him feel as special as he’s making me feel now.

When I blink them open, his green gaze is on me. “Want to know what I wished for?”

My mouth drops open. I issue a husky, “Yes.”

“I wished for you to believe what I feel toward you is real. And it’s never going to go away.”

“Oh, Bennett.” My hand strokes the stubble adorning his cheeks. I pull my body into his. Serenaded by crickets and illuminated by zipping meteors, we kiss.

“I don’t want tonight to end,” he confesses.

“This is pretty darn special,” I admit. The breeze picks up slightly, causing a chill to race through me. I snuggle closer to his warm body.

“You already know my new goal for UC, which you so cleverly set into motion with Luke at dinner tonight. How about you? I know you want to open six more physical therapy clinics in three years. You’re already working on number four. What else is on Jenna Westfield’s horizon?”

“I’ve been so focused on achieving this goal that there hasn’t been room to add another.”

“Are there any awards you could win? How about hobbies you want to start?” He kisses my lips. “A particular man you want to fu?—”

My fingers stop his mouth from completing his dirty sentence. “I’d like to be recognized for my PT offices. Maybe win a local award for best PT in the Hamptons.”

“I knew you were harboring some professional accolade ambitions in you somewhere.” He plants his chin on top of my head. “Do you have any personal goals?”

I lean back, causing his head to realign. “Do you? Seems to me all of your goals have been UC-driven.” Two can play his game.

He stares into my soul. “Get the woman of my dreams to fall in love with me.”

How can I resist this man? “Well, what are you going to do to make that happen? Standing around and looking all sexy-like fuels lust, not love.”

He smirks. “So you think I’m sexy?”

I shake my head. “That’s what you took from what I said?”

He chuckles, then tips his head upward. “I thought taking her to see a celestial show was a good start.”

My gaze raises to the stars. “Yeah, it might be.”

Another meteor streaks across the sky as if to punctuate Bennett’s last thought.

This man, who appears to the world to only be a cocky rock star, has the softest heart. His mother—by biology and nothing else—failed in her responsibilities to show him love and protection. His father might have been well-meaning, but enabled his mother, then died when Bennett was only a teen. His girlfriend dumped him for his best friend. As a result, Bennett’s so closed off. Except with me. To everyone else, he may be the lead singer of UC. To me, he’s...everything.

My acceptance of this truth brings me to my feet. I grab his hand and tug him upright. “Let’s go back to the hotel.”

His eyebrows raise and come together, but he doesn’t question me. Instead, he kisses the top of my head and wraps his arm aroundme. Following another exhilarating ride, we’re in his hotel room. A space that doesn’t have wheels is more than welcome.

He tosses his shirt onto a nearby chair. “You’re staying with me tonight.”

Not a question. And why should it be? Still, I need to tease him. “Pretty sure of yourself, huh?”

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