Page 183 of His White Moonlight
He smiled.
“No.I’m trying to tell you, nothing you do will change how I feel.I would apologize for it, for not giving you what you want, but I think I’m giving you what you need after feeling abandoned and unwanted for so long.Unconditional love, Wrenly.Whether we stay together or not, you will always hold my heart.”
He leaned in and kissed my forehead.
“Now, are you ready to tell Mom why you drank so much that you needed a nap on my couch?”
I sat up quickly.“You told her?”
He shook his head.“You staggered past her on your way back.She has a nose.”
I groaned.
“You can use my bathroom if you want to freshen up first.”
Knowing I couldn’t avoid her, I nodded and left the napping couch behind.He’d set out a new toothbrush for me, which I used before finger-combing my hair back into its artistically relaxed bun.
When I emerged, Bennett was waiting for me.
“Want backup?”
“Nah, I think I’ll be okay.Do Mom and Dad know everything about the Shanes?”
He nodded once, showing his wariness.
“It’s okay.I’m not mad about it.I’ll blame that.”I winked at him and turned toward the door.
My back was pinned against it a second later with my hands caged over my head again.I arched to tip my head and meet Bennett’s gaze.His pupils were going insane.
“How would you feel about rules?”he asked, his voice rough.
“It depends on the purpose of the rule,” I said, unsure of his mood.
“For safety.”
“Safety rules are good.”
“No winking.”
“What?Really?Why?”
He ducked his head to set his forehead against mine.I could feel him shaking.
“Playful Wrenly is the most dangerous version you have.Please…please don’t let her out.I can’t…” He tilted his head, and his lips found mine.His need devoured me.My head spun as he poured his desperation for me into that kiss.And when he pulled away, the hunger in his expression had only increased.
I managed a few shaky breaths as he remained locked in place, visibly struggling for control.
“Are you going to let me go, or is this going to turn into something that won’t end well for either of us?”I asked carefully.
He immediately released my wrists.He didn’t back up, though, which made squeezing through the narrow door opening a little difficult.
“I’m surprised he let you leave smelling like that,” Miranda said as I closed the door behind me.
“Like what?”
“Unfulfilled lust.”She sniffed visibly.“Although I think most of it is his.”
“Nose your own business,” I said.“Unless you want to come with me to explain to Mom why I was tipsy and needed a nap.”
