Page 62 of What it Takes
With his throat feeling tight all of a sudden, he went to the fridge and grabbed a water bottle. He needed to take a page from Laney’s book and put the brakes on. Not even an hour ago, she’d made it pretty plain she planned to be back in Rhode Island before the snow flew, so there would be no little cousins to hang out with J.J and Zach anytime soon.
“I really should get back to the Northern Star,” he heard Laney say, though he’d missed what she was responding to. His mother had probably offered to make dessert or offered her an after-dinner drink. “But dinner was amazing. Thank you so much for having me over on short notice.”
“You’re welcome anytime, honey. You don’t need an invitation.”
Ben walked through the house with Laney as she said goodbye to everybody. “It was nice to meet you all.”
“If we’re here the next time you visit Ben, pop in and say hello,” his dad said.
Ben wondered if Laney caught the fact his parents knew she’d spent some time in his apartment. Not that it mattered, but there were no keeping secrets in a town like Whitford.
It was almost a relief to close the door behind them, even though it meant she was leaving. He took her hand in his as he walked her to her car, and tried to think of something to say.
“Your family’s really nice,” she said, leaning against her car door without letting go of his hand.
“They are. And they liked you.” He smiled. “Which isn’t a surprise.”
“They’re not watching us out the window right now or anything, are they?”
He laughed, but he also looked. “They don’t seem to be. Why?”
“Because I want you to kiss me good-night, but maybe not with an audience.”
He ran his thumb over her lower lip, inhaling deeply. “You do, huh?”
“I do. I think my brakes are slipping.” She laughed. “Or something like that. Basically, I’m not very good at not wanting you.”
“Good.” He lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her until she had his T-shirt bunched in her free hand and moaned against his lips. Then he forced himself to remember they were in his parents’ driveway and put a little space between them.
“I hope you get a chance to visit the lodge again soon,” she said in a low voice, her mouth curved into an inviting smile.
“Oh, I will.” When she stepped out of the way, he opened her car door for her, but kissed her again before she could slide into the seat. “Text me when you get there.”
“Good night, Ben.” She started the car and reached for the handle to pull the door closed. “Sweet dreams.”
Before he could say anything else, she closed the door and put the car in Reverse. He gave her a little wave as she backed out onto the road and watched until her taillights were out of sight.
He was going to need a minute or two before he went back inside. Or maybe a cold shower from the garden hose.
