And neither did he.

With their fingers still laced together, he could see her eyes were dark. He was sure his were too from wanting her more than his next breath. He was pretty sure if she didn't give him a kiss, he was going to fall to his knees and beg. Pitiful, he knew, but he couldn't let her walk away. Not yet.

Letting out a long breath, she just looked at him, bewilderment in her eyes as she mumbled, "What the hell is it about you?"

And then she was moving. He was ready, taking her into his arms as their mouths met in a heated frenzy. Shit, he had missed her kisses. Her mouth. The feel of her. Jesus, it was almost too much to handle as his tongue moved with hers. Holding her close, he deepened the kiss as her fingers moved along the base of his neck, causing chills to run down his spine. His fingers dug into her back as she arched into him, moaning softly against his mouth.

But it was too much.

Way too much.

He pulled away because if he didn't, he was going to take her into the back of his truck and do the naughtiest things in the world to her. He was pretty sure the neighbors wouldn't appreciate that, or hell, Jayden. So he sucked in a deep breath, sliding his nose along her cheek. Begging himself to control his desire as her lips moved against his, he opened his eyes to find that her eyes were closed ever so sweetly.

"So beautiful. So fucking beautiful," he whispered against her lips and she grinned, leaning her forehead against his nose.

"I needed that," she admitted softly.

"Well, I'm your guy whenever you need to hear it," he whispered against her eyes. Closing his eyes, he took in her sexy smell as his grip on her tightened. "And just in case you forget, I'm a phone call away."

"Okay."

"And don't try to be all 'I don't want to call him 'cause it will make him think I want him' and not call me, okay?" he said, impersonating her. He was answered with laughter as she pulled back, looking at him. "I know you want me. It's cool, 'cause I want you. Okay?"

"I don't know what in the world you are talking about," she laughed and he grinned, loving the angelic sound that came out of her sweet mouth.

And because he couldn't handle it, he kissed said mouth once more, and then a second time for good measure before pulling away.

Tracing his cheekbone with her finger, she looked deep into his eyes. "This really shouldn't happen. That's why I ran."

"What's happening?" he asked. "I just wanted to kiss you."

She scoffed. "Sure, and kisses lead to sex, which leads to feelings, which leads to heartbreak."

He kissed her nose once more, his eyes searching hers. It was obvious that douche had hurt her, but Benji wasn't that guy and he wasn't going to do that. "Since I don't like heartache, let's skip that part."

She paused before slowly shaking her head. "It's not that easy."

"Before it wasn't, but maybe now it can be," he said with another wink that made her lips curve.

But as fast as they curved, they went back into a straight line as she looked away. "I don't know if I've got it in me to try. I've been hurt, Benji. I've got so much-"

Letting her go because he knew if he didn't now, he wasn't going to, he leaned toward her, kissing the side of her mouth before whispering against her lips, "Then I'll help you try."

As he pulled back, she watched him and then looked away. "You make it really hard to argue with you."

"Oh, thank God. I don't like fighting, but I love making up," he said with a wink, which made her giggle. Moving toward his truck, very slowly because he didn't want to leave, he smiled. "Good thing I have your number so we can see how much fighting and making up we'll do."

Her lips turned up as she shook her head, watching him. "You stole it and I'm still not sure how I feel about that."

He laughed. "Hey, what's the worst that can happen?"

Her eyes said it all.

She could fall for him.

While he really didn't see a problem with that, it was damn apparent it was a huge deal for her, and that worried him.

Was he, in fact, setting himself up for heartache?

He wasn't sure. But one thing was for sure.

He wasn't turning back.

What's the worst that can happen?

Really?

Easy!

Lucy could like him.

She could miss him.

She could fucking fall for him.

There was so much that could go wrong, but she'd be lying if she said she wasn't giddy walking back to the house, cuddled in Benji's jacket.

"Shit," she said, pulling out her phone to call him. When she went to her call list, the last number she had dialed was listed as "My Sexy Dork."

Seriously?

This guy.

She hit the number, and Benji answered, laughing. "That was quick. I was convinced you wouldn't text or call till Wednesday."

"Shut up. You forgot your jacket."

"Eh, keep it. Looks better on you."

She made a face. "It's huge on me."

"Yeah, but I like seeing you in it. I feel you should have to wear it all the time."

"You're insane," she laughed, reaching for the door.

"Yeah, but maybe it will inspire you to do something crazy and text me later. When you're lying in bed, naked-"

"I don't sleep naked," she said dryly, a grin pulling at her lips.

"No? Hm, you should. It would be hot."

"Noted."

"Okay, but text me tonight when you're wanting someone to wrap their arms around you. Just a hug, of course."

"Of course."

"But then, maybe when you want someone between your-"

"Goodbye, Benji," she said, hanging up to his laughter.

Sucking in a deep breath, she closed her eyes.

Be still, heart.

And behave, vagina.

But, good Lord, that man was a big ball of hotness and he drove her absolutely senseless. She would never let anyone talk to her like that, but when he did it, it was playful, silly. He was a dork. A big sexy one, but he had her number, which meant he'd call her or text her and then she'd have to talk to him, and then... Shit, were they dating?

No.

No...

"Fuck," she complained as she pushed the door open and went inside. She found the living room was empty, that was until Baylor came limping through, a plate in her hand. Lucy went to her, taking it despite her protest.

"Just go sit down," Lucy said with more force, and Baylor took notice.

"Jesus, for someone who just got the stuffing kissed out of her, you'd think you would be a little nicer," she teased in a whisper as she sat down.

Lucy glared and almost threw the plate at her. "I want to throw this at you."

"Yeah, I know," she said, taking it and winking. "But I'm hurt. You can't."

Lucy rolled her eyes and then fell into the other chair beside her. Slouching down in it, she glared over at her sister-in-law. "You saw it all?"

Baylor scoffed as she grinned around the bite of sandwich she had just taken. "You mean Benji almost doing you against his truck? Yeah, I saw it, and I put two and two together."

"Hellfire," she cried out, covering her face with her hands as her cheeks turned deep red.

"I didn't think it was like you to leave a whole bag over there, but if you were doing a walk of shame, you just might."

Peeking through her hands at her grinning sister-in-law, she said, "Have I told you lately I don't like you?"

Baylor feigned hurt. "Me? I thought I was your favorite."

Lucy covered her face back up and then shook her head. "What am I doing?"

She said it more to herself, but Baylor took it upon herself to answer. "I think you should go with it. He had those sex eyes and it was kind of hot. Usually, I look at him like he's kinda goofy, but with those sex eyes... Rawr."

Sliding her hands down her face, she set Baylor with a look. "Please don't ever say that about him again."

Baylor giggled as she shrugged. "Aw, how sweet, you're jealous."

Lucy glared because there was no way in hell she would give that sentence life. Ignoring it because it was silly to even think about it, she said, "I'm a mom."

Baylor shrugged. "Yeah, who needs a hot dude to spice up her life. I say go for it."

Closing her eyes, she let out a long breath. "Where are Jayden and Angie?"

Baylor took another bite. "Upstairs."

"Okay," she said, standing up. "I hope you choke on that sandwich."

Baylor sputtered with laughter, and Lucy grinned back at her as she headed for the stairs. "They didn't see anything," she called back at her and Lucy's grin disappeared.

Should she tell them?

Tell them what?

They weren't even, really, kind of dating.

Like, kind of. But not really.

She did sleep with him, though, and he did hang out with Angie, but that didn't matter. It was nothing. Nothing to even speak about.

Yeah, she'd wait.

For what, she wasn't sure, because this was going nowhere.

He probably wouldn't even call her.

Or text her.

Yeah, he was just being nice.

...or she was a big idiot.

It was a toss-up.

"Hey, Coach!"

Shea Adler turned around just as Lucy and Angie made their way to him. With a big grin on his face, he waved happily. "Hey, Hart. How's it going?"

Looking exhausted, which was a complete sham since the girl slept more than Lucy did, she slapped her leg. "Well, funny story."

Jesus.

Angie had told everyone she saw they were homeless, and no matter how many times Lucy told her to stop, she still proceeded to tell the world. Lucy had just finished writing a very lengthy email to Angie's teacher, guaranteeing her that they were not, in fact, homeless.