“They say character is what makes a man, but I say it’s the aftercare.”
“I guess I’m not sure what to say to that,” he replies with a chuckle and my eyes widen in horror when I realize I said that aloud.
“Is there any chance you’ll forget I said that?”
“Nope. I’ve got it stored for later reference. What other kinds of aftercare should a man give?” he asks.
“Oh, I wouldn’t know,” I lie, thinking about the dozens of books I’ve read where I swooned over the main characters doing simple acts of service for their partners.
“How about I run you a bath?” I practically purr at his suggestion, earning me a laugh. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He moves to sit up, but I drape my arm over his waist and pull him back toward me.
“Not yet. I’ve got to talk to you about something,” I tell him and my stomach sinks.
Bennett lifts my head before tucking his arm beneath it and pulls me in so my body is draped over his. “What is it?”
“My grandmother may or may not have spilled the beans of our engagement,” I blurt out.
His chest rumbles with laughter. “That’s not a big deal, Little Red. Who did she spill the beans to? Let me guess, a bunch of her girlfriends at brunch this morning?”
“I wish, but not exactly . . . more like the entire Twin Cities and surrounding area,” I confess, afraid to meet his gaze now that I can feel his posture stiffen beneath me.
“Wait, what? How did she manage that?”
“She published an engagement announcement in theTwin Cities Tribune, and now dozens of online publications have picked up on itand the story is running wild. I’m so sorry, Bennett, I know you haven’t had a chance to tell your family yet.”
“Forget about them. Do Gemma and Gunner know?” His question and the concerned look I’m met with when I finally have the nerve to peek up at him leave me awestruck for a moment.
“Gemma found out at school and was actually the one who broke the news to me.”
“Was she upset we didn’t tell her?”
How is he even real? Instead of worrying about the fallout he’ll face, his first questions are surrounding his concern for my siblings?
Clearing my throat, I tell him, “She was at first, but I explained that we had planned to tell them tomorrow when we get back. She promised she’d do her best to make sure Gunner doesn’t find out until I pick them up tonight.”
Tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear, he looks down at me. “We get back really late, I thought you said you weren’t picking them up from your grandparents until the morning for school.”
“I wasn’t going to, but Gemma sounded so hurt that I hadn’t told her, I decided to pick them up tonight so they can sleep in their own beds.”
“Okay, do you want me to drive you over there and bring you guys home?”
A soft chuckle escapes me, and Bennett knits his brows in confusion. “It’s funny, Gemma asked if you’d be with me when I pick them up. She assumed now that we’re engaged, that you’d be moving in with us.”
Bennett doesn’t respond at first, he just uses his free hand to trace mindless patterns along my spine. “Is that what you want? For me to move in with the three of you?”
“We haven’t really discussed living arrangements yet. I don’t even know where you live.” My cheeks heat from my admission.
“I live in a three-bedroom condo in the heart of the city. It’s got shit closet space, and it’s not in Gunner’s school district, so my place isn’t an option. I know you’re just getting settled into your place, and from what I’ve seen of it, I like the layout and would prefer we don’t uproot the kids in the middle of the school year—”
I don’t let him finish before I crash my lips against his, hoping that through this kiss I can express even a fraction of the gratitude I’m feeling for him in this moment.
Bennett didn’t fight me on it. He didn’t demand we move in with him. He put Gemma and Gunner first. He offered to move into our home so they wouldn’t have to give up the space they’ve only just settled into. Never in my life has a kind gesture been so thoroughly sexy.
Lacing his fingers through my hair, Bennett cups my neck and breaks our kiss.
“So when should I tell the movers to pack up my stuff? Do you want me to wait until my realtor lists my place?”
“Are you sure you don’t want to keep it still? You know, in case you get sick of me and need your own space?”
