Bennett lets out a sigh and shakes his head. “I’m on the road for a better part of the year, Scar. If we get sick of each other, then we’re doing a shit job of being each other’s best friend. Not only that, but it doesn’t make sense to keep a separate residence under my name when we’re married. Someone might look into that and use it against us.”
“That’s a good point, I didn’t think of that,” I admit. After a moment of hesitation I say, “We should probably address the elephant in the room, too, while we’re at it.”
He quirks a brow. “And what would that be?”
“The fact that we just broke one of the rules I put in place for us yesterday,” I point out.
Rolling me onto my back, he kisses me softly. When he pulls his lips from mine he asks, “Do you wanna know what I think? I think you knew that rule was made to be broken.”
My heart picks up speed again. “Oh yeah?”
He rolls his hips over mine, and I whimper from the contact. “Mhmm. In fact, I think you regretted making it the second I came to pick you up from your room last night.”
That’s the god’s honest truth.
“What if we strike that first rule from the record?” I ask on bated breath.
“That’s fine by me, baby girl.”
I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. “But the other rule still stands. Absolutely no catching feelings—no falling in love.”
Except for with his bejeweled cock, because I’m pretty sure it’s too late for that.
“I’ll play by whatever rules you put in place for us, Scar. You run the show. If you want to keep things between us strictly physical, then I’ll be willing and eager to fulfill your every desire. But if you decide you want more, I’d happily give you everything.”
My heart stutters to a stop as butterflies break free like a riot in my chest.
Before I can try to respond, he changes the subject. “If you’re okay with it, I’d like to go with you tonight to pick up Gemma and Gunner. I know it will be late, so maybe I can stay so we can talk to them together in the morning? If you’re not comfortable taking that step yet, I can go back to my place tonight and bring breakfast in the morning before school.”
“Is this what it’s going to be like?” I ask, my voice pinched from the emotion clogging it.
“What do you mean?”
“How it’ll be to have a partner to discuss plans with? To figure out the schedule together and bounce ideas off one another?” Tears swell in my eyes at the thought of having a teammate to lean on, even temporarily, through the chaos that is raising my siblings.
“Of course, we’re a team now, Red. The four of us are all in this together.”
His words flood my chest with warmth, and if I’m not careful, I might actually break my own rule and fall head over heels in love with my future temporary husband.
12
October
Well, this is going horribly.
As I sit across from my father in his study in my childhood home, I can’t help but wish it were yesterday again. It was such a great day, and I’d rather be anywhere but here right now.
Yesterday was my rest day, so Scarlett decided to take the day off and let the kids play hooky from school. We spent the morning making breakfast and sharing the news of our engagement with Gunner, and Gemma was a good sport by acting surprised to hear the news. After breakfast, we took the kids to the pumpkin patch and a craft store to get supplies for the front porch decoration contest. Scarlett didn’t hesitate to use my muscles and put me to work. She even asked if I’d call to get Jackson’s help. He brought Alexa with him, though he swears they’re not serious and she’s in agreement with not putting a label on things. After we finished the porch decorations, we ordered pizza for dinner and I stayed to help put the kids to bed and pack their lunches for school the next day.
“This all feels very domesticated, I bet your skin is crawling right now,” Scarlett sighs as she puts apple slices into Gunner’s Spiderman lunchbox.
“Today has actually been one of the best days I’ve had in a long time,” I tell her, feeling my neck heat from my admission.
Gripping the edge of the kitchen island, she tilts her head to the side and takes me in. “You keep surprising me, Cap.”
“Only in good ways, I hope.”
“In the best of ways.” She breaks eye contact, looking down at the counter and shakes her head to herself. “Do you want to hang around for a bit longer? Maybe we could talk about when you’ll move in and then watch an episode ofOutlanderor something. I mean, only if you don’t have other plans already.”
