But no. It seemed like he wanted it. It seemed, for a few minutes there, like I could actually have more of him than what I thought I was allowed. Or maybe I only saw what I wanted to see. Maybe I was foolish to let myself believe the fantasy that he might want me the same way I want him.

“Stop freaking out.”

My eyes finally find his, and I breathe a little easier. Because he’s not looking at me with disgust or contempt. Not at all. He’s giving me that soft Brenden look that I like to imagine is reserved only for me. I know he offers it to everyone though. I’m not special.

“Did I do something wrong?” he asks. And when my utter confusion keeps me from answering, he adds, “When you let me come in, I figured it was okay to... participate.”

That makes me chuckle, despite the situation. “Don’t worry. I thoroughly enjoyed your participation.”

“That’s not even the right word,” he says. “I didn’t really do anything for you. You did all the work on both of us.”

“Trust me. You did a hell of a lot for me.”

He did more than I can say. Just looking at him was enough of a turn on, watching him watch me. And I can’t forget how it was him I was rutting against when I woke up. His soft, warm body that fueled my desire to an unmanageable level.

“So um...” He glances down at where he’s still touching me and lets his hand fall away. I try not to regret the loss. “What now?”

“I don’t know.”

“I don’t want this to make things weird between us.”

“Me neither,” I tell him.

“Maybe this could be...”

“Be what?” I ask, my heart racing when he trails off. Is he going to tell me he wants more with me? Is it not such a foolish fantasy?

He gazes at me hopefully. “Like a fringe benefit of the whole fake dating thing?”

My heart sinks like a stone. A fringe benefit. Not the start of something real. “Oh. Um. Yeah. I guess it could be. I don’t see why not.”

Other than the fact that being friends with benefits with him might kill me.

When he smiles, eyes bright, I know I’m a goner. That’s it. I’ve accepted my fate. I’ll never be able to say no to this man. And if he wants friends with benefits, then I’ll make sure to give him the best damn benefits he’s ever had.

My sense of self-preservation clearly went out the window days ago.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

BRENDEN

It’s just my freaking luck that when I finally manage an afternoon off from both the inn and May’s grandparents, I’ve wound up stuck at home chickensitting.

Yes, you heard that right.

Chicken. Sitting.