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“Benny is super nice and pretty and tells Uncle Henry when he’s being dumb.”

“Ella, we don’t talk about anyone like that and we don’t use the word ‘dumb,’” Morgan said in disapproval before turning back to Henry with her eyes shining a little more. “I think I like her more already. Someone resistant to your charms?”

Unfortunately, that was a truth that was niggling under his skin a lot more recently. It wasn’t like he’d set out to seduce Benny Sorensen or anything, but the time they’d spent together had been more interesting than he’d thought possible. And in spending so much time with her, getting to know her, he’d found that he not only liked hanging out with her, but that he’d opened up to her more than any other woman.

So the fact that she didn’t seem to have the slightest attraction to him was a point of contention.

Although that kiss…that had been good. Something he was thinking about too much. And her response? The way her legs had wrapped around him and she’d pulled him into her, wanting more? Hot.

Which might have been why, when he heard Benny and Luke Seeley get off the elevator and head down the hall to her place the other night, he’d had a hard time staying away from his door, trying to hear and see whatever he could with his face pressed to the peephole. To see if she would kiss Luke just as responsively, so entirely, as she’d kissed him.

And although he’d denied it later, Henry sure as hell had intended to put a wrench in Luke’s plan to kiss Benny good night. The thought of Luke’s lips on Benny’s had churned a strange emotion in him, and he had been unable to not do something. The garbage, he thought, had been a good idea, something he was certain would wreck whatever mood had been set.

Unfortunately, that had not been the case, when seconds after he’d returned to his place, he could hear Luke’s words, then the silence that followed. He knew what was happening even if he couldn’t necessarily see it.

And it had killed him.

He’d thought about that feeling, his anger and frustration, trying to make sense of it, and could only come to one conclusion.

Plain and simple, he didn’t want anyone kissing Benny Sorensen but him.

But that was ridiculous. Stupid. He couldn’t have feelings for this woman. Feelings that would eventually turn to pain when the inevitable happened and things ended. When, as was human nature, one or both partners grew tired of the other and started looking elsewhere.

Then the heartache set in. The disappointment. The bitterness.

He’s seen it before in the years leading up to his dad’s passing.

Sad was how Henry would have described him.

Suddenly he realized that his sister was staring at him with a wide smile, waiting for some response. What had she asked?

Right. What was Benny like, this woman resistant to his charms.

“Benny Sorensen is…I don’t know, a pain in the ass sometimes. Did I tell you what she tried to pull with the home owners’ association?” He detailed her complaints, starting with the moment she first stepped into his party in her pajamas and asked him to keep the music down.

“Good for her. You are so used to people—women especially—just giving in to whatever whim you have. It’s about time someone withstood your persuasion. So that’s why you did this, then? This makeover? So she’d drop her complaints against you.”

His sister knew him better than he thought. He nodded in agreement.

“Only I think you got more than you bargained for. You seem a little…different.”

He laughed. She was really reaching here. “I’m different, huh. I assure you, I’m the same person I have always been, Morgan.”

“No. Not really. You’re a little more…sincere? No, that’s not the word. Well, like tonight. You having us here? Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you called, but it isn’t like you to be this big family man. I—I like it.”

“Glad I have your approval.” He stood and grabbed his plate and put his hand out to take hers, not sure if he was altogether pleased to hear her assessment.

He was no different than before.

“I’ve got mine,” she said coming to her feet. “You do dishes, too?”

“Actually, I have a lady who comes in every morning to clean up. I just place everything in the sink.”

Morgan laughed. “Of course you do. You know, it isn’t very hard to operate the dishwasher. Here, I’ll even show you.”

Ten minutes later, the table was cleared off and Morgan and Ella were getting the movie ready while he made popcorn—microwave, of course—when someone knocked on the door. Morgan bounded from the couch and headed over with a sly smile his way before he could stop her.

For good reason. He didn’t get many visitors. Save for one, lately.


Tags: Ashlee Mallory The Sorensen Family Romance