“Oh, it was a hardship.”
He hugged her. She hugged him back, vowing for the first time in her life to protect a man. A man she was starting to think of as hers.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Bennett woke, and for the first time in his life, wished he could just stay in bed for the entire day.
Hadley was sprawled over him, wearing a tiny excuse for a nightgown. Her brown hair spilled everywhere. He’d learned that she sprawled and didn’t curl up. It was clear she wasn’t used to sharing a bed, which he was damn happy about.
He ran a hand down her back, and she made a contented noise.
She’d share his bed. Hopefully for the rest of their lives.
“I’m keeping you,” he whispered.
Luckily, she wasn’t awake to hear and run off. After they caught Westley, and Secura was safe, Bennett would plan how to convince Hadley Lockwood to take a chance on him. On them.
He slid out of the bed, amused when she snuggled into his pillow and claimed more of the mattress.
He pulled on his workout gear and went to his home gym. He’d worked up a sweat by the time she appeared, wearing his black robe and her hair still mussed from sleep.
“Hmm, there is nothing quite like a sweaty man with his muscles on display,” she said.
Bennett flexed his biceps.
She grinned at him and wandered in. “It would be even better if you were shirtless.”
Instantly, he ripped his T-shirt over his head.
She gave his chest and abs an appreciative look, then her face turned serious. “How are you today?”
“I’m okay.” He grabbed a towel and wiped his face. “There are more factual articles being reported this morning. And a politician was caught having sex in his car…with a woman who wasn’t his wife.”
“Ah, how thoughtful of him.”
“Yes, especially since she’s his teenaged daughter’s best friend. So, it’s already dominating the headlines.” His lips quirked. “Plus, hot, wild conference-table sex is pretty cathartic.”
She smiled. “So it is.”
He moved over to her and kissed her. “Thanks for taking care of me.”
After hot sex on the conference room table, they’d come back to his place and she’d cooked dinner for him, and they’d opened a bottle of wine.
He hadn’t realized that a quiet night with the right woman could be so damn perfect.
She cupped his cheek. “You’re welcome.”
She didn’t look uneasy as she said that. His heart tightened.Progress.
“Now, go and shower,” she said. “I’ll make us an omelet that hopefully we’ll eat hot today.”
He snaked an arm around her. “How about you join me in the shower? It would be good for the environment, and I need someone to wash my back.”
“Not a bad business case, Mr. Knightley.”
He tightened his hold and lifted her. He tossed her over his shoulder, enjoying her squeal of laughter.
* * *