Free Now and Again by Brenda Rothert Page A

and she gripped it with surprise as Ben’s arms locked her into him more closely. Layla wondered if she was shaky because she hadn’t kissed anyone in so long or because Ben was just that intense.
    “Hey, you guys playing or not?” a round man holding a pool cue asked, raising his eyebrows as he glared. Ben glanced over at him.
    “Uh, no, we’re done,” he said, relaxing his hold on Layla.
    “I should go,” she said, pushing herself away from his chest. Ben’s face twisted in confusion for a second before he ran a hand down his face.
    “Yeah, okay. I’ll take you home,” he said.
    “I have my car.”
    “I’ll have someone follow us.”
    “There’s no need,” she said. “I’m very capable of getting myself home.”
    “I know that.” He glared at her. “But with that letter, I just want you to be extra careful. It’s late. I’ll take you.”
    “I’ll text you when I get there. Don’t worry about me. Do you have plans tomorrow?”
    “I don’t know, do I?” His smile made Layla want to change her mind about him taking her home.
    “Let’s hang out at my place,” she said. “We’ll watch movies.”
    She slung her purse over her shoulder and gave Ben a puzzled look as he followed her toward the door.
    “Are you leaving, too?” she asked.
    “Yeah.”
    “Are you going home?”
    He considered, then nodded. Realization dawned on Layla.
    “Ben, you don’t need to take me home,” she said, raising her brows. “I’m fine.”
    “I know you’re just worried you won’t be able to control your desire for me,” he said, grinning.
    “Please … You’re so cocky.”
    “Bet you can’t wait to find out just how cocky I am,” he said, winking. Layla looked away and laughed, but felt her cheeks warming.
    “Just come over at six,” she said.
    “I’m following you home,” Ben said, raising a hand to stop her from arguing with him. “You drive your car, I’ll follow in mine, and you can text me when you get inside.”
    Layla sighed and shook her head. “I don’t need a big, strong man to take care of me.”
    “Will you not bitch about it, just this once? You want me worrying about you all night long?” Ben’s deep voice and serious gaze made her melt a little.
    “Okay,” she said. “You can follow me. But what if I discover an ice cream shortage emergency when I get there? Will you go get me some?”
    Ben laughed, his eyes glimmering as he looked down at her.
    “I don’t have any choice, do I? You’re the boss for now. But I’ll get my chance.”
    Layla considered his words as they left the pub. She wanted to feel annoyed by the idea of Ben soon being in control of her, but instead, a shot of desire pooled between her thighs. There was something about knowing he wanted her that made her wonder how long her resolve would last.
     
    ***
     
    Her eyes flew open and Layla sucked in a breath, her heart pounding in her chest. She sat up in bed, looking around her darkened bedroom. The familiar silhouettes of her dresser, armchair and the open doorway comforted her. She’d probably just been woken by a bad dream, she told herself as her heart rate slowly returned to normal.
    Prince was curled up on his cushion in the corner of the bedroom, obliviously sleeping. Calling him to jump into bed with her would help. She considered it, but stayed frozen. She was afraid to move.
    Leaning back against the padded headboard of her bed, she decided to relax her body back into sleep mode. She closed her eyes and remembered the feel of Ben’s lips on hers, and the way his powerful arms had enclosed her. Had the kiss had shaken him like it had her? Not likely. Nothing ever seemed to rattle him.
    He’ll be here with me tomorrow night. Well, not here in the bed, but in the apartment. But he’d look so good in my bed… Maybe some innocent making out would be okay. I think I’ve earned it with my saintly abstinence.
    She curled her lips up at the thought of his large, powerful body on top of hers.