Free The Bottom Line by Sandy James Page A

time, but… I’m sorry I rose to the bait. I was out of line.”
    Jules huffed and took her drink from Patrick, who kept nervously shifting his weight between his feet.
    “I know you’re Mal’s friend,” Ben continued, “but I just don’t know why you’re being so… so…”
    “Hostile?” Jules shook her head. “I didn’t mean to be so rude. Just looking out for Mallory.”
    “Then we have something in common,” Ben added. “Because I’m looking out for her, too.”
    “Here’s to friends, old and new.” Mallory raised her glass, clinked it against Ben’s water bottle and then held it out for Jules, hoping she’d catch the hint.
    After a couple of tense seconds, Jules clinked her glass against Mallory’s. “To friends.” She arched an eyebrow at Ben.
    He touched the lip of his bottle to her glass. Then he looked over his shoulder to see Patrick walking away, shaking his head. “Didn’t mean to scare off your date.”
    With a dismissive wave, Juliana said, “Just met him. Guess he decided I’m not his type. How about we get some pretzels and sit down for a nice long chat?”
    * * *
    Mallory folded her hands in her lap after Ben threw the truck into park.
    Thankfully, he and Juliana had worked past their earlier dislike. While she had no doubt Juliana was simply trying to protect her, Mallory didn’t need that kind of protection. Sure, she might have been fragile when her world went in the crapper, but she’d pulled herself up, dusted herself off, and got on with surviving. Jules had helped her all along the way, but the time had come for Mallory to truly live again.
    At least by the time they decided to call it a night, Ben and Juliana found some common ground—they both spoke fluent sarcasm. Mallory even had a fleeting thought they were better suited to each other than she was to Ben. Not that she would ever give him up.
    He killed the engine and then smiled at her. “Want me to come in?”
    She gave her head a quick shake. “Not tonight. I’m really tired.”
    “Me, too. Just enjoyed myself so much, I didn’t want to call it a night. Not yet.”
    “You enjoyed yourself?”
    “Yeah. A bunch. You’re a great dancer.”
    “Oh, please.” Although she rolled her eyes, she smiled. “I’m amazed I didn’t break any of your toes.”
    “As little as you are? No way. Probably wouldn’t even leave a bruise.” He had slowly turned toward her as they talked. Now he eased closer.
    Funny, but she was doing the same. With a sigh, she admitted to herself she wanted him to kiss her.
    Bullshit. You want him to carry you inside and screw your brains out!
    A giggle bubbled out.
    Ben smiled in response. “Sure you don’t want me to come in?”
    Hell, yes.
“Not tonight.” She nibbled on her bottom lip as she squirmed.
    The heat inside her grew with each move he took in her direction. Unfortunately, she was already stifling yawns left and right. If he came in and tried to keep up conversation, he’d probably think she found him boring. And Ben Carpenter was anything but boring.
    He slid the rest of the way, cupping her cheeks and lifting her head. “I had a nice time.”
    “So did I.”
    “Then you’ll go on another date with me? I’ll even pony up the dough for a movie. Popcorn, too, if you play your cards right.” Giving her no chance to reply, he brushed his lips over hers.
    When he pulled back, Mallory let a frustrated growl rise from her throat.
    Ben grinned and kissed her again. A little deeper. A little longer.
    She was tired of waiting. Her tongue pushed between his lips, stroking his as she looped her arms around his neck. He held her by the waist, pulling her close enough she might as well have been sitting in his lap.
    The kiss was thorough. Sweet. Hypnotizing. His taste was becoming familiar, something she craved as much as chocolate. She let his tongue chase hers back into her mouth, then she grasped it between her teeth and gently tugged.
    Ben lifted her, bringing her up and