Free Fated Bliss (Bliss #2) by Cassie Strickland Page B

what having them on the rest of my body felt like.
    When his tongue joined in, I whimpered, “Ben.”
    He nipped at me, chuckling softly. “What do you want, baby girl?”
    “God, Ben.”
    I wanted to rip the clothes off him and mount him. I didn’t care that we were in the center of a club, surrounded by hundreds of people – all that mattered was Ben.
    I shuddered as he explored up my side, growing dangerously close to my breast. A thumb brushed along the underside of it, and I wanted to scream.
    “Ben,” I repeated, half mad. I needed his lips on mine, needed to taste him.
    “What is it, Samantha?” His words were hypnotic, and I was lost. “Samantha?”
    “Kiss me, Ben.”
    “No,” he growled, never ceasing his ministrations.
    Stunned, I complained, “Why?”
    Abruptly, he stilled. Ben placed a final tender kiss on my neck and stood upright. I stared up at him, wide-eyed and slightly hurt. With a gentleness I’d never received, Ben smoothed some wayward strands of hair from my face and cupped my jaw, letting his eyes travel over my features.
    “Ben?” I questioned, not understanding.
    His gaze locked with mine, his full of want and something else I couldn’t decipher, and said, “Because, Samantha, when I finally kiss you, I’m not going to be able to stop.”
    Swoon.
    “Oh,” I whispered, my knees buckling. I didn’t have to worry, though, because Ben held me close, supporting me.
    He brushed his lips across my temple. “Let’s get another drink. My body can take anymore torture.”
    I giggled softly, pleased that I wasn’t the only one hurting.
    Ben spun me around and tugged me against his chest. “Stay in front of me. If you don’t, I’m going to give everyone an eyeful.” As I wiggled my bottom against his cock, he sucked in a breath. “Samantha,” he warned. “You aren’t helping matters.
    I sent him a sly smirk over my shoulder. “I wasn’t tryin’ to.”
    He inhaled deeply and looked up at the ceiling. “What have I gotten myself into?”
    All humor withered away. “Ben, I was only teasin’ you,” I explained, suddenly very self-conscious and embarrassed.
    I wasn’t reading this wrong, was I?
    Ben jerked his head down, hearing my tone. He smiled and winked, instantly lifting my spirits. “So was I.”
    I pursed my lips and shot him a look of annoyance. “That was mean.”
    He leaned in and brought our lips within touching distance. “Says the one rubbing her sweet ass on my dick.”
    A laugh burst from me. “True.”
    “Come on. Let’s get back to our table and cool down.”

Chapter 7
     
    Samantha
     
     
    Blood roared in my ears, and my skin felt too tight and hypersensitive. Desire simmered close to the surface, ready to break free, making each step closer to my room unbearable.
    Ben kept his promise – he didn’t kiss me.
    But lordy, did I want him to.
    The remainder of our evening was filled with funny stories, laughs, more music and drinks, and sexual tension.
    Loads of sexual tension.
    I adored Lyric and Paul. I'd already guessed that they were a lot like Grey and me, but I didn't realize how right I was. They teased each other, annoyed one another, but they loved fiercely. From what I gathered, their parents weren't the best and they weren't close to them in any way. And, like Lyric had said earlier, they were all that each other had because of it.
    Even though Ben was a friend, you’d think he was blood. They had the same relationship with him as they did with each other.
    Outside of the lust I had for Ben, I could tell he was a kind and down to earth guy, though he seemed too serious sometimes. Nevertheless, he was still a conundrum in many ways.
    When I asked certain questions about his upbringing or past, he redirected the conversation to a different path, usually by jokes. He was schooled at it, which meant he did it often.
    I detected a bit of sadness in him, too. It was during these questions that I noticed it. He had a way of blanking his face, not