Mercy.

Yesterday afternoon he'd been waiting for her at her back door when she'd finished her shift. Looking like the wonderful bada.s.s that he was, he'd been leaning against her house, one foot kicked up behind him. He'd exuded a s.e.xy wickedness and charm that had made her tingle in antic.i.p.ation before she'd even gotten out of the car. She'd opened the door to her kitchen, then he'd followed her in and backed her against it.

Fifteen seconds later she'd been half-dressed and hotter than h.e.l.l, absolutely mad for him. Cerberus had made her usual unhappy appearance, but Bennett had merely turned, glared hard at her and growled, "I'm sticking around. Get used to it."

By the time he'd left, Eden had been weak-kneed, wrung dry and otherwise sated in every way possible, and Cerberus had been winding around Bennett's legs, purring contentedly. Eden grinned, remembering.

"Your kitty likes me now," he'd said, stroking the shameless feline on the head.

"My kitty has always liked you. It was my cat who found you offensive."

Bennett had laughed, the beautiful wretch. G.o.d, she was a head case, Eden thought. She was so miserably head over heels in love with him she could barely remember her own name. And she had to have a new one by the end of the month, she thought, grimacing at the reminder. She'd shared that predicament with Bennett as well. He'd been tossing names at her left and right, but so far nothing had really appealed to her.

Eden backed her SUV up into optimum viewing position. Bennett met her at the back, opened the rear gate of her car and they settled side by side into the roomy cargo area. Ah, Ah, she thought, she thought, just like old times. just like old times. They'd timed it perfectly. Fire Lake glowed like its name as the setting sun shimmered out over the water. Ducks floated near the sh.o.r.e, and birds hovered just above the water's surface, looking for dinner. They'd timed it perfectly. Fire Lake glowed like its name as the setting sun shimmered out over the water. Ducks floated near the sh.o.r.e, and birds hovered just above the water's surface, looking for dinner.

"This never fails to take my breath away," Eden said quietly, awed by Mother Nature's glorious display. She felt Bennett's hand slip into hers and squeeze.

"Mine, either," he whispered softly, though he wasn't looking at the lake-he was looking at her.

A warm flush of pleasure settled over her heart and a dart of pure joy landed in her chest. The raw emotion she heard in his voice, saw in his eyes, made her desperately want to believe that what they had was real, would last, would survive whatever insecurities Bennett had allowed to ruin their previous shots at happiness in the past.

She wanted him so desperately-not just physically, though that was certainly a perk. She wanted to go to sleep with him at night and wake up with him in the morning. She wanted to fight over breakfast and make up with a nooner. She wanted to hold hands and watch movies, share holidays and French fries. She wanted him at his best, at his worst and all species in between.

Sitting here now, just looking at him, made her ache with the want. She felt it in every particle of her being, deep in her bones. Ben Wilder was her missing piece, her soul mate, her one and only and her hero. And for tonight, Eden thought as his thumb skimmed her bottom lip, he was hers.

"Penny for your thoughts," Bennett said, leaning in to brush a reverent kiss across her lips. Eden's lids fluttered shut and she smiled softly.

"My thoughts are worth more than that," she murmured. "And they can't be bought-they have to be earned."

Bennett's grin was so slow in coming it would have rated an easy ten on the wicked scale. "Guess I've got my work cut out for me then."

Eden framed his face with her hands, skimmed his cheeks with the pads of her thumbs then pressed a gentle kiss to each of his eyelids. "I have confidence in you," she murmured, smiling.

A deep, s.e.xy chuckle vibrated up his throat, then bubbled into her mouth as he suddenly settled his lips over hers. He nudged her back, gently following her down, and Eden silently thanked the presence of mind she'd had to tuck a couple of pillows and a blanket into the back. At some point tonight she imagined they would go back to her place, but given the Artemis525 situation, who knew? Eden had her cell ready and waiting, and had extorted a promise out of Devi to call her the minute something happened. Knowing what Eden had planned, she was certain she wouldn't hear from her aunt until Bennett's stalker made an appearance.

"I have a good feeling about him this time," Devi had told her. "I'm pulling a different vibe."

Eden had, as well, and the fact that Devi had picked up on it made her feel slightly better, not quite so foolish for taking the risk again. He deepened the kiss and she felt the resulting tug deep in her achy womb. As if she'd ever had a choice to start with, Eden thought with a rueful smile.

She'd never been able to resist him. And thankfully she didn't have to pretend to anymore.

Especially now.

Eden had planned to take things slow, to make love to him with sweet emotion. Unfortunately, now that they were here, she didn't think she was going to be able to pull that off. A simple kiss from Bennett and she was already hovering on the verge of climax, wincing with pleasure as her panties abraded her s.e.x.

"I'm making an executive decision," Eden told him, sitting up once more.

Bennett blinked. "What?"

She pulled her shirt over her head and cast it aside. "Get naked."

A rumbling laugh eddied up his throat, and a spark of challenge lit those wickedly s.e.xy dark brown eyes. "You want me to get naked?"

Eden popped the front clasp on her bra and tossed it at him. His eyes fastened greedily on her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, and she had the pleasure of watching them blacken further with need. "Yes."

A beat slid to five, then Bennett leaned back and casually threaded his fingers behind his head. "I think I'm going to need a little persuading."

Oh, really, Eden thought, shooting him a look. He wanted persuading? Fine. She'd persuade him. She kicked off her shorts and panties, then straddled him. The first brush of his jeans against her sensitive flesh made her gasp and made Bennett's jaw clench until she thought she might have heard his teeth crack. Smiling, she slipped her hands beneath his shirt and mapped his belly and chest, paying particular attention to his nipples. His, she'd discovered years ago, were equally as sensitive as hers. Eden thought, shooting him a look. He wanted persuading? Fine. She'd persuade him. She kicked off her shorts and panties, then straddled him. The first brush of his jeans against her sensitive flesh made her gasp and made Bennett's jaw clench until she thought she might have heard his teeth crack. Smiling, she slipped her hands beneath his shirt and mapped his belly and chest, paying particular attention to his nipples. His, she'd discovered years ago, were equally as sensitive as hers.

Bennett made a strangling noise and shifted up against her, pressing the hardened length of him against her needy s.e.x.

That wouldn't do, Eden decided.

She found the b.u.t.ton of his pants and slipped it from its closure, purposely letting her hands drift over the engorged head of his p.e.n.i.s rising from his waistband. She wiggled lower, almost even with his belly b.u.t.ton, and sighed dramatically. "I could play with this so much better...if you were naked," she added pointedly.

"f.u.c.k it," Bennett growled. "I'm no good at playing hard to get." He sat up and pulled his shirt from over his head and tossed it aside, then shucked his pants and briefs with deft efficiency.

Eden wrapped her hand around his pulsing shaft, then lowered her head and took the whole of him into her mouth. "No, you're not," she agreed, licking him lazily. "You're much better at just being hard. hard." Smooth as silk, he felt fabulous beneath her tongue, the taste of him blooming into her mouth.

Bennett bucked beneath her and his thighs tensed. "Eden," he growled warningly.

Still eating him-licking, laving and savoring every incredibly hard inch of him-Eden glanced up, his throbbing rod in her mouth, and her gaze tangled with his. The black flame of desire burned from his eyes, making her impossibly hotter. Her s.e.x weeped, her nipples ached and the need to settle herself firmly on top of him grew with each pa.s.sing second. She ran her tongue over the engorged head, sucked up the bead of moisture leaking from there, then smoothly scaled his body once more.

Bennett, hot and hard and ready, anch.o.r.ed his hands at her hips and thrust upward, sliding between her folds, drenching himself in her juices. The head of his p.e.n.i.s b.u.mped her aching c.l.i.t, making her breath hitch in her throat. Reading her, he b.u.mped her again, effectively s.n.a.t.c.hing the air from her lungs.

Desperate for release, Eden shamelessly pushed herself harder against him, braced her hands on his chest and absorbed the feeling. G.o.d, he was beautiful. Dark, dangerous, wicked...hers. Hands down the most beautiful, s.e.xy man she'd ever seen. Hands down the most beautiful, s.e.xy man she'd ever seen.

She scored his chest with her nails, then lifted her hips and impaled herself upon him. Her vision flickered and her belly deflated in a whoosh of surprised air. Sweet heaven, Sweet heaven, Eden thought, as indescribable pleasure bolted through her. Eden thought, as indescribable pleasure bolted through her.

Bennett's lips peeled back from his teeth and a guttural growl of male approval rolled out of his throat. He flexed beneath her, nudging her core.

Eden lifted her hips once more, then slid down the length of him, savoring every inch, every vibration between their joined bodies. But it wasn't enough. She wanted more, needed more. She rode him harder, up and down, up and down, faster and faster because she could feel the o.r.g.a.s.m hovering just out of reach. She wanted, she needed- Naturally, Bennett knew exactly what she needed.

He caught her rhythm, then bent forward and pulled her nipple deep into his mouth, causing an invisible thread between the two to contract. Eden felt the first spark of climax ripen in her s.e.x. She tightened her feminine muscles around him, pumped harder and harder, creating a delicious drag and draw between their bodies. Evidently realizing that she was hovering on the edge of a violent o.r.g.a.s.m, he flexed harder beneath her, then reached between them and ma.s.saged her c.l.i.t.

She flew apart.

Eden's mouth opened in a soundless scream and her back arched tightly from the shock of release. She was suddenly boneless. Bennett kept up the tempo beneath her, and every powerful thrust of him deep inside her intensified the contractions. Impossibly, he seemed to grow even more, and each hot, electrifying inch magnified her own pleasure.

She heard Bennett's breath catch, felt him go rigid beneath her. Then a low, keening growl tore from his throat, and three hard thrusts later he joined her in heaven. A shock of warmth pooled against the back of her womb, sending another sparkler of pleasure through her.

Eden collapsed against his chest, listened to the frantic beat of his heart beneath her ear and felt the reciprocating pulse still lodged deep inside of her. There was something so elemental, so indescribably perfect about being with him now, at this particular time, at this specific place.

Bennett wrapped his arms around her, then pressed a kiss to the top of her head. His breathing evened out and she rolled off him, then cuddled in next to his side. Contentment saturated every pore as the sun slipped completely beneath the horizon, bringing twilight.

"I didn't think I was good enough," Bennett said in the ensuing silence. Though the comment was matter-of-fact, Eden discerned the pain beneath it.

"Ben," Eden breathed, her heart aching for him. She'd suspected as much, but hearing him say it, knowing that he cared and trusted her enough to open himself up like this...She swallowed, a lump welling in her throat.

Finally.

"Your mother had told me that I was nothing. And for a long time-too d.a.m.ned long-I became what she said. I let her rob me of my self-worth," he said bitterly, clearly disappointed for allowing himself to be so manipulated and belittled.

Eden sat up, her gaze pinning his. "Oh, Bennett. It was never hers to take."

"I know that now," he told her, his voice rough with emotion. "But it's been a long and winding road I would have rather traveled with you."

Eden pressed a kiss to his cheek, then searched his gaze and smiled. "I'm not going to argue with you there, but...we seem like we're on the right track now."

Bennett's warm gaze melted with relief, and a soft smile played over his mouth. "I've got something for you," he said, reaching beside him to pull something from his pants pocket. To her unending delight, he withdrew a small wooden heart identical to the one he'd carved for her all those years ago, the one her mother had destroyed.

Emotion clogged her throat, and the backs of her eyes burned as he held it up for her to see. "Ben," she breathed, touched more than she could have ever imagined.

"It's my heart," he said, an endearingly unsure smile curling his lips. "I know this is a bit hypocritical, but...don't break it."

Bennett fastened it around her neck and she settled in against him once more. "I won't if you won't," she told him, her chest tingling with warmth and happiness.

He hugged her tightly, and for the first time in her life her future seemed secure, brighter somehow. Because Bennett was going to be in it on a permanent basis.

"No worries," Bennett sighed. "I've turned over the whole tree, remember?"

18.

"NOTHING?" BENNETT ASKED, quirking a brow a little while later. They'd napped and kissed, then made love again. He'd gotten a little glimpse of his future tonight and it looked like...heaven, Bennett thought. Anywhere with Eden couldn't be anything less.

Eden winced and shook her head, then flipped her phone closed. "Mitch says everything has been quiet." Her lips rolled into a droll smile. "With the exception of your grandfather and my aunt, that is. They got a little rowdy during Jeopardy! Jeopardy!"

Bennett chuckled, unsurprised. He suspected there was something more than a little rowdy going on between Eden's aunt and his grandfather but didn't want to voice his suspicions until they were confirmed. He blew out a breath. "So...what should we do?"

Eden shrugged into her shirt and shot him a smile that made his groin flood with heat. "Why don't we head back to my place and do each other again?"

A bark of laughter erupted from his throat and his gaze tangled with hers. "That sounds doable. doable." His stomach rumbled and he slid her an embarra.s.sed smile. "Do you mind if we eat first?"

Grinning, Eden shook her head. "Not at all. Does Ice Water work for you?"

"Sure."

Ten minutes later they were sitting in a booth in the back. Bennett reached across the table and threaded Eden's fingers through his. He'd never been able to keep his hands off her, but now...something had changed, he thought. The physical attraction had always been beyond anything in his experience. Touching Eden was better. Kissing Eden was better. Making love to Eden was better. Simply breathing the same air with Eden was better.

But being with her now, there was a permanence about it, a certainty that made his heart lighter, his chest inflate with warm, fizzy air. He was no longer a prisoner of h.e.l.l's perceptions, but rather he'd been liberated by his own. There was something to be said for coming into his own and knowing that Eden had been waiting for him on the other side.

He loved her, Bennett thought, amazed that the idea no longer seemed doomed or impossible. In fact, it seemed...destined. Preordained even. Fanciful? Maybe. But right now he felt as if the world were his oyster and he was getting ready for a lifelong feast.

With her.

Eden's eyes sparkled with fond humor and she rested her chin in her palm. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.

"Like what?"

Blushing, she pulled a light shrug and emitted a soft sigh. "I don't know. It's just a look I haven't seen in a long, long time."

He remembered, Bennett thought-the night he'd given her the first wooden heart, he'd told her that he loved her. Maybe he needed to remind her. Bennett leaned forward, poured every ounce of feeling he could into his gaze and shared it with her. "I-"

"Back here!"

Bennett frowned and shot a look over his shoulder. Kelly Briscoe, looking inordinately pleased with herself, was making her way toward their table, the rest of the Ex-Girlfriends' Club right at her heels.

Bennett glanced at Eden, who'd blanched. "Eden?" he asked, concerned. "Are you all right? Do you think it's her?" Was Kelly Artemis525? Bennett wondered. Eden had theorized that the threat hadn't originated from the club, but from the ashen look on her face, clearly she'd been wrong.

She swallowed and looked at Kelly. "Don't do this, Kelly," she said.

"Oh, but you're the one who's done it," Kelly enthused. She turned and rallied support from the rest of the group, then considered Bennett for a moment. "And done it quite well, by the looks of things."

"No, I haven't. I've-"

Bennett didn't know what the h.e.l.l she was talking about, but if she was the chick who'd been driving him crazy, he was about to share a little of the insanity with her. He still hadn't gotten all of the d.a.m.ned hamburger meat off his Beemer.

Kelly turned her hard gaze to Bennett. "Are you in love with her?" she asked, jerking her head toward Eden.

"Bennett, don't-"

"Yes," Bennett said. This wasn't exactly the romantic moment he'd planned, but he wasn't going to deny it. He did love her. More than anything.

Kelly smiled again, seemingly pleased. "Good. Then we were right and our plan worked."

Bennett felt a cold chill land in his belly, and his gaze darted to Eden, who'd gone unnaturally still. "Your plan?"

"Tell him, Eden," Kelly told her. "Tell him how we nominated you to reel him back in, set the hook and then break his heart-the same way he's always done to us." Her triumphant gaze hardened. "Poetic justice, don't you think, Bennett?"

The chill turned to stone and dropped to his feet, rooting him to the spot. Hope withered and his world darkened. Little pieces suddenly fell into place. The first night he'd gone to Eden's, they'd been there, plotting. Kelly shouting at them to get a room, then shooting Eden the thumbs-up. The first night he'd gone to Eden's, they'd been there, plotting. Kelly shouting at them to get a room, then shooting Eden the thumbs-up.

A bark of humorless laughter erupted from his throat as he scanned the group of women around him. Curiously he didn't see Kate, whom he'd thought would want to be in on this moment. Though they looked a little uncomfortable, not a single one of them uttered a protest or refuted Kelly's claim-most d.a.m.ningly of all, Eden.

It certainly held her signature leveling-the-playing-field style.

Bennett fished a few bills out of his wallet, tossed them onto the table and shook his head. "The joke's on me, ladies." Though it took every ounce of will-power he possessed, he forced his lips into a smile and aimed it at all of them, most importantly Eden. "Well done."

Then, before she could respond, he slid from the booth, squared his shoulders and walked away. He'd endured worse, Bennett told himself, feeling like the ultimate fool. He couldn't recall when at the moment, but it would come to him. Besides, it was almost comforting. After all, he'd expected nothing less from h.e.l.l.

He met a harried-looking Kate on the way out and he bared his teeth in a smile. "Too late," he told her. "You missed the show."

Frowning, Kate hurried past him and into the bar.