“Fuck you… get out, I have work to do,” I grumble. I’m not in the mood to shit around right now. There’s so much on my mind, I don’t even know what the meeting tomorrow is for, but he wants me there for some reason.

“Tomorrow, B.” His eyes lock on mine and I nod, knowing full well how important tomorrow’s meeting is to him.

It’s funny. We used to have meetings in secret with men that held all the power of the city. Secret meetings. Now, we have them in public in the middle of broad daylight. Adam Callahan isn’t a stupid man. He almost got caught in the wrong web of lies and deceit one too many times.

By the time the day is over, all I can do is think about getting to Gabby. After I feed Hannah, I make it to my parents’ house with an hour to go before her bedtime, making my parents happy that they can spend some time playing with her before they have to put her down.

“So, you’ll get her in the morning before work? Are you sure about that, Benton? You look tired… Why don’t you take the day off tomorrow?” my mom starts in on me, and, as much as I know she means well, it gets annoying at times that she doesn’t understand the importance of my job.

“Mom, tonight’s just a small work get together,” I lie, frustrated that I can’t even tell her what I’m doing tonight. “I won’t be out late. I’ll get a good night sleep and no, I can’t take tomorrow off. Big things are happening, Mom. I have to be there for them.”

“You need some relaxing time, Benton. Maybe one of these weekends you and your father can go fishing or something. Or maybe we can take Hannah for the weekend! That would work, right?”

Shaking my head, and laughing at her honest worry, I hug and kiss her, promising her that I won’t run myself ragged, then kiss Hannah goodbye and head out to the car. I’m antsy and I don’t know why. I’ve done this with Gabby so many times before, but tonight feels different. It feels like tonight’s the end. She was so distant when we spoke last night, and then she never called me back. I feel like she’s pulling away and I can’t help but worry that she knows that my feelings for her are stronger than friends with benefits. If she knew how I’m falling in love with her, I know she’d run. I’ll keep my feelings to myself if it means I can keep her. I need to be around her. She makes me feel real. She makes me feel alive. I haven’t felt that in a long time.

Having a baby is a blast, and, for the most part, she’s a great kid, but there’s days that being a single dad really eats at me. Between the teething, sickness, and anger, I’m not sure if I’ll make it by myself. I love that I grew up with two parents in the house, and I’d love for Hannah to have that too. That’s not what I’m doing, per se, with Gabby… but it’d be nice if she’d be able to be involved in Hannah’s life. I can’t do that, though, until I know that Gabby’s serious about us. No reason to introduce Hannah to someone who won’t be around long enough for Hannah to remember or make memories with.

By the time I make it to Gabby’s place, I’ve already worked myself up for another conversation like we has last night, but, when the door swings open to a dark room and candlelight flickering, I grin and my pants immediately start to tent.

Fuck.

“Mr. James,” Gabby whispers, standing in front of me in the flickering candlelight, the bodice of her outfit cupping her curves and allows her tits to spill out like they’re just begging me to touch them.

“Oh, fuck,” I mumble, moving to her and kicking the door closed. “Good God, woman.”

My hands run down her side as she giggles and wraps her arms around my neck. Her eyes lock on mine as she pushes her body against mine, moaning when she feels me hardening for her.

“Well, hello there,” she whispers, moving her hand down to gently cup me.

Goddamnit.

“Mmm, baby,” I groan, squeezing her ass, and lifting her to wrap her legs around me. Her ass cheeks fill my hands perfectly, and her warmth from between her legs heats my cock to fully erect. “Fuck, Gabby.”

“Fuck me, Benton.” She grins and bites down on her lip, narrowing her eyes at me as I lay her on the bed.

“Fucking gladly, babe.” Walking into her bedroom, she crawls up the bed on all fours and glances at me over her shoulder, waiting for me and wiggling her ass.

It takes me no time at all to strip and grab a condom, and, as soon as I push into her, I feel a sense of peace come over me. Euphoric. She calms me and makes my heartbeat skyrocket from one touch. I crave her; I crave this. Her moans fill the room as I pump into her, slamming into her harder than I planned, but the more she moans the harder I slam.

Fuck!

By the time we’re finished, I’m spent and so thankful for not having to go get Hannah and take her home tonight. I love that girl, but I’m actually looking forward to a full night’s sleep for once.

Gabby’s phone has been dinging with messages all night, and she’s been ignoring them, but, as I’m in the bathroom cleaning up, I hear her laugh to herself. Walking out of the bathroom, I see her staring at her phone biting her lip and I immediately tense up.

“Hey you, what’s that all about?” I ask, trying to not let my tension laced body show to her. I know who she’s talking to just by the grin on her face, and it pisses me off.

“Oh Ellie, she’s being a moron,” she says, and then laughs as another message dings through.

“Ah.” The zing from her mentioning Ellie’s name is felt deep. I know she’s still with her, but I don’t want details. I’ve agreed to this, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Now seems like a good time to leave.

“Okay, so I’m heading out,” I say, starting to find my shit. Why can I never find my shit when I need to leave?

“Uh... okay?” she says, putting her phone down. Finally.

“Nope, you’re just busy with her… and I’m going.” I hate that I get so jealous over her, especially when I promised her seven months ago that I wasn’t the jealous type.

Apparently, I am.

“B, you’re being weird,” she says, hands on her hips.

Jesus, even angry, she still is the most beautiful thing I’ve laid eyes on in a very long time.

“I’m not.”

“You don’t like her?” she asks, nodding to her phone.

“Never said that,” I clip, pulling my shirt over my head and looking around for my shoes.

“You don’t have to. You know… I warned you about this, Benton,” she laughs harshly. As if her laughing would make it all better, she stops and smiles at me and shakes her head. “I don’t get you, Benton. Why now? What’s so special about me that you have to get jealous?” She furrows her brows and looks so damn cute I just want to wrap her in my arms and never let go.

I just want her to be mine and mine alone.

“It’s not just other people, Gabby. I guess I thought that I’d be the one to change you, and I was wrong. I’m sorry, but I just want to scream to the world that you’re my girl and I CAN’T, because you’re not. And you won’t let me. And I’m fucking exhausted,” I growl. “From everything.”

“Oh come on, Benton. It’s all just fun… I told you that, remember?” Her eyes lock on mine, but her smile is gone. She feels something between us, or else she wouldn’t be freaking out right now that I’m about to walk out that door and not come back.

Maybe that’s the scare she needs. Maybe she needs to think I’m gone, then she’ll start appreciating me more and maybe… just maybe… she’ll drop Ellie and really become just my girl.

“I’m gonna head out,” I huff, slipping on my shoes and heading to the door.

“Wait!” she says, almost frantically. “You can’t just leave. We just had a great time. I was hoping to have more tonight,” she pleads. Her eyes are searching mine for something, her hand resting on my elbow.

I can’t do it. I’m falling hard for this woman. Hell, I’ve already fallen for her. I’m not a college-aged kid anymore, though. I have responsibilities and a child to take care of. I can’t play games like this forever.