More than Enough (Book Two in the Enough Series)

Bennett

I'd been to the coffee shop every day that I could since the whole disaster at Gemma's house. I felt terrible for the whole misunderstanding. I wanted to apologize, to talk to her, just to see her. God, what was wrong with me? Somehow I managed to just keep missing her. At least according to her friend. I was pretty certain she was hiding in the back a few of those times. My mood was pretty sour the longer it went, but I couldn't let it affect my game.

Reed was all smiles on game day, as he had been most of the time lately. I was happy for him, truly I was. I liked Eden, and I was glad they were able to sort everything out. I won't lie and say that it didn't cause a little tug in my heart that he had a row of people cheering him on though, especially seeing how excited Eden was screaming for him. He ate it up too.

After the game, I decided to just go home. Usually, after a home game win, I'd hit a bar with some of the other guys, but I wasn't feeling it. Of course, I totally should have considering what I walked in on. I came in the door and decided to see what Reed was up to, maybe some beers and video games. As soon as his door opened though, I was frozen.

On her knees was a very sexy Eden as Reed held her head in place. Fuck.

"Dude, where did you...oh fuck, oh shit. Fuck. Sorry. I mean, good for you but sorry. Fuck!"

"GET OUT!!" Reed bellowed. I nodded but still stood frozen. It took me a second to realize I needed to get out and I rushed back out of the room. I chuckled, feeling like an idiot. Damn, Reed was a lucky bastard.

I tried to make myself busy in the kitchen, but when they emerged, I had to address the elephant in the room. It wasn't nearly as awkward as it could've been; most of that was because of Eden. I decided to order some food in, a peace offering for interrupting what looked to be an epic blow job for Reed. We sat around eating and chatting, it was nice. I rarely had a night in like this, but it wasn't too bad.

Learning about Eden's issues with her parents and her willingness to donate stem cells to her Mother only added to my level of respect for her. Reed had definitely fallen for a good one. He looked at her with such love and pride in his eyes. It didn't take long to feel like the third wheel even in my own apartment. I excused myself to my room and played video games before turning in for the night.

*

We had several away games, keeping us on the road for the next week. I used that time to try and get Gemma to respond to me via text. Of course, she ignored me. Reed seemed to revel in this. He liked that Gemma was making it difficult for me. He had no idea how difficult she was making it though. I couldn't get the girl out of my head. After seeing her Father slap her, and how vulnerable she looked, I'd become even more obsessed. I'd apparently developed a kind of hero complex or something.

We had an off day between travel, so naturally, I made sure to head to Brew, wanting desperately to spot Gemma. When I entered, the place was busy enough, but not too bad. I immediately spotted her coworker, Los. I was getting to know him much better than Gemma at this point. He shook his head at me as I approached the counter, holding his finger up to his lips, directing me to keep quiet.

"Gem, customer." He called out, giving me a wink before sauntering off.

I took a deep breath as I watched her walk around the corner. Her long black hair was tied up into a messy pile atop her head. Her green eyes shone with the sunlight, and her shirt clung to her sexy curves. Fuck! I was getting hard just looking at her.

"Hello." She cooed before looking up.

"How are you?" I asked, the words just falling out before I could think. She immediately looked up, recognizing my voice. Something about that made my insides tickle.

"Bennett." She squeaked adorably.

"Gemma."

"What can I get for you?" She stared right through me.

"Tall, black coffee. Get yourself something and sit with me." I requested.

"Tall, black coffee." She repeated. "I can't, I'm working."

"Los said it's fine." I looked over to see him glancing at us. I gave him a quick wave and smile.

"Fucking Los." She muttered as she put the coffee in front of me. "I only get ten minutes." She grabbed a bottle of water and led me over to a table in the back of the cafe. Los passed us as we walked, giving her the biggest smile as she gave him the finger.

Once she was seated, I followed suit. I couldn't help the smile taking over my face at just being in her presence. I'd been persistent for so long that I was beginning to think I'd have to just give up, something I never did.

"What's up?" She huffed, crossing her arms and leaning back in her seat.

"Same old stuff. What about you? You've been hiding from me." I sipped the ridiculously hot coffee, peering at her over the cup.

"I have not. I work, a lot. If you can't find me at work, then that's your fault." Gemma was a spitfire with walls twenty feet tall built up around her heart. I could tell. I saw a glimpse of the vulnerable side, the softer side and I wanted more. At first, I thought I just needed to have another round with her in bed and leave her this time. I quickly realized it was more than that, the way she challenges me and fights against me, for some sick reason I enjoyed it.

"Where else do you work? I'll start looking there from now on." I smiled wide.

"A bar. You'll have to find me, good luck." She winked with a smirk.

"I clearly don't back down from a challenge."

"You clearly don't get the hint." She snapped.

"Why don't you answer my texts?" I ignored her snark.

"I thought we were a one-time hook-up, I don't want a relationship. I don't want to do this." She gestures between us and I can't help but feel a little hurt. "It was a good time, one time and that's it. That date fuck up, was just that, a fuck up." She's spitting out these words but her eyes, and her face isn't matching. She looks pained as if she doesn't mean it. But, I don't want to be that guy. I'm not going to push.

"Okay." I respond simply. Gemma looks surprised by my response.

"Ok?" She questions, leaning forward to look closer at me. I can't help but notice the sprinkle of freckles across the bridge of her nose. The way her eyes have slight specks of gold in them and how they crinkle when she's thinking. She's stunningly beautiful, and I don't think she even realizes it. Sitting across from me in her simple black shirt and pants, a barista uniform, she's the most beautiful woman in the room. "Bennett?" She says, waving her hand in front of my face. "Hello?"

"I said Okay." I shrug, not knowing how to take this conversation from here. I don't want this to be over, I don't want to stay away.

"You blanked out on me." She almost looks concerned. "Where'd you go?"

"You have freckles, just a dusting of them on your nose." My words catch her off guard, naturally, she reaches up and touches the area where her freckles are. She watches me intently, and I can't help but be confused by our interaction. She's saying one thing but acting another. I'm not used to how I'm feeling either, I normally don't chase, and I would normally have loved to hear a woman tell me it was a one-time thing. Not this time though. "Your eyes, they have specks of gold in them. Just tiny little specks. I've never seen eyes like that before." I continue, seeing where this will take me. I've always been brutally honest, and most of the time it doesn't go over well, but this, how could she possibly take offense to any of these statements?

"I need to get back to work." She all but whispers. I nod. My words have had some impact, her cold demeanor is gone, and she looks almost wounded. It's strange. "Goodbye, Bennett." Once she's standing, she leans down, giving my cheek a quick peck. I turn quickly though and make sure our lips touch, to my excitement she doesn't pull away, and she leans into the full kiss. I want her to feel what I feel, to feel what she's trying to push away.

Once we part, she has a hint of tears in her eyes. I want to ask her if she's okay, but before I can say anything she scurries off into the back of the cafe.