More than Enough (Book Two in the Enough Series)

Gemma

The emotional exhaustion was real and it took over. I didn't realize how badly I just needed the simple comfort of a hug and to be held. Bennett's arms were the safest I'd felt in a very long time. I woke up, no longer held in his arms though. A small blanket was draped over me, as I was laid across the couch, alone. I adjusted my eyes which were puffy from crying and could hear Bennett's voice in the distance. I felt a little uneasy after opening up so much and letting myself break down in front of him yet again. He had to think I was insane.

I sat up, attempting to straighten out my dis-shelved self while also doing my best not to eavesdrop on the conversation Bennett was having. I took a pull from the bottle of water he had brought me earlier and waited patiently for him to return. I was thankful I had the day off from Brew and Splash both. Though, I definitely needed to be working to bring in more income to prepare myself for the inevitable return of my Father. I couldn't stay living like this any longer and if he wanted to leave treatment, then I would need to find my own place and he would have to figure things out on his own as well.

"Oh, hey. I'm sorry." Bennett spoke softly as he sat back down next to me.

"Sorry?" I looked at him confused.

"If I woke you. I had to step out and make a phone call, I was trying to be as quiet as possible." He scanned my face, taking in my emotional state I'm sure.

"You didn't. It's fine. I should be apologizing for calling you and taking you away from whatever you were doing. All just so I could melt down again." I sighed, leaning back against the plush material of the couch.

"Team meeting, there will be plenty more of them, it's fine." He laughed, running a hand through his black hair. I watched as his arms of corded muscle flexed with each movement. The smattering of tattoos covering both arms only added to his sex appeal. In all the times I'd spent with Bennett, I hadn't truly appreciated just how beautiful of a man he was. At a time like this, I shouldn't be thinking of all the ways he made my body hum, but damn if I wasn't.

"You okay?" He leaned his head over, making eye contact and taking me out of my lust-filled daze.

"Oh, Yea. I'm okay. I just needed to let it out I guess." I shrugged. "I shouldn't...I shouldn't take up any more of your time." I shifted around, preparing to stand.

"Stop. You're not going anywhere. I drove you here, remember?" He smirked. "I just talked to Reed, he's going to stay with Eden tonight. Hugh, my other roommate, he's out of town for work. So, do me the honor of staying?" His brown eyes pleaded with me. "Keep me company for the night, just relax and forget about everything outside of this apartment."

I sat with my mouth opening and closing like a damn guppy fish. I didn't know what to say. He was charming and it sounded amazing to have an evening, a whole night where nothing else existed. I knew this couldn't last though, I couldn't keep running to Bennett. I couldn't lay my troubles on him and I certainly couldn't expect any type of relationship from him. So, for one night, why not give in to that fantasy? Before I even registered it with words, my head was nodding and a smile was taking over my face.

"Yes. I'd...I'd really like that."

*

Bennett was clearly shocked I actually agreed but the relief and happiness that washed over him when I said yes, was worth everything. He quickly clapped his hands together, hopping up and rushing off to his room before returning with a stack of clothes. He instructed me to get comfortable because tonight was all about letting go and letting loose. I chuckled at the playful man before me, and my heart ached a little that I couldn't call him mine. I did as he requested though and took off to his room to change. The shorts he gave me were a little snug around my hips, but not uncomfortably so and the shirt was a bit baggy but I didn't hate the way it felt wearing his clothes. I stopped in the bathroom to freshen up before returning to the living area where I found him standing, in the kitchen waiting with a stack of take-out menus.

"Hungry?" He asked before looking up. Once he did though, the look that came over his face was predatory. I suppose he enjoyed seeing me wearing his clothes as much as I enjoyed wearing them.

"I could eat." I saddled up to the counter, grabbed a few menus, and looked through them.

Bennett cleared his throat, trying to return his focus to the menus. I couldn't help the little smirk on my face that I had that much of an effect on him. We both quietly shifted through the menus, neither one offering up a choice.

"I can't even think straight with you looking like that in my clothes right now." He finally admitted with a growl. "Ladies choice, you pick and I'll order." He pushed the menus across to me. With a smile, I closed my eyes and stirred the menus around before blindly plucking one up.

"Here. Whatever this is."

Bennett placed the order from a local diner and our food was set to arrive in about an hour. He cleaned up the menu pile and paced back and forth for a moment while I sat with my head in my hands just watching.

"I'm going to go change real quick, make yourself at home, help yourself to anything." He rushed out of the room so fast, I almost wondered if he was regretting this sleepover he requested. I wandered about the living area, taking in the sparse decor before settling back on the sofa. I took the blanket that had been over me before and snuggled up, waiting for his return. When he came back, no words were spoken. He simply stretched out before grabbing me and pulling me to him, snuggling me into his side as we lay together. He placed a soft kiss on the top of my head and tucked the blanket around me.

"You're so sweet. I like this. More than I should admit." I whispered into his chest. His grip on me tightened. "I've done nothing but babble all my family nonsense and here you are being so kind and caring. I want to know more about you. I want to know about your family. Will you share with me?" My fingers made lazy circles over his chest, which was bare and incredibly gorgeous with its variety of ink.

For the next hour, he did just that, he shared about his family. His parents, their divorce, his only child status, and what it was like to grow up with his future mapped out for him at such an early age. I could hear the love for both of his parents in his voice and how fondly he spoke of them. Despite the cockiness he exuded, I could also hear the hints of insecurity when speaking about himself.

"Ok... so, maybe a less serious question... if the apartment was on fire, what would you grab before getting out?" We were now sitting up, at each end of the couch, his hands massaging my feet while I absentmindedly rubbed my hands up and down his calves. It was the most domestic and natural thing, neither of us even acknowledged the other doing it.

"That's a pretty serious question. I don't want my apartment to be on fire, ever." He teased. "But, I suppose if it were, I'd have to grab you and run."

I rolled my eyes at the cheese coming from this man. Always laying it on so thick.

"Hardy, Har, Har." I tickled my fingers across his feet, causing him to jump up immediately with a squeal. "Oh. My. God." I cackled just as a knock pounded at the door.

"I'm getting the food and we're totally forgetting that."

"We're so not. Mr. Big Bad Soccer man is super ticklish." I jumped up, following behind him. "He also squeals like a little girl when his ticklish spots are activated."

"Activated? What the hell, Gem." He shook his head, before opening the door and retrieving our food. Attempting to tip the delivery man generously without me noticing, I caught it and my heart swooned over it. I noticed he was always doing that, going out of his way to give to others or thank them.

"I like that you call me Gem," I spoke softly. "No one has ever called me that."

"Good. I like that you like it and that I'm the only one who has and does and from now on, the only one who will." He winked at me before piling the counter with the massive quantity of food. "Now, let's eat, Gem, and then we can go back to your crazy questions."

Bennett Hayes was breaking down my walls, much faster than I anticipated, and maybe, just maybe I wasn't as resistant to it as I thought I would be. I only hoped it didn't come back to haunt me. For once in a very long time, I felt relaxed, at ease, and truly happy.