Maggie startled as something cool brushed the back of her legs. She opened her eyes and saw Ben’s face, his eyes studying her.

“It’s okay, Maggie Mae, I’m just putting you into bed.”

Maggie slid her arms from around his neck and braced herself as he slid her onto the cool sheets. Why was it so cold in her house? She glanced down at her bare legs. Shorts. She’d changed into shorts after her bath.

Ben tucked the covers up over her shoulders as her head hit the pillow.

Again. She could get used to this.

“You fell asleep on the couch so I brought you to bed.”

Images of the open trunk with photos and the white box swam through her mind. Her father’s letters. She’d broken down in front of Ben, allowed herself to be vulnerable—something she never did, with anyone. Gazing up into his face she saw no judgment, only compassion.

“I’m going to head out now.” Ben bent and kissed her forehead.

Maggie reached out a hand and touched his. “Stay.” Hell, why had she said that? She never begged. Not that her single word was begging, but it was closer than she ever came.

Ben studied her face, his own marred with indecision.

“It’s okay, never mind,” Maggie said, “I shouldn’t have asked.” Why would he want to stay with a woman who was half-way crazy and all the way broken?

“You’re tired, you should really rest.”

“You’re right. I should.”

She waited for Ben to leave.

Instead, he lifted his shirt over his head. “I’m tired too though,” he said. “I probably shouldn’t drive.” His lips tilted into a smirk as though he knew his own excuse had been weak.

She watched with fascination and anticipation as he kicked off his shoes and worked the button of his jeans. She swallowed back a moan when the sound of the zipper echoed in room.

Ben smiled, shucking his jeans to the floor before stepping out.

Maggie’s gaze travelled up his long, lean body. He was wearing boxer briefs again. Only these were dark grey. And there was a sizable bulge, very noticeable through the fabric.

Ben lifted the covers. “Scoot over,” he said.

She obliged and slid across the mattress, melting a little at the sight of him.

Ben slipped in, his huge body taking over the small space of her bed.

Her feet pressed against his legs.

“Shit, Maggie!” he yelled. “Your feet are like ice.”

“Sorry.” She laughed.

He narrowed one eye in speculation.

She laughed harder.

Ben reached down and grabbed her knees, pulling her legs toward him as he settled her feet between his warm thighs with a hiss. God, he was hot, in more than looks apparently.

“I really am sorry.” She bit her lips to keep from giggling.

He seared her with a look. “Sure, you are.” He slid an arm under her head and wrapped his other hand around her waist, pulling her close.

She nuzzled against his warm body. He was like a human heater. It had been a long time since she’d shared her bed with a man. She turned her head into his broad chest, her arm wrapping around his waist as she pressed her cheek into his skin. Breathing deep, she inhaled his unique scent, one she couldn’t describe. Just, Ben.

“Better?” he asked.

“Yes.” She smiled into his skin. “Much. Thank you for staying.”

They sat in silence for several heart beats. Maggie was surprised to find she liked it.

“I’m sorry it was hard on you growing up, Maggie.” Ben’s soft, simple words twisted something in her heart.

“I shouldn’t have dumped all that on you.” She spoke into his chest.

Ben wrapped one loose tendril of her hair around his finger. “It’s not a burden, Maggie. We’re friends.”

Friends? That’s all she’d wanted between them, wasn’t it? Then why did that one word, coming from his mouth, sting so much? She brushed the word aside. He was right. They were friends.

Instead, she moved her lips closer to his. “Friends with benefits?” She lifted her head closer and brushed her lips against his.

With no prodding, Ben’s mouth opened as his hand slid around the nape of her neck, pulling her closer. He deepened the kiss, tilting her head to fit his. The hint of control stirred her arousal and she pressed her hips closer.

Slipping her leg over his waist, she straddled him as her hands roamed up his chest. God, he was hot. All muscle, taut and sinewy.

“I thought you were tired,” Ben mumbled into her mouth as his hands flexed, pulling her hips against his erection.

She lifted off his chest and gazed down, grinding into him. He really was beautiful. His hazel brown eyes were glassed over with desire. For her.

“Sleep’s overrated.” She smiled.

Ben released his hold on her hips and Maggie slowly slid down his body, smattering him with kisses. She pushed back the covers and worked her way lower until her chest brushed against the bulge in his underwear. Her fingers slid into the elastic waistband and she tugged his underwear down his hips, needing to touch his bare skin with her own.

Knowing what she wanted, Ben lifted his hips and she slipped his underwear off, tossing them to the side of the bed. She stared down at the length of him. God, he was amazing, mouth-watering. She’d had him once before, but it didn’t sate the craving.

Without thought or reservation, her mouth lowered and she took what she wanted.

Ben moaned, his fingers slipping into her hair.

She moved slowly at first, with no desire to rush his pleasure.

“Maggie, you’re killing me,” he ground out through what sounded like clenched teeth.

She glanced up, her mouth never stopping. Finding his eyes locked on her sent another thrill through her body, warmth pooling between her legs.

He let out a slow breath, muscles tightening under her body. The way he reacted to her was erotic as hell and she had zero interest in stopping.

Ben’s eyes were closed now, head thrown back, the column of his throat visible as he swallowed deeply.

She didn’t stop. She knew he was enjoying this as much as she was.

His hips bucked against her mouth and moved in sync with her rhythm as she increased the speed and pressure. He grew in her mouth in response, fisting her hair tighter. He was close. “God, oh fuck, Maggie. I’m gonna...I’m…” She stayed with him, her mouth riding out his release, taking everything he gave until he stilled on the bed.

“Maggie.” It was a croaked prayer, irreverent and needy despite the fact she’d just sated him.

Maggie gently pulled away, pushing up on her arms to look at him.

One arm was slung across his eyes, his chest heaving as if he’d run a race.

She crawled up his body, reveling in the expanse of it and rested her small body against his as she lifted his arm. “You alive in there?”

He opened one eye and peered at her. “Barely.”

“Sorry.”

“Something tells me you’re not.” He flipped her over.

Maggie’s back pressed into the mattress as Ben loomed over her.

“But you’re going to be.”

She grinned. Maggie couldn’t wait to be sorry with Ben Sumner.