Best Kept Secret (Best Kept #1)

Chapter 24: I Need The Pain To Remember

When I got back to the hotel, I expected Benji to still be asleep, but I heard the shower running.

It gave me a chance to get myself together. After I left the hospital, I went to a small coffee shop to collect my thoughts and talk to my mom. We talked for a while. I tried not to cry in the middle of the place and actually managed. Mom is more concerned about my relationship with Zoe than anything. There were parts I didn't share with her because Zoe asked me not to. Zoe shared things with me today that she's only shared with her doctor.

Zoe trusts me again and I'm not going to do anything to break that trust.

The shower turned off and I sat on the edge of the hotel bed. I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. Minutes later, Benji emerged from the bathroom in only a pair of black jeans that hung low on his hips. "Hey," he said and smiled at me. He had a towel in his hand that he ruffled through his wet hair.

I smiled it return. "Hi."

"Did you just get back?"

"Yeah," I answered. "Just a few minutes ago."

He walked over to me and stopped an arms length away. "How'd it go?"

"It didn't start off too well, but it went pretty good after that. We talked for awhile and she wants me to come back tomorrow."

"That's really good." He sat the towel on the back of the desk chair that was next to the TV. "Did she say anything about letting her come home?"

I shook my head. "Not yet. I hope it's soon though."

"I do too." His lips turned up into another smile. "Do you have any other plans today?"

"Maybe," I teased. "What did you have in mind?"

Benji smirked and took a step closer. "I think it's time I took you on a proper date, right?"

I laughed and shook my head. "You don't have to do that."

"What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't take you out on a real date?"

My cheeks warmed at the word boyfriend. "You're my boyfriend now?" I teased.

A small laugh fell from his lips as he leaned over me on his hands. His face was only mere inches from mine. "Shit, was I supposed to get on one knee and ask you to be my girlfriend? Is that how it's done? Because I can totally do that too."

I started to giggle as I slipped my fingers into his damp hair. "I think you sealed the deal when you told me you loved me."

Benji pressed his lips to mine and kissed me softly. "We don't have to put a label on it," he murmured against my lips. "I'll be whatever you want me to be."

"Anything?" I whispered.

"Anything."

I smiled and kissed him again. "I want you to be mine."

His smile echoed mine. "You know I'm already yours."

"I just love to hear you say it." I moved up on my elbows and started to wiggle up towards the top of his bed.

A glint sparked in Benji's eyes and he crawled towards me. He was hovering over me in seconds and then his body pressed against mine in another. "I'm yours," He said softly onto my lips.

Benji kissed my jaw, my chin, my bottom lip, and then my mouth again. "I'm yours, Lucy."

Our lips met again with an overwhelming urge of anticipation. His mouth traveled away from mine and onto my shoulder in a quick movement.