Henley is an odd girl. She never says what she wants to say. Anyone who watched her would be able to tell. That moment of hesitation where her eyes grow fierce— what she's thinking then, that's what she wants to say. But then a split second later, she relaxes and says the thing that will keep the peace. Her control is impeccable.

But I want to hear what she wants to say. I don't want to see her biting something back for my sake. For my mother's sake.

"Damn it, Henley. What did I just say? I don't care what you think you should do. Tell me what you want. You have to tell me what you want. You have to let me know I'm not on my own with this."

Anxious. That's how I felt. It wasn't familiar to be the one doing the chasing. Women usually chased me. Now I realized just how scary it was.

I knew I should've been cautious like Henley was being, but what the future held didn't matter to me right now. I didn't care. Come what may. I just wanted her to tell me how she felt. I just wanted to kiss her.

"I..."

Her hesitation was driving me crazy. I was about to grab her and kiss her anyway, but I didn't want to be disrespectful. She wouldn't appreciate that. "Tell me, Henley," I said, holding her gaze.

"Yes," she finally answered. The word didn't need an explanation.

Kissing her wasn't like anything I'd experienced before. My senses were all messed up. Our lips pressed together too hard, then too soft— barely a kiss. She pulled away and I wondered if I ruined it. No one usually pulled away. I gave her a second to step back if she wanted to. She didn't. I smiled, kissing her again.

If I had to choose a favorite feeling, it would be how I felt kissing Henley.

My hands gripped her hips, pulling her body flat against mine.

Pulling her body a little too hard.

"Ow!" she cried as our teeth clacked together.

I froze up, feeling cold embarrassment seep through my veins, automatically shoving her away from me. She stumbled back, almost tripping in the sand and I briefly thought about throwing myself into the sea. This wasn't like me. What was I so nervous for?

Calm down, I told myself. Of course, now would be the time I make a fool of myself.

Henley gave me a sharp look, but her face was bright red. "Is this how you usually kiss girls?"

"Not normally, no," I answered, my pride slightly offended. I excelled in kissing. Then realizing what I said, heat crept up the back of my neck. "Not that I've been kissing any women lately."

The wind blew, causing her hair to cover her face. I immediately reached out to push it away, wanting to see her expression. What was she feeling? Was she anxious like I was? Happy? Scared? I could tell she was uncomfortable. Her hand cupped her shoulder and she pursed her lips a little.

A grin snuck across my face.

"What?" she asked.

"You're charming," I answered.

She narrowed her eyes a little which made her look all the more so. I went in to kiss her again and she stepped back, dodging me. Puzzled, I raised my eyebrows. "We need to talk about this," she told me.

"Or we could kiss again. I wouldn't mind."

"Bennett."

"What is there to talk about?" I asked her, feeling a little indignant. Why wasn't she all over me? She had permission to be. I couldn't wait to be all over her.

"What's happening right now is what we need to talk about."

"You kissed me," I pointed out.

She opened her mouth to retort and quickly snapped it shut, turning her head away from me. "That's the problem."

"How so?"

"Remember all that stuff you said to me when we first met? Don't wear my chain store clothing? Don't drive my car to your house? Don't act like I'm not rich and pretend to be someone from France while I can't even speak French? It's all part of this problem," she explained.

I couldn't really argue with her. She did have a point. It was a huge problem. But we were both well aware of it. It wasn't like we weren't pretending it wasn't. "Why should we worry about that right now?"

"Because I'm the type of person who overthinks things and creates problems that weren't there in the first place," she said, folding her arms over her chest. "This is hard for me, Bennett. It was hard to even kiss you. We started this because of a contract—"

"Forget the contract," I interrupted. I didn't even want to think about it anymore. "That's over. It's probably been over for a while now but neither of us wanted to admit it. What's more to discuss?"

Her face scrunched up cutely and I couldn't tell whether she was embarrassed or offended. "But—"

"Let's just enjoy this moment together and talk about the other stuff later," I offered, closing the distance she'd put between us and bringing my face closer to hers. Her eyes widened slightly and I smiled. "See?"

"The more I enjoy it now, the harder it will be when I lose it later," she responded quietly, her eyes searching mine.

I frowned, pulling back from her. "Why are you assuming you'd lose me?"

"You said it yourself. Someone like me could never be with someone like you." Her tone wasn't bitter. It wasn't accusing. It was accepting.

My skin prickled uncomfortably and I clenched my teeth together, suddenly feeling gross in my own skin. I hated it. I hated my past self. I hated the Me who would tell Henley she wasn't good enough for me.

How hard was it for Henley to admit that she liked me? What had she been thinking when she realized it? Had she been trying to talk herself out of it? Had she thought she'd never be a good match for me? Had she just kept putting herself down? Was it that hard for her?

I gripped her arm and pulled her back to me, wrapping my arms around her shoulders and pressing her against my chest. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?" she asked, her voice muffled.

I realized I was practically suffocating her and relaxed my grip. "For whatever thoughts that have been in your head recently. I don't want you to feel that way anymore. If I ever make you feel that way, you have the right to hit me."

"Hit you?"

I nodded. "As hard as you can."

She was quiet for a moment and then she chuckled.

"What?" I asked.

"Hitting you would be like trampling on a flower. I couldn't do it."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She shrugged. "Nothing."

I brought my face closer to hers again, challenging her. "I'll have you know I'm actually pretty robust."

"Did you really just use the word robust— hey!" Henley cried out as I easily lifted her off of her feet and into my arms. She immediately wrapped her arms around my neck and clung to me.

"Are you impressed?" I asked her haughtily.

Her face matched the sunset. "Are you drunk?"

"No. I'm in a rather good mood though. Don't you think this is romantic?"

"Put me down."

"Only if you kiss me."

"Bennett."

I pretended to lift her like I was lifting weights. "I could do this all day. Or you could just kiss me."

"Pervert," she muttered, before pressing her lips against mine hard. Her hands moved to my face, holding it, as she sucked my bottom lip into her mouth. It was more than I expected and my whole body seemed to go into shock. She easily broke free from me then and shimmied down onto the sand. I stared after her, dazed.

A ghost of a smirk traced her lips. "Men."

Blood rushed to my ears and I realized my pants weren't exactly as loose as they were before. With just a kiss. A point-five-second-long kiss.

This woman was going to be the end of me.

Before I could speak again, my cell phone started ringing. Mildly annoyed that someone was interrupting I whipped it out, preparing to tell the caller off. I stopped short when the screen read Mother.

My first thought was, how did she find out already? I checked around the beach, but Henley and I were by ourselves. Was someone spying on me? How were they so quick?

I debated about not answering but that would just make it more suspicious. "Don't say anything," I told Henley before swiping to answer the call. "Hello?"

"Where are you?" was her immediate response.

"I have a feeling you know where I am."

"You're not with Sebastian and you're not at our site," she said. "If you've finished your work, come home. We have something we need to discuss."

"What's that?"

"About that female you've been seeing."

A ripple of irritation surged through me. I knew she was speaking like that on purpose. I knew she was trying to get a reaction from me. "Her name is Henley," I said evenly.

The Henley in question vigorously shook her head, holding up her arms. "Don't bring me up!"

"Are you sure that's her name?" my mother asked me. "She seems to rely on lying. Were you aware that she has not even spent a day in France? She doesn't even have a passport. I'm sure there are many other lies she's told you that aren't true."

I tried to keep my face impassive as to not worry Henley, but I could tell by her paling face that I wasn't doing a great job. "Did you do a background search on her—"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Mom!"

"I always do and I always will. We can't have a criminal tainting our family name."

I didn't understand how my mother was a person. What was worse? I probably used to be just like her. "We'll talk about this later—"

"Cut off ties with that woman and don't speak to her again. She's most likely using you for your money. Don't let her alone in your house again."

I clenched my hand around my phone. Was this really happening right now? I'd finally found out how Henley felt about me, only for this to happen? Why? What did I do to deserve this? I wanted to defend Henley, but I couldn't. Not if I wanted to have a chance at my mother considering her for me. "I'm sure we're missing something. Sebastian will know."

"You can't trust Sebastian. He's from a family of lawyers."

"He's my best friend," I snapped at her. "And I thought his mother was your best friend."

"You should be well aware that you're best friends with anyone who has connections, but friends with no one at the same time," she told me, voice sharp. "Especially women who use their bodies to steal our money—"

"Do you ever listen to yourself when you talk?" I all but shouted. She was incredible. Did she have no respect for anyone?

"Did I touch a nerve?" she asked tersely. "I wasn't speaking of anyone in specific, but I see I may not be off the mark. Do not raise your voice at me."

I barely held in a scoff. "I'm not in the mood to talk to you right now."

"Bennett James Calloway." Her tone became venomous. "How dare you speak to me like that? I am your mother. Do you think your brother would appreciate this?"

There it was. It was always my brother. She always had to bring up Lee. No matter what. The fight left my body. I hung my head. "I'm sorry."

"That girl is not a good influence on you."

"I'm sorry," I forced out again.

"Good. I'll see you when you get home."

I let my hand drop to my side, my fingers curling around it so tight it hurt. A soft touch surprised me and I turned to see Henley peering at me worriedly. "What happened? Does she know? Should I leave?"

"No," I said immediately. "Don't go."

"What happened?"

"She found out you've never lived in France. I'm not sure if she did a full background check on you or not, but she knows some things. But it's easy to figure out whether you're the daughter of a supposedly prominent hotel CEO."

Henley's gaze went past me, to the ocean. Her whole body appeared flush and I wondered what was going through her head. "I can handle my mother," I told her, hoping to alleviate her worries.

"I'm not worried," she said simply.

"You're not?"

She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and nodded. "What's the worst that can happen? Warn me not to date you? What could she threaten me with? I don't have anything."

"Well, that's true."

She gave me a dirty look.

"Sorry," I apologized quickly. "But even so, last time she upset you."

"And that'll be the last time that happens, too. If we're going to do this—

whatever we're doing— we're going to have to deal with her anyway."

"Let's try to avoid her for now until she calms down," I suggested, but I found myself feeling a bit reassured. Henley seemed like she would be a good match for my mother.

Henley nodded and rocked on the balls of her feet. "Thinking about this is kind of weird."

"What is?"

"You're like a fairy tale," she said. Then she blushed and cleared her throat. "I mean, this is like a fairy tale. Rich guy and poor girl. Such a cliché."

"I'd say it's more of a surprise. I doubt this happens often. You're a rare case," I responded.

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah. I don't think normal people could deal with you like I do."

"Actually, many women vie for my affection. I'm a hot topic throughout the brokers," I informed her, gesturing toward my body.

"You know just how to charm a girl, huh?"

I grimaced. I still needed to work on thinking before I spoke. "I can charm you in other ways. Care to sleep with me tonight?"

Her jaw dropped and she stuttered out something coherent. I covered my mouth with my hand to hide my smile.

"You are a pervert!" she accused.

I waved her off. "You can think about it. Let's head back for now. Sebastian's making a fire on the beach."

"Bennett!"

I started walking away from her, keeping my back to her so she couldn't see my expression. I felt the best I had in a long time. Never had I ever thought someone would come and brighten up my life like Henley had. Ironically, it was my mother I had to thank. If she hadn't tried to force me into a relationship I didn't want, I would've never met Henley.

I turned to offer my hand out to the girl who'd been invading my thoughts for the past few weeks and realized she was still standing where she'd been before. She was staring at me, her arms slack at her side.

"What are you doing?" I asked her.

Her head slowly shook from side to side. She looked like she was going to be sick. I noticed her phone in her hand.

"Are you okay?" I tried again, walking back over to her. "Henley?"

I reached out to her and she slapped my hand away, jerking backward. Her eyes were wide and I realized something was definitely wrong.

"You..." she started, but her voice failed.

That strange feeling settled into my gut again. "What's wrong, Henley?"

"I've got to go," she said and started walking away from me.

I easily grabbed her arm, stopping her. "What's wrong?" I repeated, unable to keep the edge out of my voice.

"Let me go," she said, trying to tug her arm out of my grasp.

"Just tell me what's wrong!"

"Let go of me!" she shrieked and I immediately let go, stunned at her outburst.

Her eyes were wet and her mouth quivered for a moment as if she was about to speak, but before she did, she bolted across the sand. "Henley!" I cried after her. "Wait!"

I tried to follow her, but the sand was slowing me down. She was out of my sight before I could even make it back to the restaurant. My mind was reeling. What was her problem? What could've happened in that ten seconds? Everything was fine and then suddenly it wasn't.

I pulled out my phone and called her, only for it to be rejected. Whatever happened, it wasn't good. Was it my mother? What had she said? What could have gotten such a violent reaction out of Henley?

Why couldn't I have just one happy moment?