That phrase hit Seth hard, as if she zapped him hard right to his chest. Friends with benefits, what were they sixteen again? Sure he had not friends with benefits when he was in high school. College he had random hook up but none that really constituted the title of friends with benefits. One night stands were more his style. Even the thing he had with Jen he wouldn't consider a friends with benefits situation. They didn't hang out or do things that didn't lead to sex between the two. Every time they'd meet up they'd move immediately to the sex. So frankly her saying friends with benefits was strange. He gave a little bittersweet laugh,
"So I guess you at least like me a little since the work friend is in there." He ran a hand trough his short hair as he glanced over to the mirror and noticed his frazzled appearance. He looked like a crazy person. He guessed he didn't realized how angry he had gotten. However the fire and tension in his body seemed to fade away. Deep down he knew that whatever was going on between him and Gabby was a hell of a lot more than a 'friends with benefits' situation but neither really wanted to admit it. Sure he had admitted what he wanted out loud but it was mostly in anger and not that the anger was fading away he was okay burying it under all his uncertainty again.
Seth glanced back at her and looked at her arm where he had grabbed her so roughly. It was a little red and may form into a bruise. He hoped it wouldn't...then it would be a reminder of a time he lost control. He never liked not being in control. Normally he wasn't like that, violent with a girl. Gabby was the only one he could remember besides the one time he forced himself on Kristy back in college. Thank goodness he didn't do that. He reached out cautiously ran his fingertips over the redness on her arm then met her eyes with an apology in his eyes. He then gently put his hands on her waist and leaned down to whisper in her ear,
"I'm sorry Gabby, you just drive me so crazy sometimes," he placed a gentle kiss to that spot below her ear that he remembered her loving before pulling back, "I'll go home if that is what you want?"