Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22633 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22633 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
I shake my head. “No—I mean, don’t get me wrong, the money is nice, but that’s not why I did it.”
“Why then? Why did you do it?”
I answer his question with a question of my own. “Why am I here?”
He juts out his chin. “You tell me why you decided to do the auction, and I’ll tell you why I went and bid for you. No bullshit.”
I nod. “Okay. Here’s the truth. I felt I didn’t have a choice. I felt like I was going crazy. There’s… a man… he’s not interested in me… he’s unavailable. I couldn’t get him out of my head, and I thought by doing this… giving myself to someone and finally losing my virginity, I could move on.”
His jaw is so tight it looks as if it might shatter. His eyes are staring back at me hard. He’s mad, but it doesn’t stop me from asking him, “Your turn. Why did you spend eight million dollars on me when you could have had me for free?”
He’s glaring at me now, and I’m waiting for him to storm out. He looks as if he’s about to bolt, but there’s no way I’m going to let that happen. Not again.
“Ben, you said you’d tell me. Now why am I here? Some misplaced guilt, trying to protect your company? What is it?”
He rears back in surprise. “You think I did this to protect Moonshine Distilleries?”
I shrug, not knowing what to think anymore. “Honestly, I’m not sure why. I’ve tried to look at it from every angle, but I’m not sure. Why were you there, Ben? Why am I here?”
“I told you that I read your email and knew you would be there. I went because I wanted to be there, and I was going to be the winning bid.”
My voice rises in frustration. “But why?”
“Because for the past few weeks, all I’ve thought about is you. I wanted you then, and…”
I interrupt him. “And you walked away.”
He leans forward, his face inches from mine. “For a reason. I walked away for a reason. I didn’t want to.”
He gets up, and I do too. “Don’t walk away, Ben.”
He stops, and understanding crosses his face. He leans toward me and kisses my forehead. “I’m just going to grab something. I’ll be right back.”
I watch him go wondering what he’s up to. When he comes back, he’s carrying something that he got off the mantle.
He hands a picture frame to me, and I look at it. I trace the little boy’s face with my fingers. He’s an adorable kid. “Who is this, Ben?”
“His name is Benji. He…”
Ben’s voice breaks off, and I move toward him. I have one hand on the picture frame, and the other reaches for him. Obviously, this is hard for him. I’ve never seen a man so physically shaken before. “You don’t have to—”
He cuts me off. “Yeah, I do. I need to explain.” He lets out a rough breath. “I haven’t talked about this in years.”
There’s a huskiness in his voice, filled with emotion. “That’s Benji. Uh, I was married to his mother. For a year, I thought I was his father. He was my son. He will always be my son, even though I never get to see him anymore.”
I shake my head in confusion. “Wait, what are you saying?”
“She cheated on me but let me think that Benji was mine. I probably would still think he was mine if she hadn’t found another sucker that has more money than me.”
I gasp in shock. My hands go to his waist. “I’m so sorry, Ben. I can’t even imagine how that felt.”
His hands go to my shoulders, and his fingers trail up and down the sides of my neck. “It was awful. Losing Benji—I don’t think I’ll ever get over that.”
I cup his jaw. “One day, when he’s older, he’ll want to see you, and she’ll have to let him.”
He blinks, and hope shines in his eyes before it quickly fades. “He was one. He won’t remember me.”
All I can do is look at him, and things start to fit together. Elana had mentioned his past and trying to get over something. I couldn’t imagine being in his position. That had to have almost killed him. And then the betrayal of his wife had to destroy him. “Ben…” I start, but he doesn’t let me finish.
“When I saw you in the courtyard at work, it was the first time I’d felt anything in years. Talking to you, kissing you, touching you, I forgot about old hurts and was ready for more. Then when we walked out and Elana said your date was there, I thought the worst. Add that to the fact that I didn’t know you were so young and you’re my little sister’s best friend, I freaked out. Everything I was feeling… I knew that there was no way you were feeling the same way. In that instant, I freaked out.”