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)
Ben
She wraps her arms around my neck like she’s afraid I’m going to walk away or something. She doesn’t realize that I’m done with all that. I fucked up, but I won’t make the same mistake again.
I put my hands at her waist, pulling her flush against me as she begins to talk. “I didn’t go on a date with Cole. Elana is always trying to fix me up. Honestly, I forgot that she had even tried to fix me up with someone until she reminded me that night. But I’m not the type to date more than one man.”
I nod and squeeze her. “I know that now.”
She looks up at me through her lashes. “When I met you, I wasn’t thinking anything. I wanted to kiss you, though. I wanted to go home with you, and I’ve never felt that way with anyone else… I’ve thought about that night ever since then. I wondered what went wrong and why you reacted the way you did. I didn’t know you were the Ben Barrett. I wasn’t targeting you.”
I shake my head softly. “I didn’t think you did. I realize now that I messed up and overreacted. I’m sorry, Maggie. I really am.”
She nods. “It’s fine.” She pulls back, and I’m forced to let her go. She wraps her arms around her waist and stares up at me. She has no idea that I can see every thought and every doubt on her face. She’s not sure she can trust me.
“I want to give you the whole truth, Maggie. I need to come clean.”
She swallows and grabs the chair next to her. “Okay. I’m listening.”
I take a step toward her, but I don’t touch her. We’re mere inches from each other, close enough I can feel the heat from her body, but I don’t touch her. “I’m giving you the whole truth right now, and I need you to hear me out.”
She looks at me worriedly, probably wondering what bombshell I’m about to drop on her. “I’m obsessed with you, Maggie. Since that day, I haven’t thought of anyone but you. I followed you on social media just to get a glimpse into your life, but it wasn’t enough.” I take a deep breath, knowing I need to tell her the whole truth. “I installed cameras outside your house so I could see you come and go. The cameras in the office were my idea, and I watch you walk up and down the hall, all day every day. When I found out you were doing the auction, I couldn’t sit by anymore.”
She asks me breathlessly, “You stalk me?”
I cringe. “I would never hurt you. And you know why I do it.”
She tilts her head to the side, and her eyes light up. “You want me?”
I can feel the blood coursing through my veins, and my voice drops an octave. “Oh yeah, Maggie. I want you.”
She leans toward me, and I have to ask. I may not have the right, but I need to know. “The man that you think you can’t have—”
Her hands slide up my chest. “It’s you, Ben. You’re the one I thought I couldn’t have.”
My body trembles. “I’m yours, honey. Since the day I first saw you, I’ve been yours.”
She wraps her hand around my neck and pulls me down as she goes on her tiptoes. “You can have me, Ben.”
A shudder passes through me. I lean down and put one arm behind her back and one behind her legs before lifting her up to cradle against me. She comes to me easily and rests her hand on my chest. I don’t move. I can’t because just having her in my arms is fulfilling.
She gives me a little slap on my chest. “Now what, Mr. Barrett? What are you going to do with me now?”
That brings me out of my trance. I stalk across the house to carry her to my bedroom. “If I was a better man, I’d tell you that we can wait until you’re ready, but I’m dying for you. Instead, I’m going to spend the rest of the weekend making you forget how much pain I’ve caused you.”
She kisses my chest. “It’s okay, really. I understand why you did…”
I stand her on her feet next to my bed. “It doesn’t make it right.”
She gets a smile on her face and sits down on the bed before sliding to the middle. My hands fist at my sides the farther she moves away from me. The only reprieve I have is knowing it’s my bed she’s in.
She holds her hands up to me. “I know how you can make it up to me.”
My hips surge forward just thinking about everything I want to do to her.
I follow her path along the bed and hover over her. I want to touch and taste every part of her.