Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
I nodded as I reached for the end of the scarf, holding it out to see it better. “I like the pattern, and the yarn is really soft.”
Ben smiled. “Thanks. It’s called a basketweave stitch.”
“It doesn’t look wonky to me. It’s beautiful.”
Ben frowned at the scarf. Sure, it was a little wiggly on the sides, but I would wear it without a second thought if he was making it for me.
After breaking the ice with each other, we joined in the general conversation. I realized after a while that I’d started to relax. Sitting next to Ben here in Eudora’s house felt natural. I wanted this to be my future. I would even learn to knit if it was the only way I could see Ben outside the office.
When everyone began to say their goodbyes, I turned to Ben. “Would you let me see you out?”
He gave me a soft smile and nodded. “I’d like that.”
When we stepped outside, we stood to the side of Eudora’s front steps. I took a deep breath, looked Ben in the eye, and said, “I need you in my life.”
“I’m in your office every day.”
“And barely speaking to me.”
He looked away, suddenly very interested in passing cars. “I’m performing my job quite well.”
“You are, but….”
“I don’t know if I can do this, Miles.”
As he said the words, he looked up and our eyes met again. I heard him suck in a breath. Neither of us spoke. The tension between us was so thick it was tangible.
My hand came up and brushed his cheek.
I wasn’t angry anymore, just achingly sad. I’d always thought the term “broken heart” was melodramatic, but my chest hurt all day and all night, keeping me from sleeping. “Ben….”
“Yes.”
Was he acknowledging that I’d spoke or giving me permission? I prayed it was the latter as I slowly moved closer, pulling him to me, then pressing my lips to his again. As soon as I did, it was like I’d ignited a fire. Ben gripped my upper arms, pulling me even closer as he kissed me back with all the passion I’d longed to feel again.
“I missed you,” I said against his lips as we both tried to catch our breath.
“I…Miles….” The sadness in his eyes felt like a punch to the gut.
“We can make this work.”
He sighed. “You believe that because everything works out for you.”
“Then I can make it work out for you too.”
“I….”
“You want me.”
“Of course I do.”
The confession came so easily it gave me hope. “Then why….”
“Because you’re going to break my heart.”
“You already broke mine.”
He looked truly stunned. “What?”
“Jesus, Ben, don’t you know how much I care for you? I haven’t felt alive since you walked away.”
“You can’t mean….”
“I…don’t make me say it if you’re not going to give us another chance.”
“I don’t belong in your world. That hasn’t changed.”
“This…” I gestured toward Mrs. Weeks’s house, “is my world, and you fit in there as well as I do.”
“But at work—”
“Most of those people are jackasses.”
“What about April and anyone else you’ve been with before?”
“I wish I could say she’s the only bitch I’ve had a fling with. She’s not, but none of them matter. I’ll send them away just like I did with her. And I hope you know I don’t usually associate with people as awful as her.” Ben seemed to be considering that. “Not on my own time, anyway.”
“You hardly have any time of your own.”
I couldn’t argue with that. “I could have more.”
“But you really do love running your company.”
“That doesn’t mean I can’t turn some things over to others.”
Ben frowned. “Miles, I’m not asking you to—”
“I’m offering.” I took his hand. “Come home with me.”
He shook his head. “Not tonight. I need to think.”
“I want to drag you home and tie you to my bed.” His eyes widened. “Damn. Don’t look at me like that or I’m going to do it. It’s been far too long.”
“I’m sure you’ve had your choice of partners to comfort you.”
“What?”
“I…I just assumed….”
“Benjamin, there’s been no one but you since the day you walked into my office.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Would you at least let me drive you home?”
He frowned. “I thought you came with Ford.”
“I did, but we came in my car.” I titled my head toward Eudora’s car that was waiting for him. “Eudora’s driver can take Ford home.”
“All right. You can drive me home but—”
“I’ll see you safely to your door. That’s all. I’ll only be there to protect you.”
36
BEN
When we pulled up to my apartment building, an alarm was screaming into the night.
Before we even got out of the car, I recognized one of the security guards who worked for Miles rushing toward us.
“There’s a fire,” he told us. “I just called 911.”
I glanced up and saw smoke pouring out of my window.
“Oh my God. It’s my apartment. Felix is in there, we have to get him!” I wrestled with the car door, trying to get it unlocked.