Before Ben

by Cynthia Eden

“Thought you might be too…you know…tired from your Friday night fun.”

  “Shut the hell up,” she muttered as she bent into a stretch.

  He laughed. “Saw the boyfriend leaving a few minutes ago. Guy seems like a real dick. Why the hell would you hook up with him?”

  She leaned forward, letting her ponytail slide over her face so she didn’t have to see him right then. “He’s not my boyfriend.”

  “No? Sure looked like he was last night. I mean, the way his hands were on you and the way your legs were wrapped around him—”

  “He was a mistake.” She’d been repeating that same thing to herself over and over—ever since Ben had walked out. “Not gonna be a repeat performance.”

  “Oh.” A world of knowledge was in that one word. “So he sucked in bed. I get it. Figured he would. Douchebag with his fancy clothes and—”

  She whipped up. “He didn’t suck.”

  Cole blinked at her.

  I so wish I could take those words back. But, no way, no way on earth had Ben Wilde sucked in bed. He’d been the best lover—hands down—that she’d ever had. Her body ached in the best possible ways. They’d had sex over and over again, and each time it had just been better.

  “You’re blushing.”

  And he was gaping. What was worse?

  “You’re not…do you like the guy? I mean, I didn’t even know you were dating anyone and then you—”

  She stopped hearing what he was saying because Ben was walking toward her. Courtney had to blink twice to make certain she wasn’t imagining him, but, yes, Ben was really there. Looking incredibly gorgeous with his sleeves rolled up, a wide grin showcasing his dimples, and a bouquet of flowers in his hand. It was like…six fifteen in the morning. Where in the hell had he gotten those flowers?

  “Fucking hell,” Cole muttered.

  She ignored him. Her hand swiped over her shorts. Ben’s gaze had just darted down her body, and when it rose again, there was a decided heat in his blue stare.

  Ben stopped in front of her. “I realized I left without telling you something.”

  Those flowers were gorgeous.

  He held them out to her. “Thank you for an incredible night, Courtney McKenna.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips over her cheek. Then, his head turned and his lips feathered over her ear as he said, “You were more than worth the wait.”

  Her fingers curled around the flowers as he eased back.

  Ben inclined his blond head. “See you in court, sweetheart.”

  Then he turned and headed away. She was pretty sure he was whistling.

  Cole was swearing. The guy needed to chill the hell out. Courtney lifted the flowers to her nose. She couldn’t remember the last time that someone had given her flowers. Wait…had she gotten flowers before?

  Cole tugged the flowers from her hand. “Dude is a player.” He glowered. “Don’t fall for that shit. He’ll use you up and spit you out.”

  She snatched the flowers back. They were hers, after all. Because she couldn’t very well take them on her run, she turned back for the building. “Go on without me.” Her gaze slid to him. “I’ll put these in water and then I’ll take my run.”

  “What the hell ever.” He gave her a little salute and took off.

  Courtney smelled the flowers again.

  You were more than worth the wait.

  ***

  Her feet pounded over the pavement as Courtney ran along the trail in the nearby park. She’d put Ben’s flowers in water. There had been no vase at her place, so she’d just taken the biggest glass she could find to house the present.

  Flowers.

  Okay, yes, maybe it was silly for her to be so excited about them, but…

  Her life hadn’t exactly been filled with flowers and presents. She’d spent her youth bouncing in and out of foster homes because her mother had died and then her “father” had abandoned her. She’d been quiet and reserved and too afraid to get close to anyone. Why make friends when you were just going to be shipped to another house—and another school—far too soon? She’d barely dated. She’d spent all of her time focusing on her school because one older girl in the same foster house had once told her…

  If you want out, you’re gonna have to do it yourself.

  So she’d done it. Graduated from high school as the valedictorian. No one had been there to cheer for her. Just like no one had been there when she moved into a college dorm. And she’d gotten into law school on her own. She’d worked side jobs, she’d worked assisting any professor who needed help. She’d busted ass.

  There had been no time for playing or partying. She’d gotten the job done. Now she was a lawyer in demand, with plans to open her own firm very, very soon. The sky was the limit. It was—

  She rounded the corner and saw him.

  Black sweatshirt. Ski mask.

  What the fuck?

  Her hand shoved into her pocket.

  Oh, hell, no.

  It looked like he was waiting for her. She didn’t waste time screaming—it was too early and no one else was there. She just turned and she ran. Her feet pounded over the earth and the wild beat of her heart filled Courtney’s ears. Her fingers curled around the pepper spray in her pocket. She always ran with pepper spray, just as a precaution. And after last night, she’d been feeling way on edge—

  She risked a quick glance over her shoulder. But he wasn’t there. She’d snaked back down the path, so maybe he was just out of sight for the moment. Maybe he was—

  A twig snapped.

  She whipped her head back around. She lifted up the pepper spray with a wild cry.

  “Jesus!” Cole threw up his hand. “What the hell?”

  Her breath sawed in and out. “Guy was there… He was…” Another glance back. No one was behind her.

  “Some punk messing with you?” Cole demanded.

  “He was there.” He had been there. She was sure of it.

  “Where?” Cole’s voice was angry. Flat.

  Her fingers stayed curled around the pepper spray. “Around the bend. Near the pine tree that splits in two—”

  He ran past her.

  “Cole, Cole, wait!” She surged after him, running quickly because did it look like she wanted to be left alone?

  But when they got to the split pine tree, no one was there. Cole searched the area, and she stayed close to him, only there was no sign of the man in the ski mask.

  He’d vanished.

  ***

  “You had quite a scare last night, didn’t you, miss?” The police officer glanced down at his notes. “You said someone in a black hoodie tried to steal your purse in a garage.”

  “Yes, but—”

  “And now you thought you saw someone in a black sweatshirt and ski mask in the park? Waiting for you?” The cop, a young guy with bright red hair, gave her a sympathetic glance. “It’s normal for victims to be on edge after an attack.”

  Cole sidled closer. “Wish you’d told me about that attack sooner.”

  When? When would she have told him? When he caught her and Ben in the elevator?

  “Sometimes, victims can even relive their attacks.” A delicate pause. A little cough from the cop. “Even see things that might not be there.”

  Her eyes narrowed. Was the cop shitting her? Or was he seriously standing there saying that she’d imagined the guy in the ski mask?

  The cop winced, as if realizing he’d pissed her off. “Or, you know, it’s possible you saw another jogger. Someone who just happened to be wearing a sweatshirt—”

  “And a ski mask?” In the Atlanta heat?

  “You told me that he didn’t say anything to you and there’s no sign he tried to follow you—”

  “Because I hauled ass away!”

  The cop glanced over at his waiting patrol car. “I’ll do a sweep of the area.”

  That was all she was going to get. The officer didn’t believe her. Even Cole looked doubtful.

  She hadn’t imagined the guy in
the park. No way.

  The cop talked a little more, told her to call the authorities if she saw anything else suspicious. Blah, blah. His words held no emotion, and she got the feeling he was just feeding her a line. Standard procedure.

  He was gone moments later, and she turned for her apartment building.

  “Courtney…you okay?” Cole asked.

  “Fine.” She tossed a brittle smile his way. “Just going to head upstairs and shower.”

  “I…I didn’t see him.” Cole’s voice was halting. “I’m sorry.”

  Didn’t see him… “You believe I saw him, though, don’t you?”

  He hesitated. Just for a second. Well, damn. She and Cole had become…friends, of a sort, since he’d moved in the building. Friends were supposed to trust you, weren’t they?

  “I need to get upstairs.” She kept her fake smile in place. “See you later.”

  “Courtney! Courtney, yeah, shit, I believe you!” He grabbed her arm. “But it was probably just some dumbass messing around. Nothing for you to worry about.”

  She was worried. The guy in the garage, the phone call last night, and now the creep who’d seemed to be waiting for her? All of that was bad. Very bad. She muttered something to Cole. One of those vague things people said when they just wanted to escape, and a few moments later, she was riding the elevator back to her place. It took her a moment to realize she’d put her hand against the back wall. The same wall that Ben had pinned her against the night before. Her hand pressed to it, as if she was trying to touch the memory.

  Would Ben believe me?

  The thought snaked through her mind. She had zero proof about the guy in the park. No one else had seen him. She and Cole had come across a few other joggers, they’d questioned them, but those women hadn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary. They definitely hadn’t seen a man in a ski mask.

  Courtney headed to her home. Unlocked the door. Walked inside. She marched straight for the kitchen, wanting to get a drink from the fridge, but she stopped near the counter, her body absolutely frozen in place.

  Her flowers had been ripped apart. Thrown onto the floor. The glass—the one she’d tried to use as a vase—had rolled toward the fridge, and the water pooled near her feet.

  Someone had been in her apartment.

  Oh, God, someone could still be in there…

  Chapter Four

  Something was wrong.

  Ben knew it the minute that Courtney stepped into the conference room on Monday morning. He rose, his body going on high alert.

  She wore a long, black pencil skirt and a loose black top. Her hair had been pulled back and tamed in a sleek ponytail. She carried a briefcase in one hand, but her grip was too tight. White-knuckled.

  And dark shadows lined her eyes. As if she’d had trouble sleeping.

  When she approached her client, Courtney inclined her head to Hayden Laslow. No smile softened her lips. Courtney was usually all business in the courtroom, so the lack of a smile was no surprise, but the way her fingers trembled when she put her briefcase on the table…

  Yeah, hell, he was noticing minute details about Courtney. That was his thing. He always noticed too much about her. Story of his life. In law school, she’d always liked to wear black converse shoes. Flowing tunic tops. Tight jeans. He’d been able to predict the outfit she’d wear by the time they were—

  She caught her lower lip between her teeth. Slanted him a quick glance, then looked away.

  But not in time. Not before he saw the flash of fear in her eyes.

  Ben took a step toward her.

  “She was late.” His client’s hand flew out and curled around his wrist. “Is that good for us? Or bad?”

  He glanced back at Kadi Laslow. He hadn’t wanted this early morning meeting, but she’d insisted on it. Divorce wasn’t what she desired, and Kadi was hoping her husband would change his mind about the proceedings. Thus, the little meet and greet to supposedly talk over mediation options.

  But, judging by the hard set of Hayden Laslow’s jaw…that wasn’t happening. Mediation didn’t look like the guy’s master plan, and Ben knew why. Hayden hadn’t been particularly thrilled to find out that his wife had cheated on him.

  Three times.

  Three times that Hayden knew about, anyway. Because there had been more. Fidelity wasn’t Kadi’s strong suit.

  “Let me find out why she was delayed,” he murmured to Kadi. Her blonde hair fell loosely to her shoulders. The scent of her perfume surrounded him, a heavy scent that made his nose a bit twitchy. She’d deliberately dressed for this meeting—wearing her tightest and shortest skirt, her highest heels, and a blouse that plunged to reveal the breast increase that Hayden had been only too happy to purchase three months ago.

  Unfortunately, Hayden wasn’t happy with anything about his wife these days.

  Kadi released Ben’s hand. His head turned toward Courtney. Her gaze was on him. Or rather, on him and Kadi. A little frown pulled at Courtney’s lips.

  Her client had stood up, and now Hayden crowded in close to Courtney. “Why the hell were you late?”

  Ben stiffened at Hayden’s tone. Watch it, buddy.

  “I don’t pay you to be late,” Hayden seethed. “Your firm said you were the best they had, but I am seriously doubting that sh—”

  “Excuse me,” Ben cut in. His voice came out hard and growling, but he’d bitten back the fuck off that had wanted to spring from his lips so he figured he was being polite enough.

  Hayden frowned at him. The guy’s distaste was plain to see. “You fucking her, too?”

  Her? Ben’s gaze automatically cut right back to Courtney—

  “Of course, he’s not fucking me, Hay!” Kadi cried out. “You’re the only man I want! You know that.” She’d risen to her feet and her hands pressed dramatically to her chest.

  The better to push up her assets.

  Ben felt a throb in his left temple. It was too early in the day for this. “I’m not involved with your wife, Laslow.” But I did fuck your lawyer. Yeah, no, not a tactful thing to say at the moment. And I want to fuck Courtney again and again. Again, not the right words. Ben inclined his head to Courtney. “I’d like to have a word outside with you, counselor.”

  He heard Kadi’s excited inhale. She’d already told him that she wanted time alone with her husband. Time that Ben had advised against. Not that she’d listened. He hadn’t planned on giving her that time, not until he’d realized that Courtney was afraid.

  Now Kadi could have her five minutes to try and work a miracle with the enraged ex. And Ben would take his time to find out why Courtney wasn’t looking him in the eyes.

  Courtney’s lashes fluttered. “I don’t really think speaking outside is necessary.”

  Oh, it was. Unless she wanted to tell everyone why she was afraid, and he didn’t think she did. Courtney had always been reserved. Private.

  Prim and proper to his “Wilde” ways…hell, there had even been a running joke about that back in their law school days. Only he didn’t think Courtney had found it funny. And, truth be fucking told, neither had he. He’d never found anything funny that made her uncomfortable. He’d told the others to cut that shit out, but he doubted Courtney knew about his intervention attempts.

  “We are just here as a courtesy,” Courtney continued, clearing her throat. “My client and I are quite ready to proceed with the divorce proceedings.”

  She wasn’t going to talk privately outside with him. Or at least, she wasn’t talking yet. They’d wrap up this talk and then he’d get her alone.

  But before he went back to business…Ben leaned in close. “You okay?” His voice was a rasp meant for her alone.

  Courtney gave a jerky nod.

  Lips thinning, Ben stepped back. He returned to his client. A pout had pulled down Kadi’s lips. “I wanted alone time,” she muttered.

  Then maybe you shouldn’t have screwed around on the guy. He’d agreed to take her on as a client because he owed a frie
nd a favor. She’d been the favor, but Kadi was driving him crazy.

  Courtney eased into her seat. Hayden brought his own chair a bit too close to her. He glowered at Kadi and at Ben.

  Courtney folded her hands on top of her briefcase. “Why did you want this meeting today?”

  “Because I don’t want the divorce!” Kadi exclaimed.

  Ben tapped her hand. It probably looked like a consoling gesture, but it was really his way of saying…Dammit, let me handle this. “Mediation is always a good idea.” His voice was perfectly bland and easy. “Especially in situations like this one. When you have two people who care so very much for one another, every option should be explored.”

  Courtney slowly lifted one eyebrow. She looked at him. At Kadi. A faint smile curved her lips.

  “My client…” He pulled his hand away from Kadi. “She still loves her husband. I would suggest marriage counseling for them. Before we see the dissolution of this two-year marriage, we need—”

  “You screwed around on me, Kadi!” Hayden blasted. “With three friggin’ guys. We’re done, and you’re not getting a dime from me!”

  Kadi let out a dramatic sob.

  “Not three.” Courtney unfolded her hands. Reached into her briefcase and pulled out a manila file. She pushed it toward Ben.

  He opened it and wasn’t particularly surprised to see the photos inside.

  “Four,” Courtney politely corrected. “My investigator recovered these photos from the phone of a Mark Santos. The photos were taken one month after Courtney married Hayden. That’s why I was delayed this morning. I had to pick up the photos on my way to this meeting.”

  The ache in Ben’s temple got worse. He couldn’t say he was surprised by the photos. Courtney was always thorough as hell, so it was no wonder she’d been able to get her investigator to dig deep but…

  Ben sighed. He reached into his bag. Pulled out his own files and slid them across the table. Two could play at this game. A lick of excitement fired in his blood, as it always did when he faced off with Courtney.

  Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Laslow had believed in fidelity or in marriage vows. “One month, huh? My photos date back to one week after the marriage.”

  Kadi let out another dramatic cry. This one held a surge of shock. “How could you, Hay? How could you?”