A deep, hungry groan filled the room, and it took him a moment to realize the sound had come from him. He didn’t care. He was too far gone, lost in the slick heat and soft curves of the responsive woman writhing beneath him.
“Ah, Ben? Lea?”
The interruption from the top of the stairs had him on his feet and pivoting around before his eyes could even focus. Thankfully, the wall prevented her father from seeing down into the room from the very top, and the back surgery prevented Mr. Gablonski from using stairs.
Jesus, what the hell had he been thinking? They weren’t teenagers. But he sure acted like one, a horny one, whenever his mouth was on any part of the woman.
“Sorry to bother you, but the cat knocked the cable out of the wall again, and there’s only two minutes left in the game,” her father explained. “I tried, but I can’t reach it.”
“No, don’t do that.” Lea was on her feet, tucking things in as she spoke. “We’ll be right up.”
Ben was already at the bottom of the stairs. The sooner he fixed the cable, the sooner he could take Lea to his extra room at the lodge where they could continue like adults, and uninterrupted. “Lead the way.”
A few minutes later, he was kneeling behind the TV stand, fastening the cable to the jack in the wall when his gaze fell to the newspaper on the coffee table.
The New York Times.
Classifieds.
With several ads circled in red.
The tightening in his chest returned again, and he was grateful he’d been on the floor, because he felt as if he’d been run over by a tank. Twice. Which was damn stupid.
He knew Lea was going to New York in a few weeks. It was no secret. She hid nothing from him. So the shock rumbling through his body was unacceptable.
But it was real, and he needed to suck it up. And fast.
“That’s it,” her dad said as the game must have came back into focus on the TV. “Thanks, Ben.”
He backed out of his tight spot and slowly rose to his feet. If only he could do something about the tight spot in his chest. It hurt, bad. Like he was having a heart attack, but he knew differently. It was anxiety. He had to have a heart to have a heart attack.
“You’re welcome, sir.” He nodded at the man, keeping his gaze from the woman who hovered in the doorway. “I’d better get going. Thanks for having me over.”
“Any time, son. But, don’t leave on my account.”
“I’m not,” he reassured, holding her father’s gaze until the man relaxed and nodded. “I have to head down the Gap before first light.”
“Yeah, morning comes early on days like that.”
“Sure does.” He made small talk, still not glancing at the woman.
“I’ll walk you out,” she said, apparently tired of being silent…or ignored.
And now he had no choice but to leave the house with her or he’d seem way too rude. But he did owe her an explanation. He chanced a glance at her face. Yeah. His stomach clenched. Confusion clouded her vibrant gaze as she hooked her arm through his then led them outside.
“Okay, what gives?” she asked as they walked from her front porch to the sidewalk.
Ben glanced around, relieved to note none of the neighbors were sitting on their porches at the moment. He and Lea didn’t need to become the talk of the town.
Been there done that with another Gablonski.
If only he didn’t have an aversion to liars, he’d try to come up with one that would let her off easy. But, she deserved the truth.
When he reached the truck, he removed her hand and leaned back against his door. “I saw the newspaper.”
Her forehead wrinkled into a frown. “I don’t follow.”
“The New York Times. The classifieds.”
“Okay.” She blinked. “Still not following.”
He shrugged. “It was just a reminder that you’re leaving.”
Why wasn’t the conversation easing some of the damn pain in his chest?
“Yes. Something you already know. I’ve never kept that from you. So, how is that a problem?”
God, he wished he knew. But he didn’t have a clue. He felt like he was standing in quicksand. Something in his expression must’ve given her an answer because she shook her head and sighed.
“You’re still trying to protect this,” she said, patting his chest. “But I’m not trying to stake a claim there, Ben. I’ve tried to make it clear. You’re safe with me. I’m leaving. It’s a perfect set up. I’m attracted to you. You’re attracted to me. I don’t know why it’s so hard for you to understand. I’m not looking for a ring you don’t want to give. I just want some fun. Some sex. Some crazy, fun sex where I don’t have to hold back or pretend or live up to anything…”
She removed her touch, and his body suddenly felt cold.
“You don’t need to live up to anything, Lea. You’re perfect,” he finally said, unable to allow her to think otherwise. “You’re the best damn person I’ve ever met.”
Determination and affection and exasperation all crowded her gaze. “Then why are you stopping this?”
He opened his mouth to answer, but he had nothing.
She sighed again and slowly shook her head. “If you come up with an answer before I leave, look me up.” She lifted on tiptoe, kissed the corner of his mouth and his cheek, then drew back and walked away.
Didn’t look back. Just walked up the sidewalk, onto her porch, then went inside.
He envied her. She knew what she wanted. Wasn’t afraid to take risks.
Normally, he wasn’t either. He had no issues with risking life and limb for family and country. Had done it on numerous occasions. But to risk his heart for a few nights in her bed? Okay, glorious, hotter-than-hell nights in her bed. Even so, he simply wasn’t that brave.
Lea spent the next few days staying busy. Between taking her father to and from therapy, working at the restaurant, cooking and cleaning her father’s house, and double-checking on tomorrow’s trip to New York City, she was exhausted. And frustrated.
In attitude. And sexually.
Dammit.
And it didn’t help whenever Ben waltzed into the Eatery, looking all hot and hard and gorgeous. At least he wasn’t avoiding her, her mind insisted. True. But, his presence and that wonderful scent of his, all male and soap and fresh cedar, and the way his eyes held hers with a dark, brooding expression…He was killing her.
Would he ever come around? Reverse his decision?
She hadn’t called a halt to things. He had. And they really didn’t have a thing other than sex. Why did he have to go and stop the sex? She’d only gotten one blissful night. And a few teasers. She wanted a few nights.
But she’d made enough moves. Made things perfectly clear. The ball was in his court now. If they were to fall into bed together, then he was going to have to come to her. She was done making the first move.
“Today’s the day, huh?” Mr. Tierney smiled up at her from his perch on the bar stool. “Brandi’s coming home for a visit and brining them cowboys with her?”
“Yep.” She nodded. “And cowgirls, too.”
His smile widened. “Whoop! I heard that. You going to pick them up?”
“Yes. Just waiting for the call. They left Texas…” She glanced at the train on the wall “Three hours ago.” She couldn’t hold back a wide smile. “They should land any minute now. One of the Wynes are supposed to pick me up on the way to the airstrip.”
“Bet it’ll be Ben. He can’t keep his eyes off ya. Always playing it cool when you’re looking, but when you ain’t?” The older man slapped the counter and chuckled. “Boy, I’ll tell ya, that young man’s got it bad and doesn’t even know it.”
Well, it was news to her, too. Ben stared at her? Damn, stubborn man. Why the heck was he holding back?
Keiffer rushed into the restaurant, bell above the door unnecessarily announcing his arrival. “Hey, Lea. It’s time. You ready?”
Mr. Tierney shook his head, muttered something u
nder his breath about being young and stubborn and foolish.
“Yea,” she replied, removing her apron as she glanced at the clock. “Did they call? I haven’t heard anything yet.” She grabbed her purse from under the counter then removed her phone, noting no missed calls or texts.
“No.” He ushered her out the door and into his jeep parked at the side of the building. “We just know they should be landing soon, so there’s no need to wait for a call. Ben and Mason are already there. Ethan, Tyler and my dad stayed behind to make sure all the rooms are ready at the lodge.”
Her stomach squeezed, and it wasn’t from the seatbelt she’d just clicked into place. “And you got stuck with picking up Lea duty. I could’ve driven myself. The airport is only twenty minutes away. I’m sorry.”
And she was. Sorry it hadn’t been Ben. Damn man worked across the street from her. He should’ve taken her on the principal of convenience alone. And here she’d thought he’d stopped avoiding her.
“It’s no trouble.” Keiffer smiled as they drove out of town. “Ben was supposed to take you, but Dad called him two hours ago with a busted water heater. He’s been helping Ryder install a new one, so he ended up just leaving from there.”
“Oh…that’s terrible.”
Then why did she suddenly feel better?
He nodded. “Yeah, great timing, right?”
Even though she’d been ecstatic over seeing her best friend again, and finally meeting her new ones in person, Lea’s mood had lifted considerably, and all because of a busted hot water heater. Silly, but knowing Ben hadn’t deliberately pawned her off on his youngest brother made the difference between breathing, and painful breathing.
She was even glad she’d taken a little extra care getting ready that morning. Because of her duties at the restaurant, she couldn’t dress chic, but she could wear a sensible dress that still flattered. Gwen had taught her that much. She wore a light gray, cap sleeve dress that hugged her figure without squeezing and fell halfway to her knees, then paired it with gingham print, peep-toe flats with an adorable little bow above the hole. They were cute and comfortable and made her feel flirty. And after the past few days, she needed to feel flirty.
“Looks like we got here before Brandi,” Keiffer said, parking his jeep next to Ben’s truck before they got out and joined the vigil by the gate.
“Hi, everyone,” she said, ordering her pulse to slow down as she stood next to Ben.
He was just a guy. A guy who was holding back. Although, he missed a piece of heat, because a spark had flittered through his gaze for a few beats before his neutral expression arrived to save the day.
She forced herself to ignore the man and stared out over the private airfield used by businessmen and tourists alike. The runway was empty, and the hangar was opened, but also empty. Her friend hadn’t landed yet. Other than her and the Wynes, the place was pretty deserted. Just a few workers stood about, glancing up at the sky.
Family owned, the airstrip was convenient for those who wanted quick access to the Poconos, or needed to get to one of the neighboring big cities. The Wynes had some sort of shuttle service deal with the owners, but today, she knew the guys wanted to come get their sister and her new extended family.
“Looks like them there,” Mason said, pointing to a small blip in the cloudless blue horizon.
Everyone stood silently, watching, and smiling as the blip grew from a dot to take the shape of a plane that eventually landed without a bump on the airstrip several yards out. As the Gulfstream jet taxied onto a different runway on the way to the hanger, Lea’s excitement picked up.
It was going to be great to see Brandi again.
The jet stopped, and the airstrip workers rushed forward to help as the door opened and steps were lowered. Then beauty and testosterone emptied onto the tarmac.
Holy wranglers did the Texans ever know how to fill out a pair of jeans. And cowboy boots. And Stetsons. She’d talked to each of the cowboys on Skype at one point over the past few months, so she immediately recognized them, but wow, the computer failed to convey the punch of their actual presence.
“Hello-o-o,” Keiffer said under his breath as a pretty, light-haired woman she recognized as Caitlin, Shayla’s younger sister, stepped off the jet.
“Down boy,” Ben warned. “These are Brandi’s friends. No messing with them.”
Mischief danced in the younger brother’s eyes as he cracked a smile. “Oh, you mean like you and Lea. Got it, bro.”
Ben clenched his jaw, but didn’t respond as the new arrivals waved.
Lea rushed forward and met Brandi halfway, hugging her friend close. “You’re finally here.”
“I know. And I’m finally getting married.” Brandi squeezed her tight and cried, which made Lea cry, then she turned and went on to hug each of the girls.
God, it felt good to belong without trying. To be appreciated without having to push herself on someone.
When they broke apart, Jordan McCall smiled at her. “Wow, girl. Is there a reason you’re not modeling alongside your sister? Look at you with your long black hair and vivid blue eyes. Can you say Elizabeth Taylor? Oh, wait, no. I’ve got it. You’re the female version of Kevin.”
Everyone stopped with the handshakes and hugs, and hit her with their gazes. The invisible force nearly knocked her backward, but she managed to remain still. She couldn’t stop the damn blush for reaching her face, though. “No. I’m just the bookworm.”
“What a coincidence, I love books, too. It’s nice to finally meet you in person, darlin’.” The blue-eyed cowboy rushed closer to give her a quick hug, while a cute little mini-version of Shayla, she knew to be Amelia, clutched his neck. “Jordan’s right. If I didn’t know my father better, I might question if we were related.”
He did have a point. Now that she could see Kevin Dalton up close, they did share similar features like the same color eyes, dark eyebrows and hair, high cheekbones.
“No, she’s not a pain in the rear, like you.” The groom-to-be elicited snickers from the crowd while he pulled her into a hug. “How are you, Lea? It’s good to see you again.”
“You too, handsome.” She smiled, drawing back to gaze into Kade Dalton’s amazing gray eyes. “Did you have a good flight?”
He released her to drop his arm around Brandi’s shoulders. “Yes, we had a great flight. The pilot is flying back tonight so he can bring the rest here tomorrow.”
“The rest?” Keiffer frowned as he glanced at the crowd. “You mean there’s more?”
Brandi laughed. “Yes. Mr. and Mrs. McCall. Mr. and Mrs. Masters. Jen, Brock and Cody, plus two of Kade’s guard buddies, Jace and Tanner.”
“The Gulfstream only sits sixteen,” Cole McCall explained, nodding to the jet. “So we broke it up between two flights.”
“Well, we would’ve had room had you gone with my suggestion, bossman,” Kevin said, slipping his arm around Shayla, who now held a smiling Amelia in her arms. The picture the young couple made of a happy family wasn’t lost on Lea. She knew from Brandi that their journey hadn’t been an easy one. It was gratifying to see them so happy.
“Yeah.” Cole’s gaze was warm and tolerant as he drew Jordan’s back against his chest and smiled over her head at his friend. “I think there are safety laws against having the women sit on our laps during flight, buddy.”
“Too bad,” Connor McCall, Cole’s brother and the tallest cowboy, spoke up, hugging his wife Kerri at his side. “I thought it was one of Kevin’s better ideas.”
“Thanks, McMoose.” The dark-haired cowboy nodded. “I appreciate it.”
As Lea watched the interaction, it struck her how well the cowboys and their women fit together. How comfortable they were with each other. How well Brandi fit in with the Texans.
Pain banded around her heart and squeezed. She was beginning to understand how her friend could leave the people she loved and the place she grew up and move so far south. Because she’d found her happy. A place where she fit, doing
what she loved with the man she loved. Brandi and the other women appeared complete. But not because they had a man in their life’s that they loved and who loved them back, no, the women were complete because they found themselves. They were at peace with themselves.
Who wouldn’t move to the ends of the earth for that?
She certainly would.
Her gaze was inexplicably pulled to Ben’s, and she sucked in a breath when she found him watching her. He’d greeted the Texans, joked with his sister, made the appropriate comment here and there, but she could sense he was off balance. Out of whack, and her heart squeezed because she had no idea how to help him. How to make him happy, other than sexually.
Whatever was eating away at his laid-back nature needed to be stopped.
Now, if she could just figure out what was eating at hers…
Two hours later, the guys were all off on some sort of outdoor adventure with Tyler, Cody and Amelia while Lea and the women enjoyed their spa appointments. There had been no need to try on their bridesmaids and maid-of-honor dresses because the others had gotten fitted in Texas. A bridal shop in town had carried the same dress, so Lea had been able to have hers fitting locally. They were all set.
The thirty minute relaxing massage she’d passed on last weekend was pure bliss and had almost put her to sleep. But the eyebrow waxing woke her right up. It was as if they’d yanked two caterpillars off her forehead. She had no idea how a woman endured waxing in other delicate areas. One pull down there and her screams would’ve been heard clear up into Canada.
“Thanks for setting all this up, and our New York City trip tomorrow,” Brandi said as they all sat their newly manicured and pedicured bodies on the private residence deck and enjoyed a class of wine or two in the late afternoon sun.
She reached next to her and squeezed her friend’s hand. “You’re welcome. I just want you to have the perfect time. You deserve it.”
“Okay, you’re going to make me cry. Cut it out.” Kerri sniffed and the others nodded.
Wyne and Dine (Citizen Soldier Series Book 1) Page 13
