“The other sister.” The older man smiled.
Damn, then that meant he was drawn here to see Gwen. He couldn’t imagine why. They had nothing to say to each other. None that he could think of, anyway. Not in the mood, he headed for the door, but his ex-girlfriend moved pretty quick in heels and blocked his escape.
“Don’t leave. We need to talk.”
He leveled her with a stare.
Her face turned pink, but she didn’t move. “Please.”
It wasn’t the word, or her beauty or their past that had him relent and nod. No. It was the sincerity he’d seen in her pleading gaze that had him following the model-dressed-as-a-waitress into the kitchen, past a startled cook, then into a storage room where she shut the door.
Ah hell. “Look, Gwen, I don’t know what this is about, but I really don’t have the time.”
“It’s about Lea.”
He had the time.
“Is she okay?” His heart rocked in his chest. He hadn’t felt anything to the contrary, but his radar was all out of whack lately.
“She’s fine, although she could certainly be better.”
He blew out a breath. “You need to get to the point.”
“Okay. I wanted to say I was sorry.”
The one thing he’d longed to hear in his teens, but had never expected to hear from her just left her lips. A decade too late. He stared.
“I should’ve said that many years ago, I know. And for that I’m sorry, too.”
Wow, two apologies.
“Are you okay?” This was not at all like Gwen. He had to admit, he was starting to worry about her.
“Lea asked me the same thing a half-hour ago when I came in here and made her leave.”
She smiled, a genuine smile that lit the room. The kind that used to light his world, but now left him feeling nothing.
“I’m fine, or at least, I will be after I try to make amends for what I did to you,” she said, with that earnestness still in her gaze. “It was wrong, and I’m sorry, and I should’ve told you sooner. But I was stupid and young. I know that’s no excuse, but it is the truth. I got caught up in the ambience of France, and dealing with the new world of modeling, and being the center of attention. It went to my head, and I let it shove you out. I screwed you over, Ben, and I’m so very sorry. That’s no way for a human being to treat another.” Tears filled her eyes and ran down her face.
And even though she didn’t deserve it, he felt sorry for her.
She brushed her tears away and lifted her chin. “I just wanted you to know you deserved better than the way I treated you. And I’m so happy you’ve let Lea into your life. She’d never let you take a backseat. You deserve someone good and kindhearted like my sister.”
Those invisible bands returned to squeeze the hell out of his chest. “No. I don’t. I’m not the relationship type.”
“Because of me.” More tears ran unchecked. “Oh, Ben, don’t do that. Don’t shut out all that is good in you, all that deserves to be shared.”
“You’re giving yourself more credit than you deserve, Gwen. Yeah, you didn’t help revise my opinion of women and relationships, but I’d already had a crash course in that before and after you.”
“Then you apparently need a different one, because there are relationships out there that do work, and Ben, they can be wonderful. So wonderful it makes all the hurts go away.”
Her gaze became dreamy and warm and something in her sincere tone told him she was talking from experience.
“You have to be willing to work at it, but first of all, you have to be willing to give the relationship a try.”
This was the first time since they were in high school that Gwen had ever talked to him from the heart. Because of that, he respected what she was trying to say and do, and didn’t remind her he wasn’t looking for a relationship.
“It doesn’t have to be a marriage kind of thing,” she continued, stepping close. “All I’m saying is open up, Ben, and let—”
“Lea in.” He blew out a breath. “I get it, Gwen, but I told you, I’m not interested. And she could do better.”
“That’s just it, you’re wrong on both accounts.”
He frowned, and she laughed.
“I was going to say you need to open up and give yourself permission to feel. Let someone get to know the real you, because you’re pretty terrific… And Lea does. You’re also wrong about my sister when you said she could do better than you, because she can’t.”
If Gwen was trying to help, it wasn’t working. The tightness in his chest increased, and his need to escape propelled him to the door. “I’ve got to go.”
Yeah, he was wuss, but didn’t care, and wasn’t lying. Rehearsal was at four thirty, and it was already almost four.
“Okay, but are we good?” she asked, grabbing his arm.
He stared down at the woman who had broken his teenage heart all those years ago, finding her just as beautiful, if not more, but he didn’t feel any attraction, or anger, or pain. Just a little bit of sadness that she’d blown a good thing for nothing.
It wasn’t for nothing, his mind insisted. They’d been wrong for each other, and she’d done him a favor; although, she could’ve handled it better. This realization eased something inside him. A smile tugged at his lips, and he nodded at her.
“Yeah, we’re good.”
Tears filled her eyes again. Ah, hell.
“Thank you.” She released him to swipe her face. “And remember what I said about Lea. The two of you are good for each other. Take a chance, Ben. Let her in. Life’s too short. Have some fun. It’ll do you good.” With that, she released him and opened the door. “Now, you’d better hurry or Brandi will be stressing.”
If there was one thing he took away from Gwen’s unexpected open talk, it was that women were damn confusing.
And now he was really running late.
Making up for lost time on the back roads, Ben arrived at the lodge with seven minutes to spare. Enough time to take the tux he’d picked up that morning from the rental shop, and his duffle bag, up to his room, then change into black dress pants and gray dress shirt.
He was tucking in his shirt as he rushed to the outdoor gazebo and pavilion area Brandi had them add for weddings. Brilliant idea. The place was practically booked solid all spring, summer and fall. He and his brothers had been surprised by how many couples wanted outdoor weddings. But with the mountains and lake as a backdrop, he had to admit, it was actually a decent setting.
“There he is,” someone shouted.
“Now, we just need the reverend,” Keiffer said.
Good. At least he wasn’t the only one late. He nodded to his brother, smiled at his beautiful sister, all glowing and happy, then he spotted Lea, and his heart caught. All the tension and anxiety and frustration of the day did its magic disappearing act, again.
She was hugging Kade, smiling her usual smile, the one with her heart in her gaze, the one he felt clear to his bones and knocked him on his ass. And today, God, today she was absolutely gorgeous in a royal blue dress with a little hint at cleavage, and a lacey, cutout type thing making an upside down V above her left knee. Then there were her shoes. Damn. It didn’t take much for him to imagine her in nothing but those black do-me heels.
He couldn’t take his gaze off her.
That continued through most of the evening. Try as he might, Ben’s gaze kept returning to Lea, all through the rehearsal and dinner, and even now, as the wedding party sat in the corner at the Knotty Pine, enjoying a final round before calling it a night. Nursing his beer, he vaguely listened to the conversation, watching Lea’s animated expressions, captivated by the life in her face as she recanted a story about the girls and their outing yesterday in New York City.
“I bet that caused a stir.” Connor chuckled.
“Seven women with hot dogs in their hands running after the guy in Grand Central Station? Yeah, you could say that.”
Wait…what? His stomach suddenly
knotted. Who were they running after? Were they trying to get hurt? He’d been too distracted by Lea’s beauty to let her words sink in.
“Dude picked the wrong place to snatch-n-grab.” Brandi laughed.
Chapter Ten
“Right in front of a Texas sheriff,” his sister continued.
Jordan nodded. “Lights were on, but nobody was home.”
Cole hugged his wife’s shoulder and kissed the top of her head.
How could he be okay with that? Jesus, they could’ve been hurt. They had no business running after a thief. The knot in Ben’s stomach twisted.
He hated that goddamn city.
“Well…” Kevin rose to his feet. “My cousin’s getting married in the morning, so I’d better get my beauty sleep so as not to embarrass the kin.”
Kade rose, too, slapping his cousin on the back. “Not enough sleep in the world for that, Kev.”
A collective laugh went around the group, all rising to their feet. Good. He could call it a night, too. The newly disclosed information about the girls doing a rundown in the city had ratcheted up his tension, and caused a dull throbbing behind his eyes.
But he wouldn’t sleep. He was too keyed up to sleep. He’d probably exchange his beer for a scotch and sit outside for a bit.
“Goodnight,” Brandi said, hugging and kissing everyone.
He was hanging back, talking to the McCalls as the room cleared.
“You’ve got a great spread here,” Connor said, dropping his arm around his wife as Cole and Jordan nodded in agreement.
“Thanks,” he said. “Brandi was key in getting the place up and running.” Something he and his brother never took for granted.
“Well, I’m warning you now, we’ll be back up here again next year, but we won’t be alone.”
Ben had been surprised to discover at dinner both Kerri and Shayla were in a first trimester or something of pregnancy. Other than their pallor, the two hadn’t shown any signs.
He smiled, and held out his hand. “Congratulations. I heard.”
The big guy’s grin couldn’t have grown wider or his chest broader. “Thanks,” Connor said, shaking his hand. “But I had help.”
Ben laughed with the others. “Well then, congratulations to you, too, Kerri.”
“Thanks.” She smacked her husband’s chest, then yawned. “Sorry, I never realized how tiring it could be. I’m exhausted, but haven’t done much all day.”
In a swift move, the cowboy scooped up his wife, and her startled cry echoed around them.
“Put me down, you big goof. I can walk.”
“I know, darlin’.” Connor winked at his wife. “But I like you right where you are.”
And with a nod to him, Cole and Jordan, the cowboy ambled out of the bar and disappeared.
Jordan glanced up at Cole and smiled. “Did you ever, in million years, think that would happen?”
“No,” her husband immediately answered, gaze full of affection and warmth. “I just thank my lucky stars every day that our parents had 40th wedding anniversaries that brought you and your sister back into our lives three years ago.”
Ben stilled for a minute. Their parents were both married over forty years? Well hell, he’d never known anyone married that long. And still happy, by the looks of it, too. He’d met the older McCalls and Masters yesterday when they’d arrived with Kade’s cousin Jen, her husband Brock and their five-year-old son Cody, whom Tyler had been ecstatic to see again. The two couples still held hands. He had to admit, it had been nice to see.
“Uh oh. Lea forgot her bag,” Jordan said, holding up a small, light green gift bag Brandi had given to each of her attendants. “She’s staying in the guest room in the residence area by you. Can you give it to her?”
Shit. No. “Sure.”
She handed him the bag and smiled. “Thanks.” Then she turned to her husband who had a small smile twitching his lips as he shook his head for some reason.
“Come on, Mrs. McCall, before you get into more trouble,” Cole said, then glanced at him, his gaze appearing almost apologetic. “Good night, Ben.”
“Yeah, have a good night, Ben.” Jordan’s grin grew wicked before she turned around and walked out of the room with her arm around her husband.
Having no idea what any of that was about, Ben eyed the scotch behind the bar, longingly, but left with the damn bag clutched in his hand instead. Picking up his pace, he headed for the residence area, hoping to catch Lea before she made it to her room. The last thing he need was to be alone with the woman in a room with a bed. Ah hell, what was he saying, they didn’t need a bed.
The sexy woman’s sweet scent drove him crazy all night. She smelled like cotton candy, and he wanted to eat her up, and go back for seconds. And thirds.
Shit.
Now he was hard. Again. His zipper dug into the erection he’d sported most of the night thanks to her sexy, damn dress with peek-a-boo lace and her mile-long legs.
By the time he passed through the common area, it was quiet. Too quiet. Damn. Everyone was in their rooms. Including Lea.
Making his way to her door, he set a time limit in his head. One minute…two minutes tops, that was how long he gave himself to hand over the bag and get out of her room.
No. Hell no. He wasn’t even going to step foot in her room. Just hand over the bag from the hall. Yes, he nodded to himself as he stopped outside her door, staying in the hall was the smart thing to do.
Shoulders back, resolve set, he checked the time on his phone, then knocked on her door.
One minute. Two tops.
“Ben?” Lea frowned as she opened the door, still wearing that sexy, damn dress. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes…no.” Damn it. He cleared his throat and shoved the bag at her. “Jordan said you forgot this, and asked me to bring it to you.”
Mission accomplished in less than a minute, and he was still in the hall.
“But it’s not mine.”
Shit.
He pushed the bag back at her, this time into her, his knuckles brushing fabric and skin...soft skin.
She took the bag, small smile tugging her lips as she stared at him. “I’m almost afraid to look inside.”
Not my problem. Turn around. Walk away. “Why?” Damn. He was pathetic.
“That’s why,” she answered, pointing to something just inside the door.
Careful to keep his feet in the hall, Ben leaned in a little and glanced at…an identical bag sitting on the credenza.
“So, if Jordan said this is mine, then…”
He watched, pulse beginning to pound loudly in his head, as she stuck her hand inside the bag and pulled out…another sexy, damn negligee. His heart rocked in chest as she sucked in a breath and choked out a laugh. He was going to kill Jordan…right after Lea finished killing him, with the flush that swept into her face and heat seeping into her gaze.
“She is so wicked.”
So were his thoughts.
And the woman didn’t help when she dropped the bag and held the light green lacy number against her lush body.
“She sure knows my size.”
So did he.
And oh, look it was all ready for her. Standing at attention. Behind his zipper. Wrinkle free.
The same couldn’t be said for his mind; it was rutted with restrictions and caution as it battled with his body’s need to step over the threshold and take her up on the silent invitation blazing in her eyes.
“What do you think?” she asked, molding the silky material to her curves.
He wanted her, there was no denying the fact, but Ben knew by giving into need this time, if he let go, he was agreeing to have sex as friends for the next few weeks until she left.
Sex with the sexy-as-sin woman.
Often…
What the hell was wrong with him? Of course he wanted that.
Leaving the hall and his restrictions behind, he stepped inside her room and closed the door. “Any chance of you slipping into that?
”
The thought made him throb. A sinful gleam entered her eyes and stopped his heart.
“Yes, but I’m pretty sure you’ll like the one I’m already wearing.”
Ah, hell. His stopped heart dropped to his throbbing groin. “You’re wearing sexy lingerie under that right now?”
Her lips curved into a secret smile. “Yep. I’ve been wearing it all night.”
Everything inside him stirred. Hard.
“But before I show you, I think we need to be clear on what we’re doing. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
“So…what are we doing, Ben?”
Damn, he hoped this wasn’t a trick question, because he wasn’t firing on all cylinders. A serious blue gaze stared at him…waiting.
He sucked in a breath and latched onto the first thing that came to his mind. “Having fun?”
Apparently, it was the right answer, because her smile returned; the one that always reached in and chased away the chill around his heart.
“For a few weeks?” she asked, gaze hopeful and wide. “Until I leave?”
He nodded, not trusting his voice, because when he stared into her eyes, he wanted to touch her, hold her, be with her. Those thoughts, those needs petrified him. But not enough to make him leave.
“Good,” she said, reaching behind her to unzip the dress and send his pulse into the outer hemisphere. “Because I’m a friend, and you’re a-Ben-that-fits.”
He choked out a laugh, then swallowed his tongue as her dress fell to the floor revealing a one-piece, black satin number that hugged her hourglass curves to perfection. Still wearing her sexy black heels, she stepped out of the dress then turned around so he could have a heart attack.
There wasn’t one inch of her he didn’t want to kiss or lick or touch.
She sucked in a breath. “W-what are you thinking right now? Your eyes are like emeralds…”
“That you’re sexy as hell, and I want to take you with your shoes on.”
She trembled in front of him, but held his gaze, hers darkening to a delicious navy. “Then take me.”
Damn. She was bold, and it turned him on. Big time.
Years of practice at following orders, Ben knew the drill and was more than happy to comply. He stepped to her and lightly trailed his fingers up her arms, holding back a smile as she trembled under his touch. “Yes, ma’am,” he said, wrapping his fingers in her hair as he tipped her head to the side and leaned in to inhale her scent.
Wyne and Dine (Citizen Soldier Series Book 1) Page 16
