Fated Bliss (The Bliss Series Book 2)

by Cassie Strickland

  “Gettin’ me liquored up before I see Ben probably isn’t a good idea,” I pointed out, taking a big gulp.

  “It was your idea,” she retorted, sending me a really look.

  “Okay, okay…” I relented, rolling my eyes. “Ben and I sat next to each other on the plane…”

  Clara remained quiet as I spilled the entire story. I gave her only the bare minimum regarding our night together (I didn’t kiss and tell), then proceeded to relay Ben’s disappearance – I got off subject and told her about Lyric’s call in the middle – the reason I called Adam in the first place, and the conversation with Adam that led me to leave London.

  “So, as you can see, I’m stunned to find him livin’ here,” I finished.

  “Whoa,” Clara breathed, her eyes round. “That’s…that’s…”

  “Insane, crazy, unheard of… Did I say crazy?”

  “Fate!” she exclaimed, beaming.

  “What?!” I croaked, sure I’d heard wrong.

  “Sam, for you two to have a whirlwind romance like that and then to be torn apart…” She sat up in her seat and took my hand, staring into my eyes earnestly. “Maybe this is fate bringing you back together.”

  “Did you get knocked in the head with a rake, too?” I questioned, my words dripping with sarcasm.

  “Stop for a moment and think about it,” she snapped, annoyed. “You were on the same plane together. Then, after you parted ways, you see him again with another woman. Next thing you know, you’re at a club with one of his friends, and they just so happen to bring up the pregnant woman. You guys go back to your place and have the most amazing sex of your life-”

  “I didn’t say anythin’ about the most amazin’ sex of my life,” I interjected, fuming on the inside. If I let her words penetrate, I was going to let myself hope again. As I had already concluded, hope was a bitch.

  “You didn’t have to say it – it was written all over your face. It was even in your eyes, Sam. You fell in love with him during your short time together.”

  I could only stare at her.

  Was I that transparent?

  Wait?!

  Love?

  No, no, no, no, no!

  Deep in lust, definitely.

  Cared for him, absolutely.

  Not love, I corrected myself, drilling it into my brain.

  “See. You’re not arguing.” She appeared very satisfied with herself. “As I was saying, you two had an amazing night together, and then he disappears. FYI, if what your friend said is true, there’s a reason for that, and I think you need to hear him out.” She gave me another look that said I’d better hop to it. “And now, to top that off, fate has thrown you back together again. I think she was working with you two from the beginning, and you two let obstacles get in your way. You guys need to go for it and see what happens.”

  I wanted to bang my head up against the wall.

  Instead, since there were none around, I replied, “You’re definitely off your rocker.”

  “You’re the most stubborn person I know, Sam. When you set your mind to something, there’s no swaying you. Please, for me,” she squeezed my hand again, this time harder, “don’t do that with Ben. You have every right to be upset after he hurt you like that, but what if his reasoning was major? What if you miss out on the best thing that’s ever happened to you by letting your fear get the better of you?

  “Look at Grey and me for example. Look at our happiness. If I’d let my fear continue to control my life, I wouldn’t have him or Bella. I would still be stuck in Chicago, scared of my own shadow. You are stronger than that, Sam. I’ve seen it.”

  “You’re not playin’ fair,” I whined, begrudgingly seeing her point.

  She acted as if she was wiping something from her hands. “My work here is done.”

  “I’m not in love with him,” I commented, needing to clarify that. “What I felt for him was real and intense…but…it wasn’t love.”

  “Keep telling yourself that,” she sang, beaming again.

  Ignoring that comment, I picked up my phone off the table and checked the time. “Damn, they should be here soon.”

  “We should probably see if Emma needs help,” Clara suggested, her eyes wide. “We should have probably asked that a while ago.”

  I lifted my arm slightly, the same one that was in a sling. “I might hate this thing, but it gets me out of kitchen duty. Plus, you’re entertainin’ me. I drove Mom crazy yesterday; I’m sure she appreciates that.”

  “Wait.” Clara eyed my arm and face and then glanced at the wine bottle. “Should you be drinking?”

  “Probably not,” I mused, then shrugged.

  “Sam, you’re on pain medication! Do you want to repeat the other day?!”

  I chuckled, happy to get a rise out of her. “No, which is why I haven’t taken any today.”

  She pressed her lips together and gave me a stern look. “Is that wise? I bet your arm is killing you.”

  I lifted a brow snootily. “Which is why I wanted wine.”

  “Sam,” she began, and I had no doubt it was about to lead into a long lecture.

  “I’m just screwin’ with you. It hurts a little. My face has gotten a lot better, and my arm only hurts if I move it too fast or somethin’.”

  “You’re sure?” she searched, unconvinced.

  “The wine takes the edge off a little,” I confessed. “I hate the pain pills. My thinkin’ is much slower, and I needed my faculties in order this evenin’.”

  “Gotcha.” She nodded, seeing my point.

  “Come on,” I said as I stood. “Let’s see if Mom needs any last minute things. Maybe I can talk her into lettin’ me skip this whole thing. I can start whinin’ about my arm or somethin’.”

  “Not happening.” Clara laughed, tickled at the idea.

  ∞

  We found the table set and dinner ready when we walked inside, which didn’t surprise me. Mom was a force to be reckoned with when she’s bound and determined to do something – and she was determined to impress Ben and his son for reasons unknown.

  “Need help?” Clara asked from behind me as we entered the kitchen.

  Mom turned from the sink, where she’d been washing a large pot, and stared at me, her forehead wrinkled oddly. “I’m good.”

  “You sure?” I questioned, my nerves making me jumpy. The look on Mom’s face meant I did something wrong. “You’re lookin’ at me funny.”

  She turned back to the sink, flippantly saying, “Nothin’ funny here. Everythin’ is ready to go.”

  I wasn’t entirely convinced, but I let it go. “Okay. I guess we’ll wait in the livin’ room with Dad and Grey.”

  “That’s fine,” she agreed, though something in her voice didn’t sit right.

  I glanced at Clara and shrugged, unsure. By her scrunched up face, she was getting the same vibe as me.

  “Come on,” she said, letting it go, and pulled me towards the living room.

  We found Dad and Grey on the couch watching a baseball game. Bella was asleep against Grey’s chest, looking cozy. Those two were too cute together. I never thought my brother would be the daddy type, especially to a baby that wasn’t his. However, he proved me wrong. He loved that little girl just as much as he would his own flesh and blood.

  Grey noticed Clara first and flashed his dimples as he smiled, his eyes brimming with adoration. “Hey, you.” He patted the couch next to him. “Come here. You’ve been gone too long.”

  As Clara walked around the couch, the doorbell rang. I glanced at the clock under the television and checked the time.

  Ben was early.

  Shit.

  “Sam, will you get that?” Mom hollered from the kitchen, halting Dad as he hauled himself to his feet.

  He glanced at me as he fell back, noticing my indecision. “What are you waitin’ for, girly? Get a’ movin’.”

  I scowled at him and glanced at Clara.

  “Good luck,” she mouthed to me.

  S
lowly, I meandered to the front door. I breathed in deeply, fortifying myself and my nerves, and opened the door. My breath caught when my gaze collided with Ben’s.

  God, he was gorgeous, wearing a baby-blue button-up that accentuated his eyes perfectly. Where his hair was slightly askew at the clinic, it was now slicked back, giving him that rugged bad-boy aura again. If I saw him in a magazine, I’d say he was dreamy.

  Play it cool, Sam.

  I could totally be nice, act myself, and not jump him, even though I was a wreck and on edge inside.

  I’ve got this.

  “Hey,” Ben murmured, smiling softly as his eyes roamed my face. “How are you feeling?”

  I glanced down at my arm and grimaced. “Couldn’t be better,” I stated dryly.

  His chuckle rolled over me, tingling my senses. “The swelling went down, I see. That’s a good sign.”

  I touched my face, hating that he was seeing me like this. Though the swelling was better, the bruising on my face was nasty. I covered it with enough makeup that it didn’t stand out quite so badly. Nevertheless, I was a hot mess.

  “Yeah, I guess.” Needing a buffer, I looked behind him and located Linc. “Hey, klutz. Did you bring your appetite?”

  Linc blushed to his ears. “Yeah…yeah,” he stammered, shuffling his feet uncomfortably.

  “I’m just messin’ with you. Come on in.” I stepped back and motioned them inside.

  Ben laughed, tugging Linc into the house. “You’ll get used to her, Linc. From what I can tell, she likes to bust everyone’s chops.”

  My gaze jerked to him as I closed the door. Get used to me? Why on earth would he need to do that?

  Seeing my confusion, Ben stated, “He’s going to be working on the yard. The sod arrives in the morning.”

  Oh.

  “Right.” I cleared my voice. “Right. I’m stayin’ with Mom and Dad ’til my arm’s better.” I peered up at Linc again. Damn, he’s tall. “Just take it easy with the gardenin’ tools this time, will you?”

  It was Linc’s turn to grimace. “I’m never gonna live that down, am I?”

  “Hey,” I teased, grinning, “you got to see me make a fool out of myself. Everyone’s been givin’ me a hard time, too. It’s only fair.”

  Finally, he cracked a smile and winked. “You were pretty hilarious. I liked the part where you slapped Dad. I told Pops all about it.”

  Yep, the girls in Bliss are in so much trouble.

  “You told Dr. Melbourne?!” I whined in mock horror. “Say it isn’t so, Linc!”

  Linc laughed and glanced at his dad. “You were right – she’s funny.”

  “You two have been gossipin’ about me?” I asked, clutching my chest. “I’m hurt.”

  “Maybe a little,” Ben admitted, giving his son a conspiratorial look.

  I was going to pretend I didn’t see that and forget it ever happened. I did not want to know what it meant.

  Nope…not at all.

  “Mom has everythin’ ready,” I told them, gesturing towards the living room. “But everyone else is in there. Y’all can say a quick hello before we head into the dinin’ room.”

  “Sounds great,” Ben murmured, not able to take his eyes off me. “Linc, you go ahead. I need a word with Samantha.”

  Oh, no.

  “Sure thing, Dad,” Linc agreed easily and ambled away.

  I gulped, losing my composure. It would be a lot more difficult acting nonchalant when we were alone. All the man had to do was touch me and rationality went out the window.

  Speaking of window…

  I turned and stared out the one in the foyer, hoping I didn’t have to look at him. That would make things a whole lot easier.

  Keep telling yourself that.

  Ben’s footsteps sounded behind me and grew nearer until I felt his presence against my back. “Come on, Samantha. Are you gonna ignore me all night?”

  “If I can,” I muttered truthfully. “I’m still pissed at you.”

  “Thanks for not showing it in front of my son…again,” he teased, sparking my temper.

  I spun around, poking a finger into his hard chest, my eyes shooting fire. “I’m willin’ to get through this dinner cordially, Ben, but don’t take that-”

  “Shut up,” Ben interjected, his voice a mere whisper. He curled an arm around my waist and, though he was careful of my injuries, jerked me towards him. The next thing I knew, I was pressed against his body and his lips were ghosting over mine, barely touching. “I’ve been wanting to do this since I realized it was you lying on my gurney.” His mouth traveled to my cheek and nose, then up to my forehead, peppering soft, delicate kisses everywhere. “It killed me to see you like that.” He left a final kiss on my lips, this one light and just as gentle, barely applying pressure.

  A big pile of goo – that’s what he turned me into.

  How am I supposed to be mad when he was so tender and so damn sweet?!

  I pushed against his chest halfheartedly. “Ben, I don’t think-”

  “I need to say this before we walk in there with everyone else,” he interjected again, peering down at me with soulful eyes. I stilled, ensnared by him. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I am so damn sorry I left you in London like that. I’ll give you the full story later, but I’ll leave you with the cliffnotes for now.”

  I wasn’t sure I wanted the cliffnotes…or anything.

  Liar.

  “Ben-”

  “Linc disappeared.”

  That shut me up.

  “I didn’t show that night because we still couldn’t find him. It wasn’t until the early morning that I heard he was already on a flight back to Portland,” he explained further, shocking the hell out of me. I would’ve kicked my kid’s ass if that were me. “I jumped on the first flight to get him back. Again, I’m sorry – I didn’t think to call you until I was already in the air. I believed I had more time to give you an explanation, but you had already checked out of your room when I landed.”

  Thoughts scattered, I placed my hands on his chest and melted into him. “God, Ben,” I breathed, my heart clenching painfully. “You must’ve been out of your mind. I can’t imagine…”

  Ben exhaled in relief and rested his temple against mine. “I was terrified.” His thumb dipped under my shirt, seeking skin, and stroked my lower back. Goosebumps pebbled my skin. “At first, I thought it was a rebellious thing. He’s been doing that a lot lately.”

  “No kiddin’,” I joked, tilting my head towards my parents’ yard.

  “Yeah… As you can see, it’s been challenging. We had a talk, though – no more joyrides and no more flights out of the country.”

  A grin fought its way free, but I stared at his chest and played with the buttons of his shirt to keep him from seeing it. “Well, that’s somethin’…”

  His voice lowered to a more intimate level. “Am I forgiven?”

  I sighed deeply. “I want to-”

  The front door opened and a voice asked, “Well, well, well…don’t you two look cozy?”

  I closed my eyes and rested my forehead on Ben’s shoulder, cursing my horrible luck. “One word and I’ll kill you,” I gritted out, unable to face him.

  “I think it’s adorable,” Adam stated, but it was too innocent.

  As he stepped past us, I thought my luck was starting to turn and he was going to let us off easy.

  I was wrong.

  At the last moment, Adam slapped Ben on the back and chuckled. “Dude, you’re a miracle worker. I figured it would take a month for her to forgive you. You’ve been here, what, five whole minutes? That’s gotta be a record.”

  “Adam,” I growled, not impressed, and whirled around in Ben’s embrace. “Butt out.”

  “You’ve become a big ol’ softy, sweet cheeks,” he taunted me.

  I took a step forward, saying, “I’ll show you softy.”

  “Easy there, tiger.” Ben laughed, tugging me backwards.

  Adam disappeared into the living room, his bo
isterous laugh following him.

  “We better join them. We don’t want anyone to come looking for us,” Ben whispered in my ear, then placed a kiss on my neck. “You and I will talk later.”

  Ignoring my body’s response, I blew out a breath and shrugged out of his arms. “That’s probably wise.” I narrowed my eyes at him, letting him know I meant business. “But don’t think you’re forgiven that easily. You still have a lot of questions to answer.”

  “I figured that…and I’ll answer every one of them.” There was only the utmost sincerity in his demeanor.

  I tilted my head towards the living room. “You sure you’re ready for this? They’re gonna drill you relentlessly. Rumors about us are already goin’ around town.”

  “I know…and I’m sure,” he promised and gave me a quick peck. “I’ll head in first.”

  Once he was gone, I took a moment to gather myself. I felt all flustered and off balance again, but this time for a whole other reason.

  Good job on holdin’ out, Sam. He got you under his thumb within moments of walkin’ through the door.

  I told myself to shut up.

  Ben had an excellent reason for not showing up. In my eyes, it proved his integrity. If it came down to him or my kid, I’d pick my kid, hands down. I might not be a mother yet, but that type of instinct was already ingrained in me.

  There were parents out there that didn’t understand this concept. I felt sorry for them because they would never experience the gift of having a good, real and joyous relationship with their children, the kind I had with my parents. However, it was the children my heart broke for because they wouldn’t know what unconditional love felt like or what it meant to have a parent’s unwavering support.

  I was happy to learn that Ben was one of the good ones.

  ∞

  “This is delicious, Mrs. Raiden,” Linc stated, stuffing his face with another huge bite of Mom’s roast. If I didn’t know better, I’d say the kid hadn’t eaten in weeks.

  “How many times do I have to tell you, Linc? It’s Emma,” Mom scolded him, giving him a warm smile.

  “Emma…sorry,” Linc corrected himself, mumbling around another bite. “This is so good.”

  “He’s right,” Ben added, having made a few of his own sounds of appreciation. “I haven’t had home cooking like this in…” Ben stared at the wall for a moment, contemplating, and then shook his head, addressing Mom again. “I honestly can’t remember.”