“Your mother wasn’t much of a cook,” Mom commented, chuckling softly. “I worked with her many times, but it wasn’t her cup of tea.”
“Sam’s not the best cook, either,” Adam added, smirking at me.
I scowled, but Ben saved me. He glanced at me and gripped my thigh under the table. “I wasn’t either until I had to be.”
“Dad can grill a mean steak,” Linc offered, flashing me a smile.
Was he trying to save me, too?
What on earth has Ben told his son about me?
“Victoria could burn water and toast without battin’ an eyelash,” Mom continued, unaware of the undertones in the conversation. “It was the craziest thing I’d ever seen.”
It still boggled my mind that Ben’s mother had been friends with Mom. Mom even told me she had pictures of all three of us together somewhere. Talk about a small world.
“Grandma and Grandpa have a chef and a few maids that take care of that stuff,” Linc informed us, his mouth full again.
“Linc, manners.” Ben shook his head, smiling dotingly at his son.
“Sorry,” Linc muttered, guzzling down his iced tea. “I’m surprised Grandma’s ever stepped foot in a kitchen.”
Mom’s brows furrowed. “You’re describin’ somebody totally different from the Victoria I knew.”
“Grandma is all prim and proper. It’s annoying,” Linc continued and rolled his eyes at me. “When Dad told me she was from North Carolina, I called bull-“
“Linc,” Ben warned him.
Linc bit his lip. “Yikes. Sorry, Dad. Anyways… I totally didn’t believe him. She doesn’t have an accent like Pop’s…or even you guys. It’s kind a’ creepy, if you ask me.”
“People change,” Dad stated, shrugging, and then went back to his food.
“Not like that,” Linc muttered, bugging his eyes out in exaggeration.
“What is Victoria doin’ these days?” Mom asked, brightening. Whatever happened between Mom and Victoria, you could tell she missed her and was eager for information. “It’s been, I don’t know, over twenty-five years since I’ve seen or heard from her. I’m curious.”
Yep, I was right.
Ben’s mouth soured, but he covered it up quickly (I was the only one that caught it). “She is highly involved in the country club and does a lot of charity work.”
“If charity work means spending thousands of dollars at the local Neiman Marcus, then you’re spot on, Dad,” Linc exposed, snorting loudly. “And the most she does at the country club is down martinis all day with her snobby friends.”
Ben’s face pinched and something painful flashed in his eyes. “Linc…” It abated suddenly, but this wasn’t him blanking his face. This was different, like a revelation. “Linc’s right. The way Pops describes my mother isn’t the woman she is today. It’s like night and day. Mom enjoys her socialite status.”
Mom’s mouth gaped like a fish, unsure how to respond. “That’s…that’s…”
“Crazy, if what Pops said is true,” Ben finished.
“Well…yeah,” Mom agreed, still stunned. “She was the kindest person I’d ever met, so sweet natured and lovin’.”
Ben and Linc suppressed a laugh in the same manner, making them appear even more alike.
Ben cleared his voice, hiding his humor, saying, “That’s…that’s not my mother. She’s grey and one dimensional.”
Since I was sitting across from Grey, I noticed a sneaky gleam in his eyes right before he questioned, “Was your ex-wife like that, too?”
My fork paused halfway to my mouth.
Ex-wife?
I remembered then – Mom said something about Linc acting out because of his parent’s divorce.
Who was Ben’s ex?
Who broke whose heart?
Was the split mutual?
Did Ben love her?
Does he still love her?!
My heart constricted in my chest at the mere thought.
Damn it!
I didn’t need these questions flooding my mind on top of everything else.
Ben noticed my pause and grimaced. He leveled Grey with a stare that was far from friendly. “Linc’s mother,” he stressed, meaning he didn’t want to have any discussion about his ex in front of his son, “likes some of the same things, but their circumstances are different.”
“Are you kiddin’?” Linc snorted. “Mom is usually sitting right next to Grandma. How do you think I know so much about it? She dragged me down to the country club every chance she got.”
Surprise morphed Ben’s expression – he didn’t know that – but he blanked his face quickly.
Grey placed an elbow on the table and narrowed his eyes. “How long have you been di-’”
Clara whispered Greys name in warning as I kicked him under the table and gave him the meanest face I could muster, stopping him from finishing that question.
“What?” Grey snapped, surprised.
“I doubt your mother invited Ben over to be interrogated by you,” Clara stated, forcing a pleasant smile for Linc’s sake.
“Don’t stop. This is kind a’ fun,” Adam chimed in.
That got him scowls from every woman at the table.
He held up his hands, his eyes wide and fearful. “Too far?”
“She’s right, Grey,” Dad grumbled, ignoring Adam. “Cut the bullshit.”
“It’s fine,” Ben remarked, wiping his mouth with his napkin. He relaxed his posture, throwing an arm across the back of my chair, and cocked his head at Grey. “I don’t mind answering. Linc’s mother and I split right before Thanksgiving last year. The divorce was final a few months ago.”
My ornery older brother opened his mouth to ask another question, but Mom cut him off. “Grey, go into the kitchen and get the dessert and coffee. Sam, why don’t you help him?”
Grey began to protest, “But I’m not done-”
“You are now,” Mom finished, giving him her don’t argue with me face.
Grumbling to himself, Grey stood and disappeared into the kitchen. As I pushed my chair backward, I gave Ben a silent I’m sorry. He squeezed my shoulder before I could stand, telling me he didn’t care.
Well, I did.
Grey was standing at the kitchen sink and staring out the window when I walked into the kitchen.
“What in the hell is wrong with you?” I whisper-shouted.
He turned and gave me a look of sheer innocence. “What?”
I stopped in front of him and rested my hands on my hips. “You’re the last person I’d expect that from, Grey. You’ve never done anythin’ remotely like it before.”
“I don’t like the guy,” he admitted, shrugging.
“Give me a good reason why you don’t like him.”
Grey’s gaze turned calculating. “What happened to you not likin’ him? The last time I checked, you couldn’t get away from him fast enough. Now you’re defendin’ him.”
“Shit happens. We talked. That’s beside the point.”
“No, it’s not.” Grey stepped closer, towering over me. “I heard what you said, Sam. Somethin’ happened between you two while you were gone, and he disappeared on you without a word. That messed with you, and you’ve been different since you got back.”
“I wasn’t back a whole day when this happened.” I pointed at my bruised face. “I’ve been hopped up on pain pills since then. How can you even know that?”
He shook his head, exhaling loudly. Calmly, he explained, “No. It was when you first came home. There was something different about you…something more reserved, wounded. I saw it, Sam, and then I find out about jackass in there.”
I threw my uninjured arm up in the air. “I’m not five years old anymore, Grey. I don’t need my big brother watchin’ my every move. I’ve got this. You can’t bully every guy that shows interest in me.”
“I can try,” he grumbled.
“Think about it, Grey – you know me better than anyone – really think about this,” I suggested,
taking his hand in mine. “Say Ben did hurt me. If I’m willin’ to forgive him and move on, there has to be a damn good reason for it. I don’t give second chances easily. Remember Brian Cline?”
That brought a smile to Grey’s lips.
I dated Brian before Patrick and found him making out with a girl from another town under the bleachers at a football game. After that night, I went out of my way to make his life hell – pure hell – every time I saw him. I had a tendency to hold a mean grudge.
“You need to let this anger, or whatever it is you have towards Ben, go. Stop the third degree in there. Seriously, I’d like to find out somethin’ about the guy without an audience around.”
Grey’s head rocked back in shock. “You didn’t know he was married?”
“No. I didn’t know he had a kid until Linc turned around and I stepped on a rake. Scared the shit out of me.”
Grey eyed me strangely. “Did you even talk to the guy?”
“He’s adept at keepin’ facts to himself.” I waggled my eyebrows playfully, needing to break the intensity of the moment. “Plus, we were a little busy doin’ other fun stuff.”
Grey covered his ears and sang, “Lalalalalalala.”
I laughed and pulled his hands down. “You’re too easy.”
“That’s just wrong. I’ve already heard enough to last a lifetime.”
My laugh sobered, and I peered up at Grey earnestly. “Will you back off now?”
Grey draped an arm around my shoulders, drawing me close. “All right…all right.”
“Promise to give him a chance. He just moved here.”
Grey sighed. “I promise.”
Returning his hug, I murmured, “Thank you.”
“If he hurts you again, I’ll kill him,” he added against my hair.
I rolled my eyes. “You’re so cliché.”
Chapter 20
Samantha
“You okay in there, Sam?” Mom called out from the other side of the door.
I was channel surfing in the guest bedroom, where I’d been staying the last few nights. I was more than ready to get back to my house. My bed had been calling my name since England, and I was only able to enjoy it once since I returned.
Damn rake.
“Fine, Mom. ‘Bout to go to bed,” I hollered back.
“Okay. So are your dad and me.” She paused, probably knowing her words were going to fall on deaf ears. “Just yell if you need anythin’.”
Right. Like that would happen.
I’d been able to take care of myself just fine. Yeah, the bum arm made things slightly more difficult, but I wasn’t an invalid. Mom had lost her mind when I tried to go home yesterday morning. I hadn’t made the mistake of trying again, even though I was over her catering to my every whim.
“Thanks, Mom,” I hollered one last time.
My cell dinged on the bed next to me. I threw the remote aside and grabbed it, happy for the distraction.
Unknown Number: Be outside in fifteen.
What in the world?
Me: Who is this?
Unknown Number: Who do you think? It’s Ben. I’ll be there shortly to pick you up.
Was he mad?
Me: When you said we’ll talk later, I thought you meant another day, not tonight. Ben, it’s almost ten. Don’t you have to work tomorrow?
I saved his number while I waited for his response. My phone dinged again as soon as I was done.
Ben: I’m a big boy. I’ll have you home before midnight if you’re afraid of turning into a pumpkin.
I laughed out loud.
Me: How did you get my number?
Ben: Turns out, I have a fairy godmother.
I laughed again, shaking my head. What did that even mean?
Me: Fine. I’ll be outside in fifteen.
Quickly, I ran into the bathroom and brushed my teeth and hair, my insides shaking with giddiness. I’d already washed my makeup off for the evening, so Ben was going to have to deal with it. Because I was already in my pajamas, I tugged on a pair of blue jean shorts, replaced my oversized t-shirt with a more fitted one, and put on my sling. Once I tucked my cell in my pocket and slipped on some tennis shoes, I checked the mirror and walked out, pleased with what I saw.
Ben needed to know that I wasn’t the girl in the skin tight dress and over the top makeup. No, I was a country girl that loved casual clothes and a laid back atmosphere. Give me a beer at a bar over cocktails at an uppity club any day of the week.
I knocked on Mom and Dad’s door, not wanting them to worry. “Hey, I’m goin’ out for a bit. I’ll be back later.”
The door opened, surprising me, and Mom slunk into the hall, quietly closing it behind her. “Where are you goin’?” she questioned.
What am I, sixteen again?
Snickering, I replied, “Out.”
“Sam…”
I didn’t want to give anything away just yet. “Like I said, I’ll be back later. I won’t do anythin’ crazy and hurt my arm again. Don’t worry.”
I’d fill Mom and Dad in on Ben when I knew there was something of substance between us, not just a fling we had across the ocean. The fact that our mothers were once friends complicated things just a little, and I didn’t want to get their hopes up – I could tell they liked Ben and Linc.
Mom heaved a sigh and tsked. “I can’t wait for the day my children stop thinkin’ they can pull a fast one on their parents.”
Taken aback, I questioned, “What are you talkin’ about?”
She merely folded her arms and cocked her head.
“What?” I snapped.
“You’re gonna meet Ben, aren’t you?”
Damn.
“Mom-”
“I think you two would be great together. He’s got a good head on his shoulders, and he’s a good father – you can see that plain as day. He’s successful, too – becoming a doctor takes a lot of dedication and hard work.”
“Mom,” I interjected, “I’m not askin’ for permission. Plus, it’s new, and I don’t want to talk about it just yet.”
“I know. I’m simply tellin’ you that I like him.”
“Got it. Thanks. Can I go?” I motioned at the hall behind her.
“One more thing,” she stated, displaying that odd look from earlier. “Next time you have a heart to heart on the back porch with Clara, or anyone else for that matter, make sure to remember I like to cook with the windows open.”
My jaw dropped.
“Also, don’t let that young man off easily. If he doesn’t have a good reason for disappearin’, you better turn that booty around and come right home. You don’t put up with that nonsense.” She was about to turn around but stopped and added, “We’ll talk about your poor judgement later.”
Before I could recover and say something, anything, she opened her door and disappeared into her bedroom.
Ground, open up and swallow me now.
Mom was the last person I wanted to know about that.
How mortifying!
I’d think about that more another time. Definitely not now or anywhere in the near future.
I rushed through the darkened house and opened the front door. Headlights illuminated the yard as an old Bronco turned into the driveway.
Perfect timing.
I descended the steps as Ben parked and opened his door. By the time I arrived at the passenger side, he already had the door open for me.
“Hey,” Ben murmured, crowding me. Eager fingers brushed through my hair, tilting my face upward. For the second time today, his lips touched mine gently, reverently. “I’ve missed you.”
I clutched his shirt, my legs jellied, and smiled against his mouth. “You left an hour and a half ago.”
“Keeping track of time, are we?” he quipped, snaking a hand under my hair to clutch my neck. His hands were so large that his thumb brushed along my jaw and lower cheek easily. I felt delicate and cherished all at once.
Needing more, I pushed up on my toes and pressed
my mouth to his more soundly, uncaring about my hurt arm crushed between us. “Maybe,” I murmured and licked the seam of his lips.
Groaning, Ben reciprocated the move. Our tongues glided together in a slow dance, shaking me to my very core. He tasted good and sinful all at once.
Before I could get my fill, he broke our kiss and pressed one last soft peck to my lips. “Later. Let’s get out of here. I don’t want your parents catching us making out in their driveway.”
It was like a bucket of icy water was poured over my head.
“Ri…right,” I stuttered, shaking myself out my stupor. “That would be bad.”
Ben laughed and stepped away from the door. Before I could climb up, he wrapped both hands around my waist and hoisted me upward. I swallowed a cry and attempted to clutch his shoulders as he deposited me in the seat. He left me with a sweet kiss and shut the door.
Sigh.
He could continue to do that and I’d still be putty in his hands.
Once Ben was inside, he smiled and threw the Bronco in reverse. To keep myself busy as he drove, I glanced around at the interior. It was newer and completely restored, without a single speck of dust in sight.
“What year is this?” I questioned, feeling the leather under me. “I haven’t seen once of these in years.”
“It’s a 69’. Pops had one when I was a kid. We had a lot of good memories in it when I visited.” Ben flashed me a brilliant smile. “I bought this as soon as I finished medical school. It was a pile of junk when I found it, but I rebuilt the engine in my downtime during residency…not that I had much of it. I wasn’t savvy enough to do the interior, but I knew someone that was. He let me help, though, and we finished this bad boy about two years ago.” He caressed the dashboard affectionately. “It’s my baby.
“Wow.” I laughed, enjoying this new side of him. He was surprisingly open. “I wasn’t expectin’ a full blown love story when I asked.” I ran my hand along the door. “But I like it.”
“Good,” he murmured and reached for my hand, linking our fingers together.
Fated Bliss (The Bliss Series Book 2) Page 21
