by Nia Arthurs
Ricky chuckled. “We’re not fish, Benji. We’re men.” He fisted his hands and dropped into a power pose. “Flip-flop like a man and go for it. Tell her the truth if you like. Explain why you’re such a nervous wreck. Confess about your college sweetheart who—”
“I’ll keep an eye on her,” Benjamin said, his expression firm. “Dig deeper into that Border guy. See if you can find an address or something. Kelly’s been through too much. I just want her to have peace.”
Ricky leaned forward. “And what about you?”
“Huh?”
“When are you allowed to have some peace?”
“When this creep is behind bars and my woman is safe.” Benjamin nodded. “Keep me updated.”
“Always.”
Benjamin pushed himself up when Rick spoke again. “Your mother made another transaction.”
His hands trembled and he dropped back into his seat. “Why are you just telling me now?”
“I thought it would give you indigestion.” He glanced down at the plate Benjamin had scraped clean. “Then I would have wasted twenty-three bucks.”
“How much?”
“Maybe you can cut her some slack this time. Ask her why she needed it.”
“How much?”
“Ten thousand.”
He wilted. “I’ll put it back.”
“Benjamin…”
“I’ll see you later, Ricky.” He scooted his chair back, rose and smoothed his tie. “Find the culprit. Don’t worry about me.”
“I always worry about you,” Ricky mumbled beneath his breath.
Benjamin pretended he hadn’t heard and strode out of the restaurant, his mind whirring. Why had his mother taken so much from her guardianship account? Her greed astounded him. After all this time, nothing much had changed.
He drove absently and parked the car in front the apartment just in time to see Kelly scurry inside. His mood immediately lightened. He vaulted out of his car and jogged to catch up to her, a smile riding his lips.
Benjamin’s first instinct was to sneak up on her, but he thought better of it and cleared his throat to make his presence known. One foot was on the landing and the other on the stair when she heard him.
Instead of turning around, Kelly stiffened and spoke with her back to him. “You’re home?”
“Yeah,” he said slowly, unnerved by her strange behavior. “Is everything all right?”
“Everything is fine. Great. Perfect!”
“Why does your voice sound like that?”
“Like what?”
“So high-pitched.”
“I was… sucking the helium from a balloon.” She gave a nervous laugh. “It was great catching up with you. I should go.”
“Kelly.” Her name escaped from his lips more firmly than he’d intended, but at least it got the point across.
She froze. “What?”
“Turn around.”
“No.”
He put his hand on her shoulder and she stiffened. Gently, Benjamin tugged until she faced him. Kelly stuck to the shadows so he couldn’t tell what was wrong on his initial sweep. When he focused on her face, a nasty gash on her cheek caught his eye.
“Who did this to you?” he asked, his anger rising like a high tide.
“Benjamin…” she croaked in a warning tone.
“Who… put their hands on you, Kelly?”
He stepped back, rage lashing against his back like a wave against the shore. After learning of his mother’s transaction, the culprit’s slippery escape and now Kelly’s injury, Benjamin could barely contain his frustration.
His hands curled into fists and he battled the fury, straining to keep a hold of his humanity rather than give in to the emotions that thundered for release.
Sensing his struggle, Kelly flew toward him and wrapped her arm around his waist. He could feel her bun tickling his chin, feel the desperate clasp of her hands against his back.
“I’m okay,” she said, her breath a thin whisper.
Like ice melting beneath the sun, his anger vanished and faded away.
The Monster Within
Benjamin had a temper. A wild one if his reddening face and clenching fists was any indication. Kelly should have known—given the uncontrolled pounding he’d laid on Clayton yesterday, but she’d written his reaction up to adrenaline and ignored it.
There was no ignoring it this time.
The same frightening sheen shaded his eyes when he looked at the cut on her cheek, and her instincts warned her to run, far and fast. If there was one thing her mother had pounded into her head, it was the folly of falling for a man with a short fuse.
After all, one never knew when that rage would be aimed at her.
Instead of stepping back like common sense said she should, Kelly walked toward him and hugged Benjamin tightly, refusing to let go until she felt his muscles loosen and his breath return to a steady, neutral whoosh.
“I’m okay,” she assured him and felt the rest of his temper wash away.
Benjamin lightly pushed her back and licked his lips. He seemed to be torn up about his reaction and her heart went out to him. Kelly ducked, struggling to meet his downcast eyes.
“Clayton’s still bedridden in the hospital. He didn’t hurt me.” She touched a hand to her cheek. “It was a simple misunderstanding.”
He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry… if I scared you.”
“You did,” she admitted with a nod of her head. “You looked like you were going to knock someone down.”
“I would never hurt you,” Benjamin promised. He held his head in his hands. “It’s been a long day. I should go.”
He walked past her and Kelly trembled, overcome by the emotions rushing through her. This man was someone she could see herself falling deeply for. Someone she would go crazy for if he only let her.
Before she got to that point, before love blinded her to every flaw and made light of his dangerous imperfections, Kelly wanted to face him.
Benjamin was already heading toward the stairs. She spoke loud enough for him to overhear. “It wasn’t okay.”
He froze. His face was still turned away from hers, but she could tell that he was listening.
Kelly marched until she was in front of Benjamin and looked up into his searing blue eyes. “What you did to Clayton was not okay.”
Benjamin lifted his chin, a spark of defiance transforming his usually charming, jovial face into one she didn’t know. “He assaulted you.”
“You don’t need to remind me.”
“Was I supposed to stand there and watch?”
“You were my hero,” she said softly, her gaze locked to his. “I wouldn’t have gotten through the night without you. I’m grateful that you stepped in. Glad that you stopped Clayton before he could have his way.”
“Then what more do you want from me?” He tapped his chest. “Do you still have feelings for that piece of work?”
“This isn’t about Clayton!” Kelly yelled. “You lost it, Benjamin. If I hadn’t slid in front of Clayton, you would have killed him.”
“Do you want me to apologize for that?” Benjamin folded his arms across his chest. “I would do it all over again if I had to.” He turned away and headed up the stairs, but changed directions last minute and barreled into her. “Why are you getting upset with me and not the guy who hurt you?”
She lifted her chin. “I went to see Clayton in the hospital today.”
Benjamin’s jaw dropped. He rubbed his ears as if he wasn’t quite sure he had heard right. “What?”
“You heard me.”
“Why would you do that?”
“I wanted to look him in the eyes and see if he even knew what he’d done wrong.”
He dropped his jaw, temporarily speechless. “You’re comparing me to that… scumbag?”
“Officer Lewis was right. You could have stopped when you dragged Clayton off and even when you used force to restrain him, but you kept on going until he was incapacitated.
You couldn’t pull back on your own.”
“I was protecting you.”
“That ended when I was safe.” She leaned into him, lightly rising on the balls of her feet. “You were lashing out.”
“I can’t believe this.”
He turned away, but she grabbed his hand and kept him in place. “Clayton deserved every punch, but that’s not my concern.” She exhaled and pinned him with a surveying look. “Is violence what you default to when you think I’m in trouble? Will I have to pull you off a dead body one day, Benjamin?”
He snatched his hand away from hers, his clenched jaw all she could see of his profile. Kelly waited, eyeing his every move. Benjamin’s chest heaved with the force of his irritation and his hands balled into fists.
Suddenly, he turned on her, blue eyes flashing. She lost her bravado and stepped back. He followed her like a cat to its prey, stepping lightly, without hesitation. His hands stretched out and he cupped her face.
“Don’t fear me,” he said, his voice hoarse. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like… like what?”
“You’re right.” His breath left his chest in a whoosh and he shuddered. “I blacked out. All I could see and feel and taste was my anger.”
“Benjamin…”
“I lost my self-control. That’s on me.”
She swallowed, squirming beneath the raw, untainted truth in his eyes. He wasn’t bothering to hide his emotions or the swell of his affection for her. Where just nights before he had been a cold, arrogant shell, now he overflowed with passion.
“You are my woman. Nobody’s allowed to put his hands on you. Not even me. If anybody, male or female, breaks that rule—” he clutched his chest so that his fingers wrinkled his starched white shirt—“I will step in.”
“I never asked you to.” Kelly slid her hands up his arms and pressed her fingers against his. “I don’t need you to do that. Not if it means breaking your principles and losing your soul. Nobody’s worth that, Benjamin.”
He hung his head and when he glanced up again, she saw that his expression had changed from slightly unhinged to serious. “Did you see him?”
“See who?” Her mind scrambled to keep up with the topic change and then understanding dawned. “You mean Clayton?”
“Did he give you what you were looking for?”
“I never got to see him. His wife…” She swallowed. “Don’t worry. I’m not going back.”
Expecting Benjamin to rail at her for going to the hospital in the first place, she was surprised when he moved her hand and twined their fingers together. She eyed the place where his pale arm touched her brown skin.
“Let’s go,” he said and drew her up the stairs to his apartment. With his hands on her shoulders, Benjamin seated her in his sofa and disappeared down the hallway.
The minute he left, her stomach grumbled. She wrapped her arms around her middle and tried to recall the last time she’d eaten. Probably around lunch? Kelly pursed her lips.
“Do I even have bread in my cupboard?” she mumbled, straining to recall what could be kept from the groceries she’d bought two weeks ago.
“What was that?” Benjamin returned to the room with the familiar first aid kit in hand.
“Nothing,” she said quietly, feeling a little awkward. After a soul-baring conversation like the one they’d shared, wasn’t it best to separate and reflect? Sitting so close to one another felt… uncomfortable.
He reached out to tend her wound and she flinched. Benjamin sat back on his haunches and tilted his head. She laughed nervously and stretched out her hand to take the ointment from him.
“I can do it myself.”
“You don’t need to.” Benjamin waddled closer, his weird stance making her smile. He seemed to get the humor in his own walk and did another for good measure. “There’s the Kel I’ve been waiting for.”
“You sure you’re supposed to be a businessman? I think you missed your calling as a nurse.”
He chuckled. “This is what? The second time I’m patching you up? Am I doing a good job?”
“You couldn’t even get the bandage to stay on my lip so… probably not.”
“Ouch. Ever think it was your lips that were at fault.”
“Nope.” She tapped her fingers against the bottom of her mouth. “These babies are perfect.”
“I can’t disagree,” Benjamin said, his eyes drawn to the body part in question. The air thickened and for a moment, Kelly thought that he would kiss her.
Her belly chose that moment to do a loud imitation of a passing train. Kelly ducked her head in shame. “Ignore that.”
Benjamin finished with her cheek and set his hands on his knees. “I could try, but I don’t think your stomach would let me.” He grinned and chucked her chin. “I’ll order pizza.”
“Benjamin,” she said as he stood and walked away, “about what I said…”
“I heard you,” he replied. “No dead bodies. I promise.”
It wasn’t the pledge of self-control that she was looking for, but at least it was a start.
That Girl Is Mine
Benjamin
Harley honored her promise and pitched her idea at the end-of-the-week staff meeting. The charismatic woman stood at the head of the table, her white teeth bright in the dark room.
“Listen up, everyone!” She screeched and extended a laser pointer at the projected image on the wall. “I’ve worked out the details of where we’ll stay, what we’ll do, and even what the scope of our training sessions will include.”
Groans peppered the air.
“Sit down, Harley!”
The heckler sounded a lot like Renesha, but Benjamin couldn’t be certain in the dimness. He peered at the corner of the table where his receptionist sat but could only make out the shape of her spiral curls.
“Think about it, guys. We’d have the weekend to grow as a team and as individuals. It’s a great plan.” Harley tossed her hair over her shoulders and giggled. “It will be romantic—I-I mean fantastic!”
Errol flipped on the lights, allowing the flood of beams to illuminate his displeased expression. “It’s a horrible plan. We’re a business, not a book club. Why do we need to grow as a team? In addition, what makes work enjoyable is the comfortable, steady pace of an ingrained routine.”
“No, Errol. That is what makes coming to work so boring.” Harley tapped the laser pen in the palm of her hand. “Mr. Levy loved my idea.”
Every head swiveled to look at him. Benjamin caught Kelly’s narrowed eyes and worked hard to suppress his smile. Her jealousy was so obvious that it might as well be painted on her forehead. When would she admit that her feelings for him hadn’t faded away?
“Mr. Levy?” Errol broke into his thoughts. “Is this true?”
“Of course not,” Benjamin said honestly. “I sanctioned no such thing.”
His workers sighed in relief.
“But…” Benjamin continued. “It’s growing on me.”
“Sir, we’re far too busy to spend a weekend playing in the jungle,” Errol said in a simpering tone.
“It won’t be all fun, Errol. Ms. Williams insisted that we will receive training on the usage of the latest designing software and on the basics of architecture for the purpose of marketing.”
“Which is necessary for only the architects and the PR department.”
“Everyone will go,” Benjamin said, his gaze sliding to Kelly. “From every department.”
No one dared to groan, but he saw plenty of pouting lips and exasperated expressions.
“Of course!” Errol changed his tune and grinned brightly. “A workshop is just what our team needs. Isn’t this exciting, everyone?”
Half-hearted mutters sprang from his employees. Benjamin smirked, certain that they would thank him for the break in the end. Harley was right. A trip would allow him to get a better sense of their personalities and strengths—a process that would only help him as a boss.
It didn’
t hurt that he would have a weekend with Kelly away from the four walls of the Yasser Center. She had been keeping her distance ever since their clash in the foyer a few days ago. Benjamin couldn’t tell if she was avoiding him because of her fear of his temper or because of his blatant acknowledgement of his interest.
Either way, she needed a break from the stress of the past week and a workshop was the perfect excuse to give it to her. He was already imagining the stolen moments where they could spend time alone…
“Mr. Levy? Mr. Levy?” He felt a hand on his shoulder and glanced up to find Harley staring at him. Her long brown hair dangled near his nose, releasing a strawberry scent. “Did you hear me?”
“I’m sorry.” He shook his head. “What was that?”
“Thank you for sticking up for me during the meeting.” Harley gave a shy smile. She bit on her lower lip and looked at him through fringed lashes. “I’m really looking forward to what will happen on this trip.”
“I wasn’t sticking up for you, Ms. Williams. You proposed a good plan and I saw the benefits of turning it into reality.”
“Of course. I meant nothing else.”
“Sure.” He stood, noticing that the room had cleared. “I should get back to work.”
“Wait!”
When she said nothing, he prompted. “How is the Lorde Industries project going?”
“It’s going well. I’m really excited to get to the drawing stage, but right now the directors are still batting ideas around.”
“Very well.”
He turned to walk out when Harley shouted from behind him. “Would you like to get drinks later?”
He froze and swiveled to face her, his brow furrowed. “Excuse me?”
Harley pulled on her ear. “Well, it’s just… you always work late. It’s Friday night. You shouldn’t be cooped up at the office. If you have nothing better to do, I’d love to keep you company.”
“Actually, I—”
Before he could turn her down, Kelly burst through the door. She glared at Harley and pointed a finger as she stalked toward them, black hair bouncing around her shoulders.
