She’d take tingly over hard to breathe any day though, which is what she was treated with next.When the laughter stopped, his dark eyes locked onto hers.And got darker, until all she saw was black as Benny drifted closer.Close enough for her to become intoxicated all over again, her nostrils most likely flaring as she unashamedly inhaled him.Her eyelids fluttering closed as she got higher and higher on his scent.
She kept her eyes tightly shut as stubble scraped her chin.She should be worried about how easily her body succumbed to this man.How quickly her mind malfunctions when he’s close.That worry was nowhere to be found as her lips parted for him, ready and eager to swallow the feral growl he just let slip.
But his taste never tinged her tongue, because a moment later, angry, loud bangs tore them apart.It took a minute for her brain to restart and when it did, Benny was already stalking toward the front door.
Oh, God.Angry knocking.Bethany doubted Benny had pissed anyone off in the past twenty-four hours.Which meant only one thing.Someone had found her.Either Doug or her parents.As she cursed her way out of the kitchen, she had no idea which she preferred.
One look at Doug’s red face though, and she started to regret getting her ass over there quite so quickly.
“Him, Bethany.Him!”Venom spiked the words as Doug waved his finger in Benny’s direction while his rage-soaked stare pinned her in place.“You spent the night withhim!”
Oh boy.He was so angry.His usually handsome profile looking almost deranged with wild brown hair and even wilder eyes coming at her.
“Hey!”Benny jumped in, “lower your voice, man.”
He did not lower his voice, if anything, it got louder.“I knew it!I knew you weren’t over him.The infamousBen fucking Tucker.”She shivered at the icy edge in his voice.“But to dothis—on our wedding night.I feel sick.You’refucking sick.”
“Nothing—” She wanted to explain, but he cut her off.
“Shut the fuck up!”
“Hey!”Benny took a step forward, pushing Bethany behind him as he got in Doug’s face.“Watch your goddamn mouth.”
Peeking over Benny’s shoulder, her gaze followed as Doug’s eyes cut to Benny, his expression barely masking the disgust he had for him.“Three fucking years she wasted.Well, I hope you enjoy fixing what you broke,Loverboy.I’m done playing cleanup.”What was she supposed to say to that?What was Benny?“You can have the bitch.”
Ummm.Unnecessary!
That, she had a reply to, unfortunately she wasn’t able to get it out before Benny had his hands on Doug’s collar as he hurled him up close and spoke into him.
“Listen up and listen good.The only reason my fist isn’t rearranging your face right now is because you got left at the altar yesterday.Consider this your one and only free pass.But from now on, you stay the fuck away from Bethany.You don’t look at her.You don’t speak to her.And you sure as hell don’t raise your voice at her.Are we clear?”
Damn.That was way better than what she was going to say.And really hot.
Doug wriggled free from Benny’s grip, no less angry.But the lack of venom being hurled her way indicated he did indeed understand.
Guilt twisted her stomach.This was all her fault.She’d been a coward.First by running away, then by switching off her phone.The realization propelled her forward.Made her do what she should have done yesterday.Speak.
“I’m so sorry, Doug.Nothing happened with Benny, I swear on my life.”Her hand went to his arm but was quickly shaken off.“I shouldn’t have run.I should have stayed and talked to you.You deserved a conversation, I know that.If I could go back,take it all back, I would.I would’ve done things differently.”She paused to take a breath.“I’m truly sorry.The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you.”
When she was done, one look at Doug told her that he wasn’t in any rush to forgive and forget anytime soon, which was fair.
His parting “fuck you” still stung though.
Benny was ready to pounce as Doug turned, but her hand shot out.Stopping him in his tracks.“Leave it,” she whispered.“It’s done.It’s over.”
Even as she said the words, she didn’t believe them.Nothing was over, if anything, it had only just begun.
