“How did you even find me?”
“The B&B is your emergency contact on your HR file. I booked a room …”
I shot a look at my sisters which had them exchanging confused glances and looking sheepish. I’d deal with them later. First, I had to sort this mess out.
“Where’s your bag?” I demanded. This had to be a joke. It just had to be. Ben couldn’t be here.
“In the car. I wasn’t sure you’d let me in once you knew I was here,” he admitted looking a bit pathetic.
“First smart thing you’ve done,” I muttered under my breath. “I wouldn’t have.”
“Come on Grace…”
“Don’t!” I warned.
“Please? I just want to talk to you for a minute.
I got the feeling he wasn’t going to walk away until he’d said what he’d come to say and I was getting tired of having him calling or texting. I wanted to move on and I needed him to leave me alone. I knew there was only one way that was going to happen. “One minute, then you get back in your car and leave,” I told him.
Ben gulped and the Adam’s apple in his throat bobbed. “If that’s what you want…”
“It’s what I want,” I confirmed.
I went to stand, but Cole held tight. “Give me a second,” I told him.
He hesitated.
“I’ll be fine,” I attempted to assure him but even I wasn’t convinced.
Cole rose from his chair and kissed me deeply. I wasn’t an idiot. There was nothing romantic about his kiss. This kiss was nothing more than Cole staking his claim. Not that I was complaining. The man could kiss, and I felt my panties flood as his tongue dueled with mine.
Eventually, he let me up for air. “Hurry back.”
“Promise,” I confirmed, reaching up and touching my kiss-swollen lips.
With everyone’s eyes on me, I made my way down the stairs to where Ben was waiting nervously. When he handed me the flowers, I tossed them over the balcony to Gabriella before taking Ben by the elbow and leading him around the front and away from prying eyes.
“Right, now we don’t have the whole town watching, what the fuck are you doing here?” I demanded angrily.
A few weeks ago, I would’ve never imagined speaking to him like this. Ben was not only my boss, but he was someone I respected both personally and professionally. Now, though, my rose-colored glasses were off and I could see how misguided I’d been. How naive. How quick I’d been to believe his lies.
“I needed to talk to you.”
His confidence was rattled. This wasn’t like him. Ben was the sort of guy who was so sure of himself. He would walk into the room and command its attention with a click of his fingers or a look.
“Well, start talking. I’m kinda in the middle of something.”
“I need to say I’m sorry.”
“Great. You’ve said it. It changes nothing. Goodbye,” I replied bitchily, turning to walk away.
When Ben grabbed my arm, halting me, I froze. He’d never manhandled me before and I was fucked if I was going to let him now.
The look I shot him had him releasing his grip without a word.
“Come on, Grace. Hear me out.”
“Why, Ben? Why should I? You fucked me over. You promised me you’d protect me then when I needed you, you were nowhere to be found. Those people you employ tossed me aside like I was disposable. Do you know how that felt?”
