She barely knew this man. She should feel repulsed or threatened by his uninvited advances, but she wasn’t. She was attracted and wanted more. She felt none of the things she should have, and all the things she shouldn’t.
She had no intention of getting mixed up with a man again, even a man as handsome and nice as Ben. So, why was she kissing him with such abandon?
She shifted her hands to his shoulders, intending to push him away, but Ben tensed before she could push. He gasped, releasing her so abruptly she fell back a step. In the brief moment before he fled the room, she saw a flash of something in his eyes. The passion in his gaze instantly replaced by something dark.
Anger?
Was he angry with her? Trying to catch her breath, she followed him from the room. She’d wanted to talk to him about something, though at the moment, she couldn’t remember what.
In the hallway, Ben turned to face her so suddenly she nearly collided with him.
“Amy, I’m sorry. That was so barbaric of me. I never should have... It’s just that...” Ben raked both hands through his hair. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.” Turning, he walked straight to the front door and disappeared before she could say anything.
She followed him, but he obviously didn’t want to talk to her right now, so she let him go. What was she supposed to say, anyway?Don’t worry about it. I enjoyed it.
It had been less than two weeks since she’d left Lance, and now she’d nearly lost herself in a kiss from the first man to come along.
Her mother had never taken long to replace a boyfriend, but Amy may have her beat. Bile rose in her throat.
No!Ben is not a new boyfriend. He can’t be.
She stepped into the dark front room and stared out the window at Ben sitting in his truck.
Why didn’t he drive away?
He was obviously upset with himself for kissing her. So why had he done it?
And why did I let him?
* * *
Ben satwith his forehead pressed to knuckles that gripped the steering wheel.
This was all Paige’s fault. She’d told him to watch the sunset.
She didn’t say you had to do it with Amy. That was all on you. She also told you to go for a walk. That’s what you should have done.But he hadn’t been able to resist spending a few minutes with Amy and Kallie.
Analyzing exactly what had happened, he remembered how Amy’s perfume teased him when he bent to take Kallie. Flowery and feminine. A perfect fit for her. Fighting the wave of longing that swept over him, he’d stepped away from her as soon as he had Kallie in his arms. But the scent of Kallie’s freshly washed body, and her soft, silky hair against his cheek invoked another type of longing. He’d held her closer than necessary, relishing the feel of her in his arms, inhaling her sweet, innocent scent.
He’d planned on making a quick escape after laying Kallie down, hoping to outrun the memories that had surfaced, but he’d found himself face to face with Amy instead. Her perfume had invaded his senses a second time as memories he tried to block overwhelmed him.
He laid Cassey in her bed and covered her, smiling at her soft sigh. Could there be anything more beautiful and perfect? Turning to find Melanie close behind him, he answered his own question. Yes. Pulling his wife into his arms, he kissed her passionately, before picking her up, and carrying her to their bedroom.
Realizing he was kissing Amy while remembering the intimacy he’d shared with his wife, riddled him with guilt. He’d kissed her for another long moment before he’d found the strength to release her. Kissing her had felt so good. So right.
Pain and anger had risen in him so sharply, he’d had to leave. Fast.
Amy would think him rude, but he didn’t care. He was a jerk for taking advantage of her like that. He had no right to kiss her. He’d told her he had no intention of a physical relationship with her. That’s why he’d arranged for her to stay with his parents, where she’d feel safe.
And he’d accosted her in her own bedroom.
It wasn’t supposed to be like that. He wasn’t supposed to find comfort by kissing another woman. His arms ached to hold Melanie again.
Ben groaned. This is what Paige and everyone didn’t understand. When he allowed himself to remember and got his heart involved, the pain overwhelmed him. Knowing he’d never again tuck his daughter into bed, and never again have his wife return his embrace, was more than he could bear most days.
He functioned better if he didn’t allow himself to remember, and if he didn’t associate with people. He couldn’t even handle being alone in a dimly lit room with a beautiful woman after viewing the sunset, for Pete’s sake.
Ben pounded the steering wheel with the heel of his hand, then started his truck.
