A sudden bitter taste filled Ben’s mouth and his skin crawled. His hands balled into fists.What horrible trauma had Amy suffered?
She dropped her gaze as she continued, but her voice was hard as steel. “Things got really bad when I was seventeen. Fortunately, I was able to fight Rick off and get away. I spent the night at Celeste’s house, and when I went home the next day, I found two suitcases sitting in the hallway. Rick told my mom I threw myself at him—that I’d come on to him for weeks. She said if I couldn’t keep my hands off her boyfriend, then I could find someplace else to live.”
A chill swept through Ben’s body, and he had a hard time hiding his disgust when he spoke. “She didn’t even give you a chance to explain what really happened?”
Amy raised tear-filled eyes to him, and his heart broke for her. He pulled her into his arms, half expecting her to resist.
She didn’t.
Her voice sounded fragile when she spoke with her cheek pressed to his chest. “It wouldn’t have mattered. She never cared about me. Certainly not as much as she cared about herself... and the men she brought home.”
Ben tightened his arms around her and rested his chin on her hair. He held her for a long moment. He thought she might burst into tears, but she sniffed a few times, then controlled her emotion with a few deep breaths. The warmth of her breath seeped through his shirt when she spoke again, strengthening his desire to protect her.
“Two months before my eighteenth birthday, I rented my first apartment. And I haven’t seen my mother since.”
He pulled away enough to cup her face with both hands. He stared deep into her eyes, hoping she would truly hear the words he needed to say. “Amy, you have to understand you weren’t the problem. Your mother was the one who was flawed. You... you’re...” Ben searched for the right words to let Amy know what he thought of her.
You’re perfect, beautiful, desirable.
The words were all true, but they hit too close to home. They conveyed the depth of his feelings. Feelings he shouldn’t have right now. Not while he mourned Melanie.
“You’re an amazing woman, Amy.”
She gave him a sad smile before lowering her eyes and pulling his hands from her cheeks. “Thank you, Ben, but I’m sure you’ll understand if I have a hard time believing you.”
He wanted to pull her back into his arms and say, or do, whatever it took to convince Amy she was worth loving. But the timer on the oven buzzed, and his mother walked into the kitchen with Kallie.
* * *
Amy lookedup from her computer Monday morning when Robert pulled into the parking lot. Putting a scowl on her face, she pretended to be busy.
“Good morning, Amy,” he said, sitting on the corner of her desk. “How was your weekend? After Friday night, of course, because I already know about that part.”
“I’m not talking to you.” She kept her eyes on her monitor.
“Why aren’t you talking to me?”
“I’m mad at you.”
“Why?”
She glared at him with raised eyebrows.
Understanding dawned on him, and he chuckled. “Oh. You’re still mad about the buckshot thing?”
“Yes, I’m still mad about the buckshot thing.”
“I have to say, you disappointed me. You kept your cool much better than I expected. Punching Jake was a nice touch. Too bad you’re not strong enough to hurt anyone, especially with your great aim.”
She scowled at him. “I can’t tell if you’re insulting me or complimenting me. But I’m mad at you. And I’ll stay mad at you until the bruise goes away.” She turned away again.
“Ben said it was bad.” His voice turned contrite. “Listen, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have insisted Jake play that joke on you.”
The image of Robert sporting a black eye after making out with twins filled her mind and her lips curved in a smile. She turned away again, to hide her amusement. She’d rather he thought she was still mad at him.
“Hmm... maybe I should take you out again to make it up to you.”
Amy’s stomach tightened.No. I can’t go out with you again. I need to stay away from men.
