I mean he gives me tons of control but steps up to defend and protect me without question, without me needing to ask, even when I don’t want it. Like it’s just instinct for him. Just something he has to do.
And he said he thinks he loves me. We haven’t gotten a chance to talk about that. I don’t even know what to say to that. Ben Parker loving me is insane. I don’t see a world where we end up together, definitely not before this past week.
Even now it seems unlikely, but just knowing he feels so strongly about me makes me all warm inside. It shouldn’t. We are obviously bad for each other. He is reckless and willing to almost kill for me, and I am cruel to him for some reason. But both things feel really good.
It feels amazing to be with him.
And the sex. The sex is beyond words. I don’t know if I’ll ever find someone as good at making me cum as him.
At some point my phone buzzes. When I glance down and see Charles’ name, my heart stops. I know I can’t answer it. Ben wouldn’t want me too. Cameron would tell me not to, as well. Answering it brings nothing but trouble.
But when it rings again and again and again, I know I don’t have a choice.
Ben and I never end up together. That’s a given. He is a famous rock star, and I’m a girl who grew up among the rich. We would never be able to make it work. I have my responsibilities and he has his.
I knew that from the start, didn’t I? That I have no choice but to go back to the life I had before. Sure, Cameron has promised to protect me, and Ben has proven he would too, but ultimately they can’t.
But I can protect them.
I close my eyes, trying to push all the good feelings Ben has shown me from my mind. I don’t need to be reminded of what I’m about to give up.
“Hello,” I say softly into the phone. Ben would be livid with me right now, but I have to try to fix my own mess, to save him.
“You finally answered,” Charles says.
“What do you want?”
“I have an offering.”
“What kind of offering?” I counter.
“A diamond ring, a family merger and dropped attempted murder charges, all for the price of your pussy belonging to me for the rest of your life. Of course, there will be mild punishment to make up for the hell you put me through, but I think we can work out a way to keep the pain minimum and non-scarring.”
“If I agree, you’ll drop the charges against Ben?”
“Yes.”
“Why should I believe you?”
“I really don’t have time for a lawsuit, Prue. Plus, Ben has proven to be a loose cannon. I don’t have a clue what kind of shit he would pull in court.”
“You mean you don’t want to risk him telling everyone how you beat and raped me?”
“Prue, you shouldn’t say those things about your future husband, not unless you want to see Ben rot in a prison for a few years.”
“Fine,” I grumble. “I will marry you, be your good little housewife, take your beatings and lousy fucking, so long as you drop the charges against Ben.”
“Good. Now get your stuff together and I’ll drop you back off at your parents. Your father would like a few words with you, and I would like you to stay there until I’m ready to have you back at my place.”
“I’m not going anywhere until tomorrow when the charges are dropped,” I say firmly. “I’ll be submissive and sweet, better that I was before, never say a word while you fuck other women, but not until Ben is free.”
“Fine,” Charles says. “We can meet at the courthouse then. I’d just love to watch his face when he realizes you came back to me after all.”
“We can meet at my parents’ house.”
“Courthouse or nothing, sweetie.”
“Fine. I’ll see you at the courthouse tomorrow.”
