Fated Bliss (Bliss #2) (22 page)

Did Ben love her?

Does he still love her?!

My heart constricted in my chest at the mere thought.

Damn it!

I didn’t need these questions flooding my mind on top of everything else.

Ben noticed my pause and grimaced. He leveled Grey with a stare that was far from friendly. “Linc’s mother,” he stressed, meaning he didn’t want to have any discussion about his ex in front of his son, “likes some of the same things, but their circumstances are different.”

“Are you kiddin’?” Linc snorted. “Mom is usually sitting right next to Grandma. How do you think I know so much about it? She dragged me down to the country club every chance she got.”

Surprise morphed Ben’s expression – he didn’t know that – but he blanked his face quickly.

Grey placed an elbow on the table and narrowed his eyes. “How long have you been di-’”

Clara whispered Greys name in warning as I kicked him under the table and gave him the meanest face I could muster, stopping him from finishing that question.

“What?” Grey snapped, surprised.

“I doubt your mother invited Ben over to be interrogated by you,” Clara stated, forcing a pleasant smile for Linc’s sake.

“Don’t stop. This is kind a’ fun,” Adam chimed in.

That got him scowls from every woman at the table.

He held up his hands, his eyes wide and fearful. “Too far?”

“She’s right, Grey,” Dad grumbled, ignoring Adam. “Cut the bullshit.”

“It’s fine,” Ben remarked, wiping his mouth with his napkin. He relaxed his posture, throwing an arm across the back of my chair, and cocked his head at Grey. “I don’t mind answering. Linc’s mother and I split right before Thanksgiving last year. The divorce was final a few months ago.”

My ornery older brother opened his mouth to ask another question, but Mom cut him off. “Grey, go into the kitchen and get the dessert and coffee. Sam, why don’t you help him?”

Grey began to protest, “But I’m not done-”

“You are now,” Mom finished, giving him her
don’t argue with me
face.

Grumbling to himself, Grey stood and disappeared into the kitchen. As I pushed my chair backward, I gave Ben a silent
I’m sorry
. He squeezed my shoulder before I could stand, telling me he didn’t care.

Well, I did.

Grey was standing at the kitchen sink and staring out the window when I walked into the kitchen.

“What in the hell is wrong with you?” I whisper-shouted.

He turned and gave me a look of sheer innocence. “What?”

I stopped in front of him and rested my hands on my hips. “You’re the last person I’d expect that from, Grey. You’ve never done anythin’ remotely like it before.”

“I don’t like the guy,” he admitted, shrugging.

“Give me a good reason why you don’t like him.”

Grey’s gaze turned calculating. “What happened to
you
not likin’ him? The last time I checked, you couldn’t get away from him fast enough. Now you’re defendin’ him.”

“Shit happens. We talked. That’s beside the point.”

“No, it’s not.” Grey stepped closer, towering over me. “I heard what you said, Sam. Somethin’ happened between you two while you were gone, and he disappeared on you without a word. That messed with you, and you’ve been different since you got back.”

“I wasn’t back a whole day when this happened.” I pointed at my bruised face. “I’ve been hopped up on pain pills since then. How can you even know that?”

He shook his head, exhaling loudly. Calmly, he explained, “No. It was when you first came home. There was something different about you…something more reserved, wounded. I saw it, Sam, and then I find out about jackass in there.”

I threw my uninjured arm up in the air. “I’m not five years old anymore, Grey. I don’t need my big brother watchin’ my every move. I’ve got this. You can’t bully every guy that shows interest in me.”

“I can try,” he grumbled.

“Think about it, Grey – you know me better than anyone –
really
think about this,” I suggested, taking his hand in mine. “Say Ben did hurt me. If I’m willin’ to forgive him and move on, there has to be a damn good reason for it. I don’t give second chances easily. Remember Brian Cline?”

That brought a smile to Grey’s lips.

I dated Brian before Patrick and found him making out with a girl from another town under the bleachers at a football game. After that night, I went out of my way to make his life hell –
pure hell
– every time I saw him. I had a tendency to hold a mean grudge.

“You need to let this anger, or whatever it is you have towards Ben, go. Stop the third degree in there. Seriously, I’d like to find out somethin’ about the guy without an audience around.”

Grey’s head rocked back in shock. “You didn’t know he was married?”

“No. I didn’t know he had a kid until Linc turned around and I stepped on a rake. Scared the shit out of me.”

Grey eyed me strangely. “Did you even talk to the guy?”

“He’s adept at keepin’ facts to himself.” I waggled my eyebrows playfully, needing to break the intensity of the moment. “Plus, we were a little busy doin’ other fun stuff.”

Grey covered his ears and sang, “Lalalalalalala.”

I laughed and pulled his hands down. “You’re too easy.”

“That’s just wrong. I’ve already heard enough to last a lifetime.”

My laugh sobered, and I peered up at Grey earnestly. “Will you back off now?”

Grey draped an arm around my shoulders, drawing me close. “All right…all right.”

“Promise to give him a chance. He just moved here.”

Grey sighed. “I promise.”

Returning his hug, I murmured, “Thank you.”

“If he hurts you again, I’ll kill him,” he added against my hair.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re so cliché.”

Chapter 20

Samantha

“You okay in
there, Sam?” Mom called out from the other side of the door.

I was channel surfing in the guest bedroom, where I’d been staying the last few nights. I was more than ready to get back to my house. My bed had been calling my name since England, and I was only able to enjoy it once since I returned.

Damn rake.

“Fine, Mom. ‘Bout to go to bed,” I hollered back.

“Okay. So are your dad and me.” She paused, probably knowing her words were going to fall on deaf ears. “Just yell if you need anythin’.”

Right. Like that would happen.

I’d been able to take care of myself just fine. Yeah, the bum arm made things slightly more difficult, but I wasn’t an invalid. Mom had lost her mind when I tried to go home yesterday morning. I hadn’t made the mistake of trying again, even though I was over her catering to my every whim.

“Thanks, Mom,” I hollered one last time.

My cell dinged on the bed next to me. I threw the remote aside and grabbed it, happy for the distraction.

Unknown Number: Be outside in fifteen.

What in the world?

Me: Who is this?

Unknown Number: Who do you think? It’s Ben. I’ll be there shortly to pick you up.

Was he mad?

Me: When you said we’ll talk later, I thought you meant another day, not tonight. Ben, it’s almost ten. Don’t you have to work tomorrow?

I saved his number while I waited for his response. My phone dinged again as soon as I was done.

Ben: I’m a big boy. I’ll have you home before midnight if you’re afraid of turning into a pumpkin.

I laughed out loud.

Me: How did you get my number?

Ben: Turns out, I have a fairy godmother.

I laughed again, shaking my head. What did that even mean?

Me: Fine. I’ll be outside in fifteen.

Quickly, I ran into the bathroom and brushed my teeth and hair, my insides shaking with giddiness. I’d already washed my makeup off for the evening, so Ben was going to have to deal with it. Because I was already in my pajamas, I tugged on a pair of blue jean shorts, replaced my oversized t-shirt with a more fitted one, and put on my sling. Once I tucked my cell in my pocket and slipped on some tennis shoes, I checked the mirror and walked out, pleased with what I saw.

Ben needed to know that I wasn’t the girl in the skin tight dress and over the top makeup. No, I was a country girl that loved casual clothes and a laid back atmosphere. Give me a beer at a bar over cocktails at an uppity club any day of the week.

I knocked on Mom and Dad’s door, not wanting them to worry. “Hey, I’m goin’ out for a bit. I’ll be back later.”

The door opened, surprising me, and Mom slunk into the hall, quietly closing it behind her. “Where are you goin’?” she questioned.

What am I, sixteen again?

Snickering, I replied, “Out.”

“Sam…”

I didn’t want to give anything away just yet. “Like I said, I’ll be back later. I won’t do anythin’ crazy and hurt my arm again. Don’t worry.”

I’d fill Mom and Dad in on Ben when I knew there was something of substance between us, not just a fling we had across the ocean. The fact that our mothers were once friends complicated things just a little, and I didn’t want to get their hopes up – I could tell they liked Ben and Linc.

Mom heaved a sigh and tsked. “I can’t wait for the day my children stop thinkin’ they can pull a fast one on their parents.”

Taken aback, I questioned, “What are you talkin’ about?”

She merely folded her arms and cocked her head.

“What?” I snapped.

“You’re gonna meet Ben, aren’t you?”

Damn.

“Mom-”

“I think you two would be great together. He’s got a good head on his shoulders, and he’s a good father – you can see that plain as day. He’s successful, too – becoming a doctor takes a lot of dedication and hard work.”

“Mom,” I interjected, “I’m not askin’ for permission. Plus, it’s new, and I don’t want to talk about it just yet.”

“I know. I’m simply tellin’ you that I like him.”

“Got it. Thanks. Can I go?” I motioned at the hall behind her.

“One more thing,” she stated, displaying that odd look from earlier. “Next time you have a heart to heart on the back porch with Clara, or anyone else for that matter, make sure to remember I like to cook with the windows open.”

My jaw dropped.

“Also, don’t let that young man off easily. If he doesn’t have a good reason for disappearin’, you better turn that booty around and come right home. You don’t put up with that nonsense.” She was about to turn around but stopped and added, “We’ll talk about your poor judgement later.”

Before I could recover and say something,
anything
, she opened her door and disappeared into her bedroom.

Ground, open up and swallow me now.

Mom was the last person I wanted to know about that.

How mortifying!

I’d think about that more another time. Definitely not now or anywhere in the near future.

I rushed through the darkened house and opened the front door. Headlights illuminated the yard as an old Bronco turned into the driveway.

Perfect timing.

I descended the steps as Ben parked and opened his door. By the time I arrived at the passenger side, he already had the door open for me.

“Hey,” Ben murmured, crowding me. Eager fingers brushed through my hair, tilting my face upward. For the second time today, his lips touched mine gently, reverently. “I’ve missed you.”

I clutched his shirt, my legs jellied, and smiled against his mouth. “You left an hour and a half ago.”

“Keeping track of time, are we?” he quipped, snaking a hand under my hair to clutch my neck. His hands were so large that his thumb brushed along my jaw and lower cheek easily. I felt delicate and cherished all at once.

Needing more, I pushed up on my toes and pressed my mouth to his more soundly, uncaring about my hurt arm crushed between us. “Maybe,” I murmured and licked the seam of his lips.

Groaning, Ben reciprocated the move. Our tongues glided together in a slow dance, shaking me to my very core. He tasted good and sinful all at once.

Before I could get my fill, he broke our kiss and pressed one last soft peck to my lips. “Later. Let’s get out of here. I don’t want your parents catching us making out in their driveway.”

It was like a bucket of icy water was poured over my head.

“Ri…right,” I stuttered, shaking myself out my stupor. “That would be bad.”

Ben laughed and stepped away from the door. Before I could climb up, he wrapped both hands around my waist and hoisted me upward. I swallowed a cry and attempted to clutch his shoulders as he deposited me in the seat. He left me with a sweet kiss and shut the door.

Sigh.

He could continue to do that and I’d still be putty in his hands.

Once Ben was inside, he smiled and threw the Bronco in reverse. To keep myself busy as he drove, I glanced around at the interior. It was newer and completely restored, without a single speck of dust in sight.

“What year is this?” I questioned, feeling the leather under me. “I haven’t seen once of these in years.”

“It’s a 69’. Pops had one when I was a kid. We had a lot of good memories in it when I visited.” Ben flashed me a brilliant smile. “I bought this as soon as I finished medical school. It was a pile of junk when I found it, but I rebuilt the engine in my downtime during residency…not that I had much of it. I wasn’t savvy enough to do the interior, but I knew someone that was. He let me help, though, and we finished this bad boy about two years ago.” He caressed the dashboard affectionately. “It’s my baby.

“Wow.” I laughed, enjoying this new side of him. He was surprisingly open. “I wasn’t expectin’ a full blown love story when I asked.” I ran my hand along the door. “But I like it.”

“Good,” he murmured and reached for my hand, linking our fingers together.

Butterflies swarmed my stomach, but I kept my voice even when I questioned, “Where are you takin’ me?”

“I would take you to my house, but Linc’s still up.” He shot me an odd look. “I hope you don’t mind. I’d rather have this conversation where we can’t be overheard. Teenagers can be nosey.”

I fought a laugh, saying, “I know I was when I was that age.”

“From what your father told me, you were a handful.”

That caught me by surprise. “He did?”

“Yep. Said you were a spitfire,” Ben elaborated, shooting me a smile.

I chewed on my lip, then admitted, “I kind a’ was. I thought I knew everythin’. Whatever Mom and Dad said not to do, I did it just to be a little shit.”

Ben chuckled. “Why do I believe every word of that?”

I shot him a coy look. “’Cause you know me.”

He tugged my hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. “That I do, Samantha…every inch.”

Did it just get really hot in here?

I suppressed the urge to fan myself and asked, “So, where are we goin’?”

“It’s a surprise.” He kissed my hand again and rested it on the shifter between us.

Instead of pressing the issue like I normally would, I peered out the window and enjoyed the cloudless night. “You know, one of the things I missed the most while I was in England was the stars. There’s nothin’ better than bein’ in Bliss and lookin’ up at the sky. It’s a world unto itself.”

“I know what you mean,” he murmured, his voice low over the sound of the engine. “I had this niggling doubt that I made Bliss grander than reality. When I drove into town, I was floored that my memories didn’t do it justice. This town is amazing, day or night. It’s rejuvenating…peaceful. There’s something in the air that calms the soul. Even I missed it while I was in London.”

My mind went in so many different directions with that one statement – I had tons of questions – but one thing stood out. “Wait.” I looked at him again, my brows raised in suspicion. “Were you in Bliss before I met you on the plane?”

He pressed his lips together to keep from answering…which was my answer.

“I thought you were from Arizona at first, but then you said you were from Portland. It never crossed my mind that you boarded at the same time as me in Charlotte.”

Ben stared at me in confusion. “Why do you say that?”

“I was one of the first ones on the plane.”

“Apparently not.” He laughed, shaking his head. “I was seated a whole minute before you asked me to move.”

I was at a loss. “You’re kind a’ hard to miss. How did I not see you before that?”

“No clue.” Something dawned on him because his face whipped towards me again. “If you thought I lived in Portland, why did you let me into your hotel room?”

Gulp.

“Can we come back to that question later?” I asked, scrunching up my face.

He laughed again, this time a full belly laugh. It was one of the most beautiful sounds I’d ever heard, and I could only watch it happen.

How am I sitting next to this beautiful man, with a killer laugh and smile, who just kissed me not even ten minutes ago?

“What?” he asked, eyeing me curiously. “You’ve gotten quiet all of a sudden.”

I glanced out the window again. “Nothin’…nothin’ at all.”

I was going to keep that tidbit to myself for a while.

∞

“The park…?”

“What’s wrong with the park?” Ben questioned, his tone defensive, but I recognized that playful twinkle in his eyes.

I stared out the windshield, taking in the dark and shadowed area. It was heavily crowded with trees and other foliage, making a great spot for the kids to play in the summertime. There was a small lake about a quarter of a mile away, which also made this area popular.

“I haven’t been here in… Well, I’m not sure.”

“See…it’s perfect,” Ben stated, opening his door. The dome light brightened the cabin as he reached behind my seat and pulled out a paper bag and a blanket. “But now it’s even more perfect.”

I rubbed my hands together, the movement odd with one strapped arm. “Now you’re talkin’. All you had to say was beer and I would have already been out of your Bronco.”

“A woman after my own heart,” he quipped and climbed out.

Okay…this is it.

I would get the answers to all my questions.

And yet, I just wanted to enjoy my time with Ben. He seemed so much more at ease with himself than he was in London. It was as if he found peace.

Maybe it was as he said – Bliss rejuvenated him somehow.

“Are you coming?” he asked as he knocked on my window.

Startled, I threw him an annoyed look. “Never rush a woman.”

“Duly noted. Now come on, slow poke.” He turned and started walking off, going God knows where.