Read Rhythm of Us: Book 2 Of The Fated Hearts Series Online

Authors: Aimee Nicole Walker

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Rhythm of Us: Book 2 Of The Fated Hearts Series (5 page)

BOOK: Rhythm of Us: Book 2 Of The Fated Hearts Series
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“Aww, Xavier. I promise you that there’s nothing wrong with me. I’m fine. What do you have planned today?” Ellie asked, changing the subject.

“I need to take a shower and pick Ben up at 10:00,” I responded. “He had a little too much to drink last night so I gave him a ride home.”

“I’ve known Ben for a few years now and I’ve never seen him get drunk. I wonder what happened to make him lose that well-crafted control. Did he say anything on the ride home?”

He moaned and groaned as he felt up Mistress and gave me the hardest erection I’d had in years, if ever, but I didn’t think that is what Ellie meant. “Not really,” I answered honestly. “We talked about my car and how sweet she is, but that’s about it.” I studied her as she took a small sip of her Sprite. “So, what is going on between you and Ben?” I asked, recalling what he said about Mrs. Hernandez’s granddaughter not being right for him. Was Ellie right for him? He’d mentioned his track record with women being less than impressive and I didn’t want my sister being one of his casualties.

Ellie shrugged nonchalantly, but wouldn’t make eye contact. “We’re just friends, Xavier. That’s all we’ll ever be. People make a big deal out of us spending a lot of time together, but he’s honestly my best friend.”

“But . . .”

“You better hit the shower so you don’t keep Ben waiting,” El said, interrupting me. “He’s a real stickler for punctuality.” She snickered a little bit. “Unlike others I know.” She raised her head and aimed a teasing wink in my direction.

“I’ve grown out of that,” I said defensively, “except when I have to hold my sister’s hair back while she spews. That might make me late.”

“Smart ass,” Ellie called after me when I left the kitchen. “I used to change your dirty diapers so I guess we’re even now.”

I was still smiling when I climbed into the shower a few minutes later. I let the hot water beat down on my body and soothe away the ache in my muscles and wash away the sweat and dirt from my skin. I closed my eyes and pretended that the water also washed my soul clean, like a baptism.

I spent the entire trip to Ben’s house reminding myself that he was a straight man, possibly a slutty one by his own admission, and wasn’t for me. Falling for straight men was a total waste of energy and heartbreak and it had never happened to me. I’d watched many gay guys fall for their straight co-workers or friends too many times to count and I was glad it wasn’t a club or team I had joined. I had never been in real jeopardy of falling for a straight guy until I met Ben.
It was just lust.
I was sure it would pass as soon as I met a gay man I was equally attracted to who returned my interest.
Forget about men and relationships. Focus on getting stronger one day at a time.

That theory lasted as long as it took for Ben to walk out his front door. Damn, he was a beautiful man. I had seen him in business suits, jeans and a casual shirt, but this look might be my new favorite for reasons unknown to me. He was wearing a simple t-shirt and navy blue track pants, but those pants made his legs look five miles long as they ate up the pavement, bringing my temptation closer and closer to me.

I sucked in a breath when I noticed the unfettered bounce of his cock and balls beneath that smooth fabric.
Holy fucking shit, Ben St. Claire is about to get in my car wearing no underwear. Commando. Free-balling.
I feared I wouldn’t survive it.

Our eyes locked when he climbed inside my car and closed the door. His moody gray eyes were a shade I hadn’t seen before. It made me want to learn the meaning behind that particular shade and all the others I’d seen the few times I’d been around him. That morning his eyes were so light that they were nearly transparent. They were more noticeable because the outer rim of his irises remained a dark gray. I sat there staring at him like a complete idiot for God knew how long, unable to find words.

“Hey,” he spoke casually, breaking the silence. “What are your plans this afternoon?”

“Uh.”
Climb onto your lap, rip your ball cap off your head, and run my fingers through your inky black hair while I grind my ass against your package until it hardens for me. Rub my cheek against the dark stubble that grew in over night before I press my lips to yours. Slide down to my knees, pulling your pants down with me, and suck your dick into my mouth.
Of course, I didn’t say any of those things. “I have some errands to run. Besides, Ellie isn’t feeling well and I don’t want to leave her alone.”

“Okay. No problem. I was just going to invite you to my baseball game this afternoon. Gray and his brother, Preston, are on my team. I thought you might like to watch us make complete fools out of ourselves.”

“Maybe next time.” I heard myself answer and wished I could stab myself with a sharp object. No good would come out of me spending a lot of time around Ben.

“Cool,” he replied, but then his expression turned serious and his eyes turned darker, almost stormy. “What’s wrong with Ellie?” There was no mistaking the tenderness and concern he had for my sister and her well-being.

“I was about to ask you the same question.”

“Me?”

“You’re around her a lot more than I am and I was hoping you could tell me what’s going on.” I blew out a frustrated breath and looked out the windshield of Mistress. I needed to be able to focus on my words and thoughts, which wasn’t possible when I looked into his eyes. “She said it was something that she ate before the party, but I don’t believe her. She’s hiding something.” I put Mistress in gear and backed out of Ben’s driveway. “Have you noticed anything?”

“Not really,” Ben said after a long pause. “I’ll pay closer attention if you want me to.”

“Please,” I replied softly. “I’ll give you my number and you can text me or call me anytime.”

Ben agreed and we spent the rest of the short trip to the bowling alley in silence. It seemed like we both had our minds someplace else, but I doubted - no, was sure - that our brains weren’t traveling down the same track. Mine was still trying to undress him and find every pleasure point on his long, lean body. I don’t know where his mind was at the moment, but it probably didn’t include getting naked and sweaty with me.

“Thanks for the ride.” Ben’s soft voice sent chills of lust down my spine when I pulled up beside his car. “I’ll keep an eye on Ellie for you, okay?” His words washed over me and brought a smidgeon of peace to my ravaged mind for the first time in days. I could easily become more addicted to him than any drug. “It’s going to be okay.”

We exchanged phone numbers before Ben got out of my car. He waved as he drove past me and headed toward the parking lot exit. I sat for a few more minutes before I ran my errands, my mind stayed on Ben the entire time. The only time he left my thoughts was when I returned home and found Ellie sound asleep on the couch. She’d only been awake for a few hours and was already sleeping again. I wanted to believe that everything was okay, but I knew in my heart something more serious was at play. I just hoped I was strong enough to help Ellie through whatever challenges she was facing.

THE FOLLOWING MONDAY
I found myself in Ellie’s office bright and early. I could tell by Xavier’s tone the day before that he was really worried about his sister and I wanted to be able to put both of us at ease. Okay, I also wanted any excuse to text or call him. I’d love to hear his soft voice speaking in my ear, but would settle for a text.

I wanted so badly to ask him out, but lacked the confidence to pull it off. My lack of confidence didn’t have to do with my looks or my ability to attract another man. I lacked confidence in my ability to flirt and date, which was a sad state of affairs for a thirty year old man. My idea of flirting with a man was a head nod in the direction of the exit door of the bar where we met. I knew that I somehow needed to step up my game with Xavier, which was another reason I was in Ellie’s office first thing that morning.

“Good morning, gorgeous.” I crossed her threshold with an extra pep in my step. I nearly gasped when I saw how tired she looked, with dark circles under eyes and a complete lack of spark in her gaze.

“Hello to you too,” she responded, but her smile didn’t meet her eyes like it normally did. “Did you enjoy your ride in Midnight Mistress?”

“Yes.” My eyes searched her for clues as to what ailed her while my heart ached that she hadn’t confided in me. “Ellie,” I began, but a quick wave of her hand cut me off.

“I’m fine, Ben.” She narrowed her eyes at me and studied me suspiciously. “Did my brother send you in here to spy on me?”

Busted.
“No.” My breezy dismissal might have been said too quickly if her raised brow was any indication. “I
am
here about Xavier, but not on his behalf.” I blew out a frustrated breath and flopped down in the chair in front of her desk. “I don’t know how to say this delicately, El. I’m way out of my comfort zone here.”

“You want him bad, don’t you?”

“Is it that obvious?” I whined. “He doesn’t seem to notice and I’m fucking horrible at dating. I can pick up one-nighters left and right, but I shut down when it comes to asking a dude to dinner.”

Ellie tilted her head cutely while she contemplated the situation. “I think your attraction to him is noticeable to people who know you, like myself, Gray and Chase. Xavier doesn’t know you well enough and I’m not sure his brain is capable of picking up how attracted you are to him right now.” She started to giggle at her desk and quickly covered her mouth. She regained her composure after several seconds and said, “I’m pretty sure that he thinks that you’re . . .” she launched into another giggle fit.

“He thinks . . .” I waved my hand around in exasperation to encourage her to finish her statement.

Ellie sat up straight and dropped the bomb on me. “He thinks you’re straight.” Her lips twitched in mirth, as if she didn’t just blow my universe apart.

“Are you fucking serious?” I stood up and paced the carpet in front of her desk. “How is that even possible? Why does he think that?” I asked, stopping abruptly in front of her desk.

Ellie shrugged casually. “Like I said, I don’t think his head is in the right place and we spend so much time together that people speculate that we’re a couple.”

“El, please tell me that I’ve never misled you or made you believe that . . .”

“You haven’t,” she interrupted. “I’ve always known exactly who you are and I’m so very thankful to have your friendship, Bennett.” She stood up slowly, braced her hands on her desk and closed her eyes a second as if she were feeling dizzy. I started to go to her, but she waved me off once again. “I’m fine, Ben.”

“You’re not fine and I need you to tell me what’s wrong,” I pleaded.

“Ben, please respect my need for privacy. I
am
fine and there is nothing to worry about.” She slowly walked to me and I automatically reached for her, pulling her into a hug.

She felt slimmer since the last time I hugged her just a few days prior and it scared me to death, but I’d do as she asked. “I’m here for you Ellie; please tell me that you know I’d do anything in the world for you.”

“I do know that and I love you for it. I also want to tell you that I think you’d be the best thing to ever happen to Xavier. I don’t know what the hell happened to him in LA, but it’s taken a huge toll on him. I lost my smiling, happy brother, Ben. I want him back and I think you’re the one who can do that, but I’m afraid it will be a lot of work. I see such hollowness in his eyes and it scares me to death,” Ellie whispered against my chest.

“I’m not afraid of hard work, Ellie. I’ve never really dated before and I’ve never wanted to until I met him. The spark began when he was here a few months last year, but he was gone before I could do anything about it. I saw him at the bachelor party and the spark morphed into a burning blaze. I hear what you’re saying to me; I can and will be patient. However, I’m not willing to let him leave again without him knowing how I feel.” I chuckled lightly, before adding, “And, it seems like I have a pretty big task on my hands since he thinks I’m straight.”

Ellie and I laughed together for a few minutes before I gave her a soft, reassuring kiss on her brow and left to go to my office. I walked into my sanctuary and found it already occupied by Chase Rivers, who was leaning against my desk and facing the door. He studied me through squinted eyes, sort of like an iconic actor best known for westerns. It looked like were about to have a high noon shootout.

BOOK: Rhythm of Us: Book 2 Of The Fated Hearts Series
9.92Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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