I Love You to Pieces

by Lori Flynn

  “So, Ben, I didn’t catch your last name earlier,” Elizabeth oozed as she draped herself seductively over an antique desk that centered the room.

  “It’s Thornton; Bennett Thornton.”

  Olivia sucked in a breath as her mother’s expression changed from seductress to anger and then contorted to rage; all within a few seconds of realizing just who she was dealing with.

  “What a shame to have such a stud behind all those threatening letters that have darkened my doorstep,” Elizabeth scoffed.

  “If you liked those, you’re going to love this.” Ben took an envelope from his jacket pocket and handed it to Elizabeth.

  Olivia hadn’t a clue what it contained. She could only stand and watch as the familiar signs of rage built inside her mother.

  “What the hell is this?” Elizabeth demanded of Ben as she ripped the envelope open with force.

  “It’s a copy of a press release I’ve written. I wanted you to see it now. Should there ever be a reoccurrence of that stunt you pulled, putting you in direct breach of contract, you’ll be too busy moving to read it then. Think about it, Elizabeth. Your actions have repercussions. All of those people in the next room will learn the truth about you. You and your whole circus act will be homeless in less than twenty-four hours.”

  Olivia felt her heart slam against her ribs when her mother turned her stare toward her. Elizabeth hadn’t only understood the depth of Ben’s threats but saw her daughter as the cause. Ben stepped between them before Olivia could turn and run.

  “Direct your fury toward me, not your daughter. And make damn sure you get the name right.” Ben handed her his business card. “Since I’m not a child or a small animal, you don’t scare me, Elizabeth.”

  With his hand on the small of Olivia’s back, he led her from the room, the party and the house.

  *

  Neither said a word until they were miles from the estate, huddled in the back of the long black limousine. Olivia curled against Ben’s chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “Not necessary.” Ben’s response was quick. He rested his chin in her hair.

  At Casa Nonna, they kicked off their shoes and settled for wine. It had been hours since they’d missed dinner, but neither had a mind for food. In formal wear, they roamed the moonless beach in contented silence, leaving footprints in the wet sand, never breaking their touch.

  “It’s getting late. I should go,” Ben said when they reached the house.

  “Do you have to go? Could you stay?” Nervously, she bit her lip.

  “I could if you want me to, if you’re sure.”

  “I’m more than sure.” Taking back his hand, she pulled him from the doorway, toward the stairs.

  “I would’ve had it out with your mother months ago if I’d known that’s all it would take,” Ben said from the hall outside Olivia’s room, inciting her to laugh.

  Buckley alerted as they entered, sniffing the air in Ben’s direction, before lowering his yellow head. Drawing her into his arms, Ben paused, kissing her, the strong hardness of his lips covering hers. After that, he was all thumbs, navigating the zipper of her gown.

  “You sit, I’ll get this.” Olivia’s throaty tone caused him to nod and lower himself to the edge of the bed, loosening his clothes.

  Time slowed, and her mind raced. She swore she heard the faint tapping of her mother’s stiletto heels, like something pushing her, as she nudged the gown from her shoulders, over her hips, letting it drop to the floor. When his eyes fell to her breasts, she slipped out of her lacey bra, removing the matching panty. She drifted forward, helping him from his shirt, ignoring the buttons, until they bounced against the floor.

  Burning from the inside out, she knelt, and as one shaky hand rid him of his pants and boxers, the other wrapped his raging erection. What do I do now? I don’t want to stop! Its smoothness should’ve shocked her—instead, it intrigued and excited her.

  Lowering her head, she took him deep inside her mouth and slid up and down with a slow, steady motion. The sensation, oddly familiar, sent shivers down her spine and made her feel powerful. She repeated it again and again.

  When his hands moved from her hair to her shoulders, she was beneath him in a single move. His tongue worked a path down her neck to the flat of her stomach. She held her breath as he teased the soft skin of her inner thigh. When he was over her, she arched her back and squeezed her eyes shut, matching his groan.

  On her back, she lay dazed, chest heaving. Ben rolled toward her and kissed her softly on the lips before whispering, “I guess it’s true what they say about the quiet ones.”

  Olivia waited until his breathing changed, more rhythmic and deep. It didn’t take long. Then she bolted from the bed and sprinted to the bathroom, securing the door behind her. With her back to the wall, she slid to the floor; trembling hands covered her warmed cheeks. In the quiet, she thought of her body’s response and the way it continued to pulse and throb. She could only liken it to muscle memory, similar to her experience earlier in the garden—only, her past hadn’t given her much to pull from.

  She thought about it until the pressure that built behind her eyes felt ready to explode and made her lightheaded. The pictures in her mind weren’t in focus, and her dreams faded before she could piece them together. Wiping her forehead with her clammy hand, she wondered. Were they memories—her memories? She held back tears, left with more questions that had no answers.

  *

  “Olivia, where are you?” Ben’s drowsy voice filtered into the bathroom where Olivia paced.

  “I’m here,” she answered, tightening the belt of her short satin robe and opening the door.

  “Are you all right?” he asked. “What time is it?”

  Even in the darkened room, she could see concern shadowing his eyes. Or was it doubt? “I’m fine, and it’s early. I found all the buttons from your shirt, so Webster won’t mistake them for Cheerios. They weren’t sewn on very well.”

  “Speaking of Webster, he got in bed behind me earlier and was licking my ear. I didn’t stop him until he bit me.”

  Olivia laughed aloud. “He fooled you, didn’t he? You thought he was me.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous; I just didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Besides, you smell a lot better than he does. Come back to bed.” Ben cleared away the covers.

  She smiled as she approached the bed. Before she could answer, lightning fast, he circled her waist and pulled her in. His warm protective arm tugged her close. As they spooned, his breathing again became rhythmic and deep, as did hers.

  “Ben, you did more for me last night than anyone has in my whole life. I’ll never forget it.”

  “I could say the same for you. But setting my bruised ego aside, I don’t believe we’d be talking about the same thing.” A grin pulled at the corner of his mouth as she laughed.

  Chapter Thirty

  Olivia

  With the pressure of her mother’s party behind her, Olivia returned to work, chock-full of ideas for her next fundraiser. She’d have the time. Ben was knee-deep in a high-profile case, spending long hours at the courthouse. He had, however, thought to send sweet gifts and flowers that warmed her heart.

  Olivia settled behind her desk, eager to begin, her foot drumming against the floor. Her work centered her. It was the place where the pieces fit, where she had all the answers.

  Before long, she’d exhausted a good part of the day and then the week, refining her lists from the most valued donors to the newest patrons. She made considerable progress. Her mind raced with it, so much so she found herself unable to slow, even after the end of her workday.

  Returning home, she’d worn a path along the shore, counted sheep white and black, and considered moving on to Shepherds—the German kind. The potent medication her doctor had prescribed for insomnia had a warning label that read like a novella. She’d only take it as a last resort. When her cell phone vibrated on her bedside
table, she flinched.

  “If there’s a male in your bed, please tell me he has four legs and more hair than a bad five o’clock shadow.”

  “Miss you too, Ben.”

  “Sorry if I woke you. I just got home. I wanted to hear your voice and find out what you’re wearing.”

  Olivia lifted her head from the pillow and glanced at her old college sweats. She tightened the band holding her dark hair, piled high on her crown. “The first thing I found—a white tuxedo shirt missing its buttons.”

  “You’re killing me,” Ben groaned into the phone before saying goodnight.

  Sleep became more of a hindrance than a solution, and Olivia’s insomnia was winning the battle for the night. She could count the hours on one hand before the expected return to her office, given the accountant’s request for her presence at the morning meeting. Her alarm sounded what felt like moments later. With a yawn, she braced herself against the shower wall until the water ran cool and then carefully dressed before making the drive to work.

  Olivia juggled her laptop and ledgers into the meeting room but felt confident and prepared for most anything they’d direct her way. After examining her records, all were more than satisfied.

  When the meeting adjourned, she lured Gretchen to the comfort of her settee. Opening her notebook, she listened to her employer’s ideas while taking considerable notes. A crystal vase, brimming with petite yellow roses, arrived and was placed with the collection on the desk as Gretchen pushed herself to her feet.

  “It’s starting to look like a funeral parlor in here,” she said. “Is Ben in the doghouse?”

  “Not at all,” Olivia grinned. “He’s feeling guilty about an important case that’s had him handcuffed to the courthouse.”

  Olivia searched for her cell phone through the flowers and papers on her desk, and thanked Ben with a text, rather than interrupt his busy day. Then, with a fresh pot of coffee, her notebook and lists returned to work. When her stomach rumbled, she lifted her head and noticed the streetlights in full glow outside the window. A glance at her watch convinced her to head home. While cleaning off her desk, Olivia recalled Gretchen’s words. Doubling back, she tucked a vase of flowers under each arm before securing the door.

  She placed a floral arrangement at each corner of the front desk. If there’s a silver lining in Ben’s absence, this is it. Every night before I go home, I always want to check the board and help walk the dogs. Sadly, it’s usually so late, and I’m in a hurry. There’s no need to rush tonight.

  The board looked as bleak as the meager crew of two. The petite Mandy nodded in Olivia’s direction while taking a call concerning a lost dog. A slice of pizza, cold and stiff, sat inches from her hand. Not far from Mandy stood Cindy, no larger in stature than her counterpart, but a few decades older. After retiring from a lengthy nursing career, she’d been quoted as saying she’d finally found patients who appreciated her.

  “Glad to see you, Olivia. We’ve been alone here all day,” Mandy said when she hung up. “I swear I’m going to kiss whoever shows up for the next shift. Today’s thunderstorms haven’t helped the situation. Dogs freak out with the noise. I’ve taken a half dozen lost dog calls in the past hour.”

  Olivia empathized, having repeatedly watched Lily run and hide when it thundered. As she lifted the first leash, the dark and blustery night sky threatened again. While the animals seemed thankful for her effort, most hurried back inside for cover. She’d just returned the last leash when she heard shouting coming from the reception area.

  “I’m sorry, sir, no one is allowed in the exam rooms,” Mandy spoke at the top of her voice above the protests of a man leaning over the desk. “Dr. Hunter will do everything he can for your dog. I just need you to fill out this form.”

  Dr. Hunter sprinted by Olivia, headed toward the exam room. He cradled a small white dog whose lone sign of life was a low, steady whimper. Cindy followed close behind, offering assistance, while Mandy continued with the dog’s owners. Olivia peered at the man from around the corner. His slumping shoulders didn’t diminish his hulking size, and he looked in dire need of a haircut and shave. She noticed how he glared at Mandy.

  A woman in full body tremors, arms wrapped tight around her waist, cowered beside him. Olivia thought it obvious from the look in the woman’s eyes and the way she flinched when the man reached for the form that the dog wasn’t the only one in need of medical attention. The woman hadn’t uttered a sound.

  The man’s rage seemed to deepen as he struggled to focus. From her position near the kennels, Olivia smelled alcohol fumes rolling from his breath and pores.

  “Sir, tell me your name. I’ll help you with the form,” Mandy offered.

  “Let me tell you what you can do with your goddamned form,” the man said loudly. He seemed ready to continue his instruction before catching sight of Dr. Hunter returning, striding toward him with Cindy in tow.

  “I’ve completed a preliminary examination of your dog, and I don’t believe you’ve been entirely honest with me,” Dr. Hunter said. “You stated he suffered a fall. I believe that poor animal was beaten, severely beaten.” Each word was edged with anger.

  The woman covered her face with her hands and cried as if trying to block out the nightmare. Her partner, meanwhile, seemed far more incensed at Dr. Hunter’s accusation.

  “Can you help him or not? I don’t care either way about the little shit, but she does.” The man pointed his thumb beside him.

  “Right now, I’m not sure. He may not survive. But I can guarantee you one thing. That dog isn’t leaving here with you.”

  Olivia swallowed hard. A blind man could see the line just drawn in the sand, predicting a situation about to get worse. With no warning, the outraged man sent Dr. Hunter to the ground like a deflated balloon with one well-placed punch. Olivia shook as she lifted the phone extension and whispered a call for help.

  “All I want is my fucking dog back, and no one else will get hurt,” the man yelled.

  Mandy and Cindy whimpered, cowering behind the desk, leaving Olivia as the last line of defense to the exam room where the small white dog lay fighting for his life. Olivia sped down the corridor, a few steps ahead of the monster that was now hunting her. Oh God! He’s right behind me. I’ve got to lock that door until help arrives! A scream bubbled up from her throat as his muscular hands grabbed hold of her shoulders, spinning her until they were face to face.

  The man’s rage was directed solely at her. She felt her heart, pounding through her chest and head, obliterating all other sound except for the distant tapping of her mother’s stiletto heels echoing through her ears. When he pulled back his meaty fist, she squeezed her eyes shut. The terror faded.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Ben

  Ben’s fingers drummed the wheel as he weaved through evening traffic. After countless hours, billable hours, his high-profile case had come to a successful end. Now, he planned on surprising Olivia by pulling her away from her desk for a late dinner. Email, text messages and midnight calls helped to pass the time but fell short of the real thing, his real thing.

  Deep in thought, he drove toward Paws for Love. A fleet of police cars and emergency vehicles passed him at warp speed. He hardly noticed until he turned from the last bend in the road. The flashing red and blue lights surrounding the building made his chest tighten.

  “What the hell’s going on?” he said, muttering a quick prayer that Olivia had already gone home. Scanning the employee lot and seeing her car alongside the others sickened him. Ben parked and sprinted toward the building, breaking through the yellow police tape draped over the entrance. The officer applying it moved his hand to his holster and blocked the door.

  “No one gets in there, buddy.”

  Ben scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’m a lawyer.”

  “I’m sure your mother’s very proud.” He smirked so deep that his double chin tripled. “Move along. Don’t make her come to get you out of lock-up.”

 
“What happened here?”

  The officer tugged up his belt, although Ben doubted it had been north of his navel in years. “Some drunk assaulted a couple of employees; one of them fought back. They took the guy to County a few minutes ago.”

  Just then, the doors burst open as paramedics pushed a stretcher holding Dr. Hunter. They barked orders to clear their path. The doctor’s hands wrapped tight around his middle, pain evident on his face.

  “Dr. Hunter, it’s Ben Thornton, remember me? What happened? Where’s Olivia?”

  “Some asshole came in with a dog I’m sure he’d beaten. He sucker-punched me when he didn’t get the answers he wanted. I don’t know where Olivia is. I was out cold. They may have already taken her.”

  Ben swallowed hard, trying not to give in to panic. He ignored his stomach as it twisted and burned with Dr. Hunter’s words. He turned to where the paramedics had raced with their stretcher. With the ambulance holding Dr. Hunter speeding down the highway, three remained in the lot.

  He chose the one surrounded by the most activity. Pushing his way inside, he ignored the protests. The first glimpse of Olivia’s body, pale and still on the stretcher, had him turn and back out so he could vomit into the curbside bushes.

  As he attempted to climb back in the ambulance, the paramedic said firmly, “Sir, they’re waiting for her in the E.R. Only immediate family can ride in the back.”

  “I’m her attorney. She requested my presence earlier,” Ben lied and hurried back into the ambulance, taking his place at her side.

  The trip to the hospital took minutes, each one long and agonizing. They felt like hours. Ben raked his fingers through his hair when overhearing the paramedic report to the hospital that he suspected Olivia suffered broken ribs, a concussion, and possible facial fractures.

  On arrival, Ben paced as they examined her, whisking her away for X-rays. He convinced himself she remained unconscious intentionally because of her aversion to doctors. When her eyes, at last, fluttered open, she blinked in confusion.