Ouch.
“It can’t be all that bad,” I stated. “I bet she makes you all sorts of goodness to make up for it.”
Chelsea was a baker. She did all the breads and other baked goods for local restaurants and stores around town. Plus, she was a damn good cook. Anything she whipped up tasted like heaven in your mouth.
Adam patted his flat stomach. “Yeah, and my waist line is takin’ the brunt.”
I pushed against his shoulder, laughing. “Whatever.”
Between his work in construction and his daily trips to the gym, that was far from the truth.
Adam became serious again. “It’s not all that bad, I guess. It gets frustratin’ sometimes, though. It’s been almost a year – you’d think she’d get over Justin by now.” At the mention of Justin, his eyes became stormy and enraged.
“She had her heart ripped to shreds by the man she loved,” I protested, leveling him with a pointed look. “Cut her some slack.”
“Everyone grieves differently,” Ben interjected. “She’ll bounce back soon enough.”
I shot him a grin over my shoulder, happy for the help.
Someone tapped a mic and the speakers screeched, causing everyone to groan and flinch.
“Sorry,” the DJ said. “Sorry.” He paused and then went on. “Ladies and gentlemen, if you could please take your seats, we would like to introduce the happy couple.”
“Here we go,” Adam muttered and walked off.
I tipped my head back to glance at Ben. “Come on, handsome. Let’s have some fun.”
Chapter 26
Ben
I couldn’t tear my eyes off her. Samantha was unaware of how majestic her every move was or that every man watched her, captivated as she swayed and dipped to the music.
Samantha’s giggle floated to me as Lincoln whirled her around the dance floor. She had a beautiful laugh, so rich and unencumbered. She did it often and generously. It was one of the many things I loved about her.
And I’d known for some time that I was in love with Samantha.
I think I loved her from the beginning, from the very moment I saw her. I was powerless against it, against her, and now that I knew what it was like to be with her each day, I was done for.
Samantha had brightened my world to the point where it was now bursting with color. I woke each morning to her beautiful face, went to sleep every night feeling her in my arms. I craved her at every moment of every day. She was light and wholesome, with a pure soul and a heart made of gold. Not only that, she was a living and breathing fantasy. The way she let me be myself in bed was heady. She never shied away from me and was my match in every way, like she was made for me.
And Linc… Damn. I think that was what really made me fall hard for her. Samantha made him feel important, essential, and she loved him for him without ever expecting anything in return, something he’d never known from his mother. She had come into our lives and brought all of us closer. My home was filled with laughter instead of tense silence. We were a family more so today than we were before we came to Bliss because of Samantha. My son adored her for it. In his eyes, she walked on water.
She was perfect for us.
But fear was a bitter bitch.
Before, I was scared she’d run from me; now it was something different altogether.
I didn’t doubt her feelings for me. Every time Samantha looked at me, I saw them plain as day. She gave freely like that, never once holding back. The way she looked at me was enough to make a grown man crumble to his knees. At the same time, she made me believe that I could do anything, be anyone. I was invincible and flawless in her eyes.
But she was wrong.
I was terrified that she would never look at me the same once she found out how wrong she was.
And it was inevitable.
My mother was coming shortly, and with her, she’d bring everything I’d spent the last few months trying to hide.
I had to tell Samantha.
I just didn’t know how.
You aren’t the bad guy, Ben.
That was true. None of what happened was my doing. But I turned a blind eye, and I was a coward.
“What are you doin’ all by your lonesome,” a voice purred.
I glanced over my shoulder and saw a new face. “I’m sorry?” I questioned.
“How ’bout you take a lady for a spin,” she whispered, stepping closer to my chair. The woman was attractive, with blond hair, green eyes, and a beautifully curvy body.
But she wasn’t Samantha.
“Sorry, the next dance is already taken,” I informed her and stood. “Excuse me.”
I left her at the table, gaping like a fish. Without a backward glance, I arrived by Linc and Samantha just as he spun her outward. Catching her around her waist, I pulled her closer to me, saying, “I’ve got her from here, Linc.”
“Ah, Dad,” Linc whined. “We were having fun.”
A pretty strawberry-blonde haired girl had been watching Linc for a while. I found her sitting at the table by herself and pointed at her. “There’s a dancing partner. She hasn’t been able to take her eyes off you all night. Flirt with her.”
Linc turned his head, searching for the girl. When he saw her, his eyes lit. “Whoa, she’s pretty.”
“And interested. Leave us alone,” I insisted.
Samantha laughed and draped her arms around my shoulders. She shot a glance back at Linc. “Save me another for later.”
“You got it,” he hollered over his shoulder, already making his way towards the girl.
The song changed, and ‘I Won’t Give Up’ by Jason Mraz came on next. With eyes bright and full of love, Samantha stared up at me. “I thought you didn’t dance.”
I shuffled closer, curving both arms around her, and started swaying slowly with her. “I don’t.”
“You say that, but I happen to know that you’re an excellent dancer,” she teased, laying her head against my chest.
“I didn’t say I couldn’t,” I whispered.
She giggled against me, the sound and sensation almost as beautiful as she.
We quieted as we listened to the song and slowly danced. Samantha started to sing the lyrics to the song, and though she had a terrible voice, I let myself feel her words and prayed that they were true. In the near future, they’d be tested.
I shoved aside my doubts for another time and let myself get lost in her. I got lost in a fantasy of dancing with her at our wedding, watching her walk down the aisle towards me like Clara did earlier tonight. The images were as vivid and as sharp as any.
This woman had become the very thing beating in my chest.
We danced a few more songs, the evening perfect. I hadn’t been to many weddings, but what I had seen, this one far surpassed them. It was a celebration in every sense of the word. The dinner was exceptional, the atmosphere romantic and filled with wonder. Grey and Clara beamed the entire time. I was happy for them.
The song ended, and the DJ came on the mic. “Ladies and gentlemen, if you’d head over to the cake table, the bride and groom are about to cut the cake.”
“Come on,” I murmured and took Samantha’s hand in mine.
Together, with the rest of the crowd, we walked towards the patio. Grey and Clara were already at the cake table, awaiting everyone.
“If Grey pushes it in her face, I’m gonna kill him,” Samantha whispered, chewing on her lip.
“I think your brother is more considerate than that,” I told her, smiling.
She grinned up at me. “I hope Clara does it.”
I chuckled. “I don’t know. I think Clara is too sweet.”
“Don’t let that innocent smile and that honeyed voice fool you – she’s got a mean streak in her.”
I chuckled a little louder. “If you say so.”
Out of nowhere, the hairs on the nape of my neck stood on end, and my laugh cut off abruptly. I glanced around, searching for the cause. It felt as if someone was watching me.
“What’s wrong?” Samantha questioned, concerned.
“Nothing,” I told her, not wanting to worry her.
Movement on the patio caught my attention. Deep in the shadows, I made out a man. It was a man I’d recognize anywhere.
What the fuck is he doing here?
“I’m going to run to the restroom,” I told Samantha, my blood pressure spiking. I kissed the top of her hair and released her. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
“What? Why?” she replied, pouting at me adorably. “You’re gonna miss it.”
Shit.
To distract her, I kept my tone light. “Sorry, baby girl. I’ll try to be back in no time. If not, you can tell me what I missed.”
“Okay, okay,” she grumbled, pushing up on her toes, and kissed me quickly. “Hurry back, handsome.”
I left her with a fake smile and weaved through the crowd. I met Uri’s gaze and tipped my head towards the front of the B&B, needing this to happen away from the crowd. He started moving immediately.
We made it to the front porch at the same time. I grabbed him by his arm as he opened his mouth and dragged him to the other side of the house. I released him, throwing him slightly, which caused him to stumble.
Uri laughed and smoothed out his shirt as he righted himself. “You’ve grown quite a temper, Benjamin.”
“What are you doing here?” I seethed.
“Just checking in, seeing how the ungrateful son is doing.”
“He sent you here?” I questioned, incensed.
“Yep.”
“What does he want?”
No matter how far I got, he wouldn’t let me go.
“Just to make sure you’re doing okay,” Uri answered. “Seems your father has nothing to worry about. You’ve already replaced the misses and everything.”
“Leave Samantha out of this,” I barked and took a step closer.
The thought of Uri’s dirty eyes on Samantha was enough to make me want to bash his head against the pavement. Uri didn’t have a moral compass. That made him perfect for when my father needed something seedy done.
Since Dad couldn’t mold me into what he wanted, Uri became his right-hand man. Even though he held that title, Uri resented me because I was my father’s son – all I had to do was say the word, and I’d have everything he wanted.
My father’s company.
Well, that would never happen.
Uri held up his hand. “Hey, man, I’m not doing anything.”
“Stay away from Samantha,” I warned, my voice deepening and vibrating with malice.
“Your father wants to meet her,” he informed me.
“Not happening. Tell him to stay out of Bliss.”
Uri gaze shot daggers at me. “He’s still your father.”
“I don’t care what he thinks.” The thought that Dad even believed that was laughable.
“He won’t like it.”
“Do I give a shit?”
“I would. Let him meet the woman, and then he’ll go back to Portland. Make him happy, and you’ll be able to continue on.” There was nothing but pure hate in his eyes.
Well, I despised him, too.
I shook my head. “Not happening. My past doesn’t belong in Bliss or around Samantha. I thought I made that clear.”
Uri shrugged. “It is what it is, Ben.”
“Tell him to back off.”
Uri sighed, acting mournful when he was anything but, and shook his head. “He didn’t want me to tell you unless I had to, and I guess that’s the case.”
“What’s wrong?”
His eyes gleamed. “Gwen is making threats again.”
Fuck.
Me.
Was she stupid?
“What does she want?” I gritted out.
His lip curled. “What do you think, jackass. You. She wants you and your son back.”
“Not happening.”
“If she doesn’t back off…” He smirked cruelly.
Damn you, Gwen.
Again, she was putting me in the middle of this.
“I’ll talk to her, but if she doesn’t back down, I’m out of this. I’m not getting caught up in it.”
“You sure you want that to happen? That’s the mother of your boy.”
“I can’t save her anymore, Uri. If she won’t listen to reason, she’s on her own. I have to protect Linc.”
“That’ll be on you.”
“Don’t,” I growled and stepped closer. “Don’t put that bullshit on me. None of this was my doing.”
Uri rolled his eyes. “Poor Ben, always the innocent victim.”
I was through with this.
“Leave, Uri. Get out of town. Stay away from Samantha and never come back.”
“But I’m enjoying my stay,” he whined in mock disappointment.
“You’re staying here?”
“Yep. Miss Raiden has been such a good host. Very sexy, that one.”
Red was all I saw.
I grabbed him by the collar and picked him up, his toes barely touching the ground. “Leave tonight.” Uri tried to break my hold, but I held tighter. “I’m warning you, Uri. Heed me, or you’ll regret it.”
Face red, he wheezed, “I wouldn’t make threats.”
“You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
If it meant protecting Samantha, I’d kill him in a heartbeat.
Thunder built in Uri’s expression. “And you know what I’m capable of doing. That’s foolish, Ben.”
I pushed away from him, causing his back to collide with the wall. “Get out of town.”
Uri huffed as he righted himself. “You’ve got some balls, pretty boy.”
“I mean it. Leave.”
Uri turned and headed back towards the front. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I get it.” He added something else, but it was too quiet to make out.
I waited until he disappeared to unwind my tense muscles.
And I thought my mother’s visit was bad.
∞
I stayed in the background as Samantha gave her speech, my mind in chaos. I wondered if I should walk away now, before she got any deeper, to save her from this.
She’s strong.
She was, but was she strong enough to weather my storm?
That was the tricky question.
“Clara, I don’t know how you convinced Grey to make this leap. I thought my brother would be single forever.” Samantha stood in front of their table, her hair glistening in the lights above. She exuded warmth and strength as she spoke into the microphone.
She was exquisite.
And mine.
Samantha continued, her face tender and filled with emotion. “However, I couldn’t imagine a better person for my brother. Not only have you made him happy, but you’ve completed our family too. You and Bella mean the world to us. To me especially. You’re my best friend and by far the kindest, fiercest person I know. You make me want to be a better, stronger person. Thank you, thank you, for choosing us as your family.” She brought her glass up towards the happy couple. “I wish you all the happiness in the world. You deserve it.”
Clara blew her a kiss, dabbing her eyes. Her husband wrapped her in his arms and kissed her hair.
Samantha turned to her brother, smiling brilliantly. “And Grey…my wonderful big brother, I love you with all my heart. You’ve been a rock for me and my partner in crime all my life. I’m so happy that you’ve found Clara. She’s a gift.” She arched a brow and turned serious. “Just don’t screw it up.” Laughing, she raised her beer. “Cheers to Clara and Grey!”
Everyone laughed, including me. The woman never ceased to amaze me.
Samantha passed the microphone to Adam and took a step back. Her mother handed Bella to her, murmuring something. They laughed together while Samantha kissed the baby’s head.
I was sucked in deeper.
Adam started speaking, but I tuned him out, honing in on the woman I love. I walked through the crowd as cheers and shouts went off. She must
have felt me because her eyes found mine as I crossed the dance floor. She brightened, radiating her happiness.
“Hey,” she murmured as I approached. “You’re back.”
Ignoring the baby, I pressed my lips to hers and kissed her slowly. She hummed against my mouth.
“I’m back,” I murmured as I broke our kiss.
“You okay?” she questioned softly.
“Perfect.”
She eyed me, knowing I was lying, and then sighed, saying, “You missed my speech.”
Relieved she didn’t question me, I shook my head and tucked her against my side. “No, I didn’t. I was in the back watching. You did beautifully.”
Samantha was a saint for giving me room to work things out in my mind. She never brought up my parents or Gwen, though she had every reason to ask.
“It wasn’t too cheesy?” she wondered, biting her lip.
“No, sweetheart. You did great,” I assured her, kissing her temple.
More cheers went off, signaling the end of Adam’s speech. Little Bella squealed with them. Surprising me, she launched herself at me.
“Whoa there. Careful, munchkin.” I placed my free arm under her bottom, attempting to tame the frilly pink lace of her dress, and hoisted her upward. “You can’t go flying around like that. You’ll hurt yourself.”
“Ben, Ben, Ben,” she chattered, slapping her hands on my shoulder as she bounced. She gave me a toothy smile, one I returned. She was just too cute not to, with her hair up in two little ponytails on the top of her head.
This little girl had a way of wiggling her way into your soul. Since Samantha and I spent a lot of time with her family, Bella and I had established quite a bond. In fact, I had bonded with all of Samantha’s family. Her parents were the warmest people I’d ever encountered. Grey and I were on shaky ground at first, but we’d become friends. Samantha had spoken a lot about him and Clara, and with everything I learned, I respected both of them immensely.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Samantha watching me. I turned from the garbling baby and cocked my head. “What?”
“Nothin’.” She smiled gently. “Just you. You’re good with her.”
“It’s hard not to be. She’s a doll.” A thought crossed my mind. “Do you want children?”
Fated Bliss (The Bliss Series Book 2) Page 31