by Kira Hillins
Ben lifted the shot glass. The gals counted down, Zoe’s voice loudest in his ears. Once they yelled, “Drink,” the first shot of vodka he’d had in almost two years burned down his throat.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Sheron and Doogen sat across from Ben and Zoe. Everyone had way too much to drink. Ben had struck up a conversation Zoe didn’t think he was ready for.
Chase.
“I visit his grave often,” Sheron said, her words slurred. “I leave fresh flowers on his grave once a week and burn candles on the hearth beneath the tombstone.”
Ben set his glass of vodka and ice on the table. Zoe was astounded at how drunk he was—how drunk everyone was. Fortunately, Ben wasn’t a violent drunk. But he sure brought up some depressing subjects.
“Chase Magnum Solmer. Beloved brother. Husband. Friend.” He pressed his forefinger against the table to make his point. “That’s what you had chiseled above his name. The dates of his life etched below it.” He threw a glance at Zoe and then leaned back in his chair. “He was only thirty-seven when he died. That’s too fucking young.”
Doogen nodded. “Amen, brother.”
“He always hated his middle name.” Sheron teared up and then snickered as she cried. “He said it made him sound like a mean old fart.”
Ben snorted a short laugh. “There was this twelve-year-old kid who lived in the apartment next door. I was only seven. Every day he’d chase me home from school, threatening to kick my ass. One day, he caught up with me. Clocked me in the eye. I went home bawling.”
“The little jerk,” Zoe whispered.
He chuckled. He turned his blurring gaze on her. Light from the bar made the tears in his eyes glitter. He draped his right arm over her shoulders and then pulled her close against his side.
“Chase said, ‘Man up, soldier. Real men don’t cry. They suck it up and fight back.’ The next day, the same kid punched me in the arm. I shoved him down on the ground and started hitting him over and over. I remember how good it felt to see him cry like a fucking baby.”
Zoe placed her hand on his leg. “What happened after that?”
“Yeah,” he said with a laugh. “Got in big trouble with the law. My mom’s friend stepped in as my guardian. She got me out of juvie. Since Chase was still a minor, we had to move to her cabin in the woods. That’s when he started rebelling. Drinking and partying. Damn it!” He pressed his forefinger and thumb against his watering eyes. “It’s my fault he’s dead.”
“Bullshit.” Doogen growled. “Chase made the decision to go out that night.”
Zoe swallowed back tears. “Stop blaming yourself.”
“I know.” He gazed down at her, half grin on his face. “Real men don’t cry, right?”
Zoe palmed his cheek, but he caught her hand and lowered it. When he let go, he lifted his glass and stood. He stumbled back a few steps but caught his balance.
Doogen stuck a cigarette between his lips. “Where are you going, man?”
“I’m stepping outside for some air.”
“Give me the keys to your Jeep.”
Ben chuckled. “I’m not gonna drive.”
“Come on, Ben,” Sheron said, standing next to Doogen. “Hand them over.”
Zoe rose from the table. Her balance was off, but she could still focus. Ben, however, had had one too many. She could feel the pain inside his heart. All the things he’d talked about at the lookout their first weekend together had come to light.
Ben pulled his keys from his pocket. “All right, Hateful,” he said to Sheron. “I’ll give my keys to the best lady in the room.”
He jiggled them in front of Zoe. When she held out her hand, he dropped them on her palm. His eyes shimmered as slow music began to play.
“I rarely dance,” Ben said as he held out his hand. “But I suddenly have an overwhelming desire to hold you on the dance floor.”
Zoe set the car keys down on the table. She led him through all the people standing between tables. Ben bumped into a chair, sending it over into the floor. He shrugged as he led her onto the dance floor.
He wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Holding her tightly, he swayed. Neither of them could balance well.
He lifted her hand close to his neck. His lips pressed against the back of her palm as he stared into her eyes.
“You fit in well with my people,” he said, nose gliding against hers. “You should stay in Denver.”
“I can’t.”
“I’m not giving up. When it’s all said and done, you’re going to move in with me.”
Ben was pretty drunk. His emotions were high from the vodka. That was the only explanation for making demands.
She smiled up at him. “I can’t just pick up my life and move.”
“Then at least stay another week.”
“I wish I could,” she whispered. She slid her fingers through his dark mane. “My plane ticket’s nonrefundable.”
“I know. It’s just…wishful thinking.”
A new, heavier song began to play. He searched her eyes. His feet moved in a slow dance as he held her still. Not wanting to part from him, she followed his lead until his lips pressed against her ear.
“What do you say we sneak into the back room?”
She nodded. As he ushered her across the dance floor, the tremors in her body wouldn’t cease. The danger of being caught sent her heart fluttering as they slipped into a small, dark room that smelled like bleach.
It took a moment to focus on his face. When she did, the corners of his mouth rose into a sly grin.
He lifted her dress to her waist. He fisted the sides of her panties and slid them to her ankles. On the way back up, he brushed his warm tongue against her clit. Sparks spread over her skin and down through her wobbly legs.
“Oh my God!”
“Shh.” He chuckled when he glanced up at her. When his tongue touched her again, her knees buckled. This took sex to a whole new level of pleasure.
“You want me to be quiet while you’re doing that?”
He leaned back. “Yes.”
His tongue flicked fast against her. She jolted hard, and her pussy clenched. This wasn’t making love. This was pure pleasure, and she wanted more.
A long moan broke from her lips as he swirled his tongue. He was relentless as he licked along her clit and wouldn’t stop. Air kept coming from her mouth in short, noisy exhales. She couldn’t catch it to draw it back in.
She fought to keep her legs from closing. She held his head in her hands as he shoved his tongue deeper inside.
“I’m going to fall,” she whispered. The shake of her knees turned to a violent quake. The twist in her belly turned to an ache to feel his dick inside her. “I swear you’ll have to catch me.”
His hair was soft in her hands. Moaning, she moved her hips, pursing her lips tight so she wouldn’t call out. “Please. I want you inside me.”
He stood. Her stomach somersaulted as he pushed his jeans and boxers below his hips. He grabbed her ass and bent his knees. Every muscle in her body tensed. When he lifted her against him, he pushed deep inside her.
She cried out, but he silenced her with his mouth. He stumbled to the side of the room and shoved her against the wall next to a broom and bucket.
His thrusts were as hard and fast as his kiss. The stabbing pain almost brought her to tears, but she held on, hoping it’d subside. Arms holding his neck, legs locked around his waist, she broke from his mouth.
“Slow down,” she whispered.
He nodded, and his mouth met hers again. As he made slower, deeper thrusts, he palmed her breast. His fingers grasped her nipple through her shirt.
Desperate to feel his tongue on her nipple, she lifted her dress over her head. He pulled down on her bra. When her breast bounced out, he caught her nipple between his lips. “Oh yes,” she whispered. She leaned her head back against the wall, enjoying the way he licked her. It didn’t matter if anyone walked in now. She wouldn’t let Ben stop. Whoever caught th
em would get an eyeful, and she wouldn’t care. It just felt too damn good.
She ran her hands through his hair as he sucked. With his tongue lashing viciously and his hips moving in passionate thrusts, nothing could stop the orgasm now.
“Oh fuck, Zoe.” He spoke against her lips. He gave several short, breathy grunts as he ground his pelvis into hers. “I’m about to come.”
He kept thrusting. The pang in her belly grew into a longing for release. She tightened her legs around his waist and opened her mouth. “Oh, Ben!” She tried not to say it so loud but couldn’t stop her noisy breathing. The whirlwind kept spinning inside her, building in strength every time he thrust. She hugged him tight. His cock twitched and pulsed. Her insides squeezed against him. All the tension released like a swollen river that finally flowed over the shore.
For a moment they stayed in that position, catching their erratic breaths. The broom fell onto the floor with a loud snap.
Zoe giggled. “We’re so naughty.”
He laughed as he stared into her eyes. “We are quite the pair. Aren’t we?”
She kissed his lips. “I love you.”
He gently gathered her curls behind her shoulders. “And I love you.”
A loud bang made Zoe jump. Her heart already raced, but now it quickened for another reason. It was the same sound she’d heard when her dad practiced shooting his gun in the backyard. She was always inside the house watching TV. But every time she heard that pop, it startled her.
“What the hell? That sounded like a gunshot.” Ben let her down from the wall. He pulled his jeans over his hips. As he buttoned and zipped them, Zoe quickly put on her clothes. Ignoring the wetness between her legs, she straightened her dress with shaky fingers.
Ben opened the door and peeked through the crack. Zoe leaned close to get a look too. This was eerie. The music had stopped. Nobody was on the dance floor. There were a few people at the bar staring at the entrance door.
Zoe didn’t want to leave the safety of the closet, but Ben walked out. She followed him through the room and then out the door. Sheron and Doogen stood near the metal picnic table in a gated-off area. Ben stuck his hands in his pockets as he approached them.
“What’s going on?”
“A shooting.” Doogen lit up a cigarette and inhaled deeply. “I heard something hiss but can’t figure out what the bullet hit. It’s a good thing nobody got shot.”
Zoe glanced around. She caught sight of a black truck on the other side of the parking lot. Painful chills prickled her skin. The engine hummed like a growling beast as it rolled slowly off the lot. Nobody paid attention—no one but her. They were all looking the other way.
“Damn it!” Ben leaped off the step and jogged through the parking lot, Doogen right behind him. Sheron and Zoe followed them to the Jeep.
“What the hell?” Ben inspected the flattened front tire on the Jeep.
Doogen ran his fingers over the hole on the driver’s-side tire. “Been coming here for years. Never had any random shootings in this neighborhood. First time for everything, I suppose.”
Zoe knew this wasn’t random. Her stalker was here. Nicholas was here in his truck, and he had a gun. He’d followed her to make life living hell, and she’d let down her guard.
Tears suddenly welled in her eyes. He knew where Ben lived. He’d followed them. No telling how many opportunities the bastard had had to do God knew what. Adrenaline pumped through her veins. Her face felt cold and clammy. Icy fingers ran across her shoulders. She couldn’t stop shaking.
Breath shallow, she clutched her purse and then headed toward the taxi parked in front of the bar. Someone must have called for it, but Zoe needed it more. She had to get out of here now.
“Zoe!” Ben called out.
Zoe stopped beside the taxi. Ben grabbed her shoulders and turned her around, putting his body between her and the car.
“Get out of my way,” she said.
“Where are you going?”
“I need to go home.”
“If someone’s shooting up the neighborhood, I don’t want you out here.”
“That’s why I’m leaving.” She shuddered. “I saw his truck. Nicholas’s truck. He did this.”
His brows arched. “There are a lot of black trucks out there.”
“It was him. He followed me here. And now…one of you guys could get hurt because of me.”
He cupped her cheek. “It wasn’t Nicholas.”
“Yes, it was.”
He took hold of her hand. “If it was him, we’ll deal with this together. I’ll protect you.”
“You can’t protect me all the time.”
“I love you, Zoe.” He sighed. “I’ll do anything to make sure nobody ever hurts you again. I’ll keep you safe.”
BEN BELIEVED NICHOLAS was here, but he didn’t want to worry her. She deserved to enjoy the last few moments of her vacation without looking over her shoulder.
Fact was, her stalker could be in Denver running free. Nicholas had buried a bullet in the tire of the Jeep. The guy was a complete psycho who needed to be locked up for the rest of his life.
Zoe bit the end of her fingernail. She was going home tomorrow, but he didn’t want to let her out of his sight. There had to be a way to convince her to stay with him.
He opened the door of the taxi. Zoe slid into the seat. He followed.
“Until we know for sure what’s going on, maybe you should stay at my house.”
Zoe scooted close to Ben. She huddled against his arm. When the taxi pulled out on the main road, he lowered his lips to Zoe’s ear.
“You shouldn’t be alone at your apartment.”
“I know you’re worried,” she said in a soft voice. “Renji’s picking me up from the airport tomorrow. So I’ll be in good hands.”
“Renji’s hands.” Ben shook his head. The thought of her leaving was gut-wrenching. “Move in with me.”
Zoe held her lips tightly together. The city lights ran across her face as she gazed at him. All she had to do was say yes. He’d move heaven and earth if it’d make her happy enough to say it.
She clasped his hand. “I…can’t.”
He gave a slight nod. As much as he hated letting her go, that was the reality of their relationship.
He was here. She was there.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ben took Zoe to the airport that Saturday morning. The air was crisp, perfect for his favorite jeans and a T-shirt. Zoe had worn a simple dress that showed off that wonderful body he was going to miss.
He begged her to stay with him, but she was determined to leave. During a lovemaking session in bed, they made plans for him to fly to Kansas the next weekend, and then all was mostly right in their world.
As much as he wanted her to stay, he agreed she needed to go home. He had a lot of work to catch up on now that the vacation was over. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find motivation to do anything.
It’d been a lethargic week and a half since he’d seen Zoe. He’d meant to meet her in Kansas last Sunday but had to cancel due to a mandatory meeting with the graphics department in San Francisco.
Ben spent this entire week staring out his office window. Usually focused on drawing up plans on the new character in development, he couldn’t think straight.
It was Thursday. He had deadlines. His project should’ve been half-finished by now, but all he had was an outline on paper. He hadn’t even begun to transfer his work to the computer.
Ben wasn’t sure he wanted to continue doing any of this. He’d lost his ambition to spend hours and hours designing. Midlife crisis at thirty. He’d researched the symptoms. It wasn’t uncommon to want a career change at his age. The body shop would take care of that. Having Zoe in his life changed him in other ways, ways he’d never given any thought about before.
Thinking about marriage and commitment was scary, but maybe it was time. Maybe he should give his two weeks’ notice today and open the shop. After it was on its feet, he’d go to Zoe
and ask her to marry him. Then maybe she’d agree to move here.
Yeah. Right. How could he think he was ready for marriage?
Thoughts in turmoil, he signed out of his computer system. He changed into his sweats and the T-shirt with the alien logo on the front. He zipped up his Windbreaker and then headed to the park for a run.
It was a nice afternoon. Sunny. Warm. Joggers and bicyclists were out enjoying the weather. Kids played at the nearby playground. He hoped the fresh air would clear his head, but every woman he saw reminded him of Zoe.
Ben wanted to grab on to her and never let go. Protect her. He wanted her trust and love. Love wasn’t a word he used lightly. He’d never used it until she came into his life. Now all he thought about was how much he loved her.
Women just didn’t affect him like this. Zoe was someone else. Different. He loved her contagious smile and soft, sweet voice. He loved her body.
He couldn’t stand the idea of being with anyone else. Zoe had his brain all messed up, not thinking straight. Or at least not thinking about anything but her. He stopped on the short wooden bridge overlooking a small creek bed. He inhaled deeply as he unzipped the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out his cell phone. He called Zoe, but she didn’t pick up.
He shoved his phone back inside his pocket and took off toward the parking lot. By the time he reached his Jeep, he’d run a good three miles. He’d usually go back to his garage and lift weights for a while, but decided maybe a little jam session with Doogen might clear his mind. He also wanted to check in on the car to see how the bodywork was coming along.
Doogen’s small one-story house needed a new coat of paint to cover up the blemishes. Another pole was needed to straighten and support the warped front-porch roof. His two-tone green-and-brown front lawn was trampled with tire marks from parking in the yard to change the oil or tweak some part of his car. And the large gray barn in back of his house was starting to deteriorate.
The guy took pride in restoring old vehicles, more so than his yard and house. It showed. There wasn’t a dent or speck of dirt on his sparkling red 1973 convertible.