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My face burns bright red. “Why?”
“Because I’m trying to be a respectable guy here, and you in my shirt,” he growls, “it’s distracting.”
“Maybe you should go. I’ll give you my number and we can discuss Maureen’s wedding, and then that can be the end of it all.” I say.
He studies me for a moment before letting out a deep, controlled breath. “Ok, maybe that’s for the best.”
I stand from the couch. “I think it is.”
He stands, readjusting himself in his pants. “But, I want to make one thing clear before I go.”
I face him. “What’s that?”
“The woman you saw me with at the club tonight…”
I cut in, “Ben, you don’t have to explain yourself. Seriously, you don’t owe me anything.” Even though the thought of him kissing another woman, and then coming here and kissing me makes me murderous. But, it’s not my place. “This is a business deal.”
He doesn’t speak, just studies me again and I would give a million dollars of money I definitely don’t have to know what he’s thinking. “A business deal. Ok.” He shuffles his hands into his pockets. “I just can’t leave here without you thinking that what happened at the club was one-sided. Her side.”
“It’s ok. Promise.”
He keeps his hands in his pockets as his head hangs low. “If you want to know the truth, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since last night. You’re different.”
I laugh. “Different? That’s what every woman wants to hear.”
Ben moves like lightning across the room, grabbing the front of my shirt, tugging me to him. I hit his rock hard chest, and have to crane my neck up to see him. “Yes, you’re different. And if any other woman knew why I said different, they would want me to describe them like that too, but it’s only you I’m describing as different.”
I stare at him, watching the words come out of his full lips. Lips I had the pleasure of sucking on minutes ago and wish I could do again.
“Can I ask why you need a date to your stepsister’s wedding?”
“Because.” I shake my head, trying to get my thoughts in order. How can he go from saying I’m different, and making it sound like the most perfect compliment to asking about Maureen?
“Because, why?”
“I can’t find a date.” I shrug. “I’m boring.”
He shakes his head. “You’re anything but boring.”
My insides warm up and he’s so close. And I want him to kiss me again. “Maureen said if I didn’t find one by tomorrow she was going to set me up with someone.”
“See, this is why we need to talk.” He takes my hand and leads me back to the couch, and then crosses the room to sit in the recliner.
I quirk up an eyebrow at his choice of seating.
“I need to stay focused.” He smirks and I can’t help returning the smile.
“Ok, what do you want to know?” I tuck my legs under me aware the shirt has ridden up exposing most of my legs.
Ben clears his throat and with a pained expression on his face he forces his gaze to move from my legs to my face. “I want to know why you can’t find a date.”
I twirl my hair wanting to come up with an explanation that doesn’t make me sound like a complete loser. “Well…” my words fade away.
“Clara, you could find a date easily.”
It’s true. I could just find any ol’ date. Sure. But, to find someone worthy of taking, now that’s the issue. “I work all the time. I have a job as an HR Director, Carnet Properties of one of the biggest casinos in Vegas. I want to prove to my father that I can make it on my own without his help. But by proving myself, I haven’t had much of a social life.”
“That’s respectable. See, you should have more men knocking down your door.” He laughs a little. “So, Maureen doesn’t like that you work?”
“Maureen doesn’t understand why I work, and to be honest neither does my father, but he doesn’t say anything because he just wants me to be happy. But he hates the company I work for. He knows I'm not living up to my potential, and he's right. My boss is a huge jerk who has promised me a promotion for over a year, and never given me one. He gives me menial work when I have my masters in business management."
"Why don't you quit?"
"Because I got the job on my own, and like I said I have a plan. I'll just keep working my way up. This way I'll know I did it by myself even if it isn't where I want to work."
"What does your dad say?"
"He understands, but he hates it. I appreciate that he won't force me to work for him. He’s the reason I went to Maureen’s bachelorette party. He wanted us to bond and help Maureen spend his money.” I want to roll my eyes, but I don’t. I’ve given up the fight with my father and the money-grubbing woman he brought into his life. And her gold-digging daughter.
