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“Sheriff Davis?”
I nodded, my teeth sinking into my bottom lip as I waited for her reaction.
Her smile shouldn’t have surprised me, but it did. “You like him that much?” I nodded. “You know, I always worried you would be too picky. That you wouldn’t let a guy close enough to give him your heart. I’m not an easy person to love, and I know I’ve kind of infused that into you over the years. But I prayed you would find someone who would be good enough for you. Someone who would fight for you.”
“You’re not a hard person to love,” I tried to reassure her, but she only rolled her eyes.
“Please, Lexa. To you, I’m Wonder Woman, but to the rest of the world, I’m a hard-ass. And I like it that way. You’re the only person who matters when it comes to seeing me as a superhero. I always liked being your mentor, the one person you looked up to the most.”
“Wonder Woman is a kick-ass role model,” I told her.
Laughing softly, she kissed my cheek. “We’re getting off topic here, kid. What I’m saying is that Ben seems to be the kind of guy I always wanted for you. Dad told me about their little meeting. The sheriff had a set of balls on him to risk meeting your dad like he did. He’s putting himself at risk for this plan of his, but I think he knows what he’s doing. I hope, at least.”
“What plan?” I demanded, sitting up straighter. “How will he be putting himself at risk?”
She grimaced. “I should let him tell you. That’s where you’re heading to now, isn’t it?” The grimace turned into a smirk, and I gave a nonchalant shrug. “Let him explain since this is his idea.”
“But you’re okay with me dating Ben?” I watched her closely for any sign that she didn’t like the idea of me being with a lawman, but I couldn’t see any.
“If he’s who you really want, I would never stand in your way, Lexa. I only ever want your happiness, and if he makes you happy, then go for it, baby girl.” She pulled my head down to her chest, kissing the top of my head as she hugged me against her. “And if your dad gives you a hard time about it, just let me know. I’ll set his ass straight.”
Laughing, I lifted my head. “I really do love you more than anyone else, Mom. Always.”
“Back at you, sweetheart. Forever.”
Chapter 12
Lexa
I sat with Mom for over an hour, catching her up on everything that happened on my trip to New York, while she told me any juicy gossip I might have missed while I was gone. I was so wrapped up in spending time with her, I didn’t realize what time it was.
By the time I got to Ben’s apartment, it was twenty after eight. Jumping out of my car, I walked up the two flights of stairs to his second-story apartment in the old brick house someone had converted into four apartments. It was a nice place, one I’d always admired whenever I passed it.
Ben gave me a key, but I didn’t know if I should use it or just knock. I knew he was home because I’d parked beside his work SUV. Groaning at my own indecision, I lifted my hand to knock, only to notice the door wasn’t shut completely.
Frowning, I pushed it open a little and started to walk in. But before I could call out to announce I was there, I stumbled back when I caught sight of Ben.
There was a straight view from the living room back into the kitchen. He was leaning against the counter, but he didn’t see me.
How could he when he had Paige wrapped around him, kissing him. Her long blond hair curled down her back, his fingers tangling in the locks as they bit into her sides. I could feel the tension in the air from where I was standing on trembling legs.
All the oxygen left my lungs in a rush, and I suddenly felt violently ill.
He’d kissed me like that the first night I met him. Savagely, like he couldn’t get enough of my taste. And now he was tearing my heart from my chest.
Turning away from the sight of his hands—his fucking mouth—on someone else, I stumbled down the steps and ran back to my car.
It wasn’t until I was behind the wheel, blindly trying to start the damn vehicle that I realized I was crying.
Sonofabitch.
How could I have been so blind not to see he was playing games with me? He knew I would give in and come to his place when he asked me to. And he knew I would find him with Paige.
No doubt, he was laughing his head off about how stupid and gullible I was. The fucking sad part was, he was right.
Time after time, I’d given in and succumbed to everything he’d wanted. There was no reason to think I wouldn’t have this time too.
I was just a toy, a damn plaything for him to pass the time with. And even though he was with someone else now, he still wanted to continue the game. See how far he could push me, make me fall for him.
