Page 135 of Taken Away

Not because Vanessa had done anything wrong.

She hadn’t.

Not because Bennett had done anything wrong.

He hadn’t either.

But for one brief, embarrassing moment, Aubrey wanted to march downstairs and ask exactly how many times Vanessa had stood where she was standing.

How many dinners? How many late nights?

The thought hit before she could stop it.

How many times had Bennett touched her?

Heat flashed through her chest.

Sharp. Unpleasant. Possessive.

The feeling was so unlike her that it nearly made her angry.

At the entire ridiculous situation.

Because she had no claim on him.

None.

They weren’t together.

They weren’t even close to together.

They’d slept together.

That was it.

Yet watching them stand there felt strangely like finding someone else sitting in her chair.

The realization irritated her even more.

Wonderful.

Thirty-three years old.

Successful.

Independent.

Old enough to know better.

And still standing on a balcony, counting how many times another woman touches his arm.

Aubrey forced herself to exhale.

Below, Bennett tipped his head toward the stairs.

“Come on,” he said to Vanessa.

She fell into step beside him.