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The bold expression, the utter lack of self-awareness. This man has the world and he still wants more. He wants me.
I lean in so my lips aren’t far from his, then I glance up to his eyes and make sure he’s listening carefully. “Maybe I should remind you that you’ve been the one pursuing me.”
“Pursuing?”
I smile then, suddenly sick of the games. “Yes, Ben. I see how you watch me. I see that hungry look in your eyes like you’d love nothing more than to drop me right onto this table and eat.”
His brown eyes are enflamed as he takes his wine glass back from me and downs the contents in one go. My smug smile can barely be contained.
“Watch yourself, Little Bird.”
“Or what?”
“Or I just might do it.” Goose bumps bloom across my body, and I know he feels them. I must look so utterly dumbstruck, because he continues as if I don’t know what he’s referring to. “Drop you right on this table…”
My jaw drops ever so slightly.
We’ve never done this. Over the last few weeks, we’ve had polite conversation with our mouths while eating each other up with our eyes, but tonight, we’ve crossed a line. We’ve named our desire, and it feels dangerous to have it out in the open between us. Now, it feels like there’re vapors in the air that might go up in flames at any moment.
Ben’s eyes shift to something behind me and he lifts his hand.
“She’ll have another glass of the cabernet, please.”
“And for you, sir?”
“Nothing. Thank you.”
The waiter walks away and I tilt my head. “Not drinking much tonight?”
“I’ve had that glass and I don’t need anything else. I’m driving you home.”
“I left my car at the diner.”
“Then I’m driving you to the diner.”
I arch a brow. “Oh, are you?”
“Yes. Should I tell Lele right now? Announce it to the whole table?”
My cheeks burn hot and I reach out to grip his forearm, to keep him from making a scene.
His mouth splits into a gut-punching smile. “Not an attention seeker then?”
My eyes narrow into slits. “Do I look like one to you?” His gaze flits over my dress, and I know what he’s thinking. I speak before he can. “This isn’t mine. Leanna dressed me tonight.”
He chuckles under his breath. “It’s not about the dress.”
I roll my eyes and try to shift away from him. “Oh please.”
His hand on my shoulder keeps me in place. “You don’t see yourself clearly, Birdie.”
I huff out an annoyed breath. “Don’t I? Maybe I’m confused then. I thought I was the girl in the trailer. Guess I’m wrong. Have I been livin’ in a big ol’ mansion this whole time?”
“You think any of that matters?”
“No. I know it doesn’t matter. I know I have a good heart and a good head on my shoulders. Still, I don’t need you coming to town and filling me up with ideas, Ben. You’re leaving.”
“Not yet.”
“Soon enough.”
He’s quiet for a moment, watching me as I keep my attention straight ahead. I don’t realize how deeply I’m scowling, how intensely annoyed and sad I am until he leans in and presses a kiss to my shoulder, just beside the strap of my dress. It’s the first time his lips have touched my skin, and I can’t keep my eyes from squeezing shut to try to hold on to the sensation.
“Thirteen days is longer than you think.”
Chapter Fourteen
Ben
Raelynn is pure sunshine in her shimmery dress. There’s nothing all that fancy about it, or her. Sure, Lele has clearly dolled her up a bit, but her blonde hair still hangs in loose wild waves. Her skin is still tan and freckled, not hidden under thick layers of makeup. I can smell her shampoo. I can read every emotion in her pale blue eyes.
When she walked into the private dining room of the restaurant, I wasn’t expecting her. Lele didn’t tell me she was bringing Raelynn. It’s why I didn’t act right away. It’s why it took me a moment to shoot to my feet and get Raelynn a chair. I was as awestruck as the rest of the guys in this room.
I have to fight the urge to tell her over and over again just how sexy I find her, just how insanely beautiful she looks tonight. I can picture her reaction, her rolling her eyes, shifting away from me, shutting down.
I bet she’s gone too long not hearing those words said out loud by anyone other than fucking Patrick. It’s like she’s forgotten she exists outside of Dale’s Diner and her grandmother’s nursing home. She’s forgotten she’s a real human with real needs.
I want to bring her even closer to me, drag her onto my lap in the middle of dinner. Fortunately for her, our food arrives.
I make sure Raelynn gets plenty to eat.
