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Mariah also sensed how much of a part of the inn he was. Benedict truly loved this place. She’d seen relief and pride in his eyes as the restorations progressed and the ugly radiators were taken away. Their scarring was being removed, and nobody would ever guess radiators had been there. Floorboards had been lifted carefully for underfloor heating, and upstairs, much the same was happening. No, Benedict was overjoyed that his home was being restored, which touched her heart. The inn meant something to him.
Even with his deathly pallor and sharpened fangs, he was a good-looking fellow. His bruised eye sockets took nothing away from the keen hazel colour of his eyes. Benedict was honestly a handsome man. And he’d stopped taunting her for now. Mariah’s refusal to run and vow to help had touched him.
Her heart warmed as she thought of his rare smiles and even rarer sense of humour. Only in the last few days had she started seeing them, and then her spine stiffened.
A voice called her name that belonged to an idiot who shouldn’t be anywhere near the Cotswolds!
“Benedict?” Mariah replied, wondering if he’d returned to his plans of tormenting her.
“Mariah, I know you’re back here!”
“No!” Mariah whispered in denial.
“That workman informed me you were here!”
“This is not happening!” Mariah fumed as she removed the pan from the hob and stormed outside.
Standing in her hallway was the one person she never wished to see again. Her ex! Mariah stopped short and folded her arms across her chest.
“What do you want?!” Mariah demanded.
“No, hi, how are you, honey?” Tom said with a grin.
“You’re not wanted here, so state your business and leave.”
“Mariah, Mariah, such wonderful desire!” Tom crooned, and Mariah wrinkled her nose at the corny sentence that once sent her swooning. “I made a mistake and realised how much I love you. I came to work things out.”
“There’s nothing to sort out!” Mariah hissed.
Tom sauntered towards her, and Mariah stepped back.
“Just as I knew it, baby, you were missing me and the good thing we had together,” Tom said confidently.
Mariah cocked an eyebrow.
“Oh, on the contrary, Tom. I haven’t missed you or that scheming bitch of a cousin. What happened? Did she cheat on you or find someone else? Or did Chanelle catch you cheating? It doesn’t matter which; please leave!”
“Baby, I know you’re mad. Chanelle put out, and nobody would say no. But it’s you and me, babe, forever. I must say I didn’t expect you to run out here. But it’s beautiful, and this place. Cor, what a corker. It’ll make a great gastro pub when you finish ripping this oldy worldy shit out.”
“I beg your pardon,” Mariah said, stunned.
“It’s okay. You put your feet up and look after us, and I’ll take care of the pub. I will be a good landlord!”
Mariah stared at him in total disbelief. Fluffers hissed at something behind her before turning around, raising his hackles at Tom, and arching his back. Oh yeah, Fluffers hated Tom with a passion.
“Where on earth do you think you get off screwing my cousin and then come crawling as if nothing happened? Are you insane? Deluded? Warped? I’d not touch you with a ten-foot barge pole! You chose to cheat instead of being faithful and then slept with her in my bed! My bed! Not yours, mine! And then you have the audacity to walk out on me, telling me Chanelle was the better option. Well, screw you, Tom!” Mariah screeched.
Tom’s confidence wavered and then recovered with a smug smile. How on earth had she ever believed him sexy!?
Mariah’s eyes narrowed on him.
“This is my inn. I own it outright, and you are not welcome now or in the future. What do you see yourself as, the jovial landlord, drinking with regulars and pocketing the profits? Do you think I’m so gullible a second time? Seriously? Take your ego and walk, Tom, before you regret messing with me!”
“Mariah, calm down. Sheesh, it was a casual fling. You know it’s you and me forever, girl. You need to lose the attitude, though! It’s not attractive, but I can forgive you. Now I got my bags in the car. Where’s the bedroom? We always tore that up!” Tom swaggered two steps forward.
Mariah’s eyes almost bulged from her head as she turned puce. Without a second thought, Mariah opened her mouth and shrieked, “Benedict!”
Tom stopped walking towards her, and a scowl descended.
