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Sleeping with Evan’s girl, regardless of whether they hadn’t been together in years, was a line in the sand even I couldn’t cross.
14
On Saturday morning, I rose before I was ready to after the late night. If the guys were leaving, I wanted to ensure they had a hearty breakfast before hitting the road. And I didn’t want to think about the fact that, in short order, it would be just Ben and me in the house.
A shiver worked its way along my spine to pool in my abdomen. He’d been so dominant last night. It had given me a secretive thrill, because he acted like he cared what happened to me.
And I couldn’t deny that I wanted him. Why did I always pick the guys who would end up making me feel like crap about myself? It was almost as if it was hardwired into my DNA. If a guy was off-limits or an asshole or the best friend of a man I had an affair with and dated years ago, then my libido was all in.
I’d bet a therapist would have a field day with my less-than-stellar dating history.
I tossed on a pink T-shirt and my gardening overalls. I needed to tend to my azaleas in the backyard once the guys left today since there was rain in the forecast this week. Pulling my hair up in a bun, I whistled for Tater to follow me. He was only too happy to head down to the kitchen. After I let him outside to do his business, I pulled out frying pans and a baking dish.
I got the French toast casserole going in the oven by the time Tater returned for his breakfast. I took a sip of coffee and got the bacon frying in the pan as I sliced up fruit.
“Smells good.” Ben’s deep voice slid along my back like a caress. I fought a losing battle against the pull he exuded.
But I was proud of myself for not jerking or showing any signs of distress. I smoothed my forehead out as I turned. “It tastes even better. Coffee’s ready. Breakfast will take another thirty minutes.”
“Appreciate it.” Ben sauntered into the kitchen like he owned the place. But it was more than that; it was his essence, imbued with an overabundance of confidence and testosterone.
I was used to being around men. When a woman took her clothes off for a living, it was something one got used to quick. And I had met all different types. The shy guys, the assholes, the jocks and partyers, the businessmen, the men who offered me the moon to go out with them, and the ones who figured that since I took my clothes off, it made me a whore.
But meeting a guy who was an alpha down to his core was rare. Evan had it. But not quite like Ben, because he was even more confident than Evan had been. Ben didn’t try to get on my good side. He didn’t pretend to be my friend to get me to do what he wanted. He talked to me like I was an equal.
And he couldn’t know what that meant to me. Not when I had an abundance of men trying to get into my pants, treating me as if I was nothing more than a pretty face they wanted to bang.
Plus, I was secretly relieved he was staying to help me out with the stalker situation. Whoever this guy was, he’d taken the stalking to another level.
And I was terrified. A few texts were one thing. Having my place bugged and cameras spying on me was another level entirely.
They’d texted me again last night.
Did you like the flowers I sent you?
Why are you letting these guys hang around?
You’re being such a fucking slut, and I will make you pay for it.
“What are the plans for today?” Ben asked, leaning against the counter with a mug in his hand.
He looked entirely at home in my kitchen. I didn’t know what to make of it other than it gave me a thrill. It was wrong of me to even think that. I ignored the way my body heated at his nearness. I cleared my throat and responded, “Making breakfast.”
“Don’t be like that. I meant after the others leave today. What’s your schedule like?”
The man was like a dog with a bone. He wasn’t going to give up or let it go. “I need to do some weeding in the yard and clean up after Tater before I head into the club this afternoon. If I can squeeze in a nap beforehand, I will.”
“I’ll handle the yard,” Ben offered like it was a done deal.
“It’s fine. I don’t need you to take over my chores.”
“And I told you, I’ll handle it.” He said it with such finality I wasn’t going to fight him. If he wanted to clean up Tater’s poop and weed my flowers, he could knock himself out. I had some laundry and cleaning I could tackle inside.
“Fine. Why don’t you put this on the table?” I indicated the bowl of fruit before turning back to the stove and transferring bacon onto a plate.
While the last of the bacon sizzled in the pan, I poured eggs into the second frying pan to scramble.
“Did I die and somehow wind up in heaven?” Aiden entered the kitchen, sniffing the air like a bloodhound.
