“You mean theft? The selling of stolen goods? Like you said before we’re done. We have nothing left to say to each other.”
“It’s okay. You’ll pay for it soon.”
The day passes without Ben contacting me, and I’m starting to freak out. He did as he promised and gave me my work week to decide, but it’s Monday night, and I haven’t heard a lick from him. I had my answer the second the rain came pouring down as he drove away. If it wasn’t for my asshole cousin calling me, I would have told him to come back. In the morning with a clear head, I decided to give it the full time allotted. I knew I was in love with him. That was without a doubt, but did absence make the heart grow fonder or would I be able to forget about him. The answer was most definitely fonder. I missed him like I needed my next breath.
I spent the day dressed in the prettiest little skirt and top just waiting. I finally caved and texted him and got nothing back. I called, but it goes straight to voicemail. Nothing. I wonder if he broke his phone.
I’m sitting on the edge of my bed, on the verge of tears staring at my phone.
I fall asleep in until Suddenly it rings. It’s a number I don’t know, but maybe Ben’s calling from a different number. “Hello?”
“Hello, is this Mira?”
“It is. Who is this?”
“I’m Brenda, Ben’s office assistant.”
I take a deep breath because I’m doing my best not to be jealous of this woman, but it’s not working. “Wow, he sent you to dump me?”
“No, I need you to come to Stroger Hospital. Ben was in an accident last night.”
“Oh no. I’m on my way.”
I do my best to get there in one piece, but tears are streaming down my eyes. I pushed him away, and I could lose him.
I arrive on his floor only to see him storming out of his room, yelling at a nurse. “I don’t care what you say. I have to claim my woman. I can’t break my promise.”
“Ben,” I call out softly, biting back a nervous giggle. He whips his head around and then rushes toward me in a hospital gown and a pair of hospital pants. His arms grab hold of me then slams his mouth down on mine. “Ben,” I moan.
“You’re mine, baby. I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner,” he whispers between kisses. “I got a little tied up.”
I release a sobbing chuckle. “I can see. Maybe you need to get into bed.”
“Only if you’re coming with me.” He takes my hand and drags me back to his room. There’s Dane in there and a woman I don’t know. “You know Dane, but this is my assistant Brenda.” Holy shit. She’s hot as hell. I suddenly feel more than a sting of jealousy; I feel inadequate. “I owe her a raise. I didn’t know how to get a hold of you, and she did some MacGyver shit and found your number.” He sits down on the edge of his bed.
“It wasn’t that hard. You’re just computer technology inept.”
“Hey, I prefer to work with my hands,” he replies, playfully pulling me onto his lap. I look at Brenda to test her reaction. I really examine her. I want to see if there’s some desire for my man, but I see nothing resembling attraction for him. And it’s clear that Ben has all thoughts on me.
Dane cracks up, and Brenda shakes her head, then scolds Ben, “You need to be resting. You’ve just been in a serious accident.” Again, no hint of jealousy in her tone. She’s focused on his well-being as a friend.
“Oh my goodness. I forgot to ask. How could I forget? What happen?”
“That’s because I kept your thoughts on how I’m going to remind you that you’re mine.” He kisses me again in front of everyone. I blush and do my best to resist moaning against his lips.
I pull back and glare at him. “Don’t think you’re getting away without telling me what happened?”
“I was going to tell you, but I can’t think straight with you on my dick,” he whispers in my ear. I groan, attempting to get up, but he pulls me back. “I’ll tell you.”
Chapter 10
Ben
I close my eyes and try to steady my words. I don’t want to lie to her, but I don’t know if I should tell her. Deciding that I can’t risk her trying to leave me or her safety, so I go with honesty. “I was driven off the road by someone. I’m not sure why, but they were out to get me.”
“Oh my god,” she gasps, clapping her hands to her mouth before shaking her head and hugging on me. “I can’t believe it. Tell me the cops have been called. I can call my people,” she bursts out rapidly.