Your Forever Love (The Bennett Family 3)

“You’re an amazing woman,” he says softly, causing me to blush. “I was hoping to see you tonight.”

“Me too,” I admit. “Do you want to join me?” I bite the inside of my cheek, wondering if I’m pushing my luck. I have no idea if he wants to be seen at a relatively public event with me. We haven’t yet defined the boundaries of our… relationship.

“Sure. I’ll pick you up from home. I planned to spend the evening with you. I told Julie you need me more than she does right now, and she understands. Ms. Blackwell is with her.”

“Thank you. I—” My voice catches, so I clear my throat before continuing. “Can you be here in half an hour?”

“Sure.”

I’m grinning like an enamored teenager when I disconnect the call. He arrives twenty minutes later, and my grin stretches even wider when I see him in the doorway.

“I love your lipstick,” he says. Tilting his head to one side, he adds, “Take it off.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to thoroughly kiss you, and it’s in the way.”

I hurry to the bathroom without complaint and wipe my lips clean. When I return, Eric pins me against the wall, savoring me as if I’m a fine dessert. I sigh against his mouth, my entire body melting against him. Having Eric by my side tonight is such a treat.

Part of the charity gala was supposed to take place outside, but as we arrive at the location and I climb out of the car, I instantly know the weather will not be on our side tonight. It was cloudy the entire day, but now the sky is a violent swirl of purple, blue, and gray. The wind is stronger than it was when we left my apartment, and the sound of creaking leaves gives me chills.

The head organizer, Felicia, goes through the schedule with me. I inform her that I won’t stay long, then climb up the stage in the center of the place, delivering the opening speech about the importance of the cause—education for underprivileged children. It’s a cause that is dear to my heart. Growing up, I looked at higher education as something that was out of my family’s reach. Our luck changed, and now it’s the least I can do to make sure others get a chance too.

During the speech, my eyes sweep the room and settle on Eric, who is watching me with a serious expression. I wonder what’s on his mind.

Felicia takes over the microphone after I’m done, and I scurry off the stage.

“You were wonderful,” Eric whispers in my ear as I take my place at the table next to him. I take deep breaths, suddenly feeling faint. I haven’t eaten much today, but for some reason the appetizers on the table don’t look too appealing.

“I need to go to the bathroom,” I whisper back. At his inquisitive expression, I merely shake my head. I try to be as inconspicuous as possible as I walk through the tables. Everyone is focused on Felicia’s speech anyway. Once I reach the bathroom, I splash some cold water on my face and grip the sink with both hands, breathing in deeply.

Not ready to return to my table yet, I decide to go outside for a few breaths of fresh air. When I step in the dimly lit corridor outside the bathroom, I instantly sense something’s not right.

“Pippa,” a familiar and unpleasant voice greets me. I stiffen, sweat breaking out on my forehead.

“Terence,” I say in a clipped tone. “What are you doing here? You hated these events.”

“I do, but I knew you’d be here. Your name was on all the publicity materials. The golden girl representing the illustrious Bennett family.” He wobbles on his feet, clearly drunk—which is odd. He’s never been much of a drinker. I brace myself for what’s to come. Our last public encounters have been bad, but this has disaster written all over it. I don’t want him to cause a scene. At least the corridor is sheltered from the main room.

I decide to take the bull by the horns. “You won’t get one cent from me. Whatever you have to say to me, do it through your lawyer.”

He snorts, spitting on himself in the process, but he’s so drunk he doesn’t even notice. He looks worse for the wear—much worse. His suit is old and worn. The Terence I knew never stepped out of the house looking anything other than immaculate.

After we broke up, he kept what he bought during our marriage—a small yacht, a sports car, and a collection of expensive watches. If he’d been smart and sold those, he would have had enough money that he didn’t have to work for years. Of course, Terence has never been smart. That’s why he’s contesting the court decision. He’s desperate.

“My lawyer is excellent.”

“He’s a sleaze,” I say calmly. “Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken you on as a client.”

“Damn it, Pippa. I deserve something in return for spending so many years with you. I listened to your ramblings, tolerated your family. I touched you, slept with you, fucked you. It was worse than a fucking job.”

I blink back tears. “You should have gotten a job, and then you wouldn’t have had to live off my money.”

He stomps forward and knocks into me. I stumble backward until I hit the wall, with Terence half collapsing on me. He grips my shoulder for support and straightens up, and I freeze. He’s never been violent, but the aggressive look in his eyes tonight chills me to the bone. “I will receive my share.”

“If you hurt her, I’ll kill you,” Eric’s says, right before pushing Terence off me. I hadn’t seen him coming, but I’ve never been happier to see him.

“Who the fuck are you?” Terence spats at him.