The moment Benjamin hands me my luggage, the front door flies open, and my mother rushes toward me.

“Zoey Marie! Oh my God, you’re finally home!” She wraps her arms around me. “I was so worried about you,” she scolds, pulling back to frown at me. “You didn’t answer any of my phone calls.”

I immediately feel guilty for making her worry. It wasn’t my intention, but I knew she’d ask too many questions. “Sorry, Mom. The reception wasn’t great where I was,” I tell her, which is mostly true.

“Well, come in. We can talk inside.”

Great.

Benjamin follows, and I groan, feeling like an adolescent who’s about to get disciplined.

“I told you I’d get her back safely,” he says, gloating, as if I’m his bounty, and he’s waiting for his reward. “Even if it ended up a bit difficult.”

My mom pats his cheek with a concerning grin. His eye bruised more overnight, and I know she’s wondering what happened. “Thank you, dear. I know you’ll always protect my little Zoey.”

“Can you stop talking about me as if I’m not here?” I sit on a stool at the breakfast bar. “I didn’t need his protection.”

Benjamin crosses his arms, giving me a pointed look. “Maybe when you’re done acting like a child, we’ll have a proper discussion about what the hell you were doing in Texas.”

I narrow my eyes at him, wishing I had the power to blow him up with my fury. If my mother wasn’t present, I’d give him a piece of my mind with a side of junk punch.

“Dinner is at six,” my mother tells him, ignoring the silent exchange between us, and thankfully, she doesn’t ask any questions.

“I’ll be back then,” he says sweetly, kissing her cheek.

Benjamin walks to me and places his lips on my forehead. “Take a nap, darling. You’ll feel better.”

Breaking his nose would make me feel better.

Once he’s gone, my mother smiles at me. “I’m so glad you’re back so we can really start planning the wedding. Everyone’s still gushing about your proposal, and we’re so excited about your big day.”

Though I force a smile to appease her, I remain silent at her words.

“Where’s your ring, sweetie?” she asks, glancing down at my hand.

“I left it in my jewelry box so I wouldn’t lose it on my trip,” I tell her honestly.

“Oh, okay. Well, when you freshen up for dinner, make sure to put it on.” She pats my hand.

I hop off the stool and grab my bag. “I’m going to my room for a bit.”

“Alrighty. Get some rest. Lots to do!” she singsongs as I make my way upstairs.

I wish Summer still lived at home so I could crawl into her bed, and we could talk like before. She’d pet my hair and help me talk through my issues, but I know I need to figure this out on my own. Though I do decide to text her so she knows I’m back.

Zoey: Back in Phoenix. Mom’s having dinner at 6 and Benjamin’s coming.

Summer: Thank God! I was so worried about you.

Zoey: Why? You knew where I was. Speaking of which, thanks for telling them where I was…

Summer: Babe, I’m sorry. You know how Mom gets when she worries, and she was calling me twice a day, then Benjamin came over, and he knew I was lying when I told him I didn’t know.

Zoey: He’s such an ass.

Summer: He’s your fiancé.

I roll my eyes. That doesn’t excuse his behavior.

Zoey: Can we plan a sister date tomorrow?

Summer: Of course! Let’s meet for lunch.

Zoey: Okay, see you then.

Before unpacking my bag, I decide to text Riley.

Zoey: Just letting you know I made it back to Phoenix.

I watch as the dots bounce on the screen a moment later.

Riley: Okay. Good to know.

My heart sinks. I don’t know what I expected, but I don’t have anyone to blame but myself.

As I take out my clothes, I hold back the tears. The smell of dirt and muffins immediately hits my senses, and I laugh. It smells like the B&B. And him.

God. The way he looked at me—with pure disappointment and heartbreak—is an image that’ll forever be imbedded into my mind. I wish I would’ve had enough strength to tell Benjamin to go to hell when he showed up, but I knew he wouldn’t have left. His head is so far up my father’s ass, I would’ve been dragged out kicking and screaming. Riley already punched his face in, so there’s no telling what would’ve happened had I resisted.

Benjamin and I have one thing in common, and that’s money. Well, my parents’ money. They would’ve done whatever it took to get me out of there and back on Benjamin’s arm, looking like the proper fiancée. The whole charade is disgusting, and it sickens me that my parents believe I want that. For my entire life, I’ve followed a certain set of rules while bending just enough not to get into trouble. Traveling and exploring new places are what I love to do, and as long as I always returned and plastered a smile on my face around my family, they never asked any questions. However, now they’ve demanded I start thinking about my future, which involves being Benjamin’s arm candy. They probably expect me to have kids right away, too, since I don’t have a prominent career. Then I’ll have the picture-perfect family.

Tags: Kennedy Fox Circle B Ranch Erotic
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