Total pages in book: 230
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
“Things like what? She seemed like a hurt girlfriend or something.” I bit my lip, hoping I was wrong about that.
The only examples of good men I had were the ones in my life, and none of them were saints. My father had more affairs than I probably knew about. My brother Aramis admittedly grew bored with women quickly and was always chasing after a new one. Thankfully, my eldest brother, Elias, had met someone he couldn’t live without, and I knew without a doubt that he’d remain faithful to her. Still, men like Benjamin Drake were the untamable type. The ones you definitely fooled around with but never settled down with—not for lack of trying. Even though I was okay with those things, I was definitely not all right with being the other woman.
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Ben said after a long, quiet moment. “Never was, never will be. But I have traveled with her in the past.”
“Not this time though?”
“She attended my gala the other night, even though I asked you to join me. I’m sure she stayed longer to soak up the party scene before heading home.”
“Where’s home?”
“Paris.”
“Hmm.” I licked my lips. “She didn’t seem Parisian.”
“She’s Israeli.”
“Like you.”
“Like me.” He smiled.
“I have a personal question.”
“Sure.” He drained what was left in his glass and looked at mine. “Want a refill while you interrogate me?”
“Sure.” I handed him my empty glass and wondered if this felt like an interrogation. That term always held a negative connotation. “Are you sleeping with her?”
“I’m not. I haven’t in a long time. That ship has sailed. I did invite her to the gala, but as a friend.”
“She has a picture of you together as the lock screen on her phone. I’m pretty sure she disagrees.”
“Well, that’s Kayla for you.” He chuckled, shaking his head as he handed me my drink and took his own. “We met when we were young. She kind of clung to me, and I let her because I liked feeling needed. But what we had was closer to a long-term one-night stand than an actual relationship.”
“Isn’t that what relationships technically are? Long one-night stands?”
“Not if you don’t partake in pillow talk.”
“And you don’t.”
“Not really.” He looked at the DJ, who was announcing another DJ soon to take his place on stage.
“You asked me a lot of questions,” I said.
“I don’t consider you a one-night stand.”
“What about Sophia,” I asked, mentioning the actress he used to date. “You were with her for a while.”
“Sophia and I were barely ever in the same city. That was another long one-night stand without much pillow talk. She’s a great woman, but not right for me.”
“So, who is?” I leaned in a little closer so I didn’t have to shout.
He looked over at me and smiled. We were sitting very close now, our knees brushing, our noses nearly touching. He studied my eyes for a long time, so long I was sure he’d forgotten I’d asked him a question. I held my breath. Waited. Bit my lip. His gaze dropped to my mouth, my body heating as he met my eyes again. He set his drink down on the table in front of us without breaking eye contact and brought one hand to my face, then the other, coming closer. I thought my heart might seize in my chest as he inched closer still, his eyes searching mine, his breath tickling my nose.
“I think you’re right for me,” he said, his voice low just before he pressed his lips to mine.
Our tongues met, and the kiss deepened. The taste of his alcohol mixed with mine made me feel as if I could die right there from happiness.
CHAPTER 13
Ben
I couldn’t seem to get enough of her. I’d anticipated that being the case, but I couldn’t have predicted the way being with her would make me feel. It was one thing to admire her from mostly afar all of the time and feel flattered that she showed interest in me. Having her all to myself was something else altogether. It reminded me of what I felt every time I stepped a foot on the pitch, ready to chase the ball. It was thrilling and unknown, and I wanted to explore as much of it as she’d let me. Not even her questions annoyed me, which was normally the case with every woman I dated. They always wanted to know too much and would question my relationship with Kayla once they found out about her, which was common. Kayla liked to introduce herself to every woman I was seen with. Like I’d assured Pilar, she was harmless. David thought I was an idiot for letting her come around and for inviting her to the gala this weekend. She’d been the one to give me the idea for the foundation though. I couldn’t use the suggestion and then not invite her to the celebration for it. As if listening to my thoughts, David appeared in my line of sight. I pulled away from Pilar and smiled at the desire painted on her face.