Page 79 of Love, Rekindled

“Good morning,” I say as I peek my head around the wall. “You doing okay?”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “I really suck at cooking. I was attempting to be cute and again, woo.”

“You wooed enough, babe.”

Ben steps over and wraps his arms around my middle. “Yeah?”

“I think so.”

“Good. Maybe we can woo again tonight?”

How different is this man from the last? It’s like night and day. I would’ve been rushed out, just in case someone might have seen us or called. If the phone rang, he would rush out. For a while, I wondered if he was married, but...well, I can investigate like every other woman when she’s on a mission.

“I’d really like that, Ben.”

He smiles down at me. “I really like you, Gretchen.”

“It’s a good thing that you’re so good at the wooing, then.”

“Damn right it is.”

I lift up at the same time he leans down and kisses me.

“I could get used to this,” I say against his lips.

“I really hope you do.” His phone rings, breaking the moment. Whatever the ringtone is causes Ben to flinch. “I have to take this.”

“Okay, I’ll clean up.”

Ben moves to his jacket, pulling his phone out and I can see the stress in his back. He’s tense and keeps clenching his hand.

“Pryce.” His voice is clipped. He starts to pace, and I quickly move things around the kitchen. “Yes. I understand. Does Mark know?” He nods. “Okay. How long ago did we hear from them?” A long pause. “Has anyone had any contact since then?” He closes his eyes, and I move toward him.

Something is wrong.

Ben shakes his head. “I’ll be on a plane in twenty minutes. Don’t touch anything until I get there.”

He doesn’t say anything to me as he makes his way to the bedroom. “Ben?”

“I have to go.”

“I understand that, but is there anything I can do? Are you okay?”

His eyes are filled with regret. “I don’t know. My team is missing. They didn’t check in last night and I didn’t fucking know because I didn’t hear the phone ringing a hundred times!”

“I’m sorry.”

Guilt fills me because he didn’t answer because we were too busy with each other. I don’t know anything about the military, other than what I’ve dealt with Cat and Ashton, but I know loyalty. I understand the bonds of friendship and how hard it is when someone you care about is hurting.

I would do anything for Catherine and Ashton and I imagine it’s a lot like that.

“I’ll call when I can.”

“Okay.”

Ben tosses his shirt over his head and heads to the door. He doesn’t leave, though. He turns, grabs me in his arms and kisses me. “Last night meant everything to me. I’m not leaving because I want to.”

I touch his chest. “It was everything for me too. Go. Go be badass and take care of your friends.”

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