Page 46 of Fighting for the Forbidden
Chapter Thirteen
Ben
I truly thoughtit was a drug-induced dream, so when I come to and hear the shower running in my en suite and the other side of the covers flicks back like I have company, I’m shocked.
The water stops and the sound of her light footsteps filters through the slightly ajar door. If I didn’t know better, I’d think that was an invitation.
The moment her shadow fills the gap, my cock twitches to life. Propping myself up against the headboard, I wait. I’m not disappointed when she appears, because she’s dressed in only my t-shirt.
“Fuck me. This is the best sight I’ve woken up to in a long time.”
Her cheeks heat and she tugs at the hem. “Sorry, did I wake you?”
“No, not at all. I just wasn’t expecting you to be here.”
“You thought I’d run?” Confusion fills her voice.
“No. I thought it was a dream.”
“I wish,” she mutters sadly.
“Come here.” To my surprise, when I open my arms for her, she comes willingly. Sitting on the edge of the bed beside me, she allows me to comfort her. Knowing she’s accepting it—me, maybe evenus—has some of the uncertainty within me settling. She came here to be with me last night. That means something. It means a lot, actually.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
She shakes her head, but after a few seconds, her soft voice fills the room. “I found a final demand letter for the rent. Dad was paying for it. I guess the payments stopped with all the financial issues. I had no idea. I was giving him my half every month. Christ knows what he’s done with that. Unless we pay the outstanding debt, we’re being evicted…next week.” She shudders in my arms and I hold her a little tighter.
“I just can’t quite get it into my head that after everything we’ve done together, how close I thought we were, he was only there for financial gain. It just doesn’t make sense.”
“You need to talk to him.” She’s silent in my arms, and it’s clear she’s got nothing to add. “It might make more sense if you found out more. I know for a fact that things aren’t always that simple where your dad was concerned.”
“I’m not ready. I can’t cope with the fact that two of my best friends were manipulated by a man I used to love, who I thought, although controlling, was a good guy. I just don’t know how to deal with it all. It’s too much too soon.”
“I know, baby. But I really think—”
“Take me away. Just for the weekend. Please. I need just a little time to try to process everything. Then I’ll come back and talk to both Joe and Erica.”
Placing my hand on her shoulder, I push her back so I can look in her eyes. I open my mouth to argue, but she beats me to it.
“Please, Ben. I’ve got my case from Rome in the car. We don’t have to go far, just somewhere I know they’re not going to find me. Please,” she begs. Her blue eyes stare into mine, and I can see all the beautiful but broken pieces her dad’s left behind.
“Okay,” I concede. I’ve never been able to say no to her. “Let me get dressed and we’ll make a plan.”
“I’m not planning. Just take me somewhere. Anywhere.” An idea pops into my head, and I smile. “What?” she asks sceptically.
“I know just the place, and I can guarantee that you’ll be distracted.”
“Should I be worried?”
“Possibly,” I admit with a laugh. “Now get dressed, unless you’re planning on going in my t-shirt.”
* * *
“We’re going awayfor the night,” I say to Mum, who’s drinking coffee at the kitchen table and smiling down at her phone.
“But you just got back.”
“I know, but—”
