Page 55 of Resisting Fate
Chapter Twelve
Ever since he and Missy kissed in her office, Ben had been swamped with guilt for crossing the line of professionalism, letting the company down, letting Logan down. He was miserable to work with, he knew it, but he couldn’t settle down when every time he looked at Missy he was reminded that he’d screwed up. He knew what was at stake here, had reminded himself over and over every time he was tempted. Part of him had wanted to confess to Logan, but he couldn’t bear to see the disappointment in his eyes. All he could think about were the worst-case scenarios—what if Missy turned it around and made it sound like Ben was the aggressor? The damage to his reputation would affect Logan’s negotiations with the investors. What if she was pissed that he’d been avoiding her, not even bringing her coffee anymore? What if she found out about Ashley and thought he was just that kind of guy, coming after her in the same creepy way? Sure, she’d initiated, but he’d reciprocated and then some. He’d said fuck way too many times. He’d just been pissed that she’d acted like that was all he was to her—a fuck to get out of having to turn down a job offer. He’d been torn up inside, no longer knowing what was the right thing to do, and fucking miserable about it.
And then everything turned around. Logan stepped in and put an end to his misery, letting Missy go in a gesture of goodwill. He knew in that moment that Logan understood both the cause and solution to Ben’s misery. It was a gift for Ben too, and he owed Logan big time. And then Missy had come to him, prepared to ask him out. He could hardly believe it. From absolute misery to elation in five minutes flat. That was the effect Missy had on him.
He showed up at her apartment door that night and rang the bell, a bouquet of red roses in hand. He was doing it up right, showing her how much she meant to him.
She opened the door, her eyes immediately darting to the roses he held up to her, her expression clearly astonished. She looked at him, her brows scrunched together in a clear WTF reaction.
He nearly laughed. “For my beautiful date.”
She stared at the flowers again. Had she never received flowers? She must’ve been seeing some real losers before.
He reached out, lifting her hand and placing the bouquet in it.
“Ben,” she croaked, her eyes shiny, “thank you.”
“Are you crying?” he asked, shocked that flowers could make tough Missy cry.
“No!” She hid her face in the flowers and backed away from the door.
He followed her in and pulled her into his arms. She rested her cheek against his chest, wetting the soft cotton of his shirt. He tightened his hold, feeling protective of her surprisingly soft side.
She sniffled and finally lifted her head, trying to rub his shirt dry. “Sorry about that.”
He smiled and said in a teasing voice, “Here I’ve been thinking you’re so tough, and then you fall apart over some flowers.”
She smiled back, her eyes still watery. “Shut up.”
He tipped her chin up and kissed her gently, thrilled to be able to touch her again guilt-free after denying himself so long. “Come on, I’ll take you to a nice dinner.”
Her lips pressed tightly together. “I’m really sorry I crossed the line at work.”
“It’s fine. I was more mad at myself.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “It was just really important to me I keep things professional in the workplace.” He’d tell her why later, but not now. He just wanted to enjoy their first date.
She nodded, fingering the petal of a rose. “And I’m sorry I acted so casual about fucking you one time. I’d like more than that.”
Heat surged through his veins. “Dinner first; then you can decide if you want to spread your legs for me later.”
She looked up at him, her eyes direct. “It’s a done deal. I don’t need a nice dinner.”
“You definitely do. Don’t make me bring you jewelry. A real sobfest around here.” He smiled down at her, stroking her cheek with his thumb. “What am I going to do with you?”
Her eyes went soft. “I don’t know.”
He kissed her and then entwined his fingers with hers. “Let’s find out.”
~ ~ ~
Missy started the night flustered, clutching her bouquet of red roses with white baby’s breath, breathing in their heavenly scent before going to the kitchen and putting them in the vase from the birthday flowers her sister had sent. No man had ever given her flowers. Even Louis, her ex-husband, hadn’t, saying they were a waste of money because they died.
She pushed thoughts of Louis out of her mind. This was her first real date in a very long time and she wanted to enjoy it. She wore her favorite white cashmere sweater, a gift from her sister, with a black skirt, black tights, and black strappy heels. She was glad she’d dressed up because Ben had too, wearing a dark blue button-down shirt with gray pants and dress shoes. It felt like the beginning of something real, and that filled her with more excitement than fear. She couldn’t completely banish her fear of relationships, but this date was a huge step forward for her, all because of Ben.
She stepped out of the kitchen and took her coat from the front closet, sliding it on. “All set.”
He took her hand, lifting it to graze his warm lips across her knuckles, sending a tingle through her. She felt herself flush, not used to so much sweet affection. “Aren’t you cute being all shy,” he said in a silky voice, his blue eyes dancing with amusement.
She stared pointedly at her hand still captured in his. “Aren’t you cute being all Romeo.”
