Page 46 of Dearest Protector

Ben wasn’t a control freak.

He was motivated by fear of something happening to me.

After being pretty much alone in the hospital in New York, and then worrying about how I was going to get around on my own there, it hit home how much my life had changed since then.

Ben cared.

Katie was close by and in a situation where she’d be around much more often, too.

It would make all the difference in the world.

And I was so grateful that I wanted to cry.

“If you refuse, then I’ll be at your condo all of the time, and I’ll be sleeping in your spare bedroom,” Ben warned. “It would make my life easier if you don’t get stubborn about this. I have a well-equipped and very well-organized home office now, thanks to you. It would be a lot less complicated for me if we were here.”

An errant tear spilled onto my cheek as I stared at his handsome face and obstinate expression.

Ha!And this man had the audacity to callmestubborn sometimes?

I nodded slowly. “Okay,” I said in an emotional whisper. “But I’ll return the favor someday.”

Truth was, I actually had been a little fearful after all of my previous struggles with immobility alone in New York.

I dreaded this upcoming surgery, but knowing Ben would be there made it a hell of a lot easier to face.

Ben’s eyes softened as he kissed me on the forehead and commented simply, “Sweetheart, maybe you don’t realize it right now, but you’ve already paid me back.”

Chapter 11

Ben

I’d taken a long run on the beach after I’d walked Ariel safely back to her condo, but I was still so fucking edgy that I couldn’t sleep.

I stepped into the shower, wondering what in the hell I’d been thinking when I’d decided to kiss Ariel like a man starving for sustenance.

We were supposed to remain strictly friends until Ariel was in a better headspace and until I could finally drum up the nerve to tell her the whole truth.

Her sweetness and those damn beautiful, ocean blue eyes had gotten to me.

After that, her soft curves and luscious mouth had completely destroyed me.

Fuck!I’d wanted Ariel Prescott since the first second I’d seen her, and that want had turned into a relentless obsession since that day.

Stronger.

Harder.

More tormenting every single day.

I hadn’t told her the truth, either, and until I did, I had no business starting any other kind of relationship with her.

As every opportunity to tell her about our first meeting had passed by without me saying anything, I knew I was digging myself deeper into a hole I wouldn’t be able to climb out of again.

I have to let her get through this upcoming surgery first. After that, I’ll tell her.

She didn’t need any additional stress at the moment.

Yeah, asshole, then maybe you shouldn’t have kissed her in the first place.

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