Enraptured by you the co.., p.6
Enraptured By You (The Consumed Series Book 2), page 6
I grasp onto him as tight as I can, attaching my other hand with Kevin’s.
Benjamin is not gentle as he makes his way back out to the street. I keep my head down, trying to remain unseen.
When we make the clearing and I see his limo, I hurry to the already wide-open door Dimitri’s holding.
“Any of you goddamn assholes even think about posting those pictures online without clearance, consider yourself unemployed!” Benjamin shouts before, getting in behind Kevin.
My hands are shaking violently. I clutch them tightly, breathing deeply. I can’t believe that just happened.
I can’t believe…
“Kevin, are you okay?” Benjamin asks. Kevin nods, also speechless.
Benjamin moves from the seat next to Kevin and settles himself beside me. I’m comforted when he takes my trembling hand. He doesn’t have to ask me how I’m doing.
Kevin grimaces in dismay. “What the hell was that?”
“The news was just made public about Darcy and me. When the information about the investigation was released, it was included that I had been seeing you for a while under the radar. Since it was a federal release, there was nothing I could do to stop it.”
“It sucks for sure. Those people are crazy, but at least it’s not really bad.”
There’s a moment of silence in the limo, then Benjamin speaks. “It will blow over soon.”
“Darcy, are you all right?” Kevin asks worriedly. “You’re pale.”
“I was just caught off guard. I’m fine.”
I vaguely hear Benjamin ask Kevin where to take him. They form polite conversation until we’re parked outside his apartment.
“Thanks for the ride, Benjamin,” Kevin says.
“My pleasure.”
“I’ll call you later, okay, babe?” Kevin pulls me into a tight hug. “You sure you’re all right?”
“Absolutely.”
Benjamin and I watch him disappear into the door.
“Dimitri, my apartment, please,” Benjamin says.
“I have to go back to work. I’m already going to be late.”
“Are you sure?” he asks quietly. As soon as I nod, trying to be reassuring, he re-informs Dimitri on our route.
He is running his thumb along the curve of my index finger and it’s calming.
“This doesn’t change anything, Darcy.”
I stare out the window, watching the people pass by us as if my life depends on it.
“I know you’re worried…”
“No, Benjamin.” I finally set my gaze upon him. “Worried was how I felt yesterday or the day before that. Today was a nightmare.”
“Darcy, what you did was self-defense.”
Warm tears form in my eyes. “It doesn’t matter. I ran. I was a stupid, stupid girl and I ran instead of going to the police. They wouldn’t have believed me though. That whole town thought I was a fucking liar already. They thought I was doing that shit to myself—”
He cradles my head to his chest as the tears release, flowing freely down my face. “Darcy, what’s done is done. You made your decision. We can figure out a way to keep you hidden.”
I push his chest, wiping under my eyes. “How? Tell me how. You’re famous! I went off and did the worst thing I could have possibly done!”
“What was that?”
“I fell in love with a man that the entire world loves. You’ll never be out of the spotlight. You’re too powerful. You’re too handsome.”
He recoils from me when I reach out to touch him. “So, while I’m sitting here pouring my heart to you day in and day out, you’re regretting even meeting me?”
“No, that’s not what I said,” I huff as we pull up outside of my job.
“It sure as hell sounds like it.”
I hate the accusations on his face. Our argument dissolves into silence, which is far worse. He stares at the ceiling for what seems like a lifetime before he says, “We’ll talk later tonight. I need to get back.”
I barely have time to respond before he’s reaching across me, opening the car door. Outside, Dimitri, shocked, holds it open, already sensing the hostile atmosphere.
I snatch my purse off the floor and stare at him in bewilderment. “Ben, I—”
“Later.”
I grip his arm. “Don’t speak to me that way! I don’t want to leave us like this.”
“Dimitri,” Benjamin growls, not taking his eyes off me. Dimitri leaves my door open and heads back to the front, getting in. “The Cantina, please. I have a special date with Ms. Morgan.”
The complete sense of withdrawal and arrogance radiating off him causes my face to fume red with fury. “You fucking asshole,” I spit out, scrambling out of the vehicle. I slam the door and practically run inside, concealing my face, and hoping no one will recognize me.
***
“I got this on my desk after you left for lunch.” Cindy lays down the morning paper, pictures of me and Benjamin covering the entirety of page one. “Welcome to stardom.”
“I don’t want stardom.”
“It is part of the package, darling.” She shrugs, cementing the fact in my brain that she cannot fathom what this is like. I keep my aggravation to myself, remembering where I am and who the one in charge here is.
“Is there anything else you need?”
When she informs me she doesn’t, I gravitate to the sanctuary of my desk, waiting impatiently for the moment when I can get home and drink until I can’t see or think about anything.
Cindy leaves at five, and instead of a late night at the office, I decide doing my work from my apartment will suit me better. There’s no way in hell I’m going back to Benjamin’s tonight.
I get my purse from the drawer and switch off the lights, locking up behind me.
“Darcy.”
I cringe, hearing his voice. The voice I dream about all day, every day. The voice that usually sets my soul on fire and yet, right now, hearing it only makes me want to hit something really bad.
I turn, my eyes slanted in anger at his audacity. His features barely move, apart from his eyes, which extend further in hesitance and I witness his realization that I’m not glad he’s here.
“Leave me alone.”
“No. Yell at me, hit me, but don’t ask me to do something I can’t do.”
“I’m not ready for this, Benjamin. Let me go home.” I move toward the exit, and resist looking at him. It only distracts me.
“Home?”
His question, which rings equally with hope and fear, makes me stop in my tracks. “I’m going to my apartment, alone.”
“Darcy, I said a lot of things I didn’t mean. So, did you.”
I continue walking. “You’re goddamn low, Benjamin Scott. You knew what would make me get out of that car. You knew my insecurity and you threw it at me. Tell me, how was your appointment? Was she as inviting as you hoped?”
“No, she was rather dull.”
“Blonde? Brunette?” My rage factor is off the charts.
“White.” I refuse to stop at the admission, but it does leave me winded. “She’s seventy years old and owns a furniture franchise.”
My relief isn’t strong enough to fight off the storm that’s brewed and simmered within me all day long. “Why the fuck would you want me to believe you were seeing a woman?”
“To upset you.” His voice is calm, dead calm, and blatantly honest.
“Well, it worked.” I push open the front door and make a sharp left, toward the direction of my apartment. Benjamin follows me. When Dimitri realizes his boss is not coming back, I see him head back to the driver’s side.
“I hate that I did that to you. I became my old self again and it sickens me. I was upset by what you said. I didn’t handle it well.”
“No shit,” I mutter, clutching my coat tighter to my chest.
I hold an expressionless mask, noticing the stares we receive from people passing by. Dimitri has to be having a heart attack with Benjamin being exposed like this.
“I’m so sorry.”
My apartment is only a few blocks from my office, and I’m relieved when I spot the front of the building. “Benjamin, just go home. I’ll call you when I’m ready to talk about this.”
“Darcy—”
“Why do you think I should forgive you?” I whirl on him, searching through my bag for my keys.
“Because you know how I feel about you. You know me better than anyone else. You have to know I hate myself right now.”
My glare is piercing, simply because I do know he’s telling the truth. However, I cannot let this slide. If I do, I risk the chance of diminishing how much he hurt me today, making it easy for him to think I could take it again.
“Please, Darcy.”
“I want to be alone right now.” He gapes at me in protest, but I cut him off before he can say something to change my mind. “I know you’re sorry and I appreciate how hard you are trying to mend this, but a lot has happened today, and I just want some time to recoup.”
His mouth slims into a tight line. He clearly has a mind to sit here and argue until I refuse to fight anymore. “Will you at least call me tonight?”
I head up the stairs, pausing at the door to swipe my pass. There’s a loud beep, followed by the lock disengaging.
“Darcy,” he presses.
“Maybe.”
I open the door without so much as a glance back and enter, leaving him with his wrongdoings.
***
I’m stirring chicken noodle soup over the stove when my buzzer sounds, droning on in persistent alarms. Peeved by the fact that my heart thumped twice as strong in my chest at the intrusion to the silence I’ve settled into for hours now, naturally expecting—and hoping—it would be Benjamin on the other end, my eyes roll into my skull.
I skip to the box and press the black button. “Yes?”
“Darcy, it’s Rebecca. Don’t hate Benjamin for telling me where you live.”
My eyes widen, scanning my messy apartment. Shit.
“You there? It’s a little cold out—”
“I’m sorry. Of course, I’ll buzz you in right now.” After I release the button, I scatter, tumbling over stacks of books. I scoop down to retrieve them, and deposit them on the floor near my overflowing bookcase. I organize and stack the open manuscripts on the coffee table I’d been going through and make it to my coat draped on the couch, and hang it just as Rebecca knocks on the door.
The moment the door opens, she smiles cheekily. She’s holding a large bottle of wine. “Don’t worry. Ben isn’t with me.”
Unfortunately, a large part of me wishes he was.
“I thought you guys were having dinner.”
“We did. It was deathly boring. He’s not in a very good mood.”
I take her coat, wondering why she’s here. “I’m sorry I’m just barging in on your night. I wanted to have time to talk to you before I leave.”
“It’s no problem. I’m glad you’re here.” I fidget with the hem of my blouse. “Christmas is in a couple of days. Can’t you stay at least until then?”
“My boyfriend would have a fit.” She laughs, sitting down at my table.
“You have a boyfriend? How long have you two been together?”
“Ten years now.”
“Ten years?” I stir the thickening soup.
“I know. I’m thirty-three. It’s not his fault. We both agreed to get our careers going first.”
“Benjamin told me a little bit about that. You’re an editor at a magazine?”
“Yes. It’s a home décor based magazine.”
I eye my apartment, which makes her do the same. “I probably should subscribe. I can’t figure out a damn thing when it comes to decorating.”
She checks to see if my statement holds up. “No, you’ve actually done a lovely job. There’s a good feng shui in here.”
“Well thank you.” I walk to the cabinet, taking out two bowls. “Would you like some soup? I have plenty.”
“Actually, I will. Thank you.”
“Sure.”
She jumps out of her chair. “Do you have a wine opener?”
“Yes. In that drawer.”
She digs through the contents and fishes it out. “After Ben told me what happened today, which by the way I had to force out of him, I figured you needed some wine.”
I fidget in place, strangely nervous. “I just needed some time to think. Whenever I’m around him, my mind is completely jumbled.”
“I get that.” She pulls, and the cork pops out.
“How’s your dad? Is he still upset with Ben?”
I wonder how badly she wants me to talk as I watch her fill our wine glasses to the brim. She makes a frustrated noise at my question. “He can be a gigantic jerk sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, I love him, but he and Benjamin have always butted heads. I tried to tell my dad to be calm this time around but—”
“Benjamin told me about his brother, about how it affected his relationship with your parents.”
She gapes. “You know about Daniel?”
I nod and soak in her reaction like good wine. Her words make me remember that Benjamin has trusted me with the details of his past. However little he’s divulged so far, it’s something. No woman has witnessed that hidden, intimate part of him. Only me.
“He’s never spoken to me or to any of the family about him…” She places the glasses on the table and takes a seat while I slice the French bread. She presses on. “Has he met your family?”
“My parents died when I was a girl.”
“Oh, that’s horrible.”
“It’s fine.” I place the pieces of the loaf onto a plate. “It was a long time ago.”
“Do you have any siblings? Relatives?”
“None,” I respond, reaching in the refrigerator for the butter.
She’s silent for a moment. I set the bread on the table and haul the scalding bowls of soup over as well.
“Well I’m glad you both have each other this Christmas.”
I regard her warmly, taking a seat beside her.
“I don’t like to take sides,” she starts, ignoring the way my lips rub together uncomfortably, “but I do like to hear both sides. Maybe I could help.”
“There’s really not much to say, Rebecca.”
“Ben told me that he sprung the news on you that your relationship had gone public and that you hadn’t taken it well.”
I visibly relax, reassured he didn’t tell her anything more than necessary.
“I’m just not used to this. I’m normal. I’d never even been to a party before I met Ben.”
“Well that is definitely not normal, honey.” She sips her wine, drumming her manicured nails on the glass. “I can see you both care about each other a great deal. Darcy, you don’t understand. It’s been so long that he’s wasted his time on his empire, and on women he knows he won’t attach himself to, that I began to believe he’d never find someone to take care of him, make him see that there is so much more to experience with his life. Tonight, when I heard him talk about you, I saw that he’s discovered what I hoped he would, and I couldn’t be happier or more grateful to you for it. He’s my baby brother…I just want what’s best for him.”
Gazing into my soup, stunned by what she’s said, I nod. “I do too.”
***
The man behind the security desk now lets me pass with a small acknowledgment, having grown used to seeing me enter Benjamin’s building. I’m a regular visitor.
“Good evening, Miss Fontaine.”
“Hi, Victor.”
I summon the elevator while he cuts around his desk to input the code for the penthouse. Rebecca’s advice hasn’t left my brain, which is the reason I couldn’t sleep, not until I make amends. The familiar chime tinkles and the silver doors disengage, far too slowly for my impatient nerves. I tread into Benjamin’s dark apartment and gravitate toward the bedroom, wondering whether he’s home.
I find him asleep in bed, fully clothed and surrounded by papers. I leave my purse by the bedroom door and stop next to the mattress, glancing at the piles. My throat dries, reading over gigantic totals and calculations, understanding none of it. How in the hell does someone have this much money?
I gather the papers together, surprised he doesn’t wake from his uncomfortable position against the headboard. I wonder if this was how his nights would end before he met me. I deposit them onto his desk neatly and kick off my shoes, shedding my coat at the same time. It’s easy to become distracted by the view from his windows, which cover the best parts of the city. It’s late, but many of the buildings surrounding are lit brightly. My eyes wander down, far down, to the traffic below, the cars that are like ants from this height.
I let myself think on everything that’s happened in the last week, forcing myself to understand the dangers of my present situation. It’s not overreacting to be afraid. My face is on nearly every newspaper in New York. The man I’m linked to is famously adored, which makes our budding relationship front page news. I’m no longer in hiding. I’ve blown my cover.
And yet, despite all my fear and how stupid I must be to acknowledge this, I wouldn’t take back meeting Benjamin for a second. I’m in love for the first time, with a man just as passionate and just as stubborn as me, but who is good—who wants to make my life better. How could I ever regret knowing him?
My thoughts create turmoil beneath my skin, and the only relief is to be near him. I leave the window and dig my knee into the mattress, crawling up onto his body. He wakes as I do, blinking with surprise at the movement. Just before I lay my throbbing head on his chest, his blinking falters with realization. I’m here, despite what happened today, letting him know I need him, far more than I should.
He lets out a breath as I settle my weight onto him, hugging his sides, listening to his thumping heartbeat. Seconds tick by before he curls his arm around my waist, readjusting his position so he’s on the pillows instead of the headboard. There’s a tight constricting in my chest, which physically hurts. He is solid and real beneath me. I move my hands over his shirt while his own tangle into my hair, massaging my skull comfortingly.
