A Mess of a Man (Cruel & Beautiful #2)(53)

She glances between us and takes the key. I can tell she’s calculating what to do as he passes off her suitcase.

When we get to my floor I realize that the asshat didn’t push another button. I let the boy get out first because I plan to take Sam with me even if I have to toss her over my shoulder.

The sign directs that my room is to the left in the same direction the boy is already headed. Sam follows leaving me trailing behind them. When he stops, I find that my room is across from his. I have a moment to wonder if the hotel clerks were having a big laugh at our expense.

I open my door and push my bag to act as a door stop while I turn to watch Nick the Dick maneuver his bag and Sam’s into the room. Just as she’s about to head inside, I stop her.

“We need to talk,” I demand.

As if he has some say, the guy grins. “Maybe you should get it out of the way. It doesn’t look like he’s going to give up until he says what he needs to. No worries, your bag is safe with me.”

The f*cker winks. My fist balls up and I have a burning desire to ram it in his smug face.

“I’ll only be a few minutes,” she says to him before turning angry eyes on me.

I push the door open wider and let her step through as the guy watches like he’s her protector.

“Don’t worry. She doesn’t need her bag. She’ll be naked most of time.”

The guy’s face changes as I step in the room and let the door shut behind me. When I turn to face Sam, her arm is in mid swing. Luckily my reflexes are good and stop her from connecting with my face this time. All that training with Drew that I’ve kept up even after he left … died worked.

“Who do you think you are?”

My mind shifts gears back to her.

“Let’s stop playing games. That guy isn’t your type.”

Her eyes narrow and I’m holding out hope because if she tells me she’s with him, I’m going to jail for murder.

“Oh? And who is?”

“Me,” I say confidently. “You couldn’t keep from eye f*cking me all day.”

Her head dips back, sending all her gorgeous hair cascading over her shoulders as she gives a belly laugh that rips at my gut. She’s been flirting all day and I’ve prayed it was to make me jealous because it has.

“Is that true? Is that why you brought your fiancée so I would get the hint that we’re done?”

It’s my turn to gape. “Fiancée?” I ask dumbly.

Her hazel eyes steady on mine. Her face has lost all mirth and they darken into the color of a green-eyed monster. “The gorgeous brunette you had your arm around most of the day. Isn’t her name Karen?”

I feel a smirk appearing on my mouth. “I think you mean Cate, my sister’s best friend and she’s like a little sister to me. But most of all she’s my best friend’s wife ... Well, he’s gone now. And he asked me to take care of her.”

Her eyes go soft, but I don’t need her pity. So I lean in and kiss her mouth. She gasps, taken by surprise by my bold move as am I. Today has been a day of revelations. And I want this woman more than I should.

“You don’t have to be jealous. Can’t you tell you’ve got me wrapped around your finger?”

There is no time to waste as I kiss her again in earnest. At first she is stiff, but after my declaration, she relaxes as I circle my arms around her waist. I tug her close, wanting to feel her against me.

“God, I’ve missed you.”

I dip under the hem of her shirt and skim my fingertips over the inches of bare skin. She pulls back breathless and puts her hand between us creating space I don’t want.

“Ben, I can’t.”

The words are like a sledgehammer to my chest, spinning my head around.

“Sam, I’m sorry.”

Her face goes soft and I think I’ve got her.

“I believe you. But you were right. I’m not cut out for f*ck buddies. I need more. I want more with someone.”

My hands drop to my sides. I’ve never hated any words more in my life. I have nothing to offer her. As much as I hate to admit this, I’m the one that can’t do without her. The game I wanted to play has played me. These last few weeks have been hell as I’ve been plagued with thoughts about her … missing her.

I close my eyes for a second and I hear the faint sound of fabric shifting as she makes her way to the door only a few feet ahead. And I know if I want to keep her, I have to play by her rules.

“Wait,” I call out.

She stops and I deign to open my eyes to see her looking at me with expectation.

Do or die, my subconscious mind yells at me to do the right thing.

“Sam.” All I have is the truth. “I’m no good at the relationship thing. You’ll have to set the pace, but I’m willing to try.”

There’s more in my plea than I’m ready to reconcile. But there hasn’t been another woman who’s intrigued me in a very long time. I’m not dumb enough to let her go and hope one day when I know I’m ready for this, that I’ll be able to find another. I have to man up and give this a shot.

She steps over, but doesn’t let me touch her. She rests her palms on my chest and I’m undone.

“Ben, the last thing I want or need is to coerce you into a relationship you don’t want.”