A Mess of a Man (Cruel & Beautiful #2)(81)

“I wish, but with Nick gone, I’m afraid I’ll be working from home tonight.”

“I can come over there,” I coax.

“You’ll distract me and I’ll never get anything done.”

“Okay, but that means I’ll be texting you to show you how lonely I am.”

Her giggle has a husky note to it. “You realize you’re giving me blackmail material.”

My brow rises. “So, the good girl is actually bad. You’d do that?”

“Don’t test me, Ben Rhoades.” She laughs again. “But I really have to go. I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

I sigh. “My hand is getting such the workout.”

“I’ll make it up to you.”

A few parting words later and she’s gone.

“Who would have ever thought the great Ben Rhoades would be * whipped?”

My head snaps up so fast, I might have given myself whiplash. There, leaning on the doorframe, is Jeff.

“Who’s * whipped?”

“You, my friend, unless you agree to hang with us tonight.”

Before I realize I’m even doing it, I’m shaking my head. “Nah, man, I’m tired.”

“Exactly, you sound just like Mark.”

I pause for a second realizing he’s right. I shrug. “It’s been a long day.”

“Yeah, and that sweet little event planner with the great rack has you all wrapped up.”

My eyes narrow as my heart begins to accelerate. “Keep your eyes to yourself and don’t talk about her tits. Not cool.”

“So it’s official—you and Mark are being led around with a leash around your necks.”

I counter quickly. “I thought you and Mark were going out tonight.”

He shakes his head. “No, I hoped if you got on board you would convince him. Instead, I find you practically begging some woman to get laid. That’s how it starts, man. They want to give it to you all the time until they know they have you. Then they tease you with it and use their cunts to keep you in line. I’m telling you, variety is the spice of life. They don’t really respect you until you show them you can get it somewhere else.”

His words sound so familiar. I’m sure I’ve said something similar to Drew over the years.

“Don’t knock it until you try it.”

With his head cocked back, he lets out a belly laugh. “That’s the best you’ve got? You should hear yourself, man. She’s got you so f*cked in the head you can’t even give me a proper comeback.”

I ponder his words for a second until I realize I don’t care what Jeff thinks of me. Sam makes me happy and I don’t want to lose that.

“Dude.” Jeff says, forcing me to glance up. “Look, is there a rule that we can’t tap a client?”

“There isn’t anything in the employee handbook if that’s what you’re asking.” The human resource manager and I have become fast friends these last several weeks since Dad has been out. “But it is strongly discouraged. Why?”

He shrugs. “I’m out. Later.” He pushes off the doorframe and disappears into the darkness of the office. Almost everyone is gone and I get to my feet and leave too.

The rain is coming down so hard, I have my wipers on the highest speed when my phone rings. I almost don’t answer because I need to concentrate on the road. When I see who it is, I answer using the in-dash Bluetooth.

“Cate.”

“Ben.” Her voice doesn’t quiver. However, I can’t be sure.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah.” Her sigh is heavy. “I just miss you guys and Jenna’s out.”

Good, she’s okay.

“Hey, can I call you back when I get home? It’s raining like crazy.”

“Oh, yeah, sure.”

I hate how she sounded with that last comment. “I’ll be home in ten. I’ll call you right back.”

My plans had included sending Sam a picture of me and my hand, but that will have to wait. When I get inside, I pour myself a glass of Lagavulin before I call Cate back.

“What’s going on, little sis?”

“It’s nothing really.”

But I know better.

“You can always come back home. Jenna still has your room vacant or you can stay with me. My house is big enough for the both of us.”

She’s quiet and I realize this is the second time tonight I’m trying to figure out the right thing to say to a woman.

“I can’t.”

Her words are soft, but their meaning is loud and clear.

“He’s there and I see him everywhere. I hate to say it, but it’s easier being here in DC in that respect.”

I drain the contents of my glass. “I get it.”

“Ben, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring you down.”

So she’d heard that. I push my hair back.

“Take your hand out of your hair, Benny.”

“God, you know me.” I pull my hand free and start to pour another two fingers.

“Everyone knows you. But I didn’t call for us to be sad. We’ve had enough of that. How’s Sam?”

I take a quick sip and bite down on the warmth that’s spreading through my gut.