Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)(102)

So tell her.


“It’s Ben,” he said softly, his heart pounding with fear she’d say something about

not seeing a difference.


“And so it is Ben,” she murmured, studying his face. “Would you like to come in?”


“Please.” He offered her the bouquet of flowers before he crossed the threshold. “I

hope you don’t have plans. I took a chance you’d be home because I wanted to

—”explain, grovel, apologize profusely, beg you not to walk away from me, “—talk.”


“Do I look like I have plans?”


Her locks were tamed in a ponytail and she wore sweats, not another of those snappy

business suits. “You look great. But you always do.”


“Smooth talker. I’ll get these in water.” Ainsley hightailed it to the kitchen.


Christ. Was she afraid to be alone with him?


He followed her. When she turned from the sink and saw him, she jumped back. Not a good

sign.


“Would you like coffee?”


“I’ll take something stronger, if you’ve got it.”


“Bombay Sapphire or raspberry vodka. Obviously my bar isn’t as well stocked as yours.

”


He flashed a quick smile. “I’ll take a shot of the blue stuff.”


“It’s not really blue, silly man. It’s on the shelf behind you, help yourself.

Lowball glasses are up there too.”


“Can I pour you one?”


“Sure.” She plopped ice cubes in both glasses and added tonic. “Let’s sit in the

living room.”


Ben chose the loveseat opposite the couch, facing her. He looked around. “This is a

great place.”


“Thanks. But I know you’re not here to admire my decorating skills.”


“Maybe I am, since I haven’t bothered to show up here before now.” He let his gaze

wander. “The space suits you. Colorful. Classy. But not so formal. I’m glad to see

you don’t mind mussing it up.” An afghan hung off one end of the couch. A half-

finished crossword puzzle was on the coffee table. Boxes were stacked between the

loveseat and chair.


“You do have a way with words.”


Regrets that you didn’t use your safe word last night?


“Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?”


He forced himself to meet her gaze. “I’m here to make sure you were all right after

last night. You snuck out on me. Again. Just like that first night in the club.”


“Ben, it’s—”


“It’s not okay. Christ, it’s far from okay. Just hear me out, all right? ’Cause I’

m not used to…doin’ shit like this.” He exhaled a frustrated burst of air. “Not

that I don’t f*ck up from time to time, but I’ve never had to approach a sub and

apologize for my inappropriate Dom behavior.”


She said nothing.


“What I did was out of line. I won’t make excuses. I won’t be the guy who

apologizes, and tries to defend his actions after the apology.”


“But?”


“But nothin’.” Ben studied his drink. “I was wrong. I made the punishment about