| Excerpt:
Through the
tinted window, Ben watched his friends laugh with the people they’d
missed. Bessie hugged each of them—including David—tears filling her
eyes. Ben didn’t realise how much he’d missed seeing these people until
this moment.
“Party’s
inside, isn’t it?”
Ben froze,
staring straight ahead as his heart skipped a beat at the sound of
Marah’s voice. It was the voice he could listen to all day and still be
hypnotised by it. “Isn’t it taboo to be seen with me?”
“Not in my
mind.” She came up beside him. “You could at least look at me, you know?
I mean, I may not be the prettiest groupie, but I don’t think I’m all
that hideous, either.”
He turned his
head, seeing the woman he’d left behind for the first time since that
night he’d gotten on the bus. She still had the same angelic face from
her youth, yet she seemed more like a woman. Her baby blue eyes sparkled
with mischief. What once was blonde hair, was now auburn, falling in
soft waves around her face. Her breasts were fuller, giving her the body
of a woman instead of the girl he’d known. And she still wore her
favourite clothing—T-shirt and a denim skirt—which accentuated the long,
lean legs he remembered so well.
“You look
surprised,” she said with a smile. “I know my hair’s different. I grew
bored with blonde and decided to try red.” She shrugged, looking down at
herself. “I’ve grown maybe an inch. Probably look like hell from the
long ride, but nevertheless I’m still the same.”
“Midas said
you wanted to do an interview with Darkfever,” he said, hoping to end
her nervous chattering.
“If you don’t
mind. My father hired me as a journalist, and I planned on coming to see
my mom on my way to Dallas for a job interview. He wants me to catch the
concert, go to Dallas and have the article ready for print by Tuesday
when the issue goes out. It’ll be hard, but I think I can do it.” She
shrugged looking back through the window. “Are you staying with Midas’s
family?”
Ben scoffed.
“Nope. David forgot to make reservations, so we’re hotel-less.”
“Mom’s got
extra room. I’m sure she won’t mind.” She stared at the men before them
laughing with the people inside the diner. “So how’s life been treating
you?”
Clever of her
to avoid his eyes. “We don’t have to do this.”
“Do what? I’m
making polite conversation on the sidewalk with an old friend.” She
turned to face him. “Or are we not friends? I think the least you could
tell me is how your life has been since you walked away ten years ago
and never came back.”
Ben had known
this was coming. Her hot-headed stubbornness came out with the temper of
a fighting bulldog. He’d expected her anger and hurt. How the hell could
he blame her?
“Marah…” He
shoved his hands in his pockets not knowing what else to say. He watched
her stare at their friends, seemingly unaffected by their conversation.
“Don’t, Ben,”
she whispered. “Just answer my question.”
“Life’s been
good.” He tried to keep regret from his voice. “I’ve been busy so it’s
been a hassle, but a good hassle.”
“Good for
you,” she mumbled. “I’m glad your dreams finally came true.”
She met his
eyes, awkward silence surrounding them. Tension filled the air between
them, thick and heavy as the past assaulted them. He saw the hurt on her
face, the hurt he’d put there. Marah was tough, but Ben knew he’d broken
her heart.
“Well, I won’t
keep you from your friends.” The sound of her heels clicked against the
concrete sidewalk as she walked away.
“I’m sorry,
Marah.” He swallowed visibly, looking for words. “I would take back the
hurt and pain I’ve caused you if I could, but we both know I had to
leave. It was inevitable.”
She turned.
“You leaving isn’t what pisses me off the most, Ben.” She crossed her
arms over her chest. “You could have called. I mean, I know famous
people have representatives to do all their talking, but there are
telephones in hotel rooms. It wouldn’t have killed you to pick up the
receiver from time to time just to let me know you were okay.”
She had a
point, but he made an excuse. “I’ve been busy, Marah.”
“Don’t you
dare give me that bullshit.” She narrowed her eyes. “Midas called home
every single weekend the first three years.”
People stared
at their little reunion as they passed. He deserved everything she gave
him and then some. But it didn’t have to be in public. Huffing with
frustration, he grabbed her arm and pulled her down the narrow alley
next to the diner, virtually out of everyone’s sight.
“Maybe I
thought it was pointless, Marah. Nobody wanted me here. You hated me.”
“I loved you,
Ben.” Tears rimmed her eyes. “If you couldn’t see it then, you were
either blind or a damn fool.”
“I saw it,
Sweetheart, but I’m a damn fool for letting you go.” He pinned her body
against the cool brick building and covered her mouth with his in a hard
kiss. Lightening crashed through his veins, the homecoming skyrocketing
his desire to high degrees.
Marah
stiffened and pressed her lips tightly together and then finally
surrendered to his coaxing tongue. The chill of the night did little to
cool his temperature or hinder his thoughts. His mind, body and soul
wanted only one thing. Marah.
He nibbled her
lower lip, pulling it between his teeth. She tasted like strawberries,
sweet delicious strawberries. Her small hands roamed his body finally
settling on his hips. He needed inside her. He needed to feel the only
thing that was ever real to him.
“Ben,” Marah
moaned. She gripped his shirt, pulling him closer instead of pushing him
away.
He opened his
mouth on her neck, streaming wet kisses across her skin. He had to feel
her. “Marah, I want you, now.”
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