Chapter 10 Benson #2
“Nothing. We just weren’t compatible. It became more apparent as the years went by and we grew older. Staying together for the sake of our daughter wasn’t worth it. We both agreed that it was best for Drew to see her parents happy with other people than semi-miserable with each other.”
“I see…”
“Sorry if that’s not juicy.”
It took Eden a moment to realize that was sarcastic. “So, long-term, you’re looking for a woman who shares most of the same fantasies as you.”
“More or less. Wouldn’t that make sense to you?”
“It does make sense.”
She bit her lip in thought. Benson couldn’t help but ask, “What now?”
“Just thinking that it makes even more sense for you two to meet.”
As Benson had said, he’d have to think about it. Right now, all he cared about was going to bed with his girlfriend, where they would be quite vanilla with him on top of her and her begging for more. Always begging for more.
He put thoughts of what she said out of his head. All the way to Saturday night, when he and Eden parted ways so she could have some time to herself before her date with the other guy on Sunday. Another thing he wouldn’t think about.
The guy I shared her with on the island… The odds. What were the damn odds?
Did he want to watch them together? Of course.
Did he want to join in? Of course. Did he fuck Eden while thinking of how he would show off to this mysterious other man?
Mark her as his right in front of him? Claim her ass right in front of him?
Make her swallow his cock right in front of him?
Damn straight. Probably right after the other guy did all of that first.
Benson was at least honest with himself. Something Sydney couldn’t stand.
The more he thought about the real reason his marriage ended – the catalyst that divided his daughter’s home – the more he thought about other people.
Just do it. Just go.
It had been a dog’s age since he last went to the monthly Sunday brunch for men of a certain standard.
It was the kind of secret society that was right out in the open, in that the gentlemen met there in the city for light food and drinks while the rest of the world went on around them, but there was no name for it.
Invite only. You have to be vetted by at least two other members.
Was he shocked to walk in with his jacket over his arm, only to find Liam Fucking Ashe conversing with two other men? No. Because Benson had been one of the men who sponsored Liam’s membership two years ago.
And he knew he was back in town. Back in town to ruin my life, probably.
Benson was cordial, though. There were more than enough members who came up to say hello and to ask how he had been doing, why he hadn’t been by in almost a year.
He still paid dues to help the club secure its monthly meeting space and to sponsor certain activity nights at other places, but he saw it more as a service than a reason to go out on a Sunday morning.
But without Eden to keep him company and without work to occupy his mind…
Benson might as well get use out of his membership.
“Benson,” Liam said when a lull in conversation meant they stood near each other.
“Liam.”
More than one member looked between them before turning to another and whispering something. Benson ignored them.
“You still come here?” Liam asked.
“Of course I do. Granted, it’s been a while.”
“How long is a while?”
None of your business. “About a year. I’m trying to get involved again.”
“Good. Probably good for you, I mean. Fraternities are great.”
“Sure.”
They awkwardly stood near each other with drinks in their hands, Liam scanning the room for someone to talk to while Benson wondered when lunch began.
God help us if we’re sitting next to each other.
Odds were high they would sprint for different tables as soon as the gong rang.
Already, Benson eyed a few men he wouldn’t mind catching up with as soon as they were available.
Assuming I haven’t burned too many bridges.
“Staying away from my daughter?” Benson asked after sipping his drink.
“I try. I make no promises if she reaches out to Uncle Liam, though.”
“Don’t call yourself that. It sounds dirty.”
“Ben, you know I’m not interested in her like that…”
He grunted.
“She’s much too young for me, for one thing. Then there was the whole knowing her when she was a kid part…”
“Just shut your mouth, man.”
Liam shrugged in defense. “Don’t worry about me. I’m seeing someone.”
“Good for you. So am I.”
“Good for you!”
They did, in fact, go to separate tables when the gong rang.
Benson kept his back to the main room so he could focus on the gents sitting with him, where he caught up on some of the latest gossip while eating lunch and accepting another drink from the waiter making the rounds.
By the end of the meal, Benson had a new client lead for work and had been invited to two parties that month.
Parties that he could not bring Eden to, but he might go, anyway.
He bumped into Liam at the bar near the entrance of the restaurant where they met. Benson was determined to head out, but Liam flagged him down, an apologetic look on his face.
“Look,” he said, stirring a packet of sugar into an iced tea, “I just want to apologize. For any awkwardness between us. I’m not helping by being a bit of an ass.”
Benson couldn’t help but raise both eyebrows. “A bit?”
“Yeah. If I’m going to be in town from now on, we should strike a truce. To be cordial.”
“Hmph.”
“Hey, you’re still on good terms with your ex-wife.”
Was he serious? “We have a kid together. There was no choice.”
“Right. Well, I know you’re a nice guy, Ben.”
“And what does that make you?”
“An ass, most of the time.”
At least he knows. “Look, I have no ill feelings toward you. If anything, I’d think you’d hate being around me.”
“Ah, come on, I could never hate you, Ben. I was the reason everything went to hell.”
“I don’t think of it like that.”
They were awkwardly silent for a moment, Benson wondering if he should extract himself from this situation. Yet he couldn’t help himself. He had to ask, “So, you’re seeing someone? Hope it’s not the woman who came on to me right in front of you.”
“Who? Oh, no. I reconnected with someone recently. Things are kinda serious already. So, you know, you don’t have to worry about me.”
Everything about how he said that raised more than a few hackles in Benson’s broad body. “Why would I worry about you?” he asked, crossing his arms. “If anyone could take care of himself, it’s you.”
“Funny. I often think the same thing about you.”
That was how they parted. Not with sarcasm, harsh words, or misgivings. Just well-wishing and a reassurance that they wouldn’t be at each other’s throats whenever they crossed paths.
Knowing that Liam was seeing someone “semi-seriously” made it easier to fathom.
Liam was best with a woman hanging off his arm.
Let alone a woman he can fawn over and share his secrets with.
The only thing about that was Benson’s role in those secrets.
Well, as long as he keeps my name out of his mouth…
They lived in the same city again, after all. Benson had a reputation to keep – both at home and at work.
He’d probably say the same thing about me. Benson donned his coat when he stepped outside into the cold but sunny day. He couldn’t help himself. He had to text Eden.
“I still can’t stop thinking about you.”
It was the truth. From the moment he set eyes on her, he couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Just because he also thought about other people he had loved from time to time, didn’t make that mean anything less.