Page 25 of Savage Romance
Ben understood. He did. Like Byron, he was a man of action.
Even so…
His fingers tingled and a sensation of increased strength fought for supremacy.
With an almighty roar, Ben half-turned and slammed his fist against the living room wall. His bones jarred and the blow reverberated up his arm into his shoulder. Streaks of red marred the otherwise pristine wall when he pulled back his fist. Before he could punch again, a muscled arm banded across his chest.
How on earth could the crippled Nolan have moved so fast? Ben tried to yank free but even pumped up by his hate-filled anger, Ben couldn’t compete with the other man’s strength and determination.
“Calm down and sit down.”
The steel in his friend’s words permeated through Ben’s rage and shame washed over him faster than the tables could turn in a game of baccarat. Not only had he brought Zoe to his friends’ doorstep, now he was taking out his anger on their living room.
All the fight drained from his body and left his knees weak. Ben dropped onto the couch and leaned his head in his hands. What a fucked-up mess.
Byron’s waif of a wife scrambled past her husband. “Jesus, Ben.” She skidded to a halt in front of Ben and took his injured hand between both of hers.
Charlotte stared at his knuckles and clucked her tongue. “Never seen you lose your cool like that. You messed up your hand pretty good.”
Making a dismissive sound, Ben tried to pull it out of her grasp.
For such a tiny thing she had one hell of a grip, and she didn’t let go but tightened her hold. Her grip on him also reminded Ben that his friend’s woman had a backbone of titanium.
“Let me help. This wound needs to be cleaned and tended.”
Giving in, Ben snorted a laugh and dropped his head against the backrest of the couch. “All right, all right, woman. No need to get pushy. I’m going nowhere, and you can do your Florence Nightingale act.”
“Don’t you get cute with me, Ben Dennehy.”
She shot him a glare, that had him lifting an eyebrow at Byron. “You’re sure she’s submissive?”
Byron’s mouth tipped at the corner, but he didn’t answer, just shook his head, and handed his wife a first aid kit. “You handle the physical stuff, Kittykat, I’ll call maintenance to fix the wall.”
Ben punched his uninjured fist against his thigh in restless agitation. “I’m sorry, man. I’ll—I’ll pay for the damage.”
His mobile phone already against his ear, Byron gave him a “whatever” look and walked away, leaving Ben alone with Charlotte.
Keeping her head down, Charlotte rummaged through the first aid kit and avoided Ben’s gaze.
Fuck, did my violent outburst scare her? She has been through enough already.
“I’m sorry, honey, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“Frighten me?” Charlotte lifted her chin and there wasn’t an ounce of fear on her face.
Well, now?
“I’m just wondering if I should hug you, smack you on the back of your head, or kick your behind.” She let go of his hand. “That woman loves you. Only, you’re either too blind, too stupid, or too caught up in your past to appreciate what is right in front of you.” Planting her hands on her hips, she glared at him. “I’m going to get some water to clean this mess. You won’t move and will think about your actions, and what you really want out of life.” She dipped her head and held his gaze. “It’s not too late to save this marriage, Ben, but you need to open your freaking eyes.”
With that, she sashayed away, leaving him dumfounded. He’d never heard her swear before or call someone stupid, and he hadn’t thought she could be so forceful—or opinionated for that matter.
Mere moments later, she returned with a bowl of soapy water and a washcloth. “This isn’t going to feel great.”
He shrugged. Charlotte narrowed her eyes at him but kept quiet as she knelt before him. Ben studied her as she lifted his hand again and started to wash the blood away.
He hissed when the water met open skin.
Charlotte blew over the wound, and to his surprise it did alleviate the sting. Keeping her eyes on his hand, she continued to clean the torn skin. “I’ve noticed the way she looks at you, and how you look at her.” She rinsed the cloth, turning the water pink, and resumed cleaning.
