Page 12 of Ben

“Good, because I don’t own this. It belongs to Ambra; she left it at my place before heading to the airport to see Michael.” She said it triumphantly.

“Diamond.” Ben now said in exasperation and also what sounded like amusement.

“You didn’t say I couldn’t wear someone else’s clothing, just not mine. Now, can I enter?” She lifted her eyebrows because she knew he couldn’t argue this one.

Ben frowned, and she could see the wheels in his brain turning, running over solutions, and she smiled and then pressed her fingers that were now bare against his firm chest, moving him back enough for her to enter.

She moved past him and made her way down the hallway and began to peek into every room with a brooding Ben close behind. Diamond said nothing as she looked around and entered the kitchen, circling the big island and running her fingers over the marble. Then she went to a smaller office, the living room, and then into his study. Here was where she could feel him the most; everything was meticulous, pristine, and neat, down to the gray and black color scheme of his home office, the same replica of his office that he had in the building with Ambra.

She then turned and studied him. “When did you get my office done, the kitchen?” She asked him softly, her heart racing.

“As soon as I bought it, and it was finished being developed.” He put his hands into the pocket of his jeans, hishead tilted as he regarded her, waiting for her response to his words.

“When did you purchase this place, Ben?”

“You should know, when you tried to purchase it. You must have realized it when you stood outside the very house you had planned on being in.”

She shook her head in the affirmative. “Yes, but I thought it was just a coincidence, but after seeing the exact office that I had in my condo and the kitchen that I always wanted since I saw it at a model show a couple of years ago, I was waiting till I bought my first house to have it done. This is…” Her voice petered out.

“Am I going to find a replica of my bedroom upstairs too?”

“No, not exactly.”

“What do you mean, not exactly?”

“Your bathroom is like the one in your condo, but our bedroom will be one that we will be sharing, and I’m a man, and your pink stuff is a little too much for me.”

“How do you know what the inside of my condo looks like?” He opened his mouth to respond, but then she answered herself. “Never mind, Ambra and Instagram.”

“I don’t know whether to be awed or horrified, Ben. I knew you had a crush on me, but this is bordering on more than just a crush.” She suddenly felt like she needed to sit, but then she approached him on bare feet.

“Ben, did you plant that virus on me?”

Her eyes searched his for the truth.

“No, I didn’t plant the virus, Diamond.”

She pointed around the place and said, “This says differently, Ben.”

His lips firmed. “Well, I didn’t. Remember, the virus puts both of us in jeopardy, not just you.”

The reminder of the virus and what it was doing that caused her to be here and at his mercy.

“Did you get it to stop?”

“For the moment, but I will have to keep checking it to make sure it is not breaking through the wall I set up.”

“Okay, thanks. I appreciate that. Ben, we should talk; I will go upstairs and change and then come back down.”

He stiffened. “Talk about what?”

“We both know that you will not force me into marrying you. We have sort of a friendship; I would like to think because of our siblings, you even have a crush on me, and even though I find you attractive, that is not enough to sustain a marriage.” He opened his mouth to protest.

Trying to placate him now. “The detail and thought you put into buying this house says that you care about me, and I appreciate all that you have done so far, but−”

And just like that, he snatched her against his body. Every inch of her front was pressed against him.

“Don’t think you have a choice in this or can control the situation, Diamond. I have wanted you for a long time, and now you are in my home and are going to be my wife. Now that you are mine, I will not ever let you go.” He promised, his lips close, his breath caressing her own. She not only smelled his cologne but also the light scent of scotch, and she took in a small breath, parting her lips and licking them because she could feel the heat of him through her coat and a sudden awareness of him beinga virile man and her nakedness in his home. The weight of his hand on her waist and the middle of her back sent a shiver through her. Her eyes were now trapped by his intense silver eyes that held warning and heat in them.

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