Page 16 of Ben

He clinked his glass to hers. “Thank you for making me the luckiest man today, wife.” He rolled that word around his tongue, savoring the sound of it like fine wine or a good piece of seasoned meat.

She dipped her head and then took a sip of the bubbly; he could tell she liked the champagne by the fact it was her favorite brand, and her lips kicked up in bemusement at the fact he knew so much about her.

“So, what happens now?” She turned her face to his.

“We find out who planted the virus and get rid of it as quickly and as quietly as possible.”

She nodded, taking a sip. “How long do you think it will take?”

“Hopefully, if nothing else happens, in a matter of days.”

“Ben, after that, I think—”

“No, you agreed to be my wife, and there is no going back now. It will go easier for you if you just accept it.”

“Ben, our families are going to question this and have doubts.”

“Then you, my pretty wife, will just have to be convincing enough that you are in love with me and that we can’t keep our hands off each other. Which won’t be a problem, as I proved to you last night. And after tonight there will not be any doubt in your mind that we belong together either.”

“Ben, you need to know—”

Diamond didn’t finish, and he watched as she suddenly looked out the window and must have felt the car now traveling on pavement and saw that they were home.

“We are home now, dear wife, and it is time for you to get ready for tonight.” He reminded her as the car stopped. His wife just gave him a cold stare of fury before exiting the car and silently closing the door before he could get out and assist her into the house.

He smiled because Diamond was fiery in her own way, and if it was Ambra, she would have slammed the door, but Diamond closing it softly told him she was angry.

Good, he wanted her to feel some type of emotion toward him, rather than nothing.

Chapter 8

Diamond soaked in the tub, taking her time relaxing in the bubbles and hot water; her favorite candles were lit that she used to meditate with or calm herself down. She knew she was stalling and would eventually have to come out and face her husband.

She was a married woman now, and tonight she would be sharing her bed with a man, her husband, for tonight and the rest of her life, according to Ben.

This was not how she envisioned her wedding night looking, and with Ben, no less. Her mind flashed to the heated embrace in the hallway of his home, their home now, and warmth spread through her, and her breathing increased.

If she was being honest with herself, there was a thrill running through her; people looking in at this picture would find this whole situation insane and that she needed rescuing from the big bad wolf that was holding her hostage now. Diamond wasn’t your typical damsel in distress; she could have tried harder to get a hold of her sister and get her to help, but she also didn’t want to put her sister or her family in jeopardy from what was happening and knew that if anyone could take care of this, it would be Ben. Not only Ben but the Brooks family.

Whatever they put their mind to, they got. Take Carter and Zahara, for instance. She refused to marry him, and look at them now, happy together with twins.

Her sister was now being chased by Michael, and according to the recent message on her new phone that Ben hadset up for her with only her sister and parents being able to dial the old number and get it rerouted to her new phone. Her sister was having a good time, and everything was working out with Michael.

Her sister was in love, and she knew that Michael was just as much in love as her. She had discovered recently that she wanted that type of crazy love for herself and had lately become restless. When Ben had given her the ultimatum, it was like everything clicked for her, and now, she was curious as to where this would all go with Ben. He was an enigma and not as easy to read as his brother Michael was. He was a dark horse, and she felt drawn to that.

She shifted in the water and turned it back on to get it hotter when the door opened, and in entered her husband, wearing nothing but a robe, his feet bare and silent as he strode through the door, shutting it behind him.

Diamond didn’t bother to hide or shriek in outrage at his sudden appearance; she was not surprised that he just came on in as if he had the right. She was also very proud of her body and knew she looked good. She sat back and continued to lather her skin as the tap ran, heating up the lukewarm water. She eyed her husband as he made his way over to her vanity table in the bathroom and rooted around in there before pulling out her facial cleanser and pads to take off her makeup.

She blinked in surprise when he walked over to her and then sat down on the edge of the tub, seeming not to notice her near nakedness that the bubbles were not covering sufficiently.

“Lift your chin.” Ben might not have been showing that he was affected by her, but his voice and its husky pitch told her a different story.

“Why?” She stroked the soap over the flesh of her breast and then her nipples that had peaked when he entered the room.

“Because I want to see my wife.”

“You are looking at her.” She frowned now, pausing in her action. She saw his lips curve and fought the urge to reach her hand up and grab his head to bring him down to her. He had beautiful, kissable lips for a man.

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