Page 29 of Undo Me

Chapter 6

He didn’t understand women.

Scratch that.

He understood women better than they understood themselves, certainly better than any human man that ever lived and probably better than most of his predecessors. But he didn’t understand Bethany, or his reaction to her, at all.

He’d enjoyed all his partners, whatever their persuasion, but his personal preference was the female of the species. Complex in their needs, soft curves to grab on to, blessed with an inner strength that made them the envy of their counterparts. He loved to see them in the throes of passion, or watching their sated smiles as they fell asleep after he’d pleasured them into exhaustion. He always knew what they were thinking—it was a gift of his kind. A gift he was currently lacking, conveniently when he needed it most.

“That’s it.”

“What’s it, BD?” Ben was sitting on his bed, tugging his socks up before slipping into his shiny black shoes. The men had decided to get dressed in his room, giving the master bedroom to Allegra and the women.

Babysitting, he was certain.

BD shifted in his chair, thinking of the present he’d purchased for Bethany. He hoped she liked it. She was so difficult to read, her reactions to him so unexpected, he wasn’t sure whether she’d wear it or burn it in protest with her friends cheering her on.

“Benjamin, when you marry Michelle Toussaint, make sure you spank her at least once a day. That woman is a tyrant.”

A tyrant who warned him against playing with Bethany’s emotions.

“She’s barely left her apartment for years. I had to bribe her to get her on the plane. If you seduce her, hurt her now that she’s finally here and making friends, I don’t think I’ll be able to forgive you.”

He’d never forgive himself. Hurting her was the last thing he wanted to do.

Ben laughed, unaware of BD’s darker thoughts. “I would, my friend. But I think she would enjoy it too much.” His brown eyes were curious. “She told me about the lingerie shop. I had to promise to buy half their stock just to keep the salesclerk from calling the police. You must have made one hell of an impression.”

He grimaced. He’d shamed her, is what he’d done. Keeping her quiet, only to bellow like a rutting beast before coming, unprotected, inside her. He’d lost all his skills, all his couth. It made him uncomfortably hard just thinking about it.

“Jealous, Ben?” Rousseau asked from across the room. “That might be the one public venue you and Michelle haven’t christened yet. No wait, you prefer alleys and restrooms.”

BD was amazed at the discomfort he felt, having everyone know about his time with Bethany. She was special. Their time together was special. He’d never experienced anything like it, not in all his years as a Loa. She called to his soul.

Did he still have one? He honestly wasn’t sure.

He hadn’t planned to spend his one day as a human in emotional turmoil over a single, stubborn woman. This was his last chance to indulge in life—food, fucking, wine, and fucking. Instead, all he could do was pine for Bethany. Wanting to talk to her, to apologize again for losing control. To lose it again. “Bah. Women.”

Rousseau turned away from the mirror where he was tying his tie, an unwilling smile forming on his lips. “I’ll be damned. You like her, don’t you? You don’t just want to dine and dash on the only available woman in the house. You actually like her.”

He was out of his chair and nose to nose with Rousseau before the words had completely left his mouth. “Will you forever think the worst of me? I am what I am, I came when I was called, and you were better for it. Your family was safe and protected as you asked. Yes, I took from you, and I accepted an offer from your bastard father, but I never allowed harm to come to you, the business you created or any in your care. And now you are free, and there is a woman in this house whose love you never have to doubt, who chose you over everything else. She is worth more than all of us combined, and she’s marrying you today. You’ll start your life together with no secrets and absolute acceptance. At least in part, that is because of me.”

“I know that. Thank you.”

All the bluster drained out of him at Rousseau’s words, leaving behind a strange feeling of vulnerability. “You’re welcome.” He hesitated. “So you no longer think I am beyond redemption?”

Rousseau gazed at BD in silence for a moment before dragging him close, arms tight around his shoulders in an awkward embrace. “I don’t. Allegra was right. I’m glad you’re here. You should be here. You’re family, right?”

A flummoxed BD turned toward Ben, who nodded approvingly. “Exactly. Like that crazy, skirt-chasing uncle that you hate because he looks young enough to be carded.”

Rousseau released him with a laugh, and Bone Daddy ran a hand through his short curls. He hadn’t expected that. It was beyond disconcerting, these feelings churning inside him. Regret. Gratitude. Even love. He would miss these men when he was gone. Miss watching them age, become fathers. Being a part of their lives.

He swallowed over what felt like an actual lump in his throat. “I’m honored to share this day with you.”

“About Bethany.”

“Michelle already tried to warn me away.” BD shook his head tiredly at Ben. “I’m afraid that ship has sailed. I’m acting like an adolescent, I know, but I only have a few more hours before I return through the Gate for good and I need to be with—”

“For good? What are you talking about?” Ben wasn’t smiling now, and BD noticed the empath had a hand on his arm.

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