Page 17 of Auctioned to the Mountain Man

He stops, and understanding crosses his face. He leans toward me and kisses my forehead. “I’m just going to grab something. I’ll be right back.”

I watch him go wondering what he’s up to. When he comes back, he’s carrying something that he got off the mantle.

He hands a picture frame to me, and I look at it. I trace the little boy’s face with my fingers. He’s an adorable kid. “Who is this, Ben?”

“His name is Benji. He…”

Ben’s voice breaks off, and I move toward him. I have one hand on the picture frame, and the other reaches for him. Obviously, this is hard for him. I’ve never seen a man so physically shaken before. “You don’t have to—”

He cuts me off. “Yeah, I do. I need to explain.” He lets out a rough breath. “I haven’t talked about this in years.”

There’s a huskiness in his voice, filled with emotion. “That’s Benji. Uh, I was married to his mother. For a year, I thought I was his father. He was my son. He will always be my son, even though I never get to see him anymore.”

I shake my head in confusion. “Wait, what are you saying?”

“She cheated on me but let me think that Benji was mine. I probably would still think he was mine if she hadn’t found another sucker that has more money than me.”

I gasp in shock. My hands go to his waist. “I’m so sorry, Ben. I can’t even imagine how that felt.”

His hands go to my shoulders, and his fingers trail up and down the sides of my neck. “It was awful. Losing Benji—I don’t think I’ll ever get over that.”

I cup his jaw. “One day, when he’s older, he’ll want to see you, and she’ll have to let him.”

He blinks, and hope shines in his eyes before it quickly fades. “He was one. He won’t remember me.”

All I can do is look at him, and things start to fit together. Elana had mentioned his past and trying to get over something. I couldn’t imagine being in his position. That had to have almost killed him. And then the betrayal of his wife had to destroy him. “Ben…” I start, but he doesn’t let me finish.

“When I saw you in the courtyard at work, it was the first time I’d felt anything in years. Talking to you, kissing you, touching you, I forgot about old hurts and was ready for more. Then when we walked out and Elana said your date was there, I thought the worst. Add that to the fact that I didn’t know you were so young and you’re my little sister’s best friend, I freaked out. Everything I was feeling… I knew that there was no way you were feeling the same way. In that instant, I freaked out.”

Ben

She wraps her arms around my neck like she’s afraid I’m going to walk away or something. She doesn’t realize that I’m done with all that. I fucked up, but I won’t make the same mistake again.

I put my hands at her waist, pulling her flush against me as she begins to talk. “I didn’t go on a date with Cole. Elana is always trying to fix me up. Honestly, I forgot that she had even tried to fix me up with someone until she reminded me that night. But I’m not the type to date more than one man.”

I nod and squeeze her. “I know that now.”

She looks up at me through her lashes. “When I met you, I wasn’t thinking anything. I wanted to kiss you, though. I wanted to go home with you, and I’ve never felt that way with anyone else… I’ve thought about that night ever since then. I wondered what went wrong and why you reacted the way you did. I didn’t know you were the Ben Barrett. I wasn’t targeting you.”

I shake my head softly. “I didn’t think you did. I realize now that I messed up and overreacted. I’m sorry, Maggie. I really am.”

She nods. “It’s fine.” She pulls back, and I’m forced to let her go. She wraps her arms around her waist and stares up at me. She has no idea that I can see every thought and every doubt on her face. She’s not sure she can trust me.

“I want to give you the whole truth, Maggie. I need to come clean.”

She swallows and grabs the chair next to her. “Okay. I’m listening.”

I take a step toward her, but I don’t touch her. We’re mere inches from each other, close enough I can feel the heat from her body, but I don’t touch her. “I’m giving you the whole truth right now, and I need you to hear me out.”

She looks at me worriedly, probably wondering what bombshell I’m about to drop on her. “I’m obsessed with you, Maggie. Since that day, I haven’t thought of anyone but you. I followed you on social media just to get a glimpse into your life, but it wasn’t enough.” I take a deep breath, knowing I need to tell her the whole truth. “I installed cameras outside your house so I could see you come and go. The cameras in the office were my idea, and I watch you walk up and down the hall, all day every day. When I found out you were doing the auction, I couldn’t sit by anymore.”

She asks me breathlessly, “You stalk me?”

I cringe. “I would never hurt you. And you know why I do it.”

She tilts her head to the side, and her eyes light up. “You want me?”

I can feel the blood coursing through my veins, and my voice drops an octave. “Oh yeah, Maggie. I want you.”

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