Page 138 of Say I Do

Quincy smiled at me. “Want me to get your husband?”

Yes.The thought of seeing Benito excited and terrified me. “No, it’s fine.”

He shook his head. “It’s far from fine. You need to drop that shit habit.”

“What?”

“The one where you take anything tossed at you and keep moving.” Quincy scratched the hair on his chin. “Never mind.” He turned around and headed for the door. “You need to see Benito before you go out there and say I do... Again.”

“No, thank you.”

Quincy sighed and shook his head as he exited, but I meant it. I’d just go through the wedding as planned. There was no need to see my husband before. It would only increase the pain radiating through my heart. I turned back around and checked my makeup in the mirror. I needed to clear my head. No matter how hard I tried, I kept picturing Benito.

I bet he did something stupid yesterday. Benito was level-headed to most, but I saw the real him. He thought I was a monster, but he was no better. He was beautifully chaotic when he gave into that side of him. My eyes slid shut as I gave in and conjured up endless moments with Benito in my head. I craved him like an addict craved their fix. He was my vice and my salvation.

The click of the door pulled me out of my memories. I stared down at my hands and grabbed a makeup wipe to clean the black smudges off. “Quincy, if you came back, I hope you brought me something to drink.” I fixed my lipstick and turned around. “I need something stro—” My words died off as I came face to face with Benito.

His gaze swept over me from head to toe. I was no better as I examined him. Benito looked fantastic in his tux. His dark hair was gelled back, and the tux was black on black. It looked too good on him, molded to his muscles, making my mouth water with want. The silence between us got thicker with each passing second until it was impossible to ignore.

“Does your mom know you’re in here?”

Benito shook his head as if clearing the stupor he’d been in. His brows lowered, and he finally met my gaze again. My stomach tightened instantly as we locked eyes.

I was instantly hit with how much I’d missed him.Fucker, this is all his fault.I didn’t care before, and now I’m over here missing him and shit.

“I’m a grown man,” Benito said.

I shook my head. “I don’t think she cares.”

He took a step toward me, and it was as if my body had a mind of its own. Each step Benito took toward me, I took back. My back hit the wall, and I cursed under my breath.

A cocky smirk formed on Benito’s face. My hand itched to slap it off his face and then kiss him. I wanted equal parts to hurt and love him.

“Why are you running?” Benito asked.

“I’m not.”

Benito cocked a brow as I slid against the wall I was pressed up against.Fuck, I’m running. I went still, forcing myself to stand my ground.

“You’re afraid of me now?” Benito asked as he stopped right in front of me. I could smell his cologne. He was so close.

I wanted to close the distance between us and bury my face against his throat. “Are you drunk?”

“No.” Benito took another step toward me, and my stupid heart skipped a beat. “I—” Benito reached out, and I moved on instinct. I dropped under his arm and twisted around him.

“You shouldn’t be in here. The moment your mom finds you, it’s going to be a whole thing.” I rubbed the back of my neck. Why was he here? I hadn’t been any closer to a solution then the day I spent with the guys. I was at square one when it came to Benito and I.

“Harlow.”

“Your mom worked hard on this wedding, and everyone is waiting. We better get out there.” I needed more time. Right now, if we kept going, I might end up killing my husband or breaking down in front of him. The latter could never happen.

“Harlow, wait.”

I moved toward the door. “Oh, I think I heard someone shout ten minutes. I already fixed everything.” My fingers wrapped around the handle as I kept pushing forward. I just needed to get out of there. The longer I was left with Benito, the harder it was to shut down my heart. It begged and pleaded for me to go to him, to fall into his arms and be with him. Fuck that soft shit; it wasn’t ever meant to be me. “The photographer is supposed to get pictures of me pre-wedding. I better go find him.”

Benito slammed me against the door, shutting it and closing off my escape. “I said fucking wait.”

I closed my eyes, soaking in his warmth and the sweet and musky smell of him. Fuck, it was all Benito, and I wanted to give in.

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