Page 24 of Dearest Protector
Strangely, his fierceness didn’t worry me because I knew that he was pissed offfor meand notat me.
Ben had no idea what it felt like to me to have a protector, someone who was looking out for my welfare.
It was something I’d never experienced, not even as a child.
I shook my head. “I’m the one who stayed and put up with it because I needed the money. I knew I had to leave—”
“He took advantage of the fact that you needed a paycheck,” Ben interrupted, his tone angry. “He’s scum.”
“And now I have an amazing job,” I reminded him. “My experience with Leland makes me appreciate what I have right now.”
“I wish you had been with me from the start,” he rumbled, his expressive eyes showing his regret. “You were vulnerable after your accident, Ariel, which is completely understandable.”
“Don’t, Ben,” I pleaded. “I’m going to be fine.”
He lifted a brow. “I’ll make damn sure that you are fine from now on,” he warned.
My heart warmed as I saw the sincerity in his gaze. “I’m not sure why you care, but I’m grateful that you do.”
“You deserved a hell of a lot better,” he commented as he pushed his empty plate away and took a gulp of his whiskey.
“I got a hell of a lot better,” I said softly. “I got…you.”
My pulse raced as Ben’s long, fixed stare stayed focused on me. He seemed to be trying to convince himself that I was really going to be okay.
He cared about me.
I couldn’t explain that, and I couldn’t figure out how I just knew that my well-being meant something to him, but it was there in his eyes.
Unfortunately, I didn’t know how to handle all that concern because no one in my life had cared this much about me except for Katie.
Even in New York, I’d essentially been alone, even though I was surrounded by other dancers and people in my profession.
“You should have someone in your life who cares,” Ben rumbled and finally broke eye contact.
I shuddered as I felt the same familiarity I’d experienced several times before with Ben.
I barely knew him, yet I sensed a connection between the two of us that I couldn’t explain.
What in the hell was it about Ben that made me feel like we’d met before, when I knew damn well that we never had.
The deep timbre of his voice soothed me for some reason.
His protectiveness and his constant reassurance was a balm to my soul.
The sensual attraction was…different, but the way he calmed me felt…so damn familiar.
I shook off the freakish inkling, knowing it was ridiculous.
Ben and I were almost strangers, and if we’d met before, I’d certainly rememberthat.
“You okay?” Ben questioned. “You look like you’re lost in your own world.”
I popped out of my own weird thoughts as I answered, “I’m good. Thank you for asking me to stay, and for this fantastic wine. Maybe I’m a little tipsy. I don’t usually drink this much. I guess I’m a lightweight.”
He suddenly grinned, and that smile turned my entire world upside down.
“I was going to work on your business plan with you after dinner,” he commented with amusement. “Probably not a good idea if the wine has gotten to your head.”