Chapter 90 Facing reality
His lips are hungry on mine, his tongue delving into my mouth, licking across my teeth before dancing with mine. I moan while I swivel my hips in my seat in heat.
How could he get such a reaction out of me with merely a kiss?
I'm like a starved woman chasing his lips when he breaks the kiss, and rests his forehead on mine.
"I'll be in New York as soon as I have everything settled here." He rests his large hand on my thigh.
"How long?" I sound needy even to my own ears.
We just had sex before coming to the airport, but I've become addicted to his touch. I want us to be together every day.
He squeezes my thigh, kissing me again with the same longing I'm feeling. I jump at the knock on my window, T.J. holding up two fingers to signal our time has run out.
"I'll try to get everything done in two weeks." He promises before tugging on my hair and leaning back in his seat. "See you soon, mouse."
I don't want to say goodbye, so I don't. I just scramble out of Miguel's truck, and try not to cry like some pathetic weakling as we go to the counter to check in our bags.
There's none of the usual banter I have with T.J., my nerves skyrocketing for returning to New York.
The company is still contemplating Gregory's future with them, but everyone knows it's not going to end well.
One thing is for sure. I have to move out of my parents' place if Miguel is moving to New York. We will have no privacy at their house, and I get wet when the man just looks at me.
My biggest concern is the senior Benedict running to his other son to tell him I was there. Miguel doesn't want us to be kept a secret anymore, but I don't know if I'm ready for that whole media storm.
I already know we will be on every fucking gossip site. Did I cheat? I'm a whore. How could I do that?
People that don't know you are always judging you, investing in your life when they don't even know the real you.
"Simon hasn't been seen with Ben or anything." T.J. tells me on our way to my parents' home. "Have you met the boyfriend yet? It seems he has been just at home these last few days with nobody visiting him either."
"I haven't actually." I take out my phone to text him. "I told him we can make lunch or dinner plans this week. I'm texting him now for a date, maybe I can see who this man is soon."
I frown, contemplating the video of Simon snorting coke, and that someone sent me that video. T.J. of course tried to trace the number, but it must have been from a burner phone, the number was unavailable after the video.
"Someone wanted me to see that video." I tell T.J. "Who else could it be but Ben?"
Simon replies that we can have dinner tonight at seven. It's time to find out who this man is, and if he has any ties to Ben.
My mother is skirting around the subject of Miguel. I can see she has many questions, but it's like she's avoiding the subject altogether.
"I think it's time I should look for a place again." I test the waters, looking at her from underneath my lashes.
"Why?" She swings around from the coffee machine with wide eyes. "Don't you like living here?"
"To be honest, I don't feel like much of an adult under the same roof as my parents."
"We're never even here." She pulls a bewildered face. "Your dad is gone most of the time. I'm working too, the only reason I'm here now is because I knew you were coming back."
How do I tell my mother that I'm scared my overly sexual relationship is going to become a problem?
"I don't have to be far." I argue. "If it makes you comfortable I could get a place very close by."
"I honestly wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing you're going to be by yourself."
"Okay, let's review in a month's time." I may not last that long, but if it makes her feel better.
She still doesn't look happy when I leave for dinner.
"You don't want the night off or something?" I ask T.J. who is driving me again.
What I really want, is to drive my own fucking car again. I want my freedom back that Ben stole from me.
"You'll get a different security detail when I feel comfortable that Ben won't try his luck." He looks accusingly at me. "And with you being with Miguel, we don't know when he will find out, and we don't know what he will do."
I don't argue with that. Maybe my mother is right, too. This is not the time to look for trouble when I already have asked for it.
I meet Simon at the Chinese place, but T.J. no longer sits in the car, he comes with me inside and scan the restaurant before taking a table where he can see the door.
"You look glowing!" Simon kisses my cheek. "Where the hell have you been! Gregory has been asking for you."
"I'll see him tomorrow." I smile. "Where is your boyfriend?"
"He's running a little late, he'll be here soon. First, tell me where the hell have you been, or have you been doing someone."
We talk about the men in our lives, I don't drop a name of course, then Simon's eyes light up at the door, and I follow his gaze.
In walks a guy wearing a suit with dark curly hair and a lopsided grin.
I don't know him, like I thought I might if he had any connection to Ben.
"Robert, this is my friend Madison that I told you about."
Robert holds his hand out for me to shake. "So nice to finally meet you."
"Same." I smile politely, but when he sits next to Simon with his charming smile, I notice the ring on his finger.
I know that ring.
Because Ben has the exact same one.