I had to speak to Ben about what I found, but the timing was awful.
Why didn’t he tell me all of this?
He’s a billionaire, Melody, that’s why.
I wasn’t some gold digger, and knowing the information didn’t change much—well, it changed a lot—but deep inside, I needed to know why he didn’t want to share this information with me.
I lay in bed, breathing in his scent, which was everywhere around me. I grabbed his pillow and snuggled, trying to clear my mind, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen. There were too many unanswered questions.
What questions I had, unfortunately, had to wait until Ben processed his father’s death.
I tossed and turned for about another thirty minutes, then went to check on Ben. I knocked lightly, but he just stared at his laptop. Entering, I tried not to startle him, but the moment I touched his shoulder, I could feel him jerk.
“Sorry, I knocked.”
His smile was forced. “Come here.” He pulled me on his lap, and I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Come to bed. You need your rest.”
“I will soon.”
I brushed his thick brow with two fingers, and his head weighed against my hand. I kissed his forehead and left my pursed lips against it, supporting his head with mine. We stayed that way for a moment, then I looked into his eyes.
“Whatever it is will have to wait. You need to sleep.”
He nodded, and I slid off his lap, taking his hand until he stood. He wrapped his arms around my waist, burying his face though my gold strands as we slowly walked back to his bedroom.
When we approached the bed, his hands grabbed hold of his t-shirt I had on and lifted it over my head. He kissed the side of my neck as he kneaded my breasts. I stood there as he cupped, pushed, and played with them. When he pinched my nipples, the sensation went directly between my legs.
I didn’t need to ask him what he needed. He took it, and I was happy to give it.
Later that morning, I found the bed empty when I woke and knew where I would find Ben.
“So, a billionaire?” Gianna said through the phone. “That’s... wow, Mel.”
“From what I found out.” If she could see my view, she would have asked me how I didn’t know? The building oozed wealth, but I never imagined how much.
“How is he doing?”
“He ate a little lunch. Well, took a few bites from the sandwich I made for him. Lori fixed dinner and some things he could munch on.”
“How long will you be there?”
“I’ll stay this afternoon and head home after dinner. I was set to work tonight at the bar, but I asked Ramon to fill in.”
“If there’s anything I can do, let me know. Give my best to Ben.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Love you more.”
“I’ve been replaced already?”
I turned as he walked out onto the patio.
“Never.”
Ben leaned over and kissed me.
He was dressed more formally than I expected. He had on a suit, but I assumed he had a video call of sorts. I had hoped he would take it easy, but that request wasn’t happening.
“I didn’t want to bother you. It’s finally warmer, so I thought I would sit out here. I needed to check in with Genesis.”
“Did you need to go get some clothes? I can have Scott get them or take you over there.”
The circles around his eyes had grown darker.
“I didn’t think I needed clothes for today. Your shirts are working out.”
He pulled at the shirt between my breasts. “I like you wearing my clothes.”
I rolled my eyes—all men seem to like that.
“You need more than my t-shirts unless you want to walk around naked.”
“I’m glad you are feeling up to a few jokes.” I smiled, thrilled there was that part of him that was able to laugh during his grief.
“I’m not joking, Melody.”
I laughed, then stopped. He was serious.
“I’ll call Scott and have him take you to get clothes. You should have some things here, anyway. While you’re out, go get whatever you need or use.” He reached into his pocket for his wallet and pulled out a black card. “You could also go next door to the mall, they have decent stores.”
The mall next door to him was high-end. Him thinking the stores were “decent” was laughable.
“Ben, I am capable…” I shifted my thought. This was not the time to tell him I could pay for my own things. “A few things? As in keeping some of my clothes and stuff here?”
He shrugged. “You’re my girlfriend, and that became a very public thing last night.”
“Hmm... I’m here for you, you know that. Whatever you need.”
“I need you here. I need to wake up next to you and fuck you anytime I please.”
“Ah, okay. That sounds more like a slave or a kept woman versus a caring and loving girlfriend, who doesn’t mind being here for her boyfriend.”
He looked into my eyes. “I wanted to discuss us more this weekend before... well, we’ll talk, but I want you here, Melody. I need you to be here.”
I took his hand. “Okay.”
He kissed me, then went back inside.
I breathed in the air of the city as I let the weight of what Ben said settle.
The next couple of days were busy. Ben had people coming in and out of the house, and I had worked for a few nights while he stayed in his office. Sometimes, in the early morning, he would wake me with kisses or his cock, and we would make love or fuck—whatever he needed.
We fell into that routine for the rest of the week.
Gianna came over almost every day. I was amazed by her. Through her grief, she persevered, and it seemed she had all her life. Graham had mentioned one-time that she was always in some sort of pain, and being in a chair wasn’t easy, but she managed.
She was strikingly beautiful, which wasn’t a surprise, being Ben’s sister. She, apparently, looked like their mother, Harper. Ben’s father had named the firm in remembrance of her. Gianna had a quick wit and seemed to control her temper easier than Ben.
I could hear him yelling at his uncle and cousins throughout the house, but nothing from her. When the officers came to give their report, the yelling became louder. The investigation was inconclusive, but Ben suspected something more. He shared that thought with me, but never said who he suspected. Now, it appeared his gut feeling was off, but it didn’t stop the voices from being raised, though never Gianna’s. She was always the voice of reason.
In an industry filled with talented women, I was surprised it was still male-dominated. Even so, Gianna seemed to hold her own, and Ben respected her opinion.
Gianna and I had lunch together, and she shared some funny stories of Ben as a child. Lately, I couldn’t picture him as one.
The moment his father died, he changed. The power inside him—instilled in him—had come out to stay.
Chapter Twenty
Ben
“Uncle Klaus, Gianna is more than able to handle the business.”