Breaking All the Rules (17 page)

              Zach looked slightly confused, “This has been a problem before?”

              “Nobody is comfortable with a successful woman,” Mia noted in his direction.

              “Women are just as competent as men, if not more. All this glass ceiling nonsense makes me want to hurl,” Zach had a fire in his eyes.

              “You’ve got yourself a keeper, Lora,” Mia noted, tipping her glass in the direction of the lanky man across from her.

              The three chatted and when their food finally arrived, dove in like starving pigs. Mia wasn’t even ashamed at mess of BBQ sauce she knew covered her face and threatened to get in her hair. She had skipped breakfast and had only eaten a light lunch, leaving her stomach crying for substance. Feathers’ wings were always the solution. She was busy with her conversation and food she hadn’t noticed when her phone buzzed a nearly nonstop hum of vibration.

              Lora and Zach had been exchanging flirtatious looks and lingering touches. Mia couldn’t help but cheer her friend on as she rested her hand on top of Zach’s as they finished up eating and said their goodbyes. It seemed as if her dear friend wouldn’t be going home alone, after all. Mia on the other hand, Mia would return to her apartment solo. Benson had already told her he was busy doing whatever it is he did.

              Without the comfort of the Bentley to take her home, Mia faced the chilly October air alone. She drew out her phone, her face paling when she noticed that over the course of two hours, she had a handful of missed calls from Benson and a lonely and brief text message instructing her to call him immediately. She dialed his number as she walked, the call going to voicemail. After another failed attempt she sent a text.

            
 
My phone was in my purse. I stopped by Feathers to see Lora. I assumed Victor told you.

              She knew Victor had told Benson. That wasn’t what made Benson angry, though. He was possessive and liked, no needed, to know where Mia was constantly. She was surprised he hadn’t shown up at the bar after his fourth failed attempt at contact.

              Mia curled up on her couch and watched
Law and Order: SVU
reruns once she arrived home, watching the loop of episodes she had already seen a dozen times until she fell asleep to Elliot Stabler’s perfect dad butt shortly after midnight. She woke a few hours later with drool on her hand, the TV flashing brightly into her sensitive eyes. She stumbled to shut it off, as well as her floor lamp, before falling into bed. She checked her phone quickly. It was four in the morning, and Benson still hadn’t responded to her. Mia was too tired to care.

              The next morning, Mia snoozed twice before pulling herself out of bed. Her routine was rushed, and she decided to skip a shower to make up for lost time. She drew her hair into a sleek ponytail and threw on an emerald green sweater that matched her eyes, as well as a pair of finely tailored tan pants. Skipping her shower had left her with a few spare minutes before she typically went down to greet Benson, and he hadn’t texted her yet letting her know he was there. She used her one cup coffee brewer to prepare a travel mug, devouring an orange and a protein bar while waiting.

              Five minutes had passed and she still hadn’t received a text from Benson. Mia gathered her things and headed down, surprised to see the Bentley waiting with Victor standing next to it, stiff and tall like a statue. Mia’s face fell as she stalked over to him.

              “Where is Benson?”

              “Mr. Ward went into work early this morning,” Victor’s voice was monotone and unwavering. “He sends his apologizes and wants you to know he is excited for this evening.”

              She slid into the backseat, “Uh-huh, and he could have told me all of this himself. Thanks, Victor.”

              Mia sipped her coffee, debating on whether she should call Benson or not. She did. He picked up after a few rings, his voice expecting and distant.

              “So you ignore me all night
and
decide to go into work early?”

              “I tried contacting you last night,” He reminded her. “I was busy when you called.”

              “You’re always busy. What was it this time? Japanese investors?”

              He was honest with her, “No, I went out with a few friends.”

              Mia’s jaw dropped and rage swarmed through her, “You went out? And since when have you had friends?”

              “You’ve never asked about my friends.”

              Much to her chagrin, he was right. She muttered into the phone, “I assumed you didn’t have any. Did you pick up any women?”

              He didn’t answer, and Mia swallowed hard. Just as she prepared to tear into him, Benson’s hard voice was in her ear again, “I’ll be over around seven tonight.”

              He hung up. Mia let out a growl of frustration, slapping her phone onto the seat beside her so hard it bounced in the air. She dove for it, only to call him again. He didn’t answer. Mia looked up at Victor and challenged him, needing an outlet for her anger.

              “Stop the car and let me out.”

              “I can’t do that.”

              “I swear to fucking God, Victor, I will open the door and roll out if I have to,” She met his eyes in the rearview mirror.

              He responded with a ‘click’ that ricocheted through the interior. Mia grabbed for the handle, unable to open the door. She yelled a string of violent profanities at Victor, set her coffee down, and crossed her arms. She huffed and swore the entire drive to her office, more than happy to hear the locks being released. As she grabbed her coffee Victor’s voice surprised her.

              “He didn’t pick up any women last night.”

              She glanced at him, “You’re paid to say that. See you at five, Victor. I’ve got to go to the market again.”

              Shaky and angry, she slid out of the car and into her office. She must have looked like fire. Nobody met her gaze and Maya nearly ran when she crossed paths with Mia in the lobby. She was begging for confrontation or a fight. Luckily, everyone around her saw she was on edge and stayed away. Her day dangled on the boring side, which only made Mia even angrier. She was glad when she received a terse call from Tyler about Max blowing up and storming out after he confronted him about his laziness and absence at practices and meetings. She lashed out with her tongue, biting at Tyler and criticizing Max. When their call ended, she called the man himself. It went to voicemail, of course, but she still left a lengthy and vicious message for him that she knew he’d never listen to.

              By five o’clock Mia had simmered. She was still angry, but she also craved Benson’s presence. She was excited to see him again after not having him for two days. Victor was waiting in his normal spot and she climbed in. She had enjoyed the routine of her arrival and departure at work. The car made her feel safe and important, and it kept her from the cesspool called the subway.

              Though Mia and Benson had settled on takeout, she didn’t want to order out all weekend. She wondered if he’d even stay longer than the night, especially after how tense things had been between them.
Benson Ward doesn’t do romance, and Mia Barnes doesn’t mix business and pleasure.
They both were fighting themselves. Benson was determined and hard-headed, though confused by his own feelings and need for Mia. And she was stubborn and unsure of herself while still not trusting Benson completely. It was a strange back and forth between the two.

              Victor once again helped carry Mia’s groceries up to her apartment. She had around an hour until Benson said he would show up. Instead of changing into loungewear, she kept her work clothes on. They were casual and comfortable, and she wasn’t sure she trusted herself half naked around Benson when they really needed to talk. To pass the time, Mia put her phone on the dock, shuffling her playlists. She went to the kitchen, deciding to make a batch of Mrs. Tate’s famous double fudge brownies.

              The only problem with the brownies was that Mia ate most of the batter before it made it to the oven. Trying to make sure there would be plenty of delicious chocolate goodness to last the weekend, she refrained from spooning the batter directly in her mouth. She was pleased with her willpower. She frowned and looked at the large starburst clock across the room. It was a few minutes past seven and Benson still hadn’t shown up. He was always on time.

              Before Mia could think any more of his tardiness, a sharp knock rasped against her door. She took a deep breath and opened it. She drank Benson in; fully aware her mouth was hanging open. He stood in dark jeans and a faded Columbia University hoodie.  If it weren’t for the small piece of Prada luggage in one hand and a dozen red roses in the other, he could’ve been mistaken for a normal guy. But with his sculpted face and stylish chocolate hair Benson Ward, there was no denying his captivating presence. His piercing blue eyes shot an arrow through her heart and he breezed past her, no longer waiting for an invitation.

              “I’m overdressed,” She mused, a twinkle in her eye as he handed her the flowers. “Thank you, Benson. They’re stunning.”

              “I’m sorry,” He said abruptly, the words sounding foreign to both of them. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I was angry.”

              The song switched and Mia’s heart twitched. It was a song from one of her heartbreak playlists. The beginning beats of ‘Stay with Me’ by Sam Smith filled the room. She set the flowers down and quickly scaled the room, reaching for his hands and tugging him into a light sway. He looked down at her for a second, and when the soulful cry of the music began, he closed his eyes in a pained expression. The music gods had shined on Mia and shuffled the song into rotation just when she needed it. Benson understood the message from the beginning.

              “This reminds me of you,” She rested her head on his chest, as if he hadn’t known.

              He rocked with her slowly, not saying anything as he let the painful lyrics sink their teeth into him. The words stung even more knowing Mia associated the heart aching ballad with him. When it ended, an upbeat song began playing, though they stayed locked in the gentle sway. Benson slowed to a stop as he wrapped his arms tight around her, pressing a kiss into her head. Mia bit back silent sobs in his chest. She hadn’t expected the hard hitting connection to the music or the comfort she felt in his arms.

              “I wish it didn’t,” Benson finally murmured. “I wish I was what you needed.”

              “You are what I need, Benson,” She pulled away and wiped the corner of her eye with her sleeve. He frowned at the sight of her tears. “But what we have is complicated.”

              “I’m trying.”

              “You keep saying that,” She smiled sadly. “One minute you just want to give me twenty orgasms and the next you tell me you need me. It’s exhausting, Benson.”

              He wondered if she was referencing their conversation in the V.I.P booth at Pluto Lounge. Tilting her head up, he sought her glistening emerald eyes and took a deep breath, ready to plunge into unknown territory,

“I want you. I want to wake up to you and share coffee. I want to come home to you at night and cuddle on the couch watching old movies and crime shows. I want to show you off to the world. I want to tell everyone I meet how wonderful you are, Mia. You’re the most difficult woman I have ever met, but I can’t get enough of it. You challenge me. I can hardly go ten minutes without thinking of kissing you until my lips bleed. Every time I see you my heart feels like it’s going into cardiac arrest. My feelings… my feelings towards you scare me. I’m sorry I’ve been an ass; I’m just not sure what’s going on inside me, right now. I’ve never had this. I want to be with you, Mia.”

“You want me to be your…” She tried to glance away, unsure where her sudden shyness stemmed from.

“Girlfriend,” He finished.

She licked her lips and nodded slowly, “You’ll hurt me, won’t you?”

He winced, “Why do you keep saying that?”

“I just have a feeling.”

“If you say that one more time,” He muttered, his breath hot against her earlobe. “I will bend you over and spank you.”

A spark ignited between her legs. She tilted her head to nuzzle against him, eager to have more of his body against hers, “What if I want to be spanked?”

The noise that Benson pressed into her skin made her knees weak. It was animalistic and sexy; enough to make her quiver and shake with anticipation of what would come next. As he kissed her, his hand dipping under the hem of her sweater, an annoying beep clogged their ears. Benson ignored it, groping her breasts. After a few more beeps, Mia tore away with a gasp, realizing where the noise was coming from.

“Brownies!” She exclaimed with a wicked grin, running into the kitchen.

Benson followed, peeking over her shoulder as she slid the pan onto of the stove, “You made me brownies?”

“I made brownies and you might get to have one or two,” She corrected.

He licked his lips, swollen from kissing, and Mia swooned. Benson Ward was dangerously handsome and she was seriously in trouble.