~Ben~
I haven’t been home in a week.
Well, that’s not quite true. I went home to get clothes and toiletries and to make sure the roof hadn’t caved in, but aside from that, I haven’t been there since the first night with Rina.
I wasn’t kidding when I told her she’d have my undivided attention. I hired two new trainers, one full-time and one part-time, to make sure there were no more incidents like the one that happened when Damon walked out.
Luke’s paying me too well to screw this up.
And I enjoy being with Rina.
This morning, just like every morning, we were up and out of bed by five, and out the door for a bike ride by six. I’ve always enjoyed riding, but it’s even better with Rina. She laughs and gets a little goofy, even when I’m pushing her hard and throwing challenging hills in her way.
Once we got back to her place, she went up for a shower, and I started preparing breakfast. She prefers my breakfast burritos, so that’s what I’m making, while thinking of her naked and wet upstairs.
I’d like to join her.
But we have a lot on our plate today, and there’s no time for that.
Just as I roll the burrito and set it on the plate, her doorbell rings. I wipe my hands on a towel and walk to the door, surprised to find a man grinning back at me.
“Where’s Sabrina?” he asks by way of greeting.
“Indisposed. Who’s asking?”
He raises an eyebrow. “I’m Zane, and I’m here for the holidays, of course. Where else would I be? I mean the world to her.”
My eyes narrow as my stomach turns to lead. Of course, I know who he is. I didn’t know Rina was expecting him. “I see. I’ll let her know you’re here.”
I stride away and head up the stairs, straight for the bedroom. There’s a guy in her life? Why the fuck didn’t she say something?
“Because you’re a fool,” I mumble as I reach for my duffle and start tossing my shit inside.
“What’s going on?” Rina asks as she steps into the room, wrapped in a towel, her hair wet from the shower.
“I’m out of here,” I reply without looking at her.
“Why?”
“Your boyfriend is downstairs. Wait, is he your husband?” I stop packing and turn to her. “If you tell me that dude is your husband, we’re going to have an even bigger issue here.”
“Who?” she asks, scowling. “What the hell is happening?”
“Zane.”
She wrinkles her nose. “Ew. No, he’s not my boyfriend or my husband. He played my brother for years. He’s my best friend. And for the record, I don’t have a man in my life.”
I tip my head to the side, and she sighs in defeat.
“That came out wrong. You’re the man in my life right now. I don’t have another boyfriend, husband, fuck buddy, blah blah blah. I have Zane, and he’s my best friend, and shit, he’s coming here today.”
“Yeah, he’s already here.”
She covers her mouth and sits on the bed. “Sorry. I forgot to mention it. We always spend Christmas together because both of our families are assholes. You have Nic. I have Zane. So, yeah. He’s here. Sorry.”
I set my bag on the floor and blow out a breath as she stands and crosses to me.
“I’ve never been jealous a day in my life.”
“If the roles were reversed, I might have scratched someone’s eyes out,” she admits. “Every time I thought to say something, we weren’t together. He’ll be here through Christmas day. You’ll like him.”
“What’s not to like?”
We turn at the voice in the doorway.
“You let me believe that you have a claim on her.”
He smiles smugly, but his hazel eyes are calculating.
“You’re a dick,” I add.
“I’m absolutely that,” he says. “Come here and give me some sugar, sugar.”
“Not until she’s dressed,” I reply.
“You guys take your macho-man BS downstairs. I’ll be there in a minute,” Rina says, pushing us both out of the room. “Be nice to each other.”
“I’m nice,” I mutter as we file downstairs to the kitchen. “Burrito?”
“I’d love one,” Zane agrees. “It was an early flight, and I haven’t eaten much. So, you’re the Ben she’s been talking about.”
Knowing that Rina’s talked about me gives me immense satisfaction.
“I’m Ben,” I confirm. “And I hate to burst your bubble, but she hasn’t said much about you.”
“Not surprising, Rina’s always been a private person. We go way back. We were on a show together as kids.”
I nod and go to work making another burrito. I’ve just added egg whites when Rina bounces down the stairs and launches herself into Zane’s arms, giving him a tight hug.
I want to punch him.
And that’s stupid. I hug Nic. She’s my best friend.
“I’m so happy to see you,” Rina says, smiling up at Zane. Of course, I recognize him. Zane is a megastar. I’d have to live in a tiny village in the middle of the Amazon to not know who he is.
It’s like not knowing Brad Pitt.
But he currently has his hands on my girl, and friend or not, it makes me twitchy.
“How was your flight?” Rina asks him.
“Not bad,” he answers. “It was early enough that I was only recognized a handful of times.”
“Why didn’t you take a private plane?” I ask him.
“Because I forgot to book it.” He shrugs. “I’m always forgetting something.”
“You have an assistant for that,” Rina reminds him.
“I fired her.”
“Why?”
“Because she got naked and climbed into bed with me, and I’m not comfortable with that.”
“Ew.” Rina wrinkles her nose in disgust. “What is wrong with people? And why do you keep hiring young, pretty women?”
“Because I like looking at them, but that doesn’t mean I want to fuck them.”
“Hire an old married dude with grandkids,” Rina suggests. “He won’t give two shits about sleeping with you, and will get your planes booked for you.”
“That’s boring,” Zane mutters. “Okay, so Christmas is in four days, and you don’t have a tree up. Not one twinkle light or poinsettia in this place. What’s wrong with you?”
“We’ve been a little busy,” Rina says. “We don’t need a tree to exchange gifts.”
“Uh, yeah, we do. We’ll go get one today.”
“I’m working today,” Rina informs him.
“Fine. I’ll get one today.”
“You can take the day,” I offer, but she’s already shaking her head.
“No way. I’m here to work. Z can party all day with his fancy tree and twinkle lights.”
“I’m not sure I like the way that sounds,” Zane quips, making us both laugh.
* * * *
“Where’s Rina?” Jules asks. I was invited to dinner at Nic and Matt’s, and Jules and Nate are here, as well. Matt and Jules are very close. All the Montgomerys are, but I have a feeling Matt and Jules have a special sibling bond.
“She’s at home. With Zane.”
Four pairs of eyes turn to me.
“Who the fuck is Zane?” Nate asks.
“Wait,” Nic says, holding up a hand. “Is it Zane Cooper, the movie star?”
“One and the same.”
“Wow,” Nic breathes, earning a look from her husband. “If Matt were to ever give me a hall pass—and trust me, we all know that’s never gonna happen—”
“Walking a fine line here, little one.”
“Zane would be mine. My hall pass. Whoa.”
“He’s a hottie,” Jules agrees, and now it’s Nate’s turn to narrow his gaze on his wife.
This is entertaining as hell.
“Why is he with Rina?” Matt asks.
“He showed up this morning. I guess they’re best friends and always spend the holidays together.”
“Seriously?” Nic asks. “I wonder if she’d introduce me to him.”
Matt’s staring at Nic now, tugging his lower lip thoughtfully. “Yes, I wonder if she would.”
Nic’s face flushes in embarrassment. “I mean, I know that’s silly. Never mind.”
“I think Nic might be getting spanked later.” Jules giggles.
“Oh, she will be, yes,” Matt replies, still watching his wife. “Among other things.”
“That’s cool that she has someone here with her for the holidays,” Jules says. “Of course, you’re both welcome to join us for Christmas dinner. It’s loud and chaotic, and the kids will be running amok, most likely high on sugar and playing with loud toys, but you’re welcome to join us.”
“That’s so…not tempting.” I laugh. “But thank you for the offer.”
“How are things going with her?” Nate asks as he adds more salad to his plate. “How’s the training?”
“She’s a trooper,” I reply. “She doesn’t complain about any of it, even when I know she’s got to be incredibly sore. She’s up early, ready to go by six, and there are days we’re not finished until six in the evening.”
“Jesus, you make her work out for twelve hours?” Nic asks, scowling at me. “That can’t be legal.”
“Not for twelve hours straight,” I say. “But there is a lot of different interval training involved, along with stretching and yoga, meals, that sort of thing. I take up a good portion of her day.”
“And what about the rest of it?” Matt asks.
“What do you mean?”
He tilts his head. “I see the way you look at her. I hear your voice when you speak about her. This is more than a working relationship.”
“Wait, what?” Nic demands. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We’re compatible in a lot of ways.” I choose my words carefully.
“Benjamin Demarco, you’re falling in love with her.” Nic gasps.
I lick my lips and nod, not denying it. “Yeah, it seems I am. Who would’ve thought, right?”
“How does she feel?” Jules asks.
“You’d have to ask her,” I say. “We’ve only been sleeping together for a week. I barely know her. But she’s great. And when I thought that Zane was here for her this morning, well… Let’s just say I had a bad moment.”
“Did you punch him?” Nate asks.
“I wanted to, but I might’ve killed him, and I can’t be with Rina from jail.”
“I like her,” Nic says. “I like her a lot.”
I nod and steer the conversation away from my personal life. Because the truth is, I’ve fallen hard and fast for an incredible woman, but I don’t know what’s going to happen in a few short weeks when our working relationship is over.
And it’s something I’m not ready to think about.
* * * *
Going home alone after a week of spending my nights with Rina isn’t ideal, but I’m not going to crash the Zane and Rina Christmas party tonight. They haven’t seen each other in a long time, and I don’t need to be attached to her at the hip while they talk and catch up.
I do, however, miss her.
But it’s fine. I’ll go home and do some work in my office before I turn in early.
I pull into my garage and frown when I walk inside and find lights on.
I know I didn’t leave any on when I was here three days ago.
Is someone squatting in my house?
I hurry through the place, but I don’t see anyone. I climb the stairs and rush into my bedroom, then come to an abrupt halt when I find Rina in my bed, under the covers. She grins when she sees me and reveals one long, sculpted leg, her toes pointed against the white sheets.
I’ve never been so relieved to see anyone in my life. My mood lifts instantly, and my cock twitches in my jeans.
“So, I got an idea earlier when Zane told the story about his assistant climbing into bed with him naked.”
“Yeah? Tell me.”
“I thought it would be fun if I was here, waiting for you. Naked.”
She lets the covers fall, revealing her perfect breasts.
“That is an excellent idea. How did you get in here?”
She bites her lip. “Don’t waste time with stupid questions. Take those clothes off.”
“Yes, ma’am.”