Fated Bliss (Bliss #2) (3 page)

“Strangers,” he repeated and touched his cup to mine.

Even though I respected his privacy, I questioned silently,
who are you, Benjamin Rhodes?

Chapter 2

Samantha

I’d purposely awoken
extra early yesterday morning so that I could sleep on the plane. Since my plane was supposed to land around nine-thirty in the morning London time, I thought I’d be able to hit the ground running.

That didn’t happen.

Having Ben next to me was distracting. Plus, I had a tendency to snore when I was tired – and I was exhausted – so I wasn’t going to take the chance of sawing logs in front of him.

How embarrassing would that be?

Ben and I continued to talk off and on during the long flight, chatting about nothing of any consequence. The chemistry between us continued to build, though I wasn’t any closer to knowing anything about Ben than I was before. He answered when prompted. He added things here and there, laughed at my jokes and made small ones himself. Still, he purposely kept himself guarded and gave me zero information about himself. On top of that, as soon as we landed, the conversation came to a crashing, uncomfortable halt.

Therefore, on top of being tired, I was frustrated.

I wanted to peel back the layers and look into that mind of his. I wanted to know his story. A good mystery intrigued me.

And Ben was a mystery.

I knew that if I pushed him, he’d close up tighter than a drum. So, I just let him do his thing. I reckoned we’d hook-up later and I’d get the chance to figure him out, get to
really
know him.

Boy, was I wrong.

Awkwardly, we stood side by side at the luggage carousel, the sounds of the busy airport chaotic. I was trying to work up the nerve to ask for his number, which was a first for me.

How did you go about it?

Should I act casual?

Should I flash him a flirty smile?

Did I
have
a flirty smile?

Grrr.

I’d been out of the dating scene for far too long, I decided.

Indicating that our baggage was on its way, a buzzer went off, causing me to jump. As the carousel started to move, I peeked up at Ben. His face was blank again – something he did quite frequently – and he stared straight ahead, ignoring me. It sparked my irritation more.

When I sighed my frustration, his eyes jerked my way. I blushed when they flickered with confusion and, if I wasn’t mistaken, annoyance.

“Tired,” I lied, plastering a fake smile on my lips. “That flight did me in. I can’t wait to crash at my hotel.”

He nodded, mumbling, “Yeah. Me too.”

That’s it?

I hoped he’d ask where I was staying, but no. He focused back on the carousel again.

My large suitcase was one of the firsts to sail down the conveyer belt. While I waited for it to come closer, I hefted my backpack further up my arm and shoulder so that I could lug the heavy bag up and over the side. I wasn’t one for girly, frivolous things, but spending two weeks in London meant I needed a lot of clothes, shoes, and whatnot, hence the load I was about to heave.

As I made a grab for it, Ben beat me to it and lifted it as if it weighed nothing, placing it on the ground by my feet. He moved again almost immediately and picked up his duffel bag.

Well, at least he’s chivalrous.

“Thanks,” I murmured appreciatively.

“Is that it?” he asked, nodding toward the carousel.

“Yep. Packed light,” I joked, hoping to break up whatever caused this tension between us.

He held out a hand, motioning toward the exit, saying, “After you.”

I flashed him a smile and led the way, rolling my bag behind me. I weighed my options all the way to the curb.

Luckily, it was sunny and somewhat warm, a beautiful spring day. I sighed and closed my eyes, appreciating the sun on my face as I tipped my chin up towards the sky. I lived in the mountains, so I was used to cold weather, and sixty degrees felt like summer to me.

When I opened my eyes, Ben had already waved down a cab. He opened the door and gestured toward it. “Your chariot awaits,” he quipped, giving me a small grin. The driver came around the side and took my bag without commenting and threw it in the trunk.

I repeatedly blinked, startled by the hastiness of my impending departure. “Uh…?”

With an apology in his expression, Ben held out a hand. “Well, it was nice to meet you, Samantha. Thanks for making the flight bearable. I hope you enjoy your trip.”

I’ve been dismissed

I wasn’t going to make a big deal out of it, even though I thought we had a very real connection. I took his hand and gave him the most sincere smile I could muster. “You too, Ben. Enjoy your last hurrah.”

His grin transformed to a frown, and then his face shutdown again.

Was that a brief glimpse of anguish I just saw?

That couldn’t be right…could it?

Ben leaned forward and kissed my temple, taking me off guard. A shiver rippled down my spine as he lingered. When he pulled away, he whispered, “I will, Samantha. I will.”

As I slipped into the cab, he stepped back and closed the door for me. I gave the driver the name of my hotel and watched Ben wave. There was regret in his eyes as the cab started to pull away from the curb, and I felt in my bones that our parting was a lost opportunity.

For what, I wasn’t sure.

Still, I felt jipped.

∞

I punched the pillow for the umpteenth time, trying to get comfortable. The bed was absolutely luxurious, as well as the rest of the suite Grey booked for me – very modern and sophisticated – but I couldn’t get my brain to quit rehashing every moment of my time with Ben.

What was it about the man that was so memorable?

Yeah, his looks were panty-dropping. Even though he had those bad-boy vibes going for him at first, in the end, I sensed an innate goodness about him. Maybe it was the doctor thing, but I believed it was something more.

Ben was different…special.

Once in a lifetime.

Ben’s rebuff could have been because we were both on vacation and nothing could have come from getting to know one another. Maybe he was deeply devoted to a girlfriend back home. That thought churned my stomach, though it was a very likely possibility. Plus, it wasn’t as if he led me on –there were a lot of lingering, scorching looks, though – so I couldn’t take it to heart.

I just hoped…

As I continued to contemplate it, I realized that this was a breakthrough for me. For two years I’d ignored all things pertaining to the opposite sex, and finally, I met someone I was attracted to and was considering dating, maybe even having sex again. I was going to take my encounter with Ben as a sign that it was time to move on with my life. What happened with Patrick couldn’t dictate my life any longer. That alone put a smile on my face.

My cell vibrated on the nightstand next to me, interrupting my thoughts. I rolled over and grabbed it, checking the screen. A pang of homesickness went through me when I saw Grey’s fiancé Clara’s name, but I pushed it aside.

“Hey, Clara,” I answered tiredly and propped the pillows up behind my back.

“Hey, you,” she chirped. “You sound like hell. Long flight?”

I smoothed some hair out of my face and rubbed my tired eyes. “Definitely. I didn’t sleep a wink, and I only got to my hotel room an hour ago.”

“Did I wake you? I’m sorry. I figured you were already seeing the sights.”

“You’re fine.” I let out a loud yawn, causing her to laugh under her breath. “I can’t seem to sleep, even though I’m knackered.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine. How’s life back home? I’m not missin’ anythin’ yet, am I?”

“Other than your brother bitching about you being on a different continent without anyone there to look after you…no.”

I rolled my eyes at that. “He’s had months to get over it.”

“He’s still your big brother and wants to protect you.”

“Whatever,” I grumbled, keeping my tone playful. “I’ll be fine. There’s nothin’ to worry about.”

“He’d appreciate a phone call. Your parents, too. They’re all concerned. It’ll help if you check in as much as you can.”

“Fine. I’ll call every day,” I caved, although I already planned on doing so.

She sighed heavily, relieved. “Thank you.”

“How’s Bella? I’m already missin’ my doodlebug.”

Bella was Clara’s niece whom she’d recently adopted. Clara had moved to Bliss from Chicago to gain guardianship of Bella after her brother and sister-in-law died in a car accident. Her brother had been a close friend of our family – may he burn in hell, but that was a whole other story that I didn’t want to dredge up because it made my blood boil – which was how Grey and Clara first met. They’d been inseparable since and were planning on marrying in July, just over two months from today.

Grey wasn’t the only one that fell in love with Clara. She became the sister I never had and never realized I wanted, as well as my best friend. She was beautiful and strong, the fiercest person I knew. She’d had one of the toughest, most traumatic pasts, but you’d never know that by meeting her – there was always a smile on her face. She was kind, considerate, and amazingly selfless, too. Clara was perfect for my wonderful brother…and vice versa.

I could hear Clara’s smile as she said, “She’s perfect. She walked around the B&B today garbling your name.”

I groaned, hating that I was missing it.

Bella had started walking the week before, much to all of our amazement. She wasn’t even a year old yet.

“Way to lay on the guilt trip.”

Clara giggled. “I thought you’d like that.”

“Give her a big smooch for me, would you?”

“Of course.”

I heard Grey in the background, saying, “Is that Sam?”

“Yes,” Clara answered. “Hold on, Sam. Here’s Grey.”

“How was the flight?” Grey questioned immediately.

“Good…long.” I yawned again. “I’m gonna take a nap and then walk around a bit this afternoon.”

“Stay near crowded areas at night and don’t go down any alleys,” he cautioned me. “Keep your passport in the safe at the hotel. I already checked to make sure you had one in your room. And please, please don’t do anything stupid while-”

I heaved a loud, exasperated sigh, cutting him off. “I’m not an idiot, Grey. And why in the hell would I go down an alley?”

“With you, there’s no tellin’,” he grumbled.

“You are a pain in the ass, you know that?”

“Yeah? Same here. How’s the hotel?”

I glanced around my posh room, still impressed. I especially loved the black, white, and deep violet color scheme. The bathroom was to die for, with a huge tub right in front of the floor to ceiling windows and a large glass shower that had too many showerheads to count. There was a large sitting area in front of the windows in the bedroom. A fully stocked bar was in one corner, a desk in another. A flat screen lifted out of the bench at the end of the bed, as well. Grey had spoiled me rotten.

I love my brother for a reason.

“Beautiful. It must have cost you a fortune, Grey.”

He chuckled softly. “Nah…”

“
Riiight.
Anyway, it’s gorgeous. My room overlooks the Westminster Bridge and the Clock Tower. Can you believe that?”

“Nice.”

“Yep. I plan on doin’ the whole touristy thing around here tomorrow. There’s plenty to see.”

“Well, have fun…and be safe.”

“I will,” I assured him, wanting to roll my eyes again.
Big brothers, sheesh.
“I’ll be a good girl.”

He snorted. “Like that’s possible. Just don’t get in trouble or do anythin’ crazy.”

“I’ll keep the streakin’ and public orgies to a minimum,” I replied sweetly.

“Brat,” he complained, laughing. “Listen, Mom and Dad want to hear from you. Try givin’ them a call in the mornin’ our time so that they know you’re all right. I’ll let them know I’ve talked to you already, so they don’t blow up your phone.”

“Clara’s already said the same, and I’ve already agreed. I’ll send texts and call as much as I can.”

He exhaled loudly. “Thanks. Dad had to stop Mom from bookin’ a flight. She was pretty freaked after we dropped you off at the airport.”

You’d think I was a child by the way they treated me. Still, it meant that I was loved, and not a lot of people could say the same.

“Thank God for small favors. Mom bein’ here would really cramp my style. Imagine what her face would’ve looked like when I brought a man-”

Like I knew he would, Grey interjected, “Stop. Nope. Don’t want to hear about you and any man.”

I giggled, pleased with myself. “You’re so easy.”

“Shut it,” he griped. He covered the phone so I couldn’t hear what he said in the background and then came back, saying, “Clara wants to talk to you again. Love you, Sam.”

“Love you too, Grey. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”