Protect Page 9

  I dared move my hands from my face and look up at Jensen. He’d sat back and was watching me carefully.

  “Am I the first person you’ve told?”

  “Yes. I’m pretty sure Fi knows something is going on though.”

  “She’s your twin, so that’s hardly surprising. She tells me it’s like a sixth sense.”

  Twin sense couldn’t really be explained in simple terms. It was more nuanced and complicated than just a sixth sense.

  “What do I do? I know he feels guilty about the whole thing because I’m Dante’s sister, but neither of us can stop. I don’t even know what I want from him. Things have been hard since Fi moved in with you. I’m lonely, but that’s not why I keep going to Brent. I guess I like his company. He’s not as bad as I thought he was. In many ways, he’s exactly the type of person I’d want to be friends with. He doesn’t take my shit, he listens and he’s funny.”

  Admitting all of that out loud made my heart slam against my ribcage repeatedly. I had no idea how this had happened. How I’d started to feel things for Brent I shouldn’t.

  “You aren’t going to like my advice.”

  Did I ever really like his advice? Mostly I knew he was right so I didn’t question it.

  “Just tell me.”

  “You want to be friends, you have to take sex out of the equation. For your own sake, you need to learn how to be around someone you like without it turning sexual. My suggestion is you set boundaries between yourself and Brent. No more sleeping together until you decide what you want out of a relationship with him, whether it be a friendship or more.”

  I should’ve known that would be his advice.

  “But he can’t give me more.”

  “Doesn’t matter. You still need to learn how to be friends with a man. And before you say it, I don’t count.”

  I hugged the cushion tighter and scowled at him. Of course he didn’t count even though we were more friends than anything else.

  “Because you’re Fi’s boyfriend…”

  “You know that’s not why.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  Yeah okay, it’s because you’re my therapist.

  “Speaking of Fi…”

  His eyes narrowed.

  “Do you want to marry my sister?”

  The fact he even kept a straight face told me he wasn’t impressed with my question nor would he let me ruffle him.

  “We’re not here to talk about me and your sister.”

  “Oh come on, Jensen, don’t be a spoilsport. I won’t tell her.”

  He drummed his fingers along the arm of his chair, his eyes still narrowed.

  “We are not having this conversation.”

  I threw the cushion away from me and rolled my eyes again.

  “Why? Is it too soon? I mean, I get it, but you know she’s all loved up and shit with you. I swear it’s like she’s a love heart eyed emoji these days.”

  His jaw ticked and I knew I was pissing him off.

  “Jennifer.”

  He only called me that when I crossed a line. I pretended to zip my mouth shut which only made him let out a frustrated sigh.

  “You know I understand why Dante calls you a brat.”

  “Hey, you’re not supposed to say stuff like that.”

  “And you’re deflecting.”

  I really hated it when he noticed when I didn’t want to talk about something. You really couldn’t get anything by Jensen.

  “Ugh, fine, I’ll tell Brent we can’t have sex any longer. Happy?”

  He held back a smile.

  “This isn’t about me. It’s about making you happy.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest. The thought of not having mind blowing orgasms was putting a damper on my mood. Still, Jensen’s advice was solid. Taking sex out of the equation would uncomplicate matters with Brent. I could set boundaries, couldn’t I?

  “Do you like being right all the time?”

  That made him actually smile.

  “Perhaps.”

  “Ugh, I don’t know how Fi puts up with you.”

  He shrugged a little.

  “That makes two of us.”

  I did know, of course. According to my sister, he was kind, caring, considerate, amazing with kids and gave her the best sex of her life. Even now, she wouldn’t give me all the dirty details. I suppose it might be a good thing since I didn’t want to picture the two of them in bed together.

  “Can we talk about something else now?”

  He nodded. My hour wasn’t up yet and we still had work to do. I wasn’t stupid. I knew I had a long way to go before I truly let go of everything keeping me from being happy in myself. A lifetime of abuse didn’t just disappear at the drop of a hat.

  It didn’t matter how long it took. One day, I’d be better and knowing that kept me going.

  ***

  This event at Max’s offices was boring as hell. I might work in the fashion industry, but honestly, I could do without the people in it. Right now, I felt like Max’s arm candy. Oh yes, he was insisting on standing with me, his arm wrapped around my waist. The possessive gesture had me on edge. Like he was saying ‘this girl is mine so back off’ to any males who happened to be in the vicinity. I’d rather die than be Max’s girl. Being near him made my skin crawl.

  “Smile, Jennifer,” he hissed in my ear. “You’re meant to be enjoying yourself.”

  “Oh yes, because this event is so much fun.”

  I rolled my eyes and plastered a fake smile on my face. I’d rather be at home watching films with Brent. The irony of that statement was not lost on me. A few months ago, I’d have rather been put through a meat grinder than spend time with Brent, but things had changed.

  “Part of the agreement is you make it believable.”

  If I could punch Max in the face right now, I would. It wouldn’t go down well so I kept the smile on my face and nodded at him.

  “I’m trying.”

  The next thing I knew, there was a couple of photographers shoving cameras in our faces. What the fuck? Sure, I’d agreed to be his fake girlfriend and publicity would be involved, but why the hell did they have photographers inside their offices? When they’d left after I’d had to make it look like Max and I were the real deal, I turned to him.

  “What the hell?” I whispered.

  “What?”

  “Are we going to be splashed all over social media by tomorrow?”

  He shrugged, his blue eyes glinting.

  “Probably.”

  I hadn’t spoken to my family about this little development. I’d been hoping not to have to tell them I was ‘dating’ Max. Dante would probably lose his shit and ask me what I was playing at. Though, to be honest, for the past few months, he’d been so focused on Liora and her pregnancy, I didn’t think he’d noticed anything the rest of us were up to. It’s like Brent had said, if he had been on top form, he’d know something had happened between Brent and me.

  Still, I couldn’t hide this from my family forever. I could tell them it was for publicity since I doubted any of them would believe I’d willingly date Max Graves. They all knew my feelings about him. I’d made it very clear when we were teenagers and as far as I was concerned, nothing had changed. He was still a dick. The fact he was blackmailing me proved that.

  “You know my family won’t believe this.”

  “Just tell them it’s business.”

  I rolled my eyes and turned away, not wanting to have to engage in conversation with him further. It was enough he’d been in and out of Bensons for the past couple of weeks harassing me about shit. As if I didn’t know how to do my job properly. The dickhead had the audacity to tell me I needed to work on my people skills. I could be a little brash, but I wasn’t exactly impolite.

  Whatever. Max could just deal. As far as I was concerned, I was holding up my end of the bargain. I was at this stupid event and playing my part.

  “Bei
ng seen together acting like a couple is business? Yeah okay, they’ll totally buy that.”

  “I don’t want to have to keep reminding you of what will happen if you don’t convince them.”

  I bit the inside of my cheek and held back from telling him to go fuck himself. The consequences weren’t worth considering any further. Letting our family’s secrets come to light and knowing it would be my fault was too much. I didn’t like this responsibility falling on my shoulders. But I wasn’t selfish. Putting my family in jeopardy was the last thing I wanted.

  “I get it. I’m here and I’m trying in case you hadn’t noticed.

  “Try harder.”

  “What would you have me do, Max? Fawn all over you like some love sick puppy? I think not. No one would believe that for a second.”

  I did not fawn over men. If anything, I let them come to me. There was no way in hell I would allow any man to make me look weak or in need of saving. Not even Maximillian Graves. I could hold my own well enough.

  I leant over to him, placing my hand on his shoulder and let out a little giggle as if he’d said something funny. He’d not, but he’d told me to try harder. I wouldn’t fawn over him, but laughing at him, I could do that.

  He raised an eyebrow at me but didn’t comment. I hoped it meant he was happy with my attempt to make it look like I was having a good time. His hand around my waist tightened painfully and I gave him a hard look.

  “My parents are here,” he said quietly.

  I looked around, finding two people who looked exactly like Max approaching us. When I looked back at him, he had his own fake smile plastered on his face. He seemed a little flustered. Interesting. So his parents might well be a sticking point for him. I’d have to see how this played out.

  “Max, son, this is a wonderful event,” his mother said as they arrived in front of us.

  “And who is this lovely creature?” his father said, indicating me with his head.

  “Mother, father, this is Jennifer Benson. We’re in business together. Jennifer, Evelyn and Paul, my parents.”

  His mother raised an eyebrow.

  “Just business?”

  Max chuckled and squeezed me tighter.

  “Well, perhaps a little more.”

  I stuck my hand out and shook both of theirs.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mr and Mrs Graves.”

  They spoke for several minutes, but I tuned them out since the conversation wasn’t about me until I heard his mother telling him to bring me to dinner soon. The thought of going to dinner with his stuck up family made me want to bolt. I hated small talk and that’s likely all I’d be dealing with. That and prying questions about what Max and I were to each other.

  When they left, saying it was lovely to meet me and hoped they’d see me again soon, I raised an eyebrow at Max.

  “You didn’t tell me I’d be meeting your parents tonight.”

  He shrugged.

  “You knew I wanted you around to placate my family.”

  “Do I really have to go to dinner at theirs?”

  He gave me a look.

  “Yes, Jennifer. That’s part of the deal.”

  I rolled my eyes. The very last thing I wanted to do. I was glad he didn’t expect me to bring him over to Dante’s. He’d met them all anyway. I hadn’t really had a chance to talk to Fi about it She’d been busy with her own extra work from Dante as had James. We were all working overtime since he still hadn’t come back into the office, although he was working from home thankfully.

  The rest of the evening passed painfully slow and by the time I escaped, I just wanted to curl up in bed. I had no such luck though. The moment I stepped into the house, the cats tried to run out the front door. I stopped them, slamming it shut behind me. They both gave me evils.

  “Don’t look at me like that you little shits. Liora would have an absolute fit if you escaped.”

  Okay, so I did like Sooty and Sweep. They were adorable, especially when they curled up next you on the sofa. They always spent the night on Dante and Liora’s bed though, much to his annoyance.

  “Who are you calling little shits?” Liora said, coming out of the kitchen, rubbing her stomach.

  “These two tried to run out the front door.” I pointed at the cats, rolling my eyes. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better, but your brother keeps wrapping me up in cotton wool. He won’t let me do anything.”

  I couldn’t help laughing. The way she looked so put out cracked me up.

  “Welcome to the club. The overprotective brother act got old years ago.”

  She waved me over, giving me a grin. She grabbed my hand when I approached and placed it on her stomach. I smiled when I felt the baby kick.

  “He’s been moving like crazy for an hour. I’ve been to the bathroom like three times.”

  “I can’t wait to meet him.”

  “I’m sure Logan can’t wait to meet his Aunty Jen too.”

  I put a hand on my mouth. They’d picked a name.

  “Logan?”

  “Logan Reid Benson.”

  I’d known for a while his middle name would be Reid as it was a family name. Her father was Angus Reid Stewart.

  “Ugh, he’s going to be the cutest baby in the world. I mean he has you and Dante as parents. How could he be anything but?”

  “I know it’s still a few weeks away, but I’m ready for him to get here.”

  They’d turned the bedroom next to theirs into a nursery already. Liora hadn’t wanted to redecorate it too much since it was the room Dante had designed for her, but they’d changed things around to accommodate a crib.

  “I think we all are.”

  “You look nice. Where were you?”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Attending a do with our new investor since I have to keep him happy according to Dante.”

  It was more than that, but Liora didn’t need to know. She patted my arm.

  “I know it’s been shit with him being here all the time, but he appreciates it.”

  “Hmm, I’m sure.”

  She laughed and began to walk towards the stairs. She turned back when she reached the first step.

  “I hear you and Brent aren’t about to kill each other any longer.”

  I grimaced, wondering how to respond. Brent and I needed a conversation about where we stood, but I was too tired to deal with him right now.

  “Well, I still want to kill him sometimes.”

  She shook her head and continued up the stairs.

  “I’m glad you’re getting along at last.”

  I chose not to respond to her statement, especially since Brent stuck his head out of the kitchen door with a grin on his face.

  “What have you been telling her?” I asked.

  “Nothing.”

  I shook my head and turned away, intending to go upstairs to bed.

  “Where did you go tonight?”

  I was not in the mood for questions. Dealing with Max and his shit this evening had been enough.

  “Can we not? I’m tired.”

  I didn’t turn around, proceeding to the stairs. There were footsteps behind me.

  “Jen…”

  “What?”

  “Are you pissed off at me?”

  I stopped on the bottom step, looking over at him.

  “No.”

  “Then why don’t you want to talk?”

  I sighed, rubbing my face before I continued up the stairs. Why did he have to start with me right now?

  “Jen.”

  “What?”

  I felt him behind me, following me up the stairs. He didn’t say anything when we reached my bedroom door.

  “Seriously, Brent, what?”

  I opened the door before he could respond. What I didn’t expect was for him to follow me in there. The door closed behind us so I assumed it was his doing. I dumped my coat on a chair before slipping off my shoes. H
is hands rested on my shoulders and I stiffened.

  “Where were you?”

  “Out.”

  He leant over me, his arm coming around me to show me something on his phone. I looked at it, trying to work out why until I realised it was a picture of me and Max from earlier this evening on Instagram.

  “You want to explain this?”

  Chapter Ten

  Brent

  I wasn’t pissed off at her. I swore to myself I wasn’t but seeing her with another man, his arm wrapped around her made my heart fracture a little.

  “It’s nothing.”

  “It doesn’t look like nothing.”

  She batted my hand away and turned to face me. Her blue eyes were narrowed and her expression closed off.

  “It’s a work thing.”

  “Oh, I’m well aware you’re working with Max Graves. Dante made me do a background check on him.”

  The guy had checked out just fine, but I had a bad feeling about him. My gut told me he couldn’t be trusted. Dante told me to keep an eye on the situation. Especially since he seemed to be very interested in Jen. These photos proved I was right to be suspicious. What was she doing with him?

  “Then what are you questioning me about it for?”

  “This doesn’t look like a work thing.”

  Her eyes flashed.

  “And so what if it doesn’t? I don’t answer to you.”

  She spun on her heel and walked towards her wardrobe doors, tugging one open.

  “Are you with him?”

  It cut me to ask her that, but I had to. Not just for my sake but for the company too. She stilled, her back going ramrod straight.

  “Not that it’s any of your business but no, it’s a publicity thing.” She turned her head towards me. “Do you think I’d have allowed anything more to happen between you and me if I was?”

  That told me. I hadn’t meant to make it seem like I thought she’d cheated on this guy with me or anything. I was more worried about what she seemed to be getting herself into than whatever shit happened to be between us.