Page 64 of Consumed By You

I slide it toward me, not wanting to offend him. “No, I’m okay. It’s good, really.”

“Stop. You’re not hurting my feelings by not liking my food, Darce.”

Darce.

I hitch a breath and allow him to take the plate away from me. My heart is beating rapidly after hearing him say the nickname my parents used to call me.

“You called me Darce,” I mumble, recalling a million memories. Happy memories.

“Is that bad?”

Smiling, I shake my head. “No, no. My…my parents just used to call me that.”

“Oh,” he responds, in obvious discomfort. “I’m sorry.” He gets up to clear the table.

“Don’t be. I liked it.” I focus on my hands. The emerald ring is twinkling, dancing in the sunlight pouring in from the windows.

I liked it a lot.

I collect the silverware from the table, and take it over to the sink where Benjamin is filling it with water, his hands coated in fragrant dish soap.

Benjamin Scott is washing dishes. What is happening?

“You don’t have to do that. I can—” I reach for the plate but he shakes his head.

“You need to rest.”

“I slept until two. I’m well rested. I can do a couple of dishes,” I argue.

“Gosit down.”

I obediently take a seat at the table.

“Did you leave?” I ask after a moment, when I notice he’s wearing new jeans and a different sweater.

“No. I had Dimitri get me clean clothes. I also had him take the liberty of picking up your prescription.”

“I don’t even need the prescription.” I roll my eyes. I hate medication more than anything.

“Yes, you do. Aren’t you sore?”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“It’s okay to feel this fully, Darcy.” I can tell by just the look in his eyes that he’s trying to read my emotions right now, so I force myself to continue to meet his gaze. “Last night you were pretty upset. It’s okay to feel that way, considering what’s happened,” he says, twirling a clean dish between his hands.

“And what’s happened, Ben?” I ask sharply, my mind attempting to comprehend why he’s trying to help me, why he showed up at the bar…why he is still here. “It’s not like they went through with it.”

“I know they didn’t. I’m just trying to provide some support. Let you know that you can talk to me.”

I close my eyes and breathe out, not wanting to be harsh with him. He’s done a lot for me. I owe my life to him. “I can’t talk to you.”

“Why?” He sets the plate down inside the sink.

“Why do you think,Mr. Scott?” I hold his gaze bravely.

He leans against the counter and crosses his arms. “I shouldn’t have said that, Darcy. I know. I shouldn’t have acted the way I did regarding that entire situation.”

“No, you shouldn’t have.” I get up to make the bed. “But what’s done is done. I’m grateful for your help last night and now.”