Page 50 of Rebellious Hearts

That.

15

BEN

When Sofia came out of her room again, much later, she looked ethereal. She wore a white boho dress that emphasized her olive skin, and her gray eyes were striking. She’d tied back her hair in a low, messy bun with strands of hair escaping, making her look wild and free.

When she looked at me, she smiled shyly.

As if we hadn’t done the dirty just a short while ago.

As if we hadn’t seen each other naked, as if we hadn’t become so close that our bodies had melded against each other, turning two into one.

“You look… nice,” she said.

I’d put on chinos, a button-down shirt with rolled-up sleeves and the top button undone, and my favorite Italian loafers. I’d wanted to keep it casual.

“Thanks. You look gorgeous.”

She blushed again.

Who was this shy creature, so compassionate and wholesome on the one hand and on the other, so wild and without restraint in bed?

Shit, I was in trouble.

Every time I saw her, no matter in what context, she made my heart skip a beat and my brain short out. She made mefeelthings I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Actually, things I hadn’t felt,ever.

And I couldn’t afford that. I couldn’t start to fall for her.

But that wasn’t what this was, right? I was just really attracted to her, and I enjoyed her company, and she was so good at the emotional side of this business, drawing Richard Thompson in and getting him to eat out of her hand without even trying. I was probably just impressed by her business savvy.

Yeah, that had to be it.

I wasn’t falling for her or anything.

I was Ben fucking Blackwood, and I didn’t fall for a woman. I kept my wits about me; I was a shark in the boardroom, and that was the end of it.

“I was thinking we could have something rich tonight,” I started, but Sofia put her hand on my arm. Her hand was warm, and she looked at me with piercing eyes.

“Why don’t we leave the hotel for a bit and explore the town?”

I blinked at her.

“I’m sure we can find somewhere to eat, and it will be good to connect with the people.”

I frowned. “Connect with the people?”

“They’re the ones we’re going to be helping when we get the project and start revitalizing this place, you know.”

“Well, yeah. But I mean…” I didn’t knowwhatI meant. I guess I just didn’t think the people were important because they weren’t directly related to the bottom line. Sure, they were there, but it was the same as with plane sales. I didn’t really care much about the buyer the moment they cut the check. It didn’t matter—the plane was sold, the money was in the bank, the deal was done.

“They’re not really the job, though,” I pointed out.

Sofia shook her head. “Without them, there wouldn’t be a town to revitalize, Ben. Without thepeopleyou’d be out of a job.”

Damn it, she was right. It pissed me off, and it intrigued me.