On the heels of that slap to the forehead, came another one. There was only one thing that always got the saps in the chick flicks out of the dog house and back into the fairy tale princess’s bed. And there wasn’t a single doubt in his mind that Luc—manipulative genius of a bastard that he was—had been holding back the three little words that guaranteed the next six months of Ben’s life would be chocked full of pain, suffering, and more wood than he could shake a fist at.
Luc leaned against the wall in the conference room and watched a variety of emotions flicker across Ben’s face. Come on, Benny, you can do it. He swore he could feel a shift in the air the moment Ben realized the error of his ways. About time.
Ben sent him a hunted look that left him feeling oddly proud of his best friend. Before he could comment on Ben’s new found wisdom and clear the air, Ben muttered a curse and got to his feet. “I can’t do it. I’m sorry, Elise. I thought I had something important to tell you, but I don’t. And because I’m such a standup guy and all, I’ll even go so far as to admit I lost the bet and… your husband was right and I was wrong.” Ben paused, his expression bewildered. “Huh, well what do you know? That wasn’t nearly as emasculating as I thought it would be.”
Luc laughed. “That’s because it was me and not my twin.”
To which Ben responded with a heartfelt, “True that.”
Elise looked between Luc and Ben, her expression a mixture of confusion and amusement. “Could someone please explain to me what we’re talking about?”
Ben flicked a thumb in Luc’s direction. “Ask him. While I may not have something important to tell you, he does.”
“Okaaaaay,” Elise replied in a daze.
“And while you’re at it,” Ben added as he started gathering papers from the desk and stuffing them into his briefcase. “I’d consider it a personal favor if you’d keep him on the spot for as long as you can. You know, really turn the thumb screws on. He’s been a bad, bad boy today and could do with a little emotional harassment.”
“He has?”
“Oh yeah, he sure has.” Ben stowed the last of his belongings, then straightened and addressed Elise. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off for the day to draft up a suitably villainous contract offer that will support your husband’s wholly evil recommendation for buying what I want from this cursed, backasswards company. After that I have a phone call to make and a bottle of bourbon to court as my new best friend.” A brief nod then Ben headed for the door.
“Give Eleanor my best,” Luc told him as Ben passed by him.
Ben grunted and sent him a one finger salute, then disappeared down the hall.
“What was that all about?”
Luc went to Elise and taking her by the hand pulled her into his arms. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
“But—”
He silenced her with a kiss that left her breathless and him hard and aching. “I love you.”
“I— What did you say?”
Another kiss that tested the restraints of his control. “I love you.”
Her smile was beautiful and radiated more warmth and sunshine than he imagined possible. “I love you, too.”
“Good, glad that’s settled. Now unless you want to spend the rest of the afternoon holed up in this office while I go to great lengths to show you just how much I love and adore you, then you’d best grab your gear and make a bee line for the parking lot.”
“Where are we going?”
“To the house to pack.”
“We’re going home? To our house?” He nodded and she squealed with delight, throwing herself back into his arms and raining kisses all over his face. “I love you.” Kiss. “I love you.” Kiss. “I love you.”
Luc chuckled and gently eased himself out of her embrace. “I love you, too, darlin’, but if you keep that up I’ll forget all about the story I have to tell you.”
“Is this the story where I find out how much of a bad, bad boy you’ve been?”
“Most definitely.” Luc turned her and, tucking her under his arm right where she belonged, guided them towards to the door. “Now about that story. It all started six years ago with my sister Lucy…”