Wild for Him

point to this discussion, he couldn't grasp what the other man was trying to say. 'Mr. Delacroix, I mean no disrespect, but I have no idea what you're talking about.'

Nathan sighed. 'You're a smart man. Ben, but I'm thinking you have a lot to learn when it comes to my daughter. She loves you, you know.'

Ben caught his jaw before it fell open in shock. 'She told you that?'

'She didn't have to. I've seen her and I've talked to her, and I don't think I've ever seen Christine so miserable. And, unfortunately, I've had firsthand experience with that kind of misery so I know exactly what she's going through. And seeing her so upset and hurting makes me very unhappy, because my daughter's happiness and well-being means everything to me.'

Ben was so stunned by Nathan's intuition, he didn't know how to respond. But obviously, Nathan had plenty to say to him, and all he expected Ben to do was sit there and listen.

'I've always liked you, Ben. You're trustworthy and dependable, and have the kind of integrity that most men lack these days,' Nathan said, and Ben knew he was referring to the previous men in Christine's life. 'When my daughter needed a bodyguard, I picked you for the job for two very distinct reasons. One, I knew I could trust you with my daughter, to protect her and keep her safe. And two, I saw the way you and Christine were with one another. There was a certain kind of attraction and chemistry between you, and I thought maybe, hopefully, you two would hit it off and something deeper would develop.'

Ben couldn't believe what he was hearing, and he certainly didn't know what to say.

'Judging by how emotional Christine has been lately, I'm guessing that you two more than just hit it off.'

'Yes, we did,' Ben admitted, but didn't reveal any details to the other man, because what he felt for Christine was a personal, private thing, and she deserved to hear it from him first-that he did lover her, and wanted a future with her. And he'd tell her all that and more, just as soon as this meeting with her father was over.

'You know, Christine told me what happened in Iraq, and I'm very sorry for what you lost there.'

'Thank you, sir.'

The anguish he always felt when he thought about Kim and her horrific death was still there, but not nearly as strong and overwhelming as it always had been. People told him that time would heal all wounds, but he was beginning to believe that Christine, with her gentle heart and tender way of understanding him, had been the one to soothe his pain, assuage his grief, and make him whole once again.

'She also mentioned how uncomfortable you are with the differences in your background and how Audrey feels about you.'

Ben winced, feeling a rush of embarrassment heat his face. He wished that Christine hadn't divulged that bit of information, but since she had and it was all out in the open, he was just as honest. 'Mrs. Delacroix has never made a secret of the fact that she doesn't care for me, especially when it comes to her daughter.'

'I'm very sorry about that,' Nathan said, apologizing for his wife's crass behavior. 'But despite Audrey's negative and judgmental attitude when it comes to some people, I've always raised Christine to accept people at face value, and that's exactly what she's done with you. Luckily, she takes after me more than her mother in that regard,' he added with a proud grin.

'One more thing,' Nathan said, growing serious once again. 'Losing this election was the best thing that ever happened to me.'

The other man was full of surprises tonight, and Ben couldn't even begin to guess how this discussion would end. 'How so?'

'It's allowed me to have a life of my own. To be true to myself and finally do what I should have done many years ago,' Nathan said with conviction. 'I'm divorcing Audrey, and I'm making sure that she gets help for her drinking problem that has grown increasingly worse over the years, and hopefully she'll be able to work through her bitterness at life in general. As for me, I'm tired of putting on a front and perpetrating a lie in public of being a happily married man when I'm not. I've wasted too many years being alone and lonely and I'm getting too damned old to live life that way. Don't make the same mistake I did by not going after the one thing that matters most in life.'

Because Christine had confided in him, Ben knew that Nathan was referring to the woman he'd been having an affair with all these years. The woman he loved. The woman who'd waited patiently for him while he remained married to a spiteful wife and pursued a political career.

And now, Ben was going to go after the only thing that mattered in his life-the unconditional love of a tenderhearted, sensitive, beautiful woman.

Nathan sat forward in his chair, his gaze softening with genuine esteem. 'I know how hard it is to face failure, or admit defeat, but sometimes it's best to put the past behind us where it belongs, and move forward with our lives.'

'That's great advice.' Ben stood, anxious to see Christine and hoping like hell that he still had a chance with her. 'Is there anything else I need to know before I go and talk to Christy?' he asked the other man.

Nathan grinned. 'Yeah. Just take care of her, cherish her, and make her happy for the rest of her life.'

Ben nodded, knowing he'd do all that, and much more. 'Consider it done.'

Chapter Eighteen

CHRISTINE wasn't home from work for even ten minutes before someone knocked loudly on the front door. She was tired and cranky and all she wanted to do was pull off her blouse, skirt, and shoes and soak in a hot tub of water with big bubbles and a glass of wine, and soothe the heartache that had been her constant companion since Ben had walked out of her life.

She planned to indulge in that nightly ritual, just as soon as she got rid of whoever was on her front porch.

Figuring it was a solicitor trying to sell something she didn't want, she opened the door intending to give them a polite 'thanks, but no thanks,' but the words died on her lips-because even if this particular man wanted to sweet-talk her into buying oceanfront property in Arizona, there was no way she'd ever be able to refuse the offer.

Ben stood in front of her, solid and real, and not a dream or figment of her imagination. He looked just as gorgeous as ever, and he was watching her intently, waiting for a reaction, and she had to resist the urge to launch herself into his arms. Considering the way things had ended between them, and the current apprehension emanating from him, she didn't know why he was there, or what to expect.

When she said nothing at all, he finally spoke. 'Can I come in and talk to you?'

'Sure.' She opened the door wide, and after he entered, she led the way into the living room.

Turning to face him, she crossed her arms over her chest and met his gaze. An awkward silence settled between them, which she absolutely hated because it had never been like that with them before. They'd always been able to talk about everything and anything, and that was no longer the case.

'Would you like something to drink?' she asked, for lack of something better to say.

'No, thanks,' he replied, his tone low and rough… and just a bit uncertain, which matched the vulnerability and underlying fear shining in his eyes.

And that's when she realized the reason for his visit. Ben was a man who was strong and steady and sure. A man who'd learned to safeguard his emotions, and protect the heart that had been shattered more than just once. First, when his mother had walked out on him, and then when Kim had died in his arms.

But now, there were no walls, no defenses, and nothing to hide the wealth of feelings that she knew was all for her. But knowing was not enough. She had to hear the words from him.

'What do you want, Ben?' she asked, her soft whisper imploring him to open up and trust her, to believe in what they had together.

He exhaled a deep breath that unraveled into a groan. 'The only thing I want, the only thing I need, is you.'

Everything within her rejoiced, but outwardly she remained calm. 'What changed?' She had to know.

'Me, hopefully.' Sincerity rang true in his voice. His expression held no shutters, nothing closed off from her. 'You're the first woman who has ever cared enough to pry out every painful secret I have, and force me to face some of my greatest fears, one of which is to take a chance and love someone again.'

She held her breath, waiting and hoping…