Ben
I've always been a player.
My normal type are easy blonds with a rack size bigger than their IQ. They have all been the same, and I guess it's easier to get rid of them when I'm finished that way.
That's what happens when you're rich, hot and stupid. (Yes, I'm actually a genius, but in reality, I'm just a dumb guy who can't get his head out of his ass to see what he's doing to his life. At least that's what Sammy always tells me.)
Getting girls was easy. They practically threw themselves at me. I didn't have to do a damn thing. I didn't see a reason to! They only wanted me for my money anyway, so why the hell should I care?
My best friend was the same way. I never knew Ares actually loved my sister until last year when she came home from school and he used me to get her to work for him.
I'm still pissed at the prick, but now I've got an adorable little niece, so I supposed I can't be too mad at him. That doesn't mean I don't want to beat the hell outta him for everything he put his wife through sometimes.
However, Sam wasn't the only one who came home from New Jersey.
Sammy had been having some issues with... bitches, really (and one of them happened to be my... uh... girlfriend? Fuckbuddy? Friend-with-benefits? Whatever you want to call her. She was bad news, and I didn't know she was hurting my sister.) so Ares called me to take care of the problem.
Of course, I got rid of all the fucking photoshopped pictures of my sister splattered across the internet! She didn't deserve that shit!
Well, while Ares went to deal with the other problem, he wanted me to come take care of my sister, and honestly, I had no problem with that. It may not always seem like it, but I really do love Samantha! That was the night I first met Marcie Adams.
The red head with a body of a pixie and the attitude of a fucking dragon! She ruined me that night, and she didn't even touch me! All she did was tease me and get me all tongue tied... And not in a fun way!
I haven't had sex in over a year because I can't get her out of my head! And I'm fucking scared to death of what would happen if I actually let her into my bed...
She might not sleep with me, but we do live together. She's in my spare room. She's been spending a lot of time with Sam lately, but I know she's getting frustrated. She's been looking for a steady job. Not that she needs one! I could totally take care of her... If I'd ever man up and tell her exactly how I feel.
But how can I do that?! I've been a fucking player and she's a damn virgin! She wouldn't touch me with a ten-foot pole! Yes, she flirts like she's being paid to do it, but that's all it is... I think?
I wrap my towel around my waist and push out the bathroom door and freeze.
"Mar? What's going on?" I ask, my heart pounding in my chest. What the hell does she think she's doing?
"Packing?" she says, shrugging her shoulder indifferently. There is something about the way she said it that has my nerves on edge.
"Yes! I can see that!" I freak out. Boxes are filled in her bedroom, and she's diligently putting her things into them! "WHY?"
Marcie sighs. "I can't do this anymore, Ben. I've been offered a job back in New Jersey," she says quietly.
"What the fuck can't you do? You have a job! You work at the Child Center downtown! What is wrong with that?" I demand running my fingers through my wet hair.
Marcie sniffs, but she won't even look at me. "Yes, but the job in Jersey is better. It's a medical billing manger and I'll be making more than I could ever make here! I'm just a burden to you, Ben. I don't even know why the hell I stuck around this long," she mumbles.
I blink. "Who the fuck told you you were a burden?! Marcie, I have more money than I even know what to do with! You are not a burden! Why the fuck are you leaving me?" I demand, because if I don't know I'm gonna have a panic attack. If she tells me I still have a chance to change her mind!
She doesn't answer, but I can see the tears she's been fighting. Fuck! This is worse than I thought! What the hell am I going to do? I've gotta convince her to stay with me!
"Marcie, what is going on?" I ask softer.
"People are calling me a gold-digger because I'm 'shacking-up' with Ben Jones," she whispers so softly I almost miss it.
"What the hell do they know? Marcie! You are an amazing hard worker! Don't fucking listen to them!" I beg. "Please don't do this to me."
And finally, she looks up at me, and those damn tears are still fighting for freedom she won't give. "Ben, it's been fun. But what you want and what I need are two different things," she chokes out.
"What the hell does that mean?" And why do I suddenly feel like my stomach is dropping through the floor?
"It means you've got a line of blonds banging on your door, longer than the state of New York, and they all see me as a threat. It's just better if you find yourself a more compatible roomie," she mumbles as she gets back to work.
"And what is it that you actually want?" I demand, because if it's what I've been wanting for the last fucking year, I'm going to give it to her.
"I want... What Sam has. What Eve has. What Cheslea and Fallon have! I want a happy ever after and I can't get it here!" she growls, throwing her shoes into the box with far too much force.
I can't fucking take it anymore! I reach out for her and pull her into my arms, and I kiss her with all the desperation that is flowing through my veins. The fear that she might actually leave me! I never even considered her leaving...
And God, I'm elated when she starts kissing me back with just as much desperation. This is what I've wanted my whole fucking life! Someone that actually gives a damn about me!
But then it ends too quickly.
"Ben," she sobs softly.
"Mar, baby, don't go. Pleases, just stay. We can work it out," I promise.
"I don't know, Ben. You've got a very long list of women under your belt," she sniffs, blinking back those damn tears marring her pretty green eyes.
"You don't think I can change?" I whisper, still desperate for her to see me as something other than the fucking playboy billionaire, I've been most of my life.
"I don't know... I just..." she pulls away and looks around her room. "I need to get more boxes."
I reach out and grab her arm. "Please don't! Don't leave me, Marcie!" I know I sound like a fucking wuss. But I don't really care! I can't let her leave me like this. Not when we didn't even try!
"I just... need some time to think Ben," she huffs.
I release her, but I don't want to. I want to pull her back into my arms and kiss her until both of our doubts are washed away. I have wanted her since the moment she stepped off that plane and started chastising me for every damn thing on the planet... and I let her because I deserved it.
But I swear I've changed! I want something more! Will she let me prove it to her?
I pace back and forth in my living room with the damn towel still around my waist, because I can't bring myself to do anything other than to pace back and forth and wait for her to come back.
And that's when I got the text that stopped my heart.
