The Ex-Girlfriends' Club Part 8

Devi arched a quelling brow. "Are you unhappy with my breakfast?" she asked.

His grandfather lowered his gaze sheepishly. "No. But-"

"Do you doubt that I can keep a clean house?"

"Of course not, but-"

She smiled sweetly. "Then what legitimate objection can you possibly have?"

Bennett watched the exchange between Eden's aunt and his grandfather with speculative curiosity. He was picking up on an interesting undercurrent between the two of them but had no idea what it could possibly be about.

Devi pulled an ap.r.o.n out of her basket and tied it into place. "I came prepared to start. We can work out terms later." She paused and cast him an almost sly look. "Though I do have a question. As I mentioned, Eden often visits me for breakfast. Since I'm going to be making that meal here, do you have any objection to her coming over from time to time?"

Eden? Coming here? On a regular basis? How the h.e.l.l was he supposed to be n.o.ble and keep his hands to himself if she was showing up here for breakfast? How was he supposed to resist her if he saw her regularly? Bennett cleared his throat. "Not at all."

"Excellent." She looked around the kitchen. "We'll let Grady finish up breakfast, then you can tell me what the most pressing items on my to-do list will be."

She'd picked a wonderful day to show up, Bennett thought, because everything on his to-do list was pressing.

As though she were familiar with the layout of the kitchen, Devi began tidying up. She handed him the package she'd brought in earlier. "Don't you want to see what this is?" She smiled. "Looks like you've got a secret admirer."

Bennett chuckled darkly. He doubted that, but took the little box anyway and carefully opened it. A small plastic box lay inside with a card attached to the top. Intrigued, he picked it up.

Welcome home, Bennett. Here's what your heart is going to look like when I get finished with it. I'm hunting and the time is drawing near.

A fist of dread bolted through him. Oh, s.h.i.t. Oh, s.h.i.t. Though she hadn't signed the card, Bennett knew who this particular little gift was from. He pulled the plastic container from the box and carefully opened the lid. He drew back, revolted. Though she hadn't signed the card, Bennett knew who this particular little gift was from. He pulled the plastic container from the box and carefully opened the lid. He drew back, revolted.

"What you got there?" Grady wanted to know.

Devi, too, turned around. She frowned. "Is something wrong?"

"Er...where did you say you found this?"

"On the back step. It was just sitting there." Seemingly concerned, she moved forward and peered into the container. "Oh, my," she said, her gaze flying to his.

Sufficiently fed, Grady's curiosity finally propelled him to his feet. "What?" he wanted to know. He scowled at the contents and looked at Bennett. "Someone gave you chicken livers?"

"Is that what this is?" Bennett asked.

"Yes," Grady grunted. "You ought to recognize them. Used them enough when we were fishing with 'em."

Ah, Bennett thought, remembering. And not fondly. While Grady had been a real outdoorsman, Bennett had not. He hadn't cared for hunting or fishing or any of the other grisly pursuits of wildlife that involved him maiming or killing another animal. Don't get him wrong-he liked a steak as much as the next man. But he preferred to buy it from a deli case in the back of the grocery store. No doubt he would have made a rotten caveman.

Devi worried her lower lip. "Do you think it's from her?"

So Eden had shared that with her aunt, as well? Bennett thought, handing over the card. "It has to be."

"Her? Her who?" Grady asked, sniffing the livers. "These still smell all right. Think you could cook them for dinner?" he asked Devi.

Devi scowled. "No. And they're from your grandson's stalker, for heaven's sake. You think I'm gonna cook something a stalker has left behind?"

Grady looked as if he'd been beaned over the head with a frying pan. He glanced at Bennett, clearly torn between being afraid on his grandson's behalf and cackling. And if it had been anyone else's grandson, Bennett knew Grady would have crowed with merriment. His face burned.

Grady cleared his throat of a chuckle. "You've g-got a stalker?"

Bennett flushed even more. Oh, for G.o.d's sake..."I don't know that I'd call her a stalker, per se, but-"

"She's a stalker," Devi said forcefully. "Did you read the card? She wants to turn your heart into chicken livers." She nodded determinedly. "You have to call the police."

Bennett instinctively balked. "I-"

"Bennett, this is serious," Devi said gravely, clearly outraged that he didn't want to alert the authorities to the threat.

But, dammit, it was galling. galling. All the way around. All the way around.

In the first place, he was a man, and therefore supposed to be able to take care of himself.

In the second place, her motivation in and of itself was humiliating. He'd been a womanizing b.a.s.t.a.r.d who'd broken her heart?

Thirdly, on the off chance that the Web site wasn't common knowledge, he'd have to disclose that. More embarra.s.sment.

And what about keeping things low-key? Blending in? He could hardly do that if he became the subject of a full-fledged investigation. Bennett's face heated, his head began to throb and the back of his neck tightened with tension.

Devi drew herself up. "Bennett, if you don't call them, then I will. This is serious. It's no longer a harmless threat hanging out in cybers.p.a.ce. She's arrived at your back door."

True, he knew. Still...

"Call Eden, then," Devi suggested, clearly running out of patience. "I have her cell number and she's on duty this morning."

Promise me, she'd said. And he had. Rather than breaking another one he'd made to her, he should probably try to start keeping them. Bennett heaved a long, miserable sigh. "Fine," he told them. "I'll call her." she'd said. And he had. Rather than breaking another one he'd made to her, he should probably try to start keeping them. Bennett heaved a long, miserable sigh. "Fine," he told them. "I'll call her."

Grady peered into the container once more. "You're sure we can't use these?" he asked Devi.

Eden's aunt heaved a disgusted sigh. "They're evidence, you moron. Of course not."

Curiously, Grady didn't take exception to the insult. Which was odd, when he would have rounded on anyone else. Bennett paused and frowned at the two of them. Clearly there was more here than met the eye. Unfortunately-or fortunately, depending on how one wanted to look at it-he didn't have time to mull it over. He had to call Eden and let her know about his chicken-liver lunatic.

Perversely-because he had evidently lost his mind-he found himself oddly delighted that he had an excuse. Happy Happy to have a stalker if it meant seeing Eden again. to have a stalker if it meant seeing Eden again.

How screwed up was that?

As screwed up as she'd always made him.

10.

THE LAST PLACE E EDEN EXPECTED to find herself this morning was standing in Bennett's old farmhouse kitchen, inspecting a carton of chicken livers. to find herself this morning was standing in Bennett's old farmhouse kitchen, inspecting a carton of chicken livers.

Then again, stranger things had happened.

Looking distinctly uncomfortable but adorably s.e.xy all the same, Bennett grimaced and leaned against the counter. "I feel like an idiot."

Grady grunted. "Why do you feel like an idiot? It's not your fault that you've inherited my good looks and considerable s.e.x appeal. I've been known to drive the women crazy myself," he said, smugly rubbing his hand over his grizzled jaw. "'Course, I've never made a stalker stalker out of one, but-" he slapped Bennett on the back "-then again, I've never had your talent for p.i.s.sin 'em off the way that you do." His twinkling gaze darted to Eden. "When are you planning on updating that Web site of yours with some new information? I could use a good laugh." out of one, but-" he slapped Bennett on the back "-then again, I've never had your talent for p.i.s.sin 'em off the way that you do." His twinkling gaze darted to Eden. "When are you planning on updating that Web site of yours with some new information? I could use a good laugh."

Devi snorted and rolled her eyes. "You are are a good laugh." a good laugh."

Eden felt her lips twitch. "It'll be in the newsletter."

Bennett's eyes widened and he choked on a drink of her aunt's fruit tea. "Newsletter?" he wheezed. "There's a newsletter, too?"

Though it was tough, she managed to flatten a smile. Bless his heart, despite everything, she couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. True to form, h.e.l.l's grapevine had been producing juicy blow-by-blow tidbits since the instant he moved back into town.

Though she hadn't seen him since the night before last, Eden knew that Bennett had bought batteries, tinned biscuits-practically blasphemous in the South-and Fruity Flakes. Odd that she should find his choice of breakfast cereal endearing. And yet she did, Eden thought, her lips twisting into a small smile.

In addition to his trip to the grocery store, he'd visited the local hardware outlet, as well. It was common knowledge that Bennett had hired Ryan Mothershed to handle the renovations and that Sue-Ellen Fieldstone, president of the h.e.l.l chamber of commerce, had cornered him personally regarding his putting a shop in the downtown area. A notorious flirt, no doubt Sue-Ellen would have liked to have made the visit private, as well, but according to various eyewitnesses, Bennett had calmly but firmly let her know that he wasn't interested.

A new leaf, the gossips had speculated-or had he simply become more selective? Eden had no idea, and though she would love to add a she-didn't-care to that, too, she found herself miserably unable to make the declaration. She'd been heartened-and relieved, dammit, if she were honest with herself-that Bennett had rebuked Sue-Ellen's advances.

Bennett moving back was hard enough. Bennett moving back and immediately dating someone would be practically unbearable.

And of course, if the Ex-Girlfriends' Club had their way, she'd she'd be dating him again. She mentally winced at the reminder. be dating him again. She mentally winced at the reminder.

Eden had called Kate from her cell phone on the way out here to let her know that Artemis525 had left a calling card on Bennett's back porch. Aside from being appropriately unnerved, Kate had taken the opportunity to remind Eden of her promise- promise- now that was a stretch-to the Ex-Girlfriends' Club. now that was a stretch-to the Ex-Girlfriends' Club.

Surprisingly, Kate had been quite in favor of her being the one to pay back Bennett for the heartbreak he'd inflicted on their friends, and the more Eden argued the point, the more tenacious Kate had become. Quite frankly, it annoyed the h.e.l.l out of Eden, but rather than looking like a coward-or showing the slightest bit of weakness where Bennett was concerned-Eden had simply gone along with the ruse.

Was she really going to try to break Bennett's heart? No. Even knowing he deserved it, she couldn't bring herself to attempt it. She had her own heart to think about, dammit. Granted, she hadn't exactly done a bang-up job of it in the past....

Eden glanced at the open container of chicken livers and the accompanying note, then inwardly grimaced. But thanks to Artemis525 she'd at least be able to make a pretense of doing what they'd asked of her. Until they figured out who was behind Bennett's threats, she had a feeling she and h.e.l.l's favorite bad boy were going to be spending a lot more time together. Her gaze slid to him and her belly gave an expected but unwelcome little jolt.

Of the s.e.xual-longing variety.

Which was hardly surprising when she'd never, at any point in recent memory, found him anything short of magnetic. magnetic. The moment she'd looked into those dark-as-sin, sleepy-looking eyes again a couple days ago, it was as though her flatlined libido had been hit with a defibrillator. Even now she could feel the s.e.xual energy-his singularly potent pull-coursing through her veins, lingering in long-neglected hot spots. The tips of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, the tops of her thighs, the heart of her s.e.x. Eden released a slow, shaky breath. The moment she'd looked into those dark-as-sin, sleepy-looking eyes again a couple days ago, it was as though her flatlined libido had been hit with a defibrillator. Even now she could feel the s.e.xual energy-his singularly potent pull-coursing through her veins, lingering in long-neglected hot spots. The tips of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, the tops of her thighs, the heart of her s.e.x. Eden released a slow, shaky breath.

But how was she supposed to find him anything short of irresistible when he looked like that? Dressed in worn jeans-really worn, not the trendy designer faux ones which were currently on the market, but honest-to-goodness lived-in, washed-until-there-was-no-strength-left-in-the-fabric-denim, which hung low on his narrow hips and draped every lean, muscled inch of his body from the waist down. worn, not the trendy designer faux ones which were currently on the market, but honest-to-goodness lived-in, washed-until-there-was-no-strength-left-in-the-fabric-denim, which hung low on his narrow hips and draped every lean, muscled inch of his body from the waist down.

Most notably his a.s.s, which had always been better than perfect.

He'd paired the jeans with a white designer T-shirt-equally flattering as it molded to wide shoulders and a muscled chest, one that had been honed with actual work instead of just a workout. A leather cord with a silver Chinese charm hung from around his neck, and a pricey-looking watch-TAG Heuer, maybe?-encircled his wrist. He looked casually successful and completely comfortable in his own skin, which was a powerful turn-on in and of itself.

It was also new, Eden thought, shooting him a covert look. Bennett had always been a bit wary and restless, on guard and very rarely at ease. She paused, watching him closely. Clearly his move to Savannah had given him more than a fabulous career and a boost in income-there'd been an internal change, as well, one she was secretly attracted to.

Oh, h.e.l.l. Who was she kidding? Was there anything about Bennett-aside from his penchant for breaking her heart-that she didn't like or find attractive?

No, dammit.

Equally a turn-on was the fact that he still wanted her-at least physically, at any rate-as well. Despite the multiple helpings of s.h.i.t on his plate, Eden couldn't help but notice-and feel-those compellingly dark eyes sliding over her body the instant he opened the door. He'd swallowed, inexplicably licked his lips, and that too-hot gaze had lingered over her mouth to the point that she'd felt herself actually leaning toward him, drawn like a magnet to his wickedly sensual mouth.

Wickedly talented, too, Eden thought, releasing a stuttering breath as images of what he'd done to her in the past with that mouth flitted rapid-fire through her mind. Kissing her...everywhere.

And, good Lord, could he ever kiss.

There was nothing quite so flawless, so romantic, so amazing as the antic.i.p.ation of the perfect kiss...and then having it surpa.s.s your expectations.

Ben Wilder was a premier kisser.

He'd mastered the delicate balance between wet and dry, the artful brilliance in the draw and drag between hungry lips. He didn't just kiss-he made love with his mouth. Every silky warm slide of his tongue mimicked the most intimate act between a man and a woman, and by the time the natural order of a seduction had segued into the next act, Eden had generally been on the verge of climax before he'd even gotten her naked.

After he'd sampled the back of her neck-a particularly sensitive spot for her-the angle of her jaw, then nibbled on her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and feasted between her thighs, she would be a pulsing hormone of make-me-come mush.

Like now, Eden thought, resisting the pressing urge to fan herself. Or disappear with her magician to the nearest bedroom. G.o.d help her, she was doomed. She had to stop thinking like this. She was her own worst enemy. Her own freaking down- "Are you all right, dear?"

Eden blinked, belatedly realizing that the concerned question had come from her aunt and had been in reference to her. "Er...yeah," she murmured, feeling her cheeks pinken.

Devi hummed under her breath. "You seemed a million miles away."

Would that it were true, Eden thought, releasing a small breath. Her gaze darted to Bennett, who was looking at her with a slightly smug expression. No doubt the wretch knew exactly where her million-miles-away expression had taken her.

Right back into his bed.

Eden cleared her throat, fervently wishing that he couldn't read her so d.a.m.ned easily. "So you found it on the back step?"

"Your aunt did," Bennett told her, looking uncomfortable once more. "She insisted that I call you."

Eden felt her lips twitch. "So you've said." Several times, in fact, she thought, feeling the slightest twinge of pity for his embarra.s.sment. The idea of needing help of any sort-particularly because of a woman-had to be utterly galling for him.

"And this was all you found? Just the note and the container?"

Bennett nodded.

"Well..." Eden sighed as she carefully sacked up the evidence. "It's a standard tub of chicken livers, marked with a Hefty Heifer sticker, which means-"

"That it's from the local grocery store," Bennett finished. "I'd noticed that."

Devi put a hand to her throat. "You mean these were bought in town?"

Eden nodded at her aunt. "Exactly."

Her worried gaze darted to Bennett. "Then she's a h.e.l.lion. It could even be someone we know."

Considering h.e.l.l was a relatively small burg, in all probability it was was someone they knew. Eden grimaced, considered the note once more. "She's bent on breaking your heart, isn't she?" someone they knew. Eden grimaced, considered the note once more. "She's bent on breaking your heart, isn't she?"

Bennett's lips slid into a humorlessly droll smile. "Funny. I got the impression she wanted to hack my heart from my chest and slash it to pieces."