The Ex-Girlfriends' Club Part 9

Grady, showing the first bit of concern, shot a wary look at Bennett. "Jeez, son," he murmured quietly. "What did you do to this girl?"

Bennett's uneasy gaze tangled with hers. What he'd probably done hung unspoken between them, the proverbial elephant in the room. The silence swelled around them until he finally managed a halfhearted laugh and pulled a shrug. "I'm not sure, Gramps. Maybe she'll tell me before she kills me."

"Oh, now, we'll hear none of that," Devi admonished, patting Bennett on the arm. "You've done the right thing by calling Eden. She'll protect you, won't you, dear?" Her aunt smiled expectantly, as though she'd asked Eden to pa.s.s the salt as opposed to opening a vein.

Eden felt her face freeze and her heart rate soar. Her gaze darted to Bennett's. Knowing humor danced in those dark brown eyes and he forcibly flattened his lips to keep from smiling. Her? Protect Bennett? Eden thought, swallowing.

Er...then just who the h.e.l.l was going to protect her from him? him?

"DO YOU THINK I I NEED PROTECTING NEED PROTECTING, Eden?" Bennett asked, enjoying her discomfort entirely too much. The idea of him needing a protector was laughable enough without Eden's horror-stricken look of dumbfounded misery. Her aunt had quite neatly-and quite purposely, if Bennett had his guess-just put her on the spot. She couldn't say no without coming off as a) an unconcerned b.i.t.c.h or b) not doing her job. Both of which were unacceptable to her.

It was a neat little box, he reflected speculatively, not unlike the one the chicken livers had arrived in.

And she'd been served right up at his door, too. Interesting...

A better man might not entertain ways to use the situation to his advantage, but over the past couple of days Bennett had spent more than the usual amount of time thinking about Eden-a feat he wouldn't have thought possible, as he usually thought about her all the time anyway. A couple of days ago he'd made apologizing to her-earning her trust again-priority one.

Did he deserve her now any more than he ever had? No. Giselle Rutherford had made sure of that. But this wasn't about what he might or might not deserve-it was about Eden. And Eden deserved to know that he was genuinely sorry for hurting her. She didn't want to hear it, of course-she'd cut him off cold the night before last for even trying. But because she was fair-minded and just and n.o.ble, she needed needed to hear it. And because he was a greedy, ungrateful wretch, he needed her absolution. Staying in h.e.l.l wouldn't seem like such a miserable thing if he had that. to hear it. And because he was a greedy, ungrateful wretch, he needed her absolution. Staying in h.e.l.l wouldn't seem like such a miserable thing if he had that.

The problem with trying to properly apologize to her-to let her know how terrible he felt about the way things had happened between them-was time. Merely running into her here and there wasn't going to do it. He needed more than a casual conversation with her and, short of showing up at her house uninvited again, he didn't see her planning on sharing a lot of the same air as him.

Sad that, Bennett thought, when breathing the same air as her was all that used to make him feel whole. He swallowed, pushing the memories back. All it did was make him think about how badly he'd screwed up, how wrong he'd been, and made him wish for a life that was completely lost to him now.

Eden cleared her throat. "I don't know that you need protecting," she said. "But I do think that you're going to have to be really careful."

"What about a restraining order?" Grady asked.

Eden shrugged helplessly. "Against who? We don't know who she is yet."

Grady frowned, stymied. "Well, it's probably one of those women who hang out around your site," he said. "Wouldn't that be the best place to start looking?"

Eden hesitated. "I've thought of that, Grady...and it just doesn't fit."

His eyes widened. "What do you mean it doesn't fit? Those women hate him," he said, his voice climbing.

"She is posting there, dear," her aunt kindly pointed out. "It's where she made her first appearance. Shouldn't you investigate everyone?"

"I've been picking around a little since she first started posting and I really don't think that it's anyone a.s.sociated with the club."

Intrigued, Bennett c.o.c.ked a brow. "Why not?"

Eden expelled a breath and shot him a cautious smile. "Because the women who frequent the site have never attempted to hide their ident.i.ties or their, er, negative feelings for you."

Bennett snorted. Negative feelings, h.e.l.l-they hated his guts. "You're right," he said. "Calling me a b.a.s.t.a.r.d is hardly sugarcoating it, is it?"

Eden's lips twitched slightly and she looked away. "Well," she said, "the point is, no member of the club has anything to hide. Whoever this is, she's someone who is using the site and the club's existence to further her own agenda and muddy the waters." She paused. "At least that's what I think."

Eden was right. He'd seen the archives and trolled the message board himself. Eden posted as herself, Kate and the lot of them, as well. Artemis525 was the only person who seemed to have anything to hide.

In addition, the timing seemed weird to him. His stalker had started posting the day after he and Grady had finalized his plans to move back to h.e.l.l. Because he'd wanted to keep gossip to a minimum-Bennett smothered a bark of dry laughter-he'd asked Grady to keep it under his hat. Eva had been too terrified that he'd change his mind about taking Grady off her hands to do anything but what he'd asked.

In short, aside from Grady and Eva, no one knew that he'd made arrangements to move back to h.e.l.l. Yet, for whatever reason, he got the distinct impression that Artemis525 did. He shared his opinion with Eden.

"I definitely don't think it's a coincidence," Eden told him. "No one other than Eva and Grady knew you were moving back?"

Bennett shook his head. "I wanted to keep things low-key."

Reluctant humor twinkled in those clear green eyes. "What? Turning over a new leaf?" she quipped.

Bennett grimaced, smiled and shot her a look. "More like the whole tree."

A soft chuckle bubbled out of her, and that genuine laugh moved through him, warming him. "What about Ryan?" Eden asked, moving on. "Would he have told anyone?"

Bennett paused, thinking back. He knew he'd asked Ryan to keep quiet, but more importantly, he hadn't contacted Ryan about the renovations until a week or more after Artemis525 started posting. He shared that with Eden.

"It's possible that Ryan said something about my moving back-he would have told his wife, I'm sure, as well as his crew-but the time line is still off. She'd already started posting before Ryan had gotten the information."

"I understand the significance of Artemis," Devi said thoughtfully. "But not the 525."

Eden inclined her head and shared a look of understanding with her aunt. "I know. I don't get it, either."

Bennett felt his brow wrinkle. "I don't get any of it. What are you two talking about?"

"The name she's chosen. In Greek mythology, Artemis was the G.o.ddess of the hunt." Eden paused and her hesitant gaze caught and held his. "In this case, I think you're the hunted."

Fabulous, Bennett thought, suddenly more than irritated. He was being hunted-stalked-by some unknown women for some unknown reason, being made a fool of and ultimately undermining what was already a stressful situation. Moving back to h.e.l.l was hard enough. Moving back and dealing with this unpleasant garbage-a direct reminder for himself and the town of his past sins-was even worse.

"I wonder if the 525 is a date," Devi said cautiously. "You know, like May twenty-fifth?"

Eden went unnaturally still and her gaze darted to her aunt's, then to Bennett's. "I'll bet she's right," Eden said, her voice oddly quiet with the realization.

"May twenty-fifth? But that's just-"

"a.s.suming that she knew you were moving back, I think that's exactly what it is. Like Artemis, it's part of a clue." Eden quickly reviewed the note again. "Yes," she said more forcefully, the adrenaline of figuring out the clue making her voice climb. "Look." She held the letter up for Bennett to see. "She refers to the hunt here. See? The 525 has to refer to a date."

"The twenty-fifth?" Grady said. "But that's just a few days away."

Four, Bennett realized. A week to the day since he'd moved back.

"Oh, my," Devi said, her eyes rounded with worry. "What do we do?"

Eden released a heavy breath. "Well, for starters, I need to get back to the station and talk to the chief. He'll need to-"

"No," Bennett said flatly.

Eden blinked. "What?"

True to his usual form, he was about to p.i.s.s each and every one of them off-Eden most of all-but...no. He wasn't going to do this, allow this crazy woman to make a circus out of his life, make him a laughingstock. This was not how he intended to start over again in h.e.l.l. He was trying to repair his reputation, and the last d.a.m.ned thing he intended to do was publicize the fact that his previous whoring ways had landed him a psycho stalker. Bennett's head began to throb once more. He wasn't going to do this, allow this crazy woman to make a circus out of his life, make him a laughingstock. This was not how he intended to start over again in h.e.l.l. He was trying to repair his reputation, and the last d.a.m.ned thing he intended to do was publicize the fact that his previous whoring ways had landed him a psycho stalker. Bennett's head began to throb once more.

No, no, no.

He forced a smile, a calm he in no way felt, and made a valiant effort to keep his voice level. "I don't want you to tell the chief. I don't want you to tell anybody."

Eden shook her head. "Bennett, I can't-"

"That's why I called you on your cell phone. This isn't an official call, right?"

She hesitated. "Well, no. But-"

"No buts," Bennett interrupted her. "Seriously, Eden. I don't want anyone to know about this. I can handle it myself."

"Horses.h.i.t," Grady interjected. "You cannot handle this yourself. You're in over your head." He gestured to Eden. "Let her do her job."

Bennett closed his eyes, drawing patience from an almost dry well. "She can do her job...just off the record." He paused and his gaze met her wary one. "Can you do that, Eden? Will you?"

He didn't need her help-not really-he just wanted a reason to be with her, to make her forgive him. Probably manipulating her like this wasn't the right path, but at the moment it was the only one he could see. He couldn't apologize if she wouldn't let him near her, could he? And he had to apologize. He had to make things as right between them as he could. Naturally, the swiftest way to earn her forgiveness was to seduce it right out of her. But he had to try and do things the right way this time.

Eden froze. She opened her mouth, then snapped it shut again, seemingly unsure of what to do.

"Please," Bennett added, his gaze searching hers. "This is too much. Can you imagine the field day h.e.l.l will have with this? If this gets out, I don't have a prayer of starting over here." A bitter laugh broke up in his throat and he pa.s.sed a hand over his face. "Not that I had much of one to start with, but..."

"Eden," her aunt implored softly on his behalf.

A beat slid into five, then ten. Then Eden, having considered him until he felt as if she'd probed right into his head, finally cleared her throat. "That's what you want here?" she asked, her voice curiously rusty. "A new start?"

Bennett nodded, surprised at how true those words were. He watched her chew her bottom lip and felt an arrow of heat land directly in his groin, silently cursing his reaction.

"Then I'll help you."

11.

WELL, IT WAS OFFICIAL IT WAS OFFICIAL, EDEN thought as she made her way down to the Ice Water Bar and Grill to meet Bennett. thought as she made her way down to the Ice Water Bar and Grill to meet Bennett.

She'd lost her mind.

Offering to help Bennett-off the record, no less, which could potentially get her fired-couldn't indicate anything otherwise. She had to have had a mental break, some sort of psychotic episode-something-to have let those words come out of her mouth.

Then I'll help you.

Never mind the fact that she was supposed to be looking out for herself, protecting her own damaged heart. That spending any amount of time with him was dangerous to the point of stupidity because she'd already learned-twice, dammit-that she couldn't resist him.

Furthermore, being with him only gave him more opportunities to apologize, and the instant he did that, Eden knew what little bit of anger and hurt she'd managed to hold on to would no longer provide the armor she needed. She'd weaken, and when that happened, she was emotionally doomed.

Oh, h.e.l.l, who was she kidding? She was doomed the instant he drove back into town. Every time she saw him, every time she looked into those dark-a.s.sin eyes, every time he inadvertently-on-purpose touched her-and that sweet, reverent kiss on her forehead, Eden thought, remembering the bittersweet pleasure of it and how desperately she wanted it to have been more....

Did she need to help Bennett? No. If she had a brain in her head, she would run so far in the opposite direction the hounds of h.e.l.l couldn't catch her.

Unfortunately she'd glimpsed Bennett's underbelly-his most potent vulnerability-and saying no simply hadn't been an option. Bennett Wilder, bada.s.s extraordinaire, accomplished artisan, womanizer and all around heartbreaker, after all this time and for all his faults, still wanted the one thing h.e.l.l had always withheld from him-acceptance.

The minute Eden had realized that-that starting over was that that important to him-she hadn't been able to tell him no. important to him-she hadn't been able to tell him no.

Was he embarra.s.sed by having a stalker? Certainly. But more than anything, she suspected that he was more terrified of the "field day" h.e.l.l would have with his predicament than of Artemis525 herself. Which was sad, not to mention a little misguided.

And the hardheaded fool needed needed to be afraid of her-that's what was so annoying, Eden thought. He was so afraid of what everyone thought that he didn't have sense enough to be wary of a true physical threat. to be afraid of her-that's what was so annoying, Eden thought. He was so afraid of what everyone thought that he didn't have sense enough to be wary of a true physical threat.

h.e.l.l, she'd waltzed right up to his back door, bold as bra.s.s, and left that disturbing package and note. She was no longer just posting sick little messages onto their board-she was truly going after him. And if Devi was right-and Eden firmly believed that she was-then Artemis525 planned to make her ultimate coup de grace in just four short days.

To that end, Bennett had suggested that they get together and hammer out a plan. Rather than inviting him over to her house, Eden had decided that meeting him in public would a) hopefully keep her from tumbling right back into bed with him, b) further the illusion that she was doing what the Ex-Girlfriends' Club had asked of her and c) help pave the way for his reentry into h.e.l.l society. She was a public servant, after all, and the mayor's daughter. Bennett didn't necessarily need her stamp of approval, but being seen with her couldn't hurt his reputation.

Her lips twisted with bitter humor. In fact, were anyone's reputation in danger of a little tarnish, it was hers. After all, it was public knowledge that he'd dumped her twice-a fact her mother had taken particular glee in pointing out when Eden had contacted her about the premature invitations to her naming ceremony.

Surely to G.o.d you've got better sense than to get mixed up with that boy again, she'd said, injecting just enough disgust into her voice to set Eden's teeth on edge. she'd said, injecting just enough disgust into her voice to set Eden's teeth on edge. And for heaven's sake, take that juvenile Web site down. It's bad enough everyone in town knows you've been mixed up with a Wilder, much less splashing it all over the Internet. It's low-cla.s.s. It's beneath you, Eden. And for heaven's sake, take that juvenile Web site down. It's bad enough everyone in town knows you've been mixed up with a Wilder, much less splashing it all over the Internet. It's low-cla.s.s. It's beneath you, Eden.

Actually-like everything else from paper plates to costume jewelry-it was beneath her mother, but not her. Rather than argue with Giselle about Bennett, Eden had taken the opportunity to let her mother know that she'd canceled each and every one of the arrangements that had been made on her behalf for the naming ceremony.

She'd also taken out an apologetic ad in the paper and retracted the invitation. She'd neglected to tell her mother that, but rather kept it like a little present for herself. Her mother invariably started her day with a cup of imported designer coffee and a copy of the h.e.l.l Times. h.e.l.l Times. She could just imagine the look on Giselle's recently lifted face when she saw what Eden had done. She'd be mortified, which was the purpose, of course. After all, Eden had been equally humiliated and infuriated that her mother had attempted to hijack her naming ceremony. She could just imagine the look on Giselle's recently lifted face when she saw what Eden had done. She'd be mortified, which was the purpose, of course. After all, Eden had been equally humiliated and infuriated that her mother had attempted to hijack her naming ceremony.

Unfortunately, if she didn't want Giselle to make another go at it, Eden knew the time had come to plan it herself. She intended to talk to Mickey-owner of h.e.l.l's infamous watering hole-about hosting the event for her at the end of the month. Had she found a name yet? No. But hopefully her self-imposed deadline would go a long way toward helping her make a selection.

Eden nudged her SUV up to the curb in front of Ice Water and released a tiny breath of apprehension, all she would allow herself. Yes, she was treading on shaky ground by meeting Bennett, but so long as she kept her footing and didn't wind up on her back, she'd be fine. She grabbed her purse and made her way inside, thankful for the cool blast of air that met her the instant she opened the heavy oak doors. A round of "Hey, Eden" welcomed her, causing a smile to play over her lips.

Dark paneling, eerie red lighting and shallow bowls of dry ice emanating foggy waves replicated Mickey's version of h.e.l.l. Little fabric pitchforks dangled from the backs of the waitresses' uniforms and each one wore a pair of sparkly red devil horns on her head. Tourists loved the place for the decor, but the locals came for the food, most notably the hot wings. Eden found a table near the back and ordered a plate, along with a beer. She'd just lifted the bottle to her lips when she spotted Bennett weaving his way toward her.

It was a good thing she had something handy to quench her thirst, because he looked so d.a.m.ned hot that he fit right in with the theme of the restaurant. In fact, had he left a charred path in his wake, she wouldn't have been the least bit surprised. Heads turned, forks stalled at open mouths and the sound momentarily receded as he made his way to her booth.

Once again the epitome of the hip urban professional, Bennett had paired jeans with a black T-shirt-which upon further inspection revealed the phrase I solemnly swear that I am up to no good- I solemnly swear that I am up to no good- trendy leather jewelry and equally hip leather sandals. Eden had never seen a guy successfully wear the shoes, but true to form, he pulled it off with masculine panache which set him apart from every other man in the room. trendy leather jewelry and equally hip leather sandals. Eden had never seen a guy successfully wear the shoes, but true to form, he pulled it off with masculine panache which set him apart from every other man in the room.

As always, he was effortlessly s.e.xy, exuding a magnetic sort of charm that made the fine hairs on her arms stand on end, and made her belly clench with desperate longing she knew from experience only he could a.s.suage. Oh, sweet mercy, how she wanted him.

He slid in across from her and smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Are they still staring?"

Eden casually peered around him. "Some of them are, but most have lost interest."

Bennett swore hotly. "G.o.d, I'll never get used to it."

A twinge of pity p.r.i.c.ked her heart. "The novelty will wear off soon."

"That's what I keep telling myself," he told her, wincing significantly as though he wasn't altogether convinced that it would ever happen.