Now the woman who had taught him that he was not only capable of love but that he needed love was keeping an emotional mile between them!
Hell, he’d had some low spots in his life but he’d never woken up every morning feeling so dark and desolate. Everything he wanted was there within arm’s reach, but it might as well be a million miles away. He could let it continue—not an option—or he could actually do something about it—better late than never.
And she wasn’t happy; he knew that. He couldn’t make her love him, but he could damn well try and he would.
His thought solidified into purpose as middle-aged bankers, who between them could alter world money markets, continued to act like star-struck teenagers. He almost expected them to ask for autographs when the Hollywood couple at the next table came over to say goodbye to him. They’d slipped out of the rear entrance of the hotel to avoid the paparazzi pack who had been joined by three film crews out front.
Such was the power of celebrity, but on the plus side at least he’d managed to secure some hefty donations from them when he’d explained the couple supported a charity he championed.
He even managed to maintain this philosophical attitude when counting the minutes until he could get back home. He stepped out onto the street and was hit with a battery of flashes, which quickly abated when they realised he was not even half of their quarry, though obviously it was flattering to be mistaken for the man that had been dubbed the sexiest man in the universe.
As the cameras were lowered someone recognised him and called out his name, another took up the call and the flashes began again. So near but so far, he thought as he saw his limo pull into the kerb.
Ben had made a conscious decision early on not to court the media. It was about balance. They were a presence in his life that was unavoidable. His face made a few society pages and the financial papers liked to quote him but he seriously doubted he could live with the level of media intrusion enjoyed—or not—by the couple who had escaped the pack.
If he was seen falling out of nightclubs or frequenting pole-dancing establishments, he had no doubt he would have had his own pack of press stalkers, but he didn’t. His name rarely made it to the tabloids and it was hard to imagine what story they could spin from his breakfast meeting, but everyone, he thought, schooling his features into impassivity, had to make a living.
Frustrated by his indifference and lack of response, a few tried to goad him into responding by throwing out a few suggestions for him to deny.
Ben ignored them and the cameras being thrust in his face. The doorman, who had walked ahead of him, opened his limo door; he was literally a couple of feet away when it happened.
Every head including Ben’s turned towards the tall gorgeous redhead poured into a clashing bright neon-pink minidress that hugged her sinuous curves. The press pack parted like the Red Sea for her as she ran towards Ben like a heat-seeking missile in five-inch heels.
Oh, hell! For some reason Lily’s twin was about to present the press pack with a photo opportunity and he had no way to stop it, short of rugby tackling her or trying out a useful judo move.
In the event it seemed unlikely that either would have stopped the woman, who was extremely determined. She oozed all over him, plastering herself against him like a second skin. As she lifted her face and gave a predatory smile he got a face full of alcohol fumes—definitely wasted! Light a match and they’d have gone up in flames!
He stood rigid as she wound her arms around his neck. Her fingers dug into his scalp as she jerked his head down and she went in for the kiss.
The entire sordid thing was a headline writer’s wet dream, he thought as he finally managed to bundle her into the waiting car!
‘Just drive!’
His passenger had begun to gently snore.
CHAPTER TEN
AS SHE RAN into the hall the bell got louder but to Lily’s relief there were no cries from upstairs, and she’d have heard because since Ben had had the nursery wired for sound the sophisticated monitor system meant she could hear a pin drop in the nursery from anywhere in the house. It meant she was no longer running up the stairs at every imagined sound of distress.
‘I’m coming!’
A scowl on her face, she flung open the door and stood there as her chin hit her chest.
‘Thank God!’
Lily wasn’t thanking God, she was feeling slightly queasy as she stood to one side to allow Ben with her twin slung over his shoulder entry into the hall. Like a clockwork automaton, she turned and closed the door behind her.