Liam’s smile was a razor’s edge. “Let’s just say, I was the one who taught him everything he knows about a good investment. And a bad one.”
The tension snapped. A hollow ache bloomed in Eden’s chest. This was over before it even began.
Benson turned away, the fight draining from his posture, replaced by a weary defeat. He grabbed his jacket from the bed. “This is… no.” He shook his head while shrugging into his jacket. “I can’t do this. I need some space.” He fished for his wallet,pulling out a wad of cash. He didn’t look at her. “Take this. Get a ride home.” He thrust the money toward her, an offering of dismissal. “I… I need to be alone.”
Eden stared at the money, her heart plummeting. He wasn't just calling off the night. He was calling off… everything.
Before her fingers could close around the bills, Liam’s hand shot out, knocking them away. Cash fluttered to the floor like dead leaves. “She’s not a transaction, Ben.”
Benson’s head whipped up, fire in his eyes. “Stay the hell away from her,bro.”
Liam stepped closer, crowding Eden. “Or what?” He growled. “You’re not in a position to make threats. Not tome,of all people.”
Benson looked from Liam to Eden, a storm of emotions warring in his gaze. He opened his mouth, then snapped it shut. Without another word, he shouldered past them both and stormed out of the room, the door slamming shut behind him.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Eden sagged against the door, her legs suddenly weak. The reality of the situation crashed down on her. Her men. Her two separate, beautiful, complicated men. They knew each other. They hated each other.
And she was caught in the middle.
Liam’s arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her against him. He was a solid, steady presence in the wreckage. “Hey,” he murmured, his lips brushing her temple. “You okay?”
Eden shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “No,” she choked out. “I don’t understand.”
Liam’s grip tightened. “Doesn’t matter.” He turned her to face him, his hands cupping her face, forcing her to meet his gaze. “What matters is you’re with me now.” His thumb wiped away a stray tear. “And I’m not letting you go. Although…”
She gasped.
“Maybe you should go home. Knowing him, he’s skulking around here somewhere having a drink. I’ll talk to him. I know how.”
Slowly, Eden remembered to pull her dress straps back up her arms until her breasts were tucked away for a final time. “How do you two know each other?”
“We met…” Liam sighed, rubbing his forehead. “At La Mariposa, of all places.”
“You’re fucking kidding me. When I was there?”
“No. I had no idea he was also there, let alone the other guy all up in your business. Or at the…” He cleared his throat, blushing. “We’ve been a couple of times before. At the same time. We became… friends. We had a massive falling out a few years ago. That’s what all the animosity is about. He hates me.”
Now that her dress was fixed, Eden was capable of putting her hands on her hips and being taken somewhat seriously.Somewhat, I hope.“Why does he hate you?”
“Maybe some other time. I'd better go find him.”
“Why?”
Liam was only slightly taken aback. “You want to keep dating him, don’t you?”
Eden chewed on the inside of her cheek. “Why are you doing this?”
Liam pulled out his phone. It took her a moment to realize he was ordering a ride share to pick her up at the front entrance. “Because I like you a lot, Eden. Ben’s a good guy. It’s not…” He sighed, defeated. “It’s not the first time we’ve both dated the same woman. Used to be a regular occurrence between us.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No.” He took her by the arms and drew her closer. “I’ll come by your place later. I’m sorry, love. I know nobody wanted tonight to end like this. I shouldn’t have gotten involved.”
“You promise?” Eden asked. “That you’ll come by later? And tell me what’s going on?”
He double-checked that a ride was on its way. “Five minutes, love.” He offered her a wan smile. “Don’t cost me extra, huh?”