Do you want to talk about it? #MidWeekTease from Scores #asmsg

Welcome back to Mid-Week Tease hosted by Sandra Bunino in which we share teasers from our work-in-progress or published book.

This week we're back with Benjamin and Selina in Scores, Passion Shield book 3, my current work-in-progress.

In this scene, Benjamin makes a startling revelation to Selina after finding out his sister compares herself to their mother.

I hope you enjoy this teaser.

Despite the tensions curling around his body, he lowered her into the chair and strode down the balcony cursing into the night. She'd never seen him issue a litany of expletives unrestrained before.

Taken aback, she sat still, her shoulders and back aching with tension.

Why was Ben reacting so explosively to the mention of his mother? She wanted to ask questions but remained silent, waiting for him to talk in his own time.

Back muscles rippled as he raised his hand and scrubbed his scalp, obviously agitated. Wanting to go to him and soothe his restlessness but knowing the best was to leave him for now, she restrained from reaching out to him.

After a few minutes of pacing, he returned to face her, his appearance calmer.

"Please forgive my language," he said in a low, rough tone that hinted at inner turmoil. "I didn't mean to be shock you."

"It's okay, Ben."

She stood up and he returned to the leather armchair.

"Can you tell me why you were so distressed?" she asked when she folded her body back onto his lap.

His chest pushed out as he drew in a long breath and puffed one out.

"My mother was an addict. She died of a drug overdose."

Head rocked backward with shock, she stared at him wide-eyed and her heart broke at the expression on his face.

"Oh, Ben." She turned her body and wrapped her arms around his torso, hugging him tight. "I can't imagine what that feels like. I'm so sorry."

He tucked his head on her shoulders and held on to her body. Seconds ticked away. Perhaps minutes. She lost track of time. The only sounds came from their slow beating hearts, entwining breaths and the occasional rumble of cars driving across the Chelsea Bridge.

Eventually, he lifted his head and stared down at her face. Torment returned to his obsidian eyes.

For the first time in their relationship, she witnessed her husband in pain. Usually he chased away the demons tormenting her and soothed her. Now, she wished to help him.

"Do you want to talk about it? I understand if you don't," she said, stroking his neck and shoulder in tentative brushes.

 
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