Conflicted by Lisa Suzanne Read Free Book Online

speech and he could cut loose and have a good time.
    “How’s Cole treating you so far?” Jack asked.
    Did he want the truth? I opened my mouth to respond, but I was cut off before I had the chance.
    “She’s lucky to have such a great boss.” I turned to see the source of those words, and Cole himself stood behind his father.
    Holy. Fucking. Hell.
    He was gorgeous in the tuxedo I’d picked up for him. He was freshly shaven and his hair was neatly groomed, as if he’d gone for a haircut that morning. His dark eyes burned into mine, and his date possessively clutched his arm a little tighter.
    I pressed my lips together. “Mr. Benson, I’d like to introduce you to my husband, John.” I motioned to John, who stood to shake Cole’s hand.
    My husband shaking the hand of the man who I lusted after struck me as incredibly odd.
    “Good to meet you,” Cole said, and then he ushered the blonde to an empty seat across the table from us and he sat beside her. Interesting that he hadn’t taken the time to introduce her to me.
    The emcee, who happened to be professional baseball player Cody Moretti, took the microphone. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” he said. “Thank you for your attendance tonight. Please take your seats as dinner will be served shortly. During the dessert course, we’ll hear from Benson Industries’ new CEO, Cole Benson. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Jack Benson on his retirement. Jack, where are you?”
    Jack stood beside me, and the room exploded in applause. “Jack, tonight’s about charity, but it’s also about having a good time. So everyone, raise your drinks high in the air. Every time someone says ‘congratulations’ tonight, Jack has to take a drink. So, Jack, congratulations.”
    Jack smiled and waved, and then he took a sip from his tumbler.
    “Congratulations on a long and successful career, and congratulations on your retirement.”
    Jack took two more drinks and then held up his hands in surrender, causing a smattering of laughter in the room.
    Cody laughed. “I’ll stop, but I’m sure you’ll hear it a few more times tonight. Enjoy your dinner and your evening, everyone, and please remember that the silent auction tonight benefits One Heart One Way of Los Angeles. Open those pocketbooks and show us your generosity. Have a great night.” Cody stepped down to applause, and the servers placed our salad plates down immediately. 
    Jack entertained us with stories about his years at the wheel of Benson Industries, and I couldn’t help shooting quick glances across the table at Cole. Jack was hilarious, and the laughter at our table was raucous. I kept looking at Cole because I wasn’t used to seeing him smile. I wasn’t used to seeing him have a good time.
    I was used to being treated like shit because he was in a perpetual sour mood.
    But I caught him smiling as he listened to his father, and then I caught him looking back at me. His smile faded when our eyes met. He looked away first, back toward his father, but I couldn’t help but wonder about that little moment.
    I tried to avoid looking in his direction, but it was nearly impossible. My eyes were drawn to him involuntarily.
    After the dinner course, Jack excused himself and moved across the room toward the microphone.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you. Thank you for your support of Benson Industries and of One Heart One Way. Thank you for your continued charity and for celebrating here with us tonight. Each year, I’ve given a speech at this event where I discuss both Benson and One Heart, but tonight, I’m handing over the reins to someone else. I’m so proud of my son. He’s managed to make a smooth transition so far, and I know he’s going to revitalize the company and create more success than I ever could have imagined. Please welcome the new Chief Executive Officer of Benson Industries, Mr. Cole Benson.”
    I clapped along with the rest of the attendees in the room. Cole’s