Moments
Chapter 1
Ben watched Ciara as she slept in her hospital bed. His mind kept racing between his thoughts and feelings for Ciara and his disbelief about what his sister had attempted to do. He couldn't believe that he had almost killed his sister Jordan. The rage that ran through his body as he fought with her to keep her from hurting Ciara, the woman he loved with all of his being. He loved his sister, he had practically been raised by her and yet he had almost killed her because of what she had tried to do. The raging monster whom he thought he had buried deep had come back to the surface. He was terrified that one day he may find a reason to be enraged toward Ciara and try to kill her. He couldn't risk it. As much as it would break his heart, he knew what he had to do. He had to break up with Ciara. It was the only way to keep her safe from the monster he had the potential to be.
Ciara stirred in her bed and opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Ben and began to smile. Ben…he had saved her life, again. Ciara reached out her hand toward Ben. "Hey," she said.
"Hey, yourself Beautiful," Ben responded with a sexy half grin and then reached out his own hand to clasp hers and then kiss the knuckles. God she's beautiful Ben thought to himself. He wished with all of his soul that he was worthy of being in her presence, of receiving the love the she was offering him the chance to have. He just couldn't risk her safety. He loved her too much to run the risk of hurting her or ending her life. He just couldn't.
"Ben, I can't wait to get out of here so that we can be alone. I am so done with being cooped up in this hospital room," Ciara stated.
"I want that too Ciara, more than anything," Ben claimed, pulling his hand away, "but that's not going to happen. Ciara, I'm not good for you. I almost killed my sister and I love my sister! What she did to me brought the monster that will always be a part of me back and I can't risk having that monster hurt you. I care and love you too much to let that happen. I'm sorry Ciara, but this has to be goodbye," Ben firmly stated.
"Ben please, no," Ciara cried! "You can't do this to us, I know in my heart that you would never hurt me. I love you," Ciara screeched as the tears began to fall down her cheeks.
Ben stood and began to bend down toward Ciara. "I'm sorry it has to be this way," he whispered, bending down to press his lips to hers one last time. Ben poured all of the love that he felt for her into this meeting of their mouths, breathing in her essence to take with him so that it would last the rest of his lifetime. He savored the last brush of her lips against his before turning around and walking out of Ciara's room.
Ciara touched her lips where Ben had just kissed her and began to sob. This could not be happening she thought. Not after all that they had been through. She was not giving up on them being together, not without a fight. Ciara knew that Ben loved her, and she loved him in return. She was not going to turn her back on him. Not when she knew he needed her more than ever.