Winning Ben

by JoMarie DeGioia

  “Show me,” he said again.

  She turned the wheel and the golf cart bounced a little as she drove over a curb. He hid his smile. She wasn’t as cool as she was pretending to be right now.

  “My townhouse is nestled near the outside of the neighborhood. With views of the golf course.”

  “Nice.”

  He sat up as the rows of townhouses came into view. They looked like separate residences, which appealed to him. Classic details were evident in this village as well. Columns and railings framed the porches and deep eaves gave the homes a rich look. They appeared to be large, too.

  “How many square feet?” he asked.

  “They range from eighteen hundred to just over two thousand.”

  “Yours is two thousand, I’m guessing?”

  She threw him an easy smile. “You know it. And an end unit, too.”

  “Got yourself a deal, did you?”

  She winked, and he thought she looked adorable as well as hot.

  “Hey, I’m tight with the developer.”

  Ben barked out a laugh. “Forbes knows how to keep his people happy.”

  They pulled to a stop in front of a large, end unit. It was a soft green with cream trim, with a glossy deep-red front door. There was a wood-and-wrought-iron bench set to one side of the door piled with colorful pillows.

  “Really nice. Give me a tour?”

  She nibbled on her lower lip, looking unsure for the first time since he’d met her. “If you want one.”

  He was tempted to press her. To get her to admit she wanted him in her house as much as he wanted to be there. She looked nervous, though. It was weird, but he didn’t want to push it.

  “Another time,” he said. “Maybe for one of your Italian masterpiece meals.”

  Her smile was quick and wide. “Maybe.”

  Maybe? From the promise in her voice, it sounded more like definitely.

  She pulled away from the curb. “How about we head over to your project site?”

  “Sounds good.”

  The landscape shifted subtly as they left the more populated part of Cypress. The wind caught in her hair, blowing it around her face and a little bit in his. It was silky soft, and he caught her scent.

  “Your site is to the west of Rick and Harmony’s neighborhood, Ben. Past the inn.”

  “That will be convenient.”

  “So you plan on staying at the inn?”

  “It suits me for now.”

  “You know, I can arrange a house for you if you like. I did that for Rick when he first came down here.”

  A house meant more roots, and he just wasn’t ready for that yet. “No, I’m good.”

  She nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind one perfect ear again. “Okay. This neighborhood will have several lots facing the lakeshore, as I’m sure Mr. Forbes showed you.”

  “We didn’t get into too many details, but he did show me on the scale model where the project would be set.”

  The cart bounced over the rough path as it made its way to Ben’s new project. He felt a tingle of anticipation as he began to envision the setting with homes and green space. He straightened, the familiar thrill of potential coursing through him like lightning.

  She stopped the cart and turned to face him. “What do you think?”

  His mouth dropped open but he couldn’t form an answer to her very simple question. For the first time since his mother died he felt that spark that had always driven him in his work. That he’d always taken for granted. His heart began to pound and he felt as if electricity coursed through his body in a rush.

  He turned to Tammy, a big grin on his face.

  She tilted her head to one side, a smile curving her lips. “I take it you like it?”

  He was without words for a long minute, and then he grabbed her to him. “God, you have no idea.”

  She felt so good against him, tucking her face right between his neck and shoulder. She was soft and warm, and he wanted to hold her forever. Longed to tell her just what this moment meant to him. This project could put him back on the path he hadn’t seen for nearly a year. Damn, it was staggering.

  “Ben?”

  There was a question in her voice. A softness that spoke of both confusion and need. Pulling back, he ran his gaze over her face. She was flushed and gorgeous and he couldn’t have stopped himself if he tried. He kissed her.

  Her lips were sweet and hot, like her. Moaning a little, he slanted his mouth over hers and teased her lips with his tongue. She opened for him, making a soft whimper as she stroked his tongue with hers. Her breasts, even in her polished professional shirt, rubbed against his chest in a way that really got him going. Damn, he was so turned on from just a kiss he could hardly breathe.

  Pulling back, he cupped her face with his hands. “Tamara.”

  Chapter 7

  She licked her lips and he made that hot little moan again. “I love when you say my name like that,” she whispered.

  Bringing his face to the side of her neck, he said it again. His jaw was a little scratchy but that only added to the heat between them. She had to stop this. She was a professional. She was giving him a tour, for God’s sake! But before she could make even a token attempt to pull away, he pressed his face between her breasts.

  “You smell so damn good,” he rasped.

  She peeked around quickly and saw there was no one around to see whatever it was he planned to do to her. She wanted to give in. Wanted him to taste her. To tease her. It was crazy, but this man was like none she’d known before.

  His fingers were quick. A few buttons undone and he bared her pretty purple lace bra. She gripped his shoulders as he pulled one cup aside to free one breast. He took her aching nipple in his mouth and suckled.

  “Oh, God.” She arched, her fingers running through his hair as she kept him right where she wanted him to be. “That feels so good.”

  He licked and nibbled as his hand trailed up under her skirt to tease the lace covering her. She felt damp. Swollen. His fingers shook a little as he eased inside of her, and she knew he was as amped up as she was.

  It only took a few strokes and she was bucking against him. Her climax tore through her and she bit back on a scream. It was way too quick and stunned her breathless.

  “Tamara,” he whispered, leaving her breast at last to press his brow to hers. “Damn, you’re sweet.”

  She opened her eyes, her breath coming fast, and stared at him. His eyes were dark and his lips parted. She bit down on her lip again. “That’s a first for me.”

  He kissed her again. “I’m sorry, but I had to touch you.”

  She blinked at him as he licked those clever fingers of his. Oh, that was hot. He was hot. And she was half-naked and nearly on his lap.

  Jumping back into her seat, she adjusted her clothes as she frantically looked around. Her pulse raced as she thought of just what might happen to her career if anyone saw what she’d just done with Ben.

  “There’s no one around, Tammy,” he said.

  She buttoned her blouse and closed her eyes, taking in a cleansing breath. “What was that?” she asked, chancing a look at him again.

  “I couldn’t help myself.” He didn’t look like he regretted it in the least, though. Not telling from the grin spread across his handsome face. “I was just so… I can’t explain.”

  “I saw it, Ben. That excitement in your eyes before you even touched me.”

  “I could see it all, Tammy.” He rubbed his hands over his face, that smile firmly in place. “Clear as day. The houses. The paths. The green spaces. The whole damn neighborhood. It’s going to be beautiful.”

  She tried to process what he was saying. This was what he did, wasn’t it? How was this project so different from his work in California?

  He was stroking her arm again, just shy of pulling her onto his lap. She couldn’t do that. Couldn’t give in again. No way.

  “I’ve never done this before, Ben. I wasn’t kidding when I said that.”<
br />
  His expression sobered a bit. “I didn’t think you were. You’re not easy. Jake wasn’t wrong when he told me that.”

  She faced him again. “Jake said that about me?”

  Ben shrugged. “He knew I was attracted to you. Hell, I’d have to be dead not to be. I think he wanted to make sure I didn’t hurt you.”

  She thought for a second. “He’s a good guy. I’m glad he’s with Claire.”

  “They both seem to care about you.”

  A warmth spread through her, gentler than the fire Ben had set inside of her, but still really nice. “Yeah. I guess they do.”

  She glanced at the front of his pants and saw his pretty impressive hard-on through the fabric. “Seems you’ve got a problem there, Big Ben.”

  He chuckled and settled back in his seat, bracing his legs apart. “I’ll survive.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  “I’ll just think about specs and plans and all the ways I’m going to change this plot of land into a neighborhood that’s environmentally responsible and a great place to live.”

  She heard that excitement in his voice again. He was pumped for the project and that was very hot, too.

  “That sounds like you’re all in,” she said. “Are you?”

  He studied her for a second and she realized in just what direction her question might be taken. “I’m all in.”

  And just what did he mean by that? Unable to resist, she leaned in for another delicious kiss, and then started the cart again.

  “Let’s get you back to the Sales Center.” She tilted her chin in the direction of his groin. “Do you think you’ll be presentable by the time we get there or should I drive around a little bit longer?” she teased.

  He chuckled. “Believe me, Tammy. If I drive around a little bit longer with you I’ll need more than a redirection of my thoughts to get back in control.”

  She dipped her head, her cheeks heating. He was so good for her ego, even if he was bad for her in every other respect. Bad for her sanity and maybe even her career, given the fact that she’d just nearly screamed her orgasm out in the open in a company golf cart.

  By the time they rolled toward the town center, her body was back in control. Her head was a whole different matter. It was all tangled up in everything he’d said. His commitment to the job was clear. As for the rest of it? She had no idea.

  “Here we are,” she said, pulling to a stop in front of the Sales Center.

  He rubbed his hands on his thighs, taking in a breath. “I want to see where this goes, Tammy.”

  “Where what goes? The project?”

  He arched one brow.

  A flutter of nerves struck her and she gripped the steering wheel. “We’re friends, Ben.”

  He shook his head. “I’d say we left the friend zone somewhere back there. What’s next?”

  “Oh, Ben. I’m not ready for whatever might be next.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She couldn’t tell him he had “forever” written all over him. He’d think she was nuts to expect that after a little foreplay in a golf cart. What was worse, she’d have to tell him that she couldn’t want anything less than she wanted forever.

  Whenever she told a guy that they either thought she was strange, or worse, that she was lying in an effort to “snag” him. It was a catch-22 and she couldn’t deal with whatever version Ben might throw her way.

  “I value my job,” she said instead. “I’m very good at it, and I can’t afford to lose it.”

  “I wouldn’t cause you any trouble, Tammy. Not on a bet.”

  He looked so sincere. His gaze was even and his smile long gone. Could she give him a chance just to see what would happen?

  She climbed out of the cart and ran her hands over her hair. Taking a quick glance down the front of her she saw she still appeared pressed and put together, except for some slight wrinkles on the front of her skirt. No one would be able to guess what caused them, though. Ben’s hands hiking her skirt up to her waist. His magical fingers on her flesh. The memory nearly made her moan.

  He stepped out, stretching to his full impressive height. He braced his hands on the awning, leaning slightly closer to her. With his head tilted to one side, those blue-gray eyes of his so intense, he was hard to ignore. He was so tempting. She never denied herself anything, did she? She found she just couldn’t start now.

  “I’m driving next time,” she said.

  He blinked at her. “But you drove this time.”

  It was her turn to arch a brow at him.

  A slow smile spread across his face. “Just name the time and place, Tamara.”

  Oh, the way he said her name. She knew her cheeks were pink but maybe that could be attributed to the ride in the warm September air.

  Unable to keep a smile off her flushed face, she sailed back into the Sales Center and bumped right into Ollie.

  “Whoa there, girl.” He pulled back, crossing his arms over his chest. “And what put that smile on your face?”

  She waved a hand. “Another great tour, Ollie. Nothing more.”

  He glanced over her shoulder and she resisted following his line of vision. She knew he saw Ben out there. That was obvious when he looked back at her with a smirk.

  “Nothing more, huh?”

  Instead of giving him another lame answer, she tweaked his nose and went into her office, shutting the door tight behind her. A little time was all she needed to process just what happened today. Ben was magic. She knew he would be. From the first second she’d seen him. He was dangerous, too. To everything she’d built for herself.

  She was prepared for whatever happened. At least she hoped so.

  “Name the time and place, huh?” She smiled to herself.

  “Sooner than you think, Big Ben.”

  ***

  Ben stared at the doors of the Sales Center long after Tammy disappeared inside. He shouldn’t have been surprised back there in the golf cart. When the heat flared so fast and hot between them. She was hesitant to go for more, though. He sure as hell wasn’t. He was still half-hard.

  Turning away, he headed for the coffee shop. It would give him something to occupy himself as he worked his mind through everything that happened. Not what happened between him and Tammy. That was for later, when he was alone in the shower with nothing but memories to drive him home. No. He was stunned by the surge of creative energy that had rushed over him out at the new worksite. He’d never felt that kind of energy before. Even with his biggest, most lucrative jobs in Santa Cruz.

  “Hello there, Ben Chapman.”

  He glanced over to see an older woman eyeing him from the courtyard. From her sweet southern drawl, he figured this must be the legendary Lettie. She was dressed like a lady gardener, with overalls and a big straw hat perched on her head. The long look she gave him almost made him feel naked.

  “Hello,” he said.

  “Lettie Fairfax, Ben.”

  She held out a hand and he took it, bowing his head a little. “A pleasure to meet you, Lettie.”

  She withdrew her hand to fan herself as she leaned back a bit. “I wasn’t wrong, was I?”

  “About?”

  “About you, dear boy. Our newest Chapman is just as steamy hot as his brothers.”

  Ben felt his face heat but he smiled at the lady. “I suppose I should say thank you.”

  “Seems to me I should be thanking you.”

  He grinned and she brought a hand to her throat.

  “Be still my heart, you have a dimple.”

  “Guilty.”

  “Hmm.” Her gaze grew thoughtful. “Seems our Tammy is in trouble.”

  At the mention of Tammy’s name, he could think of all kinds of trouble he would enjoy getting her into. “How so?”

  “I saw her with you, Ben. Just a little bit ago, actually. You spell trouble with a capital T.”

  “I would never do anything to hurt Tammy.”

  She studied him with her sharp blue eyes, her lips purs
ed. “I believe you’re sincere. But there’s no telling what a mess you all can tumble into if you’re not careful.”

  She wasn’t wrong, but he didn’t want to think about all the reasons he shouldn’t get involved with Tammy. Not right now.

  “I’m always careful, Lettie,” he assured her.

  She gave a slow shake of her head. “Now that, Ben Chapman, is a damn shame.”

  That brought a laugh out of him and he bowed slightly to her. “Good day, ma’am.”

  She waved a hand. “Go on with you. I can tell you have charm to spare but you shouldn’t waste any of it on me.”

  Nodding, he turned from her and continued on to the coffee shop.

  “Hey, bro,” Jake said behind him.

  Ben turned around to face his brother. Jake looked a little mussed and Ben figured he must have been working on his adventure trails personally. It was another thing they had in common. He liked getting dirty on the jobsite, too.

  “Hey, Jake.” He made his way back to the brick sidewalk. “What’s up?”

  Jake tilted his head at the Sales Center. “How’d the tour go?”

  Flashes of images filled Ben’s mind as he recalled how sweet it was holding Tammy in his arms as she came apart. He cleared his throat. “Good.”

  Jake nodded. “You know, you should take one of Ty’s eco-tours.”

  That perked up Ben’s ears. “Eco-tours?”

  “Yeah, you know. Tamed wilderness stuff. He’s the one for it, too. Guy’s a damn wild-animal whisperer.”

  “Hmm. He works at the Institute, right?”

  Jake nodded, shoving his hands in the front of his cargo shorts. “Yeah, but he doesn’t spend much time there. He’s a field guy.”

  “Sounds like a man after my own heart.”

  Jake grinned. “That was what I figured.” He scratched his chin. “Hey, what are you doing tonight?”

  “Tonight?” He thought for a second. Not doing Tammy, he was pretty sure. “I don’t have anything planned,” he told Jake.

  “Me, Claire, Cassie and Ty are going to the tavern for dinner tonight, if you want to join.”

  “That sounds great. Thanks.”

  Jake gripped Ben’s shoulder and then gave him a pat. “Sure thing.”