Winning Ben

by JoMarie DeGioia

  Ben’s cheeks were a little bit red. “Why do I just feel like that was a test?”

  Tammy laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m pretty sure you passed.”

  He smiled, that deadly dimple winking into sight again. “So, you kept to yourself tonight.”

  “Did I?” She thought for a second. “Seems to me I mingled just the right amount.”

  “Is there a right amount? I wouldn’t know.” His brow furrowed a bit. “I just hung around with Jake and Claire most of the night.”

  “You’re closest to him.” Tammy shrugged. “It makes sense you’d be more comfortable around him.”

  “Closest.” He looked genuinely confused. “I guess so. I do feel a little less out of place with Jake.”

  She stared at him. He really didn’t think he fit with these people? “They’re your family, Ben.”

  “Yeah.” His expression grew shuttered. “I know.”

  She stroked his arm as Lettie had, resisting the urge to give him a squeeze. “It’ll get easier.”

  “What will get easier?”

  “Family.”

  He smirked at her, his eyes twinkling now. “Has yours gotten any easier?”

  She waved a hand. “That’s a whole different deal. I’ve known them for twenty-seven years. It’s about as easy as it’s ever going to get.”

  “Hmm.” One strong hand stroked his jaw. “Interesting.”

  Did she even want to know? Yes. Yes, she did.

  “What’s interesting?” she asked.

  “You just told me something about yourself.”

  She flushed a little. “I’ve never kept anything a secret.”

  “Ah, I think you have.”

  “Yeah?”

  Nodding, he stepped closer. “You’re keeping a very important secret, Tamara.”

  She shivered as she stared into his eyes. “What’s the secret?” she breathed.

  “Just how much you want me.”

  Her whole body grew hot and her knees wobbled a little.

  “That’s no secret, Ben.”

  His eyes grew dark. “Then let’s get out of here.”

  It would be so easy to give in to what was clearly between them. To give him what they both wanted. Then why should she fight it? It wasn’t like his family was paying attention to them at the moment. And she wanted him so much she could hardly breathe. The few encounters they’d shared were clearly leading up to something pretty fantastic.

  “Okay.” She drained her champagne flute and set it down on the nearest table. “We’ll just see if you can keep all the promises in those pretty eyes of yours.”

  “Honey, you can count on it.”

  And just like that, any hope she had of staying in the friend zone melted along with her panties.

  Chapter 16

  Ben was glad Tammy was driving, because he was so hard he could barely sit in his seat. She parked behind her townhouse and let them in through the garage. That was the extent of his notice, though. His attention was fixed on her and how quickly he could get her out of that pretty lace dress.

  She stepped out of her heels and came really close to him. “I can’t believe I’m breaking my own rule.”

  “Are you sure about this?” he asked.

  If she wasn’t, he could manage to get himself back to the inn. He’d walk all the way there, if it meant not taking advantage of the romance of a wedding.

  She nodded and took his hand. “I’m sure.”

  He followed her up the stairs to her bedroom at the back of the townhouse. The lights were dim but her silhouette was enough to drive him crazy. “Come here.”

  She did, that incredible body of hers barely touching him. He cupped her face, bringing his mouth to hers for a long kiss. Her lips parted in the next second, letting him taste her. Champagne and that sweetness that was all her. Grabbing her beneath her fine little ass, he lifted her tight against him. She held on to his shoulders, and all but wrapped herself around him.

  “God, Tammy.” He slipped his hands under the lacy hem of her dress and palmed her ass with both hands. “You feel so damn good.”

  “I am damn good.” She moved to nip him on the side of his neck and he groaned. “But we have to make one thing clear, Ben.”

  He froze, and then let out a breath. “Please don’t tell me you’re not going to sleep with me.”

  She laughed, a throaty sound that stroked over him. “Oh, I won’t say that tonight.”

  He set her down on her feet but kept his hands tight on her. “Then, what?”

  “Just because we’re stepping out of the friend zone doesn’t mean this is anything more than what it looks like.”

  He looked over her, from her pretty bare feet, up those sinful legs and over the cleavage begging for his lips. When he reached her face, he saw her eyes were dark and her lips parted.

  “It looks damn good to me, Tamara.”

  She put her hands on the sides of his head and pulled him in close. “Let’s keep this light and easy, Ben. And no one gets hurt.”

  Her words cut through his horny haze a little. “I’d never hurt you.”

  She smiled and turned in his arms, holding all that silky hair up off her neck. “Unzip me.”

  His fingers fumbled for a second on the tiny zipper pull at the back of her dress, but he managed to do a decent job of revealing more of her delectable skin. “I’ve fantasized about unzipping that sexy sports bra you had on the other day.” He dropped a kiss between her shoulder blades. “This is even better.”

  She shivered and turned as her dress pooled around her feet. “Not that you don’t look good enough to eat, but let’s get you out of these clothes.”

  He shrugged out of his jacket and loosened his tie as she began to work the buttons of his shirt free. “You know, I can think of a couple of things we could do with this tie.”

  She bit her plump bottom lip and shook her head. “Oh, you don’t have to tie me down, Big Ben.” She finished with the buttons of his shirt and pushed it off of his shoulders. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  He kicked off his shoes and dropped the rest of his clothes in a pile as he urged her toward her bed. He vaguely noticed that her room was pretty. Not fussy but still feminine. Just like her.

  She stretched out beneath him on smooth-as-silk sheets, running her hands over him. “I don’t know what I want to do first.”

  “Everything, Tammy.” He grabbed one of her hands and brought it to his lips. “Everything first.”

  She gave a throaty laugh and he licked and kissed his way down her neck to her breasts. Her lacy strapless bra was a memory and he cupped her flesh. Arching, she pressed upward into his palms and he wanted to touch every inch of her at once. She tasted so sweet as he nuzzled her, puckering tight against his tongue when he took a nipple into his mouth.

  “Yes,” she breathed, running her fingers through his hair.

  He slid a hand between her thighs and dipped a finger into her. She was wet and ready. He nearly groaned. Her fingers were quick as they reached down between them and grabbed onto his cock. Her touch was perfect, and he thought he’d come in her hand if he didn’t get himself in control and quick.

  “Wait a sec.” He took her hand and gently lifted it off of him. “Condom.”

  She nodded, coming up on her elbows to watch as he fished in a pocket of his suit pants to find a packet.

  “Armed and ready?” she teased.

  “Hey, I told you I’d be prepared.”

  She nodded, her eyes hot on him as he sheathed himself. “That you did.”

  Seeing her leaning back like that, her body flushed and ready and his for tonight, made him stop and stared for a long minute. Then he covered her body again, feeling every inch of her respond as she began to purr. Reaching down to lift and bend one of her legs, he spread her wide open and sank into her.

  She clenched him deep inside, closing her eyes as she began to move against him. He braced himself on his hands, staring down at her as she took him again and
again. Damn, he’d fantasized about this. But the reality? It beat his fantasies to hell and back.

  She took everything he gave her. Fast and hard. Slow and easy. He rode her and almost came out of himself as his pleasure built.

  “Ben.” She panted in his ear, her arms wrapped around his neck. “God, Ben.”

  He thought he answered, but he wasn’t even sure when he’d buried his face in her neck. He breathed her in, sweet and hot, as he moved closer and closer to climax. She made it first, thank God. As she crested, crying out in her pleasure, he continued to move and was rewarded when she came again. Only then did he finally give up, climaxing with a shout.

  Sometime later, he wasn’t sure how much time had passed, he held her close. He was still inside of her. Still stunned by the best sex he’d ever had. She nuzzled against his throat, her body still clenching him as he let out a moan.

  “Tammy, honey.” He sucked in a breath and eased off of her. “That was almost worth the wait.”

  She hummed as she turned to face him. “Almost, huh?”

  He brushed a long strand of her hair off her face, staring into those sleepy hazel eyes. “It was amazing. Don’t get me wrong. I thought I’d die from the waiting, though.”

  She laughed, the sound light as if she didn’t have a worry in the world. Well, she shouldn’t. She’d come twice around him.

  “I wasn’t being a tease, you know,” she said.

  He nodded. “Oh, I know.”

  She blinked at him. “You know why I fought this?”

  “Yeah. I know. Do you?”

  She stretched her naked body and he didn’t hide the fact that he took in every inch of her.

  There was a smile of pure pleasure on her flushed and beautiful face. “At this moment, I have no idea.”

  He laughed softly and hugged her to him. “And we have all night.”

  “Have a few more of those condoms, do you?” she asked.

  He nodded again.

  Grinning, she pushed him onto his back, straddling his belly. “Then buckle up. I’m driving.”

  ***

  Tammy grabbed the two pumpkin spice lattes she’d bought and headed out into the autumn sunshine. Lettie was in her usual place in the courtyard, but today Tammy just nodded and kept walking. It didn’t matter that Lettie waved at her like her smock was on fire. The woman would take one look at her and see every little thing Ben had done to her Saturday night. And probably guess every little thing Tammy had done right back to him.

  Sunday they’d tangled a few more times before she finally kicked him out. Hanging around on a Sunday afternoon was way too cozy. And way too much of a couple-y thing to do. They weren’t a couple. They were friends with benefits, and heck there were some fantastic benefits with this particular arrangement. It was only a matter of time before every Chapman in Cypress knew about this, though.

  “Look at you,” Ollie said as she walked into the Sales Center.

  She held in a groan. And here we go. She stopped, making a show of looking over her pressed and usual outfit. “What?”

  Ollie came closer. “You got some!” he rasped.

  Her cheeks flamed but she held her chin high. “The wedding was just lovely, Ollie. Thanks for asking.”

  Ollie laughed, and then moved to take one of the cups she held.

  “Nope,” she said, pulling it out of his reach. “This is for Claire.”

  “Hmm. Chapmans get everything.” Ollie winked. “And I mean everything.”

  “Stop it,” she said without heat.

  “I want the details, girl.”

  She bit her lip and leaned close to him. “He totally earns that nickname you gave him.”

  Ollie’s eyes went round and he whistled. “Good for him. And for you.”

  Tammy just left him, headed for Claire’s office. Her friend was staring at her computer, twirling a lock of hair.

  “What’s up?” Tammy asked.

  Claire turned in her chair, her eyes zeroing in on the latte. “Numbers. Is that for me?”

  “Who else?”

  Tammy handed her the cup and waited while Claire took a sip and burned her lip, like she did just about every morning.

  “Ouch.” Claire touched her upper lip with one finger. “So worth it, though.”

  Tammy smiled and took a careful sip from her own cup. “Fall in a cup.”

  “So you and Ben disappeared Saturday night.”

  Tammy gave her an even look, and then leaned her hip on Claire’s desk. “Before you even ask, yes. I broke my promise.”

  Claire’s grin was bright. And very irritating.

  “Why are you smiling?” Tammy asked.

  “I just won ten bucks.”

  Tammy rolled her eyes. “What is with your family and betting on me?”

  “It’s a guy version of gossip. Which they insist they don’t do, by the way.”

  “I guess telling you not to tell Jake is out of the question?”

  “Mmm hmm.” Claire nodded. “What’s the big deal?”

  Tammy thought about her question, taking another careful sip of pumpkin spice. “The big deal is, this isn’t leading anywhere. The big deal is, this will be over before Ben breaks ground in the new development. The big deal is…I don’t know what the big deal is really.”

  “Then you really don’t care if everyone knows?”

  Tammy stood again. “Don’t go taking out an ad in the Cypress Scoop or anything.”

  “No? You don’t have a barbeque grill to sell?”

  Tammy smiled at her friend. “Thanks, Claire. You’re one of the good ones.”

  Claire’s expression was suddenly serious. “I have your back, Tammy. You were there for me when I needed you and I’ll gladly do the same.”

  Tammy’s throat grew tight. Last year, before Claire and Jake got together for good, Tammy had taken Claire to the hospital and been there for her while waiting to hear whether or not Jake’s latest death-defying stunt would do just that. It was the least Tammy could do, in her opinion. She knew it had been important to Claire, and that had taken them from work buddies to true friends.

  “Thanks, but I’ll be just fine,” Tammy said. “I know this isn’t for keeps.”

  Claire blinked at her. “Do you want it to be? You know. For keeps?”

  Tammy waited to be seized with the panic that usually came with such talk, but this morning she was just mildly irritated at the thought. It must be all those orgasms.

  “I don’t,” she told Claire.

  Claire didn’t look convinced but she was soon drinking her latte again and that gave Tammy the pause she needed to get out of her office.

  “Catch you later,” Claire said, wrapping her hands lovingly around the cardboard cup.

  Tammy left her and walked down to her office. Her sanctuary. She’d earned this. She’d been at Cypress for five years now. She started when she knew barely anything about property, escrow, listings, or specs. Mr. Forbes was a great teacher in the beginning, but when Rick came on as Sales Director she came into her own.

  Settling into her chair, she took the lid off her coffee and clicked her laptop to bring up today’s schedule. She didn’t have any tours this morning, since Rick called for a meeting at ten to introduce the new builder. Ben would probably be there as well. She let out a breath. She had to run into him fully clothed sometime soon, right? At least there would be a conference table between them. Although, knowing him, he’d sit right next to her. And probably play footsie.

  She tingled more than a little bit at that. Clicking through her schedule, she sent it to her phone for reference and closed out.

  A quick knock came at her door and she braced herself for more not-so-subtle innuendo from Ollie. Instead, Jessie poked her little blond head inside.

  “Hey, Jessie.”

  “Did you hear?” Jessie looked a little panicked. “About today’s meeting?”

  “It’s on our schedules, so yes.” Tammy turned to face her. “What’s the big deal?”
r />   “He’s going to be there.”

  “Yes, Jessie. They’re all going to be there. Be more specific.”

  “The new builder guy.” She covered her face with her hands. “I googled him.”

  Tammy hid her grin. “How naughty of you.”

  Jessie uncovered her face, her eyes round. “Not like that. Not that I know exactly what you mean, but I looked him up. Oh, he’s just so…”

  “Jessie, come on. We’re surrounded by gods among men every single day. Haven’t you grown immune?”

  Jessie clicked her tongue. “Have you?”

  Tammy let her smile show. “Touché. However, today’s meeting is all about the new builder. Let’s just try to focus on what he’s bringing to Cypress. Take notes. That should keep you busy.”

  “Yes.” Jessie brightened. “Oh, yes! I love to take notes.”

  “There you go.”

  “You know Ben will be there, too,” Jessie added.

  Tammy nodded. “Since he’s the architect on the project, that shouldn’t be a surprise.”

  “But you’ll have to sit there. With him. So close.”

  “What are you getting at?”

  Jessie waved a hand. “There’s electricity between you two. And maybe more. Lettie Fairfax says—”

  Tammy held up a hand. “And let me stop you right there. Don’t allow Lettie into your head, Jessie.”

  “But she’s always right. What if she sees that I want this new guy?”

  “Do you?” Tammy raised her brows. “Now, this is news.”

  Jessie blushed pink. “I don’t want him. I mean, I don’t know if I could want him. Or whatever.”

  “Pull yourself together before the meeting. Compile your own questions in case Rick calls for them and you’ll be fine.”

  “But what about you and Ben?”

  “What about me and Ben?” Tammy countered.

  Jessie must have read the don’t-go-there expression on Tammy’s face, because she shook her head. “Okay, okay. No more talk about electricity. Or Lettie.”

  Tammy gave a short nod. “There’s a good girl.”

  Jessie took in a deep breath, letting it out with a whoosh. “Thanks, Tammy. You’re always so cool and calm in these situations.”

  “What situations?”