The One who got Away_A Second Chance Romance

by Mia Ford

  “It’s good to see you, too. I hope you don’t mind me turning up again.” He looks a little awkward, as if he isn’t sure which is adorable.

  “Not at all. I’m glad to have you here again. Let me just sort this guy out then I’ll be at your table, and at your service.”

  Thank God.

  Chapter Nine – Ben

  I take a seat at a table in the corner of the room, not even bothering with the veranda today. I’m not here for business or networking, I’m simply here not to be interrupted so I can spend the shift with only Serena. I know I’m going to have to spend a lot of money so the manager of the club doesn’t get pissy about her spending a lot of time with only me, but I don’t mind that.

  I’ve earned this money, now is the time to spend it as I please.

  As Serena comes back into the bar and she spots where I’m sitting, her face breaks out into a genuine, warm smile. That look causes my heart stop skip a beat and again leaves me questioning my feelings for her all over again. I already know that I like her more than I have done anyone else, certainly no one that’s come before her has made such an impression on me, but what does that mean? Can I really be considering teetering into the scary relationship type territory? I guess tonight will be the only way for me to tell.

  “Hey there, Ben.” Her sweet tone almost makes me want to sing. “So, now that you’re here, what can I get for you?”

  “Can you get me some champagne? The most expensive bottle?”

  “Ooh, champagne, are you celebrating something?” She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively, which makes me think that maybe the shyer version of her is slipping away even further. At least around me. I like that she can be different with me, it means she trusts me enough to reveal something new. “May I ask what?”

  “You can, actually.” I lean back in my chair and run my eyes up her body. “I met the most amazing girl last night and we shared a phenomenal kiss.” Maybe I’m being a bit cheesy, but it looks like Serena likes it. “I’m hoping that she might let me take her out sometime.”

  “You are?” Her eyes widen in surprise. I guess I’ve thrown her now, she clearly wasn’t expecting me to actually want to be with her. “Wow that’s... I mean, that’s awesome. I think the girl you met last night would love for you to take her out sometime.”

  Yes! And with that, I know we can become something.

  Serena walks off to get my drinks and I watch her ass as she goes. I can feel another pair of eyes upon me, so I follow where they are to see one of the other, much more obvious girls, winking at me. She twirls her hair between her fingers and pushes her boobs out to me. Clearly she wants me and if I think back she might have made that obvious before, but now I’m less interested than ever. Now, I don’t want to think about anyone but Serena. To make that point obvious, I grab my cell phone out of my pocket and I start fiddling around with it, putting up my barriers.

  That leads to some work emails catching my eyes, but only for a moment. Once Serena is back, the office can wait. The business that I’ve spent my entire existence building no longer seems quite so important. I can’t believe those words have even fluttered through my head, but they have. I must be changing...

  “So.” Serena sits by my side and she looks at me curiously. “Are you going to be asking the questions tonight, or am I?”

  “Hmmm.” I act like I’m thinking about it, but really I’m not. “I think we should do a bit of both. I think we should just have some time talking.”

  “Yeah, that sounds good.” She nods slowly. “So why don’t you start by telling me more about your company. I know that you’re obviously very successful, but what is it that you do?”

  “It’s very boring,” I warn her. “I work in finance.” When she doesn’t say anything, I take it as my cue to continue. “I guess when I was in school I noticed that I was good with numbers. Much better than the other kids in my class anyway, and because we didn’t have much when I was younger I already knew that I wanted to do something big, so I decided to follow that. I decided to work with companies to restructure their finances when they get into trouble, or even before they get into trouble, just to help saving them money.”

  “So, you’re like the angel of debt,” she smiles brightly. “But you swoop in quick to stop debt becoming a problem. That’s really cool. I bet you’ve saved many asses in your time.”

  I love that she’s focusing on the cool side of what I’ve done rather than the boring side of working with numbers. Not many people get that, especially not people who I hang out with in any sort of romantic sense. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool. I like it. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved. I started with nothing and now I have a lot.”

  “That’s good. So... you didn’t have much growing up then?” She looks like she might be overstepping a mark, but she’s not. I don’t like to talk about it much but I did bring it up, and to be fair she’s revealed a lot of herself to me. It’s only fair.

  “No... my dad passed away when I was just a baby.” My tone automatically turns morose. “I didn’t ever get to know him, so I don’t know anything about him really. Mom talks about him a lot, but still... it isn’t the same as knowing someone, is it?” Serena doesn’t say anything, but her ashen face speaks volumes. “He was hit by a drunk driver while coming home from work, and left me and Mom with nothing.” I shrug sadly. “Mom worked a few jobs to keep us afloat but we still never had much. That’s why I worked my ass off to make something of myself.”

  “Wow... that’s really impressive. To have such direction and motivation, to be so ambitious. That’s so cool, I really like that.”

  I smile at her, wondering how she sees herself. I can tell that she isn’t keen on the free-spirited label, or that she doesn’t see herself that way, but that’s exactly what she is. She doesn’t have a solid plan, she doesn’t need a definite direction to go in. She’s happy to take one day at a time which is admirable to me. We’re like complete opposites. I just hope not too different.

  “What about your family? Any drama with you?” I try to make light of the situation but quickly realise how insensitive that might sound. “I didn’t mean it quite like that...”

  “No, no, it’s okay. No drama with me. It was me, Mom, Dad, and my much younger brother, Ethan, that’s all. Nothing to tell really, just a very normal, boring, small town life.” She gives me a grin. “That’s why I’m here, looking for excitement.”

  I can’t help noticing that there’s something very morose about her expression, behind all the smiles. I can only see it because I’m really looking at her. “Is everything okay with you?” I lean in and ask her quietly. “You don’t look like you’ve found your excitement.”

  She doesn’t look at me for a moment and I wonder if I’ve overstepped the mark. “You haven’t even touched your champagne yet, do you not want a glass?”

  She must be changing the subject for a reason, so I go with it for a moment. “Oh yes please. Would you mind pouring me a glass. Get yourself one too if you would like.”

  A thick silence clings to us as Serena leans across the table to pour just the one drink. I wait for her to say something, I don’t think me speaking would be the best idea for either of us. If I want Serena to open up to me I need to be patient. I can do that for her.

  “I’ve just found out that my roommate might be leaving me, that’s all. She’s been my best friend for as long as I’ve been in the city, so I’m a bit sad about it. That’s all.”

  I rub her back as she sits back down. I’m probably touching her more than is allowed – although I’m certain the manager turns a blind eye as long as no one is kicking off and the money is alright – but Serena clearly needs some reassurance right now. It must be hard for her to lose her one constant in her ever changing life.

  “That sucks, Serena, I’m sorry to hear it.”

  “I know I’ll survive it.” She shrugs at me. “But it’s just a bit of a shock, that’s all.”

  She grabs the glass of champagne and
takes a drink for herself. Actually, she glugs the whole thing back and then she leans across again to pour a drink for me. I chuckle to myself, enjoying her boldness.

  “Well, you have me as a friend now,” I say, probably in a silly way. “I’ll still be here even if your friend does end up going.”

  “Until you get bored of me...” She doesn’t sound angry about this, just curious. It’s almost as if she’s trying to work out how I really feel about her. I smile, glad of the chance to explain myself, or at least the amount I understand.

  “I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of you.” I tug her in a little bit closer to me. A chemistry circles us and it’s highlighted by the fact that we can’t do anything about it. The tension is thick, the sexuality is high in the air we’re so close but so far. It’s almost taboo which is very exciting. “There’s something about you, Serena. Something that lures me in and thrills me. I will be honest with you, I haven’t ever felt this before and I want to know more.”

  She breathes in deep, almost as if it’s gotten stuck in her throat which makes me want to kiss her even harder. Damn it, if she lets me, when we get out of here I’m going to do all kinds of wicked things to her. I’ve been patient, but now I’m starting to struggle with it and judging by the way that Serena is wiggling in her seat, she’s feeling it too.

  “I want to know more about you too,” she insists breathily. “I think you’re awesome.”

  Her hand rests on the top of my thigh for only a brief second, but it’s enough to set me on fire. She wants me. I can see it. My eyes automatically glance down at my watch and it kills me to see the time. We still have ages to go until her shift is over. Hours of flirting, of desperate sexual tension, of needing to just drag her into a cupboard somewhere and fuck her...

  It’s going to be really hard to resist, but I respect Serena enough to do it.

  “Okay, so tell me some more about you,” I say gruffly trying to talk through the thick lust in my throat. “What’s your favourite colour?”

  “Yellow,” she replies in a heart beat. “What about you?”

  “Red. Are you a dog or a cat person?”

  “Dog, definitely. I mean, I like cats well enough but I would much prefer a dog. They’re just so loyal and welcoming.”

  Okay well that’s something we have in common. It’s good to have some common ground when we’re clearly very different. It might only be a gossamer thin thread, but it’s something. “Yeah, me too. I’ve always wanted a dog. Maybe I’ll get one someday soon.”

  “That would be so cool. You should get a Pug, they’re so damn cute.”

  “Maybe I will.” An image pops into my brain of me and Serena with a dog between us, cementing us. “Maybe I will...”

  Chapter Ten – Serena

  “Oh thank goodness it’s time to leave,” I gasp as finishing time rolls around. The club empties out and I sigh deeply with relief. “I thought this shift would never end.”

  Me and Ben have been desperately flirting all night long and it’s been killing me. Admittedly it’s been a while so it doesn’t take much to put me on edge, but now I’m about ready to beg him to take me right here in the club. When I came to work tonight I had no intention of ending the night taking Ben home with me. I didn’t even think about anything past just looking at him and spending more time getting to know him, but now I know that I have to. I just hope that he wants to as well...

  “Do you have any plans now?” I ask coyly. “Anywhere you need to be?”

  “The only place I want to be is with you.” He slips his fingers through mine and gives me a knowing look. His deep penetrating eyes sends a shiver racing up and down my spine. “If that’s what you want, of course.”

  “Oh yes.” I might sound needy and desperate, but that’s exactly how I feel right now. The throbbing in my panties would never forgive me if I didn’t give into this. “That’s what I want. Shall we get out of here?”

  “Actually, just before we leave.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet. Then he takes some cash from it and hands it to me. “Here are your tips. I want to give them to you now because...” He looks adorably embarrassed as he speaks. “Because it might get weird later on.”

  I shake my head, despite the fact that I really need that money. “No, I can’t take it from you. I had too much of a good time to need your tips.”

  He rolls his eyes and laughs. “I want you to have it and I won’t take no for an answer. Unless you want me to cause a scene...”

  “No, no, I don’t want that.” I take it from him. “I’ll take it, come on let’s just go.”

  The journey to the apartment is much quicker than it was yesterday, but that’s because we know for a fact now that it won’t be the end of the night. If anything, it’ll be the beginning. The thought of what will come next is filling me up, sending delicious lightening bolts crashing through me, I can hardly wait.

  “Just be quiet as we sneak in,” I whisper to Ben. “I don’t want to wake up Jenny before her big interview tomorrow.”

  It feels funny to be the one sneaking in. I know that Jenny’s done it a few times but it hasn’t ever been me. It’s quite nice actually, I’m the desirable one for a change. We tiptoe into my bedroom, stifling giggles as we go, but the atmosphere changes from something amusing to something very serious the second we step inside.

  “You’re so beautiful,” Ben whispers as he dips his head to mine. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you all night long.”

  As his lips crash into mine and he claims me with his mouth, my heart thunders painfully. There’s nothing tender or gentle about this kiss, not like the one we had last night. It’s deep, it’s passionate, it’s everything. It brings all the desire that I’ve been trying to squash all night long right to the surface. I snake my arms around him, I grab onto him so tightly I’m probably squeezing him half to death, but I can’t stop.

  I’ve wanted this all night long as well.

  As Ben’s mouth moves down to my neck, I toss my head backwards and stumble against the wall. With something to hold me upright, I feel more confident as I knot my fingers up into his hair. His fluttering kisses spark butterflies inside me, I start to see stars, I know I’m going to lose it soon enough.

  Then Ben moves his mouth further down my body and he kisses my breasts through the top, he even brings his lips in towards my nipples for a moment before dragging the wonderful sensation even further down my body. His lips traces over my stomach, past my hips, and to the top of my thighs. Only my panties separate his mouth from where I need him most and I want to beg him to pull them down... only I can’t find the words.

  Luckily, I don’t need to. My rolling hips must do the trick for me because he hooks his fingers around the top of my underwear and he slowly, tantalisingly tugs them over my hypersensitive skin, making me gasp needily. As the lacy material comes downwards and it flicks to the ground, Ben grabs onto one of my thighs and he throws my leg over his shoulder giving him complete access to me. I try to find something on the wall to grab onto, but there’s nothing there, so I have to grab Ben instead.

  As one of his fingers slides into my dark, wet heat it feels like it’s been a long time coming. This isn’t the beginning of foreplay tonight, that’s been happening all night long. This is almost the end, I ca already feel myself teetering on the knife edge of desire. As another of Ben’s thick fingers slides into me, my back arches of it own accord. It’s almost like I have no control over my body anymore.

  “Oh God, Ben.” It’s hard to remember to be quiet when Ben has me feeling so fucking good. It’s been such a long time that I almost forgot how good it could feel. Ben has my body opening up like a damn flower already. “That feels so good.”

  I can feel Ben’s breath on my entrance and it’s almost too much to bear. He tickles my clit with each exhale and if my eyes weren’t closed and my head hadn’t fallen back I would check to see if he’s getting closer because it certainly feels that way.

  Yep... i
t feels that way for a reason because now his tongue has slipped into the mix and I fear that my groans must be waking Jenny up. But how can I help it? Those patterns he’s tracing over my nub are just too much.

  He picks up the pace and my nails claw into the wall behind me. This is heaven, it’s unbelievable, I don’t even know what to do with myself, I think I might fall over any moment. My pulse pounds against my rib cage, my veins buzz, my whole body trembles violently. I don’t think my one leg pressed on the ground can hold me up anymore.

  “I can’t take it,” I rasp. “It’s too much.”

  I don’t think Ben will listen to me because of his demanding nature, but he must be able to sense that I truly mean it, because he scoops me up in his arms and he flings me on the bed. My skirt is around my waist, my top is all messy, but I don’t care. All I’m interested in is the incredible way Ben looks and the way he has me feeling.

  Ben steps away from the bed and he tugs his trousers down. I prop myself up onto my elbows so I can watch him as he strips down. He looks so good that the sight of his thick muscular thighs almost makes me gasp again. I can see a thick erection straining against his underwear leaving me wondering what he has in there for me.

  “Nice tee shirt.” I could see that he had it on under his shirt before but now I can really see it. I don’t know the band on it but it’s still pretty cute. “I didn’t know you were a rock boy.”

  He yanks it off and throws it on the floor. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

  His abs go on forever. He’s so muscular that he even has one of those awesome V signs that goes right down into his underwear. I’ve never been with someone so sculpted before and I can’t wait to feel what he’s like to touch all over. His body is the sort that belongs on the front page of a magazine, not with me... not that I’m going to complain. If Ben wants to be here then I’m not going to push him away.

  Finally he removes the last item. He pulls his pants down and his erection springs free. I cry out in shock because he’s so huge. I have no idea what the hell I’m going to do with that... or what it’s going to do with me anyway.