by Haley Travis
I nodded, staring into my coffee mug as if it were a crystal ball. “I guess so.”
“Chelsea, men have to deal with shy women all the time. We don’t mean to be pushy, but we want to help people break out of their shells. So by being encouraging, he thought he was doing the right thing and helping you grow. Do you see what I mean?”
I nodded again. “I guess I could see that.”
“He would never want to upset you. You’re an amazing catch. A nice, talented girl who actually understands his business. That’s a bonus.”
Shaking my head, I forced myself to attempt to be logical.
“Wait a second.” Dale looked at me strangely. “You said you guys had a photoshoot at his friend’s hotel.”
“Yes.”
“The two of you together. In a room with a giant bed.” His left eyebrow raised as he gave me a pointed look. “Precisely what else happened?”
My cheeks were flaming. “Not, you know. That. Not exactly.”
Dale reached out to give my hand a pat on the table. “You want my help. Exactly what happened?”
I couldn’t look him in the eye. “Just kissing. And… Um, his hands on me. But he promised to keep his pants on.”
When I finally snuck a look, Dale was nodding. “So he took care of you, asking nothing in return?”
“Yes.”
“Wow. Impressive.”
Closing my eyes tightly, I whispered, “He said that he needed to see my face. When I… You know.”
I looked up to see Dale absolutely grinning. “Chelsea, that’s romantic as hell. You call that guy. He adores you.”
“But he could never be my public boyfriend. And I don’t think I could be a secret girlfriend. That just makes everything seem dirty.”
“You’ve already been a bit dirty,” Dale laughed. “Chelsea, if he treats you well, and puts your pleasure above his own, it sounds like he’s a nice guy. At the very least, why don’t you date him for a month and see what happens?”
“Because he said he’s already falling for me.”
Dale threw up his hands. “What’s wrong with you? Go to the man.”
“But what if his clients judge him for being with the intern? I bet a lot of guys go through a lot of interns.”
“I guarantee, if he has you around, you will be his real assistant.”
I stared at him. “Do you really think I can be both?”
Dale shrugged. “Who knows? Nothing is carved in stone, especially when everything is so new.”
“I suppose.” I was staring off into space again, when I looked up to see Dale looking at me strangely.
“You’re already in love with him.”
My eyes snapped closed and he must have been able to see my discomfort. Naturally, he laughed in my face. “Chelsea is already in love with Ben!” he howled. “Here I’d been hoping you’d find a nice guy for ages, and you go out and fall in love with the first guy you kiss.”
I reached out to smack his hand on the table. “Shut up.”
He didn’t, still laughing at me. Then suddenly Dale grew quiet, picking up my hand and holding it sweetly. “Chelsea, do you love him enough to let him be your first?”
This time I couldn’t turn my eyes away from his. “Yes. I do.”
“Good,” he said, giving my hand a squeeze before releasing it. “Take your time, listen to your gut, and all that good stuff. But when you get there, you’ll just know if he’s the one.”
“I think he is,” I said quietly.
“Don’t you have to go pick up your graduation paperwork today?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Didn’t you say you had to be there before five o’clock?”
“Oh – yikes.”
“Come on, I’ll drive you.”
***
Paperwork in hand, it was strange that I was officially finished with school. Dale hugged me as soon as I was outside, swinging me around. “You did it, you crazy weirdo,” he grinned.
Then he turned me to face in the other direction, where Ben was standing with a bouquet of flowers.
Dale grabbed my shoulders and gave me a rough shake. “Go tell him you’re already in love with him.”
“I can’t,” I hissed. “He’ll think I’m nuts.”
“You are nuts. You might as well let him know what he’s in for early on.” Dale pushed me forward. “Go get your man, or so help me, I’ll do one of my flying kicks straight at your butt.”
I couldn’t help laughing as I walked toward Ben. He looked so hopeful, so absolutely earnest.
“Hey there, gorgeous,” he said softly, handing me the flowers.
“Thank you, they’re lovely.” They were peachy-pink rosebuds, like the ones on the teacup. Holding them aside, I gave him a giant hug.
“Chelsea, I’m sorry I had to stalk you, but you weren’t returning my messages. Will you come to my place so that we can have a talk? I feel that we should start from the beginning, and find out what we want, then find out how to make that happen.”
“Okay.” His huge grin was adorable.
He led me to his car, and I glanced over my shoulder to where Dale was making a flicking gesture with his hand as if to say, “Get going.”
As soon as we walked into Ben’s lovely house, he took my hand and spun me toward him. “Chelsea, do you want to work with me?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Do you want to be my girlfriend as well?”
The way he was looking at me with such hope in his eyes made my knees quiver. “Yes.”
“And from now on, you’re going to tell me if I’m being pushy, and be open with me about what you like and don’t like?”
I nodded. “Dale pointed out that men aren’t psychic, and I probably need to be more clear.”
Ben breathed a sigh of relief. “I like Dale. He sounds like a good man,” he chuckled. Then he grew serious again. “I was talking to the Blue Truck Advertising people and dropped by their office to chat with my contacts there. The copywriter and production manager were asking where I found the perfect model for this campaign. I told him it was the beautiful girl I had just begun dating, and they were nothing but happy for me. No judgment. No sideways glances.”
“Wow,” I breathed. I was incredibly relieved, and realized that he was honestly going to take care of things. Maybe I didn’t have to worry at all.
“So the public outing has begun,” he smiled. “Are you okay with that?”
“Dale seems to approve, and really, that’s the only opinion that matters in my world.”
“Good,” he said.
Leaning in to kiss me, his delicate touch conveyed such a searing heat. A ravenous hunger. I’d never known what it felt like to have a man want me like this. It was intoxicating.
I almost whined when he finally pulled away. “Chelsea, would you like to come to the living room and we could curl up with a glass of wine? Or should we go to the kitchen and I’ll make you dinner?”
Looking up at those dark eyes, I felt absolutely exhilarated. I wanted us to be a real couple. I wanted to mark the occasion somehow. I wanted to show him that his kindness and patience meant a lot to me. And I needed to give in to what my body was craving so wildly.
“Or… Maybe the bedroom?” I whispered.
He kissed me again, pulling me against him, my breasts caressing his chest with every breath.
“Sweetheart, we can wait,” he finally whispered. “There’s no rush. I adore you and I’m not going anywhere.”
“I want to,” I nodded.
He took my hand and led me up the stairs, saying, “If you change your mind at any time, baby, just let me know.”
I wanted to turn my mind off. I wanted to stop stressing, stop worrying. I wanted to stop being so shy and nervous, and let him take over completely.
Ben was so slow, so gentle, as he turned on the bedside lamp, then pulled me into his arms. “I need you to be my girl, Chelsea.”
Looking up at him, I wound my hands arou
nd his neck. “Yes, I’m yours.”
It felt like his body heat was pouring into me, taking me over as he unzipped my dress, sliding the shoulders off until it fell down.
He grinned. “I like it when you don’t wear a bra.”
Then I gasped, his mouth already sucking against my skin as he pulled my nipple deep between his lips. He cupped my ass in both huge hands, massaging my skin as he held me against him. Then he took my nipple between his teeth, tugging gently until I squirmed.
“You’re so hot,” he murmured. “How did you get skin this soft?”
I hoped he didn’t expect an answer, as he switched to the other breast while I clutched his hair. Shuddering against his face, he circled his tongue around my tight nipple again until my stomach quivered.
I felt my panties being slid down my legs, and realized this time I wasn’t going to be the only one naked. I began awkwardly unbuttoning his shirt, then he helped me, stripping everything off as he laid me on the bed.
My eyes must have been huge as I stared at him. All of him. The tan, rippling muscles, wide chest, and powerful thighs. Naturally, I stared at his long, thick arousal, standing at attention in my honor.
“Baby, look at you,” he breathed, staring at my pale body against the dark blue bedspread.
He laid beside me, kissing me slow and deep, the heat between us almost confusing. I had to gather up the courage to slide my hand down his chest, wrapping it around his hard shaft. It was strange, but as I moved my hand along his length, I could tell that he was enjoying my touch.
I realized with surprise that his hand was already between my legs, as his thick middle finger slid inside me. “I love that you’re already drenched for me, sweetheart,” he said gently, his eyes flashing with a grin.
My body was obviously announcing what it needed. Something I’d craved for years, but wouldn’t let myself truly consider.
My thighs opened for him as he stroked my entire pussy, making my hips squirm. His kisses were silky sweet, as I opened my mouth for his tongue. My feelings for him were just as strong as all of these physical tingles.
He pulled back from our kiss, and as I opened my eyes, his hot shaft disappeared from my grasp as he moved down between my thighs. His fingers danced against my most sensitive skin, caressing and opening, then I felt the strangest sensation as his hot tongue pressed against my opening, lapping at every fold.
My gasps seemed to amuse him. My wriggling seemed to arouse him. And when two fingers finally slid inside me, his tongue flattened against my clit, licking steadily, I could feel that my satisfaction was the only thing on his mind.
It was so weirdly intimate, his fingers and tongue overtaking me completely, as my hand caressed the side of his head, drawing him in. He seemed to be listening to every little moan, watching how my hips moved up against him, adjusting his rhythm accordingly.
Then I felt the deep, warm pressure building deep inside me, almost out of my control, almost a bit frightening.
“Ben…” I gasped, as my body seized, twitching and bucking as I came hard against his mouth. Staring into those breathtaking eyes, I could see that my pleasure was delighting him.
Falling back against the bed with a gasp, he was already beside me, kissing me gently as his hands meandered across my skin, my stomach, my breasts, my throat. Reaching down, I took hold of his shaft again, liking the way it seemed to twitch under my grasp. Taking gentle, tentative strokes, I looked up at him with a shy smile.
My entire body was trembling with anticipation, and as he kissed me sweetly, I could feel the tension building between us.
“Tell me what you want, Chelsea,” Ben murmured. “I’ll do anything for you, sweetheart.”
His eyes were blazing. I knew he would be absolutely fine if I asked him to wait a bit longer. Somehow, this made me feel like I was absolutely drowning in lust. Knowing how intensely he was listening to me made everything alright.
“Please?” I asked, fluttering my eyelashes at him.
“Please what?” his deep voice rasped.
“Make love to me.” It was barely a breath. But it was everything.
He rolled over to reach into his nightstand, and I heard foil tearing. Turning back toward me, he slid the condom on quickly, then laid over me, peppering my throat with kisses as he placed the thick tip between the wet folds of my pussy lips.
He raised an eyebrow, silently asking me one more time. I nodded.
Easing into me softly, he kissed me until I was nearly dizzy. As wet as I must have been, he still moved slowly as I stretched for him. I don’t know why I found the thought of my body opening for his so sexy.
He was only halfway in when he stopped. “Is this too much for you, sweetheart?”
I shook my head.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said, his eyes tight with worry.
Whatever last lingering reservation I may have had dissolved completely. “Ben… I love you. I need you.”
His deep eyes blazed ferociously, and he kissed me with a fire I would never have believed. Slowly, sweetly, he pressed deeper, filling me completely while I trembled under him.
“I love you, Chelsea,” he murmured. “I think I’ve loved you from the second I saw you.”
He began moving inside me, sweet and gentle, creating a deep ache of raw desire that I couldn’t make sense of. My thighs were trembling, so I wrapped my legs around his waist.
“Oh, yes,” I moaned, my hips rocking against his as my body surrendered completely.
“My sweet baby,” he murmured, a deep, wet messy kiss overtaking us both as we began to move faster.
My breath became frantic, and I realized my fingers were digging into the backs of his shoulders. The pressure inside me was building, as the base of his shaft was pressing against me, hitting every nerve.
Every inch of my skin felt blazing hot. I felt like I needed to scream.
“You’re so soft, baby,” Ben groaned. “You feel absolutely perfect.”
I could have moved with him like this forever. But then the pressure inside me tightened again, like something about to snap any second.
His breath was so warm against my ear. “Come for me, Chelsea. Let me watch your eyes.”
Looking up at him, I could see his love in that deep gaze. Having his intense focus directed completely on me was an impossible dream. But it was happening.
And then I was falling, crying out, clutching him wildly as my hips thrust up to meet him harder. As the electricity flashed through me, I almost saw stars. But I also saw Ben’s delighted grin.
“That’s it, sweetheart. I love you so much, baby.”
Then I could feel his legs tense, his long deep strokes becoming jerky, and I cried out again as his eyes locked with mine. His entire body twitched as he growled, “You’re mine now, baby. Mine.”
I could feel his throbbing deep inside me as he came, clutching me desperately as he shook.
I wanted to be his so badly. I wanted to let go, and fall into his world. I hoped that I could learn quickly, so that I didn’t seem too young and inexperienced for him. I couldn’t let him down.
CHAPTER EIGHT
* Ben *
Waking up with Chelsea in my arms was the most amazing feeling in the world. But I went down to make her coffee, wanting her to be sharp with the paperwork we had to go through. I needed to make everything official as quickly as possible. When she tiptoed into the kitchen wearing my t-shirt as a mini-dress, my heart nearly burst from the sight of her.
“Good morning, my love,” I murmured, hugging her tightly.
“Good morning, my sweet boyfriend and boss,” she said, stretching up to kiss me.
I handed her a mug, nodding to the laptop at the kitchen table. “There is the first draft of our internship agreement,” I said. “I contacted a colleague who has had a lot of interns to make sure everything was more than fair.”
“Oh. Okay.” She got right to work, reading everything quickly. “Um, I guess all this seems p
retty normal? I’ve never had a job in this industry before.” Her lovely light eyes looked up at me as she bit her lip. “I guess it’s another first I’m a bit nervous about.”
Slipping an arm around her, I nuzzled her ear. “How do you feel about last night, baby?”
Her soft smile lit up my heart. “Amazing.”
I kissed her gently, then cupped her sweet face in my hand. “Thank you for letting me be your first, Chelsea. It’s a great honor.”
Her eyes dropped, and her faint blush was gorgeous. But I didn’t want to dwell on it if she was too shy to talk about it further. “Back to business, then?” She nodded quickly, sipping her coffee.
“Okay, sweetheart. I’ve had a few summer interns before, but it was always some friend’s little brother, and they were pretty awful. Now I need real help, and I know you’ll be amazing. I’ll have to write out a real job description and figure out a salary and all of that, and I know this is all backward since you’ve already been helping me and I know I owe you for that as well.”
She looked at me carefully, with a strange expression. “I can’t believe I’m really going to be working with you, and we’re in a relationship as well. So, when we’re in the studio and there are clients around, I’ll be careful to just be your assistant.”
I nodded. “Yeah. I mean, the fact that we’re together doesn’t have to be a government level secret, but people just cruising though don’t need the details.” I stroked her hair. “Don’t think for one second that I’m hiding you or anything like that. But if it’s nobody’s business, let’s just keep things uncomplicated. Is that reasonable?”
She nodded. “Yeah. That makes sense.”
“I honestly don’t give a damn what my clients think. Who I date is none of their business. I know I’m a bit older than you, and you’re a bit too gorgeous for me, but this is just the way it is.”
She shook her head against my shoulder as I slipped an arm around her. “Don’t be silly.”
