by Wren Mingua
Zoe was saved from further humiliation. The doors opened, and the theatregoers trickled inside. As soon as Zoe and Ben were seated, she laid her hand on his lap, on his leg. Ben grinned, pleased that she was cozying up to him.
When the show began, Zoe was immediately overcome with a case of chills. The booming baritone of Jean Valjean had her transfixed from beginning to end, and the actors performed to thunderous applause. Zoe wanted to give them a standing ovation, but she didn't want to be the only one out of her seat. After putting on such a spectacle, the actors deserved to have the audience on their feet.
Zoe whispered to Ben, "Do British people not give standing ovations?"
"I guess we're picky critics here," Ben said.
"You didn't enjoy the show?!"
"No, I thought it was brilliant." He pulled her toward him and kissed her on the head. "Now... where should we go to get some painting supplies?"
* * *
Ben had his shirt over his head before she even finished setting up the easel. Zoe had changed into her pajamas, as it would have been a tragedy to get paint on her two thousand dollar dress. When she looked over at her bare-chested boyfriend, she could feel the air sucked out of her lungs. From the waist-up, she already knew Ben was perfection. Her heart was hammering beneath her chest, pounding in anticipation of his naked body.
"So, how do you want me to pose?"
"A-any way you want," she stammered. Heat was coursing through her body, flushing her neck. With the easel ready to go, Zoe started mixing her paints. She needed a good match for his skin tone, a light beige base with a touch of bronze.
"Should I get naked now?"
"Umm... any time you're ready."
Ben pulled down his trousers and kicked them aside, then started fumbling with the waistband of his boxer briefs. Zoe stared at him, wide-eyed, bewitched by the sight of his perfect abs and Apollo's belt. If he moved closer, she would have been tempted to touch him--to lick him. After all, his chest was practically made for licking.
In one fluid motion, he rolled down his underwear and stepped out of them. He stood in front of her, completely naked, and she was a bit worried she might pass out. Her eyes were locked on his nether regions, which was a pleasantly impressive sight.
Ben raised an arm and leaned against the wall. "How about this?" he asked. "Or did you have another pose in mind?"
"It's... good." Her hand wobbled as she dipped her brush in the paint. "You, uh... you look good, by the way."
"Do I?" She was further addled by his dimpled grin. "You're so cute."
"Cute?!"
"Yeah. Your reaction... it's adorable," he said. "You're fidgeting, blushing. You would think it's the first time you've seen a naked body."
"Well, it's the first time I've seen you naked."
"And you're painting me, which means you're going to have to stare at my penis," he pointed out.
"Ben!"
"What?"
"You don't have to bring that to my attention," Zoe said. She could feel beads of perspiration breaking out all over her forehead.
"After this, maybe I can paint you?" he suggested.
"Can you paint?"
"Well... I can paint, I just can't do it well." Ben watched her as she dabbled with her paints, his gaze unwavering. "But I need some kind of an excuse to get you out of your clothes. Will you consider it?"
"Mmm..." Zoe pursed her lips. "Maybe."
"If you let me paint you, I'll let you see my butt," Ben said with a chuckle. "Tell me that's not an enticing offer!"
"I said I'd think about it."
Zoe was surprised she could concentrate well enough to produce a portrait that looked half-way decent. She painted for over and hour, and the end result was a satisfactory likeness of Ben. When she finished, she waved him over so he could have a look at it. Ben stood right next to her, as naked as ever. By that time, she had been staring at him in the nude for so long, she wasn't fazed by the fact that he was completely naked and within arm's length.
"I painted it quickly, so it's not as good as it could be," she said.
"Wow. I think it's brilliant," Ben praised her. "Is my penis really as big as that?"
"Ben!" She swatted his arm.
"Ow? What was that for?!"
"Of course that would be the first thing you'd notice," Zoe rolled her eyes at him. "The penis."
"Well, I think you did a phenomenal job. That's a smashing portrait."
Zoe set the portrait aside to dry, then loaded the easel with another blank canvas. "Alright, are you ready to paint me?"
"Um... did I hear you correctly?" Ben watched in shock as Zoe started tearing off her clothes. The shirt was first to go, and the pajama pants followed. "You really want me to paint you in the nude?"
"Sure. I got to see you naked, so it only seems fair." She unhooked her bra, and the straps slid down her shoulders. "Unless you've changed your mind?"
"Fuck no!" Ben's uncouth response made him wince. "That is to say... of course I would love to paint you."
"Good." Zoe took off her bra and tossed it in his direction. His eyes were magnetized to her bare breasts, and it wasn't long before he had the biggest erection of his life. He shimmied behind the easel in an attempt to hide himself.
"Now. uh... the knickers," Ben demanded. "I'm going to need those too."
"Of course." Zoe peeled them down slowly, over her hips, down her thighs. When he realized she was completely shaven, his eyes bulged. "Well, what do you think?"
"You look... amazing," he said, a bit breathlessly. "It's like... this is the moment I've been waiting for my entire life."
"Aww, that's sweet." Naked Zoe sat on the sofa and tried to strike an alluring pose. She leaned back a bit, laid a hand on her hip, and parted her legs ever-so-slightly. She could feel his gaze invading her, drinking in every exposed inch of her feminine skin.
"There is no way I'm going to concentrate long enough to pull this off," Ben said, his eyes momentarily flickering to the blank canvas.
"Aw, come on Ben! Give it a shot!"
Zoe's cheerleading must have helped, because Ben dipped the brush and got to painting. His paintbrush swirled across the canvas at such a rapid pace, she could only imagine what sort of monstrosity he was creating. Five minutes after starting his masterpiece, he announced, "I'm done."
"Really? Already?"
Ben turned the easel so she could see his painting, and she had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing. It looked like something a six-year-old could paint, with a round head, half-moon ears and a pig's nose. "Do you love it?" he asked.
"Wow, Ben, you're really talented," she quipped. "I didn't know you could paint a Picasso in, like, five minutes!"
"Hey! Don't be sarcastic!" Ben wagged a finger at her. "I should tickle you for that."
"Oh yeah? I'd like you to come over here and try."
Ben started moving toward her, but he stopped before he got to her. He was rooted to the spot, mesmerized by her naked body. "Zoe..." he whispered her name. "I want you. I want to make love to you."
"Oh?" Even more surprising was the fact that she wanted him too, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
"I want you more than I've ever wanted anything. I would give up the rest of my life for one night with you. I want to touch you, to kiss every inch of your body..." Ben's voice was soft and sincere. "Will you let me? Make love to you?"
"Are you sure?" Zoe rose from the sofa and moved closer. She reached out and gave his chest a gentle caress. "Are you sure you don't want to save something for later?"
"I don't think I can wait for later," Ben said with a chuckle, and with that, he scooped her off the ground and carried her to the bed. When she didn't utter a word of protest, he knew she was ready and willing. His lips scavenged the length of her body. He kissed her neck, her shoulders, her breasts. He trickled his fingers across her knee, down her thigh. When he dipped a finger inside her, Zoe let out a moan of approval.
Zoe grabbed the back o
f his head and pulled him down for a kiss. Her body writhed at his touch, her insides exploded as she smothered him with kisses. Ben positioned himself between her legs and kissed her lightly on the stomach. Three times.
"Zoe?"
"Mm?" She was so dizzy with passion, she barely recognized her own name.
"I love you."
"I love you too," Zoe said. She didn't even need to give it a second thought, because it was true. Suddenly, he was the most important person in her life. She loved Benjamin Eastham more than anyone in the world.
And he gave her the best shag of her life.
Chapter Twenty Nine
Excerpt from Zoe's blog--
The other day, I saw a girl plucking her eyebrows on the London "tube." Seriously?! She's going to poke out her eye!
When Zoe woke up the next morning, she saw Ben lying beside her, waving a flower under her nose.
"Good morning," he said, bopping her nose with the tulip.
"Good morning."
"Are you still naked?" he asked, and took a peek beneath the covers. "Oh. How delightful. I see that you are!"
Zoe reclaimed the blanket and tucked it around her body. "Well... I should get some clothes on! Go get me one of your shirts."
"Do I have to? I rather like having you naked."
"A shirt!" Zoe insisted. "On the double!"
"If I must..." Ben handed the flower to Zoe and begrudgingly made his way to his dresser. He pulled out a t-shirt with a giant Union Jack on the front and tossed it at her.
As she pulled on the shirt, she accused, "you're trying to make me a British citizen with this!"
"Everyone wants to be a British citizen, don't they?" Ben teased. "You should marry me... that should expedite the process."
"Is that a proposal, Benjamin Eastham?"
"Perhaps." There was a twinkle in his eye that suggested it wasn't entirely a joke.
"Thanks for the flower," Zoe said, tickling the tip of her nose with the tulip.
"Of course. I brought breakfast too." Ben went to the counter and held up a bag of McDonald's. "I trust you won't say no to a Sausage and Egg McMuffin?"
"Sounds good to me." Zoe climbed out of the bed and approached him with a grin. She slid her arms around the back of his neck and coaxed him down for a kiss. He lifted her off her feet, and Zoe wrapped her legs around him. Ben carried Zoe--and the McDonald's bag--to the sofa.
"I'll have you out of that shirt soon enough," Ben vowed.
"Oh really?"
"I will."
"Well, good luck." Zoe scooted a few inches away from him and started unwrapping her sandwich. Three bites later, she said, "You know, the McDonald's is different here than it is in the US."
"Different how?"
"I don't know. It just... tastes different," Zoe said, examining her egg. "It's the egg, I think."
"Is it a good different or a bad different?"
"It's just... a different different." The next time she looked over at Ben, he was practically finished with his sandwich. "Geez! You really inhaled that."
"I'm a boy," he pointed out, which needed no explanation other than that. "Anyway, Gorgeous, I was hoping you and I could take a shower together?"
"Ahhh... I see. Is that your master plan to get me naked again?"
Ben reached toward her and ran a finger across her bare leg. "The only thing you're wearing is a shirt. You're practically naked as it is."
Ben's phone made a noise, which signaled he was receiving a text. While Ben was checking it, Zoe leaned over his shoulder and read it.
To Ben: r u takin the piss? im thinkig aliens abuducted u. o well she is rather fit. i hope ur shaggin her at least
"Who's that from?" Zoe asked.
"I'm sure you could guess."
"James?"
"Exactly."
"Wow, his spelling is atrocious," she commented. "What in the world is he even talking about?"
"Look at you, spying on my texts! Naughty girl!" Ben gave her a quick and playful slap on the bum. "I just got done telling him you were the love of my life. Judging from his response, he must think it's uncharacteristic of me."
"Aww... Ben." Zoe slid onto his lap and dragged her fingers through his hair. "You really told him that? That I'm the love of your life?"
"I did." Ben laid the phone on her lap, against her knee."You can check my outbox if you don't believe me."
"I believe you." Zoe kissed his chin, which sported the slightest cleft she had ever seen. "And it's really sweet."
"Does that mean we can have that shower then?" he suggested hopefully.
"I don't see why not."
That was all the affirmation Benjamin needed. As soon as Zoe consumed her final bite of McMuffin, he whisked her off the couch and into his arms. He carried her into the loo, deposited her on her feet, and started testing the water. As soon as he found the perfect temperature, he removed his clothes and popped the t-shirt off of Zoe's head. Then he carried her behind the glass and closed them in the shower together.
She was immediately stricken by how sexy he looked when he was wet, particularly his hair. The wet strands blanketed his eyes, and beads of water dripped down his square jaw. Zoe squeezed some shampoo into the palm of her hand and started washing his hair. As the suds engulfed his head, Zoe started giggling.
"What's so funny?"
"You look like a poodle," she said, snorting with laughter. "I think I used too much shampoo. My hair's a lot longer than yours, so I guess I misjudged."
Ben wasn't in the mood for jokes, not when he had a raging hard-on. He soaped up a wash cloth and ran it across her body. He washed her neck, her shoulders, and eventually, her breasts. As he gently scrubbed her body, Zoe let out a moan.
Some of the shampoo suds were dripping over his eyes, so Ben had to step under the shower head to rinse himself off. When he moved, it meant his backside was exposed to Zoe's probing eyes. Unable to resist, Zoe dealt a little slap to his butt.
"Heeey!" Ben made a tsking noise with his tongue. "You naughty girl. You just wanted to touch my arse, didn't you?"
"Of course!" she giggled. "Who wouldn't want to slap this?" She swatted him again. "It's the most amazing bum I've ever seen."
"Bum?" he repeated with a chuckle.
"Yeah. Bum. I've been trying to sound more British lately." When he turned around, Zoe started washing his chest with her bare hands. Of course, there wasn't much "washing" going on, she just wanted an excuse to rub him down.
"You are too adorable for words. Do you know that?"
Zoe nodded. "Uh huh."
"Cheeky girl." Ben tried to retaliate by tickling her, but his hands were rendered ineffective by the water. So he pinned her against the wall and started kissing all over her face. Then he trailed kisses down her neck, across her shoulder, over her chest--
Ben scooped Zoe off her feet and coiled her legs around his body. He could feel her breathing heavily; her chest heaved against his. Ben held her against the wall and inserted himself inside her.
And they made love in the shower.
Twice.
Chapter Thirty
Excerpt from Zoe's blog--
Sometimes you think you have everything figured out, and then life throws you a curve ball.
Everything was perfect for three days. Zoe enjoyed three days of blissful oblivion, with hardly a care in the world. She was drunk on Ben's affection, which he showered on her at all hours of the day. He had her convinced she really was the love of his life, and she was starting to think she felt the same way.
Their blissful content should have been enough--until her old reservations started creeping back. It started with an email from her mother.
Zoe,
I don't know if you're even reading these emails anymore since I haven't heard from you in days. Please let me know you're alright.
I talked to your grandmother on the phone today. I would really appreciate it if you could be there for her eightieth birthday. Is there any chance you might c
ome home? When we were talking, I happened to mention your 20-year-old boyfriend. The first words out of her mouth (after she stopped laughing) were "what happened to Kyle?" You should really reconsider what you're doing, sweetheart. I know he did a bad thing, but Kyle was like a part of this family. Even my mother loved him!
I know it probably sounds like I'm meddling, and I'm sure you'll just delete this email, but I want you to know that I have your best interests at heart. You know what they say, right? Mother knows best!
"Mother knows best..." Zoe rolled her eyes as she read aloud. "Gag me."
Zoe didn't realize Ben was standing over her shoulder. When she heard him say, "What, sweetheart?" she nearly jumped out of her skin. She snapped the laptop shut, hoping he didn't see her email. She didn't want him to know about her entire family's pro-Kyle campaign.
"I-it's nothing," Zoe stammered.
Ben leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "So... I have a job interview today. I'm leaving in a few minutes."
"Oh! Well... good luck!"
"I'll bring back some takeaway. Do you have any special requests?"
"Umm... not really." Zoe kept eyeing the laptop. Even though he sounded cheerful, it killed her to think he might have read the email. "Surprise me."
"Alright." On his way out the door, Ben winked and said, "I guess we'll have to go to the States for your grandmum's birthday. And don't worry... I'll try extra hard to win them over."
"Ben!" Zoe shouted. He was out the door before she had a chance to reprimand him. He had a really bad habit of snooping on her emails.
When he was gone, Zoe reloaded her email and started writing a reply.
Mom,
I'm not getting back together with Kyle, okay??? End of discussion!!
But was it entirely true? In the deepest part of her heart, the part she had been trying to ignore, she wasn't completely closed off to the possibility of a rekindled romance with Kyle. She felt guilty for even thinking it was possible, because she knew how much it would hurt Ben.
