“I missed you,” he breathed against her neck, kissing the base of her throat then pulling back to look into her eyes. “Do I get to kiss you or will I ruin your lipstick?”
She grinned. “I can reapply.”
Having his lips back on hers was heavenly. His tongue was warm and sweet, melting her more with each passing swirl. He eased away, eyes still half closed.
“You sure you want to go to this release party?” She was seriously hoping he’d say no.
He groaned, tugging her tight against the bulge in his pants. “I have to. But we don’t have to stay all night.” He kissed her again.
“Am I all smeared?”
His eyes twinkled. “You’re perfect. How’d you manage that?”
“Smudge proof.”
“Impressive. You should be their spokesmodel. I’d be glad to help you prove its staying power as many times as you’d like.”
Ben watched her walk across the flat. She looked absolutely fantastic in a formfitting, gunmetal-gray sleeveless gown that tapered and swirled over all her curves. She grabbed a small handbag off her kitchen table then wrapped herself in a long flowing shawl.
He ran his hands over the purple velvet. “Very nice.” He wanted to unwrap her as though she was a Christmas gift and carry her to bed.
“It’s lined with silk.” She rubbed the smooth silver underside along his fingers.
“You’re killing me.” He leaned in for another kiss but she playfully ducked out of the way.
“I hope not, I have plans for you later.” She winked and his stomach flipped. “We’re going to be late. Come on.”
“Are you still staying at the hotel with me tonight?”
“Yes. Good thing you reminded me.” Her heels clicked across the wooden floor and she picked up a small bag from alongside the couch. “Now I’m ready.”
Ben’s cock throbbed in reply. So am I.
As their limo lined up behind the others, Ben could sense Julia’s tension level rising. She fiddled with the edge of her shawl as she craned her neck to peek out the window.
He slipped his hand under the shawl and rubbed her back. “You’ll be fine, just stick close to me.”
She nodded, still looking terrified.
Cameras were already flashing when Ben stepped out of the car. He straightened his jacket then reached for Julia’s hand. She gripped it tightly as she stepped onto the sidewalk. Her hair glimmered in the bright lights, her eyes nearly matched the violet color of her shawl. He swelled with pride from having her by his side.
They walked the long roped-off walkway heading into the building. Several reporters stopped them along the way. He squeezed Julia’s hand, giving her reassuring smiles. She stammered the first time she was asked about her dress so he helped her out. “It’s a Julia Jones original, designed by the lovely woman wearing it.”
She flushed but he could see the change in her body language—she stood taller, looking confident for the first time this evening. By the time they reached the last cluster of press she was answering the questions with ease.
Ben placed his hand at the base of her spine, loving the feel of her hips swaying as she moved. He held the door as they entered the lobby.
“How’d I do?” she asked.
“You were brilliant. I may have to take you with me to all these things from now on.”
The opulence of the ballroom was overwhelming to Julia, but Ben immediately tracked down Niles and Lizzy. By the time Julia had finished her first sea breeze, Paul and Felicity had arrived. The music was blaring and they all wound up dancing and drinking for hours. Julia couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun.
“What are you grinning about?” Ben asked.
“I should have known you’d be a fantastic dancer.”
“Well, drummers do have to know how to find the beat.”
Julia giggled. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Oh?” His eyebrows arched.
“They say you can judge how good a man will be in bed by how well he dances.”
“Oh they do, do they?” He kissed her, hard, making her think they shouldn’t stay much longer.
Julia excused herself to the ladies’ room and Lizzy and Felicity tagged along. They set their bags on the long marble counter while Felicity ducked into a stall.
Lizzy dabbed around her eyes with a tissue. “I always look like a raccoon by the end of the night, how did you keep your eyeliner from running? It’s like a bloody furnace in that room with everyone dancing.”
“Blot with a tissue then press a tiny bit of powder under each eye. Want me to show you?”
“Sure.” Lizzy looked skeptical but held still while Julia worked on her eyes.
“That’s all. It’s a trick I learned at one of the photo shoots.”
“Good trick.” Lizzy studied herself in the mirror and her expression grew serious. “You know, I really wanted to dislike you. Sheila was my absolute best friend and I didn’t think I’d ever like seeing Ben with anyone else. But you’re really good for him.”
“Really?” Julia felt her chest tighten.
Lizzy gave a small smile. “It’s wonderful to see him happy again. I’d forgotten how contagious his smile can be.”
Julia felt her face get hot. “He has a great smile.”
“Well, it’s nice to see it so often again, and you’re the cause. Thanks for that.”
“You’re welcome.”
Felicity wove slightly as she headed toward them. “What are you two on about?”
“Julia just gave me a fab makeup tip. Here. Looks like you can use a touch-up as well.”
Julia watched as Lizzy applied her technique to Felicity. She’s actually quite nice when she wants to be. It felt as if a burden had been lifted to have her approval.
Ben strode toward her as soon as they left the ladies’ room. “I was wondering where you three got off to.” He snaked his arm around her waist, holding her close.
“Just some girl talk.”
“Everything all right?” His eyes searched hers.
“Quite.”
“Good.” He kissed the side of her head, his lips lingering next to her ear. “What do you say we head out now?”
“I say that sounds like a great idea.”
“Excellent.” He guided her through the lobby, his hand rubbing small circles against her hip, a preview of the rest of their night. Julia’s heart fluttered in anticipation.
The throng of reporters still lingering outside startled her, cameras flashing. Several people moved toward them, microphones and cameras everywhere. Julia tensed and felt Ben tighten his grip on her waist. “Just stay close, we don’t have to run the line again.”
She tried to follow Ben but someone grabbed her arm, pulling her away. She froze, unable even to process the question she was being asked. Before she could think, Ben was yanking the man’s hand off her, shoving him back. “Leave the lady alone, chap. No more comments.” He led Julia straight to the limo where the driver quickly closed the door.
Even in the safety of the car she was shaken.
Ben reached out and touched her and she jumped, scooting away from him. His eyes flashed. “Hey, take it easy. You okay?”
She nodded, realizing it was just Ben and she was totally overreacting. “I’m fine, I just want to get to the hotel.”
* * * * *
Julia took her overnight bag and headed straight into Ben’s bathroom, closing and locking the door. She hung her shawl on the hook behind the door and immediately stepped out of her gown. She turned the water on and splashed some on her face, trying to focus on getting her breathing back to normal. By the time she’d finished washing her face and slipping into the silky nightgown, she felt calmer.
Ben was sitting on the small sofa waiting for her. He handed her a glass of ice water. “I’ll be out in two seconds.”
He headed into the bathroom and Julia sipped her water. She hung her dress on a hanger and folded up her shawl. Just as she se
t it down on the nightstand, he came back into the room. His shirt was unbuttoned but he still wore his trousers. He looked delightfully disheveled.
“Feeling better?” he asked as he neared the bed.
She nodded. “Lie down with me.”
His lopsided smile melted her heart. He stepped out of his trousers, tossing them over the back of the nearby chair, then shrugged out of his shirt. The sight of him still took her breath away.
He sprawled alongside her. She reached out to brush his hair off his forehead but it fell right back into his eyes. He kissed her hand then her wrist, his thumb massaging her inner arm.
She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I freaked out before.”
“It’s okay. All the press stuff is overwhelming, I understand.”
She shook her head and fiddled with the edge of the pillowcase. “It’s not just that.” She paused, not sure how to explain. “You remember my ‘no guys in the apartment’ rule, right?”
“Quite well.” His voice was soft and soothing, his eyes dark and patient.
“That was because I didn’t want to be alone with a man…after what my ex did to me.”
Ben’s face tightened. “Okay…”
She decided it was best to just say it. “He hit me.”
Ben flinched as though he’d been slapped. His fingers kept their soothing rhythm against her arm but she could see the anger on his face. “Often?”
“No. It started with him being more aggressive. Yanking my arm or grabbing me way harder than normal. He was very controlling and the physical stuff just got worse. I tried to pass it off as him not realizing how rough he was being or not knowing his own strength. And he’d just say I was fragile and bruised too easily.”
Ben’s nostrils flared, his eyes were as dark as onyx.
“One night I came home and he’d been going through my emails. He was convinced I was having an affair, which I wasn’t. He slammed me into my desk chair and started clicking open messages on my computer, demanding I explain who every male client was. I got mad and refused to do it, so he hit me.”
Ben exhaled slowly, his neck muscles visibly strained.
“I got away from him and went straight to a friend’s house. I broke up with him the next day.”
“Did he leave you alone after that?”
“No. I had to get a restraining order. He was always lurking outside the building. Once I got the police involved he got the hint. He took a job out in California and moved within a few weeks. That was almost a year ago. I knew I was safe, but I was still afraid to let anyone else get close to me.”
Ben’s gentle fingers curled around her waist. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m thankful for you. You’re the first person I’ve felt safe with in a long time. You always protect me.”
Julia looked so delicate and vulnerable Ben wanted to sweep her into his arms. The thought of anyone hurting her made him crazed. “Of course I protect you. I love you.” The words tumbled out before he even thought about them. His stomach tensed as he realized what he’d said.
Julia’s eyes were rounder than he’d ever seen them. He held his breath, hoping she wasn’t about to bolt. Instead he found her in his arms, her lips on his, her fingers sunk deep into his hair. “I love you too.” She breathed the words into his mouth.
A rush of adrenaline coursed through Ben as he processed what she’d said. She loves me too. This is real. The meaning washed over him. Her small hands gripped his shoulders as she pulled him closer. He wanted nothing more than to be inside her.
He didn’t remember searching for the condom or putting it on, all he could think about was Julia. Her scent. The feel of her skin against his. Her words echoing in his mind. I love you too.
Entering her was like coming home. She opened to him, tilting her hips as he sank deep inside her. Her warmth surrounded him, her inner muscles caressing him as they rocked together, perfectly in synch.
Julia’s body moved in fierce determination. Her legs locked tight around him, fingers digging into his back, her mouth hungry against his. She seemed as desperate as he felt to make their union complete, to share the same space, the same air, the same body. The tension was overpowering. Every fiber of his being strained to be closer to her, his cock ached with desire. He clutched at the headboard, steadying himself as much as possible as he drove in and out. Her body arched upward to meet every stroke.
She trembled beneath him, undulating as waves of passion overtook her. The second she cried out, the tidal rush of cum swept through him and he let go, pulsing with the long-awaited release.
Julia ran her hands over him, her fingers tracing his back, his neck. “You’re shaking,” she said.
“Am I?” He hadn’t noticed.
“You okay?” Her eyes were filled with what he now realized was love.
“I’m happier than I ever imagined I could be.” He kissed her, savoring the sweetness of her tongue.
* * * * *
Ben awoke early with Julia curled at his side. He loved to watch her sleep. Her full lips open, the gentle rise and fall of her breasts—he could watch her forever. His mind was still reeling from the events of the night before.
For years he hadn’t known if it was possible for him to fall in love again, and though he’d known for ages that he loved Julia, saying the words out loud made it unbelievably more significant. His heart beat irregularly. All the times he’d asked her to marry him had been in jest, but he’d known since the first time that if she’d have said yes he’d have been happy. Now he truly hoped one day the answer would be an actual yes, that she’d be his wife.
He crept out of bed and closed the bathroom door. The basket of bath supplies was overflowing with choices. He chose the honey and lavender bath beads because those scents reminded him of Julia. The bathroom air grew thick with steam as he ran water in the deep double tub. When it was nearly full, he went to wake Julia.
He bent and kissed the side of her head, knowing that if he got into bed with her they’d never make it to the bath. “Good morning.” He nuzzled her neck. She smelled even sweeter than the bath oil.
“Mmmm.” She rolled over, her warm, sleepy hand stroking his arm. “What are you doing up?”
“I thought you might want to have a relaxing morning. Come. I’ve drawn us a bath.”
Her eyes were still closed but a smile spread across her tempting lips. “A bath?”
He nodded, tracing his nose over her collarbone, his resolve to actually get into the tub waning with each passing moment.
“Okay,” she said, kissing him as she sat up. “Lead the way.”
“I’ll go one better.” He scooped her up and carried her to the bathroom.
He set her down on the tile steps in front of the tub, loving the fact that all the mirrors in the room showed her luscious naked figure.
“You sure you don’t want to go back to bed?” She ran her hand down his chest, sweeping it along the length of his cock.
“There are plenty of things you can do in a tub.”
She held his hand as she eased into the warm water. He stepped in, sitting opposite her. He slid his fingers along her leg, the silky water allowing him to glide over her skin.
“I love your hands.” She leaned back, her breasts bobbing temptingly in the gentle waves. She ran her foot up his leg, sliding it along his erection.
“I’m becoming increasingly fond of your feet.”
She laughed. All the tension from last night seemed to be gone. “So I see.” She curled her toes then slipped her foot lower, caressing his balls.
“I haven’t enjoyed a bath this much in ages,” he said.
“So you have a thing for tubs?”
“Let’s just say when I was growing up there weren’t a lot of places one could have privacy. Five siblings. Old house. No locks on any doors. Bath time was one of the few times you could count on being alone.”
“Baths, not showers?”
“I always preferred baths. Feared passing out in the shower and being found on the bathroom floor with my hand wrapped around my dick.”
“I wouldn’t mind finding you like that.” Her eyes filled with mischief. She nudged his arm with her toes, pushing his hand closer to his cock.
Ben’s heart picked up speed.
Julia dipped her hand under the water and trailed it down her body. “I like to play in the tub too.” She parted her legs, her calf rubbing against his thigh, sending pulses of arousal straight through him. Through the haze of rising steam, he watched as she inched lower, her fingers parted. She spread her lips, her middle finger circling her clit. Ben’s cock throbbed and he wasted no time wrapping his hand around it. He’d never had a wank in front of anyone and it was far more of a turn-on than he’d have imagined. Julia’s eyes were focused on his engorged shaft as he stroked. She slid her other hand over her breasts then let it slither down between her legs. He watched in sheer delight as a finger disappeared inside her.
The air hissed out of his lungs as he tightened his grip. The swollen head of his cock was deep red, the skin shining like a ripe plum. “So bloody hot.”
She moaned, her fingers moving in tandem, her breathing faster, eyes not leaving his erection. He wondered how much longer he could stay conscious. Julia’s hips tilted, her calf tensing against him, finger flicking rapidly. A high-pitched cry escaped her as her mouth fell open. She shuddered, eyes fluttering closed.
Ben increased his pace, unable to wait another second. A deep groan rumbled through his chest. Julia’s eyes were back on him, flashing with excitement. With two final strokes, the pleasure tore through him with such force he gasped. Cum erupted from him, cascading down his fist like white lava. Before he’d even finished, Julia scooted toward him, her mouth descending on his. He kissed her hard as he regained his focus. She drew back, her face mere inches from his. “I think this bath has left us both in need of a shower. And some breakfast.”
“You realize you’re my dream girl, right?”
“I’m not a dream. I’m real and I’m right here.”
Marry Me Page 8
