by Lila Kane
And then we heard voices.
Her breath caught and her body froze, fingers still on my bare stomach.
Our gazes locked.
“They’re here,” she said.
I swallowed and debated for a long several seconds, almost convinced we could still do this. Because my body didn’t seem to want to move anywhere away from her.
Then Libby laughed and shoved me back gently. “Ben. Come on, we have to get down there.”
“You’re killing me,” I told her, then grabbed her hand before she could walk around me. “Hey.”
She swiveled back, cheeks glowing with a healthy rush of adrenaline. “Yes?”
I gave her one last kiss, letting my tongue tangle with hers a moment before I let her go. She raced out of the booth with another laugh, and I stayed behind a minute to compose myself. I ran a hand through my hair and tried to get the rest of my body to cooperate so I didn’t embarrass Libby or myself.
Then I followed her downstairs, smiling all the way because it felt like Libby and I were finally, finally on the same page.
18
It was completely unexpected, but I was pretty sure Mrs. Dennis was in love with Ben. He charmed her and commented on her new shoes, which was a good move on his part, and then she spent more than half the movie gushing over how he looked like Gregory Peck and giggling like a little girl. She told him everything she knew about the movie, and by the end, Ben probably knew more about it than I did.
He offered to walk her out while I wound up the film, and I finished the task as quickly as I could. I was tired on my feet but completely filled with adrenaline about what might still be coming.
Ben took my hand when I reached the lobby and leaned in close to whisper in my ear. “Can we go home now?”
“Yes, please.”
I forgot all about my feet when a jolt of desire shot straight through me. It was a thrill knowing he wanted me as much as I wanted him.
I’d already been ready to let him take me in the booth, right against the wall if we had to. It was almost tempting to pick up where we left off but I knew Mr. Griffin still had to close up and I didn’t want to embarrass him.
When we got in the car to head home, Ben sat close to me, his thigh pressed to mine. His hand dropped to my leg to rub slow circles over the skin through my jeans until I was throbbing with need for him.
If I had to guess, I’d say he was thinking about our episode in the booth just like I was.
It had been the same way when we’d first met and we’d spent the weekend together. We’d been caught up, unable to see anything but each other. God, I didn’t even think we ate breakfast the next day because we’d gone for another round in bed.
We were consumed.
I squeezed my legs together where I sat, my center throbbing at the memory of what we’d done then. And what we were going to do tonight.
“Are you okay?” Ben asked.
“I’m…yeah. I’m fine.”
His fingers squeezed my thigh and he leaned in so I could feel his breath on my ear. “You set the rules tonight. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”
I choked out a quiet laugh. He thought maybe I was changing my mind? Hell no.
I grinned at him. “That’s not the problem.”
He frowned. “No?”
“I’m just having trouble waiting.”
His eyes heated, tracing the features of my face. His fingers tightened on my thigh. “I see.”
He kept his face forward, but his hand moved higher, pressing between my thighs and brushing my center. I snagged his hand.
“Almost there,” I murmured.
I didn’t think I’d want him this badly. That when I finally gave in to how I felt, in a decent frame of mind instead of with several drinks in me, that it would so powerful. The need to be with Ben was all-consuming.
I couldn’t think about anything else. Especially what he was going to do to me when we got back home.
Ben was an expert with his hands and it was almost as though I could already feel them on me.
We arrived at the building shortly after and Ben was out in a flash, thanking the driver and snagging my hand to pull me out. “To the elevator,” he said. “Right now.”
I barely had time to say hi to the doorman before Ben pulled me inside and went straight for the elevator. He shoved his key card into the slot and the doors slid closed.
Then he turned to me, eyes full of desire. “You’re not changing your mind, are you?”
I squeezed the bar behind me, my heart thumping hard. He really wanted to make sure we were doing this the right way. It was sweet, really, even though it was clear how much I wanted him.
But he needed this assurance first. So I stepped up to him and placed my hand on his cheek. “I’m not changing my mind. I know my heart, and right now this feels right. I trust you.”
He shut his eyes briefly, leaning his cheek into my palm and taking in the words.
“And I want you,” I added.
His eyes opened, locking on mine. The elevator dinged, and in a flash, he pulled me out into the apartment. There was a low lamp on by the couch, but otherwise, the only light came from the cityscape outside and the half-moon that hung over the city.
Ben stopped in front of me, watching my face.
“What?” I asked.
“You.” He smiled, stepping back for a moment to take it all in. The windows were behind me and he probably couldn’t see much more than the outline of my form. “Standing there. It’s perfect.”
Perfect. I couldn’t deny it. This moment felt pretty perfect. We knew each other better this time. It wasn’t just passion and primal instinct. Lust. We had a foundation this time, which meant so much more.
Ben moved in front of me again, taking my hand to press against his cheek once more. “This doesn’t even feel real.”
“Why not?”
He swallowed, eyes dropping. “Because I thought we might never be here again, and the idea of that… It almost killed me.”
My heart broke at those words. I could tell how hard he’d been trying and see how much he’d changed. The whole situation was different, and I saw exactly what he meant. It didn’t feel real because it was better than real.
And I wanted to savor every moment.
“Let’s go to bed,” I said with a smile.
For as rushed as we’d been in the theater, Ben seemed calm now. Relaxed and ready to take his time.
Ben’s bed was made with a soft comforter that beckoned me to lie back and relax. I turned around, about to comment on how clean everything always was even though I never saw his maid, but he was right there, standing close enough I bumped into him.
“Say it again,” he murmured. His hands touched my waist, pulling me closer so our cheeks brushed each other’s. “Tell me this is what you want.”
I smiled softly, amused and warmed that he seemed to care so much. “This is what I want.”
His lips locked on mine, his kiss as desperate as I’d felt back at the theater. It was like we were back in time and standing here all at once. That our emotions and feelings from then were tangled in now, making the whole thing that much more potent.
My fingers ran down his chest and then moved to the buttons on his shirt. I undid them and tugged it off a moment before he yanked me against him again, our bodies touching the entire way down. I felt his need for me, his erection pressing hard into my hip.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered in my ear, then ran his tongue along the shell, making me shiver. “I’m so glad I’m here with you now.”
His hands skimmed my waist and then found the button on my pants. I reached for his at the same time, and in an instant, we were racing to undress each other, unable to wait any longer.
He stepped back to remove his pants and boxers, and my gaze dropped immediately. He was a statue, a perfect god of muscle, and he was so hard, I could see veins pulsing in his cock as he strained toward me.
&
nbsp; Still in my panties and bra, I exhaled at the sight, knowing how good it was going to feel to have him inside of me.
“Your turn,” he murmured.
My lips curved. I undid the latch on my bra and slid it down my shoulders. There was something completely erotic about undressing before someone as they watched, even if he’d seen me naked before.
His eyes followed every move I made, lingering on my breasts when the bra was on the floor next to me. Before I could remove my panties, he stepped forward and brushed my hands aside.
“Let me.”
He gripped the lip of my lacy panties and pulled them slowly down my legs, crouching as he went so I felt the heat of his breath leave a trail down my stomach and between my thighs.
My breath yanked in. I stepped out of the underwear and put a steadying hand on his shoulder. He kissed the inside of one thigh and then looked up at me.
“I want you like this,” he whispered, kissing further up my thigh. He skimmed my mound, making my body shudder, and then moved to my abdomen. “And every other way you’ll let me take you.”
“Ben,” I whimpered. He was going to kill me if he made me wait anymore.
He smiled at my response and stood in front of me, letting his hand slide in front to cup me. He pulled me close and moved one finger inside my folds, just a small tease that had my legs wobbling.
I said his name again as I clung to him. “Please—”
“Almost,” he said in my ear. “Get on the bed.”
I stepped back and then sat on the bed, backing up to make room for him. Then he leaned down and braced himself over me, preparing to claim my body as his.
19
She looked like heaven on the dark comforter, her body relaxed on the smooth surface as she lay naked, waiting for me.
“Libby,” I breathed, consumed. My body cried for a release, but my mind wanted all of it as slow as possible.
I thought this day would never come, and it was even better now. She was here because she wanted to be. Because she trusted me and we were building something bigger.
I climbed on the bed, one knee between her thighs and one hand braced next to her head so I could bend to kiss her softly on her lips. Her hands ran over my shoulders and then my chest, swooping down to grip my cock.
With a sharp breath, I closed my eyes briefly, bowing to touch my forehead to hers. “Your hands are so soft.”
She continued to stroke me until I moved lower, pressing a kiss to one nipple that had hardened into a tight peak. Then I took it into my mouth, teasing it with my tongue while my free hand plumped her other breast.
She moaned, shifting on the bed at the pleasure of it. “Ben—I can’t—”
“One more minute,” I assured her, because I hadn’t gotten my fill yet. Because there were so many other places I wanted to touch and kiss her but knew it was going to have to wait.
I let my free hand wander lower, to touch her between her thighs. She spread further for me, giving me better access to make sure she was wet and ready for me. I used the pad of my thumb to rub her clit while I sucked her nipple. When I gave it a sharp nip, she gasped.
Then I slid a finger inside of her and felt how ready she was. Perfect.
I eased between both legs and poised my cock over her entrance. She grasped my shoulders again as I pressed inside of her just slightly.
“Yes,” she murmured.
I felt the same. Yes. This was right.
Her hips pushed up to meet mine, making me go deeper and deeper until I was fully inside of her, covered to the hilt.
“That feels so good,” she murmured, shutting her eyes.
I stroked into her as my heart raced, my body heating. I let myself feel every part of her, my cock pulsing inside of her as it swelled.
She pumped her hips against mine as the pace picked up and I ran my fingers over her nipples again, loving it when her lips parted at the feel.
“Ben,” she said, voice almost choked.
I knew she was close. Her body was full of tension as I speared her over and over again, driving us both to a shattering peak. She came at the same time I did, squeezing me so hard I bowed over her as the sensation overtook me.
Her fingers dug into my shoulders for a long moment, breath coming in sharp gasps, before they finally loosened.
When I looked at her, her eyes met mine and she smiled.
Fuck. I wanted her again. It was that simple. But I eased out of her and lay at her side, putting my arm out so she would curl up against me.
Her cheek was cool against my chest. She yawned and then smiled at me once more.
I shifted to grab the comforter, and she shook her head. “Please don’t tell me you’re going to make me move.”
I pulled the comforter over her. “No. You’re staying here tonight.”
Her eyelids drooped. “I can do that.”
I laughed and stroked her arm, loving the feel of her in my bed. Loving that she was here because she’d made this choice.
But I could read more on her face. Thoughts she wasn’t telling me. And that was okay. I had thoughts, too, that I wasn’t sure I was ready to share.
Like how I wanted this to be our new normal. How I was falling for her again and I was afraid one wrong move would fuck it all up.
“Close your eyes,” I said softly. “Sleep.”
“Are you staying?”
I blinked and then frowned, even though she couldn’t see me. She probably hadn’t even realized she said it until it was out of her mouth. Of course she worried that I’d leave. I’d done it before.
But I hated the note of vulnerability in her voice and that I still hadn’t fully earned her trust.
“Of course,” I said, squeezing her closer. “Just relax. Sleep.”
So she did, her breathing slowing as I watched her in the darkness. She meant so much to me, it scared me.
But I couldn’t tell her that. Not right now. I only wished there was a way for her to see I was all in.
Would staying on this course be enough, or was she forever destined to believe that I was going to hurt her?
20
When I pried my eyes open the next morning, thinking it had to be close to sunrise and far too early for me to be awake, I heard the slower. Then looked at the clock.
It was after 9 am.
And I was still in Ben’s bed.
My lips curved in a smile when I stretched, feeling sore in spots I never expected. And I was already ready for round two. Ben and I were back on the same page and I wanted more.
Last night had been even better than our weekend at the B&B.
Better because we knew each other in a different way. And because I trusted him this time.
Didn’t I?
I frowned, remembering that I’d been nervous about him not staying last night. But he was still here, in the shower, and I believed he’d stay.
We had an agreement after all.
But what happened when it was over?
I sat up and stretched my arms over my head, trying not to give in to ideas like that. We’d figure it out, just like we were figuring things out now.
I’d seen with my own eyes that Ben had changed. I knew we both wanted more this time.
I gave a small smile and got up from the bed, still completely naked, and walked to the bathroom, figuring I’d join him in the shower. As I passed the clothes we’d dropped on the floor last night, I saw my purse.
The envelope Mr. Griffin gave me was sticking out the top. Curious, I stooped to grab it. Guilt hit me because I’d completely forgotten about it.
I ripped the envelope flap and pulled out a few sheets of lined paper.
He’d written me a note.
I moved to the bed and sat on the end as my eyes roamed the pages. No wonder Mr. Griffin wanted me to come early. He’d wanted to talk to me about something.
This.
I focused and read the note, my stomach knotting with worry the further I went. Words and phrases stood out
to me, none of them good.
Got another offer. Threatening foreclosure. Just one week…
My lips pulled in a frown as my heart rate picked up. I’d been so distracted by the letter, I hadn’t heard Ben turn off the shower or come out of the bathroom.
And I was still on the bed, completely naked, feeling like I might have lost my dream.
“Libby?” Ben said. He walked to me and lifted my chin so I’d look up at him. “What’s wrong?”
“The letter,” I told him. “The one Mr. Griffin gave me last night.”
He took the pages when I held them up. “What does it say?”
“I guess the bank is going to foreclose on the property in a week. I don’t have any more time. If I want the place, I have to buy it now, which I can’t. He has another offer,” I mumbled, my stomach twisting again. “A good one. For way more than I can offer him.”
Ben scanned the pages like I had, his eyes racing over the words.
I stood, realizing I had to do something. Talk to Mr. Griffin. I needed to be there for him at the very least. I hadn’t realized how much stress he was under or how bad off his finances were.
“Libby,” Ben said as I plucked my underwear off the floor and put them on. “Wait a second.”
“I don’t have time. I need to—” I found my bra and put that on as well before collecting the rest of my clothes and my purse and turning for the hall.
I wasn’t sure what I needed to do, but I felt rushed to figure it out—to fix this before it got to the point where I could never fix it.
Ben caught up to me, barefoot and still in his towel.
“Libby, can you wait a minute? We can talk about this.”
My mouth opened but I wasn’t sure what to tell him. He’d only seen the place last night—he didn’t know how much it meant to me. “Ben, this isn’t… It’s not your problem.”
He lifted his eyebrows and folded his arms, making my stomach jolt. Fuck. I realized my mistake too late, but Ben’s face was already stony.
“That’s not what I meant,” I said, shaking my head. I shoved my hair off my forehead and then finished walking into my room to dump my belongings on my bed. “It’s just that I’ve been working for this, saving for it, for years. And I’ve done it on my own.”
