“Fucking hell,” he breathes when I turn. His eyes drop from mine in favour of my body. Heat burns a trail where his gaze roams my skin. My nipples pucker as if he’s touching them and even more heat descends to my core.
“Come here. I want you on this desk.”
Nerves find their way in when I notice a photo of Dad and Jenny on the sideboard, but knowing he’s the sole reason I’m here working late in the first place helps me push the concern aside. As I walk past, I lie the frame face down so I don’t have to look at them again.
There’s just enough space between Ben and the desk, so after climbing over his leg, I settle myself with my arse on the edge.
Feeling brazen under his intense stare, I lift one leg at a time and place my foot on the armrest of the chair, exposing myself to him.
He swallows and shifts a little in his seat as he stares at the tiny bit of lace stopping him from seeing every part of me.
I rest back on my elbows, my chest heaving with my increased breaths, my breasts rising and falling at a rapid rate.
He rips his eyes from my centre and runs them up my body. My nipples tighten and my stomach clenches with the desire and need to be touched.
“What are you waiting for?” I moan. My voice doesn’t even sound like my own.
“Just making sure I commit this to memory. I might need it one day.”
His words darken the mood a little, but it’s soon forgotten when he sits forward and reaches behind him to pull his t-shirt over his head.
He drops it to the floor before wrapping his fingers around the lace at my hips and pulling my thong down my legs. Lifting my arse to help him, coldness surrounds me until his warm breath replaces it.
I moan before his lips even touch me. Just the sensation of the stream of air he blows across me is enough to have me racing towards my release.
His tongue licks from my entrance all the way to my clit, my hips lift, and his arm rests across my lower stomach to keep me in place.
“Oh God, Ben,” I moan as he teases around my clit and then lower, circling my entrance but never giving me quite what I need. “Please, please,” I chant, threading my fingers in his hair and trying to force him deeper.
“All in good time, baby,” he says, pulling away and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
Standing to full height, my eyes drop to his sculpted chest and then down to his waist when he starts undoing his jeans.
Biting down on my bottom lip, I impatiently wait for what I want, what I need.
He doesn’t bother removing his jeans and boxers. Instead, he just pushes both down his thighs once he’s pulled a condom from his pocket.
My muscles clench as I watch him rip the packet and roll it down his length. “Ben,” I moan impatiently.
When he turns his eyes on me, they’re dark, hungry, and possessive.
Everything about what we’re doing right now is wrong, but it doesn’t feel that way. What we’re doing feels like the most natural thing in the world.
I whimper when he rubs the tip of his cock between my folds. I fall down onto the cold desk when he starts pushing inside me. The sensation takes over and I go limp as I enjoy everything he gives me.
My hips burn where his fingers grip tightly and the edge of the desk digs into my arse, but I don’t care. I don’t care about anything when he’s touching me.
Needing more, his hands skim up my body. One tangles in my hair, lifting me from the desk to find his lips. His tongue invades my mouth and mimics what his cock’s doing lower down in my body.
My hands run up his back before my nails scratch all the way back down. He growls and, if it’s possible, thrusts deeper inside me.
“Holy shit, Lauren,” he groans when he pulls back from my lips. “Let me feel you. Let me feel you milking my cock.”
“Oh God,” I whimper as the first tingles of my orgasm erupt within me. “Oh God, Ben!” My body thrashes about in his arms as I give myself over to the pleasure. My head drops back as wave after wave rolls through me. It’s only seconds until Ben swells inside me and I feel the first twitch of his release.
Ben pulls me tight against his chest, and we stay locked in our embrace as our heart rates decrease and our breathing slows.
I’ve no idea how much time passes, but eventually I pull my face from his neck and look up into his bright eyes. “So, was fucking me on Dad’s desk everything you thought it’d be?”
He chuckles, and his semi-hard cock stirs inside me once again. “It was everything and more, baby.”
* * *
The rest of the week continues in a similar fashion, but I keep a closer eye on everything at work after Ben’s words. I haven’t seen or heard from him, and I miss him like crazy. By the time Friday rolls around, I’m receiving sympathetic looks from everyone in the office—bar Dad, of course. He seems totally unaware of my ever-souring mood as the hours pass by.
I’m just about ready to give up hope of seeing Ben tonight until I walk towards my bed. The sight of the Post-It note on my pillow has excitement racing through me. I forget about any frustration I have from not seeing enough of him and pluck it from its resting place.
I’ll pick you up from the end of the street at 7pm. Wear something hot!
Glancing back at the clock, I see it’s already gone six. I’ve got my work cut out for me if I’m going to be ready for a night out.
Rushing to my wardrobe, I thank God for the fact that I washed my favourite dress earlier in the week, and pull it from its hanger. I place my shoes next to it on my bed and rummage through my drawers to find the other set of lingerie I bought for the weekend but never wore.
I have the quickest shower of my life before standing in the mirror, trying to get my hair dry and my make-up applied in record time.
I’m flustered but ready by five-to-seven. Grabbing my bag from the sideboard, I tuck my phone inside and go to leave the house.
“Lauren, you look beautiful. Hot date?” Jenny asks when I bump into her at the bottom of the stairs.
“J—just meeting a friend,” I stutter. She hasn’t said anything about us, but I’ve still got a nagging feeling that she knows what’s going on. Maybe she’s equally as scared of Dad’s reaction if—when—he finds out.
“That sounds like fun. I’m home alone tonight,” she says sadly. “Well, have a wonderful night.”
“You, too.” The second the words have passed my lips, I rush out of the house, not wanting to waste a second of my time with Ben.
I come to a stop at the end of the street when I hear the deep rumble of his engine pull up behind me.
“Hey, beautiful.” The smile he gives me takes my breath away, and I realise just how much I’ve missed him.
My arse has barely touched the leather when his fingers slide into my hair and he pulls me over to his lips.
“Fucking missed you, baby.” A deep ache forms in my lower stomach at his words.
“I thought maybe…”
“What?” he asks, staring deep into my eyes. I swear he can see every single one of my insecurities.
“That you’d changed your mind about us.” It comes out as a whisper because, when he’s looking at me the way he is right now, I know it’s not true. I can see everything he feels for me—it’s written all over his face. It’s equally as terrifying as it is relieving.
“Never,” he states. “You’re mine, Lauren. You’re not getting rid of me. No matter what happens, I’ll always come back for you.”
I didn’t realise I wasn’t breathing, but when he stops talking I release a long breath.
“Come on, let’s get out of here.”
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
Sitting back, I get comfortable for the drive. Ben’s hand stays firmly attached to mine as we head towards our destination.
“So…where have you been?”
“Keeping my distance. But I’ve not been too far away.” Glancing over, he winks at me.
&
nbsp; “What?”
“You’re a really heavy sleeper, aren’t you?”
“I guess. Are you telling me you’ve been with me and I didn’t know?”
“Might be,” he chuckles. “Did you also know that you talk in your sleep?”
“Yeah, Mum used to tell me that. Did I say anything interesting?” The muscles in his neck tighten and his teeth clench. “Ben, what did I say?”
“Everything I needed to hear to know all of this is worth the risk.”
“You’re most definitely worth the risk.” Lifting our joined hands, he presses a kiss to my knuckles.
“What is this place?” I ask as Ben pulls the car to a stop in front of an expensive-looking restaurant on the other side of the city.
“Somewhere I can treat you, knowing we’re safe from prying eyes.” My heart flips over at his thoughtfulness. After spending a weekend hidden inside the house and then the office, it’ll be nice to have a normal night out with him without having to look over our shoulders in case we see anyone we know. “It’s won a ton of awards for its food, so I thought it would be a good choice.”
“I’d eat anything as long as it means I get to spend a night with you,” I admit, but I instantly feel ridiculous at how cheesy it sounds.
“Stay there,” he instructs, and I watch as he jumps from the car and races around to my side. I unbuckle myself as he pulls the door open and, the second he reaches in for me, I slide my hand into his and allow him to pull me from the car. His actions are so far from the Ben I used to know—the angry, brooding teenager who hated the world around him. The man in front of me is all gentleman.
He pulls me up so I’m pressed against his chest. His breath tickles my ear as he leans in. “I think that might be the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
It takes me a moment to recall what I said, and I can’t help laugh when I do. That is, until I realise he’s not laughing with me. Lifting my head, I’m surprised by the serious look on his face. Shit, he’s not joking.
“Ben, I—”
“Stop.” I’m forced to do as he says when his fingers land on my lips. “Let’s not go there. Tonight is about enjoying ourselves, not worrying about reality.” Taking my hand, he leads me inside the restaurant.
It’s exactly as I imagined it would be. The lighting is soft and candles flicker from the centre of the tables. There are a handful of couples enjoying their meals together, and mellow music fills the space. It is by far the most lavish and romantic restaurant I’ve ever stepped foot in. I feel totally out of place.
“What’s wrong?” Ben asks when I don’t immediately fall into place behind him and the maître d’.
“It’s just so fancy.”
“It’s no less than you deserve.” Looking at all the mature couples dining around us, I feel every bit my eighteen years and totally in over my head. “We can go somewhere else if you’d feel more comfortable.”
“No. I’m just being silly. This will be amazing.” I feel ridiculous making a fuss after he’s gone to the effort of organising it. The second I saw him wearing a white dress shirt and trousers I knew I’d made the right choice with my dress, but never in a million years was I expecting something like this.
We’re seated in a cosy corner of the room, and we order our drinks. It feels like no sooner has the waiter left, then he’s back, placing glasses down in front of both of us and reeling off tonight’s specials. I try my best to focus, but other than remembering that one involves chicken and another fish, I’ve no clue what they are. I’m still too stunned with how my Friday night is shaping up.
“I feel way too young for this,” I whisper to Ben.
“Age is only a number. You couldn’t look more at home, or any more beautiful.” Sliding my chair over so that it’s closer to his, he leans in and places a kiss at the corner of my lips. “I’ve been waiting all week for this.”
“Me, too, I just didn’t know it was coming.”
Sadness washes through him once again but he doesn’t say anything.
“What’s the matter?” I prompt, hoping he’ll open up.
“I hate this. I hate having to hide. I hate having to treat you like a dirty little secret.”
“Me, too. But there’s not much else we can do.”
“How drunk were you on Sunday night?”
“Uh…” I stutter, a little shocked by his sudden topic change. “Pretty drunk, why?”
“Drunk enough to not remember what you said to me?”
I run what I can remember of that night through my head. I almost say that I don’t remember, until something hits me. Fuck, did I say that out loud? Did I really tell him I was falling in love with him? I don’t need to say any more. He sees the moment the realisation hits.
“Did you mean it, or was it the drink talking?” Casting my gaze over his shoulder, I try to figure out how to vocalise my feelings. “Don’t hide from me,” he demands softly, his fingers touching my cheek and bringing my eyes back to his. The hope in his eyes is enough to pull an honest answer out of me.
“Yes. I meant every word.”
His eyes flash with emotion before he nods like he’s made some big decision. I go to ask, but he beats me to it. “I’m going to talk to your dad.”
“You’re going to what? You can’t. He’ll…he’ll…”
“He’ll what? Really, what’s he going to do? We’re both adults. He can’t really stop us from seeing each other. Technically, we’re not doing anything wrong.”
My heart races and my hands tremble with the force of the sheer panic that rushes through me. I’ve witnessed arguments between Dad and Ben, and they’re not pretty at the best of times. I can only imagine what will happen if he does this.
“No, it should come from me.”
Ben’s face hardens. “No. I won’t let you do that.”
“What? Why?”
“I don’t trust him.”
“What are you talking about? I’m his daughter, he won’t do anything to me. It’s safer coming from me. I might be able to calm him down about it.”
“I doubt that very much. He’s going to lose his shit.”
“Then we won’t tell him yet. Let’s just enjoy ourselves.”
Ben’s face twists with uncertainty, and I know exactly how he feels. This fight between what we want and what we know is right is exhausting. “It’ll be worse if he finds out before we tell him.”
“Then we just have to be really careful.” I can tell he’s not happy about it. Neither am I, but there’s no way I’m giving up on us.
Leaning into my ear, he whispers, “You’ll have to stop screaming my name so loud.”
My face is burning red when the waiter comes over with our starters. Ben just sits and chuckles at me. It’s infectious as well as a relief to move on from our serious conversation. As much as it warms my heart that he seems to be thinking about a future for us, it also fills me with dread because I know that, as much as we might want to be together, doing so is going to involve a lot of pain.
* * *
I’m aware of new diners coming and going but I’m too consumed with the man beside me and the incredible food we’re being served to take too much notice. That is, until a shiver runs down my spine. Untangling my fingers from Ben’s across the table, I look up, but the ball of dread that’s formed in my belly already knows what—or rather, who—I’m about to find.
I try to swallow down my panic as I look up into the angry eyes of my father with another woman on his arm. But he’s not focused on me. His death stare is on the person next to me, who is currently totally unaware of the situation unfolding in front of him.
“Ben,” I whisper, not taking my eyes from my dad for a second for fear of what he might do.
“Yeah, baby? What’s—” His stare follows mine until he finds the reason for my concern. “It’ll be fine.” I’m sure he’s trying to reassure me, but it’s not working.
Silence descends as the tension grows. Dad’s anger is palpable, and
I start to think he’s going to fly at Ben at any second.
“Nick, this is a surprise. I bet Mum loves this place. Oh, you don’t seem to have brought her.”
“What the fuck are you doing?” I whisper through gritted teeth. Surely, pointing out that he’s here with a woman who isn’t my stepmum is not the thing to say right now. Ben ignores me, instead continuing his stare-off with my dad while the waiter stands with his eyes flicking between the two of them, not knowing what the hell is going on.
“What I’m doing isn’t any of your concern, boy. Unfortunately for you, what you are doing seems to have everything to do with me. Care to explain what you’re doing here with my daughter?”
“We’re—” Ben starts, but Dad’s having none of it. Marching forward, he lifts Ben from his seat and pushes him back until he’s up against the wall.
“What the fuck are you doing with her?” Dad growls in Ben’s face. “If you’ve fucking touched her…”
Every person in the restaurant turns to take in the evening’s entertainment, and my own anger bubbles over.
“Get off him.” I pull at the arm holding Ben up against the wall. I’ve no doubt that Ben could overpower him, yet he just stands there.
“Lauren, go home,” Dad demands, and it only adds fuel to my fire.
“Not a fucking chance. Get your hands off him. He wasn’t doing anything wrong.”
“I warned him what would happen if he so much as touched you.”
“Dad, please.” The waiter flits about behind me, clearly not used to this kind of situation, and I try to come up with something. “I love him.”
“You what?” It’s the first time Dad looks at me. When our eyes connect, fear races through me.
Letting go of Ben, he steps back like he’s been winded. I breathe a sigh of relief that it’s over, but I soon realise it’s only the start. Dad pulls his fist back, his eyes locked on Ben, who’s still staring at me.
Falling for the Forbidden: Forbidden Series #1 Page 11
