Chapter 25
Ariana
CASA DE BENTON
“Excuse me, Miss.” A hand waves in front of my face. “Miss, did you hear me?”
There’s an elderly woman standing in front of me and I’m pretty sure she appeared out of nowhere.
I shake my head, trying to snap out of the daze I’ve been in.
“Sorry.” I smile. “What can I get you?”
She rolls her eyes, huffing, but rattles off her order anyway.
I take my time making it, not interested in pleasing her by rushing.
Once it’s done, I hand it over and don’t get so much as a thank you.
I should’ve just had Lina or Sadie cover for me. It’s just been one of those days. I keep making silly mistakes, losing focus, spacing off. It’s very unlike me.
Truthfully, I’ve been struggling getting back into the swing of things since the new year.
New Year’s Eve was amazing. I wasn’t expecting anything physical to happen between me and Cole, but he took me by surprise. He was slow and gentle and reassuring. I can’t imagine anyone else being so patient with me.
After we rang in the new year and made it back to our room, I was dead on my feet. Cole explained it was normal for me to be so tired since my body wasn’t used to a powerful orgasm. And the two glasses of sparkling wine didn’t help.
I’d planned on maybe getting in another lesson, one that he could enjoy, but I fell asleep before we could get the chance.
When we woke up the next morning, there was a pillow between us just like Cole had promised and I felt oddly disappointed he followed through with it. I think I was imagining waking up in his arms or something. I’m not sure. Either way, I didn’t bring it up and tried to act as normal as possible.
Shane cooked us all breakfast and then we got on the road and the performance was over.
The aftermath was very uneventful. It was all very normal. And I thought I was going to lose my mind because all I wanted to do was scream from the rooftops that Cole Benton went down on me and even though it was only my second orgasm, it was the best orgasm of my life.
It was like my life had completely transformed but no one else’s had and I couldn’t understand how everyone was just living life like it was mundane and average, and not full of vibrant color and miracles.
That’s dramatic, but it’s true.
That was two days ago, and today is my first day back in the shop.
After the morning rush, things slowed down, leaving only a few of my regulars scattered throughout. With nothing to do but stare at them, I’m about to pull out my book and get some reading in, but I stop. Sensing him before I see him.
Cole strides in and my heart does a little skip.
It’s only because I’m excited to see him. We’ve been texting a lot but I haven’t seen him since he dropped me off.
I just missed him, that’s all. In a friendly way. Because we’re friends.
He hits me with a devastating smile as he approaches and my stomach dips. But before I can think too hard on it, he steps into my space and presses his lips against mine.
I think it was meant to be a peck, since we’re a couple and all, but it quickly transforms when I tease him with my tongue.
It sets something off in Cole, his grip on me tightening, his tongue sliding against my lower lip, and I part my mouth for him completely.
Our kissing is frantic and feverish, like we didn’t just see each other.
My body melts into him, relishing all the defined ridges of his ab muscles. He’s so firm and solid, an impenetrable wall of a man, but for whatever reason he’s letting me practically climb him like a tree.
We never discussed our boundaries when it comes to public displays of affection, and while I think I would’ve been firmly on team no PDA, I can confidently say I’ve broadened my horizons.
His mouth moves over mine, our tongues twining in a way that feels familiar now. Everything about Cole is starting to feel familiar.
There’s a small, rational part of my brain that’s wondering who this display is for.
There aren’t many people in the shop, and those that are aren’t particularly gossipy or anything.
But maybe it’s not really for anyone, but more to keep up appearances.
Anyone could walk in or pass by. I tell myself that’s what this is. That’s all it is.
After all, word officially spread across town that we’re a couple. Shelby, Shane’s on-again, off-again situationship, told someone who told someone who told everyone because that’s small-town living at its finest.
I don’t mind that people know. What I mind is that knowing people know makes it feel more real than it is, and I wasn’t prepared for that.
I can’t decide if what we’re doing is sad—because it isn’t real—or good, because it’s giving me exactly what I wanted.
Experience. Practice. Something to awaken a part of me I wasn’t sure existed.
Eventually Cole drops his forehead to mine, his breath dusting across my ravished lips.
“I came in for a croissant. Talk about escalation.”
I laugh and take a step back before I get pulled back in again.
The goal is to appear convincing, but not to the point we look like horny teenagers sucking face in broad daylight.
Moving behind the counter, I put even more distance between us. “I’ll box up your croissant. You want anything else?”
“Surprise me.” He leans over, resting both elbows on the marble bar.
He’s dressed in his workwear, a crisp blue button-down and khaki slacks.
He looks stupidly good. Everything is perfectly tailored to his body, the linen fabric of his shirt pulling taut over his thick biceps.
His handsome face is practically a crime paired with that body.
There should be rules preventing such a combination from occurring.
It’s too much power for one person to hold.
Especially a man who’s more than aware of it.
“You like what you see, doll?” He lifts a brow, his tone teasing.
A warmth rushes to my cheeks at the same time my pulse picks up in a giddy gallop. “Maybe.” I giggle.
What is he doing to me? I’ve never been this girl. Giggly and squirmy and distracted. So, so distracted. Maybe orgasms shut off parts of the brain. Because I really can’t explain it.
I finish boxing up his croissant and get to work on making a drink. I make him one of my favorites, adding extra vanilla because he has a bit of a sweet tooth.
He takes a sip after I slide it over to him, an appreciative moan slipping out of him.
“What is this?” He takes another sip, like he’s surprised he likes it.
“Earl grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla. It’s called a London Fog.”
“I like it. I actually like it.”
I’m slightly confused. He’s never complained about any drinks I’ve made, but now I’m wondering if he didn’t like them. Or maybe he’s been trying to figure out what he likes.
“Do you always order the daily special because you’re trying to find your drink or do you just like variety?”
He shrugs, looking away as if the small crowd in the shop is suddenly fascinating. “Something like that.”
His answer is cryptic. He’s not telling me the whole truth.
Not that it’s that serious since we’re just talking about silly drink orders, but I have to admit my curiosity is piqued.
Whatever he’s hiding, I’ll find out eventually. I’m determined to.
“I didn’t stop in for no reason,” he starts. “I was wondering if you’re free Friday night.”
I nod. “I think so. But I’m closing so I won’t be free until after four.”
“That’s fine. Dinner is at six.”
“Dinner?”
“Dinner at Casa de Benton. My mother is dying to get to know my new girlfriend.”
Cole should be here any minute.
I stare at my reflection, scrutinizing my outfit. I’m assuming this will be a casual setting so I decided on stovepipe jeans and a pale pink cashmere sweater.
But if I keep staring, I’ll end up changing, and there really isn’t time for that now.
I’ve never met a boyfriend’s parents. Probably because I’ve never had a real boyfriend.
I guess I still don’t.
It’s not like I don’t already know the Bentons. Cristina comes to the shop on occasion and Bill and my dad have grown particularly close since their retirements. But knowing them doesn’t necessarily make any of this easier.
I already feel guilty enough lying to my siblings, and I’ve been staying away from my parents just to avoid the topic. But I know my mom knows. She’s texted me a handful of times asking about Cole and wondering when I’m going to bring him around.
I haven’t answered her back.
If we pull this off correctly, no one should ever find out the truth—that it’s all fake—but that doesn’t stop the guilt from stewing in my stomach.
The Bentons want Cole to get married and start a family. And Cole just wants them off his back. I’m nothing more than a decoy until he doesn’t need me anymore. Until the wedding has passed and he can resume his regular lifestyle.
A bitter taste crawls down my throat when I think about Cole going back to the way he used to be. A revolving door of casual flings that he’ll flaunt around town. People will probably laugh behind my back that I ever thought I would be the one he’d change for.
A knock rasps on my door and I open it to find Cole with a playful smile stretched across his face and a bouquet of pink roses in his hand, and suddenly I can’t remember what dark alley I was letting my mind wander through. I’m having a hard time remembering much of anything.
“Are those for me or for your mom?” I don’t want to get my hopes up. A man has never given me flowers before so it’s safer to assume that’s not what’s happening now.
He huffs a laugh. “No, doll. They’re for you. Pink roses are your favorite flower. My mom’s more of a tulip lover.”
He knows my favorite flower? I’m almost certain I’ve never told him. At least I don’t think I have.
“How do you know those are my favorite flower?”
He looks at me like it’s a ridiculous question.
“Gee, I don’t know. Maybe all the pink roses at Novel or all the pink roses you have here.
” He waves his hand at my home decor, including the faux pink roses at the center of the small dining table behind me.
“Or the fact that you buy yourself pink roses when they go on sale at Harvest Grocers.”
Well, I guess I’m a little more obvious than I thought. Or Cole is much more observant than I would’ve guessed.
He hands them over to me and I think I imagine a slight blush hit his cheeks but it’s gone before I can determine if it was real or a trick of the eye.
Cole is not a blushing kind of guy.
Our fingers make the briefest of contact in the exchange and I ignore the little zing that hits me because of it.
I’ve just never been given flowers.
And these ones are particularly beautiful. The bulbs are fully open and the petals are the prettiest shade of pink. A bit of a rare find for January.
Bringing them to my nose, I take a quick inhale, breathing in their unique perfume.
The entire time Cole is watching me, a small fascinated grin tugging at his lips.
“What’s the occasion? Are these to butter me up for something? Am I going to have to assure your parents what a nice boy you are?”
The grin softens, like it might turn into a real smile, but it never fully blooms. His eyes bounce between my face and the bouquet as he drags a hand through his hair, making him look more disheveled than normal.
“Uhh, I’m not sure.” He shrugs. “My mom asked me to pick up olive oil and I saw those and they made me think of you so I bought them. Is that…okay?”
My heart swells at the simplicity of the gesture. No grand thought. No apology. No bribe. They’re just-because flowers.
I’m forced to blink a few times to push back the burn of tears. I can’t cry, that would be silly.
“Thank you,” I whisper, suddenly feeling shy.
He gives me a slow nod, rolling his lips together like he’s not sure what to say.
“I’ll go put these in some water,” I tell him before spinning away. “You can come in,” I call out as I walk to the kitchen to grab the vase under my sink.
As I fill the vase and toss in the little packet of flower preservative, Cole wanders around my small apartment.
It occurs to me he’s never been beyond the foyer until now.
While I unwrap the bouquet from the plastic wrap and trim the stems, I hear him move about, not being the least bit sneaky about the fact that he’s snooping.
“Find anything interesting?” I call out through a laugh.
“Just this little guy,” Cole says in a weird baby voice, closer than I guessed he was.
I turn around to find Duchess in his arms looking less than pleased.
“She,” I correct him. “Her name is Duchess.”
The two look at each other, almost as if Duchess understands they’re being introduced. He gently grabs one of her paws and shakes it. “I’m Cole, but you can call me Daddy.”
My head falls back, laughter bubbling out of me. It’s all so ridiculous.
Duchess jumps out of Cole’s hold and literally runs away from him.
“She’ll come around.” He shrugs. “I’m hard to resist.”
I finish arranging the roses in the vase and set them on the counter where I can see them from the living room, and then I grab my coat and bag and we head out.
I stare out the window as Cole drives us to his parents’ house, the bare vineyards flying past us.
“Anything you want to talk about or go over before we get there?” Cole asks, breaking the silence.
I shake my head, glancing over at him. “I feel like we’ve been doing a pretty convincing job, but maybe I’m being overly confident.”
He nods. “No, you’re right. Everyone at the lake house seemed to buy it.”
I think I even bought it for a moment there.
The intrusive thought hits me in an instant and sneaks under my skin.
I know it’s fake. My brain knows that. But sometimes I think my body forgets. Because when we’re kissing and doing other…things, it feels a lot less fake.
And I haven’t forgotten that brief moment in the hallway where Cole admitted he wasn’t faking that he wanted me.
I didn’t know what to do with that information then, and I still don’t.
I sit back, silently staring out the window at nothing.
Soon enough we pass through the iron gate with Benton across the top and my nerves start to buzz.
I would be nervous if this were real, but I think I’m even more nervous because it’s not.
But as we coast up the hill and into the driveway, my stomach drops out from under me.
My head whips over at Cole and he looks just as shocked as I am.
Parked alongside the Benton vehicles is a car I would recognize anywhere. Especially because of the letter L decal on the back window.
My parents are here.