Chapter 6
6
BEN
U ntil I met Iris, taking over my family business properly had been my only priority.
Now my entire mindset has changed. I’ve been thinking about interesting places to take her on dates. I find myself wondering what parts of the kitchen I’ll have to rearrange so that she can easily reach things. Last night I even re-washed some extra blankets to throw one over the back of the couch, so we can snuggle while watching a movie.
Things are moving ridiculously fast, but I don’t know how to slow down, and honestly, I don’t want to. It’s clear that Iris doesn’t want to, either.
I help her out of the truck, then take her bag as she stands in front of my house with her head cocked, analyzing it.
I’ve already learned that she takes a moment to think about things that are important to her. I suppose this means my home is important, since it’s an extension of who I am. I like that.
“I’ve put in a lot of hours on this house. I’ve always been able to. I wasn’t such a workaholic until Dad retired so suddenly, and everything was kinda…thrown at me.”
Iris turns, catching my arm with her hand. “Look. I’m just going to say it: your dad taking off without spending at least a week handing over everything properly was a lousy thing to do. I’m sorry you were put in that situation. You probably have a bunch of workmen who depend on the company, too.”
“Four teams of three guys, plus ten extras that I can call as needed.” I chuckle. “Except three of those are gals, not guys.”
It looks like Iris is forcing herself to refrain from scowling. “All of those jobs, and now your father might turn everything over to someone who has already tanked two companies?”
I lead her inside. “Dad has a soft spot for his younger brother. He always wants to believe the best of him. Aren’t you the same way with your sisters?”
She shrugs, kicking off her shoes as we enter the foyer. “Well, fair. If I gave everyone in the world two chances, I guess I’d give my sisters three. Still, if I was faced with hard evidence, that would win out over feelings.”
I set down her bag, then take the food into the kitchen. “I’ll take care of dinner while you prowl around the house.”
Her lovely lips fall open. “Really?”
“Yes. You probably want to know all about me. Knock yourself out.”
I’m pretty sure that was the right thing to say, as Iris immediately dives into my bookshelves. Apparently my collection of carpentry reference books, spy novels, and baseball history meet with her approval, since she nods, smiles, and moves on.
Just as I’m setting down two plates of Caesar salad and lemon pepper chicken spiral pasta from the deli, Iris comes down the hall with a delighted grin. “I really like that dark green tie. I left it out on your dresser – it’d be perfect for tomorrow.”
I sit close beside her, taking her hand. “Yes, ma’am. Now – does my lifestyle meet with your approval?”
“Everything I found was completely normal. And the fact that you knew I had to check you out properly…” Her smile is radiant. “Thank you for understanding that my brain and my gut need to see eye to eye on some things.”
Lifting her hand, I kiss the top of her knuckles. “You’ve never dated anyone before, angel. You should feel comfortable asking me anything. I’m an open book to you.” My eyebrow raises. “Just like I already know that you’re a bookworm.”
“You assume that just because I’m a bookkeeper?”
“Because I could tell you have a thick novel in your overnight bag.”
She bursts into laughter. “Did the weight give it away?”
“No. The square edge poking out on one side. Your hair seems very natural, so I couldn’t imagine you’d be bringing anything like a straightening iron or something. And you don’t wear a lot of makeup, so you wouldn’t need a huge makeup case. Therefore…book.”
“Nice detective work, Sherlock.”
Damn, I love her laugh. We focus on our dinner for a while, our conversation eventually getting to how our businesses are somewhat similar.
“We both want people to have nice, fresh homes.” Iris jumps up to clear the plates. “Us with greenery, you with lovely new cabinetry.” She looks around the kitchen. “These cabinets are amazing, by the way.”
‘Thank you. It was the first project I did behind Dad’s back, because I didn’t want his input.”
“Sneaky.”
“Yep. Speaking of which, what did your mother say when you said you wouldn’t be home tonight?”
Her chin drops. “She’s, um, out at a party. I left a note for my sisters.”
“Now who’s sneaky.”
We curl up on the couch to watch a movie, deciding on a documentary about birds of the rainforest. At first, we snuggle together quite innocently. I pull the blanket around her legs, then arrange her legs over my lap.
Soon Iris relaxes completely, her head fitting perfectly against the front of my shoulder.
Then we both shift at the same time, my hand slipping under her t-shirt to caress her back. The way she smiles at me is so adorable that I have to remember to breathe.
I cup her cheek with my palm. “I love everything you’ve done with my office, Iris. In just a few days, you’ve transformed my business’ look from a hand-me-down mess to a professional, successful company. When I first met you, I was simply hoping for a date. But now here you are, ready to jump in and improve my entire life.”
“I don’t think that’s at all what I’ve been doing.”
“Yes, you have. And I’m never going to stop thanking you for it.” My mouth trails a line of soft kisses along the side of her neck. “You’ve been working your sexy ass off. Why don’t we go to bed, and I can try to de-stress you?”
Studying her eyes carefully, I detect more excitement than nervousness. Another good sign.
“Good idea.” Her eyebrow quirks up. “We do have an early morning.”
“It’s a funny thing… I’m starting to care less and less about what happens tomorrow, and more about what happens when we stop worrying about things like clothing and being vertical.”
Iris smiles, standing up slowly. “And you know, I really didn’t check your bedroom very thoroughly. Didn’t even test the mattress for firmness. Weird, right?”
“By all means, let’s fix that.”
Her energy changes once we’re in the bedroom. I love that she’s twenty-four and still innocent. Love that she’s waited for the right time – the right man.
I need to be the right man for her.
I turn the bedside lamp on, using the lowest setting to create a dim glow before switching off the overhead light. I’ve always been gentle with Iris, but now my rough hands move even more slowly, snaking up into her hair and slipping up under the back of her shirt. Our lips meet in a dreamily tender kiss that instantly picks up steam.
With two shuffled steps, we’re against the foot of the bed. The urge to blurt out my deepest wish can’t be stopped. “We can stop any time you like,” I murmur, playing with the bottom of her shirt. “Or I could strip you naked and admire you while making you come.”
Her gorgeous blue eyes look up at me curiously. “You…really want to do that?”
My hands clench around her round hips. “Oh my god, angel, you have no idea.”
The atmosphere changes as my mouth angles across hers with slow, deep kisses as my thumbs dig into her waistband. I drop to my knees, pulling her leggings and underwear off at the same time. Then I kiss a slow trail around the top of her thigh before reaching behind her to unhook her bra. When I stand, pulling her bra and shirt off together, Iris shakes out her hair and looks up at me.
My breath catches in my throat as I stare in disbelief. Everything about her is perfect: every soft curve, every sweep of delicate soft skin. This is an image I’ll be carrying with me forever.
“You’re so beautiful,” I murmur, slowly trailing my hands all around her. She looks a bit vulnerable, naked when I’m fully clothed. Deftly, I toss my shirt aside.
From the way her eyes twinkle, she likes having me half undressed with her. “My pants are staying on tonight.” Scooping her up in my arms, she giggles as I lay her across the bed, then pull her to the edge and slip two pillows under her head and shoulders.
“Is it weird that I kind of like moving you around like my own gorgeous doll?”
Her palm runs along the side of my beard. “I don’t know. Is it weird that the first time I saw you, I wondered what this would look like longer and wilder?”
My lips trace slowly down her throat, then arc across the top of her breast. “Give me a few months to make sure Dad’s existing clients are happy with me. Then my beard is yours to control.”
When she laughs, I catch her lips against mine, then feel her gasp as my hands cup the bottom of her full, soft breasts. My thumbs brush across her nipples as they stand at attention.
“I feel so much for you already, Iris.”
This time I kiss her harder, deeper, lying her back as we both begin to become breathless. She gasps faintly when my hand runs lower, down her belly, between her spread legs. Her softness sends a shudder through me as my fingertips drag slowly across her skin.
“I need to make you come on my tongue, angel. Will you let me do that?”
I interrupt her firm nod with another kiss, hoping that every deep stroke of my tongue will help her taste my desire. My emotions. Let her know that I’m already falling desperately in love with her.
She trembles when I finally move away, lying her down and kneeling in front of the bed. Before she can second-guess anything, I spread her legs wide with my shoulders, then lean in to explore the exquisite delicacy laid out before me.
I feast on her soft skin, feeling her wetness growing as I kiss and suck, dragging my tongue slowly around the little button that literally swells right before my eyes.
Lost in the moment, I’m only dimly aware of her fingers in the sides of my hair and her soft moans. I’m focusing instead on every pulse, every flutter of her hips to determine which exact spot and what pressure brings her the most pleasure.
It’s clear I’m on the right track when I feel her thighs clenching around me. Then her lower belly tightens. Her fingers clutch my hair, her nails slightly pricking my scalp. “Yeah,” Iris breathes. “Ben…I…”
She is a goddess as she comes, her crease dripping on my tongue as her luscious tits heave, puckered nipples straining toward the ceiling. Her pale body quivers as the climax rattles through her, shaking her as she gasps, her eyes snapping wide open to meet mine.
After another stuttering breath, Iris collapses back with a low moan. “Intense,” she whispers. “I had…no idea…it could be so intense.”
I stand, then lift her gently, sliding her under the blankets. “Would you like something to sleep in?”
“Sure, thanks.”
I dig in the back of my drawer for a light blue t-shirt my mother gave me years ago. It's not a color I like on myself, but it’s buttery-soft. “Arms up.” She laughs as I drop the shirt over her, then pull it snugly down to cover her ass.
I wait until she’s turned away to lose my jeans, slipping in behind her wearing only my boxer briefs.
Iris turns to face me, her hand caressing my jaw again. “That was…” Her cheeks glow an adorable faint pink.
“The start of how I want to make you feel every single day? Yes. My new favorite flavor in the world? Also yes. Learning that you make the sweetest little noises? That’s a big, dare I say, a hell yes.”
She laughs, then drops her hands to drag them slowly down my chest. Before she can move south of my navel, I catch her wrists, stretching them upward. “I’m not sure where you think you’re going, cutie, but that’s for another day.”
She blinks in surprise. “Seriously?”
Snuggling closer, I wrap my arms around her, then drift my lips across her ear. “I need you to know that this is not a pickup, or a quickie, or a fling. It’s too early to talk about the future, but I want you to know that it’s…out there.”
Iris looks at me carefully. I love the way she studies my eyes. I love the way she analyzes my expression, trying to read my mind. I love the way…
I love her .
Yeah, don’t be telling her that yet, buddy-boy. You’ll freak her right out.
“Sleep, beautiful. If I hold you too tight, just push me away.”
She responds by snuggling as close as possible, our bodies molding together as she finds a spot for her head in the crook of my shoulder. I stay awake a few minutes more to revel in the feeling of my beautiful girl becoming limp, all tension draining away as she falls asleep in my arms.
This has definitely been the best night of my life. I also know it’s just the beginning.