Chapter 9
9
IRIS
I t’s hard to believe: I’m completely comfortable walking into a man’s house, knowing I’ll be spending the night here tonight.
Ben carries the pizza to the dining room as I go into the kitchen for plates and napkins. Before he can sit down, I slip my arms around him. “Thank you. That was”…I shake my head…“incredible.”
“It was your online news show that gave me the idea.”
When I heard about the museum’s new exhibit, I thought it might be a cool place to drop by this weekend. The history of Victorian greenhouses and conservatories is a fascinating topic. But I never expected a behind-the-scenes tour from the curator herself.
Carla was so charming, and since she has two doctorates in history, truly knows her stuff. She proceeded to show us around the exhibit personally, which doesn’t open until tomorrow.
“Are you going to explain to me how you arranged that?” I ask, squeezing Ben around his waist.
He chuckles. “A year ago, I was renovating her kitchen, and she couldn’t decide between a lighter and a darker wood. She finally decided on the darker one, then the very next day we had a cancellation on a job for which we had already ordered a bunch of the lighter stuff. She didn’t mind switching in exchange for a discount, we didn’t lose a bunch of money, and the project turned out amazing.”
“Being thrifty is always very smart.”
“Anyway, she said she owed me a favor someday.”
“She was probably hoping you’d ask her out for dinner.”
He shakes his head. “No, she was seeing someone. He came by to check up on me and everything. Men often accidentally drop by when a strange man is at their girlfriend’s home.”
Ben’s hands slip down to caress my hips. “But once it gets around that I have the most beautiful girlfriend in Kingsville, that might happen less often.”
We eat dinner, as Ben keeps joking about how Wayne could not have looked more surprised if he’d punched him.
“Honestly, I think it was the plants that were the final straw,” he says, pushing his plate away. “Mom kept trying to bring ferns and spider plants into Dad’s office, and they died every time. He’d leave them hanging around for ages, though.”
“That’s awful – definitely sets a bad tone to have neglected plants in view.”
He takes my hand, leading me to the couch. “You, however, set a very good tone.” He pulls me into his lap, then unzips the back of my dress a few inches to trail his fingers up and down my spine. “For my entire company. I sent Dad some photos, to add some context to whatever Wayne is yapping to him about. I’m positive the whole thing is over.” His other hand trails up my knee. “You’re brilliant. But you knew that, right?”
“And you’re brilliantly sweet. I know the history of Victorian greenhouses would not be an exciting date for most people, but it was perfect for me.”
“That’s because you are perfect for me. Every single thing about you is amazing, angel.” He kisses under my ear, then trails his lips slowly down my collarbone. “I also liked learning about antique carpentry.”
He pulls back, studying my eyes. “Could you be happy with a guy like me for the long term? Talking about new cabinet hardware, and building back decks? Someone who isn’t fancy and just wants a simple life? Hopefully, with you?”
Wow. He’s completely serious. Is this a decision I’m even ready to make now? This feels like a gut check before taking another step or something. As if…
“Yes.” My answer could not come faster. “I come from a non-fancy family. Good coffee, good books, a good home, and straightforward work. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
The light in his eyes intensifies before he pulls us together.
My heart and my gut can have a conversation later. Right now my body is taking charge. I want this gorgeous man.
“I’m on the pill,” I whisper. “Mom had me really young, so…”
His arm tightens slightly. “I love the thought of us having babies together.” He grins. “ Years down the road, of course.”
Suddenly I’m in the air, as he carries me to the bedroom caveman-style – which I’m surprised to discover I adore. I also appreciate that he again sets the bedside lamp to be quite dim. The lower light makes me feel less exposed.
The man really is good with his hands, slipping off my dress and bra, leaving me sprawled across the bed in nothing but white cotton panties. Then he rips off his shirt, and there’s a clatter as his belt buckle hits the floor, along with his jeans.
The first time I spent the night, he kept those sexy black boxer briefs on, but I could feel the evidence of his arousal tight against me. Naturally, I’m curious, staring with rapt attention as he yanks them off.
Oh. My.
I’d guessed he was a big boy, but…whoa. I hope Ben will forgive my staring. This is the first time I’ve had a chance to look at a cock up close. It’s extremely long, thick, and so hard it looks like it’s straining. My hand reaches out to give it a tentative stroke.
Even as a shudder runs through him, Ben looks concerned. “I know, angel. I’m going to be so gentle with you, I promise.”
“I’m a lot less nervous than I expected, actually,” I tell him with a huge smile.
“Good.”
He lies beside me, taking control of my entire body. His thumb brushing across my nipple. His palm cupping my breast. His lips possessing mine with an intense hunger that makes my belly flutter. Then his hand slowly plunging inside my panties. I gasp – not with surprise, but with need.
I need him. Need to explore this heat. Need to understand why he makes me feel so cherished. Most importantly, I need to discover if this wave of what could eventually be love is purely physical, or all-encompassing. More.
My hips lift as he slides my panties off, and I shudder as the thick weight of his hard cock lands across my hip bone.
My brain is curious. My gut is eager for more. My heart is hoping that this means as much to him as it does to me.
Even though the spinal cord is constantly sending messages between the body and brain, they are processed through the…
Seriously – shut up, brain. Tonight, my body’s in charge.