Chapter 13
13
IRIS
I need things to be orderly. It’s not exactly a compulsion…okay, it kind of is. I need to know that everything is in its place, put it that way.
Which might be why I’ve felt so energized but unsettled at the same time.
My fingers tighten around my mug of peppermint tea. How could Ben just swoop in, tell me that he loves me, and swoop out again before I even had a chance to form a response?
In Australia, people need to carry planks over their heads to protect themselves from magpies during swooping season, when the birds are defending their nests.
Not the time, Iris. Focus.
He does love me. I can feel it in his touch, his kisses. In everything we did last night. When we’re alone, our heat takes over. There’s no question that we belong together.
So why do I have so many doubts?
“Hey.” Jasmine wheels her chair over. “Anything you’d like to, um, discuss?”
“Yes. Did you get the material expenses finished for that Morgan delivery?”
Violet rolls over to join us. “Not work stuff, smartass. Ben stuff.”
“Oh.” My shoulders sag. “Am I being paranoid, worrying that everything is too good to be true?”
“Yes,” they both say at the same time.
“And am I overthinking everything, including the fact that our relationship started in a whirlwind of adrenaline, and there’s no way I’m interesting enough to keep him for the long run?”
They share a look, then Violet rolls her eyes. “Iris, you’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
“Not seeing the forest for the trees,” Jasmine laughs. “That huge hunk of a man adores you, but you seem…unsettled. What’s that about?”
I want to be honest and share my feelings with my sisters to work this out, but my mind is a total blank.
“Iris, remember, this doesn’t have to be forever,” Violet says. “People don’t usually find their true love so quickly. Generally speaking, it develops over time. Jasmine and I, we were the exception, I think. Why not just date the guy and see how it goes? You’re not getting married tomorrow.”
Jasmine reaches out to pat my shoulder. “You love free trials of new software. Cheese samples at the deli, and previews of new podcasts. Think of it like that.”
“Good point. Thanks.”
They trundle back to their desks, leaving me to sip my tea and think. I’m so accustomed to seeing anything important in a chart or list – preferably a bullet point one. It’s just the way my mind processes information. Having everything with Ben be all about touch and feel and sexy whispers… It doesn’t feel real. I’m a big fan of reality.
Well, I’m also going to need to be a fan of this fledgling relationship, and start acting like a real girlfriend.
I hope your work crisis is easily solved. And I’d love to do a casual dinner tonight, if you still have time.
Ben: Crisis is already mostly fixed, but I’ll be stuck at the office until 6:30 or so. Can I pick you up then?
I’ll walk over and meet you! See you in a bit.
I put on headphones and focus on work until six-fifteen, getting well ahead of next week. Then I rush upstairs to change into a comfortable floaty dress that is appropriate either for a restaurant or curling up on the couch.
I’m surprised to find Ben is waiting at the door of his office when I arrive. He’s smiling widely, and I love the way his arms slip around me as if he’s really missed me.
“I promise to feed you very soon. But first, I have a special presentation to go over with you.”
He locks the front door, then leads me to the conference room, where a projection fills the entire whiteboard.
We sit at the table, and he slides me a notepad and pen. “I know you like planning. Monthly targets. Goals. I’m a guy who reads blueprints and plans. So, we both like to know what’s happening, right?”
“Y-yes….” I scan the calendar for the next twelve months displayed on the whiteboard, not quite believing what I’m seeing.
“Here’s the plan – we date for a month, then sit down and see if everything is going well. Assuming it is”…he squeezes my knee under the table…“we date for another five months, in which I find out all of your hopes and dreams, which I hope include…marriage and a couple of kids?”
“Yes. Well, one kid at first, see how that goes.”
“Perfect. Then, in month seven, we shop for rings, plan a wedding – I’m guessing you’ll want something small and cozy, but if you’d like something grander, that’s cool too – and either you decide how you want my house to be renovated, or we buy a new one.”
My mouth falls open. “Isn’t that…fast? I have no idea what a normal timeline would be.”
“We make our own timeline, angel. It might be a little quick, but I’m not going to live apart from you any longer than necessary. Hell, I’d move you in here tomorrow, if I wasn’t positive that would make your head spin.”
I stare in disbelief at his monthly targets. They’re even color-coded! Next week he’s going to clear out some space in the bedroom and bathroom for me and have a key cut. He wants a list of my favorite tea and coffee to have on hand. He wants us to make a list together of our comfort foods and take-out places, so one of us can care for the other if they’re feeling under the weather. He really does plan ahead, like I always try to.
“Of course, if at any time you don’t think I’m the man for you, you just have to tell me.” His thick arm slides around me, rocking me gently. “This was not intended to overwhelm you, angel. I just wanted you to be able to see everything at once, so you can wrap your mind around things.”
“I…” Ben is being so open that I feel compelled to do the same.
“What is it? I want to hear every single thing that’s in your head,” he whispers.
“Maybe I don’t think I’m interesting enough for you now that your crisis is over.”
He rocks me again, kissing my temple. “Oh baby. That’s insane .” He chuckles. “You’re brilliant, but there’s clearly a drop of crazy in that beautiful brain of yours. Did you know that?”
“But studies show that relationships that start in crisis often?—”
He cuts me off with a deep kiss that I feel all the way down to my knees. “Ours wasn’t a shared crisis, angel. Honestly, it wasn’t that big a deal. Just one carpentry business, not the end of the world. And all the stress was on my end. For you, it was just busy work, right? I truly appreciate that, by the way. I’m going to spend a ton of time and energy making that up to you.”
“You don’t have to…”
I stop as everything hits me at once. The way he’s snuggling me so sweetly. The way he laid out our next year together so I could visualize it. So I could plan and think it through.
Ben truly gets me. He is perfect for me, in every way. Sweet, with just a touch of rough at the right times. Smart, and respectful of my thoughts and opinions.
My mind and my gut have a split-second huddle, and for once, they agree.
“I love you,” I blurt out, staring up into his warm brown eyes.
His dazzling grin sends spirals of lust corkscrewing through my stomach. “And here I thought it might take months before you realized that.” His lips brush the tip of my nose. “I love you too, Iris. So much.”
We’ve done a lot of talking. I’d rather show him how I feel. First, I close the curtains. Then I start unbuttoning his shirt as he stares at me with wide eyes. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Closing a deal here in the conference room. That’s what it’s for, right? And I saw you lock the front door. Nobody’s going to interrupt us.” I push some of the papers out of the way, then start to slip off my dress.
My hands fumble with his pants, so he helps me, pulling out his massive cock that is already completely hard. Staring in awe, I still cannot understand how that thing got completely inside me. I slip off my panties and spread my thighs, loving the way he stares at me, making me tingle.
As before, Ben distracts me from his size by kissing me gently while bringing the tip of his shaft directly against my clit. His mouth stifles my slight giggle.
He’s a detail-oriented man who pays attention to architectural and engineering specs. Is he developing a mental map of my body, knowing exactly how much pressure I crave as he begins to dip the thick, blunt head inside me? It feels like it.
We rock in silence for several minutes, my legs wide apart as his twitching cock works deeper and deeper. My pussy is squeezing him so tightly I can’t believe he can move, but I’m so wet he sinks in with only a dozen or so controlled slow thrusts.
Finally, when his entire length is seated, I moan, grabbing his tightly sculpted ass with both hands.
“I call this meeting to order.” My breathless voice does not sound very authoritative, but I continue. “I move that going forward, all detailed planning sessions will include a recess for mutual sexual pleasure.”
Ben laughs, his hand pressing between my shoulders to slide me right to the edge of the table.
“I second the motion.” His warm eyes grow darker. “But before we vote on it, I’m going to hammer home my most crucial points.”
“Yes. Please .”