Chapter 15
15
IRIS
A girl could get used to waking up slowly, with a warm, sexy man at her back.
As I snuggle against Ben, my eyes slowly blink awake, and I realize my right hand isn’t under the covers anymore. It’s resting against my hip, and something cool is sliding down my ring finger, then off again.
There’s a soft clacking noise. Then another cool, metallic sensation against my finger. I turn to look over my shoulder and see Ben peering intently down at my hand. He’s holding one of those ring sizing devices from a jeweler and slipping a third metal circle onto my finger.
“You didn’t actually think I would sleep through that, did you?”
Ben chuckles. “I was kind of hoping, but I wasn’t sure.”
“Why are you measuring my right hand?”
“So I can get you a promise ring right away. Every time you look down, I want you to be reminded that this is real, and that I love you.”
I roll over clumsily until we’re face to face. “Good morning. I love you. And that is a positively adorable idea.”
“Now that you’re awake, I’ll measure all your fingers. And take notes on your color preferences. Silver, gold, platinum…or whatever people are doing these days.”
“And here I thought you just got a ring sizer because you like tools and gadgets.”
“Well, that’s true. But also, over the years, I’m going to be decorating my sweet angel.”
He sets the sizer on the nightstand, then pulls me close. I’ve heard of “morning wood”, but Ben must be sporting an entire forest down there, judging from the pressure against my lower belly. I instinctively rock back against him, my desire already rising even though my eyes aren’t even completely open yet.
“It feels like you’re getting naughty ideas,” I murmur as he nuzzles my throat, brushing my hair away from my neck.
“Maybe. It feels like you’re open to listening to them.”
“Perhaps I’ll call in late to work for the first time ever.”
“It’s Saturday, angel.”
“Hey, our shop is open Saturdays. I’m on counter duty from eleven to two.”
We glance at the clock. It’s only eight. “Well then,” Ben gently shoves me onto my back, then spreads my legs. “Just let me eat my breakfast, then I’ll drive you to work.”
“Or…” My thighs tighten around his shoulders as he gets comfortable. “You could eat your breakfast…and then drive me …and then drive me to work.” My eyebrow raises saucily.
He trails a string of kisses along my inner thigh. “I could tell the second we met that you’re a very smart woman.” Ben’s smile is extra dreamy. “ My woman. My girl. My Iris .”
“That means you’re mine as well.” The glowing warmth from this instant familiarity is making me melt into the moment. My mind and gut have suddenly become besties. “Although I do appreciate your detailed relationship timeline chart, I think it’s obvious that we belong together.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” He reaches up to arrange the pillow under my head. “Now you get back to lounging. I’m busy.”
As Ben begins to prove once again without a doubt that he is an expert in controlling every inch of my body, my mind checks out completely.
Time to just love .