CHAPTER 20
HOLLY
The oven lets out an insistent beep, announcing to the kitchen it’s preheated.
“Now, put this in and set the timer for an hour. Really though, you’re looking for the cheese to be bubbling on the top. That’s how you know it’s done.” Terra hands me a dish filled with all the components for chicken Parmesan.
I’ve just finished setting my egg-shaped kitchen timer when our apartment intercom buzzes.
My roommate gives me an impish grin before going to press the respond button. “Who may I ask is calling upon the Donovan-Foster residence?”
The crackling voice that responds matches her lofty tone, “’Tis I, Benjamin Gerhard the Fourth. Seeking an audience with Miss Holly Foster.”
Terra turns to me, delight plumping her cheeks. Not everyone likes to play along with her teasing.
“Oh, I do declare!” With a flourish, she buzzes him up.
Even when wearing ratty sweatpants and one of her worn concert T-shirts, Terra insists upon dramatics. I love her for it.
As we wait for him, my pulse picks up pace, and a heat washes over me that has nothing to do with standing near the oven. I’m jittery. Almost nervous.
This morning at the cabin was uneventful. When I woke up, Ben was already out of bed, preparing scrambled eggs, shirt back on. While I was disappointed that we didn’t wake up, wrapped together, I have to admit, I like my man in the kitchen.
One of the many reasons I invited him over this afternoon.
In the car ride, we threw Tommy Boy quotes at each other and listened to Preston and Steve’s podcast. At least, I listened to it. Ben fell asleep about halfway into the drive again.
There’s a knock on our door. Before I even take a step, Terra leaps from her chair and sprints to answer it. I lean back against the counter, letting her have her fun. Ben will need to get used to Terra if he really wants to spend time with me outside of his treatments.
“Benny boy!” She’s definitely had more than one cup of coffee today. “Come in. Come in.”
“Thanks, Terra. Good to see you.” His smooth voice fills our tiny apartment, brushing against my skin like expensive silk sheets I wish I could afford.
The two of them walk around the corner, and our eyes find one another. His smile matches mine. While Terra resumes her seat, Ben crosses the room to stand in front of me.
“Hey there.” He cups my face and leans down to brush a soft hello kiss across my lips. Mint and pine mix together and fill my lungs.
If Terra wasn’t here, I’d let myself sink into him. Maybe try to unbutton his shirt, so I could get a better view of his artwork in the light of day. But my roommate watches us like we’re a delightful romantic comedy, so I grip the counter with my hands to keep them from misbehaving.
After leaning into his kiss for a moment, I break it. The hazy, happy look in his eyes sets off tingles of satisfaction in my chest.
“Long time no see.”
He grins. “Felt like it.”
“You two are adorable.” Terra has her elbows propped on the kitchen table, chin resting in her hands, as she gazes at us.
I roll my eyes and stick my tongue out at her.
Ben chuckles before pressing his lips to my forehead and then moves to sit across from her. “Put me to work. What can I do?”
“Ooh, I like you even more,” Terra comments as I pull out our second cutting board.
“I’ll give you the easy chore.” I place the cutting board in front of him and then pick up the colander filled with washed potatoes from the sink. After a final shake to rid it of excess water, I place them next to Ben’s elbow. “You cube these. We’re making cheesy baked potato soup.”
Once I hand him a knife, he sets to his task. Terra continues shredding cheese, the job half-done before Ben arrived. I work on dicing an onion, and for a moment, the three of us work quietly.
But Terra is here, so that doesn’t last long.
“So, Ben, what are your life plans?”
My knife comes down harder than I meant before I throw a glare over my shoulder. “Terra,” I chide, “that’s not small talk.”
She shrugs. “Small talk only gets in the way of actually learning about someone. I want to know the interesting stuff. Just be glad I didn’t ask what his most embarrassing memory was.” Her voice lowers to a mock whisper, and she leans in close to Ben. “That’s my second question. So, brace yourself.”
Even though I don’t want to admit it, I agree with her. Still, someone needs to protect him from Terra’s prying.
“You can tell her no. It’s healthy for her to be denied every so often.” I direct this at Ben, but he just glances between the two of us with an amused quirk to his mouth.
“I don’t mind.” He resumes cutting potatoes, and I turn back to my onion even though my attention is all on his words. “Let’s see … life plans … being healthy again. That’s top of the list. Thanks to Holly, I should be good there.” A quick smile is thrown my way, and then he’s back to his list. “I plan to land a position in a law firm and then eventually join my family’s. It’s good job security, good pay.”
The lack of passion in his statement clings to me like walking through a surprise spider web. I try to brush it away but can’t seem to manage it.
Terra shares my skepticism.
“Job security? Very practical of you. Is that something you worry about a lot? Losing your future job?” Her bowl is full of grated cheese, so she sets aside her implements and focuses completely on Ben.
My roommate’s scrutiny can often make people uncomfortable, but Ben just appears thoughtful. His eyes are unfocused, and his hands have stilled as he considers her question.
“Not exactly.” He brings his attention back to Terra. I still feel like I’m in his peripheral vision as he addresses her, “I made some selfish choices in the past. Went the irresponsible route and paid for it. I don’t want to do that with my career.”
“Hmm.” Terra stares hard at Ben, and he doesn’t let his gaze fall. She gives a small nod but still doesn’t seem satisfied. “So, life goal number one is, get healthy. Life goal number two is, a good job. Any more?” Terra brings us back to her original question, listing off Ben’s answers by counting on her fingers.
In a large pot on our stove, I begin piling in ingredients along with some boxed broth. When Ben doesn’t respond immediately, I glance over to find him completely focused on the potatoes.
He clears his throat, eyes still on his work. “I’d like to find someone. A forever kind of someone.”
I fully expect Terra to squeal, clap her hands together, and then mock us mercilessly. Instead, she gives a glimpse of her serious side, reaching across the table to grip his arm. At her touch, he glances up from his work.
“That’s it, Ben. That’s a good goal.”
“Done. Finally.” Holly collapses onto her mattress next to me.
“You do this every Sunday?”
She nods. “Deal with it now, and then, during the week, I can focus on school and work. If I waited till the last minute to come up with a dinner plan, I’d probably starve.”
I don’t know how she juggles it all. Just reading her day planner intimidated me. No wonder she’d claimed she didn’t have time to date. Guess I’m lucky she found a way to fit me into her schedule. Especially since I’m already taking up some of her precious time by making her go to doctor appointments.
“Is the surgery going to throw you off?” My stomach twists as I realize how much more time I’m stealing from her. I prop myself up on an elbow. “What the hell is wrong with me? I can’t believe we haven’t talked about this. What’s your recovery plan for after the donation?”
Holly reaches up to comb her fingers through my hair. “Dr. Williams says my recovery won’t be as long as yours. I should be in the hospital for only a couple of days, and then I need to keep from doing anything more than walking for a few weeks. So, I’ll stay at Pops’s house for a bit. Probably just play card games and watch movies till classes start up in the spring.”
“What about rent?”
She hasn’t said it outright, but I get the sense that Holly and Terra don’t make much between the two of them. Putting half the team out of commission for a few weeks isn’t going to help.
“I’ve got some savings. And Curt said he’d pay me to take care of the scheduling and accounting for Both Ways, which I can do online while I rest in my bed.” She fiddles with my collar, watching her fingers rather than me.
I’m such an asshole. This can’t be how it’s going to play out. No way am I taking Holly’s organ and then delivering her a financial blow, too. For the first time since the lawyers told me about my inheritance, I’m grateful for the money Grandpa left me.
“You shouldn’t have to worry about all that when you’re recovering. I’ll cover your rent until you’re back at work.”
“What?” That gets her to look at me. “No. I don’t need you to do that. I can get by fine.”
I stare her down. “Of course you can. You’re like a freaking superhero to me. But, even though your surgery isn’t as intense as mine, you’re still dealing with a lot of risks.” I cup her cheek, stroking her soft skin with my thumb. “Please let me help. If I know you’re stressed about money, then I’m gonna be stressed about you making yourself sick, which will then make me sick. You don’t want me to get sick, do you?”
She gives my shoulder a light shove and glares up at me. “You’re suck a sneak! Of course I don’t want you to get sick.”
“Then, say yes.”
“I just …” She shifts, and I suppress a groan as her thigh brushes against my groin. I’ve got to focus. “I don’t want to ask your parents to pay for me.”
“You wouldn’t even have to ask.” She frowns, and I run my thumb over the curve of her plump bottom lip. “But it’s not them. I have some money. Interning at my parents’ law firm over the summer paid well. And Grandpa Ben left me more than just that cabin.”
“No, Ben.” Holly sits up, switching our positions, so now, she’s the one gazing down at me. “There’s no way I’m taking your grandfather’s money from you.”
This independence she has is equally attractive and frustrating. The fact that she can take care of herself, even when life is beating her down, is inspiring. But she needs to learn when to accept help.
I lie back on the bed, running my fingers up her arm and watching as goose bumps follow their path.
“When I found out Grandpa left me his cabin, I was numb. Then, they told me about the money, and all this guilt built up inside me. He’s dead, and now, I have a cushy little bank account to show for it. I haven’t touched it. I’ve never wanted to. So, it’s just sitting there, useless.” I take her hand in mine, lacing my fingers through hers and bringing them to my lips for a light kiss. “He might not have said it much, but I know my grandpa loved me. If he were alive today, he’d want to help out the girl who was saving my life.”
Holly visibly softens, and I can sense her resolve weakening. She nibbles her lower lip while staring down at me. I want her agreement now, so we can move on to more fun things, like me biting that lip instead.
“You’re giving me your kidney, Holly. Let me help you with a couple months’ rent. Please.”
Her shoulders fall on a sigh, and I grin at her physical surrender. “Okay. One month. That’s it. I should be back at work by then.”
Success.
I tug her hand, so she leans in close to me. Then, I pull harder until she’s spread over my chest. “Thank you.”
Her lips give a little smirk as her dark eyebrows quirk. “You’re thanking me for letting you give me money?”
“Yep.”
Finally, I capture her mouth, like I’ve wanted to do since I woke up next to her this morning.
She looked so tempting, wearing my shirt, one slim arm resting over the covers, the rest of her wrapped up tight. Instead of waking her up, I slipped out of the bed and retreated to the bathroom. In the shower, I stroked myself, massaging my hard dick as I remembered her fingers tracing over my tattoos and the way she’d gasped when I squeezed her ass. It wasn’t long before I had to brace an arm on the wall to keep myself standing as I spilled on the smooth tiles.
Maybe another guy would have tried to seduce her into easing the ache, but I meant what I said about this being more than sex. Holly’s used to flings, or booty calls as she phrased it. But, she won’t get rid of me that easily. I’m planning on weaseling my way into her heart, just like I managed to push my way into her busy schedule.
Still, taking it slow doesn’t mean I can’t touch her.
My hands roam, starting at her shoulders and then sliding down her back. She arches into me. The natural curve of her spine guides my hands to her round bottom, which fits perfectly in my palms. Gently, I grip her cheeks, loving the way Holly’s hips start pressing into me in time with each squeeze.
Kissing her in a bed probably isn’t the best idea. But I can’t seem to stop things now that they’ve started, especially when she responds eagerly. Needing to have her firmly pressed against me, I roll us until I’m situated on top of her.
Mistake.
With a moan and a sigh mixed together, Holly lets her knees fall open. The core of her, where heat radiates even through her clothing, cradles me, and my cock presses against the fly of my pants. Now, I’m the one rhythmically moving my hips, unable to stop miming the action of thrusting into her. She pants into my mouth, little gasping breaths that boil my blood and stuff my head with lust-soaked cotton.
We should slow down.
How did we go from friends to dry-humping in twenty-four hours?
Somehow, I stop my body’s movement and try to focus only on the honey taste of her mouth. But that’s hard to do when she grabs my hand and guides it up under her shirt.
Beneath her thick UPenn sweatshirt, Holly’s decided to forgo a bra. Luckily, Terra left for the library when the cooking was done because I can’t stifle the animalistic groan I let out.
Her breast is small, not even really a handful, but it’s soft, and her nipple is a tight little bead I pinch and tease as she writhes beneath me. My lips break from hers, and I make my way, biting and licking, across her jaw and down her neck, enjoying the silky texture of her skin against my curious tongue.
“Ah! Ben …” she moans my name.
My hips give an involuntary thrust. I’m going to come in my pants if I keep this up. That doesn’t stop me from sliding down her body while pulling Holly’s sweatshirt up to reveal her naked chest.
For a moment, I just stare, relishing the view. The image of her prone beneath me will forever linger in my brain, demanding I find a pencil or brush to re-create the sight. But drawing this once won’t be enough. I’m sure I’ll never be able to lend anyone my notes again because the margins are going to be full of sketches detailing the perfect way Holly’s breasts pool on her chest, pulled to the sides by gravity but still maintaining their natural curves. The minute my mind drifts, I know I’ll be back in this moment, fixated on the exact button shape of her rosy nipples.
The glorious girl shifts beneath me, huffing out a frustrated sigh. About to tease her for the impatience, I’m surprised with the brush of a rigid nipple against my mouth as she tangles her fingers in my hair and pulls me down while arching her back.
“Lick me. Please.”
Again, like an animal, I growl and then use my lips, teeth, and tongue to worship her breasts. Her little noises are only fuel to my fire, and she doesn’t need to beg for me to continue. I hold her to me with one hand on the middle of her back while she presses her fingers into the spot where the skin of my neck disappears beneath my hairline.
I wish she would push harder, using enough force to bruise me. My skin should be marked by her, a permanent reminder of this moment.
I can’t believe I have her in my mouth right now.
I can’t believe it because it’s too soon.
This time, I groan in frustration as I reluctantly release her nipple. In a form of good-bye, I let the sweet nub drag over my bottom lip before I tug her shirt back into place.
“Wha—”
I cut Holly off with a quick kiss and then sit up, pulling her with me.
Fuck, she’s sexy.
Her short brown hair is all messy, curling around her swollen lips and pink cheeks. Slowly, her eyes come into focus.
My throat needs to be cleared a couple of times before I can talk, “I only planned on kissing you. Got a bit out of hand.”
She stares at me. “So, you really meant, no sex?”
“We haven’t even gone out yet. Like, on an official date.”
Her one eyebrow curves high on her forehead as she leans back on her hands. “An official date? What does that look like?”
I shrug and try to adjust myself without her noticing. “Dinner. Movie. Walk on the beach.”
She smirks and shakes her head. “No. Those are regular dates. I want to know what an official date is. Is there documentation? Do we have to dress all fancy, like prom? Do I get a corsage?”
“Of course. And there’s the photographic evidence. Then, I’ll send you a post-date survey, so you can rate your satisfaction with the experience.” I maintain my best deadpan tone.
Holly giggles and then sighs, letting her eyes wander over me. “I guess I just kind of feel like we’ve been a couple longer than a day. Because we hang out so much. Is that weird?” Confusion flits through her eyes.
She’s right. We might not have been calling it dating, but all those hours spent talking and reading together mean more to me. We’ve had a relationship longer than labels.
“Feels that way to me, too. But I’m still taking it slow with you.”
Holly gives me an exaggerated pout. “So, no more hand-under-the-shirt action? Or mouth under the shirt?”
She’s too tempting. I dip down for another kiss, needing a taste of her sassy mouth. But I pull back before it escalates.
“Not until after our official date.”