Chapter 21 Sarah
SARAH
So far we’d created two draft social media reels today and I’d laughed so much that the period pains that had threatened to return earlier had disappeared. Who knew that laughter was such a great abdominal workout? It was definitely more fun than sweating at the gym.
Once Ben got back from seeing Theo, he’d asked if I was ready to start filming.
I’d polished off the rest of the cock cookies at record speed and it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that my filthy mind had imagined that it was Ben’s dick that I was devouring, because I wasn’t going to start fantasising about a co-worker. Especially not a playboy like him.
Yeah, he’d been amazing yesterday and I’d be eternally grateful, but that gratitude did not extend to me getting on my knees and sucking him off.
Nope.
Anyway, like I was saying, when Ben got back, we filmed a video in Love & Lattes. In this one, I refused to date Ben because the female main character had just bumped into her brother’s best friend in a coffee shop, which was what happened in the book we were promoting.
Then we’d moved to the bookshop and Celeste filmed me turning down Ben because I was reading a novel where the male main character had just offered to take the heroine book shopping.
Now we were doing the final video to promote a workplace romance. And given the teeny tiny alteration in my opinion of Ben, I was worried this one might be a little too close to home.
When we got to the office to start filming, Ben picked up a tie and slid it around the neck of his shirt.
‘You’re wearing a tie?’ I asked.
‘Yes.’ He began tying it. ‘And these.’ He plucked some glasses off his desk.
Bloody hell.
Was the man deliberately trying to torture me?
He looked like a sexy Clark Kent.
‘I thought it gave more of an office vibe.’
‘Cool, right, okay,’ I stuttered.
‘So I was thinking, you sit at the edge of the desk with the book, rather than behind it. I think it’ll be more suggestive that way.’
‘Okay.’
Repeat after me: I will not think about Ben fucking me on the edge of the desk. I will not think about Ben fucking me…
Oops.
Too late.
Focus, focus, for fuck’s sake, woman, focus!
Ben set up my phone on the tripod, did a silent countdown with his fingers, then gave a thumbs-up to signal he was ready to start acting.
‘Hey, Sarah.’ He walked towards me. ‘I was wondering whether you’d like to come for a drink with me tonight?’
Just as we’d planned, I looked up from my book.
Oh boy.
It was going to take a lot of acting to convince anyone that I’d say no to Ben when he looked like that.
Deep breath. I can do this.
‘Thanks for asking, Ben, but I can’t. I’m reading a steamy workplace romance called Office Delight and the alphahole boss, Rocco, is just about to do some very naughty things to Virginia on the desk.’
‘Oh, really?’ Ben raised his brow. ‘Sounds good. Okay, I get it. Maybe next time?’
‘Maybe, Ben.’ I smiled before dropping my gaze back to the paperback, which I held up higher so that the camera could get a clearer shot of the cover.
‘That’s a wrap!’ Ben called out. ‘Wow, we did that in one take. We’re getting good at this!’
‘Yeah. I should watch it back, just in case, though.’
‘A workplace romance, eh?’ He walked back towards me. ‘That book sounds intriguing.’
‘It’s…’ I was about to tell him that it was one of my all-time favourites, then decided against it.
I’d always considered myself a law-abiding citizen and I didn’t want to be worried about kicking Ben in the balls if he told me he hated it.
I couldn’t—no, I wouldn’t accept any criticism on this book, so I needed to keep his romance-hating hands off this gem.
‘How are you getting on with the book I gave you?’ I swiftly changed the subject.
‘I finished it.’
‘And?’
‘And it was… better. Still didn’t blow me away, but I was almost invested. I liked the travel element.’
‘Noted. I’ll keep that in mind for my next pick.’ Yes! He was warming up to romance. I did a little mental fist pump. ‘Erm, speaking of travel, I need to book the flights for my brother’s wedding. I already told him I’m bringing someone…’
I’d finally plucked up the courage to call Adrian on Saturday lunchtime.
I felt awful about lying to him, especially when he told me how happy he was for me.
I did my best to manage his expectations by saying it was early days, so anything could happen.
That way when I had to tell him that I’d ‘broken up’ with Ben, he wouldn’t be too shocked.
Then again, given my track record with men, I’m sure he wouldn’t be surprised anyway.
‘I’ll pay for your flight, obviously,’ I added. ‘And Adrian’s sorting the accommodation. Are you okay with me arranging your flight or would you rather book your own and I reimburse you?’
‘Why would I book my own? No need to pay for me, though. Let’s just consider it an adventure holiday. And of course we’ll travel together. Wouldn’t be very convincing if we arrived separately, would it?’
‘True. Okay, I’ll book it tonight, then,’ I said, thinking there was no way I’d let him pay for his ticket. ‘We’ll be travelling economy, though. I hope that’s okay?’
‘Why wouldn’t it be?’
‘Because you’re, y’know… posh and loaded. I’m guessing you usually fly business or first class. You’re doing me a favour, so I’ll pay the extra so you can—’
‘Economy is fine and I’ll pay my own way,’ Ben jumped in. I wasn’t sure if I’d offended him by saying he was posh and loaded, but it was true.
The Eaves family were multimillionaires. The dad had cut Theo off when he’d decided to work at the library instead of continuing his role at their property development company, but as far as I knew, Ben still spoke to his father, so he probably got money from him too.
‘Thanks, but I’ll cover it. I don’t think I’ll need your passport details when I book the tickets, but if I do, I’ll text you,’ I said and Ben nodded. ‘Well, I better watch the video to double-check it’s okay, then take this tripod back to Jane. Thanks again.’
I got up and walked towards the tripod, trying not to look at Ben for fear my knees might turn to jelly like they’d been doing all day.
I picked up the phone and tripod, then put them back down.
I’d just remembered that it’d been a couple of hours since I’d changed my pad and tampon, which for most women would be fine, but my flow was extra heavy, so I could feel that it was long overdue.
‘I’ll come back for them,’ I said, reaching for the door handle. I was just about to open it when Ben called out.
‘Um, Sarah, wait,’ he said.
‘What’s up?’ I spun around.
‘You’ve… there’s some blood on the back of your dress,’ he said sheepishly.
‘Shit!’ I winced. This grey dress was the darkest thing I had that was clean. Normally I’d wear black when I had my period, but everything was in my laundry basket. I’d meant to do washing yesterday, but obviously I hadn’t had the energy.
‘I need the loo, but I don’t want to go out there with a stain on my arse.’
I hated when this happened. That’s why I used a tampon and a pad. But clearly that wasn’t enough.
My eyes scanned the office for something to cover up with. But it was a mild day, so I hadn’t bought a jacket.
‘Hold on.’ Ben undid his tie, then unbuttoned his shirt before pulling it over his head and handing it to me. ‘Take this and wrap it around your waist.’
My jaw crashed to the floor.
Not just because of the kind gesture of offering me his shirt, but because of what was right in front of me.
Ben was hot.
But topless Ben was a freaking inferno.
Damn.
I swallowed hard, like I had a concrete bus lodged in my throat.
‘But, what will y-you…’ I tried my best to focus, but it was impossible.
I still couldn’t get over it.
Ben’s chest was incredible.
Spectacular.
Bloody hell.
He could be a shirtless model that appeared on romance book covers.
Wow.
I dropped my gaze to the floor. Any minute now I was going to start dribbling like a teething baby and I didn’t want him to see the drool roll down my chin.
‘But if you…’ I tried to unscramble my brain and form a cohesive sentence. Let’s try again, shall we? ‘If you give me that, what will you wear?’
Ben walked to his desk, opened the drawer and pulled out a T-shirt.
‘This,’ he said. ‘I keep a spare T-shirt and shorts in case I want to go running on the beach after work.’
‘Oh, okay. Makes sense. If you’re sure, then, thanks.’
I tied the shirt around my waist and instantly got a whiff of his gorgeous scent.
Was it bad that I was thinking about keeping this shirt so I could continue sniffing it later?
Actually, no need to answer that. I just heard myself and that definitely sounded weird.
But I challenged any red-blooded person to have Ben’s magnificent chest right in front of them and not have their mind and body turn to mush.
When he slid on the T-shirt, I swear I heard my vagina weep.
God. This was getting ridiculous. I needed to get out of here before I did or said something stupid.
‘Thanks again, I… I’d better go.’ I darted out of the room.
Once I was safely inside the toilet cubicle, I shut the door and dropped my head in my hands.
I was starting to like Ben.
This would’ve been a bad idea under any circumstances. But knowing that in just over two weeks we’d be travelling together, and pretending to be a couple made it ten times worse.
This was bad.
Very, very, bad.