by Loraine, Kim
I giggle and try to look away but he stops me, tilting my chin up toward him. "I’ve lived here since I was born. We might have been a few miles away from each other, but we have lived in totally different worlds until now."
“But now our worlds have collided, and I’m better for it.”
Swoon. “Is that a line from a movie?”
A low chuckle leaves his chest, and he dips his head, lips a mere breath from mine. We’re so close, our bodies touching, our mouths feathering over each other, and then the damn elevator doors slide open. He pulls away, a sigh letting me know he’s just as disappointed as I am. Then he threads our fingers together and the two of us step into the hallway. “I’m at the end of the hall.” His voice is rough with the need I’m sure mirrors my own.
I nod and let him pull me toward his place. I want to find out if his full lips will feel as wonderful as I fantasized when I saw him for the first time. His jaw is shadowed with the ghost of a beard, like he hasn’t shaved in a few days but I don’t mind. It gives him a rugged appearance, and with the warm tan on his face, and the dark blond of his thick, wavy hair, he really looks the part of an explorer, an adventure seeking man who’ll keep me busy and bring me a life filled with fun.
He slides a key into the lock when we reach his door and with a soft click, he opens the door and the two of us walk inside. I don’t get a chance to take in his apartment, aside from the view from the wall of windows at the end of the room. He’s on me, hands in my hair, body against mine, mouth trailing kisses over my shoulder and up my neck. But he hasn’t touched my lips. His stubble brushes my tender skin and sends shivers of longing through me along with flashes of heat straight to my core.
“Ben,” I sigh. His large palms run over my neck and down my back until he cups my ass.
“You’re so soft.” His whisper is almost too much. I want all of him. I’m not a patient person, never have been.
“I am where it counts. And you’re hard…all over.” I rock my hips forward until I press against his straining erection. He sucks in a sharp breath in response and I can’t stop my wicked grin. “Like right there.”
“I’ve been hard since I saw you. I couldn’t stop imagining what your mouth would look like wrapped around my cock. Fucking cherry red lips.”
“Where’s your bedroom? I can show you.”
His jaw tenses and he shakes his head. “No, this isn’t about me getting sucked off. This time, it’s about me proving to you we’re going to be perfect together.”
He scoops me up into the cradle of his arms and carries me through the apartment. We walk into a bedroom that’s bigger than my entire studio, and I know instantly it’s his. It smells like him. Cedar wood and a faint trace of patchouli. Two scents I’ve never been partial to—until now. When he sets me on my feet, I don’t look anywhere but at him.
“Take off your clothes and let me look at you, Petal.” His eyes blaze.
“You first,” I challenge.
A smirk turns up the corner of his mouth and I want to cross the few feet of carpet between us and kiss it off his face. “Scared?”
I shake my head. “Impatient.”
“Fine, have it your way.” He tugs his shirt over his head and my mouth runs dry. His chest is bronzed by the sun, covered in a fine dusting of golden hair, and toned with the precision of a sculptor. My gaze travels over the cut V at his hips, the trail of hair leading below his belt, and the bulge pressing against those well-worn jeans. “Your turn,” he murmurs.
I finger the hem of my off-the-shoulder sweater and take a slow breath before pulling it over my head. I’m shaking. Why the fuck am I shaking? I’ve done this before…yes, only with one other man—asshole Paul, but still. All I can think about is when Paul would poke my belly, tell me I was getting flabby and that I should watch my weight. I don’t even see Ben close the distance between us, I’m so preoccupied with the fact that he’s stirring up so many nerves.
His warm hand wraps around my waist and he tugs me close. “Just what I expected. Absolutely perfect. Made for me.”
He slides his palms up until he reaches the clasp of my bra, then quickly removes the fabric. Then he groans, and I stare at his handsome face, filled with desire as he looks at my breasts. “Your turn again,” I say through a tight throat.
“You’re right.” His fingers leave my skin and go to his belt. As he unbuckles, he also steps out of his shoes, so I do the same. Then his jeans are on the floor and I’m unzipping the back of my skirt and letting it fall to my feet.
The two of us are nearly naked, clad only in our underwear and staring silently at each other. “I want you so bad,” I admit.
“Fuck, Petal, me too.” Then he’s on me, wrapping me in his embrace and kissing the daylights out of me. The two of us fall to the bed in a tangle of limbs.
I open my legs to allow his hips to nestle between them, the hard length of him pressing insistent and large against my panty clad core. He thrusts, rubbing over my needy clit and I just want us to fuck already. I’m ready for him. I roll my hips up and let out a soft moan.
“Patience, Petal. I’ve got you.” He burns a trail of kisses across my chest, sucking one nipple into his mouth before turning his focus to the other. My moans turn to cries as pleasure shoots through me.
“God,” I cry. “That’s so good.”
He releases my nipple and kisses down my body until he reaches my panties. “Time to get rid of these.”
“Yes, please.” I’m not at all embarrassed that I’m practically panting with want. He slips the scrap of lace over my hips and down my legs, then settles my knees over his shoulders.
His fingers trace my slit, sending shocks of sensation over me. “So pretty,” he murmurs. Then he sinks a finger inside and I nearly buck off the bed. “That’s right. Let me make you feel good.”
When he dips his head and sucks my clit, I cry out from the overwhelming sensation. I’ve been on the edge since we got into his apartment, but now, I’m about to fall over the cliff. He adds a second finger and curls them both, hitting an extra sensitive spot. I scream as the orgasm takes me. My walls clench around him and he groans around my clit, the vibration adding to my pleasure.
I’m still fluttering around him when he pulls out and shoves his boxers down his hips. He lines himself up at my wet opening and looks me in the eyes. “Please tell me you’re on the pill.”
I nod, but my heart lurches. “I am, but how do I know you’re safe?”
“I had an exam two weeks ago. I haven’t been with anyone since before I left to travel.”
His tip presses inside me as he waits for my permission. I know without a doubt, if I say no right now, he’ll stop. He’ll go get a condom and sheathe himself in the protective barrier. His arms tremble as he holds himself back. “Okay,” I whisper, wrapping my thighs around him and doing the work for him.
He lets out a low moan as he sinks inside me to the hilt. “Fuck.”
Then we’re moving together, long and languid rolls of our hips, kisses and tastes. The room is filled with sounds of our connection, of our bodies joining and starting something special in motion. He stares into my eyes, no hurry, no desperation to finish, to reach his own pleasure. His hands link with mine as he moves over me, forehead pressed against mine, lips claiming me. God, this is intense and everything my fantasies always said it should be.
“I’m close, Petal,” he bites out, slowing his movements.
“Harder. I’m almost there too.”
He drops his face to my neck and with a series of kisses and nips, he picks up his pace and takes me to where I need to be. I clench around him and cry out his name as he groans and shudders over me. His cock fills me with jet after jet of his release and a part of me I thought long buried wishes I wasn’t on birth control. Part of me wants his baby growing in my womb, and that scares me. I’ve never felt like this before. Like I might already be in love.
36
Ben
* * *
; Rosie sleeps in my arms, her dark hair fanned out across the pillow and smelling apples, and all I can think about is this was the best decision I have ever made. I thought I'd be getting a wife; I didn't think I'd find the love of my life in one day. That's ridiculous it doesn't, just get something reserved for movies and romance novels. But here she is in my bed and all I want is to keep it with me. All I want to put my ring on her finger and make her mine forever.
I nuzzle in against her soft hair and let the feel of the silk strands commit to memory. If I could wake up like this every day, I would be happy. She had some size in her sleep, her body shifting little closer to mine.
"It feels nice to be in your arms," she murmurs, her voice still sleepy.
"I was just thinking the same thing. I haven't had a woman in my bed in a long time, and I've never wanted to keep one there."
"Have you been with a lot of women?"
Her shoulders hold tension as she asks the question, but I know I have the answer she wants. "I've been with for women including you. Once when I was in high school, then I had two long-term girlfriends in college. Now, you. And I don't plan to have anyone else."
"Really?" She rolls over to face me, those big eyes of her searching mine for any hint that what I've said is a lie. I wonder who hurt her.
"Really. I wouldn't lie to you...ever."
She smiles, relief flooding her features. "I know this sounds crazy, but I really think Grace was right. I think we are perfect matches."
My heart leaps because I feel the same exact way. I press a kiss to her forehead and then link our fingers, hoping what I'm about to ask her won't frighten her away. "Marry me?"
Her eyes widen, shock rolling through her expression followed by excitement. "What?"
"I'm serious. We can get dressed, go to City Hall, and get married today. I'm sure I can make a call and get our paperwork rushed through. I don't want to spend anymore of my life without you." As the words leave my mouth, I know beyond all reason that they are one-hundred percent truth. Even without the inheritance looming over my head, I know that this woman is it for me. It's clear I would do the same thing even if I didn't stand to inherit so much money.
She stares at me, her brow furrowing, a pensive expression coloring her beautiful features. "You really mean this, don't you?"
I sit up, taking her with me so I can stare into her beautiful eyes. "I do. I mean every word. It's almost Valentine's Day, what better way to celebrate that holiday, than to be with my brand-new wife."
Her lower lip between her teeth, she's silent for a moment. Then she smiles and my heart leaps. "Yes!"
I get off the bed, not caring about my nudity, and make my way out of the bedroom and to my office. I opened the drawer of my desk and pull out the folder containing all of my lawyer's information. He'll be able to get me a marriage license with a simple phone call, I'm sure of it.
My phone is still in my jeans pocket where I left it last night. Grabbing my lawyer's card, I head for the kitchen to put on some coffee. As soon as I've got two cups brewed, I go back into the bedroom and find Rosie naked, rifling through my drawers, and everything below my waist stiffens.
"Coffee's on," I say trying to hide my smirk.
She smiles, then she pads across the room with one of my T-shirts in her hand and takes the offered mug from me.
"You are a beer drinker and a coffee lover, look like a sinful Disney princess, and fuck like my wildest fantasy. Anything else I should know about you?" I take a drink of my own coffee and then place the cup on top of my dresser.
Her cheeks turn a charming shade of pink and she looks down at her toes, the dark fringe of her eyelashes a shadow on her pale skin. "I think that about covers it."
Then she looks up at me, a wicked grin on her red lips that tells me there is a lot more to this woman than those few things I listed. I can't wait to find out everything there is to know about her.
"Are you going to be wearing my shirt?" I gesture to the T-shirt that she's holding in her hand. It's my favorite concert shirt. "I saw them my senior year of college. They might be old, but they put on one hell of a show."
She cocks an eyebrow and glances down at the logo on the shirt. "You've seen them live? I am super jealous."
I take the fabric from her, the cotton soft from all the times I washed the shirt. I've lived a lot on a very small wardrobe, and this shirt always goes with me when I travel. Now I can't imagine it should be anywhere but on her beautiful body. Holding it open I wait for her to place her mug next to mine on the dresser, then slide the T-shirt over her head and let the dark fabric fall over her perfect breasts, dying a little when she's completely covered. The shirt fits her mid thigh, and it's big enough that one shoulder keeps slipping down and baring her skin.
"I think it looks better on you than it ever has on me."
"I think you look better with no clothes on it all," she says as she fiddles with the hem and stares at my bare chest.
I can't fight my smirk. It does something to me to know how she appreciates my body. Linking our hands I pull her out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. "Come on, let's get you something to eat."
She giggles but follows me. "You're naked."
That makes me laugh. "It's my apartment, if I want to be naked, I'll be naked."
"So is this how it's going to be when we're married? You naked and at my disposal every moment we're home?"
"God willing."
I settle her at the breakfast bar and start making eggs and bacon with sliced avocado and pan seared tomatoes.
She clears her throat before getting off the stool and walking toward me. "Cooking while naked is never a good idea."
"Worried about me?" She's right though, I really need to put some clothes on before I start frying anything. I just don't want to get dressed because that means our magic night is over and she might change her mind in the harsh light of day.
"More like, distracted. Your ass is something to behold."
Pride rushes through me but I don't let her see. Instead, I press a soft kiss to her forehead and smack her on the ass with the spatula as I make my way back to my bedroom to put some clothes on. I think marrying this woman is going to be the best decision of my life.
We sit together at the breakfast bar, eating companionable silence. I know I'm going to have to leave and take care of a few things before I can marry her, but I really don't want to. "I have to go see to some things. I have to talk to my lawyer and get our marriage license taken care of. Will you be okay here until I come back?"
She traces the rim of her coffee cup with one finger and a little line forms between her brows. "Are we really doing this?"
Fear races through me at the thought of her changing her mind. "I sure as hell want to. Now that I have you, I don't want you to go anywhere."
She raises her eyes to me and I stare straight into her soul. "Okay."
"Look, Rosie, if you're not sure about this —"
"No. No, I am. It's just so impulsive. I've never let myself do something this crazy.”
"I promise I won't let you down."
Her hand slides across the marble islands tops and touches my. "Okay, let's do it. I'm going to need to go home and get a dress."
A smile tugs at the corner of my lips at the thought of her in a dress waiting to marry me. "What if you don't go home, and instead you wait here, naked, in my bed?"
She grins and her cheeks turn pink. "And am I supposed to get married wearing nothing but your shirt?"
I harden at her words and the thought of her in nothing but my clothes, but I have other plans. "No, but I think if you're going to get married you need a new dress. And I would like to do that for you."
She takes a sip of her coffee and she can't hide the smile even as she is drinking. "Well, then, I guess naked in your bed it is."
37
Rosie
I can't believe I am marrying Ben today. It's insane, but I know it's the right thing. Stacy was 100% correct when she told m
e Grace would find my perfect match. I think deep inside I had hoped that this was going to be the outcome of my venture into matchmaking. But I never allowed myself to truly hope I would find someone like that.
He's been gone about an hour and, though I've spent a good thirty minutes waiting naked in his bed like I promised, I got bored. So I got up, took a shower, wrapped my hair in a towel, and put his shirt back over my naked body. I need to get to know my new husband-to-be, and the best way to do that is to peruse his bookshelf.
Wandering through the apartment, I notice there's a distinct lack of family photos, personal touches, and personality that usually grace someone's living space. But then I remember he's been traveling for the better part of this year and I wonder, given his upbringing, whether he's the type of person to hold on to things. I am nostalgic to a fault, and I hold on to everything. Even when I shouldn't. I think back to the drawer in my dresser that still holds Paul's favorite T-shirt, and the letters he wrote me when we were in school. I grit my teeth and take a long breath realizing now how much time I wasted on that man, now that I have Ben. This is so different from the man I thought I had loved when I was younger. Now, it's obvious the difference between falling in love, and hoping for love. It's been one day, less than one if I'm being honest, and I know I'm in love with Ben. I know this is meant to be between us.
I can't wait for him to get back. One because I want to spend a few more hours in bed with him. But also because every moment we are together makes me feel like I am whole, like I'm special, like being his actually means something.
My phone chirps at me from my purse which I had discarded on the floor of the entryway when we first arrived. For a moment I think it might be him sending me a message, but then I remember he doesn't have my phone number. His voicemail to me had been via the matchmaker's messenger service. I pad across the floor and bend down to pick up my hand bag. Rifling through, I locate my phone and open my text messages.