Missy's Gentle Giant

by P D Miller

  Ben leaned over Missy and grabbed her other hand. “She’s not cheap, Melissa. She was dressed this way for a job she had to do.”

  Missy tried to jerk her hand away and move, but Ben held her too tightly.

  “She was dressed like a whore.” He spelled it in Missy’s hand.

  “Yes.”

  “She was supposed to be. She had to pick up a guy and tell him something.” Missy stopped trying to pull away for a moment. Ben’s warm body near her took her breath away.

  “Does she work for you?”

  “No the agency I work for.” He could hardly breathe with Missy’s closeness and the message of arousal shooting to his groin.

  “Which is?”

  Ben pulled his hand away, groaned and sat up. Missy rolled to her side, raised herself to an elbow and frowned. “You’re not a truck driver are you?”

  “No.” He faced her. “It’s a cover.”

  “A cover for what?”

  “I’m with the DEA—drug enfo—”

  “I know what the DEA is. Are you trying to catch my brother?”

  “No, I’m trying to clear him, Missy.”

  “Don’t call me Missy; you said you wouldn’t call—” Tears came to her eyes. Ben was with the DEA? The idea sliced through her. She’d read in the papers where agents were sometimes killed. Had he kidnapped her because of his job? And as soon as he solved the case, he’d go merrily on his way to another job?

  “I’m sorry Melissa; it’s a habit. I’ll work on it.” He saw the tear rolling down her cheek, reached up and wiped it away with his thumb. “Don’t cry. I don’t ever want to hurt you.”

  Tears really started in a torrent. Not hurt her? He’d just told her he worked like a spy with criminals? He worked with women who dressed and acted like whores? He probably just had this house temporarily for a cover. He’d leave here as soon as the case was over and go on to some other dangerous job? Not, hurt her?

  Ben couldn’t stand her tears. Quickly he reached down and pulled her into his arms. At first kissing her hair, he forgot she couldn’t hear and kept repeating. “Missy, don’t cry. The girl means nothing to me.” As he rolled toward her, he groaned, and his hand snaked down trying to touch hers. “The girl means nothing to me. You’re all I care about; please don’t cry.”

  “Ben I—oh, Ben—”

  Slowly, nearly overcome by her closeness he pulled back, kissed her forehead, her nose, wet his lips with her tears and then open mouthed tasted her lips with his tongue. His touch was gentle at first, unconsciously testing, but crashed against her lips when she didn’t pull back. Totally lost in the sensations waving through his body, he tasted her sweetness, smelled her freshness and burned where she touched him. His hand left hers, slid across her back and down toward her hips where he tried to pull her closer to his.

  His touch frightened her, and she began to shake and whimper. Instantly Ben pulled away from her and sat up. Gasping for air and control, he put his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands. “Damn! I’m such a fool, such a stupid ass!”

  Missy flipped over to her stomach and tried to calm herself. Even though she shook uncontrollably, her breath came in short quick gasps. Never had she dreamed of being kissed like that. Her whole body felt tingly and on fire. When she finally calmed down, she turned her head and stared at Ben. What she saw brought tears to her eyes. Ben was crying? Ben, the giant who had taken on her nine brothers, the giant who worked for the DEA? “Ben what’s wrong?” She reached out to touch his arm.

  His whole body stiffened as he looked away in shame. Missy reached farther for his hand. “Ben what’s wrong?” She talked to his hand.

  Slowly Ben turned and stared at her. “I just don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Are you going to hurt me?” Blinking, she swallowed hard. Was he going to tell her about leaving her? She knew he’d leave her forever, and already it hurt! Was he going to tell her something happened to one of her brothers?

  “No, I won’t hurt you.” He forced a smile and reached up to brush back her hair. “No one’s going to hurt you.”

  She reached up and took his hand in hers. “Is something wrong with my brothers?”

  “No, everyone in your family’s okay, and no one will get hurt.’”

  “Then I don’t understand Ben. Why are you so worried about my being—”

  “Want to play some cards?”

  “No.”

  “Oh.” He bit his lip.

  “When are you leaving?”

  “In the morning.” He relaxed a little.

  “And will all of this be over by tomorrow then?”

  “I hope so.” Ben smiled. “Maybe by day after tomorrow I can take you back home.”

  “Will you be gone until then?”

  “No, I should be in tomorrow night, but I want to be sure everything’s over before I take you home.”

  And then he’d move on to another job and leave her. But what could she expect? She was deaf and had been ruined. How could he want someone who looked like her?

  “I think there are some games downstairs. I’ll just—”

  “No.”

  “Okay.” He turned away and rubbed his hands together.

  Just then, Missy saw him as the loneliest man in the world. His eyes, his whole face showed tiredness and worry. Was he worried about tomorrow? Something was bothering him.

  “Ben will you stay with me tonight?”

  He turned to her. “If you want me to.” He gently touched her cheek.

  “And will you let me sleep close to you again?”

  “Yes.” He stood up, reached for her and pulled her to the floor. “Go get your nightgown on while I tell Mrs. Diaz what time to wake me.” Ben mashed his forehead against Missy’s and smiled. He let her go and went downstairs. “Susan I’ll need you to stay with us again tonight.”

  “Oh?” Her eyebrows shot up.

  “You’re going to sleep in there again?”

  “Yeah, Missy asked me to.” Ben grinned. “Last night I just stayed because I was worried about her reaction—”

  “Like hell, we know why you stayed.”

  “Yeah.” Ben’s smile faded.

  “Why does my wife have to stay?” John chuckled.

  “Chaperone.” Ben grinned.

  “Oh.” Ron shook his head. Ben had gone bonkers. He wanted a chaperone?

  “She’s got nine brothers, and I already had to fight them once.

  “Oh?” Susan’s eyes opened wide.

  “Yeah, they’ve got some crazy customs.” Ben laughed. He felt like a kid he was so happy Missy had asked him to stay with her. “Anyway, I’m not anxious to take them on again any time soon.”

  “Oh.” John shook his head confused. Susan looked just as confused. Who was Ben talking to on the phone a little while ago? He was telling them he was going to marry Missy. They watched as Ben sailed upstairs.

  “John, my dear heart, Ben has had it and we need to get busy.”

  “Oh, we do?” He smiled.

  “Yes, I can’t think of anything more wonderful for Ben than the sweet little thing he’s got hostage upstairs, but she has a serious problem. Worse, you should see what it’s doing to Ben.”

  “Oh I just saw what it’s doing to him.” John laughed.

  “I’m serious John. She’s scared to death, and Ben is dying inside.”

  Ben held the covers up while Missy climbed into bed. As she scooted down, he pulled the covers up to just under her shoulders and pulled away a pillow to plump against the headboard. This was going to be one damn long night. He’d have to stay awake and force himself to behave. Damn, he didn’t dare fall asleep and end up holding her like this morning. What would he do after this bust? At least she’d be home after tomorrow night. With all her brothers around, he wouldn’t be able to stay with her. Damn her brothers. He might not live to get past them the next time. Nervously, he sat on the bed and leaned against the headboard. Glancing down at Missy’s tiny body, he shook his head and re
ached for her hand.

  “Do you want me like this, or do you want me to hold you like before?” His fingers flew.

  Missy smiled. “Would you mind holding me close for a while?”

  “No.” Instantly Ben grabbed her shoulders and pulled her up until she rested her head against his chest. His heart pounded, thumping so hard he felt as if his chest might burst. Missy shifted a little and put her tiny hand over his thumping heart. Ben closed his eyes, groaned inwardly and drew up his leg to hide his obvious arousal. Damn, she was so little, so soft and delicious. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. When Susan walked in he groaned audibly.

  “May I come in?”

  “Don’t even ask.” Ben waved, and Missy felt the vibrations of him speaking. She shifted, saw Susan and felt a rush of tears well behind her eyes. She wanted—thought she and Ben could be alone this last night before he left forever. Angrily she closed her eyes.

  Unnoticed by either, John poked his head in the doorway and stood stunned in shock. Ben was fully clothed and holding Melissa in his arms like she was ten? Ben fighting arousal with longing and pain on his face? Shaking his head with disbelief, John smiled at his wife and left just as silently.

  For several minutes neither moved. Missy opened her eyes and saw Susan still sitting in the room, so she pretended sleep and slowly pushed away from Ben. Thinking she might be getting more comfortable, Ben sadly allowed her to roll away. He felt lonely with the coldness but reached up and pulled the sheet over Missy’s shoulders and pushed back her hair. After several more minutes Missy rolled back toward Ben, and she reached for his hand. Her fingers flew. “Is Susan going to spend the night with us?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  Ben was stunned by the question. “So you’ll feel better.”

  “How will she make me feel better?”

  Ben stared at her a moment, then slid down on the bed and turned on his side to face her. “I didn’t want you to worry I might hurt you.”

  “Oh.” There was a long pause with their fingers. “Shouldn’t she be with her husband?” Missy stared at the second button on his shirt.

  Ben took a deep breath and swallowed hard. “Missy I might be tempted to kiss you.”

  “Oh.” Their fingers stopped again. Missy chewed her bottom lip. She wanted him to kiss her. Slowly her fingers moved. “I’ll bet her husband hates me being here.”

  “No. No one hates you being here.” Longingly he kissed her hair.

  Missy bit her lip with renewed determination. “Ben, I trust you not to hurt me.”

  Ben rolled his eyes away. “I don’t know if I can trust myself.”

  “Oh.” Missy yanked her hand from his and turned away from him.

  Ben raised himself to an elbow and reached for Missy’s hand, but she pulled it away. “Damn!” Ben slid his hand behind his neck.

  “Something wrong?” Susan cocked an eyebrow.

  “How the hell should I know. She just quit talking to me.” Totally frustrated, he rolled to his back.

  “You were talking?” Susan smiled.

  “Hand talking. Now she won’t let me touch her hand.”

  “Oh, a quiet fight.” Susan giggled.

  “It’s not funny, dammit.” Ben glared.

  “Sorry.” Susan instantly sobered. “May I ask what the fight was about?”

  “You.” Ben threw an arm over his eyes.

  “Oh?” Susan fought to hide her grin and was thankful for the subdued light. “Maybe you should ask her if she wants me to leave.”

  “And what if I get carried away and kiss her like I did earlier?” Ben chewed his lip.

  “Maybe she wants you to kiss her.”

  Ben appeared not to hear, but his breath caught. Slowly he uncovered his eyes and raised himself to his elbow trying to see Susan’s expression in the darkness. His damn heart nearly lurched out of his chest. “And if I got carried away—if I didn’t stop and she wanted me to?”

  “She’ll let you know.” Susan rose with a smile. “Besides, it seems to me you’re more afraid than she is.”

  “But Susan wait—she said she trusts me—I—don’t go—Susan dammit, I—” He dropped back on his back and covered his eyes again. What the hell was he going to do now?

  Another fifteen minutes passed while neither Missy nor Ben moved. Missy thought Ben had fallen asleep and relaxed the hold she’d put on her emotions. He’d just as much as told her how he felt about her—he didn’t want to touch her. She saw how nervous he was because she’d asked him to stay with her. Was he afraid she’d go home and tell her brothers he’d done something wrong? All she wanted was to feel close to him for this one night, to smell his freshness, to feel his tight muscles, feel his heart thumping and his breathing. All she wanted was one more little taste. He was going away, and before he left she wanted this night to store for memories. He probably thought lots of boys kissed her. Tears started again, and she sniffled.

  Instantly Ben rolled toward her, pulled her around by the shoulders and held her within the circle of his arm. Worried, he fought with his hand to get hers which was crushed between his rock hard chest and her soft breasts. He pulled her hand free. “Melissa don’t cry, please, don’t cry. I care about you, and it hurts me when you cry. Please, don’t cry.”

  Missy pulled her hand away from his and held her breath.

  Confused, Ben loosened his hold on her, and Missy pulled away.

  “Please turn on the light Ben.” She sat up in the middle of the bed and waited while he rolled away and turned on the lamp. He was almost afraid to look at her once the light was on. Swallowing hard, he slowly turned to face her and saw she was sitting on the calves of her legs. She didn’t know the light made the cotton nightgown she wore nearly transparent. A wave of instant heat flashed through him. Ben swallowed hard again.

  “Ben did you mean it? What you just said—did you mean it?” He never saw such big beautiful round almond colored eyes.

  “Please don’t be angry. I know you love Eduardo, but—yes I do care about you, and I don’t want you to be hurt.”

  “Eduardo? Me love Eduardo? I hate Eduardo!” Instantly she was up on her knees, her beautiful torso showing, and anger flared in her almond colored eyes.

  Ben’s blood raced, and his body quickly went out of control. He swallowed hard again. “You don’t love Eduardo?” Not even feeling himself drop to his knees in front of her, he grabbed her shoulders. “I’m going to kiss you, Melissa.” His open lips crashed against hers tasted her tongue and danced with it. His arms shot around her and pulled her tightly against him until he felt her breasts against his chest. Missy’s arms shot up around his neck and into his hair. Ben’s chest burned wanting air, but he didn’t want to release her warm body from against his. Deep from within he groaned, finally pulled away long enough to draw a breath of air and crushed his hungry mouth over hers again. His hand slid down to the small of her back and pushed her against his arousal. Instantly Missy began shaking uncontrollably.

  “Ben, please don’t—” His hands went to her shoulders, and he pushed himself away until he sat on his ankles.

  “I’m sorry.” His breathing was labored.

  Missy saw how he was hurting like earlier in the day. She leaned forward and touched her head to his shoulder. “Please, it’s not your fault. It’s me; I’m afraid—”

  “I know, and I won’t hurt you, Melissa.” As his breathing calmed a little, he reached up and brushed her hair. Then he remembered she couldn’t hear, felt for her hand and told her again. “I know, and I won’t hurt you.”

  Missy slowly pulled away and smiled sheepishly. “I like it when you kiss me; it’s just it causes these strange feelings—” She stared at the bed between them.

  Ben reached out and pulled her chin up so she’d see his lips. “Yes, I get the feelings too. Don’t worry about it. Just tell me when you want me to stop—whenever you feel uncomfortable like just now. I’ll understand.” Reaching around her, he pulled the cov
ers back and gently pushed her down. Slowly he lay on his side facing her and kissed her forehead. “Let me show you about love.” He kissed her eyes and then her nose. “Rest now my precious.”

  “Ben I like the feelings. I—I just don’t know how to—”

  “Hush. Let me show you about making love. Okay?”

  Melissa nodded.

  For the next two hours Ben made love to Melissa in a way neither would ever forget. With his fingers he gently traced her shoulders and arms, her throat and parts of her face. When he was sure she wouldn’t shudder, he kissed her lightly in these places. Once he flipped her on her tummy and rubbed her back as if he was giving a massage, kissing her several times through her nightgown. Carefully he avoided places which would frighten her. He even touched her legs, careful not to go too high on her thighs. All through this he gently told her with his hand how beautiful she was and how he cared so much for her. Not only did she feel the words spelled out in her hand, but the wisps of air from his breath saying them warmed her.

  When Melissa turned back on her side to face him, she surprised him with a gentle kiss of her own. Then she giggled with eyes full of mischief. Melissa felt immense pleasure as he awakened her to new sensations, and he enjoyed a new pleasure in seeing what it did to her. He gave all of his feelings as best he could.

  “Is this called making love?” She whispered.

  Ben nodded a smiling, yes.

  “May I make love to you?”

  Again Ben nodded a yes. Sensing it was something she needed to do, he watched as she explored his body. Several times he thought he was going to die right there on the spot, like when she slid her tongue along the outside of his ear and when she unbuttoned his shirt to kiss him on the chest. Even though it left him frustrated as hell, he felt damn good she was finding pleasure in touching him. It was a first step. When he thought he could take no more, he pulled her down against his chest with a growl and startled her. Rolling over with her until she was on her back under him again, he kissed her hungrily and passionately, his tongue dancing with hers, and leaving them both breathless. Missy knew it was time to stop when he mashed his forehead against hers. “I really care about you. You do know; don’t you?”