Marry Me

by Karen Stivali

  She scrubbed her face with a towel, unable to keep images of Ben from her mind. The sweet way he’d rubbed her feet. How innocent he’d looked while sleeping. The fact that he still hadn’t pressured her, even remotely, about anything.

  Her heart sputtered with nerves. He’s a good guy. He’s not like Trey. She pulled on the jeans and sweater she’d brought in with her and went to work on her hair, brushing it hard then tying it back in a loose ponytail. She could hear her phone ringing.

  “Can you see what it says on caller ID? It might be work.”

  She opened the bathroom door enough to see Ben grab the phone off her coffee table.

  “Wells?”

  She laughed. “Not work. That’s just my old roommate.”

  “The one who was obsessed with our band?”

  “That’s her.”

  Julia stepped into the room in time to catch the devious smile on Ben’s face. He pressed the talk button. “Julia Jones’ line, how may I help you?” His eyes twinkled.

  She’s going to flip.

  Ben crooned his reply, his voice as smooth as silk. “She’s indisposed at the moment. This is Ben Davis, may I ask who’s calling?” Ben covered the mouthpiece. “I believe she’s dropped the phone.”

  “I’m surprised she’s still conscious.”

  “No problem, luv. I think Julia’s able to take your call now. Lovely chatting with you.” He handed Julia the phone, covering the mouthpiece again. “I’ll pop into the loo, give you some privacy.”

  Julia waited until she heard the door click shut. “Hi.”

  The shriek that greeted her made her jump. “Oh my God. He’s in your apartment. Wait. He’s not only in your apartment, it’s seven in the morning. Did he spend the night?”

  “Sort of.” Julia sank onto the couch, remembering how they’d “slept” together.

  “Sort of?” The pitch Marissa attained was inhuman.

  “We fell asleep on the sofa. No big deal.” That’s more or less true.

  “Did you have sex?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “Julia, you’re freaking killing me. Did you or did you not have sex with the hottest drummer in the world?”

  “You really think he’s the hottest?”

  The scream that echoed through the line made Julia hold the phone away.

  “Look, Jules, I’m married, I’m breastfeeding, I haven’t been to the bathroom alone in over three years, and I consider it a great night if I get more than four consecutive hours of sleep. Humor me. Placate me with the juicy details. Did you or did you not have sex with him?”

  Julia eyed the bathroom door and lowered her voice. “No actual sex, but we were both…satisfied.”

  “Not nearly as much detail as I want, but I know he’s still there. Please tell me you are going to sleep with him.”

  “I haven’t decided.” That’s a lie.

  “Julia.”

  “Probably.” Still a lie.

  “Fine, deny all you want, but when it happens please call me. I want to hear everything.”

  Julia laughed. “Yes ma’am.”

  “I’m really happy for you. Not just because he’s so hot, but because I think he’s a good guy. He’s had a rough life. You do know his history, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. I mean I know it was a while ago, but I bet he still needs comforting. God knows I wouldn’t mind giving him a hug.”

  “Goodbye, Marissa.”

  “Fine. We’ll talk later. A lot. Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  Julia hung up just in time to see Ben step out of the bathroom. She wondered if he’d been listening to know when it was safe to come out.

  She loved the swaggering way he walked. He bent down and pecked her on the head, then took a seat next to her. “Can I take you to breakfast?”

  “I don’t think I have time. I have a fitting scheduled at nine and I have to shower and get all the way uptown.”

  “Niles’ wife is flying in today and I’m supposed to join them for dinner. Would you come along? Paul and his fiancée may be there as well. They’re a bit loony but a nice enough lot. I’d like you to get to know them better.”

  Julia felt as if she was meeting the family. Her stomach pitched and she considered saying no, but the fluttering in her heart made her change her mind. “Okay.”

  “Fantastic.” Ben smiled and ran his hand along her cheek. “They’ll adore you.”

  He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her lips and she forgot how nervous she was. All she could think about was how warm and safe she felt when he touched her.

  Chapter Five

  “What’s got into you?” Niles asked, tuning his guitar, brow furrowed.

  “Nothing.” Ben couldn’t keep the smile off his face. He could still feel Julia’s skin against his and he couldn’t wait to touch her again.

  “It’s that girl again, isn’t it? Bloody hell. You’re grinning like teenager.”

  “I feel like a bleeding teenager.” He took a swig from his water bottle. “She’s coming to dinner tonight. Try not to be too much of an arse, will you?”

  A new voice purred behind him. “Don’t go expecting miracles, luv.”

  He turned to see Niles’ wife. “Lizzy, I thought you weren’t coming until this afternoon.”

  She hugged him, her citrusy scent washing over him. “Decided to fly in early. See if I could catch Niles up to no good.” She threw him a sassy look. “Mr. Excitement was watching the telly in bed at 8 p.m. So, who’s this girl that’s got you all giddy?”

  Ben hesitated, feeling a pang of guilt. Lizzy and Sheila had been best friends and he wasn’t sure how she’d feel about him having someone special in his life again. Special. His stomach tensed. She really is. “She’s been doing our wardrobe for the past few months. She’s brilliant. Even makes Niles clean up well.”

  “I like her already.” The look on Lizzy’s face said otherwise, her brow pursed. She rubbed her hand on his shoulder. “Seriously, I’ll be on my best behavior. Promise.”

  Paul swept into the room. “All right, people, let’s get started. We have a ton to go over today, let’s get to it.”

  Ben tried to focus on the music but he couldn’t keep his mind off Julia. Off dinner. Off walking her home again.

  By the time he left rehearsals to go pick her up, he was so excited he practically jogged to her place. He’d had time for a quick shower but his hair was still damp, more noticeably so since the night air was cool and breezy. Assuming that this time he would be let up, he’d brought a real bouquet. Burgundy gerbera daisies and deep orange roses, coiled in a clear round vase.

  Julia gasped when she saw them. “They’re beautiful. You didn’t have to bring anything.”

  “I wanted to.” He gladly accepted her thank you kiss, far bolder and more powerful than he expected, filling him with hope for the evening. She looked like an absolute knockout. The dress she wore was a geometric pattern of black and slate gray, cut out at one shoulder and baring half her back. With long black tights and sky-high heels, she looked fantastic. Her hair was slicked perfectly straight, looking so silky Ben just wanted to sink his fingers into it.

  “Shall we?” He needed to get her out of her apartment, because he knew if he started kissing her they’d never leave. The packets of condoms seemed to be burning a hole in his pocket.

  Julia grew quiet as they neared the restaurant. He put his arm around her, hugging her close and kissing her head. “Relax. They hardly ever bite.”

  Niles and Lizzy were already seated in a tall-backed booth toward the back of the bar. Ben threw Niles a warning glance, which he shrugged off. “Ah, they’re here.” Niles stood and gave Julia a kiss on the cheek. “This is my lovely wife Lizzy, the light of my life.”

  Lizzy reached out her long, elegant hand. “Pleasure. Just ignore my husband, we all do.”

  Everyone laughed and Niles motioned to the waiter. Just as they’d finished ordering a round of drinks and
some appetizers, Paul and Felicity arrived. Within moments they were all sitting, chatting like old friends. Julia was talking fashion with Felicity and matching Paul’s and Niles’ witticisms with lightning speed. In what seemed like no time Lizzy was yawning. “I’ve been traveling for two days straight, so maybe it’s just me, but isn’t it getting awfully late?”

  Ben glanced at his watch. “One o’clock. How’d that happen?”

  They gathered their jackets and made their way into the cool night air. Felicity leaned in to give Ben a hug and whispered in his ear. “She’s lovely.”

  “Thanks.” He smiled as he watched her link her arm in Paul’s.

  “See you all soon,” Lizzy said, one foot already in a taxi. “Niles, come along.”

  “What can I say?” Niles winked. “She wants me.”

  “You coming back to the hotel?” Paul asked as Felicity elbowed him.

  Ben looked at Julia, waiting for a cue.

  Her face flushed. “We could all go back to my place, if you’d like.”

  Felicity interrupted. “That would be great but I have to be up super early tomorrow. How about if we just split a cab?”

  Paul hailed another. Felicity and Julia chatted the whole ride. When they pulled up at Julia’s apartment, Ben got out and held the door for her. “Can I see you safely to your door?”

  She nodded, looking embarrassed but not hesitating with her reply.

  He handed Paul a ten dollar bill. “I’ll walk from here, guys. Good night.”

  Julia slipped her hand into his the moment the car drove away. “I take it you’d like to come up again.”

  He answered with a kiss. The feel of her lips against his was like coming home. He’d been wanting to kiss her all evening and it felt even better than he’d anticipated. Warmth washed over him as she drew closer, her body curving in toward his, her hand resting on the base of his neck. “Come,” she said, tugging him toward the door.

  He followed her up the stairs, wanting to pull her down on the steps and get started. She keyed into her apartment and flicked on the lights. “I’m so thirsty, can I get you something?”

  “Maybe some of your sweet tea.” He hung his jacket on the silver rack by the door, running his hand over her still warm sweater.

  Julia poured the tea into two glasses. “You were right, your friends are great.”

  “Told you.” He took a sip.

  “I don’t think Lizzy liked me much though.”

  Ben set down his glass and put his arms around Julia’s waist. “You can’t pay Lizzy much mind. She liked you just fine, she’s just very particular about who I’m with.”

  “Jealous?” Julia looked confused and concerned and Ben realized he needed to explain.

  “No. Lizzy and I have known each other since we were kids, but there’s never been anything remotely romantic between us.” He paused, searching for the right words. He tucked Julia’s hair behind her ear, wishing he could stop talking altogether and just kiss her.

  Julia’s eyes remained on his, her hands perfectly still against his chest.

  “There’s no easy way to explain this, so I guess I’d best just say it straightaway. I’m one of those blokes you read about who fell in love at fourteen and married his childhood sweetheart. Her name was Sheila.” He took a deep breath. “She died in an automobile accident.”

  Julia’s eyes clouded with tears, her fingers pressing tighter against him. “Ben.”

  Sympathy was still the hardest thing for him to deal with. “It’s okay. It was a long time ago. But Lizzy was her best friend. And I think she has a hard time seeing me with someone else.”

  “I’m sorry, for both of you. I can’t imagine how difficult that must be.”

  “Thank you. It’s gotten easier. But Lizzy hasn’t really had to deal with seeing me with other people. I haven’t really dated anyone since. There’ve been women, but no one who meant anything.” He looked down, wondering if any of this was coming out right. “It’s kind of like your ‘no guys in your apartment’ rule. There hasn’t been anyone I’ve wanted to be close to. Until you. I think Lizzy was being extra cautious because of that.”

  “I can understand that.”

  Ben ran his fingers up Julia’s back, loving the feel of her, the comfort of her presence. “She’ll come around when she sees what I see.”

  Julia snaked her arms around his neck, twirling her fingers through the hair at the base of his neck. “Why me?”

  Ben couldn’t find the words, he was lost in her softness, her warmth, her intoxicating scent. “Because I find everything about you irresistible.”

  Julia tried to respond but Ben’s mouth was on hers, his lips gentle but urgent. She went up on her toes, straining to be closer to him. He lifted her effortlessly, his strong arms enveloping her. She wrapped her legs around his slim hips, locking her feet behind him as he carried her toward the bed.

  Julia’s heart beat a fierce rhythm, excitement and desire blurring together as they stripped off each other’s clothes. Ben’s fingers seemed to dance across her body, leaving trails of electric heat in their wake. His tongue, hot and sweet, swept around hers in a manner that made all her thoughts and fears fall away. All she knew was that she wanted him.

  Ben’s body was a dizzying array of textures. Satiny hair, a hint of stubble on his sculpted jaw, firm, muscular shoulders, smooth chest with the most enthralling silky trail leading lower, to the hardest part of him. She curled her fingers around his hips, pressing her hands into the perfect dimpled spots above his ass.

  He groaned, sending ripples of heat all the way to her toes. His cock slid against her thigh, hard and hot, making her want him inside her.

  Ben kissed his way across her face, his thick lashes brushing her cheeks as his lips trailed to her ear then her neck. His tongue flicked against her sensitive skin, setting her on fire.

  He pulled back and she remained, breathless. “I want you to know, I’m clean, I’ve been tested. I’d never do anything to put you in harm’s way.”

  Coming from any other guy, this might have killed the mood, but Ben sounded so sincere it just made her want him more. “I trust you,” she said, realizing how much she meant it.

  Ben traced his fingers down her body, his touch delicate and light, yet so potent Julia’s head was spinning. Each caress aroused a different sensation—goose bumps rose on her arms, her nipples puckered against his chest, and licks of flames rushed through her belly leaving her molten inside. She ground her hips against his rock-solid thigh, feeling him match her rhythm.

  Her mind couldn’t keep up with the sensations but her fingers acted of their own accord, tracing the muscles of his chest and back, searching lower until they reached his steely length. She stroked, lightly, using the same teasing touch as Ben, which was working her into a frenzy. His cock responded with an approving twitch, growing impossibly harder. She caught a bead of moisture with her thumb, slicking it around his head in quickening circles until he moaned.

  His fingers slid between her slippery folds, pausing to pulse lightly against her clit. She bit her lip, not wanting to come yet but knowing she wouldn’t be able to hold out for long.

  “So beautiful,” he whispered against her lips, his hand never relenting its maddening movement, his hips rocking so that his cock rubbed enticingly against her circled fingers.

  “Oh God.” The tension built in her belly, spreading all the way to her toes.

  “Breathe.” Ben brushed his lips against her ear, his own hot breath heightening the sensations.

  She inhaled deeply, feeling the rush of oxygen as the pleasure inside her broke free, tumbling out with pulsating contractions that sent her hips rising off the bed. Ben stilled his hand against her as her body fluttered around his fingers.

  Ben ran his nose along her cheek, reveling in her sweet, steamy scent, waiting for her breathing to slow. She was a dazzling mix of strength and fragility and he didn’t know whether to ravage her or hold her as if she were a glass figurine. Al
l he could think about was being inside her. “I want to make love to you.”

  “Yes.” She breathed the word against his neck, raising her lips to kiss him. Her tongue melted against his, drawing him in as her hand resumed its entrancing stroke up and down the length of his swollen shaft. “Do you have a condom?”

  “I do, if I could remember where I left my pants.”

  She giggled, the sound rippling through him, making his cock throb. “I bought some too. They’re in my nightstand.” She wriggled away just enough to reach the drawer. Watching her, her arm extended, her alabaster skin shimmering in the shadowy glow of the streetlights, her black hair shining as it fell across her face, he felt his chest tighten with feelings he hadn’t had in years. His heart beat unevenly as she fumbled with the condom box. As soon as she placed one in his hand, he regained his focus.

  Her small hands pressed against his chest, pushing him down onto the bed. He went willingly, amazed when she began to kiss her way down his chest as her hand massaged his balls. Oh Jesus. Her mouth trailed lower, her tongue licking a path around his navel, her hair grazing his hip. Her breath was hot and moist against his overheated skin as she resumed the gentle stroking of his cock.

  Her nipples brushed against his thigh as she bent lower, her tongue swooping out, tracing its way around each of his balls before licking a trail up his towering erection. She pulled his skin taut and twirled the tip of her tongue against the sensitive ridge, creating shock waves so intense he almost shot off. He grabbed handfuls of sheets, trying to regain control, overwhelmed by the sweet, musky scent rising from her body. She took him in her mouth, pulling her cheeks in as her lips slid down his length.

  “Christ.” He couldn’t even think, he just knew he needed to stop her. “I want you.” He tugged at her arms, urging her up, groaning at the popping sound her mouth made when she released the suction on his cock.

  He tore the condom wrapper with his teeth, feeling carefully to make sure he unrolled it in the proper direction. Waiting for a second try was definitely not an option. He wanted her, now.