"Won't I be in your way?" I asked.
"I'm not home during the day. I'm at my loft, painting "
"How many models do you go through in a week?"
It came out with all the innuendos attached. His past private life was none of my business, but I wanted a count to drive myself crazy.
"None as of late. I haven't found anyone to keep my interest in years until a few days ago. A sweet blonde with Renaissance portrait features appeared in my studio and blew away the cobwebs growing between my ears."
Ben selected two oversized art books off a shelf. He leafed through the first and left a page open, then did the same to the second. He spun both toward me. Two of the world's most famous paintings stared back at me: Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring and Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.
"Neither of these women had any idea they would become infamous. They are looking at the artists, posing for a portrait, maybe hungry or tired. I could discuss the uses of light and shadow, style and colors, but these women are the reason the paintings resonate and made the artists famous. It's their eyes. Windows to the soul, keepers of secrets and knowledge, they entrance us, behold us. I'm sure they bewitched the artists, the desire, the purity, the honesty of the glance is breathtaking."
As Ben spoke, I viewed the portraits as if for the first time. Barely a smile on one and shyness wafted off the other, but the compelling straight-on stare did it. They drew me in and held me.
"This is how you made me feel when you posed. Your glance lured me in and froze me there. I had to get your image on the canvas, nothing else mattered. You haunt me, Alexia. You're the beauty I've been waiting for, everyone else has been filler."
He should write greeting cards because he melted my heart with those words. Not a declaration of love, but damn close.
"So I'll work for you and pose with my clothes on?"
He laughed as he kissed my cheek.
"Always pose nude. I'll leave the work attire to your discretion. I vote the less, the better."
He slipped his arms around my waist and my professionalism wavered, but I stemmed the tide and fought back. I vaguely remembered wanting to keep the upper hand in this relationship.
"I guess I'll dive in to get a feel for the job." I untangled myself and had to trek around him to sit at the desk. He caressed my back as I passed.
"As for other activities, you are welcome to spend the night here as often as you want. Or I can come to your apartment if you would prefer." He leaned down for a kiss.
"We should wait to see if I'm capable of the job."
"You were born capable. It's a lot of work, but I'm positive you'll do a much better job than I ever did. Alexia, I told you the job wouldn't come between us. I won't allow it. I want you." He kissed me and made my toes curl. "We'll go slow. I'll let you work. I won't attack you in here. Yet."
He left, closing the door behind him.
My resistance shook but held. I started with the unopened bills, invitations, solicitations, and commendations.
Except for the bills, each had a similar message: "Will you speak, attend, contribute, apply, paint, or write to my aspiring artist son, daughter, friend, dog?"
The requests were overwhelming. The money being asked for and offered flew off the chart. According to the postmarks, these seventy-five pieces of mail came in last week.
Where did they get off making so many demands on him? He was an artist, not a prop or a cash station. I became the guardian at the gate and protector from the onslaught.
A waste can next to me overflowed as I stamped envelopes. A long time later, Ben cleared his throat and startled me.
He would make a great bogeyman.
"I'm glad you're here. Please sign these letters. I'll mail everything tomorrow. This is my question pile. Do you have time?" I asked.
"Do you know what time it is?" he asked.
"No, I'm sorry. It's late. I should go." I started to clean up.
"It's almost midnight. You don't have to leave unless you want to. Are you having fun yet?"
He sat down next to me.
"Some of these people have a lot of nerve, wanting you to help their careers. I should apologize since I'm guilty of the same thing. I had no idea you were under siege. Please forgive my imposition."
I was genuinely sorry.
"I'm glad you intruded. I have the beginning of a great painting. I hired an already devoted assistant. I will also list the fringe benefits." He reached for me.
"Do you hear water running?" I asked as I moved to the side.
"It's the Jacuzzi. I wondered if you would care to join me for a swim."
He pulled his T-shirt over his head, revealing his chest, molded into layers of contoured muscles. All the air whooshed out of my lungs. He popped the top button on his jeans and unzipped them. He pushed them down to his ankles and stepped out of them.
I fought the urge not to run my hand up his sinewy leg. He stood there in his bulging boxers like a bronzed god.
"You don't play fair," I said.
"All is fair in love and war and bowling." He knelt down and unbuttoned my shirt. "When you entered my studio, you changed my life. I like what I see. You care about people. You talk about my mother like you knew her. You remember her books from your childhood, but as an adult, you can recognize her artistic gifts. No one has discussed my mother's work with me as comprehensively as you did. There are a lot of layers to you, and I would like to peel them away one at a time. Please give me a chance," he said.
For a standard line, it was a damn good one. It worked on my resolve as I followed him to the hall.
Candles surrounded the huge white tub, and the flames danced on the reflection in the water. Foaming waves built and broke along the walls signaling we were going to have a bubble bath.
I bent down to test the water temperature with my hand. The warmth travelled up my arm to the knot in my shoulder. Straightening up, I caught a glimpse of myself in a full-length mirror.
Not a timeless beauty, but desired, pursued, and emboldened.
As I undressed, he came in and shed his shorts. I immediately put my arm over my breasts and a hand in front of my crotch. The only light in the room came from the candles. He stayed mostly in the shadows.
"You can't be shy with me," he said.
"I can't get enough of you, and it's all your fault."
"Thank you. It's good to hear because it's mutual."
He coaxed my arms from their defensive positions and placed them around his shoulders. My whole body responded as I licked his chest. After we sat down in the water, he cradled me on his lap.
I planned to win a few battles before I lost the war.
He placed his hand between my legs and gently rubbed with his finger and thumb.
He found the right spot and quickened the pace as my eyes fluttered shut.
We, who are about to orgasm, salute you.
"Not yet, I think you'll like this too," he said.
With his other hand, he cupped my breast. His finger and thumb rolled my nipple into a swollen berry.
My battleship sunk.
He leaned down and took my other nipple in his mouth. His tongue made slow circles and sucked tentatively, and then his teeth came down for a quick bite. Everything went into overdrive.
My body arched and bucked beyond my control as the water sloshed to the floor.
I needed steroids to keep up with him and a living will just in case I couldn't. I sweated and smiled. What a total calorie burn. I pushed myself up and splashed water on my face.
"I love to watch you," he said.
"Don't stop now. I want a rematch, best two thousand seven hundred and fifty three out of infinity," I said.
He knelt in front of me and kissed me down to my pedicure. My nether regions picked up the pulse of my heart. All the blood in my body pooled in my loins.
"We could continue to play in here, but I'm afraid one of us will drown. Will you come to bed with me?" he asked.
Cou
ld I be surgically attached to him somehow? I never wanted to leave this condo.
Whispering sweet nothings between kisses, he helped me out of the tub and set me on a towel. He stepped out, wrapped a towel around his waist, and started drying me off.
"I can do it," I said.
"I know, but I want to."
I undid his towel. Kneeling in front of him, I counterattacked with one last stand before I surrendered.
We collapsed on the mattress, spent.
"Are you sure you're done? I don't want you to feel cheated," I said.
"Alexia, I am well done. I trust you not to sully my reputation by talking about me to your sisters. Telling them how easily you got me naked and begging.
"I did, didn't I?
CHAPTER SIX
In the morning, Ben served breakfast in bed, coffee and toast. After another hour of lovemaking, I demanded to leave. Clean clothes were in short supply. He rode down with me in the elevator and lingered. I pushed him out after I promised to have dinner with him.
I tried to retain some mystery, plus shave and floss. I didn't want a spectator for either duty.
In the shower, I touched my swollen mound. Out of practice and enjoying the refresher course. And the private instruction. Coming in a distant third to my sisters, I had some experience with men. No love matches just a few hours of exploration and release. I remembered them, but doubted they would remember me.
After I toweled off and slipped on a robe, I gave myself a tour of my new home. My empty stomach led me to the kitchen first. To my surprise, the refrigerator grew food overnight. There was a knock at the door, probably the grocer with a bill.
Or, I had the horniest boyfriend in the world. I hopped to the door and flung it open.
"Hey, big fella," I purred as I twirled my robe belt.
"These came for you." Travis hid his grin and put two flower boxes in my arms. He didn't wait for my response, just raced back to the elevator.
After shutting the door and swallowing my embarrassment, I took the boxes into the kitchen and opened them. Four dozen roses: two reds, one pink, and one white. For love, friendship, and purity.
Two out of three wasn't bad. I never got flowers and now twice in one week. I found vases in the kitchen cabinet, and my cell phone rang. Ben's number flickered across the screen.
"Thank you for the flowers, and I may have flashed Travis by accident."
"You're welcome. I'm sure I don't want to know the particulars, but I'll deduct it from his pay as an entertainment fee."
"I thought he was you." I walked into my bedroom.
"Sorry I missed the show. I'll be delivering my own gifts from now on. I went through your question pile and started another pile for you."
"I'll be right up after I change." I went into the closet and grabbed a pullover shirt.
"What are you wearing now?" he asked.
"A bathrobe."
"I'll be right down."
The line went dead
"Benjamin Nance Cobb," I yelled.
I ran back the bedroom, tore off the robe, and searched the drawers for underwear. Finding some, I threw them on the bed. Too late to check for holes.
I heard the doorknob rattle.
"Don't worry. I let myself in," he said from the hall.
"No."
I scrambled for the robe and belted it as he swaggered in the room.
"Don't hurry on my account. How far did you get?"
"Please let me dress."
"But I've seen you nude. I am also concerned about your work attire. You will be meeting people and representing me. I would like to be here to make suggestions."
"I bet you would."
He flopped on the bed and picked up a bra and panties. Holding them up, he gave a whistle of approval, and threw them over his shoulder.
"I arrived just in time," he said.
I tried to run, but he held the belt of the robe. It came off in his hand. I grabbed the front with both hands.
"I thought this was a business meeting," I said.
"All the business is upstairs. You started this by telling me what you weren't wearing."
I stumbled backward and bumped into a chair.
"I'm still sore from last night."
Not really, but I wanted to pretend to have some decorum.
"Me too." He rubbed his shoulder.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scratch you."
"Want to kiss it and make it better?"
He started to take off his shirt. The jeans were next.
"Ben, I'm trying to maintain some dignity."
"Don't bother on my account. My hope is that all of our business meetings will take place in the bedroom."
I remembered his warm embrace, the tickle of his chest hair against my breasts, and his versatile tongue torching mine. I'd grown shameless and didn't care.
"My mother would be mortified at my wanton behavior," I said.
"You were raised to be a good girl and save yourself for a suitable marriage partner?"
"Yes and to avoid dark dangerous men like you."
"Smart woman dispensing excellent advice."
But my situation was hopeless. I wanted Ben every minute. Sorry, Mom. I dropped the robe and straddled him, feeling his ready manhood press against my moist womanhood. He opened his hand and dropped a condom on the bed. I worked it in place.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Extremely. Now that you have me in your merciless clutches, I still won't reveal the secret formula," he said.
"Not only will you tell me, you'll cook up a batch to go," I said.
I rode him steadily, accepting his praise and responding to his urgings. We shifted positions. I didn't keep track of the number of times I peaked, but his rousing crescendo ended the first day's business.
"You're killing me. On the one-to-ten scale, you are a two hundred and fifty. I didn't know I was capable of so much. One touch and I can't stop. Where have you been all my life?" he asked as he sprawled out on the bed.
"Honing my skills," I said, resuming my position on top of him.
"Are you hungry? You need some meat on you." He rubbed his unshaven face into my rib cage. Tickled and stimulated at the same time.
"Yes, you interrupted my lunch, and now it's almost dinnertime."
"Really, Alexia, we have to get some work done. After dinner, you have to leave me alone."
"It will be a struggle, but I promise never to touch you again." Impossible promise to make.
"Now don't go overboard. When it's time for bed, we'll go back into our exploratory mode," he said.
"I should start sleeping alone again. It's unprofessional to sleep with the boss." I rolled off of him and sat up.
"Are you kidding? In this organization it's the only way to be promoted."
He pounced at me. I thought about struggling, but conceded and let him kiss me.
"Now I'll go upstairs, order dinner, and you can come up when you're ready. What do you like on your pizza?" He got up and dressed.
"Everything plus garlic and hot giardiniera. You are playing havoc with my diet. I'm living on fast food and sex."
"Should I add some chocolate to round out the food groups?"
"Yeah, I like the way you think," I said.
"Remember it's come as you are." He tossed the robe to me and left.
What will happen when he finished with me? I needed to slow down before I gave too much.
I called my sisters and left messages. I had to save my strength for their questions and lectures.
Oh, to be an only child.
I sat at Ben's dining room table and devoured my pizza. A chocolate and caramel candy bar, from Kevin's, Irene's deceased fiancé, family's company, rested next to my plate. I never mixed courses, but dessert called to me. Papers were neatly stacked in front of me.
"Do you have time to wade through the mail?" he asked.
"Of course, that's why I make the big bucks."
He sat next to me, signed one
pile, and answered my questions from the other pile.
By eleven o'clock, we were both exhausted.
"Will you stay tonight?" he asked.
"Is there a condom factory in the basement? We've gone through at least two boxes."
"Are you using birth control?"
"Most of the time."
Did I take a pill this morning or last night? That was a good question.
"I took a shower, and my mom said the water washes everything away." Or was she kidding?
"Remind me not to ask anyone in your family for medical advice. If it were true, Lake Michigan's beaches would be packed year round."
"If you're trying to scare me, you're doing a damn good job." I ripped open my candy bar and took a big bite.
"I'm stating facts. If Mother Nature is keeping tabs on us, our number might be called."
"Maybe you're sterile. Have you fathered any offspring?"
"I haven't been informed as of this press date. How about you?" He sat back and rocked his chair.
"I haven't had children, as a father or a mother."
"Good, we're even. I don't wish to arouse the Fates, but I would like you to live here. It would make the work run smoother, and I want you here every night."
"It might be best to wait and see. Everything is happening in hyper drive. I'm not sure I'll be able to keep up with you."
I started to reshuffle the papers in front of me and almost toppled a glass of wine on them. Why was I nervous? Because I haven't cohabitated since I shared a room with my sisters when we were kids.
"Then I'll slow down. I didn't mean to upset you," he said.
"I'm not upset. I'm tired and need sleep."
I stood up and he took my hand. He kissed it and escorted me to the door.
"I'll see you in the morning." He leaned in and kissed my cheek.
"Leave the papers, and I'll finish them tomorrow."
Back in my condo, I didn't sleep, but adhered to my principle. Absence made the heart grow fonder or increased my chances of being an insomniac. And counted the days until my period started, just to be sure.
In the morning, he had a meeting with bankers, and I went back to the library floor.
I mailed responses, typed letters, filed, and started a new question pile for him. I logged on to his computer. Using his password, I accessed his email: one hundred and five messages. To screen, save, print, delete, or answer? Those were the questions. I took out a pad of paper and started at the top.
Spicing Up Trouble: a romantic comedy Page 9