by Molly Bryant
“Ben,” I moaned as I closed my eyes. I entwined my legs with his holding him tighter against me. I felt his hand caressing my delicate skin softly, working it's way down my chest, stomach, and to my hip. He wrapped his strong hand around the back of my knee bringing my leg over his hip as he pressed himself between my legs. I moaned again.
I slowly opened my eyes to find that Ben had been staring at me adorably. “Kiss me,” I whimpered. I closed my eyes again in anticipation of feeling his lips on mine.
~
“Were you dreaming about me again, princess?” Ben's voice was full of sleepiness.
I snapped my eyes open quickly to find that I was right up against Ben's body. Staring at him with wide eyes I could feel... what is that? I wondered lifting the sheets to look. Oh my God... I dropped the blankets and quickly moved away from Ben.
“Sorry,” he shrugged. “You were moaning louder than the last time, and you were doing that whole fish lip thing,”
“God,” I whined as I rolled over onto my back.
“Princess, don't be embarrassed,” he rubbed my shoulder lightly. “I'm not ashamed, it's only natural,” he smiled widely.
I turned my head, staring at him with a look of disbelief that he had just said that. Hold up... I could use this to my advantage, I grinned.
“I'm not embarrassed or ashamed,” I smirked as I rolled back over to face him. “I'm just having a hard time controlling myself with you laying here all hot and bothered,” I winked before throwing the blankets off of me and hopping out of bed feeling an abnormal draft. I looked around and had seen my silk nightgown tossed onto the floor by my dresser, I forgot about that. I held my bashfulness and continued to my closet.
“So what are the plans for tonight?” I heard Ben holler from my bed.
“I am making plans with Jordan,” I quickly threw on a pair of sweats and a tank top.
“Yeah?” he was staring at me with his hands behind his head as I came walking out of my closet.
“I was hoping to go to that really nice Italian restaurant that just opened... oh what's the name of it?” I picked up my robe and nighty and hung it on the back of my bathroom door.
“Prima Viera?” his eyes watched me as I picked up my room.
“Yes! That's it,” I grinned.
“How funny,” he stretched.
“Why is it funny?” I stared at him.
“Karen and I are going there tonight,” he rolled onto his side.
“Oh, Karen from Estrada's?” I placed my hand on my chest as I felt my heart ache.
“Yup, that would be the one,” he sat up and let his legs dangle off the side of the bed.
“We should just do a double date,” I said excitedly. Heart ache, gone...
He stared at me for a moment before smiling with a sly grin.
“What?” He had that look in his eyes. The look of a nasty plan.
“Nothing,” he smiled. “Yes, a double date, let's do it,” his grin became wider.
Odd... but, okay whatever.
~
After Ben insisted on having coffee first, he left. Yes, he actually leaves.
Hallelujah! I miss having alone time.
I ran to the entertainment center in my living room turning the channel to hip-hop then blasted the speakers. I turned around and stared at my 'uncomfortable couch' with a smile. I then run, taking a huge leap I jumped onto the couch and started jumping. Hmm... little give, I bounced harder.
I jumped off of the couch and grabbed my cell phone, I text Jordan;
You're right, couch is uncomfortable.
Would you like to go couch shopping with me then to dinner later?
I smiled as I hit send. I cleaned the few coffee mugs in the sink and grabbed a snack out of the fridge before he text back. Not that I kept checking my phone or anything of course.
Aren't you a sight for sore text :)
I'll be leaving work here in a few, pick you up at four?
I glanced at the time on the text to see it is now three-fifteen. Ah, crap... I quickly shoved the last piece of celery into my mouth.
Can't wait! See you then!
I had text Jordan back quickly, threw my phone onto the counter and ran toward the bathroom to take a shower.
Ben
I drove through Morning Side Heights where Vanessa lives toward Manhattan Valley where I live. I was excited inside about this whole dinner thing. Last night with Vanessa, even though we didn't even kiss, had to have been the most awesome night with a woman ever. I had never wanted to ravish someone in the ways that I wanted to ravish her. The emotions that were flooding through me were indescribable-talk about self control.
“Dial Karen,” I said to my I-phone as I turned the corner, the ringing blasting through my BMW's speakers.
“Hey, sexy,” she answered.
I rolled my eyes. I know I had told Vanessa that Karen and I were already going to Prima Viera, but we weren't- I lied.
“Do you want to go to dinner tonight?” I sighed staring at the red stop light in front of me.
“Of course, silly,” her voice an octave too high shrilled my speakers.
“Meet me at Prima Viera- 8pm,” I gripped the steering wheel tightly as I didn't want to go out to dinner with Karen, at all.
“Mm, can't wait,” she purred.
I pushed the phone button on my steering wheel hanging up on her. I couldn't listen to her annoying voice for one more second. It's wrong in so many ways for me to lead Karen on, although, if I want to follow through with this plan of making Vanessa jealous, then I need to do it and I need it to work.
I pulled up to my colonial style home and I sat in my car just staring at the huge bay windows. I saw it was dark inside and it looked so cold and empty. Other than the occasional woman that I sometimes bring to my home-I am alone. I sighed.
Possibly I am just being a whiny-ass, maybe I am used to spending the last few days and nights with Vanessa? Who knows... I shift in my seat uncomfortably looking down to see that someone else is awfully depressed, and alone. After the night I had with Vanessa, I could use some 'alone time'. Well, alone time with- My phone dings interrupting my thoughts;
Howdy, handsome stranger.
Have any plans?
I smirked; Belinda. Now, Belinda... she is beautiful; long brown hair that is always in bouncy curls, extremely long legs, and a bangin' body that is out of this world. However, dumb as shit. One time she called me extremely upset because she had lost my phone number, but that's not the worst of it. The last time we had hung out she picked up a piece of paper from my kitchen counter and stood there for at least ten minutes just staring at it. I finally asked her what she was doing after I realized she wasn't following me to my bedroom and can you guess what she said? She said that she was watching 'Pay-Per-View'. So, I rest my case and text her back;
At this moment, no.
Come over...
~
“Where are you going?” Belinda pouted, her lip sticking out like she's two.
“I told you I have plans,” I put my boxers back on.
After a moment of silence... “Do boxer shorts box?” she asked bewildered as she pointed to my yellow and navy blue plaid boxer shorts.
“Excuse me?” I turned to look at her.
Her brows are furrowed, head tilted sideways like a dog that is trying to figure out what you just said. Don't think too hard, Belinda as when you brainstorm all that comes out is a drizzle.
“You know what, just never mind,” I smiled as I didn't want to make her feel bad about her question. I mean, not that she would exactly understand why it was completely stupid. I headed to my bathroom, “I need to get in the shower,”
“Oh, yay! Shower time!” she clapped and giggled excitedly as she hopped off of the bed, skipping after me.
After I finished washing, I hopped out of the shower leaving Belinda in there to finish as I dried myself off.
“So where are you going tonight?” she hollered over the water.<
br />
“I don't know yet really, just dinner with some friends,” Lie... is it just me or do I have a problem with lying? Yeah, I need to work on that.
“Oh,” Was all she could say.
“We'll go out soon,” Another lie... if all goes right, I will be spending everyday with Vanessa.
I ran my hands through my messy-blonde hair as I smiled at my reflection. I suppose you all are wondering if I feel guilty at all for hooking up with Belinda, and the answer is... sort of. Vanessa and I aren't together so I didn't cheat on her and I never would. However, there is a part of me that aches after every woman I have slept with in the past and present with the hopes of no future twinkles between the sheets unless it's Vanessa. Honestly, there has been no other woman that has ever made me feel the way Vanessa had last night just by touching me in places I never thought she would.
Not saying anything, I left Belinda in the shower and walked into my bedroom getting my phone out of my jeans pocket. I had two picture messages from Vanessa. I grinned widely as I could see that she is couch shopping. One of the messages was Vanessa lying on a huge, cream colored, fluffy sofa looking gorgeous as hell as she posed for the picture. I closed out of that one and opened the other... it's of Vanessa and Jordan- Jordan holding Vanessa's phone out with his long ass arms as they sat on a chocolate-brown leather sofa together. Their smiles all cheesy. As the phone was in my hands I got another text from Vanessa;
Which one do you like better?
They are COMFY :)
Even though I was raging jealous inside, I still smiled at the fact that she had thought of me while couch shopping and thank God she is buying a new couch as my neck still hurts from the other night.
Sweet! I like the cream couch, can't wait to try it out tonight ;)
I smirked as I hit send. I can only imagine what her text back will be?
“Ben?” I heard that Belinda is still in the shower so I tossed my phone onto the bed and walked back into the bathroom. I bet she hadn't even noticed that I left.
“Yes, Belinda,” I sprayed shaving cream in my hands.
“Do you think stars clean themselves with meteor showers?”
~
I stood out in front of the restaurant as I waited for Karen hoping she would be a little early, then I could pick a table before Jordan and Vanessa got here. Regardless that I have to sit through a dinner with Karen, I don't mind as long as we all have an intellectual conversation. I rubbed my temples at the thought of Belinda. Plus, I forgot to mention that she is a Physicians Assistant no less, I shuddered. Makes you think twice about going to a doctor, right?
Perfectly as planned, Karen stepped out of the yellow cab looking astonishing in her tight-black dress and heels with her auburn hair pulled up and off of her shoulders. I smiled at her.
“Ben,” she said sweetly in the annoying voice I couldn't stand. “You look amazing,”
“Thanks, but you, Karen look gorgeous,” I kissed her on the cheek then placed my hand on her back escorting her into the restaurant. I can't wait to see what Vanessa is wearing...
“Reservation for McGurthy,” I said to the hostess.
An older man with short black hair and a mustache in his black tuxedo looked down at his reservation book.
“Four, sir?” he asked.
“Yes,” I nodded.
“Right this way,” he bowed. On the way to our table he made the start of my plan just fucking 'peachy' by saying, “Your party has already arrived sir,”
Ugh. “They have?” I looked around the restaurant.
“Yes, sir,” he pointed to a table in the far back corner of the restaurant. “Right over there,” he let us walk ahead of him to our table.
I stared at Vanessa in a strapless silver gown showing off her tan shoulders, and might I add that with this dress hugging her so perfectly, she bared cleavage that could drive you mad. Her soft-blonde hair was twisted up and the princess that she is, was wearing princess cut diamonds from Tiffany in each perfectly shaped earlobe. She looked absolutely stunning. A smile spread across my face as I watched her laugh.
“Ben, hi!” Vanessa said excitedly as she stood up to give me a hug. Taking in her sweet scent, I closed my eyes and squeezed her tightly to my chest. All I want is to sit with her the way Jordan is sitting with her now... on a date, damn it.
“Hey, Nessy,” I whispered in her ear. She quickly pulled away and I saw that she was blushing as she lightly smacked my arm.
“Don't call me that,” she hissed through her teeth.
“Karen, this is Vanessa and her friend Jordan,” Yeah, her friend Jordan. You like that?
“Nice to meet you guys,” Karen shook each of their hands. “You both were at Estrada's the other night too, right?” She asked them.
“Yeah,” Vanessa nodded then looked over at Jordan with a smile.
“So how's it goin', Ben?” Jordan leaned forward as he was across from me.
“It's good,” I smiled back. “I see you two went couch shopping today,” I mocked excitement.
“We did,” Vanessa waggled her brows.
“It was a good time,” Jordan laughed. “Vanessa got into one of those display beds and the security guard walking around the store asked her to get out and she said in a tiny mouse voice, “I can't hear you, I'm sleeping,” and oh my God, dude was so pissed... turned bright red and everything,”
I looked over at Vanessa who was staring at me with a smile. I was laughing my ass off with the vision of her in the display bed. The more I stared at her, the more I wanted to reach across the table and brush the hair away from her eyes, but I couldn't. So I settled... I stretched my right leg out letting my shin rest upon the side of her leg. She didn't move, she didn't jump... she actually wanted my leg touching hers.
“Oh my gosh, I've always wanted to do that...” Karen trailed off.
“You like the pictures, Benjamin?” she mouthed, winking at me as Karen and Jordan are engaged in conversation.
Oh, really, it's like that? “The first one,” I mouthed back holding my pointer finger up. I leaned back into my chair, my leg still touching hers.
“Welcome to Prima Viera, my name is Villenccio and I will be your waiter this evening,” he said in a strong Italian accent as he bowed. “Should we start with a few cocktails?” he looked at each of us with a smile.
“Yes, I will have a Bellini, please.” Vanessa smiled.
“Okay, for you Miss?” he looked at Karen.
“Oh, uh... I can't read any of this stuff,” she shrugged.
“Vanessa can, she speaks some Italian,” Jordan smiled at Vanessa. “You should order us drinks and surprise us,” he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.
She speaks Italian? How sexy is that truthfully? I watched her tentatively as I waited for her response.
“Oooh, fun,” Vanessa eyed the drink menu. She whistled lowly for a moment as we stayed quiet waiting for her to say something. “Alright, I think I got it,”
“Karen will have the Negroni, Jordan the Montgomery, and for Ben...” she paused, sexily raising her eyebrow at me. “He will have a Lemoncello on the rocks,” she handed the waiter her drink menu. “Per piacere.”
Ah, God... so sexy. Why does she feel the need to torture me? I groaned.
The waiter bowed. “Ovviamente, con piacere,”
“Mille grazie, Villenccio.” Vanessa laughed.
“Wow, that was so hot,” Karen said breathlessly as she stared at Vanessa.
“Right?” Jordan said touching her cheek with his fingertips. I could shove those fingers up his ass.
Vanessa speaking Italian was the hottest thing I have ever witnessed. Nothing like an astounding woman to be that much more astounding by speaking the most seductive language in the world. God, I love Vanessa Montello.
Vanessa has turned me on in more ways than one in less than an hour we have been here. I have to hand it to her though, that the Lemon-whatever you call it- drink was awesome. I have let my plan of trying to make Vanessa j
ealous to the side, until now.
Vanessa is leaning into Jordan listening to Karen go off about working for Mac make-up, so now is my chance. I leaned over to Karen and nestled my nose into her neck. I could hear her start to stutter as I gently, and softy raked my lips against her shoulder. I placed a kiss on her cheek as I sat up, lacing our fingers together then bringing her hand to my lips.