Private Show (The Private Series)

by Torella, Danielle

  He doesn’t look pleased. “Just like that?”

  Confused, “What do you mean, just like that? It’s not a big deal, I live so close and I walk around the city all the time.”

  Getting in the car, he starts the powerful engine. “Look, you don’t exactly have a good track record of keeping safe. I worry, that’s all. Please don’t be upset.”

  Most girls would go apeshit over an overprotective guy, but with our or my history for that matter, I can understand why. “I know.”

  Ben leans over while we are stopped at a light to give me a kiss and take my hand. “So, are you hungry? There’s this great restaurant not far from my place that has the best enchiladas and margaritas.”

  “Mmmm, sounds perfect.” I moan.

  “Make that noise again and we won’t make it there.” He threatens. Any other day I would have moaned again, but I really am starving. So I keep my mouth shut. For now.

  After placing our orders, the waitress brings us our margaritas. Ben raises his glass. “Here’s to the miracles that which rise from misfortune.” I tap my glass to his and smile. It’s true, after all the bad and disastrous things that have happened to both of us in our pasts, we’ve come together, again and again. Even during the low part of my life, he was there. We just didn’t know it yet.

  “Did you know this is the first time we have had a real date?” I ask Ben.

  He scrunches his black eyebrows. “Oh, you’re right! I didn’t even think about that, Tess. I am so sorry I haven’t treated you out till now.”

  “Oh, no it’s fine, that doesn’t bother me. Believe me, I rather enjoy our private time.”

  He chuckles. “True. But still you are a lady and I should have taken you out on a proper date. Although, I don’t think I have ever really taken a woman out on a real date before. Well, not since Nicole…” His confession squeezes my heart a little.

  I know Ben didn’t do relationships in his past, not after his ex-fiancé cheated on him with their college professor. But that statement also brought back to mind his past sexual flings. Not something I like to think about. I hold my hand out to stop him. I have to lighten this up.

  Light bulb.

  I move my chair next to his and rest my head on his shoulder. Eyeing me suspiciously, he sets down his glass and I reach for mine. Lifting my gaze right to his, I lick the salt off the rim… slowly. I catch him graze his tongue over his own bottom lip. I then take the lime and suck the tequila out of its juices, his eyes never leaving my mouth.

  The waitress is back with our dinner. I tell her thank you, but Ben is still fixated on my mouth. “Eat,” I tell him.

  “Oh, I will. Just you wait.” That remark makes me squirm in my seat. Dammit. I really shouldn’t have gotten myself all riled up before we ate, because now we have to sit here and eat before we can leave.

  As if he can read my mind, he calls back the waitress. “I’m sorry, but something came up. Can we get these to go, and the check please?” She nods grabs our dishes and scurries off.

  Oh!

  “Something came up?” I repeat his words.

  And with his million-dollar panty-dropping smile, says to me, “Yes. Something came up.” He lowers his eyes down to his lap. I have to bite down on my lower lip to stop a moan from escaping. Just thinking about him hard for me turns me on. The waitress returns in a flash, and Ben throws down some cash. He stands up, quickly grabbing my hand, and rushes me out the door.

  Just as we are out the door we are stopped by a beautiful blonde with long wavy hair and she looks like she stepped out of a page from Vogue. She throws her head back and gives a fake laugh as her date comes up from behind her.

  “Ben.” She greets.

  I hear a grumble come from Ben, “Vanessa.”

  “Oh, come on,” She starts and Ben tries to get us to sneak by her, but she puts an arm out.

  Looking to her handsome date she tells him to check their reservation, he kisses her cheek and knocks into Ben’s shoulder as he passes.

  “Where was I? Right. Just to let you know Nicole is moving back from New York and she’s single.” She is looking at me as she says this.

  “And?” Ben urges, irritated.

  She flips her hair over her shoulder and tells him, “I figure you might want to give it another go.”

  “And why in God’s name would I want to do that?”

  “Because I see you have been slumming and you know Nicole is better than any other… girl you have been with.” Emphases on “girl.”

  His grip has tightened on my hand and I can feel his body tense with anger. I run my thumb over his hand trying to relax him.

  He takes a calming breath, “Vanessa, Nicole and I are done, and we have been for a while. So go tell your little BFF, to step off.” She rolls her eyes at his words.

  I see her date coming this way and he doesn’t look happy about seeing Ben in her face, so I start to pull him by her to get out the door. I take a step back and I put on my “look” and I know people react to my “look.” She takes a tiny step back and I lean in, “Tell your friend to stay away. She is nothing but a cheating whore and she is the one who fucked up. She was lucky to have him, but now I do.”

  “We’ll see.”

  Outside, he spins me so my back is up against the cool brick of the building. Allowing the bag holding our dinner to drop to the ground, he grabs my hands with both of his and raises them up over my head. He presses his tall, lean body flush up against mine. The cool brick at my back and his hot structure at my front is a crazy sensation. His mouth is fast on mine, taking me over completely. His lips are hot and swollen from our frantic kissing, his tongue ruthlessly taking what’s his. I gently bite at his bottom lip and tug it back. A loud growl escapes his throat.

  “Car.” He demands, reluctantly pulling his body off of mine. Thank God no one came out of the restaurant, because if they did, they may have gotten a little peep show.

  I do as I am told, because I am too turned on not to even after what just happened, maybe it’s the adrenalin from the anger. Opening the passenger side door, he pushes the seat forward and I climb into the back. He tosses the food in the driver’s seat and jumps in behind me, closing the door. Then it hits me. We’re in a public parking lot. I start to look out the windows frantically.

  “Don’t worry, we are in a dark spot with no cars around and my windows are tinted.” Yep, pretty sure he’s a mind reader. I reach for his belt and swiftly start to unbuckle it; at the same time, he’s trying to take of his jacket, then mine. Pulling back, he gets his pants down to his knees, leaving his black boxer briefs on, concealing the one thing I want most. Eager, I undo my jeans and start pulling them off before he knows it.

  “Excited, are we?” he asks.

  “Oh, God you have no idea.” I whisper. I reach out to pull out his covered length from the glorious boxers of his. He moans when I take a firm grip on him.

  “Fuck,” He growls out. And just for the exact reason I would buy the expensive panties, he rips mine right off. Reaching back for his wallet he opens it up and pulls out a condom. Rips it open with his teeth and slips it on as fast as he can. Before I know it, his body is over mine and he is at my opening.

  Anticipation killing me I reach around, grabbing his ass, and pull him into me. His eyes shoot to mine in surprise. Yeah, I just did that.

  He takes me fast and hard, which is exactly what I wanted. I need to feel him want me just as bad as I want him. Any way I can. In this moment we are the only two people in the world. We’re not in a parking lot, where passers-by can catch a little peek, but rather we are on our own little island. A hot steamy island.

  It doesn’t take long before I am clawing at his back and tensing my thighs around his hips. This is his cue to give it all he has and oh, boy does he. Raising my hips as I meet him thrust for thrust, his breathing get heaver and more labored. His mouth moves from my ear to my mouth and I can’t help but bite down on his bottom lip to stop myself from screaming when we reach
our climax together.

  Breathy, he speaks. “You’re going to kill me, Tess.” God, when he says my name…

  “Well, I hope not too soon.” He kisses me hard on the mouth and winces. Pulling back, he licks his lips and chuckles.

  “OK, you may not kill me, but damn, you drew blood.” He’s amused, not mad.

  “Sorry about that. I didn’t want to be too loud. We’re not exactly alone.” I say as I attempt to peek out the now steamed-up window.

  “I suppose you’re right, but damn, it was worth it. And thank you for christening my car.”

  “Wait. You’ve never had sex in your car before?” I ask, stunned.

  He gently pulls out of me and removes the condom. “I may have been a man-whore in my past, but no, I wouldn’t trash up my car with a one-nighter.”

  “Oh.”

  “I told you, you’re different, Tess.” His eyes pierce into mine.

  “So you say.” I sit up and scooch my butt back to look for my jeans.

  “Look at me.” He demands and I do. “What do I have to do, to make you believe me?”

  “I do believe you. That’s what scares me, Ben. If I trust you, then you can break my heart.” I confess.

  Looking taken back, he stops to think for a moment. He pulls his pants up from his knees and hands me mine. He is biting the inside of his cheek. Wow, he’s nervous about something. But what?

  “What’s wrong?” I ask, worried.

  He turns and sits next to me on the bench seat, and takes my hand. “I have never been one to need to be trusted. With you I need it. I need you to want to trust me and to fully trust me. You have me and no other woman can have that. I trust you. You can trust me with your heart. Please?” He looks so distraught.

  “I am getting there. Fast.”

  Ben exhales roughly and gives me a little smile. “All right.” And he kisses me.

  I whip my head and look out the back window.

  “Tess?” Ben asks concerned.

  “I thought I saw a shadow. Shit! Do you think someone was watching?” I cover my face.

  Putting his arms around me, “No, I don’t think so, it was probably a car leaving the lot.”

  Not wanting to think about it, I nod and agree.

  Ben kisses my forehead, “Alright, let’s get out of here.”

  As I walk around the pharmacy waiting for my birth control prescription to be filled I notice these little temporary tattoos, which makes me think about Ben and his sexy tattooed self. I see a sheet of punk-themed tattoos and one of them happens to be the British flag. An awesome personal touch to my costume. Oh! I need suckers! Baby Spice always has a sucker in her mouth.

  Man, this is going to drive Ben crazy. Good.

  As I pick up the bag of my sweet treats, enough for the evening, the pharmacy announces my last name. My prescription is ready. I make my way to the pick-up counter. I am not only buying suckers and temporary tattoos, but birth control pills. Ha. Nothing like buying kid stuff and the thing that is supposed to prevent a kid. I let out a little chuckle and the cashier glances at me, looks down at my loot, and back to me. And she rolls her eyes.

  I have about fifteen minutes till I have to be at the coffee shop for a short shift. It’s been weird. I was so used to working with Dave, I had no idea he was manipulating me in order to viciously hurt me. I liked the Dave I knew and it hurts to know that he wasn’t that person. So it’s a bittersweet feeling to have him gone. For one he can’t hurt me now, seeing as he’s still in jail, at least that’s what I last read in the papers. I hope it’s true.

  I open up the plastic pack and I take my first dose, wanting to be ready for Ben in a few days. My doctor said I would be fine based on my cycle and when I am starting them, so Saturday will be amazing to surprise Ben with this.

  The rest of my co-workers know what went down at the club that night, but thankfully not why. The reporters didn’t find out about how Dave tried to attack me three years ago and manipulated me ever since to get his revenge. Thank God. But they still acted slightly different towards me since the news broke. Before I was just the mousy odd girl to whom they barely spoke a word. One co-worker has made it clear that they think I made everything up, and that he had a thing for Dave and he is pissed that I “put him away.” I constantly get dirty looks from regular customers, because they enjoyed Dave and I am the reason he is gone. At least a few seem genuinely concerned, but the others… who knows?

  I most certainly can’t afford to quit, but if I keep working here any longer, I’m gonna lose my shit.

  I throw my apron on and get right to work taking orders for cranky tired customers who need their afternoon pick-me-up. The afternoon rush doesn’t let up until nearly six o’clock, where I am finally able to get my own pick-me-up. I am leaning up against the counter when Erin walks in.

  “I need the biggest most caffeinated drink you got. Now!”

  Afraid to ask her what’s wrong until she has her drink. I know what it’s like to need your caffeine when you really need it. So, I grab the largest paper cup we have and start making her a triple-shot mocha cappuccino, her favorite. I even threw in a few ice cubes so she doesn’t have to wait to drink it. Instead of placing it on the counter I hand it right to her and she grabs it, as if I was going to take it back.

  “All right, spill, what’s going on?” I finally feel safe enough to ask.

  She takes a large sip and a big refreshing breath, and I can actually see her shoulders relax. “I was up all night with Mark and I had an early class and my professor decides to throw a surprise exam at us! The freaking bastard.”

  “You haven’t been to YOUR bed yet?” I tease.

  “Ha. Ha. It’s not funny, I am so wiped out.” I can clearly see her exhaustion.

  “Hey, I get off in an hour. Do you wanna hang out?”

  She sighs. “Yes. Please. I don’t have my car. Mark dropped me off at school on his way to work this morning. I tried getting a hold of him, but no reply, so I walked over to his office to surprise him with lunch, between classes and he had called in sick.”

  “How was he this morning?” I ask.

  “He seemed fine, I mean no signs of being sick. So when I left I tried calling him and no answer again. That’s weird right?” She asks.

  I shrug, not wanting to make her worry about it too much, “Maybe he was at a doctor’s appointment?”

  “Perhaps. I’ll try again later. Oh, do you think you can give me a lift?”

  “Of course.”

  When my shift is over I go to wake a sleeping Erin. Apparently that coffee didn’t do her justice. “Hey sleeping beauty, time to go home.” I say with a nudge.

  She starts to shift. “Oh my God. I fell asleep?”

  “Obviously. You have some drool right…” I rub my chin to imply where she needs to wipe. She quickly grabs a napkin and rises to her feet.

  “Can we get out of here now?” She sounds agitated.

  When I unlock my car door I notice that I still have my pharmacy bag on the seat and look to Erin. Crap. I don’t want her knowing I am on the pill. She will make such a big deal out of it. So I jump in as fast as I can to get to the bag before she does. Fail. She grabs it, sits down, and places the bag on her lap.

  “Why do you look so nervous, Tess?” she asks.

  “Uh, no reason. Just thought I’d move that bag for you, so you don’t have to hold it all the way back to your place.”

  Not buying it, she tears into the bag. Damn. “Suckers. Temporary tattoos? And… Oh. MY. God!”

  “Yes! I know! I am on the pill.” I say it before she ruptures my eardrums.

  “Tess! Why didn’t you tell me you were going on it?”

  “Honestly because it’s not that big of a deal.” But, really, it’s huge deal to me. A very committed deal.

  Damn her and her all-knowing ways. “I don’t buy it. This is a big thing, Tess. This means you’re planning on having lots and lots of hot sex with your very sexy British hunk of a man boyfriend.�
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  I sigh in defeat. “Yes. It is a gigantic deal for me. I never thought that I would be so attracted to a man like I am with Ben. And yes, the sex is a huge perk.” We are both giggling by the time we pull into Erin’s parking lot. She lives in an upper-class apartment complex and most of the people here drive Jaguars and Mercedes, so my little red Honda sticks out like a bleeding toe with gout.

  We plop onto her sofa, abs still hurting from laughing all the way here. “Drinks,” Erin states, not asking. She jumps to her feet and goes for the fridge. I hear her rattling around some bottles. Damn, this girl is a lush. She comes back to me with a mixed drink in hand. And I love her even more, when she hands me my classic rum and Coke. Heavy on the rum.

  “Are you trying to get me drunk?” I ask her.

  In her seductive voice, “What if I am?” She’s trying not to smile, but fails. And so do I. We pick out a fun movie, with some crude humor to keep the vibe light tonight.

  “So I take it Mark liked your purchases from yesterday?” I ask with a little wink.

  Her face lights up with the mention of his name. “Yeah, you can say that.” And I don’t want to know the details, no way. So I just smile and shake my head at her.

  We eventually order a pizza and watch another movie. We have another drink and I already know there’s no way I am going to be going home tonight. Erin makes a mean rum and Coke, and vodka cranberry. By the time the pizza is here we could definitely use the carbs to absorb the alcohol a little bit. This is such a nice evening. Food, movies, drinks and my best friend.

  At almost the end of the second movie, I decide to text Ben good night, like we have been. I am just happy I remembered, considering my buzzed state. Turning it on I see I have four missed calls, two voicemails and about a dozen texts. All from Ben. Uh-oh. I start to scroll through the texts first:

  10:23: Hey babe tried calling you.

  10:47: Hey where are you?