“He asks about you, you know,” her mother had said to her.
“Huh? Who asks about me?”
“Scott. I happen to know he asked your father if he’d mind if he took you out while he was here.”
“What did Dad say?”
“Dad said it was okay with him.”
Liv was shocked. She was sure Scott hadn’t ever thought of her as anything other than her father’s little girl, he was eleven years older than she was, and she had just turned eighteen.
They did go out, every night he was in town and she was the happiest she’d ever been in her life. When he went back to his base, they’d talk every night on the phone. Scott came the next Christmas to spend it with her family, and proposed. She said yes and they were married on Valentine’s Day. Soon after Liv realized she was pregnant.
In less than a year she went from being a girl who just graduated from high school to a wife, soon to be a mother. And less than ten months after that, she was a widow. She and Scott hadn’t been married a year when his plane was shot down. She was younger then than Renie was now.
Between then and now, she hadn’t been with another man. She hadn’t really thought about it. Scott was the only the man she’d ever been with, until last night. The truth was, she’d been too scared to let anyone else get that close to her, to share that part of herself again. The last time she opened herself up like that, her heart had been broken into a million pieces.
All these years she believed if she kept her heart closed, she wouldn’t ever have to feel that gut-wrenching pain again. The only person she ever loved who hadn’t been taken away from her was Renie. And every day Liv prayed that God would keep her safe.
Liv didn’t know whether to thank Ben for awakening these feelings in her, or curse him for it. This was different though, this wasn’t about her heart, it was just sex. It wasn’t about forever, the way it was supposed to be with Scott, it was just a fling. A few days of fun. Other people did it all the time, had sex with people who they didn’t think they’d ever see again.
She stood, facing the bar, trying to decide whether to get Ben’s attention or just head up to the room when she felt his arms slide around her waist.
“There’s my girl. Oooh you feel good.”
“Hi,” she whispered, turning so she could wrap her arms around him.
“Let’s get out of here. You ready?”
“Are you sure you can leave?”
“Yep, and even if I couldn’t, I couldn’t wait another minute to be alone with you. Come on, let’s go.”
He pulled her with him, heading to the bank of elevators in the opposite direction of hers. “You’re staying with me tonight, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Liv let out a heavy sigh. She needed to keep reminding herself, this wasn’t about her heart, it was just sex. This week, these couple days with him, would be memories she’d carry with her forever. And even though those memories wouldn’t keep her warm at night when she was back on her ranch in Black Forest, at least she’d be able to say she’d done this, something a little wild, a little crazy, and had a lot of good sex.
When they got on the elevator she was the one who pushed him back up against the wall, running her hands under his shirt. His muscles tightened beneath her touch. He lifted her up and slid her down over his long, hard body.
“Liv,” he whispered her name, “you are so beautiful.”
“So are you,” she whispered back. Her hand slid down his belly toward his hip. Her heart thudded faster as she leaned into him, her body pressing as close to his as she could get it.
The elevator stopped, the door opened and they twisted out, neither letting go. This time Ben pressed her against the hallway wall. “Naked,” was all he said.
“Room,” she answered, kissing then licking the pulse point on his neck.
He slid his hands to her breasts, trying to free them from her bra.
“Wait,” she gasped. “Someone might see us.”
He cupped the perfect mound of flesh and gently stroked her hardened nipple with his thumb. “I don’t care.” He moved his hands to her ass and grabbed her, pressing, grinding against her.
“Oh God, Ben, I want you so much,” she groaned.
He had his key card out and in the door of the suite, she hadn’t realized that was what she was pressed against. It opened and she almost tumbled to the floor before he caught her. He pulled her back against him and pushed the door shut behind them.
“I can’t keep my hands off you,” he groaned. His lips trailed down her body, “I can’t keep my lips off you.” He reached for the zipper on her dress and pulled it down, it slid off her shoulders to the floor. He traced the lacy edge of her bra, his gaze riveted there.
“Your turn,” she murmured, tugging at his shirt. He grinned and reached behind him, pulling it off in one swoop.
“Now this.” His hand moved to her back to unfasten her bra with practiced ease. He removed the pale pink lace and dropped it to the floor. “Beautiful,” he murmured.
“Skin on skin, this is what I’ve been thinking about, craving.”
Liv ran her hands down his firm pecs, over his chiseled abs, and down to the waistband of his jeans. She reached for his belt, but he caught her hand.
“You first.” His hands moved quickly to her panties, and pulled them down and over her hips as she shimmied them off. She pressed her lips to his shoulder blade and drew her tongue over his skin.
His breath caught and his abs tightened beneath her exploring lips. “No more waiting,” she said, reaching for his belt. He unfastened it and jerked his pants off his own hips, let them fall to the floor, and stepped out of them.
He turned away from her, leading her by the hand. “Your suite is much bigger than ours,” she commented. “Must be a perk of being famous.”
“No talking.” He turned her around, walking her backward, belly-to-belly in to the large open area of the suite. She looked up at him and he caught her mouth in a deep kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. He grabbed her ass in both large hands and pressed her more securely against him.
He started moving her backward again, not stopping until her legs came in contact with the bed. He eased her down onto the mattress, never taking his lips from hers.
He moved her where he wanted her, and lifted himself up. “I want to look at you Liv. I need to look at you first.”
He moved so he sat next to her, his hip touching hers, and ran his hands over her breasts, her belly and down across the heated flesh between her thighs.
“Ben,” she arched her back and swayed her hips, trying to position herself closer to him.
“Don’t rush me,” he said. “I’m still looking.”
“Less looking. More touching,” Liv groaned.
Suddenly he was on top of her, wedging his knee between her thighs, opening her up to him.
“Can’t wait.”
She gasped and tried to stop him, then realized he already wore a condom. When had he put that on? Her thundering heart raced out of control, who cares?
“Ben, please, just . . . please.”
“Oh baby, oh it’s so good.” She clenched around him, wanting to keep him where he was, a part of her, for as long as she could. Spasms of relief overtook her, spreading throughout her body as he moved over her, faster and faster, harder and harder, until she exploded.
“Again Liv, let’s figure out what else you like,” he said as he trailed gentle kisses along her jaw. “I’m not finished with you yet.”
Liv wrapped her arms and legs around him. The pressure began to build again inside her. Need engulfed her senses. Ben slowed, looking deeply into her eyes. “Now,” he growled, as he threw his head back and closed his eyes. Just as he had on stage.
She kissed his temple as he murmured the sweetest sounds she’d ever heard. Contentment.
“Be right back,” he rolled off in the direction of the bathroom.
He snuggled back into her,
pulling her closer so her back was nestled against his front.
“I wish I wasn’t so tired,” he whispered. “I don’t want to miss a moment of being with you, but I have to sleep.”
“Mmm,” her eyes closed and she was asleep before he was.
Ben blinked himself awake and tried to get his bearings. He lifted his head from the pillow and felt Liv’s body cuddled against his. When he shifted, she woke up.
“Good morning beautiful,” he kissed the top of her head. Nothing felt better than waking up with her in his arms. He knew that now.
“What time is it?” He shifted again, looking at the clock on the night stand. “Eleven.”
“What? Eleven? Again. I never sleep this late.” She snuggled back into him. “It’s you. Your fault.”
Her stomach rumbled and he felt it against his own, it made him chuckle. “Hungry?”
“Yeah, I don’t think I’ve eaten since yesterday afternoon.”
“Liv, are you kidding? You must be starving.” He lifted her off of him and swung his legs over the side of the bed.
“No,” she protested. “Don’t go, come back here.”
“I’m just going to order some food, then you’ll have my undivided attention. What do you feel like eating?”
“Don’t care. Just need nourishment.”
He called room service and ordered more food than she thought the two of them could eat, then he stretched his body out next to hers again.
“What time’s your flight?” he asked, wishing he didn’t have to.
“Tomorrow morning. When is yours?”
“Seven.”
“Seven?” she gasped.
“Relax. Seven tonight.”
She let out a groan that sounded more like a stifled sob.
“I can change it. What time is your flight tomorrow? I’ll leave the same time you do.”
“No, you can’t do that. It’s okay, you have to get home. I understand.”
He sat back up, throwing his legs over the side of the bed again.
“Where are you going now? You promised your undivided attention.”
“Just give me a minute. Changing my flight time.”
That made her sit up. “No, Ben. I mean it. Don’t change your flight. It’s okay.”
“Really Liv, it isn’t a big deal, I can leave anytime I want to. Are you trying to tell me you’d rather not spend another night with me?”
“No. That isn’t it.”
“What is it then?”
“Your boys. This . . . this . . . whatever it is, shouldn’t come before your boys. I get that. I understand.”
“If that’s the only thing that’s worrying you, if you promise that’s it, I’m staying.” She started to speak and he put two fingers on her lips to stop her.
“If I left tonight, they’d be in bed long before I got home. And tomorrow is the day my boys hang with Grandma and Grandpa. Dad is not allowed to interfere with grandparent time. They’ll be up and out at the crack of dawn. This way, by the time they get back, I’ll be home. And, I’ll get to spend another few hours with you.”
“But . . .”
“But what? Liv I want to spend time with you. Is that so hard for you to accept? If I’m pushing too hard I guess you just need to say so.”
“No it isn’t that.” Liv got up and was climbing into her panties, looking for her bra.
He walked over to her, bringing his hand up to caress the side of her face, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Talk to me,” he said. “Tell me what’s going on with you. Are you worried about Paige?”
“No, that isn’t it. Paige travels all the time. She does her own thing. I don’t need to worry about her. I’m the one who’s usually waiting around with nothing to do.”
“Then what is it?” He rubbed his head again. “We already determined you like the bald head. I think we figured out a few other things you like just as well, if not better. Come on, give me somethin’ here. You ready to run away from me again Liv?”
She maneuvered out of his arms and walked over to the window, pulling the drapes back so she could look out over the Las Vegas Strip. What was she going to say? The more time she spent with him the harder it was going to be to let him go?
If she left now, her pride would stay intact. She’d walk away, thank him for a fantastic couple of days, wonderful memories, great sex, and ride off into the sunset, or at least to the elevator. If she was the one to say goodbye first, she might have more of a chance of keeping her emotions in check, not make a fool out of herself.
She looked over at Ben, who stood with his arms crossed, less than a foot from her. “Liv, tell me. I can see the wheels turning. Talk to me.”
“I really have to go. It’s been great, a great couple of days.” What else had she planned to say? She couldn’t think. “It’s been, you know, fun. But, I think it’s time to get back to real life now.” She was picking up her dress, looking for her shoes and her bag.
“Unh uh.”
“What?”
“No. This isn’t going down like this. You are not, I repeat, not running out of here. Even if I was leaving tonight, which I no longer am, I wouldn’t let you leave now. Who knows how long it will be before we see each other again? We haven’t even talked about that yet.”
Chapter 4
“Sure, that works, see you then.” Liv hung up her cell.
“All set?”
She bit her lip. “I know I said Paige was self-sufficient, but I hope she’s not mad at me. Honestly, as busy as she is and as much as she has to do, she’d never do this to me.”
“Do what?”
“Just leave me with no one to hang out with, you know, while we were traveling together.”
“What did she say? Did she sound angry?”
“She said she wanted me to enjoy myself, more than anything, so . . .”
“What else did she say? So . . . what?”
“So I wasn’t so damned grouchy when we got back home.”
Ben’s head tilted back again, and she heard him laugh. She loved his laugh, he did it with his whole body. His whole body experienced the joy of the moment. And it wasn’t just when he laughed, it was all the time. When he was on stage, when they were having sex.
He pulled her back down on the bed and shifted so she was lying right on top of him. “Skin on skin baby, you know how much I like this.” His hands worked their way up and down her back, pressing her closer to him.
“Can you sleep on the plane?”
“Hmm?”
“If I keep you up all night, can you sleep on the plane tomorrow?”
Ben hired a car to take them to McCarran. “Just fly back with me, it wouldn’t be a problem for us to fly into Centennial, drop you off and then fly over to Gunnison.”
“I didn’t realize you had your own plane when you said you were changing your flight.” Liv sounded peevish.
“Well, it isn’t mine, it’s the band’s, and we share time with my folks. My dad’s a pilot too.”
That got her attention. “My dad was a pilot. Air Force.”
“My father got his pilot’s license in his twenties, mainly to ferry my grandfather back and forth from Denver. He was never a military guy.”
“Oh.”
“You sound disappointed. Does it matter?”
No, it didn’t matter. Liv was just realizing that outside of great sex and undeniable mutual attraction, how much did they really have in common?
Last night Ben had insisted they talk about when they could see each other again. Liv had been evasive on purpose. He didn’t really think she believed him, did he? She knew what this was, it was a fling, just sex. He didn’t need to try to make her feel better about it by promising he’d call her. Did he think she was an idiot, or someone who wasn’t sophisticated enough to see this for what it was?
“I just thought we might have that in common,” she shrugged.
Ben looked at Paige, who shrugged too.
“Look, it’s a sweet offer
, but we’ve got a car at DIA. Flying into Centennial will only complicate things. Let’s just say goodbye here. It’ll be easier that way.”
Ben looked at Paige again. “I thought you said if I stayed another night she wouldn’t be as grouchy.”
Paige couldn’t hold it in, she spit out her coffee as she laughed out loud.
“It isn’t funny,” Liv said, moving away from both of them. “I’ll be back in a minute.” She huffed off in the direction the ladies room.
“What . . . in . . . the . . . hell?” he looked to Paige. Granted, he might be used to getting his own way, and he could be a little stubborn, and maybe a little controlling, but this woman wasn’t giving an inch.
“Go easy on her, she’s w-a-a-a-y out of her comfort zone with you. Let her be pissy, but like her anyway. She’ll come around.” Paige hesitated, “As long as you do.”
“Is that what it is? She thinks I’m not going to come around again?”
“She doesn’t think it, she knows it, at least that’s what she’s convinced herself.”
“How do you know all this? Did she get up in the middle of the night and call you while I was sleeping?”
“No, she didn’t. I know her. When I say she’s out of her comfort zone, she isn’t even on the same planet as her comfort zone when it comes to you. Cut her some slack, understand what the motivation is behind her behavior. Like I said, she’ll come around as long as you do.”
“Okay, ready Paige?” Liv touched Ben’s arm, stood up on her tiptoes, and kissed his cheek. “Bye Ben, thanks for everything, I had a lot of fun. Come on Paige, let’s go.” Liv turned and was two feet away from him before he realized what she was doing.
Two long strides later he grabbed her around the waist and spun her back to him. “Oh no, we aren’t doing this again. Come here baby.” His mouth covered hers before she could protest. His hand held the back of her head close, so she couldn’t pull away, couldn’t break their kiss, until he was ready to. His other arm came around and he squeezed her behind with his big hand. And released her.
And Then You Fall (Crested Butte Series) Page 5