“Sure,” Kayley agreed. “Let’s take mine so I don’t have to switch Lexi’s seat. It’s a nightmare, and wouldn’t be fun in that nice sports car of yours.” He walked with her to the car and settled Alexis into her car seat. She smiled and put her baby hand on his.
“Poow,” she said, nodding her little head.
He ruffled her hair. “Yes, we’re going to the pool. Lexi going to swim?” She nodded again and she smiled at her, walking to the trunk to help Kayley with the bag.
“I got it,” she smiled, slamming the trunk shut. He closed in on her and pushed her against the trunk, his nose touching hers. “Ahhh, so you really weren’t being a gentleman,” she teased. He nipped her nose with his teeth.
“What are you wearing under that sexy-as-hell cover up? Because all I want to do right now is go back inside and have you give me a private show like you did last night.”
Kayley blushed and he kissed her lips. “I’m wearing a bikini, just like you asked. I couldn’t find a muu-muu.”
“The pink one?” Ben stepped back, trying to look through her cover up.
She shook her head. “It’s a surprise.”
Ben shook his head at her. “Uh-uh, woman. You can’t do that to me. We’re going to have lunch with my family, and you want to embarrass myself by uh- showing my enjoyment seeing you in that suit for the first time?”
Kayley winked, pushing away from the car and walking to the driver’s seat, closing Alexis’ door on the way. “I guess you will just have to control yourself.”
Ben’s mouth dropped open. She was a little temptress! He walked to the passenger side and slid in. Leaning over the console, he put his lips to her ear. “There are a lot of bedrooms at that house.” With that, he sat back in his seat and buckled his seatbelt, not making eye contact with her.
Kayley sipped her tea, watching Alexis completely in her element. Lindsay’s little girls were adorable, and they were having a great time playing in the pool together. Krista, Lindsay’s four year old, swam like a fish in the pool, while Ella, who just turned two, and Alexis hung around the steps with floaties on their arms.
Lindsay sat next to her at the side of the pool, watching the girls with her. Ben’s little sister was breathtaking. With stick straight blonde hair that hung down her back and the same gorgeous blue eyes as her brother, she could’ve been a model. Her tanned, toned body definitely didn’t look like she had two children, and pretty recently. Ben was right, she was wearing a small bikini that actually made hers look tame.
Lindsay’s husband Paul sat across the pool deck with the guys, drinking beer and playing corn hole. He looked like the absolute opposite of the tow-headed people in this family. He had dark hair and dark eyes, and looked like a bodybuilder. Kayley guessed that was why Lindsay was so defined, too. Their little girls resembled a mix of them. The oldest had his dark hair and Lindsay’s eyes, a beautiful combination, and the little one had Lindsay’s hair but Paul’s eyes.
Ben caught her eye from across the yard and smiled. She smiled back, reassuring him that she was okay. Even from there, he made her stomach flutter. She loved him. Her eyes ran over his body, appreciating again how fine that man looked in anything he wore, but how much she liked seeing those low hanging board shorts on him. I need to install a pool, she thought.
Karen Nichols sat down next to Lindsay and Kayley, holding her own tea. “Why, hello girls,” she said. “Well, look at these three. They are just best buds, aren’t they?”
“Gramma! Look! Alexis is playing with us!” Krista turned to Karen, beaming.
“I see that! She just fits right in here, doesn’t she,” Karen replied, looking at Kayley. “And so does her Mom.”
Kayley smiled at the beautiful woman that brought Ben into this world. “Thank you. Today has been so amazing. Lex doesn’t get to be around other kids all that often, and she loves the girls. Both of you have made me feel completely comfortable.”
Lindsay removed her sunglasses and looked at Kayley. “I knew my big brother was in the love the first time he mentioned your name.”
Kayley’s eyebrows went up, and she felt the familiar butterflies in her stomach. “Oh yeah?”
“After Zoey, he was so negative, so against being in love again,” Lindsay started. Ben’s mom nodded in agreement. “He was so lonely, but he wouldn’t admit it. He just kept saying he was fine, that he didn’t need anyone. We all knew differently, of course.”
“I will never, ever forget the look on his face when he came to lunch at our house that Sunday,” Karen reached over and placed her hand on Kayley’s. “It was right after your birthday, I think he said.”
Kayley blushed, remembering. She nodded her head. “Probably. My best friend Emily threw me a birthday party at her house, and she invited Ben. They had become quite the buddies trying to get us together.”
“He walked in,” she continued. “And he headed right for me. He gave me a big hug and a kiss. Not that he isn’t affectionate with me, but this was just…different. His face was lit up, like his smile was going to split his face. I looked at him and said, ok Ben Nichols, what in the world happened to you and who is she?”
Lindsay sighed. “Yeah. I couldn’t believe I was seeing him look like that. Mom and I were in the kitchen preparing food when he breezed in like he was a feather floating in the wind. His feet hardly touched the ground.”
Kayley laughed. “You two! You have to be slightly exaggerating.”
Lindsay shook her head, looking out at the girls again and then back to her. “I’m not exaggerating, I swear! We knew right away something big was going on with him.”
“So then,” Karen picked up. “He looked at me, grinned that adorable dimpled grin he’s made us all swoon over since he was a baby, and said…”
“Kayley,” Lindsay finished in a breathless voice, fanning herself. “Her name is Kayley.”
Kayley dissolved in giggles at her imitation of Ben. “I highly doubt he said it like that.”
Lindsay laughed, too. “Well, okay, not exactly, but pretty close.”
“He said your name, then he drifted away, like he was off on a desert island with you.” Karen glanced over her head at the guys in the yard. “All day long, he would just sit there, with a little grin on his face. We did finally get out of him who you were and some information about you, like about your little girl and how he met you. I remember wanting to cry, thinking that finally, this man was going to let someone in again. You know the story about that little wench, Zoey, right?”
Kayley’s eyes widened at the name she called Zoey. “Yes, I know the story. He told me not long after we started seeing each other. You know I’m a widow, right?”
Both women nodded. “I was so sorry to hear that,” Karen said sympathetically. “But, I’m glad that you’re here, with Ben. He’s never been happier in his life. I know that for sure.”
“Thank you for making me so welcome here today. It’s always nerve-wracking, meeting the parents- and siblings- for the first time. But all of you have made me feel like you’ve known me forever.” Kayley swallowed the lump in her throat, so grateful.
Lindsay hugged Kayley quickly. “Anyone that can make my brother love again is a miracle to us. He loves you, and your baby. That’s amazing.”
As if on cue, Alexis turned in the pool and looked across the yard, yelling for Ben. Ben looked immediately, knowing her voice. Dropping his bean bag for the game, he headed across the yard, much to the disappointment of the guys. Apparently Ben was very good at corn hole.
“She calls, then I go see the princess,” Ben called over his shoulder, making his way across the yard. “I’m coming, Princess!” Before he dropped into the pool, he leaned over, cupping Kayley’s face and kissing her gently.
“Hey baby,” he murmured. “Having fun with the girls?”
Kayley grinned at him, gripping his chin with her fingers and planting another kiss on those amazing lips. “I am. We’re talking about you.”
“Uh oh,” B
en said, stepping into the pool. Alexis kicked furiously to try to get over to him, and he lifted her up and turned her around. She squealed and squeezed him tightly. “Good things, I hope. No embarrassing stories from childhood?” He looked back and forth from his mother to his sister.
“Oh no,” Karen answered. “I’ll leave those for when you marry her and she can’t get out of it anymore.”
Ben looked at his mother, giving her a look, then turned to Kayley, worried that his mom’s statement would freak her out. She met his eyes and laughed. “I can’t wait to hear.”
“Come in the pool,” Ben said, holding his hand out to her. “Please?” He wanted nothing more than to take her over to the corner and kiss her senseless, but knew he wouldn’t. Not without making her want to crawl under a rock. She didn’t freak out over what his mom just said. That was huge.
Ben lay back in the lounge chair, beer in hand. He lowered his sunglasses, training his eyes on the beautiful girl that he loved sitting across the pool deck from him. Every time he was with her, he swore it was the best time. But here, being with his family the entire afternoon, and he knew. He was marrying this woman. He was having as many children with her as he could. Kayley fit right in here like she had always been here.
She was playing in the water with Alexis and his nieces. Until Kayley, he had known how much fun kids were to be around, but now, loving Alexis, he knew what it felt like to be a dad. Kayley threw her head back and laughed at something the girls said, and his heart constricted. She really was the most beautiful woman, both inside and out.
His gaze followed her body in the water. Before today, hot pink had been his favorite color on her, but today, he added black to the list. Hell, she looked good in everything. She had picked a black bikini that covered more than the last one (his favorite one) that she wore, but still showcased her sexy body.
“You got a good one,” Paul said, plopping down next to him in a lounge chair. Popping open his own drink, he lay back to relax after hours of playing corn hole. Ben turned his gaze from Kayley to his brother-in-law.
“I sure did,” Ben said, eyes back on her. She was now holding Alexis to her chest, who was probably getting sleepy for a nap.
“I haven’t seen you this way in a long time, bro,” Paul commented. “It looks good on you.”
“Thanks, Paul. It means a lot. I haven’t been this happy in my entire life. Truly.”
“That’s always great to hear,” Ben’s dad Joe sat down on the other side of him. “She’s phenomenal, son. And that little girl? What a heartbreaker.”
Kayley walked up, carrying a dripping Alexis, who was fast asleep. Ben jumped up, grabbing a towel and wrapping them both in it. Leaning over, he kissed the sleeping girl on the cheek, then made his way to her mother. “Come sit,” he said against her mouth, kissing her but not nearly as much as he wanted to. He settled back in the lounge with his legs split, and she lay against his chest, resting Alexis comfortably on her chest. He reached his arms around both of them and smoothed Alexis’ hair back out of her face. “She’s passed out, baby.”
“She played so hard with the girls, plus it’s several hours past her naptime. It was a fabulous afternoon, babe. Thanks for inviting me.”
“You’re going to be at every family event from here on out,” he whispered in her ear. She shivered at the warmth of his breath and the nearness of him. “Because I love you. And- that black bathing suit? It didn’t stop me from thinking you’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. Pink, black, or anything in between, you’re heart-stoppingly gorgeous, Kayley.” He kissed her and she rested her head back on his shoulder, looking up at him, content to lay there and revel in this moment.
What neither of them noticed was that everyone was watching their exchange with smiles on their faces, knowing that something great was happening there.
“What’s wrong?” Ben’s concerned voice asked her.
Kayley groaned, holding the phone to her ear. “I don’t know. I think I have the flu. I feel awful.”
“What are your symptoms? How long have you been feeling bad? Do you have a fever?” Doctor Ben took over. He paced his office, hating to hear her sound so ill. Since that wonderful night a month ago when they had admitted their love for one another and had made love, several times, they had been essentially inseparable. Ben was at Kayley’s house more often than at his own, though with his crazy schedule they spent more time sleeping than anything else. Their relationship was growing in leaps and bounds every day.
“I was at work earlier and started feeling achy. Then my throat started hurting, and my head. My stomach is upset, and I have a fever. Pretty much anything that can hurt, hurts. Even my hair hurts. Ughhh.” Kayley lay back on her bed, covering her face with her arm. Her body felt like it was on fire, yet she was freezing. She hadn’t felt this miserable maybe ever.
“Sounds like the flu, baby. I’ll get you some good stuff and be there in about an hour. Want some chicken noodle soup? You could try getting in the bath, it may help with the body aches.”
“I can’t eat, babe,” Kayley moaned again. “I gotta go.”
“I’ll pick up Lex from your Mom,” Ben offered.
“No, just keep her there. I can’t take care of her,” Kayley answered, her voice small.
“I don’t expect you to,” Ben answered back. “Lexi and I are buds. I got this, Kay. See you soon.”
Kayley hung up the phone, a smile on her lips despite feeling like absolute garbage. Ben was such an amazing man. In the last month, she had completely let down her guard, knowing that Ben was her future in every way. After the night at his house, things had completely changed with them. There wasn’t a question anymore what either of them was in this for. That night, they had laid their hearts out on the line and played all of their cards.
She dared say that she was almost as close to Ben now as she had been to Alex. They literally spent hours talking to each other, despite crazy work schedules for Ben and having a very active toddler around. They took her everywhere with them: the park, the beach, running, out to eat, play dates, and everything in between. For all intents and purposes, they looked like a family. And they felt like one, too. As the days went on, Kayley couldn’t think of her life without Ben in it, and hoped she never had to. Alexis was completely and totally in love with him as well, maybe even more than Kayley was. She loved when he was around and boy did she have Ben wrapped around her little finger. Kayley closed her eyes, lost in a daydream.
Kayley pushed Alexis on the swing as Ben ran up to her and tickled her, then ran away. She dissolved in giggles every single time he did it. Ahh, the life of being a toddler, Kayley thought. He ran around and kissed Kayley, wrapping his arms around her and holding her to him as he pushed Alexis with one hand. She turned her little head, trying to see where he went.
“I love you,” Ben whispered, kissing her temple. Kayley smiled, the too-familiar squeeze around her heart when Ben said that. It never got old, the way he showed her and told her that he loved her. The man was supremely romantic, how he had made it so long in life without being snatched up was beyond her. Whether it was flowers at work, a note on her car, making her dinner, tucking in Alexis, or putting playlists on her iPod of songs that made him think of her, he never stopped surprising her.
He ran back to the front of the swing and Alexis squealed. Moments later, in true toddler fashion, she yelled to get down, no more swing. Ben picked her out of the swing, tossing her in the air like a ragdoll. She giggled, always the little thrill seeker. For the millionth time, Kayley was thankful that Alexis had a father figure in her life.
“Where to next, Princess?” Ben asked, setting Alexis down on the ground and holding on to her little hand.
“Swide!” Alexis ran for the small slide, breaking away from Ben’s hand. Kayley followed them, knowing she would want her to help her climb the stairs and Ben to catch her at the bottom.
“Mommy, howd my hand,” she demanded, holding out her little hand. Kayley took
it, not able to help leaning over and kissing her on her cute button nose. “No kiss, Mommy. Hep me on swide.”
Kayley helped her climb the stairs, her little toddler legs working hard. She sat down, beaming, ready to be caught. Sliding down, she slid easily into Ben’s arms.
“You catch me!” She squealed. She put her hands on his face as she often did, and smushed a big, sloppy kiss right on his lips. “You wuv me?” Her big blue eyes blinked at him, waiting for an answer.
Ben’s eyes caught Kayley’s shocked expression. She started to speak, to divert Alexis, when Ben pulled Kayley so that the three of them were huddled together, as close as they could be. “My girls,” he murmured, kissing Alexis, then Kayley. “I love you both.” Alexis smiled, laying her head on Ben’s shoulder and reaching out with her arm for her mom. Kayley rested her head on Ben’s other shoulder, tears streaming down her face and a lump the size of Texas in her throat.
“Mommy no cwy. Ben wuv us!” Alexis declared, rubbing the back of Ben’s head with her little hand. Kayley laughed, amazed at this little girl and how intuitive she was.
“Yeah Mommy, no crying,” Ben teased, using his thumb to wipe a tear from her face. “I love you too much to see you cry. It hurts me when you cry.” He leaned over, kissing her gently, his eyes staring into hers the whole time, speaking the words he didn’t need to say.
“NO kiss Mommy. Kiss Wex!” Kayley and Ben laughed, then nuzzled the little girl until she squirmed to get away.
Ben pulled into the driveway of Kayley’s mom and dad’s house, killing the engine of his Camaro. Reminding himself to ask her mom for Lexi’s car seat, he headed to the front door. He had met her parents briefly a few times before, but had not been grilled as most boyfriends would be. He was pretty sure they were just thrilled that Kayley stopped mourning for Alex.
Living Again Page 20