by Lori Ryan
“Uhh,” Ben grunted, slamming his back hard on the ground.
She stared down at him, his face ashen, his eyes closed. “Oh, God, Ben. Ben! Are you all right?” Despite the rain now blinding her, she felt around his neck. What if he broke it in the fall?
“Maggie, help,” he squeaked out.
“Ben,” she leaned closer, the water from her hair dripping onto his face. Her teeth chattered as she listened for his response. “Are you hurt?”
“Yes.” He panted. “Your big butt is crushing me.”
“What?” She pulled back.
Suddenly, a slow grin pulled at the corners of his lips.
Asshole.
She slapped his chest multiple times, then pushed off and stood, surveying her own body. She was soaking wet. Glancing down she noted Ben was, too.
A flash of lightning lit up the sky and half a minute later a loud clap of thunder boomed through the air. The rain picked up and fell harder against her skin.
“Come on.” Maggie held out her hand. “We need to hurry.”
“We’ll never make it.” Ben took her hand as she led them through the woods.
“We can get to one of the cabins.”
“Most of them are only framed.”
“The one I showed you a few weeks ago has a roof,” she called over her shoulder.
Not giving him a chance to answer, she wound herself through the trees, nearing the clearing that marked the single unit cabin. “There!” she shouted, pointing at the shadowy structure. “We can wait the storm out there.”
She released his hand and bolted toward the front porch and out of the storm.
Ben took the steps two at a time, shaking his head like a wet dog, sending water all over her.
“Hey,” Maggie moaned.
“Let’s get inside,” Ben said.
Opening the door, she was surprised to find that the cabin was nearly complete. Carpet had been laid, the walls painted, even the fireplace was stoned out and finished.
“When did this happen?” Maggie asked, running her hand over the countertops in the kitchenette, staring at the small appliances that had been installed.
Ben shrugged. “Emmett and I didn’t have much to do at night so we came and finished up most of the interior.”
“When?”
“At night.”
She laughed. “You said that. I meant, for how long?
“I don’t know, a few days ago I guess.”
Maggie shook her head. What had changed Ben’s mind? Something was different about his attitude toward the lodge and the expansion. She just didn’t know what had brought it on. But she didn’t want to argue with him at this point, when he finally seemed like he might be coming around to her side.
“Maggie, you’re trembling,” Ben said, reaching for her, “and your lips are blue. Get out of this wet jacket.” He pulled the coat from her shoulders, only to find her clothes underneath wet as well.
Ben tossed the jacket in the corner and surveyed the room. “There’s firewood out on the back porch, let me get us a fire started and we can warm up.” He slid out of the door and a burst of cold air hit her face.
“Why is there wood out there?” Maggie asked, her teeth clattering together.
“Em and I had to keep warm somehow. There’s no electricity out here yet. If the rain isn’t slanting under the porch roof, it will be dry enough for me to get a fire going.”
“Oh,” Maggie nodded.
Ben reappeared, holding an armful of wood. Watching him neatly stack the logs in the fireplace somehow comforted her. She had fantasies of him taking care of things, taking care of her. When had that ever happened?
He reached inside a five-gallon bucket, producing paper and what looked to be a starter log.
“You and Emmett came prepared,” she said.
“We froze our nuts off the first night.” Ben laughed. “After that, we learned.” Ben stood and reached for a set of matches on the mantel then kneeled and set the small brick and kindling on fire. Much to Maggie’s surprise, the fire caught quickly and burned strong.
Ben turned to Maggie. “Take off your clothes.”
“What?” She was not undressing in front of him.
“Your clothes are wet. They’ll never dry if you keep them on. They’re just making you colder. Take them off and lay them out by the fire to dry.”
There he was, being logical again while her head had been swimming in clouds of fantasies.
She stared at him like he had two heads then glanced out the window and noticed the sky had darkened and the rain now fell even harder. Her body shivered uncontrollably. Shit.
“I need something to wrap up in,” she said, glancing around the cabin.
Ben quirked a brow. “Afraid for me to see you naked, Maggie Mae?” He smirked.
Maggie put her hand on her hip and glared.
“Fine,” Ben said as he searched the small cabin. He lifted up a blanket off the chair by the door and handed it to her.
“Where did you get this?” She asked, holding the large, fleece throw in her hand.
“Apparently, Emmett has sensitive knees.” Ben answered with a smile that said he’d taunted Emmett for it. “He brought it the second night out here when we were working on the carpeting.”
“How many nights have you been here, Ben?”
He shrugged.
Maggie realized she wouldn’t get an answer. His new-found dedication touched her.
“Clothes,” he motioned to her. “Off.”
“You’re so romantic.” She smiled, thinking of other parts of him touching her. For once, she actually liked his bossy tone.
Ben stared.
“Fine,” she huffed. “Turn around.”
“What?”
She made a circular motion with her pointer finger. “Turn. Around.”
Ben rolled his eyes. “Do I need to cover my eyes and count to ten like we’re in second grade?”
“Maybe.” Why was Maggie suddenly so nervous? Without thinking further, she dropped the sweater wrap and slid her top over her head, refusing to take off her bra. She opened the button to her jeans and slid down the zipper, then paused. Did she really want to do this? She wasn’t that cold, was she?
“Maggie,” Ben growled as if he could read her thoughts.
“Fine.” She tugged the jeans the rest of the way off, slipped off her socks then picked up the blanket, carefully wrapping herself up.
Drawing in a deep breath she turned, and gasped.
Ben stood in front of the fireplace in nothing but his black boxer briefs, his naked body aglow from the flames.
And holy hell, there were flames. Most notable were the ones that seemed to be licking their way over her body, heating her in ways she didn’t need right now.
“Ben!” she shrieked.
He jumped and turned toward her. “What?”
“What are you doing?” She scanned his body as she licked her lips, her own warming by the second. His toned chest was smattered with a sprinkling of dark hair that thickened the further down her eyes delved. This happy trail parted the defined muscles of his abs and disappeared into tight black underwear that left little—no, nothing—to the imagination. The defined bulge made her mouth water. Ben Sumner was no longer a geeky computer nerd. He was a frigging centerfold.
“I’m trying to warm up,” he said. “Bring that blanket over here and share.”
“What? You’re crazy if you think I’m cuddling half naked under a blanket with you.” Maggie curled her lip.
Ben rubbed his hands up and down his muscular arms before holding out one hand. “Share, Maggie. I’m freezing my nuts off.”
She glanced down at his boxer briefs. The bulge had grown. “You want to get under the blanket with me?” She gazed down at her bra and skimpy underwear.
Ben stood, shivering.
Maggie gave up trying to fight the desire that burned in her belly. Slowly she opened the blanket and walked toward him.
Ben�
��s eyes widened, his eyes darkening as he drank her in from head to toe. She thought she heard him groan.
Then again, maybe it was her.
“What?” she asked, standing directly in front of him.
“You’re so beautiful, Maggie.”
Maggie’s heart raced. For once, her father’s voice wasn’t playing on repeat in the back of her mind. There was no jeering laughter with a barbed taunt to cancel out the compliment. There was only Ben and his heated gaze, telling her he truly wanted her.
Slowly, Ben wrapped his arms around her waist.
She jumped as his icy fingers grazed along her skin.
“Sorry,” he whispered in her ear.
The growing erection pressing into her belly indicated he was anything but sorry.
“Ben,” she whispered.
He nudged her hair back from her shoulder and leaned his head down to press soft kisses along her neck.
“Mmm?” he hummed against her neck.
Oh, God, her knees shook and it had nothing to do with the cold.
“You have the most amazing body, Maggie.” He trailed kisses down her chest. “Has anyone ever told you that?”
“No,” she squeaked. It was true. As much as she’d been told she was hot or she was a “babe,” no one had ever spoken words like, “beautiful” and “amazing” to her. Words that said she was something to be treasured.
“Well, that’s a crime.” Ben caressed her skin with his lips, moving across her stomach then lower.
Maggie shivered again, heat rising in her belly.
Ben lowered himself to his knees.
Oh, shit, his eyes were eye level with her underwear. What pair had she put on this morning?
“Maggie?”
She glanced down, meeting hazel brown eyes that stared up at her, holding her captive. Her heart was nearly beating out of her chest and she wondered briefly if she was panting like a dog in heat. Or possibly drooling.
“Maggie,” he murmured, his breath brushing against her sensitive skin. He slipped his fingers into the elastic of her underwear.
“Wh-wh-what? What are you doing?” She croaked, balancing herself on his broad shoulders.
Slowly, his fingers tugged at the material, slipping her underwear down her legs and completely off.
Oh, God. She was naked from the waist down.
His hand slid up the back of one calf and lifted her foot, draping her leg over his shoulder.
“Maggie.” He repeated, his voice vibrating against her skin.
She held her breath and stared down into his eyes, watching intently as his face slowly disappeared between her legs. Her eyes fluttered closed and she released a ragged sigh.
His warm breath caressed the skin of her thighs. “Ben,” she hissed. She balanced her hand on one shoulder as he spread her open for his taking.
Holy, hell, had she ever been so aroused before? Or so vulnerable? Had any man ever completely disarmed her? And so quickly, too? One minute, she’d been worried about the rain and the next she was stripped bare and opening herself to him in ways that had her head spinning.
Her eyes slowly opened and she glanced down at the man now positioned between her thighs. All she could see was the top of his dark brown hair, his head bobbing as his mouth connected with her body.
“Ben,” she panted.
His mouth consumed her, stroking her, heating her body from the inside out.
“Oh, oh, Ben,” she moaned, sinking her fingers into his hair. “I don’t think…” Her words came out in sputtered pants. She balanced on one foot, trying to concentrate on her impending orgasm thanks to the talented tongue of Ben Sumner. The man had a magical mouth.
Ben groaned against her skin, the sound sending waves of pleasure rolling through her body.
Her legs shook and she feared she might fall. She gripped his hair tighter for balance. “Oh, Ben, I’m going to come…” she panted.
“Come,” he breathed against her as his tongue continued its dance across her flesh.
“I’m gonna fall,” she shouted, her head tumbling back, eyes fluttering closed.
Ben’s strong arm slid up her backside and wrapped around her waist, keeping her pressed firmly to his face. “I’ve got you, baby.”
Baby.
Maggie surrendered her body to the powerful orgasm threatening to consume her. She didn’t recognize the sounds emanating from her body as she howled in ecstasy.
He held her close as the final tremors reverberated through her body.
Suddenly, she was falling, her legs taken out from under her as Ben laid her on the rug in front of the fireplace. She yipped, sucking in a breath.
“I’ve got you, gorgeous,” Ben spoke softly against her ear. “Just let go.”
Maggie’s eyes fluttered open. She stared up into his dark hazel eyes, half lidded with desire. The heat from his words warmed her body and she drew in a slow, steadying breath.
“That was amazing,” Ben said.
Maggie turned and stared up at Ben. He was intently studying her face. She could get lost in those eyes. God, what was she doing?
Despite the confusion in her head, she processed what he’d said and her lips curved in amusement. Amazing was an understatement. “Yeah, it was pretty amazing.” She stroked his face with her hand, wondering if giving herself over to Ben Sumner had been a good idea.
He pressed his hips into hers, his arousal evident.
She smiled to herself. Too late to turn back now. She knew there was no way to talk her body out of this. But she was afraid it was much too late to talk her heart out of it, as well.
Chapter Twenty-One
Ben’s dick was so hard he was surprised he had enough blood left in his body to focus on the gorgeous woman lying beneath him. The glow of the fire cast shadows over every sensual curve of Maggie’s body, pushing his need to be inside her even higher.
He was suddenly glad he’d changed his mind about the lodge and the weddings barn and cabins before being intimate with Maggie. Having ulterior motives of talking her over to his side of things would have made their connection feel cheap, wrong. Right now, this all felt right to him. More right than he would have thought it could.
He stared down at the bra she still wore, stopping his eyes from roaming lower. Tasting her, the explosion of her scent on his tongue, had nearly undone him. Mixing her mewls with the cries as she came had nearly made him explode. He ached to be inside her.
“Maggie,” he croaked, his voice broken with restraint.
“Mmm,” she hummed, her finger tracing across his jaw and down his throat.
She was killing him. One minute he’d been the one in charge, and now she had him out of his mind with need, and she’d barely touched him. “I, um…”
Her hand slid lower, down his chest, stopping at the elastic of his boxer briefs. “What’s wrong, Ben?” The look in her eyes said she knew exactly what she was doing.
He narrowed his eyes, focusing on her lips. Slowly he lowered his head until they were a breath apart. “We have a slight problem.”
She raised her hips and rocked against his erection. “I wouldn’t call it slight.” She smiled.
Ben hissed in a breath. “I need to be inside you.”
Maggie nodded, staring at him in anticipation.
“Like, now.” He added.
She tipped her head in response again giving him an almost impish grin. “Yes, please.”
“But…”
She wrinkled her brow.
“I don’t have any condoms.”
“Oh.”
“What did you think I meant?”
She shook her head and laughed. “Nothing.” She stared up at the ceiling. “I have some.”
Ben raised up on one arm and stared down at her in confusion. “What?”
“Condoms.”
“Condoms,” Ben repeated. “As in plural?”
She rolled her lips into her teeth and nodded as if trying to keep from bursting into laughter.
“I’m a very sexual person.” She quirked a brow.
Ben stared with no expression, unimpressed with her answer. “Maggie,” he growled. He knew damned well she wasn’t the type of woman who went around hopping in and out of bed with random men.
She giggled. “I was cleaning rooms earlier today.”
“Oh,” Ben slowly nodded his head in understanding. “Restocking the condom drawers?”
“Mmm.” She wiggled against him, then reached for her wet jeans.
“Here,” he pushed off her and fumbled with her jeans. Slipping his hand into her back pocket, he pulled out three condoms. “That’s a good start.” He winked.
“There are a few more in the front pocket,” she smiled, “just in case.”
Ben looked up to the ceiling. “Thank you, unstocked condom drawers.” He tossed the packets to the side, sliding his hand up the side of Maggie’s delicious body.
She shivered.
“Are you cold?”
She shook her head and gazed up through the soft sweep of her lashes.
He lowered his mouth to hers, his lips pressing firmly against her supple skin. Her tongue swept across the seam of his lips and he opened his mouth for her tasting. One hand slid into her curls as he fisted her hair and tilted her head to gain deeper access, the heat of her tongue racing through him.
Maggie moaned and thrust her hips against his dick.
Fuck. Ben pulled back, afraid any more movement on her part would make him come in his pants. He stared down at her beautiful face. Slowly he averted his gaze, realizing that just staring at her could cause him to spontaneously explode as well.
He pressed a finger to the hollow of her throat then slid his hand down over her chest bone, curling into the front snap of her bra. With a small flick of his finger and wrist, the fastener gave way, the beautiful lace separating. Maggie’s breasts slipped out, her pebbled nipples begging for his touch.
Obliging, he lowered his mouth, sucking on one breast while his finger played with her other.
“Ben,” she hissed, her fingers digging into his thick hair.
He laved his tongue over her skin, his mouth devouring her breasts. Her intoxicating scent had his dick growing even harder. “Maggie,” he whispered.