by Lynn Jaxon
I lay Marley on the bed and kiss her nose, telling her, “I’m going to brush my teeth and get out of my clothes. I’ll be right back.”
“I will be waiting,” she says and then stands up and takes herself into her bathroom.
I strip down to just my Calvin Klein briefs and then brush my teeth. It has been six months since I have held a woman in my arms all night long. I have missed that connection.
Marley is already in bed, under the cream-colored silk sheets. She pulls the covers back and pats the place next to her. She is in a short cotton nighty and mouthwatering boy shorts. This may be a long night. Down boy.
I pull Marley into my body with her back to my chest, and I wrap my arms tightly around her. I fall asleep faster than I have in months.
I wake up early the next morning, sweating my ass off. I smile when I realize what the source of the heat is. Marley is wrapped around me like a spider monkey. The cutest little snores are coming out of her mouth. I want to pick up my phone and video her, but that might come across a little creepy.
I must have fallen back to sleep because I wake up to Marley kissing my back and shoulders. I reach behind me and wrap my arm around the back of her head while turning my head and pulling her into my lips for a kiss. She tries to pull back muttering, “Morning breath, let me brush my teeth first.”
“No way,” I say, “I need my kiss now.”
Reluctantly, she gives in, and I deepen the kiss just a little, but not so much that it will lead to more.
We spend a lazy Sunday, just sitting around watching television, holding hands, kissing and taking a break every few hours to eat a bite. Sunday night is spent just like Saturday, with Mar wrapped in my arms.
Chapter Forty-Five
Marley
The buzzing of an alarm, that isn’t mine, keeps going off, and I realize that it is Ben’s alarm on his phone. It’s Monday morning, and he is meeting with the realtor about the property we saw on Saturday. I want to go with him, but I don’t want to ask. I want to be a part of everything about him. I have never been so content as I have been this weekend wrapped up in his strong arms. It is a comfort and feeling of security that I haven’t had since I was a child living at home and even that wasn’t quite the same as what this is.
I playfully tickle Ben until he stirs. “Are you going to turn that damn thing off anytime soon, buster? Some of us are trying to get our beauty sleep.”
He nuzzles his nose in my neck, my long crazy hair tickling his face, and mumbles, “You’re already beyond beautiful, so sleep is completely unnecessary for you. Do you want to come with me today? I would really like you to be a part of this.”
And just like that, I’m a puddle of goo. “I can think of nothing else I’d rather do today than spend it with you and hopefully help you find the perfect building and convince you to stay here forever.”
“Is that what you want, Mar? Me, to stay here forever? Because if you’re joking with me, I’m going to be immensely disappointed.”
“Ben, I know we said we were going to take things slow, and we can, but I have to tell you that just thinking about you leaving and going back to Ohio makes me physically ill. How did you become my world so quick? This is just crazy.”
“I don’t know, babe, but I feel the same way. Let’s just hope you don’t feel differently once you have all of me.” He gives me his sexy smirk that I’m getting accustomed to and then kisses me once more.
“Well, I guess I better get moving if I’m coming with you. It takes me forever to get my face on.”
“What the hell are you talking about woman?” He says with a touch of irritation in his voice. “I don’t want to hear that coming out of your mouth. You’re beautiful with no makeup on at all. I couldn’t care less if you painted that stuff on your face. This right here,” he cups both my cheeks in his large hands, “is my vision of beauty. Pure and raw.”
Swoon. I’m a complete goner for this man. “Well, I’m speechless that you think I’m beautiful in the raw, but everyone else may disagree.” I kiss him on the nose and run to the bathroom because I need to get out of his completely perfect, yet overwhelming bubble.
I apply some moisturizer, a little concealer under my eyes, some powder, mascara, and lip gloss and call it good. Looking in the mirror, I feel beautiful, because he sees me that way. After spraying on a light dusting of perfume, I head into the kitchen where Ben is waiting on me.
My mouth drops to the floor when I see him, ass in the air leaning down to pick up something from the floor. Fuck me running, this man is H-O-T! The charcoal grey slacks he has on are clinging to his muscular thighs and ass. The pink button-down shirt shows off his definition and with the sleeves casually rolled up, we are talking arm candy on display. I’m wearing a black wrap dress with strappy gold sandals showing off my vibrant pink toes, which match his shirt perfectly.
Ben turns to me when he hears me come all the way into the room and lets out a wolf whistle. “Marley, you look stunning this morning.”
“Thank you, Ben. You don’t look half bad yourself. Can I make you some breakfast before we go?”
“I would love something, but I can fix it myself. I don’t want you to go to any trouble on my account.”
I open the freezer door and pull out some frozen Kodiak Power cakes and toss them into the microwave. “I hope you don’t mind frozen pancakes. These are packed with protein, not to mention they are delicious.”
“I love them. Me and Em used to make them all the time.” He goes quiet momentarily as if lost in a memory. “My favorite is the dark chocolate. We made some with the boys when they came down right after Em was diagnosed. Henry just had to have a Scooby Doo waffle maker when he was six years old. Em kept it all these years, and the silly thing still worked. I woke up to her making Scooby Doo waffles for the boys.”
“I hope this didn’t upset you, Ben. Causing this memory of Emily.”
He pulls me into a hug, kissing the top of my head. “Quite the opposite. It was one of the last fun-filled memories we all had together as a family before things went downhill so fast. It makes me happy when I think about that day. Em was so silly. She shook the Reddi-wip can at me and said, ‘Do you want some now, or do you want me to save some for later?’ The boys were mortified. Henry started making a gagging sound. It was perfect. So, thank you for making me remember this good time.”
“Well, these are the frozen kind, and they are just buttermilk flavor, but I’m glad to see you smile. Em would want that. Not long ago, you would have been angry instead of happy. This shows me what a strong and resilient man you are, Ben Davis.”
I set the plate of pancakes on the table and Ben makes us both a glass of pulp-free orange juice. I can’t stand the bits. Yuck.
We sit down, and Ben has the entire plate of pancakes in front of him, slathered in syrup. “Where is my plate? You planning on eating them all?”
Here comes the smirk. “Nope,” he says, popping the P. “I plan on us sharing them. Now come sit right here.” He pats his large muscular thigh. “I’m going to feed you.”
“You’re not going to feed me. You will get that syrup all over the both of us, and as fun as that may be to get off, we don't have time.”
I decided to give in and overly exaggerate opening my mouth. Ben thinks it’s funny to stuff a bite big enough for an elephant in my mouth. My words are muffled when I speak around the mouthful. “Are you trying to choke me here?”
Ben laughs at me like I am the most hilarious thing he has ever seen. “Of course not, my little elephant. If I’m going to stuff something in your mouth big enough to choke you, I promise you it won’t be pancakes.”
And now I need to change my panties. Everything he does and says turns me on like a teenager.
We continue to eat, laugh, and banter back and forth like we have been doing this for years. It just comes so naturally to us.
“Time to go.” Ben taps his watch. “I can’t wait to see the inside of that office space.”
We clim
b in Ben’s truck and head towards the university. A tall man with a build similar to Ben’s is waiting in the parking lot next to a very expensive looking BMW. He sticks his hand out for first Ben, and then me, to shake. “Kirk Miller. You must be Ben Davis, and this must be your lovely wife.”
I don’t know what to say, but Ben isn’t phased in the least. “This is Marley, my very good friend.” He stresses the word ‘very.’ I feel hope bubble up inside me at the ease with which he introduces me, but at the same time, I feel a little disappointed that he didn’t introduce me as his girlfriend. He doesn’t stumble on his words or come across awkward in the least.
I nod my head and say, “It’s nice to meet you.” I need to get my emotions in check. We haven’t discussed it, or put a label on us, but I kind of thought after our talk earlier that I was more than just a good friend. Ben reaches for my hand, interlacing our fingers together as we follow Kirk inside to the corner office space. I guess that answers my question. A label really doesn’t matter. He is clearly showing the world how he feels.
“Wow, this space is a lot larger than it looks from the outside,” Ben says.
“It really is. This offfice was designed as an open concept. Many offices are using more open spaces for mobile workstations. This could be used for any number of things. I understand that you’re looking into making it into a fitness center.”
Ben nods his head. “Yes, I already have thirteen across the US and if I open this one and one in Conway, that will make fifteen. Would the builder be willing to open the wall separating this space from the one next to it to give me more room? Also, are the spaces for sale, or just lease?”
“The owner is willing to do either. If you buy both spaces, I’m sure there will be no problem taking down the wall and customizing it to fit your needs. This larger one already has the plumbing on the area that is designed to be the break room or kitchen, and that can be converted into dressing rooms with showers. It will be an added expense to complete the extra plumbing for the showers and drains, but I’m sure it is doable.”
Ben is looking hopeful and excited, which makes me feel the same way. I just might open my heart up to the possibility of love after all. I don’t know if I could do a long-distance relationship long term, but this I can handle. I smile at Ben and squeeze his hand when he tells Kirk, “This is a great space, especially with the one next to it available, too. Please check with the owner and see what we are looking at for a price for both units. I have had to convert office space for my gym in a couple of other locations, so I have a rough estimate of what that will cost me. I will be here the rest of the week, and then I have to go back to Ohio and wrap some stuff up. Please, if at all possible, get back to me this week so I will be able to make a game plan with my business partner when I get home.”
Hope is blooming like a flower in the spring. ‘I have to go back to Ohio and wrap some stuff up.’ That is what Ben said. Does that mean he is coming back to stay? I say a silent prayer to the heavens that that is precisely what that means.
Chapter Forty-Six
Benson
I’m so excited. The space is just perfect. It was way bigger on the inside than it appeared on the outside. The open concept with the smaller offices on one side makes it an ideal set up for me to have my own space as well as offices for the staff and private rooms for the personal trainers to meet with clients. There is plenty of room for an area for tanning beds and massage chairs, too. I will draw up a design for the interior as soon as we get back to Marley’s. Speaking of Marley, she looked as excited as I feel. I hope that means that she wants me to move here as much as I do.
“Ben,” Marley says in her sweet, sexy voice. “I just love the space. The location is perfect, too. You are so close to the university and will get a lot of memberships from the college students. This is prime real estate right here. I also love it because you will be close to me if you decide to stay.” I hear hope and longing in her voice.
“Babe, that is exactly what I want to do. Mitch and Henry are all the family I have left, and you know as well as I do that they love it here and have no plans to move back to Ohio. Mitch has mentioned that he may end up somewhere like Dallas because he loves the hustle and bustle of the city, but Henry said this is his home. I want to be here for them.” I need Marley to know what I feel, so I stress every word that I’m about to say. “I need to be here with you. You already feel like home to me.”
Marley’s beautiful, crystal blue eyes are shimmering with tears that build and then stream down her soft face. She opens and closes her mouth several times before getting the words to come out. “Y-you are my home too. Please come back. My home is your home.”
I pull her into me and kiss her with a passion that shows her exactly what I’m feeling. I don’t give two shits that we’re in the parking lot near a busy intersection. Horns honk and I hear whistles and catcalls from the cars passing by.
Later in the afternoon my phone rings and I see it is Kirk calling. I hope he has some positive news for me. “Hello, tell me it’s good news.”
“I hope you'll think it’s great news. I know what number you were looking at when you first started looking. The owner is asking just under seven hundred thousand dollars for both spaces, making the cost eighty dollars per square foot. That is a reasonable price. I think if you go in at full price you can ask them to add in the showers at that cost. What do you think?”
“That is a little more than what I was looking to spend. I really wanted to stay around six hundred fifty to six hundred seventy thousand dollars. Can we come in at six hundred fifty thousand with the addition of the showers and see what they come back with?”
“Sure, it won’t hurt to try. All we can do is ask. Let me draw up the paperwork and get it over to the seller.”
Marley is bouncing up and down on her toes, “What did he say, what did he say?”
She is so cute, I can’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm. “They want seven hundred thousand dollars, but like you heard me say, I’m offering six hundred fifty thousand dollars. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.”
“I’m crossing my fingers and my toes!” she says excitedly and jumps into my arms, causing us to fall back on the couch.
Having her body flat against me has my dick waking up fast, and he’s pressing into her hot center. I squeeze her luscious ass and pull her harder into me, and she lets out a moan. “Please touch me, Ben,” she pants out.
I run my finger along the lace at her core, and it is already soaked with her desire. My dick just grew even harder in my pants.
Marley reaches down and rubs my hungry cock. Fuuuuuck! We haven’t gone past heavy petting and kissing, but I have to taste her. I also need her lips wrapped around my cock. It’s like she’s reading my mind when she slides down off my lap onto her knees onto the thick rug. She leans forward, rubbing her face on my crotch and humming her desire. With lightning fast dexterity, she has my pants unbuttoned, unzipped, and around my knees before I can blink my eyes. Her eyes grow wide when she sees the size of my cock.
“You look so delicious. I can’t wait to see if you taste as good as you look.” Marley moans, and I come unglued when her hot, wet mouth takes in the tip of my cock. Precum is leaking, and she is licking it like it’s the best thing she’s ever tasted. She takes as much of my eight inches into her mouth as she can while fisting the base with her hand, working me over with her hand and mouth in tandem. I fist her hair in my hands and pull her closer.
“Baby, that feels so good. Just like that, swallow me down.” She relaxes her throat and swallows, taking me to the base of my cock. “You’re incredible. Just like that. I’m about to cum.” I give her a warning, in case she wants to pull off, but she takes me in even faster and deeper. I let go with a loud growl and her name falling from my lips.
I pull her up and kiss her deeply, tasting myself on her lips. It’s a heady feeling, and my dick is already twitching, wanting more. “It’s your turn, babe.” I lay her on the couch and
pull the tie that holds her dress closed, exposing her beautiful body to me. Her hair is fanned out over the couch cushion, her chestnut hair a stark contrast against the cream fabric. I’m speechless as I look at her luscious D cups spilling out of her black lace bra that matches her thong. “I hope you’re not attached to these,” I say as I rip the panties from her body, bring them to my nose, and inhale her addicting scent. “These are mine now.” I shove them into my pants pocket to keep for later, when I go back to Ohio. Alone.
I run my nose along the inside of her calf, working my way up to her thigh and then to what is soon to become my heaven on Earth. My mouth is watering in anticipation of what she is going to taste like. I’ll bet she tastes like the sweetest nectar. I work her up, licking and blowing my way to her center. My beard is tickling and abrading her inner thighs. I bring my mouth down on her clit, and she comes unglued. “Oh God, oh God, I need more,” she pants. I dive in, licking her deep and with long strokes from her ass to her clit. She is writhing with need. I continue to hum, blow and lick until her legs are trembling. She is on the edge about to fall off the cliff when I bite her clit, and she explodes into my mouth. I lick her like I’m a starving man and I feel her pulsing around my tongue. When I come up for air, her essence is all over my face. She has a look of pure, unadulterated pleasure on her face. She kisses me, tasting herself on my tongue. “Mmmm,” she says. “I taste good on you.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
Marley
That had to be the most mind-blowing orgasm I have ever had in my life. I have had my share of oral sex, but nothing comes close to how Ben worked me over with his tongue, his beard adding just the right amount of sensation. I can’t believe I’m only the second woman he has ever been with. Em was one lucky woman to be on the receiving end of his learning curve.