She thought about the lie she had told earlier about Tim being gone. It was for the best. She had to protect Ben as best she could and that meant not letting him fight her battles. She would not bring this mess to his door.
He took her hand and together they headed up to her place. As expected, he walked in and checked the place out before he would let her leave the three-foot space by her front door.
?
?It’s clear,” he said, coming out of her bedroom.
“Do you want something to drink?” she asked, knowing from the look on his face that he had something else in mind.
The way he was walking towards her made her feel stalked, but in a far different way than it was with Tim. Ben had sex appeal, charisma and he was damn hot. She felt that familiar stirring low in her belly, not moving from where she stood in front of the door.
Reaching out, he gently pulled her into his warm embrace, leaning down and softly touching her tender lips with his own. Deepening the kiss, soon they both were breathing heavily.
“Katherine, I want you so badly,” he murmured, lightly running his hands down her arms.
“I want you too,” she replied, pushing herself against him.
“I’m almost afraid to touch you. I don’t want to hurt you,” he said, one hand resting softly on her hips.
Fearful, he would stop, she offered reassurance. “I’m okay, really.”
“I’m going to handle you with tender loving care, I promise.”
“Well, just in case, maybe I should take the top,” she volunteered, with a giggle.
The heat in his eyes, his breathing, and the flare of his nostrils told her he was just fine with that idea. His hands caressed her hips, pulling her close to him as his lips returned to hers. This time it was a sweet, gentle kiss. She let him set the pace, her heart beating faster with each passing second, his lips against hers, exploring and teasing.
He stepped away, grabbed her hand and led her towards the bedroom. He turned off the overhead light, flipping on the small bedside lamp instead. At first she hesitated, preferring he not see her battered body, but it was Ben. She reminded herself that he was safe.
“We don’t have to do this,” he whispered.
She shook her head. “Please,” she said, “I want to.”
His hands rested on either side of her face as he gently held her in place while his mouth danced over hers. His plunging tongue sent heatwaves through her body. She shivered with delight, ready to have the man join with her once again. The first time hadn’t been enough. She wanted him in every way.
She stepped back and slowly removed her dress, revealing the sexy teddy she had put on with the intention of him seeing it.
“Damn, you’re beautiful,” he told her, his hands brushing down her sides, fingering the lace and ribbons.
She slowly turned around, moving her hair out of the way, giving him easy access to the clasps that held the teddy on.
The tips of his warm fingers brushed over her neck before he deftly flicked a few clasps and the bodice fell forward. When she turned to meet his eyes, they were focused on her breasts, one hand reaching out to caress one pert nipple, then the other.
Her hands went to his shirt, yanking it from his waistband before quickly working the buttons, exposing his hard chest, the happy trail promising great things below the waist. She stepped close, both hands undoing his pants before stepping back and slowly pushing the pants down his long, muscular legs. She gasped at the sight of his erection, craving a small taste. She wanted to take him in her mouth.
Without warning, she dropped to her knees in front of him and did just that.
“Fuck,” he groaned, his body stiffening as her mouth slid down his hard shaft, taking him deep inside, the tip of his head tickling the back of her throat.
Her body immediately responded to his excitement. She felt herself growing wet between the legs, with little tingles of arousal spiraling throughout her body.
“Not now,” he groaned, stepping back, his dick sliding out of her mouth.
He helped her up before turning to sit on the bed, reaching out to her. “Lay down, sweetheart.”
She did as he asked, lying on her bed beside him. Her eyes met his before he began a slow perusal of her body, stopping and staring at the ugly bruising that had spread over her ribcage.
“It’s okay,” she assured him, not wanting him to stop.