Chapter 18: Lilah
Holy shit. No one has ever spoken to me like that. Not even in a text message. I should not like it. It should offend me, right? I should slap him or throw a glass of ice water on him, but I don't have a glass of water handy and it would be a crime against humanity to mess up a face like that.
And maybe, just maybe, I like it a little. And maybe I really like the way he looks at me. His cocky smile is back, but the look in his eyes is pure sin. I suddenly have no doubt that this man could make me scream in bed.
If you had asked me a week ago, I would have told you that chemistry like this was a myth. A way to sell Hallmark movies and romance novels. But this intense attraction to one specific person is entirely new and, if I'm honest, scaring the shit out of me.
I never understood why other girls would get so boy-crazy or why my sister went so cuckoo-bananas over Brooks. Don't get me wrong, I think sex is great. Everyone needs to blow off some steam and a quick hook up is usually effective, even if the orgasms are lackluster. But I get it now. All I want in the world is to rip Ben's clothes off and lick him like a lollipop.
I wet my lips as I try to put together a response in my lust-addled brain. "This dress doesn't have a zipper," I mumble.
Oh, fuck me and my mouth. Why did I say that? In the entire lexicon of sexy things I could have responded with, why the hell did my mouth go with that one?
Ben's dimple pops as his grin spreads across his stupidly handsome face. From the tousled hair to the dimples and crooked smile, to, well, everything about his body, he's like my own personal kryptonite in a man suit. He literally melts my panties.
"I think I could figure something out," he says as he brushes the backs of his fingers up my side, grazing my ribs and the sides of my breast. It's all I can do to stifle the whimper trying to escape my lips.
"I bet you could." That's all the invitation he needs. The next thing I know, he's tunneling his fingers into my hair, cupping my head in his massive hand as he leans down to kiss me, fire burning in his eyes. He's so intense that I half expect him to maul me, but his lips are gentle as he presses them to mine. His thumb strokes my cheek as he pulls my lower lip between his teeth, grazing it sweetly before sweeping his tongue over it.
God, it's so good. He's so good. He takes charge of the kiss, holding my head where he wants it as his tongue sweeps into my mouth, tasting me and teasing me. His enormous body is pressing me into the countertop, half holding me up as I surrender to his touch. His hard length pulses against my belly and lust is winning out over good sense.
I'm gripping his shoulders like a life preserver in a stormy sea. If he stepped back, I'm afraid I would melt to the floor in a boneless heap. Maybe he can tell the effect he's having on my motor control, or maybe he just wants me higher because he scoops me up and deposits me on the counter, just like he did in his own kitchen. A lusty growl slips past his lips as he grabs my knees and spreads them, stepping between them. His hands slip up my thighs and under my dress to grip my ass and pull me closer as his tongue strokes against mine, claiming my mouth and sending hot waves of lust through my body. I can't fight the need to be closer to him anymore than I could stop a train barreling down its tracks.
My hips move against him desperately, seeking contact and friction and I can feel his steel length when I rock against him. He swallows my moan and kisses me breathless. I let my hands trail down his sweater and slip underneath to his tight, flat stomach. The contact makes him suck in a sharp breath, and I'm inordinately pleased to know I'm not the only one who is so affected by this. My fingers skate over his abs through the light sprinkle of hair trailing downwards from his belly button.
Ben's hand slips over my hip and lower stomach, teasing the edges of my panties. His touches are feather soft and I'm so overwhelmed and desperate for him to touch me, I very nearly say "please" out loud. But that's what he wants, and I can't make it that easy. I smile into the kiss and feel his lips pull up with mine. He knows exactly what he's doing to me.
He skims a finger over my sex and the sensation of his skin slipping over my panties is almost more than I can bear. He pets me and I gasp against his lips, spreading my legs wider to give him as much room as possible. His fingers sneak under the waistband of my panties and one digit slides between my folds.
Ben growls, cursing under his breath as he presses his forehead to mine. "You're so damn wet." His voice is ragged, and he's shaking like his control is stretched to its limits. I can't put words together, only gasp as he slips a finger deep inside me, his thumb gently pressing on my clit. I wrap my arms around his neck, clinging to him. Our breaths mix as he strokes in and out of me until I'm stretched tighter than a bowstring.
"Lilah," he grunts my name and I open my eyes, meeting his hungry look. It's too much, too intimate, and too intense, but it pushes me over the edge, and I come, my body releasing every last bit of tension in a wave of pleasure.
I let my forehead drop to his shoulder as my body goes slack. I reach down and fumble with his belt before I've even thought it through. I just need him in less clothing. I've got it halfway undone when Ben grabs my wrists. He's not rough, but his grip is firm as he holds both of my hands in one of his.
He lifts my chin gently, tilting my face to look up at him. His eyes hold mine so completely that I couldn't look away if I wanted to. I swear, something tangible passes between us. I'm confused about why he stopped me, but I can tell from the pained look on his face that it's killing him at least as much as it's bothering me.
"You are so beautiful," Ben whispers reverently as he strokes a thumb over my lower lip, before kissing me again. "I'll make you a deal. If you sit and have dinner with me, you can steal my belt buckle, my pants, and anything else you want."
My mouth is hanging open as I try to process what he's saying. I want him so badly. Nothing has ever felt so right.
"You're telling me that getting into your pants is contingent on us eating dinner together first."
Ben smirks, dimples on full display. "Yes, ma'am."
"This feels really backwards. You must really like roasted chicken." Even as I say it, I know I sound a little defensive.
Ben cups my jaw with both hands and kisses me sweetly. "I'm sure your chicken is great, but I've been trying to get to know you and this is the first chance you've really given me."
I cock my head to the side and open my mouth to argue, but he's not wrong. I can have one dinner with him and then I can sleep with him and get him out of my system... That always works the way it's supposed to, right? He's probably not even super likable once you get to know him.
Yeah... I don't know why I'm trying to lie to myself either.