Clad only in a wet T-shirt and a mere scrap of silk, Grace sat on her knees beside him. He took in her pale skin and the rounded curves beneath the wet material and let out an approving whistle.
Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. “I take it you like what you see?” she asked, her eyes hopeful.
The question was more telling than the spurts of bravado she’d been exhibiting. She might know what she wanted but she wasn’t certain of his approval. She wasn’t certain of him.
Ben might not be able to give her the whole honest truth, but he could give her this. He crooked a finger her way. “Come here, Grace.”
“Not princess?” she asked lightly. Too lightly.
He hadn’t realized just how important the distinction was to her. He met her gaze. “I want.” Without glancing down, he added, “I think you know how much. And I also know who I want, and it’s Grace. Not someone I imagine you to be, but you. My gorgeous, sexy neighbor.” He crooked his finger once more. “So, how long are you going to make me wait?”
Her eyes gleamed with approval before she crawled back into his lap, only this time, just a thin barrier of silk separated their wanting flesh. And he felt her. Every hot inch of his dick was enveloped by slick heat. “Sweet heaven, you feel good.”
“You’re not so bad yourself.” She squeezed her legs together and succeeded in enhancing the powerful sensations building within him.
He grabbed the back of her neck in his hand. “Just this once, I hope you don’t mind if I take charge.” Without waiting for an answer, he pulled her close and sealed her lips with his.
Before they went further, he’d wanted to taste the sweetness of her mouth and the promise of more to come. He’d needed the intimacy of this kiss.
A loud rapping on the window startled them and she jumped, nearly dislodging herself from his lap. He grabbed her hips to keep her on top of him. Although whoever was out there couldn’t possibly see Grace thanks to the combination of steamed-up windows and the angle in which he’d pulled the truck, he still didn’t want to expose any more of them than necessary.
“Take it inside.” Ben recognized their landlord’s voice and raucous laugh.
No doubt Grace did as well.
With an embarrassed groan, she reached for her jeans. Ben muttered a curse and leaned his head back against the seat. No matter how much he’d enjoyed, he couldn’t deny a part of him welcomed the interruption.
Because when the alarm bells had gone off in his head, he had been too far gone to listen.
* * *
Grace turned on the shower. She glanced at the faucet and debated—hot water to stop the chill on her damp skin or cold water to douse the fire raging inside her? After five minutes of both, she realized neither would help. Cold water pelted her sensitized skin and chafed her still-puckered nipples until they ached for Ben’s soothing touch. Hot water let steam invade the room, reminding her of the heat they’d created together inside Ben’s steamy truck.
Her body was alive with sensation and there was nothing that could change it—except Ben. And he’d disappeared into his own apartment with the lame excuse that he had to take a shower. She wished they could have taken one together—it would have been a first for her. One she’d have liked to experience with Ben.
She stepped out and wrapped a towel around her, knowing she wasn’t ready for that kind of step. For as much as she’d gone looking for sexual awareness, she’d found so much more… too much more. Beyond discovering her capability to be brazen and wanton around a man, she’d learned much about Ben—and herself.
She craved caring and he knew how to provide it. But, Grace reminded herself, her time with Ben was limited. One month in duration, and by her own agreement, they were involved in nothing more than a casual, no-strings affair. It was too bad because Logan and Catherine would love his down-to-earth charm.
Whoa. She paused in wiping down her legs with the fluffy towel. She was getting way ahead of herself. Ben had no intention of sticking around or being a part of her life, and besides, what made her think she would even want him to? She shouldn’t even be thinking about what-ifs.
The jarring ring of her cell saved her from any more analysis. She grabbed for the cell she’d left on the counter by the sink. “Hello?”
“Finally. Do you have any idea what it’s like getting through to you?”
Grace smiled. “Hi, Gran. I’m sorry I haven’t gotten back to you. I’ve been…” Preoccupied seducing a man. Her smile turned to a full-fledged grin. “Busy.”
“Too busy to call your grandmother and let her know you’re okay?”
“You’re right, and I’m sorry.”
Emma let out a loud exhale. “Well, that took the wind out of my sails.”
Grace chuckled. “I really miss you, Gran.”
“Then come visit.”
“I… will. Just give me some time to work out my schedule.” Like a couple of weeks, once Ben walked out of her life. Grace had a hunch she’d be needing her grandmother’s TLC more than ever then.