Just Me (You & Me 1)

With one loud grunt, he released, shooting thick hot semen that slid out of her opening as he rolled onto his back, lying beside her. Their chests rose and fell in unison as both Ben and Katherine struggled to catch their breath.

It was hands-down the best sexual experience of her life, and glancing over at Ben, she couldn’t believe how well things had turned out with the guy she wanted nothing to do with. He was the fresh start she had been searching for, and she never wanted the night to fade in her memory.

“You’re incredible,” he breathed finally looking over to her. She was out of breath, flushed, with a head of messy hair after Ben had gripped handfuls.

“I’d have to say the same about you,” she smiled, feeling the most beautiful under his gaze.

They cuddled in the bed until Ben began to drift off into sleep, his arm wrapped around Katherine. Her hormones were raging so fiercely, she found it difficult to fall asleep and instead laid on his chest, listening to his heart beat as she replayed the events of the day.

In Ben’s arms she felt completely safe, not worrying about anything for the first time in two years. Gone was the fear of danger, leaving nothing but hope and desi

re in its wake.

Ben had shown her what she could have, and now she refused to have anything less. What she was doing before wasn’t living, but existing. Going from one city to another to run from a past was not allowing her to embrace any present, let alone plan for a future.

Katherine was tired of pretending to be happy when true happiness, and even joy, was staring her right in the face. A lone tear slid down her cheek as she allowed herself to let go and feel all the emotions swirling through her body.

She had gone out on a limb to leave her comfort zone, and what she had discovered was much more than she knew was there for her. Katherine wanted to embrace it all, and continue to leave the safety net she had created for herself.

Ben had given her a new layer of safety, proving that she didn’t have to go through life alone just because her past relationship failed. There was happiness on the other end of all that pain if she was willing to take the necessary steps to claim it. And for the first time in her life, she wasn’t scared. Katherine was going after what she wanted, and she didn’t have any plans of letting anyone stop her.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Ben

THE SUN PEEKING THROUGH the curtains woke Ben as he wondered how long he’d overslept. It wasn’t like him to sleep in, and when he glanced down to see Katherine’s small body curled against his own, it all came rushing back.

He still couldn’t believe their night together, and feeling Katherine beside him caused him to relive it all again. She was everything he imagined and now, sleeping beside him, she was even more beautiful than before. Her makeup was smudged, and he felt himself lengthen remembering the tears in her eyes as he pumped her to ecstasy.

Rolling out of the bed, Ben was careful not to wake Katherine. He didn’t want to be overzealous, already feeling the addiction grow deep in his bones. He wanted her. Again and again. He needed her, and knew that if he didn’t put some space between them, they may never get out of bed.

After watching her sleep for longer than expected, Ben tiptoed out of the room, making his way to the kitchen as Katherine slept alone in his room. It was a first, having never had a woman spend the night in his bachelor pad.

Opening the refrigerator, he wondered what Katherine would want, and then decided to give her a bit of a feast. She had earned a good breakfast, and because it was the only meal he could cook, Ben decided to showcase all of his skills.

After half an hour of dicing and cooking, Ben prepared the wooden breakfast tray with two large plates. One held three fluffy pancakes while the other had scrambled eggs and bacon. A white mug filled with breakfast tea and a glass of orange juice balanced each end of the tray, with a small glass vase in the middle holding a single rose.

Ben smirked to himself, thinking how Rachel would be proud of him. He knew Katherine would love it, and for the first time could understand why he was known to be romantic. Chuckling to himself, Ben carried the tray up the stairs, happy to see that Katherine was still asleep.

Watching her sleep, Ben shook his head as he thought of how much he was willing to give up just to watch her. She was peace. Everything about his life that he didn’t like disappeared when she was around. Katherine brought perspective, helping him easily prioritize his life without regrets. There was nothing more that he wanted than to be with her, and watching her sleep in his bed, he knew he wanted to wake up to her every day.

“Are you watching me?” Katherine stretched as she woke up, rubbing the knuckles of her fingers into the corner of her eyes like an infant child.

“Trying to wake you up,” Ben corrected her, leaning down to brush the stray hairs from her face before kissing her forehead. She was beautiful, and even more innocent than usual as she gathered her senses in the confusion that accompanies mornings.

“Wake me up?” she repeated.

“Yes. I came bearing gifts,” Ben smiled, extending the tray of food he had so cleverly prepared.

“Oh my God!” Katherine shrieked, as her hand flew to her mouth. “You even added a flower,” she remarked, in a soft whisper as she took in every detail. “Thank you.”

She leaned over and pulled Ben’s face to hers, pressing her lips to his cheek before kissing his lips. Pride swirled in Ben, feeling like the richest man in the world as Katherine smiled at him. She had a way with making him feel like the luckiest man in the world. She was special, and she made him feel that way too.

“I hope it tastes as good as it looks,” Ben chuckled, settling on the bed next to her.

“We have to split this,” she frowned, looking at Ben.

“No, that’s just for you,” he insisted. It hadn’t dawned on him to make two plates, but he didn’t intend for them to split the meal.