Marx Girl

I watch Ben eat the last of his pancakes, and I have to stop myself from smiling so hard that it shatters my cheeks.

We made progress last night—a big leap of progress.

I didn’t get any information, but I did get a commitment, even if I did have to do it in a light-hearted way.

I’ve decided I’m going to let him tell me things in his own time. It’s crazy. He is so experienced sexually, but emotionally he’s so green. He doesn’t know how to trust or do this relationship thing. I’m the one who is going to teach him, and I’m not going anywhere. He has all the time in the world to feel safe enough to open up.

At this point I just want to drink him in… every perfect inch of him.

Ben makes me feel things that I didn’t know existed, and I’m all in.

Whatever it takes, I’m going to do it.

He’s the only one I want. I know that for sure now.

“Come with me.” I smile.

He frowns. “What?’

“Get on the plane with me today. I will can the tour and we can go do our own three-week holiday.”

He smiles, as if he’s actually considering it.

I grab his hand over the table. “We can go to Scotland and Wales and…” I frown midsentence as I remember his and Cam’s little Loch Ness Monster story.

“What?” He smirks.

“Your Loch Ness Monster story is ruining it.” I roll my eyes.

He chuckles into his coffee cup. “That’s Cameron’s story; you know he can’t be serious for a single moment.”

“That’s completely true.” I sip my coffee. “Will you come?”

He frowns. “I might come for the last week, but I want to get my apartment sorted. I have this girl I’m trying to impress.” He winks sexily.

“Do you, now?” I smile.

He nods, and I watch his tongue dart out to lick his bottom lip. I get a vision of what he did with that tongue last night and my sex clenches.

“What’s she like?” I ask.

I like this game.

His eyes hold mine. “Special.”

“Special?” I raise my brows. “How so?”

He drops his eyes to the table and then I see him force them back to meet mine. “I don’t know.” He shrugs. “She kind of feels like home.”

My heart somersaults in my chest and our eyes lock. I smile softly. “Home is a nice place to be,” I whisper.

He nods once, as if embarrassed that he just said that out loud.

“Well, you sort your apartment out for your home girl and then come and meet me in Scotland in ten days.”

He smiles. “Deal.” Two men come to the table, and Ben’s face falls as he sees them. “Hello.” They nod.

Ben’s eyes flicker to me. “These are my friends, John and Sam,” he introduces.

“Hello.” I smile.

“This is Didge.”

“Hello.” They both smile.

This is a good chance to get my things from work. “I was just leaving, anyway, so please… take a seat.” I smile as I stand and glance at Ben. “See you in half an hour or so?”

He nods, distracted.

I smile at his two friends. “Nice to meet you both.” I float out the door on a high.

I’m Ben’s home girl. Things are looking up.

Five hours later, I cling to him as people rush past us. “Are you sure you can’t come now?” I ask. We are at the airport and Ben is dropping me off.

“I can’t yet, babe, I’ve got some shit I need to sort.” He kisses me. “I’ll see you in a week or so.” He looks down at me as he brushes the hair back from my forehead.

I nod…for God’s sake, play it a bit cool, will you?

“Will you be okay here by yourself?” I ask.

He chuckles, and shakes his head. “I can look after myself, Bridget. I’ve been doing it a long time.”

“Yeah, I know.” I roll my eyes. “You just have no furniture and…” I pause midsentence. Yes, that’s a great idea. I dig around in my bag and fish out my apartment keys, passing them to him. “Stay at my house until you get your apartment sorted.” He looks at the keys in his hand and smirks. “That’s an incentive not to get my apartment sorted.”

I bite my bottom lip to stop myself from blurting out, Don’t then! Move in with me instead.

What’s wrong with me? God, I do need some distance. I’ve totally lost my mind over this guy.

The final boarding call sounds and I stare up at him.

“Miss me?” he whispers.

My eyes hold his. “To be honest, I can’t really stand the thought of being away from you for one more night,” I whisper.

He smiles softly as our lips meet. “I might go back to America this week and pack up a few things.”

“Okay. But promise you’ll meet me so we get a week together?”

“Yes.” He widens his eyes in exasperation.