Touch Me (You & Me 2)

“That’s great. I was a little worried myself. With that handled, and thank you by the way, I’ll be able to enjoy my evening.” Ben smiled, knowing that otherwise he would have struggled to focus at dinner.

“Are you going out with Katherine?” Rachel asked, with optimistic eyes.

“Rachel, if I’m going out to dinner, it’s going to be with Katherine,” he admitted. His days as a bachelor were growing slim, and he didn’t want her to keep teasing him about his promiscuous ways.

“I’m gl

ad.” She said it with a seriousness that made Ben think. He had never considered how uncomfortable it must have been for her, as a friend and an assistant, to juggle all the women he was entertaining. The she laughed and shared a few more details about the business before Ben left for the day.

The drive to Katherine’s apartment wasn’t far, so Ben made it to her place earlier than he’d expected. He was shocked to see her standing outside as he pulled up to the curb.

Quickly rolling the window down, he called out, “Is everything okay?” All he could think about was her being put out of her place by her psycho husband.

“Yes. I was just excited for you to get here.” Katherine smiled her bashful smile. When she bit her bottom lip to hide her blushing, Ben felt his blood pumping south and got out of the car, hoping he could distract himself.

“You look beautiful, as always.” Ben greeted her with a hug, closing his eyes as he smelled her jasmine scent. Dressed in a long sleeved black maxi dress, Katherine looked even more stunning than usual. Her hair was curled in big waves that bounced as she walked around to the passenger side of the car, where Ben held the door open for her.

“So, where are we going to eat?” she asked, when he’d settled in the driver’s seat beside her.

“Well, my friend just opened a Korean barbeque restaurant across the bridge. I wanted to take you to the grand opening if that’s okay,” Ben said, as he pulled out into traffic.

“Of course,” Katherine assured him, as she placed her hand on his, where it rested on the gearshift.

They rode in silence, with a fun and innocent tension between them. Ben was so excited to be with her, and he could sense that she felt the same. The more time he spent with Katherine, the more he realized that she was the perfect girl for him.

She was kind and considerate, but also brave and ambitious. Revealing all she had overcome in her marriage only made even more attracted to her, because she was a fighter and he admired that. For the first time in his dating life, Ben saw a woman’s beauty as nothing more than the cherry on top. Katherine’s intelligence, strength, and kind nature were what made Ben want to get to know her better. He was certain he was falling for her, and only hoped she felt the same.

“Let’s go see what all the hoopla is about,” Ben said, as they pulled into a long driveway that led to a valet stand.

Ben climbed out and walked around to greet Katherine, offering his arm before leading the way into the crowded restaurant. Feeling Katherine tense up, Ben leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“You’re safe with me, sweetheart. I’ll never let anything happen to you while we’re together,” he assured her, and the gleam in her eyes let him know that she believed him, and trusted his ability to live up to the promise. “I’m only sorry I didn’t know the score the other night, or I’d never have let him take you away.”

“I know that, Ben. Let’s not let that unpleasantness ruin our evening.”

Chapter Thirteen

Katherine

“HELLO, I HAVE A RESERVATION for two under Ben O’Leary,” Ben announced.

“Mr. O’Leary?” The young male host repeated his name, like he couldn’t believe it was him.

“That’s me,” Ben offered a half a smile.

“Yes, sir! Of course. Please, this way,” the young man said, before grabbing two menus and leading Katherine and Ben through the dining area.

As they walked through the restaurant, Katherine was wondering what the host’s reaction was all about. She knew Ben was a big deal and respected in his professional world, but from the way the host reacted she would have thought Ben was a movie star.

“The best table in the restaurant, sir,” the host began, as they arrived at a table for four.

“Is that so?” Ben asked.

“Yes, sir. You have the best view of the water, and you get more privacy than anywhere else. Will this be okay for you, sir?”

“Of course. Thanks a lot,” Ben smiled, before pulling Katherine’s chair out so she could be seated.

After placing the menus on the table, the host informed Katherine and Ben that their waiter would be with them in a few minutes, then quickly scurried off.