The One who got Away

Who says romance is dead? That’s the best offer I’ve ever had in my life. I’m going to be the first person to ever have sex with him in his shower. That’s lovely... maybe I had him all wrong before, maybe he hasn’t ever been a playboy. Maybe I got him all wrong. I let him take me to his wet room feeling like the luckiest woman ever. I cannot believe this has happened to me, small town girl, Serena. Now I’m about to get it all. Everything I’ve ever dreamed of and so much more. I really do feel like the heroine, rather than the side kick for a change.

“So, you’re actually saying yes?” Ben twists his neck to ask me. His expression is one of sheer bliss, but I can tell that he just wants it confirmed in case, so he doesn’t get away with himself. “I can’t believe it. You’re actually saying yes.”

“I am,” I breathe happily, giving him that confirmation. “I most certainly am.”

He pulls me in for a deep and passionate kiss that makes my heart race. His hands work up into my hair and as he holds my head close to his I feel a promise coming from his mouth. He knows he’s taking a huge step with this, neither of us are going into it with our eyes tightly shut, and that feels great.

This feels like the first true adult decision that I’ve ever made in my life. I’m actually proud of myself, I just know that this is all going to work out well in the end.

“Come on, let’s get into the wet room,” I murmur against his mouth. He shudders as my breath tickles his passion bruised lips, giving him a little taste of what might be to come. “I’ve heard great things about it and I want to experience it first hand.”

“Oh you have, have you? Well I’m going to warn you now that words can never express just how amazing it is. Especially with me in there.”

“Ooh.” I shiver lightly. “That sounds amazing, now I’m even more intrigued.”

Ben grabs me and he pulls me towards the other room with a heady lust in his gaze. I get the strong sensation that I’m in trouble, but the good kind of trouble that I really want to get into. In fact, I want to jump in head first.

Chapter Thirteen – Ben

“Hello, Mom,” I call out in a jovial tone of voice as I walk into my mother’s house. “How are you? You here?”

I figure I might as well visit to tell her the news about me and Serena so she will get all the information directly from me. The last thing I want is for her to pop round unexpectedly to find me living with a woman. She’ll get all kinds of the wrong impression. This is going to be hard enough to get across as it is. I don’t want to make it worse.

“Oh, Ben, you’re here.” She moves out into her hallway with a grin. “I wasn’t expecting you, was I? I didn’t forget that you were coming, did I?”

“No, no, this is unexpected. You aren’t busy, are you?” I glance around wondering if she has plans. Maybe a little phone call would have been a good idea. She could have friends round or anything. Why don’t I ever think things through? “I can always come back...”

“No, no, come on in. Take a seat and I’ll make us some coffee.”

As Mom goes into the kitchen I make my way into the living room and I perch my butt on the edge of her awful, floral couch that she loves so much. In the silence of the room I tap my fingers together while I try to work out how I’m going to word this. I don’t think I met a girl a couple of days ago and now she lives with me is going to go down well. Much as Mom wants me to settle down I know she wants me to be smart about it. With money in my pocket, and a lot of it at that, she won’t want me to be settled with a gold digger. I know that Serena isn’t that, but I know the story will make it sound like she is.

“So.” As Mom comes back in she can already tell that somethings is going on. Her gossip nose is twitching like crazy. “What can I be assistance with? I assume you’ve either come here to tell me something or to ask for help. Which one is it?”

“Erm... the first one. I’m here to tell you something.” I stall by taking a sip of my coffee. “But it’s a bit of a complicated situation so I just want you to hear me out okay?”

“Are you in trouble?” Her face pales, she looks a bit sick. “What’s going on?”

“No, no trouble,” I reassure her. “Nothing like that at all.” I sigh deeply, wondering if maybe I should have planned this a little better. “I just wanted to let you know that I have someone living at my house now...”

“Someone?” Her eyes light up, I can already see her getting carried away. “Like a girl?”

“Yes, a girl. But it’s not like that. Not really. She’s a friend in a time of need so I’ve offered her a place to stay.”

She gives me a look that suggests she can see everything inside my mind. “Please, Ben, don’t take me for a fool. I know better than anyone that the only reason you would let a woman into your home is because you’re interested in her. Now, tell me you haven’t kissed her and I might just believe you.”

“Okay,” I’m forced to admit. “I have kissed her...”

“Right, so now tell me what she looks like. She must be something pretty special to have tamed you.”

Mom settles in her seat, getting more comfortable as she waits for me to answer her. There’s a content smile on her face that I really wanted to avoid. I don’t want Mom to think this is me getting too serious. I’m already a bit freaked out with how serious this has become already.

I mean, not really, but I will if Mom starts chatting too much about it.

“She’s go

t long dark hair and bright green eyes, a pretty face too, but honestly, Mom, I don’t want you to get too excited by this without letting me explain.” Mom doesn’t say anything which gives me a moment to keep on talking. “This isn’t something huge and exciting. She’s just a girl that I like and I’ve been spending some time with. She got herself into a bit of a situation with her home and I’ve invited her to come and stay with me for a while just until she gets something else.”

Mom nods slowly. “So, where did you meet this girl?”