She took a deep breath, locked her car, and then tried to walk casually into the Goody. Rushing to get ready, she dressed more casual than in the past when meeting Ben. In a hurry to get dressed without wasting too much time, she’d put on jeans, a loose, flowy top that was see-through despite the dark color, and heels. Her hair was styled in loose curls, something she was good at doing quickly, and she wore light makeup. After all, she needed to cover up the dark shadows under her eyes from a lack of sleep. It was her more casual look, not the ‘I’m dressing to get laid’ clothes she usually wore when seeing Ben. It was all part of the fun, dressing sexy, seeing him enjoy her. This time it was different. It was like she was simply keen to see him, and because she was so late, it might not happen.
How will I feel if I see him?That was going to be her test to whether or not to suggest changing what was going on between them into more of a relationship. She knew it wasn’t going to work now. If she saw him, she was going to be relieved, then excited, and then ready to drag him up to his room. This wasn’t going to be the test that she was hoping for. As she pushed open the door to the front bar area, she tried to remind herself that test or not, it didn’t matter because this was all about some fun, great sexy fun at that.
It was busy for a weeknight, but she knew it was because of the show. There were a lot of men and women who were dressed in jeans and shirts showing their country roots. A quick glance at the bar, and she could see he wasn’t there. Raven pushed in deeper through the crowd, squeezing between people, and looking around trying to find Ben. Her heart raced, and her mind flipped between hope that she’d see him and dread that it was all too late.
Raven made it to the bar and paused to catch her breath that she’d been holding. It wasn’t looking good.I’ll just goeven though she knew she hadn’t really had a good look around. Standing here in a busy bar, alone, incredibly late, she was losing the little bit of her nerve that she had left.
She turned around and leaned on the bar. There he was. And at that moment, he looked up, and their eyes locked. Despite the distance between them, she could feel a connection, that there was something drawing her to him. A warm feeling thundered through her body as he winked and grinned. She could see the relief in his facial expression.
He was clean-shaven, his shirt ironed to perfection, and he radiated a strength that she wanted to be wrapped around her. While looking at him, it was as if the noise of the chatter in the pub faded away along with all the people surrounding them. It was just them for a moment.
Then the guy sitting next to him in the booth elbowed him, and he looked away. The connection broke. She wasn’t sure if she should go to him. As if he were reading her mind, he looked toward her and mouthed, ‘I’ll come to you.’
Before she could even smile back, he’d turned back to the guys he was talking with. She wasn’t sure if she should move to a more discreet distance away. But then, he’d said he’d come to her. The few seconds it took for him to excuse himself felt like minutes. She couldn’t take her eyes from him, especially as he stood. She enjoyed seeing his body again even though it was clothed. Despite the shirt covering his torso, she could still tell he was toned, though she knew that from running her hands over his body last night. His tight jeans emphasized more of his body that she’d like to enjoy. He moved between people she didn’t notice until now as she watched him come closer. Her heart increased in speed. Moisture pooled with anticipation dampening her panties. There might be more of a connection between them, that’s what she felt before, and it was still there, but right now she wanted him in hot, primal sex.
He put a hand on her elbow, reached toward her, and kissed her on the lips. His heat thundered through her right down to her toes, and she swayed slightly from the tension that his touch caused within her.
“Let’s go to my room.”
Ben couldn’t wait to get her to his room to take off her clothes and familiarize himself with her body once again. Walking out of the front bar to the elevator, going up to the second floor, then to his room seemed to take forever. For the last hour, he’d been desperately trying not to think about Raven because she hadn’t shown up. Now, he was trying to control himself, so he didn’t take her right here and now. And he also had questions. Why was she so late? And did she mean to be late? But then he sort of didn’t care. All that mattered to him now was that she was here and was going willingly with him back to his room. She was fucking hot in her casual jeans and top. Seeing her bra through the dark material was causing his body to respond, his jeans getting a little tighter. He wanted to slip his hands under the material and feel her skin, but he didn’t. This time he was going to take it slow and enjoy every bit of being with her, especially now that she’d turned up. Did she do this deliberately? He looked sideways at her. He didn’t think so. Even if she had, it was well-played because now he was even more nuts for her. Not just for sex either.
He kept his arm around her waist holding her close, enjoying the feel of her body heat. He didn’t trust himself to move his hands over her body, and they weren’t the only ones in the elevator, so he couldn’t kiss her. It was driving him nuts having to wait. He had his swipe card out before they got to the door of his room so as not to waste any time.
The door closed behind them, and he took her in his arms. “I thought you weren’t going to come, and I’d never see you again.”
She kissed him hard on the lips, her tongue flicking hungrily into his mouth before she pulled away. “Tough day at work.”
“That’s not good.”
“It is what it is.” She put his hands on his shoulders keeping herself close to him. “I’m glad that you were still around.”
“You had me worried for a long time.” He nuzzled into her neck leaving a trail of kisses on her salty skin. She smelled clean and fresh, a hint of strawberry. It was a relief to have her in his arms again.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
“That’s good to hear.”
He kissed her again dancing his lips on her mouth. She responded back pushing her mouth into his. There was heat and passion, but also, he could tell she was tired, and something was bothering her. He’d been with her enough to know this.
“I know just the thing to help you forget about today and think only of me.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve thought a lot about you today,” she murmured. Then she flushed red as if embarrassed of what she’d just admitted.
“Is that right?” He couldn’t help it, but he needed to know with more certainty if what she was feeling was in line with his feelings.
“Ummm… well…”
He let her stumble for a little while enjoying how she was unsure whether or not to admit anything to him. Then he held out an olive branch. “I’m glad to hear it. You’re in my thoughts a lot, too, you know?”
“I’m sure I’m naked and well, you know?” The cheeky glint in her eyes turned him on even more. She now radiated confidence replacing the uncertainty of a few seconds ago.
“Not all the time.” His heart thumped with nerves. There, he’d all but said it. It was as close to admitting these true feelings that were developing quickly. After all, he still wasn’t sure about them. Though now, with Raven in his arms, he sensed that he didn’t ever want to let her go. They’d been doing this for the last two years, and so it wasn’t quite like they were rushing things. But could an affair really turn into anything meaningful?
Raven looked coyly at him. “Is that right?”
“Hmmm.” He opted to kiss her than continuing the conversation. She felt so good as he pressed his lips into hers and squeezed his arms around her body.
She sighed, a mix of pleasure, but there was also a hint of tiredness.
