"Apparently the right kind," she admitted.
I pulled her against me, kissing her softly. "I'm sorry to tell you this, but I've probably ruined you for all other men." She rolled her eyes, and I swept her into my arms, which made her shriek, and then laugh. "No, don't deny it," I went on exiting the bathroom and heading for the bedroom. "You know it won't get better than this."
"I guess I won't know until I try other… teachers," she said, one eye squinted like she was challenging me.
My heart plunked to my toes, and I almost stumbled on the loft stairs. Other teachers? Other men touching her body, drawing moans from her and tasting her pussy? That… did not sound great. I tossed her in my arms, scaring her just enough to make her cling to me. "Not while I'm here," I managed to say.
"Okay," she chuckled, laying her cheek on my shoulder. "Not while you're here."
So, I just had to find a way to stay here longer, then.
Chapter Twenty
EVIE
Sex with Benjamin was disastrous. He stole every logical thought from my brain when he touched me, and I felt my defenses crumbling. After our shower, he'd taken us to bed and showed me all the ways I'd been missing out on sex my entire adult life. He brought my body to heights I had never imagined before, and when he was done, he'd fed me, cuddled me, and done it all over again. It was blissful. And beautiful. Anddisastrous.
Because I was feeling things for him.
I'd known it was a possibility, of course. It wasn't like I'd had any experience with serious boyfriends or relationships in general. I'd never allowed myself to become attached to a man before, and my God, was I getting attached to Benjamin. I tried not to, I really gave it my best effort to distract those feelings from continuing down the path they'd already started down.
The next day, I kept busy with an early harvest of honey in the particularly active hives. I scraped wax, spun honey from the combs, and strained the honey. I stayed out all day under Benjamin's watchful gaze and then stayed in the work shed where the honey harvesting equipment was kept until it wasdark. However, when I stumbled inside my house, there was no escaping it.
Benjamin was there. He looked like a nonsensical perfume ad model, his clothing pristine and his eyes promising forbidden pleasures. And he'd made me dinner, which was perfectly cooked steak, roasted potatoes, and a fresh salad he'd cheerfully told me Nan had picked for him from her first spring harvest. And then I fell for him a little more, and it wasdisastrous.
The next morning, I woke up feeling like I had a hangover. My head ached and my body was sore, but I hadn't been drinking—I'd been tipsy on good sex and impossible pleasure for hours the night before, and now I was paying the price. I had "I might love Benjamin" hangover.
I tried to get up before dawn, but I couldn't seem to make myself do it. Benjamin hooked an arm around my waist and drew me against his solid body, snuffing out any small motivation I'd managed to kindle. "The bees are okay," he grated out. His breath was soft and warm on my ear, and he kissed my cheek, sucking me snug against his big spoon cuddle.
I was putty in his hands. "Disaster," I muttered to myself. When I woke again, it was bright out, and I still had a headache. Benjamin wasn't in bed anymore, and my loft was disgustingly cheery and bright. I sighed, staring at the rafters and peaked ceiling dejectedly. I had four days left with the man—how was I supposed to avoid him and my feelings that whole time?
The enticing aroma of bacon wafted into the loft, and I realized Benjamin must be cooking again. I was going to miss that, too. After he left, I would be back to avocado toast, inhaling plain cottage cheese, and stealing whatever Nan made. With a groan, I rolled out of bed, realized I was naked, and then stumbled over to my dresser to pull on a white cotton dress with little bees embroidered on the fabric. Nan had made this by hand years ago, and it was one of my favorites. I never wore it to work,which meant I was embracing my day off and submitting myself to a painfully beautiful day with Benjamin. And no distractions.
When I came down the last step to the bottom floor, I tripped on my own feet and stumbled awkwardly into the wall. Benjamin backed up from the kitchen, his features concerned. "You okay, Marshmallow?"
I righted myself, rubbing my head. "I'm fine."
"Let me see." He came over and pulled me to him, looking me over. "Did you hit your head?"
"No, I just have a headache," I admitted wearily.And I might love you a little. And this is torture already.He smelled like his cologne, which reminded me of… everything else about him. How his muscles felt under my exploratory touch. How his kisses set me on fire, and his fingers worked magic I never dreamed could exist. I tried to fight the blush that was already climbing my neck toward my cheeks.
He rubbed my arms gently. "You coming down with a spring cold, maybe?"
"Is that a thing?" I asked suspiciously. "I don't think that's a thing."
"Okay, don't trust the doctor," he said dryly. "Sit down." He led me to the small kitchen table, and I sighed, putting my forehead in my hands. Benjamin brought me coffee, two painkillers, and a plate with bacon and a southwestern omelet on it. He stood behind me, balanced his hands on the table on either side of my plate, and leaned around me, his smooth-shaven jaw pressing against mine. "What's the matter, sweetheart?"
My heart melted into a pile of useless goo. He had to stop being so perfect. I swallowed some coffee, trying and failing to steel myself against his irresistible aura. The strong brew scalded my tongue, and I welcomed the pain. Maybe it would shock some common sense into me. "I don't know," I lied.
He shifted his hands so his thumbs caressed the sensitive backs of my hands. "Am Iteachingyou into exhaustion?"
Reluctantly, I released a soft laugh. "No. Maybe Iamcoming down with something."
Benjamin kissed my temple and straightened, laying his hand on my forehead. "You feel a little clammy, actually."
It's because I'm having an emotional crisis of epic proportions."I probably just need a day off."
"Well, you work too much." He paused walking back toward the kitchen and hooking me with a hard look. "And I work a lot."
