‘Okay, yeah. Ever since youwaved your magic wand, I’ve been feeling more…inspired. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve been kind of using you as inspiration for the hero in my book.’ I waited to see if he’d object. He didn’t.
‘I’m flattered.’ He smiled.
Phew.
‘So, I just need to continue enjoying your magic dong for a bit longer. Until I finish the book.’ Ben’s eyes popped. ‘Don’t worry! The writing guide I’m following is a thirty-day challenge. Obviously, it’ll take months to have a proper completed novel. But it says that if I use their method, I’ll have a full outline and the makings of an entire book. I just need to use your body foranother month, then you’ll be released from your duties as my sexual muse. Deal?’
‘Goodness, however will I cope with having to fuck you repeatedly for an entire month? That sounds absolutely abhorrent.’ Ben sighed, fighting the smile that was tugging on his lips. ‘Well, it’s going to be very difficult to have to continue such suffering, but I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge, so IsupposeI could do it on one condition.’
‘What’s that?’
‘If you agree to call me Saint Ben from now on, we’ll call it even.’
‘Not a chance!’ I chuckled. ‘We both know that you’llBEN-efitfrom this arrangement too. See what I did there?’
‘Very funny, Jeffries. Now come on. I really must insist that you write. Not just because I want you to make progress on your book, but also because I’ve got a sequel to read.’
‘You’ve got it already?’
‘Of course! I had to find out what happened next.’
‘Say no more!’ I picked up my laptop, propped it on my knees, then opened it up. A few keys looked like they were about to fall off, but I couldn’t afford to buy a new computer right now. ‘I can’t stand in the way of a devoted romance reader getting their next bookish fix.’
‘Thank you!’
Ben picked up the book that I just noticed was on his bedside table, then started reading.
I began typing and although I was immersed in my fictional world, I loved the fact that Ben was curled up beside me. And every time he chuckled at something in the book, my heart swelled and a satisfied grin spread across my face.
I loved that he was enjoying the novel. But I also loved the fact that we were both sitting here, so relaxed in each other’s company.
We were doing our own thing, but we were still together.
It was something so simple, yet special.
I’d even go as far as saying that it was intimate.
There was no pressure to talk to fill the silence or do anything other than be ourselves. None of the guys I’d dated before would’ve offered to sit with me whilst I wrote or actively encouraged me to do that. Especially whilst they were reading one ofmyfavourite novels.
Ben and I sat like that for hours. Him reading. Me typing, until eventually neither of us could keep our eyes open.
‘Should we call it a night?’ he asked.
‘Yeah.’ I closed my laptop, then reluctantly got out of bed. Although it’d take me less than five minutes to get home, I really didn’t want to go back to the B&B.
I wanted to stay here. With Ben.
But I’d already overstayed my welcome. The deal was that we kept sleeping together for inspo. We’d had sex and we’d be too tired to do it again tonight or in the morning, so he’d see no reason for me to stay.
‘Where are you going?’ He frowned.
‘I… I thought I should go back to the B&B,’ I said.
‘Don’t go,’ he said. ‘No funny business, just… it’d be nice if you… I’d like you to stay.’
My stomach somersaulted.
‘Oh, okay!’ I said, resting my laptop on the bedside table.
