"Cups?"
Without turning to look at her,Bennodded towards the cupboard to his left. He watched her out of the corner of his eye as she poured a glass of juice and sat down to watch him whilehecooked the bacon.
“How do you like your eggs?” He asked giving her his side profile.
~
Hannah glared at him and the separation he was trying to keep between them. She told herself she would keep their relationship platonic, and Ben seemed to have the same idea, but to see Ben avoiding her hurt. It shouldn’t. This was what she wanted. Hannah shook her head at herself opened her mouth to tell him how she wanted her eggs, but now couldn’t remember. “Just surprise me,” she said sadly. Being a captive had robbed her of so much Hannah was realizing. She didn’t know what foods she liked or disliked anymore. It was like starting her life all over again. She would take it as a chance for a new beginning. She already decided she would move out of her parent’s house and get a job. Maybe her taste buds had changed. She had been living off bread and water pretty much for the past year and a half who knew what she would like now.
Hannah used the time to sit at the dining room table, watching Ben silently. The way his back muscles stretched as he scrambled eggs or moved about the kitchen. He seemed very comfortable with the task. She quickly looked away when Ben turned off the burner and set a plate in front of her,then took a seat across from her with his own plate of food and a cup of coffee.
Hannah stared at the steaming pile of food but didn’t know where to start.There were only two things on the plate, but it might as well have been a banquet feast. She was thankful Ben hadn’t given her toast. She didn’t think she would want bread for a long time.
"Dig in,"Bentold her as he shoveled food into his mouth.
Hannah didn’t waste another second. She stabbed her fork in the fluffy eggs and took a bite. Flavor burst on her tongue. If she thought the pizza was good last night, it didn’t compare to this. Never had eggs tasted so good. Probablybecause it had been so long since she had eaten real food. Hannah ate quickly, and all but licked the plate clean. She looked up atBenand saw him watching her. She patted her face, seeing if she still had egg on her. "What?" she asked puzzled.
"Nothing,"Bengrabbed their plates and quickly rinsed them off, putting them in the dishwasher. "If you want a shower before we go, you better hurry. I want to be out the door in fifteen minutes."Benall but fled out the room, leaving Hannah puzzled. What had that been about?
Hannah finished her juice and put it away before racing up the stairs. She couldn’t wait to get some real clothes on. She was almost to her room when she saw the door next to hers ajar. She peeked in and saw Ben strolling out of nowhere and stopped next to a dresser with a mirror, wearing only a towel.
Oh, my.
She felt her nipples pebble and heat pool between her legs. He truly was sexy. Not an ounce of fat on him. A tattoo was on his ribs, but she couldn't tell what. Her eyes devoured him. Hannah’s hands itched to touch him again. Last night, in his arms, had been amazing. She looked up at his face and saw his eyes looking back at her through the mirror. Busted.
She should be embarrassed by being caught, but she wasn’t. She liked looking at him. She always had. Back in Portland, he had never been afraid to shed his shirt when the weather was to warm or to use the excuse of going for a swim. She couldn’t blame him. He was a fine specimen. And there was a lot to see. She looked down and saw a bulge behind his towel. It looked large.
Really large.
Hannah stepped back and fled to her room closing the door and locking it. She ran to the bathroom just in time to throw up the eggs and bacon she had just consumed. Memories flooded her mind.
"No no, no." Not now. Hannah grabbed her head and shook it side to side. She could hear the laughing and the taunting. Suddenly two arms wrapped around her. "No," she screamed and started flailing.
"Hannah, it's Ben," he said in a soothing tone.
Her struggles ceased. "Ben, they were here. They came for me."
"Ssh," he smoothed the hair from her face. "No one is here. Just you and me. No one is ever going to hurt you again, baby girl."
Hannah burrowed into his chest and realized he was still bare chested. Was he still only in a towel? She peeked down and saw he had jeans on, though the top button was undone. He probably threw them on in haste to get to her. She needed to get up, so they could go to the store, but she didn't want to leave his arms. "I'msorry."
"Don'tever apologize. You okay now?"
"Yeah, it was seeing your..." she couldn't say penis without wanting to blush.
"And it scared you?"Bensupplied for her.
Hannah could only nod.
"Now, it's my turn to apologize."
"No, Ben." Hannah turned in his arms, so she could look at him. "I liked what I saw, but memories overshadowed everything."
Ben's jaw clenched in anger. At her? She didn’t think so. "You okay now?"Benasked her after a moment.
Hannah nodded.
“Good, in the future please don’t lock the door. It slows me down getting to. Close the door if you must. I’ll respect your boundaries, but please don’t lock the door.”
