‘It’s not like that,’ she repeats. ‘It’s nice. It’s about the woman, the relationship, not which bit fits where in bed.’
‘Nope. That doesn’t compute,’ her brother says.
‘It’s about those four or five men all wanting to please one woman. Loving her. Putting her on a pedestal,’ she says, holding up her hands as though expecting an angel to fall through the ceiling of the bar. ‘Looking after her and treating her like she’s a queen.’
‘It doesn’t sound like any relationship I’d like to be in. One-fifth of a woman. What happens if she’s tiny like Penny?’ I physically jolt at the use of my name. And Penny, not Nell. All for appearance sakes.Good call, Ben.From across the table, a flare of light from the dance floor flashes across his face, making him look quite wicked. ‘I don’t think one-fifth of you would satisfy me,’ his low rumbling tone repeats. ‘I’d need all of you.’
I couldn’t look away if I wanted, which I don’t, as a sensory memory ripples across my skin
‘As if,’ Mel scoffs, oblivious to our exchange. ‘You don’t do relationships, Ben. Period.’ His expression clouds as he begins to study the label on his beer bottle quite intently, almost as though he anticipates what comes next. ‘Except that one girl. What was her name again? Oh, what was it?’ she says, tapping her red nails on the countertop. ‘Samantha, wasn’t it? You went out with her for quite a bit. What happened to her?’
‘Nothing happened. We just weren’t serious.’
‘You might not have been, Mr Oblivious, but she was all in.’
‘You’re wrong,’ he answers evenly, his gaze hitting mine head-on. ‘It was just a bit of fun.’
I’m not jealous, exactly. Maybe just a tiny bit? I think I’m more curious than anything because I sense a story behind this. A piece of the Ben puzzle to fill in.
‘You’re never interested in anything for very long,’ Mel says.
‘You’re wrong.’ His eyes never leave my face as he says, ‘Doesn’t matter how far I travel, some interests never go away.’
Mel shrugs off his words before returning to the virtues of being loved by multiple men.
‘I’m going to the bar,’ I announce, no longer able to keep my gaze from returning Ben’s smouldering looks. Yes, smouldering. I’m surprised my clothes haven’t disintegrated the way he’s been looking at me. Brazen, and in front of his sister, too. I’m not complaining, but I think we’ve all had a little too much to drink for our secrets to come tumbling out.
‘I’ll come.’ I stop in my tracks, his words reverberating around my insides like an echo of something else.I’ll make you come. Come for me, Nell.
‘No. Stay. It’s silly because that means Mel has to move.’
‘God, let him go with you. Make him pay. It’s the least he can do for frightening off our admirers.’
‘What?’ His attention swings to Mel as she shuffles her bottom along the booth.
‘You, you big lump.’ Turning, she pokes him in the chest. ‘Your presence tonight has frightened off all the men who’d want to buy us drinks.’
Ben shoots me a questioning look, to which I shrug.
‘How else do you think she affords her shoe habit?’
‘Exactly,’ Mel responds, shooing us off with a wave of both hands. ‘Don’t forget, it’s Ben’s round.’
‘I’m quite capable of a trip to the bar.’
‘You’re capable of a lot of things.’
It’s noisier at the other end of the club. The bass reverberates through the soles of my feet, and I have to lean in to hear what he said.Or at least, that’s my excuse.
‘What did you say?’
His hand slides around my hip, pulling my body to his. ‘You’re capable of driving me insane. Capable of making me endure a hard-on all night, you with your pink, wet lips, and your fuck-me eyes.’ Every single one of his words has a very visceral effect on my body, and I find myself pressing myself closer. ‘Fuck, how much longer do we have to stay here?’
‘As I recall, you weren’t invited.’
‘Ah, that’s right. You were hoping to build your harem of admirers tonight.’
‘If you’re a good boy, I’ll save a spot for you.’ As we reach the bar, I throw him a sultry look over my shoulder. At least, I hope it is. This whole flirting deal makes me feel a little like a fish out of water.
