Unprepared Daddy

Blurb

Ben Katch has it all… money, success, all the women he could ever want. The last thing he wants to do now is change his perfect life. Not for anything. Not even for the sexy new girl that’s started working at his favourite club...

Serena Jones hasn’t ever told anyone this, but she has always had this feeling that something special is going to happen to her soon, something that will turn her boring life around. She doesn’t know what it’s going to be, but she can’t wait. Maybe it’s even the hot billionaire who’s started giving her the eye...

But as these two start an ill fated affair, their differences quickly begin to show. Steamy chemistry can only get them so far when the cracks are more like chasms. But then a dramatic surprise shocks them both, and it’s one that will either bring them closer and bond them forever, or tear them apart and shatter them completely.

Are they strong enough? Can they survive? Or should they walk away now before they not only lose each other but themselves too?

Chapter One – Ben

“Thank you for coming everyone!” I yell over the microphone, slurring my words only slightly from the alcohol. “After yet another fantastic quarter you all deserve to party thanks to all your hard work at Katch Industries... that’s why I’ve purchased the most expensive champagne.”

A cheer bursts up around the room, effectively ending my speech for me.

I’m glad really, the company is doing so well that we have plenty of these events. There are only so many ways to say well done to everyone. I love my staff members, but they already know that. They don’t need to hear it every minute of every day.

Instead, I raise my glass and everyone cheers. As I stagger down from the stage, I’m swarmed by people. Not the managers of each department in my financial company but the staff from the bottom floor too. That’s why these sorts of events are a good idea. It gives everyone a little bit of access to me. I’ve learned over time that letting people feel connected to me means they’ll work that much harder for me.

It also means I only have to do it every so often. I’m a busy man, I can’t speak to everyone all the time. They know that, I’m sure they do.

“Thanks, everyone,” I say to everyone, no one in particular. “Your work has all been fantastic recently.”

I soak in the compliments I get in return like a sponge. I’m no different to anyone else, I need a boost to keep me going. “You’re all awesome. Please, enjoy the party.”

“Hello there, handsome.” As the sultry voice blasts into my ear I almost let my eyes roll to the back of my head in mild annoyance. I know who it belongs to without even turning around, but I also know from past experience that ignoring her leads to bigger trouble than just speaking to her. “That was a great speech up there, Mr. Ben Katch.”

“Thank you very much, Marie.” I plaster a fake, wide smile on my face. Even my teeth are showing “I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”

What I mean by that is I didn’t send her an invite, but I can’t be direct with Marie. Not unless I want another scene. No one has forgotten the Christmas party two years ago where she screamed at me and smashed a wine bottle all over the dance floor ruining everyone else’s night. And to think she was so sweet and innocent when I first met her... maybe it was my influence that ruined her!

“Oh well I saw it was happening and I just knew I had to come.” She waves her hand dismissively. “I have this new dress anyway that really needed an outing. What do you think?”

My eyes automatically travel down her body and unfortunately my sensibilities go out the window. Marie might be a crazy bitch but she’s hot enough to pull that off. With her slim waist, her peachy butt, and her lovely ballooned breasts that get her more glamour modelling work than most of the other models in the city, she has a fantasy, plastic doll style body, and I know she’s crazy too. Crazy and up for anything.

With the skin tight red dress that clings to every inch of her, leaving nothing to the imagination, and a plunging neckline that means I can almost see her nipples, she’s a wet dream. I already know Marie doesn’t like underwear, so she’s bound to be pantie free down there...

Fuck, I’m horny.

She can see it in my eyes as soon as I drag them back up to meet hers. The heady lust must be evident behind my gaze because she smirks knowingly.

Marie knows that when I’m sober and in my right frame of mind, I can’t stand her, her personality annoys the living hell out of me, but when I’ve been drinking I just don’t think straight. My cock takes over and I follow what it wants instead.

Marie knows that it always wants her.

“What are you doing to me, Marie?” I groan with my eyes falling closed. “Why do you have to come here dressed like that?”

“Because I want you! That’s why.” She snakes her fingers through mine and tugs me towards her.

I know I should resist, I know this is perfect moment to do so, but I allow her to take me with her. After all the hard work I’ve done recently, and after all the expense I put into this event, I feel like I deserve a bit of fun. “Come on, let’s go somewhere.”

She has me hooked, and she damn well knows it. As Marie drags me through the party she does so with a swagger in her step as if she thinks she has me. She probably likes the thought that she has control over the wealthy, powerful Ben Katch. What she doesn’t seem to realise is that I’m just letting her think that for a moment. Just until I get her alone.

I know it isn’t right to use Marie but when she throws herself at me, it’s hard not to. She knows I can have any woman in this room, and she’s aware that I just might. I could end up going home with someone else after being with her at the party.

Hey, what’s the point of being desirable, hot property if I’m not going to take advantage of that? I’m only human after all. Anyone in my position would do the same.

“Where shall we go?” Marie asks as soon as we head out into the hallway. She spins and hooks her hand possessively around my neck, but I don’t want her to kiss me here. Actually, I don’t really want her to kiss me at all. “Unless you don’t mind the idea of being caught out here by some of your employees. Could be fun, right?”

I glance behind her and breathe a sigh of relief when I spot the coat closet behind her. I already know that room is more than big enough for what I want to do from when I dropped my jacket off earlier. Without saying anything, I grab Marie’s hand and I yank her in there.

Once the door closes behind her, Marie turns into a dog on heat. She pounces on me and runs her lips all over my neck, seeming to sense that I don’t want her to kiss my mouth. As she does, my hands travel down her curves, down her body, until I reach the area where my throbbing erection is pressed up against my trousers, begging to be set free. I unzip myself and tug my trousers down to just below my butt, taking my pants with me. My cock springs free, eager and needy, just like me. I’m about to explode.

“Wrap your lips around it,” I command to Marie. I’m in charge now.

She smirks and takes me in both her hands as she falls to her knees with a shining glint in her eyes. She freaking loves sucking on me and I love her doing it. The crazy bitch has a phenomenal mouth... at least for that. Talking she’s terrible at, but I hope I can avoid that. She keeps one of her hands around my base and gently touches her lips to my tip. She flicks her tongue all over me, giving me those heaven like sensations that she’s so good at. My head lolls back, my eyes close, I run my hands through her hair as she sucks me hard and fast.

If I keep my eyes closed, I don’t have to remember that it’s her.

I hit the back of her throat, which is something that Marie hasn’t done before. It seems that she’s been practicing with someone else, maybe someone bigger than me. I probably should be a bit jealous about that but I’m not. I don’t care, it works out better for me. She’s even better now and I’m the one reaping the benefits of that.

“Oh fucking hell, that feels good,” I growl a bit too loudly. If anyone’s outside the door they can probably here me... but I’m pretty sure everyone knows what I’m like anyway so it hardly matters. My reputation is well known because a lot of the women I spend time with are well known. Not a list celebrities... not all the time anyway. “Oh God.”

“Say my name,” she murmurs against my cock, her words sending vibrations right down to my base. Her fingers tickle my balls, making it hard to think. “Say it, Ben.”

I’m not going to, there’s no way in hell that she doesn’t know that, she’s just trying her hand at taking control. I don’t want to think about her name, I just want her to be a faceless fuck. She knows that, I’m sure she does.

“Get up,” I command instead. “I need you on your feet.”

Marie does as I ask and as soon as she does I spin her around. She flattens her palms up against the walls and spreads her legs like a good little girl. She knows how to be the perfect fuck for me, if nothing else.

I reach into my pocket and pull out a condom. However horny and animalistic I feel, I’m not going to slide into her without being wrapped up. I’m not an idiot, I don’t know where else Marie has been. I slip the rubber down over me with trembling, excitable fingers, and I move my hands next to hers, and I push myself into her with one sharp movement.

“Oh God, Ben,” she gasps noisily. “Oh fuck, you feel so good.”

She pushes her butt out allowing me to get deeper in so I plunge in hard and fast. She is dripping wet, so excited to have me inside her that it doesn’t take long for her muscles to start contracting around me. She knows her body well, the sexual woman that she is, so as I glance down I’m not surprised to see her rubbing her clit n time with thrusts that I’m pounding into her.

That encourages me to pick up the pace and soon the hot bliss is exploding from me. It’s cheap, meaningless, and quick just the way I like it. I love the lack of complication, the ease as I pull out with my mind already on getting back to the party, I love this carefree lifestyle. I don’t think I’ll ever change it for anyone. It would have to be a really special woman to get me to even consider settling down. At twenty eight years old I’m still living it large.

“What are you doing now?” Marie asks me with flushed cheeks as she tugs her dress down. The lack of underwear made that very easy then. My trousers are already zipped up, I’m ready to go. “Are you going back out there or do you want to get out of here?”

Oh dear, she’s starting to get needy.

“I have to get back out there, Marie, this is my party.” I don’t want my tone to go cold, but it does anyway. “You know that. But... it was fun.”

“Oh right.” Her face falls. I do feel a bit bad but she did know this would happen. “Okay, well I guess I’ll see you soon then.”

“Yep, see you next time probably. Bye, Marie.”

I nod and push the door open before we end up in a deep and involved conversation. I still have so much partying to do, and the way I’m feeling I might find someone else to take home. I’m kinda still horny, but I want someone new, someone I haven’t had before, someone to teach me some new tricks or that might be a surprise. Why pick one woman to have for life when I can have them all? And I really can have them all...

Chapter Two – Serena

“Urgh, that was the most horrible day of my life,” I declare wearily as I flop down on the couch next to my roommate, Jenny Toffolo. “I hate temping it’s horrible.”

“Where were you today?” She pops her gum and doesn’t even take her eyes of the TV as she asks me that. I can hardly blame her. She’s probably as sick of hearing my work dramas just as much as I am of experiencing them. “The office with the mouth breather again? The one who always calls you Jeans even though your surname is Jones?”

“No, a factory today making train parts. It was horrible. Not only was it dirty, smelling, and incredibly boring, I had a guy next to me who’s been working there for years telling me that I was doing everything wrong. It was unbearable.” My eyes fall closed as the exhaustion washes over me. “I only started doing this temping hoping that one of the jobs would turn out to be a permanent position but that hasn’t worked out. Maybe it’s time to give it all up and start from the beginning again.”

I never told Jenny this, or any of the friends I’d made since moving to the city, but when I left my small town in search for a bigger and better life almost five years ago, I had this notion in my heart. I always held onto this dream that a better, more exciting life was waiting for me around the corner and that soon I would be swept off my feet and the old boring life I’d had before would be a distant memory...

Maybe I still feel that way. That doesn’t mean it’s going to happen though.

I applied for an apartment online and connected with Jenny which was a godsend, then I moved to the city with big wide eyes and a wild, dreamy nature. I couldn’t wait for my real life to begin... yet here I am, still waiting for my real life to begin. How pathetic is that? I’m twenty three years old now. It’s time to stop with the daydreams.

“Wait?” Jenny sits up straighter and she turns to look at me. “Do you mean start again as in get rid of the crappy temp agency, or give up and go back home?”

The last thing I want is to return back to that boring ass small town with my tail between my legs, but I might have to. I’m running out of money and I’m also running out of patience. It isn’t working, not really. I might need to just give up.

“I don’t know,” I admit with a shrug. “My head is all over the place. I don’t know what I want to do anymore.”

Where’s my exciting life? Where’s my Prince Charming? Where’s my adventure?

I don’t know what the interesting thing that’s waiting round the corner for me is, but I want it to come now. I’m desperate, I’m about ready to crawl out of my skin just to start again.

“You can’t leave me.” Jenny shakes her head so violently that her long blonde hair falls around her face making her look a bit comical. “You cannot, I won’t let you.” She grabs onto my arms and stares deeply into my eyes with nothing but sheer desperation. “They’re always looking for new girls at the club. Why don’t you do that?”

“At the club?” I screw up my nose in disgust. “I don’t know, I don’t think I’m the sort to work at a place like that.”

“We aren’t strippers,” Jenny exclaims, almost as if she’s shocked by my accusation which came out all wrong. I know they aren’t, I didn’t mean it like that. “We’re shot girls. We just walk around the rich men and hand out shots.”

“Yeah, in short skirts and low cut tops. You’re always complaining about the rich men getting handsy with you.”

“I’m never complaining about the tips though.” She pulls a wad of cash out her pocket that makes my mouth water. “I always get good pay from the job. Why don’t you just come and do it for a while, get yourself financially stable then look for another job?”

The thing about Jenny is she’s never short of money. She always pays the rent and bills on time, and she can afford nice clothes and meals too. She’s even been on vacation a couple of times in the last year which made me very jealous. She works far less hours than me too and is never as stressed. It’s like the ideal job, but I don’t know if I’m cut out for it.

“You’re really sexy though,” I pout. “You have big boobs and a nice bum, amazing hair and fab curves. Plus those legs that seem to go on forever more. I don’t have any of that.”

“You do,” Jenny insists. “You’re a raven-haired beauty with amazing pouty lips. And those green eyes of yours are phenomenal. You have a good body too, you just hold yourself awkwardly as if you’re always trying to cover up.” I don’t argue that point because it’s the truth of it. I do feel uncomfortable in my own body, I just feel like I’m never quite enough. “I think you should just give it a try, just for one night, see how you feel.”

I sigh and nod slowly. “Yeah, maybe I should.” I don’t like it much but I know I need to try unless I want to give up and go home. The thought of returning to my parent’s farm with all my old-school friends gone fills me with an intense sense of horror. “When shall I come in?”

“I can call my boss, get you in for a shift tomorrow tonight? I know you’ll need a sleep so I won’t say tonight, but I have to head out there anyway so I can pick you up a uniform if they say yes. What do you think? Do you want to? Please say yes.”

“Urgh, you know what, yes.” I stand up ready to fall into bed. I hope that after a couple of hours napping I’ll be ready. “I have to do something different to prevent me go insane.”

“Great. I’ll get it sorted.” Jenny looks far too pleased, she’s making me anxious that I’m not going to like it much after all. Maybe I’ll make a fool out of myself and hate it, but at least then I’ll know. I can still keep my position open at the temping agency until I know for sure anyway. “Ooh, this is going to be so much fun!”

I don’t answer her, I just give a weak smile and stumble into my bedroom. My white, empty room that doesn’t have anything in it because I just can’t afford anything. I need to do something with my life, I can’t keep on down this track. Maybe being a shot girl isn’t something exciting and drastic happening to me, but maybe it’ll just get me on the right track for a moment. All I need is enough money to keep me going, until I decide what to do next...

***

I bolt upright in my bed thinking I’ve only been asleep for a short while, maybe ten to fifteen minutes. I didn’t mean to collapse so quickly, I didn’t even change my clothes, I suppose I better do it before I really get into a deep slumber...

Huh? What?

A uniform hangs on my bedroom door, one that must have come from Jenny. But she didn’t intend to bring me one until morning... oh. The sunlight is streaming through my window, and not just the morning sun either. As my eyes glance down at the clock I can see that I’ve slept for so long it’s almost late afternoon. I can hardly believe it, I never sleep like that! What on Earth is wrong with me?

I rub my eyes and push my weary legs into a standing position before I make my way over to the dreaded uniform. The metallic silver skirt will barely cover my butt and the crop top that somehow manages to be low cut as well has the word CeeLow on the back which is the name of the bar. I already know it’s going to leave me much too exposed. I’ll be vulnerable, probably very cold, and just there to be grabbed. In the cold light of day, I don’t think it’s such a good idea after all. I run my fingers along the edge of the material and jump backwards as something falls off it and flutters to the ground.

It’s a note, from Jenny.

‘Don’t let the uniform put you off, just give it a try. Think of the money. Be ready by six. Jenny xx’

I roll my eyes and ignore the clothes. There’s no way I can think about them with so much sleep in my eyes. I need a shower, a hot coffee, and some serious time to get my act together. If I’m even going to consider this then I have to do it with all my faculties intact.

“Hey!” Jenny cries out excitedly as soon as she sees me. “I didn’t want to wake you because you looked so peaceful sleeping. All snuggled up in your bed and snoring loudly. Do you feel better now?”

“I don’t know,” I groan back. Obviously, I’m not really talking about the long sleep part, although that’s left me a little worse for wear too. I think I’ve slept far too much. “I don’t think I can wear that tonight.”

Jenny cocks her head and gives me a curious look. She’s already half way to getting dressed for her shift at work and she looks incredible. Intimidatingly so. I know if she wasn’t my friend I would never be able to work up the courage to speak to her. “Serena, have I ever steered you wrong before?”

“Well, there was the night at karaoke when we ended up getting sick behind the bar...”

“No, seriously, you have to trust me.” Jenny comes over to me and she takes my hands in hers. I can tell that she’s dead serious with her words, but I’m not convinced she’s right still. “If I didn’t think you could do this I wouldn’t suggest it. It’s honestly more fun than work and it’s empowering too.”

“Empowering how?” I don’t get that, I don’t see how flashing my body for cash is empowering but maybe I’m the one in the wrong. Jenny certainly doesn’t act like it’s a violation of her human rights or anything.

She chooses to ignore my question, brushing past it as if it doesn’t even register in her mind. “Trust me, once you have the uniform on and you get over those first day nerves everything will be fine. I was nervous too in the beginning, but now I wouldn’t do anything else.”

Knowing Jenny she probably gets job offers every day! She’s one of the more blessed people in life who has things fall into her lap. Either that or she’s a go getter who doesn’t wait for things to happen to her. I try not to think too much about that.

“I’ll have to trust you on that one... I need to have a shower.”

“Okay, cool I’ll help you do your make up and hair when you get out. I’ll make you look a million dollars honestly. You’ll love it.”

I move into the bathroom and flick the tap on, then I let me head fall into my hands while I wait for it to heat up a bit. Was it really that bad at the train factory? Am I really making a smart move? I don’t know. I don’t feel like I know anything anymore. I just don’t see any universe in which I’m going to be able to wear those clothes and not hate every second of it.

If only I had any other option...

Chapter Three – Ben

“Back again, Ben?” the flirty bar maid asks me as she slides me a drink. I should know her name really, I’m here so often, but I can’t remember it off the top of my head. “This is the third time I’ve seen you in the past week. Don’t you ever rest?”

“Not me.” I give her a playful wink. “When I’m not here, I’m just partying somewhere else. I can’t rest, not when there’s a whole world of fun to be had.”

“How are you ever going to settle down?” she giggled. “You can’t be out partying every single night when you’re all wifed up.”

“Not for a long time,” I insist. “I’m going to take my usual table out on the veranda. I’ve got some business associates here.”

“Business meeting? You bring them here now. That’s impressive.”

“It’s more like an entertainment thing. Got to keep the clients happy, you know how it is. Can you send one of the girls over to the table to get the liquor flowing?”

“Will do. Any preference?”

I slug the entirety of my drink back and give her a shrug. All the girls here are awesome to look at, I’m sure my friends won’t mind which one serves us. I can already tell they’re the type who don’t care what’s going on as long as the drinks keep on coming.

“We have a new girl. Maybe I’ll send her over to you. Drop her in at the deep end.”

I move away from the bar and push my way through the endless crowd that’s gathered in this place. It’s a high end, but accessible joint which makes it very appealing to guys like me. It’s posh and a great place for us to flash the cash, but it’s also casual and calm. I hate the pretentious over the top places worst of all. They’re always filled with old people who have sticks lodged firmly up their asses. Not for me at all, I just want to have a good time.

Once the cool night air brushes past my cheeks I scan my eyes over the crowds that have gathered outside. There are lots of business men all conducting their so-called business on the company accounts, and they’re all surrounded by the beautiful women that work here to serve them drinks. The girls must be even colder than I am in their barely there clothing, but the wads of cash that are being given to them as tips are keeping them warm.

They flirt, but they flirt for tips which is why I don’t ever sleep with them.

“Kyle!” my tone is jovial as I return to my table. “You like it here?”

“I sure do.” His eyes are practically bugging out of his head. “How could you not? No wonder you come here all the time?”

I chuckle loudly and look over to Kyle’s assistant. He looks less pleased to be here, but I think that’s because he’s rather be at home with his wife. That’s the problem with working in the finance industry and having a family at the same time. There just isn’t time for both. All the smoozing and partying in unavoidable.

Still, that’s what you have to do if you want to go far.

“He... hello?” a timid sounding voice comes from the side of me. “Can I... get you guys anything?”

I’m just about to make some sarcastic comment about her clearly being the new girl because she doesn’t have anything like the usual confidence and swagger of the normal girls, but before I get those words out I feel them get stuck in my throat. Sure, this girl isn’t like any of the other shot girls but that’s because she doesn’t look like she belongs... in the best way possible. Her long raven hair spills down her back, her wide green eyes are inviting, but they also look like they hold an endless ocean of secrets. I like her heart shaped face and pouty lips too.

Then there’s her body. She’s hunched over slightly as if she isn’t comfortable in her revealing clothing, but I can tell that she’s got a svelte figure and hips that I just want to sink my fingers into. Maybe my teeth too. She isn’t as obvious as the other girls, but there’s a real beauty to her. Maybe it’s because she’s more subtle, or maybe it’s something else. I’m intrigued to find out.

“Can we get some shots of your finest whiskey, please?” I ask with a smile instead. “And some beers, that okay with everyone?” Kyle nods once. “And also what’s your name?” Her eyes widen in surprise as if she wasn’t expecting me to say that. “If you’re going to serve us drinks all night long I’d like to have something to call you, that’s all.”

“Oh, right, of course.” Her cheeks tinge the most adorable colour of pink. It brings a smile to my lips without even trying. “Yes, you should know my name. It’s Serena.”

“Serena. That is a beautiful name. My name is Ben and this is Kyle.” I point over to his assistant, barely remembering his name. He pipes up in the coldest tone of voice known to man.

“I’m Rick. No booze for me please.”

“Rick, don’t be an asshole,” Kyle laughs. “Give the boy a drink. The fucker needs to loosen up.”

I see Serena blanche at the curse word which makes my heart unexpectedly to reach out to her. If she’s not much used to cursing then she’s about to have a lesson in how the other half live. At the moment everyone is being dignified and relatively well behaved, but the more drink that gets into them the more that will change. This will be like a freaking zoo soon enough. Serena needs to toughen up if she’s going to survive it.

“We’ll all have some drinks, thank you.”

As she walks away to get us what I’ve requested, an item that isn’t on her belt of shots, I can’t drag my eyes off her as she goes. She isn’t swaying her hips in an over the top manner, but for some reason to me that makes her even sexier. Rationally I know this isn’t the best plan, I usually avoid good girls like her. The more obvious ones might be more garish, but they also expecting so much less. Good girls want love, and I can’t give them love.

So why do I want to corrupt her so damn badly?

“She doesn’t seem like the others, does she?” Kyle comments idly. “She’s not as...” He struggles for words. “I mean, look at the blonde over there. She’s pressing her tits up into that guy’s face. I want some more like that.”

I roll my eyes dramatically at him. “I’ll get her over if you want, but I think we should keep Serena too.”

“Do you like her?” Kyle asks me with utter sarcasm in her tone. “She’s okay, but a bit boring.”

“I just... I think that it’s clearly her first day so maybe I should look after her a bit. The rest of the men in here are like animals.”

“You babysit then. I’m getting the blonde over.”

As he whistles and clicks his fingers to draw the blonde over, I catch Rick’s eyes. Suddenly I see my disapproval is mirrored in his expression. He doesn’t like his boss’s behaviour either... only probably for a different reason. I don’t know why but I don’t want him to act that way in front of Serena. I don’t want her to think I’m the same as everyone else.

“Hey everyone.” The blonde comes with a bright cheeky smile and popping bubbles with her gum. “How you all doing tonight? Can I get you anything? I’m Jenny, by the way.”

“We have drinks,” Kyle says in a leery tone of voice. “What we want here is a bit of fun too. Can you bring some fun over here?”

“I don’t see why not....”

Jenny leans over Kyle’s and they get to some serious flirting. I think it’s serious on his part but it isn’t on hers. Obviously. I’m not interested in watching that, I more looking forward to Serena coming back. And not just because of the drinks... although that’s what we came here for. I want to see her sweet little face again. She intrigues me.

My heart skips a beat as my eyes find her once more. I can tell she’s struggling to get through the crowd, no one is moving for her which irritates me. They’re all acting like they’re way above her. I don’t like that at all. She’s new here, she doesn’t deserve it.

I push my butt off my chair and go to greet her. My heart thunders so loudly in my ears that I don’t really think about what I’m doing. I just do it.

“Hey, move,” I growl at the drunken guy standing in front of her, swaying slightly. “The lady is trying to get past you. Can’t you see?”

He gives me a look, for a moment I think it might be about to break out into a fight, but then he sees the expression on my face and he cowers back. I must look furious, about ready to explode. “Yeah, sorry, I didn’t realise...” he stammers while stepping backwards. “Sorry, ma’am.”

Serena breathes out a sigh of relief and gives me a grateful smile. The cost of the bottle of whiskey in her hands is probably more than she can afford to pay for if it smashes. If this is her first day and she’s doing a job that clearly makes her uncomfortable, then I’m pretty sure she doesn’t want to break it. That’s why she’s being so over cautious with her steps. I know what it’s like to have no money, not that many people know that, so I can understand what she’s feeling.

“Come on, I’ll block your way,” I say kindly. “We’ll get through these pigs in no time.”

“Thank you,” she whispers back. “I hope I’ll get more used to this job. Right now I’m feeling really out of my depth.” She glances back at me with fear in her gaze. “Oh no, I probably shouldn’t have told you that.”

“Don’t you worry about me, I won’t tell anyone,” I reassure her. My hands automatically find their way possessively onto her hips as I guide her forwards through everyone. I like the way she feels between my fingers, this instantly sends my mind to a very dirty place.

No, stop it, I warn myself. This is a nice girl, much as I want to corrupt her I can’t. It just isn’t right. It would be a lot of fun... but still I can’t.

“Thank you,” she says quietly just to me as we finally reach my table. Her breath tickles my neck which sends a shiver tearing up and down my spine. “You’re very kind.”

I take my seat back down, trying to calm down my pounding cock. I’m too damn excited, this isn’t right. If I’m not careful Serena will start to realise how I feel about her and I’ll freak her out.

“Right, we’ll all have a round of drinks...” My eyes travel over to Kyle who is trying his luck with Jenny. It’s almost as if he doesn’t realise that it’s never going to happen. “Or maybe just me. I don’t think we should force Rick to drink if he doesn’t want to.”

He’s on the phone, desperately texting his wife. I feel bad for him all of a sudden. He really doesn’t want to be here and Kyle doesn’t need him. He should just send him home.

Serena looks horrified at the way Jenny is acting which almost makes me want to laugh. I don’t expect Serena to behave that way with me. The way that things are going, I’ll be giving her a hefty tip no matter what happens.

Chapter Four – Serena

I cannot believe how Jenny is acting, it’s all too much. She’s using the revealing clothing to her advantage and flirting to her heart’s content to get those tips. I can tell it’s all fake and that she doesn’t really like this Kyle guy – he’s much too old for her tastes – which makes it harder for me to watch. Am I to be expected to behave in that way? I don’t know if I can. I don’t know if I have that in me.

“Wow, they’re a bit close, aren’t they?” Ben asks, bringing my attention back to him. My shocked expression must be obvious because he continues reassuringly. “I don’t think the shot girls need to act like that, do you?”

“Erm.” I don’t know what the right answer to that is. “I don’t know. It is my first day so maybe I am supposed to act that way.”

My heart races, ice cold panic courses through my body, I feel utterly frozen to the spot. The thing is, Ben is tall, dark, very handsome, and he has striking features. His hazelnut eyes are luring me in, dragging me closer, but I still don’t think I can behave that way.

“No, I don’t think you are.” His warm tone dissolves some of the ice around me. “Not with me anyway. I just want drinks, and maybe a bit of chat.”

Oh God, he’s my ideal customer. I’m glad he’s my first one but I’m all to aware that not everyone will be this way. I’ve already had a sneaky hand trying to creep up my butt and I didn’t like it one bit.

“That sounds great.” My face breaks into a smile. “Whatever you want. I’m here.”

Over the top of Ben I can hear Jenny’s screeching laughter. She’s really enjoying this. I suppose I understand that, she’s an extrovert and the total opposite to me, but it makes me wonder why she thought I would like this. I’m not like this at all.

“I would like to learn more about you, Serena,” he says with a curious look. “But I know how awkward it can be to reel off loads of spiel about yourself so instead I’ll ask you questions about yourself. Nothing too hard, does that sound okay?”

The tight knot in my chest loosens slightly. Surely by standing here and chatting to Ben, I’m doing my job, and I can answer a few questions about myself, that shouldn’t be too difficult. To be honest by this point I’ll do anything to stay by his side rather than talking to anyone else.

“Sure, I don’t see why not. What do you have in mind?”

I expect him to start with something silly, such as ‘what is your favourite colour?’ but that isn’t what I get at all. Ben’s lips twist up into a smile and he begins.

“What are you doing in the city? I’m assuming that you don’t come from here?”

Oh. That’s deeper into my life than I expected. I don’t know how comfortable I am with sharing that much. Then again, it’s better than pressing my breasts into someone’s face. “Is it that obvious that I’m a small town girl?”

“Yes,” he laughs. “But in a good way.”

In a good way... hmm, I’m not totally sure what that means but I like the feeling of those words circling through my system. “Oh right, well yes, I moved here a few years back for job opportunities.” A thick blush fills my cheeks as I realise how ridiculous that sounds now that I’m standing here handing out shots. “I didn’t have a plan though which is probably why it hasn’t worked out so far.”

Ben nods slowly, but not in a judgemental way. For someone who clearly has a lot of success in his life that’s nice that he doesn’t immediately make all sorts of assumptions about me. “Right, okay, so do you have a plan now?”

Urgh, I hate that question because I really don’t. I can’t tell him I’m just sitting back and waiting for my real life to begin. “I don’t know, I’m still trying to figure that part out.”

“Fair enough, you’re a free spirit.” While I’ve never seen myself in that way, it’s nice that he does. I quite like him thinking that I’m just this cool, casual, easy going girl. “So when was the last time you had a boyfriend?”

I throw my hands on my hips and give him a defiant look, which isn’t like me at all. Ben’s eyes are drawing something out of me that I didn’t know was there before. “How do you know I don’t have a boyfriend now?”

“I don’t... I guess I phrased that question wrong.”

Damn it, now I have to admit the truth. Maybe I shouldn’t have acted like that because it’s me left humiliated now. “Oh well, I don’t have a boyfriend at the moment. The last time I was really with someone was in high school and he was... well, not good for me.”

In reality, my crappy relationship with Luke in school is one of the reasons I keep away from guys now. It might sound silly but I trusted him with everything. I thought he was the one in a naïve and childish way. I loved his preppy look and cheeky smile so much that I would have given him everything. I liked him for a very long time before he even asked me out.

When he did, I thought it was the best day of my life.

Things were going well for a while. The only issue I had was his popularity. He dragged me into his group of friends which meant I left all of mine behind, but I was too blinded to notice it. His friends were much more advanced than mine, into drinking and partying, into sleeping around without even thinking about it. It was in way over my head.

I didn’t want to cave, I didn’t want to become someone new for Luke but that happened eventually anyway. I let my school grades slip, I started partying, and eventually I slept with Luke. Then the very next day he broke up with me.

I lost my friends, my grades, my boyfriend, myself... all for someone who didn’t want me. Since then I’ve been on dates but if they aren’t Prince Charming they don’t get to stick around for long. I don’t have time for that. I cannot put my faith in someone unless I know for certain I can trust them.

“Yeah, I haven’t had many relationships either.”

As Ben answers me, I’m shocked. I would think that he has a different girl on his arm all the time... but maybe he does, he just doesn’t let them in. I might not have led that lifestyle myself, but I know there’s a big difference between sleeping with someone and letting them in.

“Wow, that’s... yeah. Erm, so when was your last relationship?”

“I didn’t know we’d changed the game around?” Ben chuckles at me. “I didn’t know it was okay for you to ask me questions... but since you want to know I had a girlfriend when I was twenty years old but it didn’t work out because I was a workaholic. I cared too much about my business and not her.”

“Oh. Right.” I don’t know what to say to that, maybe I shouldn’t have started asking anything. “I see.”

“So, my turn again.” He leans back in his chair and runs his eyes up and down my body. The stare is invasive, but weirdly I like it. It isn’t like me to want to be looked at, but there’s something about Ben’s gaze that makes me feel kinda sexy. Even my shoulders are rolled back as if I’m confident. “What are you normally dressed like? I can’t imagine you walk around like that all the time.”

“Oh I do,” I tease. “This is my clothing from home. It just happens to be right for the job.” I giggle playfully before giving him a real answer. “No, I’m usually in jeans and tee shirts. I would like to dress better but I can’t afford to. That’s why I’m here.”

Maybe that’s a bit too honest, but I’ve said it now. It’s out there. I would much rather him know that I’m here because I need the cash rather than him think I like it.

“Yeah, fair enough. I’m always in suits, I don’t know how to be casual. Maybe that’s my problem.”

Ring, ring... Ring, ring... Ring, ring...

I glance around, wondering where that noise is coming from. It can’t be me because I don’t have anywhere on my body to hold my cell phone. It’s safely locked in the work changing rooms along with everyone else’s.

“Is that your cell phone?” I ask Ben curiously. “It’s been going off for a while.”

“Oh is it?” As he pulls it out and he looks at the name on the screen, his expression falters. I already know that he’s about to leave me before he pushes his chair back. This is someone he needs to speak to. Thankfully because of the conversation I just had with Ben, I know it isn’t his wife. That would be really weird. “Hang on, I’ll be back in a moment.”

I watch him leave, admiring his butt as his quick steps move away from me. He’s damn gorgeous, and also the kindest person that I’ve met since I’ve been here. I’m not ready for him to go yet.

I stand awkwardly for a couple of moments at the edge of the table, but now that Ben is gone I can’t get away with sticking to this one table any longer. Jenny has pretty much got control of it, what with her flirting with Kyle like there’s no tomorrow.

I don’t want to go, but I’m going to have to if I want to make any money. Apparently the boss doesn’t like staff who stand around without doing anything, and I don’t want to get fired because of that on my first shift. I haven’t even made any tips yet. I need to at least give talking to other people a go.

I push my way back through the crowd when a man plants his big hand on my arm to pull me to his table. He has a thick Cuban cigar between his lips as if he wants to show how rich he is, and a group of men and a couple of young women who might possibly be escorts by his side.

“Yes, can I help you?” I ask through gritted teeth, trying to ignore the hot pain radiating through my forearm.

“Get us some drinks, love. That’s why you’re here isn’t it?” He laughs nastily with his friends. My eyes discretely turn towards Ben’s table because I miss him like crazy already. “Come on, we want a selection of vodkas.” He gives me a horrible look. “Well come on then, get to it. You aren’t thick are you? I haven’t grabbed the arm of someone stupid by mistake?” His eyes explore me, but it doesn’t feel anything like when Ben looked at me. I feel self conscious and uncomfortable all over again. “That would be a real shame since you aren’t even the hottest girl here.”

Tears sting the back of my eyes, I feel terrible. If this is what I will normally have to deal with then I don’t know if I’m strong enough to hack it. I can’t even argue back, this is definitely the sort of place where the customer is always right. I don’t think the asshole boss will like it if I start standing up for myself.

“Yes,” I whisper. “I’ll get your drinks for you. I’ll be back in a moment.”

Come back, Ben. I miss you so much! You’re the only person that I ever want to work with here. I need you.

Chapter Five – Ben

I race away from the table only because I know it’s my mom on the other end of the phone. It doesn’t matter what I’m doing, who I’m partying with, I’ll pretty much always stop them to speak to Mom. She needs me and I need her. All we have are each other in this world.

My dad died when I was just a baby so I don’t remember him at all. He’s always been like a ghost in my life, the man in the photographs and in my mother’s stories. Not someone attainable, but someone’s who’s always been there, affecting me all the same. His impact on me has affected my life from day one and I never got to know him.

Growing up in a single parent family, with a mom who worked every hour God sent just to give us a mediocre life, I knew I wanted more. I never wanted to live the same life as Mom and I wanted to make her existence better too. That’s why I’ve always worked hard, that’s why I obsessed over business and getting my qualification, that’s why I worked myself into the ground. I wanted to make a better life for me and Mom and that’s just what I’ve done.

“Hi, Mom, you okay?” I ask while glancing behind me to see where Serena is. I can’t see her anywhere. The only people still at the table are Kyle and Jenny. Maybe he’s finally done the decent thing and sent Rick home. “I haven’t heard from you in a while. Is everything okay?”

“Yes, yes,” her tone is warm but I can detect some loneliness there. I make a mental note to myself to make an effort to go and see her at the weekend. She doesn’t live too far away, just outside the city. I should be able to do it more regularly really, sometimes I get too caught up in partying. “I’m okay, thank you. I’ve been out with Vivian from Bridge Club today, we went shopping and for a coffee, so that was nice. Ever since her husband passed away she’s been struggling. I can help with that, you know?”

I gulp down the thick ball of emotion that lodges firmly in my throat. I don’t want to go down this road, not now, but if Mom wants to talk about Dad with me then I’ll let her. She might need that and if it helps her get through the day then so be it. “Yeah. You know what you’re talking about,” I rasp. “So it’s good that Vivian has you.”

“Oh I’m glad to have her too. It’s good to have friends.” She pauses for a moment and I can almost tell where her mind is headed. She has this funny notion that I’m the lonely one, despite the fact that my life is constantly filled to the brim. I’m always doing things, there’s never a dull moment for me. Why would I feel lonely ever? “So, how are things with you? Have you been busy with work?”

“Busy as always.” I puff my chest out proudly. “You know me, always got something on the go.”

“Yes... I know you have. What worries me is that you push yourself too hard. I just think by now you should delegate more and start taking some of your life back.” She only says this because she feels guilty. She doesn’t want to think that it might be her fault I work so hard, even though it really isn’t. I don’t blame her at all, I know that she did her best for us. “Shouldn’t you want to start... dating now?”

“I’ve been dating,” I insist. “You don’t need to worry about me on that front.”

“Well I don’t really mean dating. I mean settling down.” I roll my eyes, it feels like everyone is on my case about that at the moment. “I think it’s time you start finding someone to get serious about, don’t you? You need to find someone and settle down before it’s too late.”

“I don’t know, Mom. I’m not sure that’s what I want.” I might as well be honest with her. “I’m quite happy with the way things are.”

“You only think that because you’re out at the moment. I can hear the music thumping in the background, but what about when you’re at home lying in bed alone. Don’t you think it would be better to have someone?”

I don’t often spend the night alone, and when I do it’s because I’ve passed out, but I don’t think Mom needs to know that much.

“I’m good, Mom. Don’t trouble yourself. I’m doing well.”

“You might want kids one day,” she continues as if she hasn’t heard me. “The last thing you want to do is leave that too late. If you don’t... well then you won’t have anyone to love like I love you.”

I’ve always suspected that Mom wishes she had more kids but no one came along after my father. I’ve never even seen her show any interest in any man. Maybe my dad was just ‘the one’ and after the love she shared with him nothing can compare. It’s sweet, if not very lonely.

“If I ever decide to settle down, Mom, I’ll let you know, but for now...”

“Oh I know. She’ll have to be a really special girl to catch you’re eye, I’m just saying that it might be time to start looking.”

Inadvertently my eyes travel aback over to the table, just to notice that Serena still isn’t there. She must have got called over to another table which I don’t like. I was looking forward to asking her more questions and getting to know her better. I don’t want her taken away from me now.

“Yes, Mom, I know. I’ll think about it.” She doesn’t understand that being twenty eight isn’t a death sentence. She was married by twenty one years old so she doesn’t think that I should still be single. She doesn’t understand that I’m nowhere near ready. It doesn’t matter though, if it ever happens then she’ll realise that I was right to wait until I met the right person. “Anyway, I’ll pop over to see you at the weekend if you like, it’s been too long since I came to see you.”

“Oh yes, that’ll be nice. Come for dinner. It’s been a long time since we had a nice meal together.”

My stomach growls at the idea. “Oh that sounds great, Mom. Your meals are honestly the best. I haven’t eaten anything home cooked for ages.”

“So what do you eat?” I laugh at her horror. “I’m serious, are you having take away every night?”

“No, Mom I eat out too. And I always have my vegetables,” I tease. “You forget I’m a big boy now, I can look after myself.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. Just come over tomorrow lunch time, don’t wait until the weekend, and I’ll fatten you up, okay?”

“That sounds lovely.”

Just before I hang up the phone I cradle the phone close to my ear to feel closer to Mom again. I do miss her every day, but I can’t persuade her to move right into the city near me. She wants to keep the house I grew up in, the one she brought with my father. I guess she’s never gotten over his death.

As we say our goodbyes, I wonder again what it would have been like if my father never died. I try not to consider this much, but sometimes when I’m talking to Mom my imagination gets the better of me. He wasn’t ever an ambitious man, he was happy working a middle management job, but maybe if that drunk driver didn’t crash into his car as he drove home from work, we wouldn’t have struggled so much and I wouldn’t have developed my deep need for money. Cash represents a security I haven’t had before adulthood, maybe if I had a father I wouldn’t have become this way.

Then again, if I wasn’t like this I don’t know who I would be. It’s too weird to think about.

Once the call disconnects I pause for a moment, just trying to get myself back together. Mom makes me a little emotional, and emotion spells vulnerability in the business world and that’s the last thing I need added to my bad ass reputation. I’m known as someone quite ruthless and strong, not someone who chokes up after speaking to Mommy.

Right, Ben. I steel myself. Don’t think about that now. Think about seeing Serena again.

That intriguing, beautiful woman is fascinating, I really want to spend more time with her which is something I’ve never really felt before. Even my girlfriend I had when I was younger, Ally, never captivated me that much. She was pretty and fun, but my business always got in the way. I was just starting to get big then, I was on the way up and I didn’t want that momentum to end. She just couldn’t drag me away from it.

I don’t even think about her now, and I haven’t much since we broke up, which just shows how little she affected me. I imagine she’s married now to someone who will worship her in the way she deserves. That could never be me.

But maybe with Serena...

I don’t know why, and I’m certainly not thinking about settling down all of a sudden, but I do want to see her more. I like her face, her smile, her lilting laugh. I like the way she has been opening up to me as well. I can tell that she’s shy and usually quiet, but with me she gave me a bit of sass and that’s something awesome. I would like to see how far I can push her...

Not in a sexual way, I try to convince myself. I’m not that much of a pig... although I can’t help wondering what that pale skin looks like naked, flushed with desire, and with slick perspiration all over her. The image in my mind makes me bite down on my bottom lip in anticipation.

I move back to the table to see Rick back there looking glum. Kyle hasn’t taken his eyes off Jenny for hours, and judging by the bulge at her side he’s been paying her for the privilege.

“Where’s Serena?” I ask Rick. He looks at me blankly as if he has no idea who I’m talking about. “The dark haired shot girl who was here earlier on?”

“Oh, she’s over there.”

He points in the direction of another table and my heart sinks. She’s being pawed at like there’s no tomorrow and all I want to do is rescue her. The only problem is the man at the head of the table is Mr. Ash who has known Mob connections. I really don’t want to get on the wrong side of him and I know the money he spends in here will outshine even mine. I’ll just have to keep an eye on her tonight and intervene if things look like they get too out of hand. From the looks of it she has a bulge at her side too, so she must be getting good tips. Maybe she really doesn’t mind...

“Go home, Rick,” I say rapidly. “Kyle’s gone for the night. He won’t need you again.”

Rick bolts upright, taking my direction quickly. “Thank you,” he rasps. “See you later.”

I turn my chair around, ignoring Kyle completely. I only have one person that I want to keep in my eye line and it sure as hell isn’t him. I need to keep an eye on Serena, while trying to keep my protective inner beast in check. I can’t get in the way unless she absolutely needs me. No one will benefit if I act too soon, it’ll just end in disaster. Least of all Serena.

Chapter Six – Serena

“Is it really four AM?” I ask wearily as my aching feet throb in my shoes. “I can’t believe it’s so late.”

“Yeah, that’s the game when working in the shots game,” Jenny giggles as she replies, looking fresh as a damn daisy. How is it fair that she gets to look so good? I could scream with utter frustration. I haven’t looked in a mirror but I can guarantee that I look as tired as I feel. My bed is screaming out for me, but it’s too far away. I cannot wait to fall back into it... but it’ll be in the knowledge that I’ll be back here again soon enough, doing this all over again.

After leaving Ben, things quickly went downhill. The other man was horrible to me the whole time, touching me in ways that I really didn’t want to be touched and laughing at me when I asked him not too. I don’t know if I can complain about that, since it’s only my first night I don’t know if that’s just part of the game. It did get me plenty of tips, that’s the one good thing. I probably have enough cash stuffed in my pocket to pay my rent for the next three months... and that’s just for one night. If it keeps going like this at least I won’t have to do it for much longer.

“Are you coming out with me and some of the other girls? We like to hit up a bar after work to wash the night off us.” She narrows her eyes, examining me closely. “Although you might be too tired, huh? I remember I was after my first shift.”

I’m so grateful for the get out clause. I really can’t face being out any longer. “I think I better give it a miss tonight,” I say with pretend regret. “But maybe next time.”

“Will you be okay getting home? I know it isn’t far, but it is late?”

“No, I’ll be fine.” I don’t want to ruin her fun. “I’ll be home in a moment. I’ll send you a message as soon as I get in, you don’t have to worry about me. I promise you.”

As Jenny pulls me in for a hug, she asks me a question so quietly I can tell she doesn’t want anyone else to hear it. “Did you have a good time? It’s not too bad for the money, is it? Once you get used to the hours...”

“No,” I only half lie. “It’s not too bad.”

It would be just fine if I could serve Ben all night long, but once I got dragged off to that other table I couldn’t tear myself away. I saw him a couple of times and it looked like he was watching me. I hope I didn’t anger him by getting entangled by other customers. If only I could see him again to explain...

Maybe tomorrow.

Hopefully tomorrow although I don’t know if this is the sort of place people come to every single night. I haven’t quite worked out what sort of place it is yet, but judging by the snippets of conversation that I overheard it’s a joint where people feel more than open to discuss things that should be kept private; affairs, dodgy business deals, possible criminal activities. I heard all sorts. I guess the non disclosure agreement is in the job title.

“Good.” Jenny pulls back to look at me but her hands remain on my forearms where she fixes me in place. “So you think you’ll come back then? I have to let the boss know.”

I don’t know if I want to, but I don’t want to shut down the opportunity either. “Yes, I do want to come back, at least for a short while.”

She squeals excitedly. “Good, I’ll teach you some of my moves then, help you to get even more tips although to be fair it looks like you’ve done just fine on your own tonight.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me. “Maybe it’s you who knows what you’re doing, maybe I need to start coming to you for advice, hey?”

I force a smile onto my lips then start to move away. I’m too weary to stick around for any longer, the exhaustion that’s been messing me about all day long is back and in full force. If I don’t get into my bed soon I think I might just fall down and sleep on the streets. As some of the other girls call out goodbye to me as I leave, I give them a half wave back but I’m not really focused on what I’m doing. I just need my escape...

“Serena!” As soon as I hear his voice I spin around rapidly to find him. There’s a part of me that thinks it might be my tired mind hallucinating, but nope, there he is standing in the entrance of the club, seemingly waiting for me. “I hope you don’t mind me meeting you.”

“Ben?” Just like that, I feel more awake and alert than I have done in a very long time. The intense rush brings me right back up again. “No, of course not. But I am surprised.”

He pulls out a wad of notes from his wallet. “Well unfortunately due to my phone call, I didn’t get to tip you for your company tonight.” I shake my head, I don’t want to take it, it feels weird. “I insist you have it. I wanted to give it to you all night long but I didn’t get the chance.”

My trembling fingers reach forward to grab the money. I have to admit that a small part of me is crushed. I don’t know why but the idea that he just stayed here to give me cash sucks. I mean, I need the money, but I want him to like me as well... because maybe I like him.

He is handsome after all, and there seems to be some sort of unspoken connection between us. The short time I spent talking to Ben was the most I’ve felt like myself in ages. He brought out a sassiness to me which was pretty cool. I like that, I want to experience it again but I just want him to want to speak to me again.

“Actually, the reason I stayed is really because I wanted to see you again, I was enjoying our time together. The money is just an excuse. I do want to give it to you because I owe it you, but I also want a chat as well.”

That lifts up my heart, I can literally feel my chest swelling with happiness. Of course I don’t want to get carried away but I also can’t ignore the little voice in the back of my head that’s screaming at me maybe this is it, maybe this is the moment I’ve always been waiting for. Maybe this is the dramatic moment I’ve always wanted, the start of my real life...

“Well, I’m just walking home.” I still don’t really want to go to a bar, even if I am more alert. “But you can walk with me, if you like.”

I hope he knows I’m not inviting him in, I don’t want him to assume that I’m some sort of easy girl who will just have sex with him like that. He doesn’t look like he thinks that way, but I still need it to be clear... only I can’t find the right words for it.

“Sure, I can walk you home. I’m a gentleman.” He places his hand on his hip allowing me to link my arm through his. That’s a friendly enough gesture, right? He isn’t holding my hand. I would like him to hold my hand, but I’m glad that he’s not pushing me. “Where is it you live? How many more questions do I get to ask?”

“Not many,” I giggle. “Because it’s not too far from here. Maybe three or four more questions. Five at a push.”

“I’ll take that challenge. Let’s see what I can come up with.”

We walk through the streets under the street lights and moonlight which glows down on Ben’s face in a way that makes him look devastatingly handsome. As we go I try to work out his motivation for staying behind. I mean, I know that I like him, but he can’t honestly like me, can he? I imagine he has the most beautiful women in the world throwing themselves at him. There’s no way he can like me... is there?

The way he looks at me suggests that maybe he does. There’s certainly something floating between us, a chemistry maybe. Whatever it is it feels good.

“So, what animal do you identify most with?”

I burst into laughter at Ben’s unexpected question. I thought it would be something else entirely. I don’t know what though. “Really? That’s what you’re going with?”

“You have to answer quickly. I want to fill this time wisely, I need to get in as many questions as I can.”

“Alright, alright.” I pause for just a second as I plan my answer. “A seal.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. They’re sweet.”

“Okay, so what country would you most like to visit in the world?”

“Easy, Japan.”

“Ooh, good one. I’ve been to Tokyo, it’s a fantastic country. How did you end up working as a shot girl?”

“I was temping, doing all kinds of different, equally horrible, jobs and my roommate, Jenny...”

“Wait.” He turns to face me to stop me in my tracks. “The blonde girl, that’s who you live with?”

“Yes... why?”

“I don’t know.” He purses his lips in confusion. “I just can’t imagine the two of you being friends that’s all. You’re really nice and she’s... I mean, I don’t mean this in a bad way, oh God, I’m digging myself into a hole here.”

I could let him stew but I don’t want to. He already looks upset that he’s spoken badly about Jenny, not that he’s really said anything. “I know what you mean, she’s very different to me. She’s much louder and more confident. I know I’m probably too quiet for that job really, but I’m giving it a go, trying something new.”

“Well that’s really brave of you.” Ben looks at me like he’s proud of me, which only makes me laugh again. I don’t even know why. I feel like I’m a bit of a mess around him now during this one on one time. I guess it’s because this isn’t work anymore and I don’t quite know what it is. I think he might like me and I don’t know where that’s going to lead. It scares me and excites me all at once. “You’re facing something you fear head on.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” I give a modest shrug as a reply. “Thank you.”

“So what movies do you like best of all? I know it’s too hard to pick just one, so what genre?”

I can’t admit rom coms because that comes too close to my dream of something magical happening in my life, so I say the first thing that comes into my head instead. “I like world cinema. Especially drama movies.” I don’t know why I say that, but it’s too late. It’s out there now. “Right, well this is me so I suppose you’re out of questions now.”

Ben’s hands move up to my shoulders and he spins me round to stare deeply into my eyes. My breath catches in my throat, all of a sudden everything intensifies, I don’t know what to think. My head spins with a heady lust, I feel like my knees are knocking together in shock. I don’t know what’s going on here, but I don’t want the moment to end.

Then his lips crash against mine and everything becomes all too clear. The world rushes around me, then stops dead leaving me and Ben alone in this utterly perfect moment that I never want to end.

Chapter Seven – Ben

I just kissed her and walked away. I walked Serena to her door, kissed her and left her like a gentleman. I didn’t even ask to go inside. I mean, I wanted to go inside, I fancy the pants off her and I’m a red blooded male who is very used to getting what I want the moment I want it, but I didn’t. I’m glad I didn’t as well. I think it would have ruined things if I did, I probably would already be bored and she would think I’m an asshole.

This way, there’s still intrigue, I’m still desperate to know more about her. It’s a new sensation that’s kind of delicious.

“Ben, are you even listening to me?”

“Hmm?” I drag my attention back to Mom and I can feel my redness tinging my cheeks as I realise that I’ve been caught thinking about Serena. It’s probably written all over my face that I’m feeling something different. I try to rearrange my features in a way that doesn’t look guilty, but I don’t think I manage it. “Sorry, Mom, I was in a day dream then. What did you say?”

“I was just telling you about my morning in the garden, but I can tell you aren’t interested. What’s going on with you?” She pushes my arm playfully as she senses what’s going on in my brain. “Is it a girl? After all our big talk have you actually gone and met someone?”

“No, Mom.” Why does she make me feel like a teenager? I hate that, I’m a grown ass man now. There’s no reason for me to revert back to an idiotic child when I’m around her. “It isn’t like that. I was thinking about a girl I met...” Also, I can’t ever properly lie to her either. It’s almost as if she can see right through me. “But not in that way. She’s just... nice.”

“Oh, Ben.” Mom looks too relieved for my liking. I already regret my decision. Damn her with her promise of home cooked food. I should have kept away. “I have never heard you talk about any female before. I mean, since Ally, of course, but that was a long time ago and unimportant now. So please, tell me more about her.”

I cringe inside. Lying would have been preferable to this. Now she’s going to plan some big romantic story in her mind and actually expect it to happen. It might become something between me and Serena, I don’t want to totally rule that possibility out, but I don’t want the added pressure of Mom’s expectation weighing on me.

“She’s just the girl I met the other night in a club, Mom. Nothing more.”

She tuts loudly and disapprovingly. “I wish you would spend less time in bars and clubs, Ben. It isn’t right. You’re a good boy, you should be spending your time in better ways.”

I choose to ignore that remark and get on with my story. I can’t deal with any of that right now. I’m happy with my life, if she doesn’t see that, that isn’t my fault. “I met her while she was working in a bar and I was out on a business meeting. We only talked for a while, but she seems cool. Just nice and normal, you know?”

Mom rills her eyes. “My goodness, she already sounds like the perfect girl for you. Are you taking her out on a date? Why don’t you call her right now?”

“Woah, hold your horses.” I chuckle awkwardly at her. “It isn’t like that, I don’t even have her number or anything.” Maybe I shouldn’t mention the kiss at all. I don’t want her to get carried away. “It’s just... she’s someone I met, that’s all.”=

“Right, right. So you’re keeping her a secret from me, I see.” She nods slowly and again I’m filled with the sense that she can see right through me. “I guess I’ll just go and get lunch then and we won’t say another thing about it.”

As she walks away I sit back further in my chair and I wonder if she’s right to be suspicious about me and Serena. I played down my feelings then for obvious reasons but she’s been on my mind the whole time. It’s almost like she’s a virus in my brain that I can’t shake off however hard I try. And more than that I don’t want to.

Maybe I should go back to the club tonight, to see her, I think to myself with a smirk playing on my lips. I am there all the time, it wouldn’t be too suspicious, and I’ll make sure I don’t get distracted again.

The only reason I let Serena slip away from me was the call from Mom. Now that I’ve seen her today, I’ve even taken a day off work for it, there can’t be any reason for her to call me again. I don’t need to speak to anyone else, I can focus all my attention on Serena. That sounds freaking amazing.

Maybe I will go, I don’t know. I’ll decide after this lunch.

“Oh my God, Mom what is that? It smells incredible.” Eating luxury food out all the time is nice, but there’s nothing like my mom’s cooking. Despite all the pressure she puts on my shoulders about practically getting hitched, she’s awesome to be around too. “Is that your shepherd’s pie? I can’t remember the last time I had that.”

“I think you were about nineteen.” The plates steam in Mom’s hands. “But I remember it being your favourite when you were little. That’s what made me decide to make it again.”

“Oh, Mom, what a legend you are.”

As we sit and eat, the ghost of Dad hangs over us again. I can see it in Mom’s face and I’m sure that expression is mirrored in my own. We’ve never let go of him, and that shows every time we’re together. Maybe if I actually do progress my life forwards it’ll help us both to move on. Maybe...

***

I stare at my cell phone wondering who I should call to come out with me to the club tonight. I know I would only have to hit one of the buttons and whoever’s on the other end will come with me, all the people in my contacts list are yes men who want to spend time with me, but I’m not sure tonight that I want any of them. After the Kyle debacle last night where he wasn’t too nice about Serena and he called Jenny over to the table, I’m not sure I need that distraction. I just want to focus on Serena, so I can work out what this is between us.

Is it weird to go to the club by myself? I’m really not sure. I think once I sit down and I start drinking and chatting it’ll be alright, it’ll just be walking in that’s weird... but I’m a confident man, I could totally do that.

Yeah, screw it, I’ll go by myself.

I stuff my cell phone into my trouser pocket and undo my shirt. I know it’s the sort of club where looking smart is required, but I want to stand out. I want Serena to know that I’m not like the rest of them.

I grab one of my old faded band tee shirts and I shove it on under my shirt so the logo just about shows. It’s from my teenage years, when I was a grunger into rock music, so I’m surprised that it still fits over my now very muscular body, but it does so I’ll take that as a sign to just go for it.

As I stare at my reflection in the mirror, Mom’s words circle around in my brain. Her excitement for me to actually be with Serena has rubbed off on me. She tried her best for the rest of the afternoon not to keep mentioning it but it was as if the words kept falling out of her mouth regardless. She couldn’t stop herself from talking about ‘my mystery girl’. She even said that she wants to meet her, which is ridiculous. I mean, how quick does she think I want to go? Does she not know me at all? Does she not understand that if I do take that brave step it’ll be really hard for me to do so. I won’t be jumping in with both feet.

Right, stop getting freaked out, I tell myself with an eye roll. Just go see Serena, have some fun with her. Think of her as just a nice girl rather than someone who might become something.

I shake my head, refusing to look at myself any more and I leave my house. My home might not be too far away from Serena’s in distance, but in stature it’s the other end of the scale. She lives in a shared crappy apartment on a dodgy area, and I live in a huge town house, surrounded by other wealthy people.

We’re worlds apart, but not too different.

Usually I call a car to drive me to the club, I don’t like to walk, but tonight I think the fresh air might do me some good. I take a few, brisk, confident steps thinking that I will use the time to calm myself down... but then a better solution comes to me. In the car service I usually use they have a fully stocked bar. A few drinks will be so much better than walking.

Fuck it.

“Yo, Adam,” I say into the phone after hitting the first button in my speed dial list. Maybe having my car service as my most called number isn’t great, but I haven’t really thought about that until now. “I need a car, stat. Is that okay? From mine to CeeLow.”

“Sure. Someone will be with you in just a moment.”

I hang up the phone and take a few deep breaths. My eyes flicker upwards where I can see a few stars trying to make their way through the cracks. I’m sure in the countryside, maybe even in the small town where Serena grew up, there are endless stars in the sky. It probably looks beautiful, but it isn’t like that in the city. You have to sacrifice the stars to make it far in life. I wonder if Serena is happy with her decision...

I don’t know how she ended up as a shot girl, I don’t know why her friend suggested that job for her since it seems very awkward for her, but I’m glad that she did. Maybe that was meant to happen so we could meet one another, not that I’ve ever been one to believe in fate before. I don’t think that’s where she belongs though, I’m sure that there’s much more to her than that. Maybe that’s what I’ll try and find out tonight, what she wants from her life.

That’s not too heavy for a second date is it?

Is this a second date? Not really, but we did kiss and leave it there last night, so maybe. God, I am way out of my league here. This is unchartered territory for me, I honestly don’t know what I’m doing. I just really hope I don’t mess everything up.

As the car arrives, my heart is in my throat. I plaster a big smile across my face to hide that. I don’t want anyone to know how freaked out I am by all of this.

“Hey, Ben. Good to see you again. I have your favourite whiskey stocked in the back.”

I breathe out a sigh of relief. Whiskey sounds damn good right now. That’s what I need to get me through this. With a bit of Dutch courage, I’ll be just fine. “You have no idea what that means to me, honestly you’re such a legend. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Chapter Eight – Serena

Do I maybe feel a little more comfortable in my work attire today? As I twist my body from side to side I realise that maybe I don’t feel quite as self conscious as I did the last time I put this on. I don’t know if Ben is going to be there at the club tonight, but the thought that he might be is enough to have my whole body on fire, and why wouldn’t it after that kiss? My God that was irresistible. Even the memory of it now sends a shiver tearing up and down my spine. It was phenomenal, the way that his lips moved against mine had my heart absolutely racing at a million miles an hour. To be honest, it was enough to have me almost inviting him inside.

I think I’m glad that I didn’t though, because it still gives me that anticipation, the excitement for what might be to come. I’m not embarrassed, wondering if I was just a one night stand, I’m interested to see him again. I can’t wait to see where this whole thing might leave.

Oh my God, I can just feel it, that trickle racing through my veins. This is definitely it, this is what I’ve always been waiting for. I knew I had a better life waiting round the corner for me. It’s nice to be proven right.

“Oh my God!” Jenny’s screech from the living room drags my attention away from the mirror. I don’t know if she sounds excited or terrified. Either way I race into the room to see her standing there as white as a sheet. As soon as she spots me, her eyes light up. “Serena, oh my goodness, you will not believe it. You will not believe what’s just happened to me.”

“What? What happened? My heart is thumping in my chest, my head spins, I don’t know how I’m feeling anymore. “Jenny, please tell me.”

“Okay, so you remember how I applied for that cruise ship job to be a dancer?” I nod even though I know for sure that she definitely didn’t tell me that. I’ve been assuming that she’s happy being a shot girl, maybe I was wrong. “Well they’ve just called me in for this audition slash interview type thing tomorrow morning. Isn’t that amazing?”

I feel like all the breath has been zapped from my body, my lungs squeeze so tight it leaves my brain foggy and spinning. Is she serious? She might be taking another job? She’s dragged me into this club scene just before she’s about to leave me? Maybe she didn’t know it would turn out this way, but a heads up would have been nice.

“Wow, that’s something else,” I rasp while clutching onto my chest. “What does that mean? What will happen?”

“Well...” Jenny takes a seat and she gives me a thoughtful look. I can tell by her expression that she hasn’t really thought about the practical element of this at all. “I guess I’ll be spending most of the year on the ship if I get the job. Ten months out of the year I guess. I’m sure that’s what it said on the application anyway. I suppose I might as well spend the time I’m not on the ship at my parents...”

That’s what I feared. She means she’ll be moving out of the apartment if she gets the job. There’s no way I’ll be able to afford this place on my own, even with the new job. The idea of applying for new roommates makes me feel sick to my stomach... not that it’s about me at the moment.

“Oh well, sure. No point in paying rent on a place you aren’t living in.” I plaster the biggest smile on my face that I can manage. “That’s awesome, I really hope that you get it.”

“You do?” Jenny gives me a bit of a regretful look which makes me feel awesome. This is clearly something that she desperately wants. The last thing I want to do is take it away from her.

“Of course I do.” I grab her hands and give her a grin. “You deserve this, you really do. I hope you get it.”

“It does mean that I can’t come into work tonight though. I can’t be out until four in the morning and then up for a nine AM interview.”

“Oh yeah, of course. Did you want me to tell the boss?”

“No, no, I’ll ring in. It just means you’ll have to go there alone.”

Oh God. I don’t know if I’m prepared for this. Jumping in the deep end without a net to catch me, that isn’t a good feeling at all. I mean, I suppose it isn’t that bad since I’ve already done one shift, but the idea still scares the living hell out of me. Still, I have to support Jenny, I have to be a good friend. Even if her plan leaves me in the shit, I still want to be there for me.

“I don’t mind that, I can go there by myself, it’s only a short walk.”

Jenny pulls me in for a hug. “You’re a great friend, I really do appreciate you.”

The sense that everything is changing in a terrifying way overwhelms me and I can feel tears stinging my eyes. All the excitement that was inside me only moments ago when I thought about Ben is long gone, now I’m just scared. I feel like the anchor has been yanked out from underneath me and I’m about to float around aimlessly.

“Right.” I pull back and pat her on the arms, trying to hide my almost tears. “You go and get some rest, get yourself ready for the big day tomorrow. I have work to do.”

Once we say our goodbyes and I make my way out the door, I gulp down the thick ball of emotion that lodges itself firmly in my throat. I haven’t been in the big city without Jenny, and I didn’t think I’d ever have to be. Maybe that just shows off my naivety. Of course people move on with their lives, no one will stick around just for me. I don’t even expect them too.

“Hey, Summer,” one of the other girls calls out as I walk through the door to the club. “Glad to see you back again.”

“Erm, it’s Serena, actually...” I reply, but I don’t even think she’s listening.

As the girls stand around plastering more make up and fake tan on their bodies, it becomes even more acutely obvious how different I am from them all. I’m happy to be pale and natural. I have a little make up on my eyes but that’s it. I’ve run a brush through my hair, but I haven’t styled it like these lot. I just don’t think I can do it without Jenny. If she gets the job, I might have to leave the job as well as the apartment. I might have to go back home after all...

“Jenny is sick, huh?” the boss, who’s name I’m not even sure of, demands. His tall, muscular stature makes him a little overbearing and terrifying. “What’s wrong with her.”

Obviously she’s lied, I need to keep up with that, just in case. I have confidence in her that she’ll succeed at her interview, but she’ll need this as a back up just in case. “Oh yeah, I don’t know exactly.” Are my cheeks going red? Am I giving the game away without even meaning too? “She’s just been throwing up all day long.”

“Not pregnant, is she?” he replies in a gruff, uncaring manner. “Can’t have her here if she’s pregnant. Health and safety and all that.”

Oh well that’s just lovely, isn’t it? What a nice man. “No,” I say firmly. “She isn’t pregnant.”

“Good. Don’t want to be worrying about that again.”

As he walks off I screw my nose up in disgust. Aren’t there laws protecting pregnant women? I’m sure there are ways that people are supposed to behave, but that seems to have escaped the notice of CeeLow. Urgh, I need to get out of here.

I turn on my heels and stalk into the bathroom to grab a moment alone before I have to start this shift. I don’t want to do it, I want to walk out now and call the temp agency to have them get me some more work instead, but the image of the massive bundles of cash keeps filling my mind and it drags me forward even if I’m resistant. Now more than ever I need some money, nothing else will keep me going.

Once inside I lock myself in a cubicle and I put my head between my legs to keep my breathing steady. I don’t like this lack of control, it’s terrifying. The fact that my fate lies in the hands of someone else, and I won’t discover the truth until after Jenny, is scary. I don’t know how I’m supposed to keep my head on my shoulders tonight.

Right, it’s time, I finally decide with a glance at my watch. Time to get to it. Just get through this shift and then worry about everything else later...

I push myself off the toilet and I make my way through the doors. Luckily because I’m so different I blend into the background so no one turns to look at me. That gives me a moment to pull myself together which is good because the first clients are through the door in a second. People seem to be really keen about this place, there’s something very attractive to the rich.

“Come on, Summer,” the same girl from before calls out to me. “Time to get to it.”

At first I sort of hang around on the outskirts, just trying to keep myself looking busy. I don’t want to dive in until I find the right customer because I don’t want to end up in the same position that I did last night. And by right customer I of course mean Ben... not that I would ever admit that out loud.

“Miss?” someone eventually comes to me. “Can I get a round in?”

I nod and take the order, my eyes scanning over the bar the entire time. I can barely focus, it’s really hard to keep any concentration on anyone when I’m waiting for someone who might or might not come in. I take note of the drinks but I already know that I’m not going to stick to this table tonight, not unless I’m forced to.

“Right, I’ll grab those drinks for you and I’ll be back in a moment.”

As I walk I think it’s kind of pointless to have the shot belts on. I hardly sell any drinks from it, I spend most of my night heading back and forth to the bar. I’m pretty much a waitress in revealing clothing. That’s the role I have here.

“Miss?”

I almost role my eyes as someone else tries to grab me. I turn on my heels and try to plaster a fake smile on my face but that soon turns into a genuine one when I realise that thankfully something has gone right. As shitty as this day has been so far, it’s about to get a whole lot better.

“What do you mean, Miss?” I push him playfully. “It’s good to see you again, Ben.”

The fizzling sensation sparks at my lips as the memory floods my mind. His mouth against mine, the wonderful kiss, the feel of his hands against my hips...

“It’s good to see you, too. I hope you don’t mind me turning up again.” He looks a little awkward, as if he isn’t sure which is adorable.

“Not at all. I’m glad to have you here again. Let me just sort this guy out then I’ll be at your table, and at your service.”

Thank God.

Chapter Nine – Ben

I take a seat at a table in the corner of the room, not even bothering with the veranda today. I’m not here for business or networking, I’m simply here not to be interrupted so I can spend the shift with only Serena. I know I’m going to have to spend a lot of money so the manager of the club doesn’t get pissy about her spending a lot of time with only me, but I don’t mind that.

I’ve earned this money, now is the time to spend it as I please.

As Serena comes back into the bar and she spots where I’m sitting, her face breaks out into a genuine, warm smile. That look causes my heart stop skip a beat and again leaves me questioning my feelings for her all over again. I already know that I like her more than I have done anyone else, certainly no one that’s come before her has made such an impression on me, but what does that mean? Can I really be considering teetering into the scary relationship type territory? I guess tonight will be the only way for me to tell.

“Hey there, Ben.” Her sweet tone almost makes me want to sing. “So, now that you’re here, what can I get for you?”

“Can you get me some champagne? The most expensive bottle?”

“Ooh, champagne, are you celebrating something?” She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively, which makes me think that maybe the shyer version of her is slipping away even further. At least around me. I like that she can be different with me, it means she trusts me enough to reveal something new. “May I ask what?”

“You can, actually.” I lean back in my chair and run my eyes up her body. “I met the most amazing girl last night and we shared a phenomenal kiss.” Maybe I’m being a bit cheesy, but it looks like Serena likes it. “I’m hoping that she might let me take her out sometime.”

“You are?” Her eyes widen in surprise. I guess I’ve thrown her now, she clearly wasn’t expecting me to actually want to be with her. “Wow that’s... I mean, that’s awesome. I think the girl you met last night would love for you to take her out sometime.”

Yes! And with that, I know we can become something.

Serena walks off to get my drinks and I watch her ass as she goes. I can feel another pair of eyes upon me, so I follow where they are to see one of the other, much more obvious girls, winking at me. She twirls her hair between her fingers and pushes her boobs out to me. Clearly she wants me and if I think back she might have made that obvious before, but now I’m less interested than ever. Now, I don’t want to think about anyone but Serena. To make that point obvious, I grab my cell phone out of my pocket and I start fiddling around with it, putting up my barriers.

That leads to some work emails catching my eyes, but only for a moment. Once Serena is back, the office can wait. The business that I’ve spent my entire existence building no longer seems quite so important. I can’t believe those words have even fluttered through my head, but they have. I must be changing...

“So.” Serena sits by my side and she looks at me curiously. “Are you going to be asking the questions tonight, or am I?”

“Hmmm.” I act like I’m thinking about it, but really I’m not. “I think we should do a bit of both. I think we should just have some time talking.”

“Yeah, that sounds good.” She nods slowly. “So why don’t you start by telling me more about your company. I know that you’re obviously very successful, but what is it that you do?”

“It’s very boring,” I warn her. “I work in finance.” When she doesn’t say anything, I take it as my cue to continue. “I guess when I was in school I noticed that I was good with numbers. Much better than the other kids in my class anyway, and because we didn’t have much when I was younger I already knew that I wanted to do something big, so I decided to follow that. I decided to work with companies to restructure their finances when they get into trouble, or even before they get into trouble, just to help saving them money.”

“So, you’re like the angel of debt,” she smiles brightly. “But you swoop in quick to stop debt becoming a problem. That’s really cool. I bet you’ve saved many asses in your time.”

I love that she’s focusing on the cool side of what I’ve done rather than the boring side of working with numbers. Not many people get that, especially not people who I hang out with in any sort of romantic sense. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool. I like it. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved. I started with nothing and now I have a lot.”

“That’s good. So... you didn’t have much growing up then?” She looks like she might be overstepping a mark, but she’s not. I don’t like to talk about it much but I did bring it up, and to be fair she’s revealed a lot of herself to me. It’s only fair.

“No... my dad passed away when I was just a baby.” My tone automatically turns morose. “I didn’t ever get to know him, so I don’t know anything about him really. Mom talks about him a lot, but still... it isn’t the same as knowing someone, is it?” Serena doesn’t say anything, but her ashen face speaks volumes. “He was hit by a drunk driver while coming home from work, and left me and Mom with nothing.” I shrug sadly. “Mom worked a few jobs to keep us afloat but we still never had much. That’s why I worked my ass off to make something of myself.”

“Wow... that’s really impressive. To have such direction and motivation, to be so ambitious. That’s so cool, I really like that.”

I smile at her, wondering how she sees herself. I can tell that she isn’t keen on the free-spirited label, or that she doesn’t see herself that way, but that’s exactly what she is. She doesn’t have a solid plan, she doesn’t need a definite direction to go in. She’s happy to take one day at a time which is admirable to me. We’re like complete opposites. I just hope not too different.

“What about your family? Any drama with you?” I try to make light of the situation but quickly realise how insensitive that might sound. “I didn’t mean it quite like that...”

“No, no, it’s okay. No drama with me. It was me, Mom, Dad, and my much younger brother, Ethan, that’s all. Nothing to tell really, just a very normal, boring, small town life.” She gives me a grin. “That’s why I’m here, looking for excitement.”

I can’t help noticing that there’s something very morose about her expression, behind all the smiles. I can only see it because I’m really looking at her. “Is everything okay with you?” I lean in and ask her quietly. “You don’t look like you’ve found your excitement.”

She doesn’t look at me for a moment and I wonder if I’ve overstepped the mark. “You haven’t even touched your champagne yet, do you not want a glass?”

She must be changing the subject for a reason, so I go with it for a moment. “Oh yes please. Would you mind pouring me a glass. Get yourself one too if you would like.”

A thick silence clings to us as Serena leans across the table to pour just the one drink. I wait for her to say something, I don’t think me speaking would be the best idea for either of us. If I want Serena to open up to me I need to be patient. I can do that for her.

“I’ve just found out that my roommate might be leaving me, that’s all. She’s been my best friend for as long as I’ve been in the city, so I’m a bit sad about it. That’s all.”

I rub her back as she sits back down. I’m probably touching her more than is allowed – although I’m certain the manager turns a blind eye as long as no one is kicking off and the money is alright – but Serena clearly needs some reassurance right now. It must be hard for her to lose her one constant in her ever changing life.

“That sucks, Serena, I’m sorry to hear it.”

“I know I’ll survive it.” She shrugs at me. “But it’s just a bit of a shock, that’s all.”

She grabs the glass of champagne and takes a drink for herself. Actually, she glugs the whole thing back and then she leans across again to pour a drink for me. I chuckle to myself, enjoying her boldness.

“Well, you have me as a friend now,” I say, probably in a silly way. “I’ll still be here even if your friend does end up going.”

“Until you get bored of me...” She doesn’t sound angry about this, just curious. It’s almost as if she’s trying to work out how I really feel about her. I smile, glad of the chance to explain myself, or at least the amount I understand.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of you.” I tug her in a little bit closer to me. A chemistry circles us and it’s highlighted by the fact that we can’t do anything about it. The tension is thick, the sexuality is high in the air we’re so close but so far. It’s almost taboo which is very exciting. “There’s something about you, Serena. Something that lures me in and thrills me. I will be honest with you, I haven’t ever felt this before and I want to know more.”

She breathes in deep, almost as if it’s gotten stuck in her throat which makes me want to kiss her even harder. Damn it, if she lets me, when we get out of here I’m going to do all kinds of wicked things to her. I’ve been patient, but now I’m starting to struggle with it and judging by the way that Serena is wiggling in her seat, she’s feeling it too.

“I want to know more about you too,” she insists breathily. “I think you’re awesome.”

Her hand rests on the top of my thigh for only a brief second, but it’s enough to set me on fire. She wants me. I can see it. My eyes automatically glance down at my watch and it kills me to see the time. We still have ages to go until her shift is over. Hours of flirting, of desperate sexual tension, of needing to just drag her into a cupboard somewhere and fuck her...

It’s going to be really hard to resist, but I respect Serena enough to do it.

“Okay, so tell me some more about you,” I say gruffly trying to talk through the thick lust in my throat. “What’s your favourite colour?”

“Yellow,” she replies in a heart beat. “What about you?”

“Red. Are you a dog or a cat person?”

“Dog, definitely. I mean, I like cats well enough but I would much prefer a dog. They’re just so loyal and welcoming.”

Okay well that’s something we have in common. It’s good to have some common ground when we’re clearly very different. It might only be a gossamer thin thread, but it’s something. “Yeah, me too. I’ve always wanted a dog. Maybe I’ll get one someday soon.”

“That would be so cool. You should get a Pug, they’re so damn cute.”

“Maybe I will.” An image pops into my brain of me and Serena with a dog between us, cementing us. “Maybe I will...”

Chapter Ten – Serena

“Oh thank goodness it’s time to leave,” I gasp as finishing time rolls around. The club empties out and I sigh deeply with relief. “I thought this shift would never end.”

Me and Ben have been desperately flirting all night long and it’s been killing me. Admittedly it’s been a while so it doesn’t take much to put me on edge, but now I’m about ready to beg him to take me right here in the club. When I came to work tonight I had no intention of ending the night taking Ben home with me. I didn’t even think about anything past just looking at him and spending more time getting to know him, but now I know that I have to. I just hope that he wants to as well...

“Do you have any plans now?” I ask coyly. “Anywhere you need to be?”

“The only place I want to be is with you.” He slips his fingers through mine and gives me a knowing look. His deep penetrating eyes sends a shiver racing up and down my spine. “If that’s what you want, of course.”

“Oh yes.” I might sound needy and desperate, but that’s exactly how I feel right now. The throbbing in my panties would never forgive me if I didn’t give into this. “That’s what I want. Shall we get out of here?”

“Actually, just before we leave.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet. Then he takes some cash from it and hands it to me. “Here are your tips. I want to give them to you now because...” He looks adorably embarrassed as he speaks. “Because it might get weird later on.”

I shake my head, despite the fact that I really need that money. “No, I can’t take it from you. I had too much of a good time to need your tips.”

He rolls his eyes and laughs. “I want you to have it and I won’t take no for an answer. Unless you want me to cause a scene...”

“No, no, I don’t want that.” I take it from him. “I’ll take it, come on let’s just go.”

The journey to the apartment is much quicker than it was yesterday, but that’s because we know for a fact now that it won’t be the end of the night. If anything, it’ll be the beginning. The thought of what will come next is filling me up, sending delicious lightening bolts crashing through me, I can hardly wait.

“Just be quiet as we sneak in,” I whisper to Ben. “I don’t want to wake up Jenny before her big interview tomorrow.”

It feels funny to be the one sneaking in. I know that Jenny’s done it a few times but it hasn’t ever been me. It’s quite nice actually, I’m the desirable one for a change. We tiptoe into my bedroom, stifling giggles as we go, but the atmosphere changes from something amusing to something very serious the second we step inside.

“You’re so beautiful,” Ben whispers as he dips his head to mine. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you all night long.”

As his lips crash into mine and he claims me with his mouth, my heart thunders painfully. There’s nothing tender or gentle about this kiss, not like the one we had last night. It’s deep, it’s passionate, it’s everything. It brings all the desire that I’ve been trying to squash all night long right to the surface. I snake my arms around him, I grab onto him so tightly I’m probably squeezing him half to death, but I can’t stop.

I’ve wanted this all night long as well.

As Ben’s mouth moves down to my neck, I toss my head backwards and stumble against the wall. With something to hold me upright, I feel more confident as I knot my fingers up into his hair. His fluttering kisses spark butterflies inside me, I start to see stars, I know I’m going to lose it soon enough.

Then Ben moves his mouth further down my body and he kisses my breasts through the top, he even brings his lips in towards my nipples for a moment before dragging the wonderful sensation even further down my body. His lips traces over my stomach, past my hips, and to the top of my thighs. Only my panties separate his mouth from where I need him most and I want to beg him to pull them down... only I can’t find the words.

Luckily, I don’t need to. My rolling hips must do the trick for me because he hooks his fingers around the top of my underwear and he slowly, tantalisingly tugs them over my hypersensitive skin, making me gasp needily. As the lacy material comes downwards and it flicks to the ground, Ben grabs onto one of my thighs and he throws my leg over his shoulder giving him complete access to me. I try to find something on the wall to grab onto, but there’s nothing there, so I have to grab Ben instead.

As one of his fingers slides into my dark, wet heat it feels like it’s been a long time coming. This isn’t the beginning of foreplay tonight, that’s been happening all night long. This is almost the end, I ca already feel myself teetering on the knife edge of desire. As another of Ben’s thick fingers slides into me, my back arches of it own accord. It’s almost like I have no control over my body anymore.

“Oh God, Ben.” It’s hard to remember to be quiet when Ben has me feeling so fucking good. It’s been such a long time that I almost forgot how good it could feel. Ben has my body opening up like a damn flower already. “That feels so good.”

I can feel Ben’s breath on my entrance and it’s almost too much to bear. He tickles my clit with each exhale and if my eyes weren’t closed and my head hadn’t fallen back I would check to see if he’s getting closer because it certainly feels that way.

Yep... it feels that way for a reason because now his tongue has slipped into the mix and I fear that my groans must be waking Jenny up. But how can I help it? Those patterns he’s tracing over my nub are just too much.

He picks up the pace and my nails claw into the wall behind me. This is heaven, it’s unbelievable, I don’t even know what to do with myself, I think I might fall over any moment. My pulse pounds against my rib cage, my veins buzz, my whole body trembles violently. I don’t think my one leg pressed on the ground can hold me up anymore.

“I can’t take it,” I rasp. “It’s too much.”

I don’t think Ben will listen to me because of his demanding nature, but he must be able to sense that I truly mean it, because he scoops me up in his arms and he flings me on the bed. My skirt is around my waist, my top is all messy, but I don’t care. All I’m interested in is the incredible way Ben looks and the way he has me feeling.

Ben steps away from the bed and he tugs his trousers down. I prop myself up onto my elbows so I can watch him as he strips down. He looks so good that the sight of his thick muscular thighs almost makes me gasp again. I can see a thick erection straining against his underwear leaving me wondering what he has in there for me.

“Nice tee shirt.” I could see that he had it on under his shirt before but now I can really see it. I don’t know the band on it but it’s still pretty cute. “I didn’t know you were a rock boy.”

He yanks it off and throws it on the floor. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

His abs go on forever. He’s so muscular that he even has one of those awesome V signs that goes right down into his underwear. I’ve never been with someone so sculpted before and I can’t wait to feel what he’s like to touch all over. His body is the sort that belongs on the front page of a magazine, not with me... not that I’m going to complain. If Ben wants to be here then I’m not going to push him away.

Finally he removes the last item. He pulls his pants down and his erection springs free. I cry out in shock because he’s so huge. I have no idea what the hell I’m going to do with that... or what it’s going to do with me anyway.

“Oh wow, you’re...” I move my gaze up into his eyes, loving the dark lust in his eyes. He’s looking at me like he adores me. “You’re amazing. Really, amazing.”

He climbs up the bed until he’s hovering over me, then he pauses there for just a second to rest his forehead against mine. I’m shocked to be honest, I thought he would be much quicker to get down to business, but then he did say I was different. Maybe he meant that and it wasn’t just a line. As we stare into each other’s eyes, I lose myself and it’s a feeling that I like. I want to give myself over to Ben. Maybe I don’t know him well, but I feel like I can trust him with me.

Then I feel his erection teasing me, begging for entrance and I want him even more. I roll my hips towards him trying to encourage him in but he waits for just a moment. He’s teasing me, trying to drive me crazy, and it really is working. I want to ask him if he knows how damn long it’s been but I don’t. I don’t want to seem too pathetic for words.

“You want this?” he asks gently. I nod enthusiastically. “Are you sure?”

Eventually he gives me what I want and he thrusts deeply into me. His thick, deep penetration hits right back and gets my G spot which causes a surprised yell to fly out of my mouth.

“Shh,” Ben laughs. “You’re supposed to be quiet. Your roommate needs sleep, remember.”

I don’t answer him, I just buck back and forth, forcing him to get going. I can’t take this anymore, I just need to get those amazing sensations that I’ve been hankering after all night long, the feelings that I just know Ben can give me. He moves in unison with me, using the thick muscles of his arms to hold him above me while he slides in and out. The feelings are so amazing, the way he has my body flying is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. There’s already an intense, hot pressure building inside of me.

It starts in my toes, like a hot pool, then it slowly travels up through my veins heating every bit of me up. Soon it gets rapid and out of control, I can barely think anymore, all I can do is feel and I don’t even know what I’m feeling. It’s just too much. I’m moving closer to the edge, slowly falling, I know it’s just take one small push and I’ll be there...

Then the waves crash over me like a tsunami, shattering through my body. I buck, I writhe, I think I yell top note I just don’t know anymore... I’m like a wild, crazy animal who has absolutely no control anymore.

The pleasure gets to Ben at almost the same moment, so at that moment we kiss to swallow up one another’s screams. It feels amazing, it builds our bond even tighter. I freaking love every moment of it. I cling to him, I hold him and I honestly hope that I never have to let him go.

Chapter Eleven – Ben

As we lay in Serena’s bed panting next to one another, my brain isn’t in my head anymore. It can’t be, somewhere during that intense orgasm it must have flown away, that’s the only explanation I have for the words that come out of my mouth next, that despite my money are nothing like me at all.

“This place is tiny and a bit crappy. How can you live here?”

Instantly, I cringe, but I don’t say anything to try and rectify my words. They’re out there now, there’s no way I can make them any better. I can tell from Serena’s crestfallen face that I’ve been an asshole, but I don’t know how to make it better.

“I know, it is small I suppose,” she replies in a small voice. “But I’m used to it. I’ve been here for about five years so now it’s just home.” She shrugs, trying to act blasé, but I can see this really bothers her. “I guess it won’t be for much longer though. I’m going to have to move if Jenny gets the job. There’s no way I can afford it on my own.”

I want to offer to pay for it for her, but something inside me tells me that it’ll be the wrong thing to say. Just because I have money doesn’t mean I should flash it and be arrogant about it. “Can you not... get another roommate?” I ask cautiously. “To live in Jenny’s room?”

“Yeah, I suppose I could. I just... I don’t know what it’ll be like living here with someone else. I don’t think it’ll be the same.” She pushes herself into a sitting position. “I guess I won’t worry too much about it yet, I’ll wait to see what happens first.” She might not even get the job so I don’t want to get carried away with worry just yet.” She pushes herself out of the bed and straightens down her top and skirt. I feel bad that I didn’t manage to get her naked but it all happened far too quickly. “Anyway, I’m just headed to the bathroom then I’ll get a drink. You want something?”

“Water, please. Thank you, Serena.”

“Sure.” Her smile is a little unsure. Her body language is awkward which makes me very curious. I want to know why, after that mind blowing craziness, she’s acting that way. She just gave me the best sex ever, and she doesn’t even seem to realise that. How do I tell her without being weird about it. “I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be here,” I reassure her in case she fears I might run away at the first opportunity I get. “Waiting for you.”

She nods, but doesn’t look any more convinced, then she spins on her heels to leave.

I get a glimpse of her butt as she leaves the room which sparks my desire all over again. It’s almost five in the morning now, I don’t know if either of us have it in us for round two, but I still really can’t wait until it happens again. I have no desire to race out of here, despite the fact that my bed at home is so much more comfortable, with Serena I just want to be with her.

I definitely like her, I think I could fall for her.

I don’t like hearing that she has all these problems, that I can’t immediately solve. I mean, I could solve them by throwing some money at her but I don’t want things to get weird. Serena isn’t the gold digger type, I’ve seen enough of them in my time to know, and I know that she’ll be offended. So what can I do? How can I help her?

My brain racks, but in all honesty I’m far too tired to come up with some logical solution. I know it’s there somewhere in my brain, but I can’t find it anywhere. I hope that with a bit of sleep it’ll come to me. My eyes flicker. I want to stay awake to see Serena when she comes back into the room, but I know that I can’t. The exhaustion, plus the expensive champagne, has got the better of me, and combined with the post orgasmic bliss is too much. I promised Serena that I would be here, I want to be awake too, but I just can’t seem to make it.

The blackness comes for me quickly, and I succumb to it, but Serena is in my brain the whole time, infiltrating my dreams and making me fall for her all over again...

***

My eyes snap open as soon as the sunlight streams through the window... or at least as soon as I notice it. By the time my vision adjusts I realise that it’s actually quite bright, so it’s probably pretty late in the morning. I move my hand to the side, expecting to feel the softness of Serena’s skin next to me, but all I get are cold sheets.

The bed is cold and empty, and it has been for a while now.

“Serena?” I croak, pushing myself into a sitting position. “Where are you?”

The last thing I remember is Serena going to the bathroom and to get a drink. There’s a tall glass of water next to me and a dent in the bed which suggests she came back to sleep, but for some reason she’s gone all over again. I need to find out where and what’s going on with her. The last thing I want is for the most amazing night of my life to turn into something awkward and weird.

I take a massive gulp of the water and I get out the bed. I pad across the room and to the door which opens up into her living room. This home is so small that it doesn’t even have hallways, it’s so cramped, the complete opposite to mine, but it’s Serena’s home and she’s clearly terrified of losing it.

“Serena?” She’s sitting on the couch and curled over herself as if she might be crying. My blood runs cold, is this my fault? Is she upset because she slept with me? I don’t want to be her mistake. “Serena, are you okay?”

She lifts up her face to look at me and the red rims around her eyes prove that she has been crying. “I’m sorry, Ben, this is bad timing. I don’t mean to be upset right now, this isn’t right.”

I perch on the chair opposite her and lean my elbows onto my knees. I don’t want to get too close in case I am the problem here. “What’s going on? Don’t worry about timing, or whatever, just tell me.”

It’s weird to care. I can’t recall the last time that any woman and her emotions, aside from my mother of course, got to me. It feels all odd and shaky inside, I almost don’t know what the hell I’m supposed to do with myself.

“It’s Jenny.” She holds up her cell phone to indicate that she’s just been on a call. “She just called me. She got the job so she’s definitely leaving.” She sobs a little, but I feel frozen. I don’t know how I’m supposed to behave now. “I know I already knew about this and I had some time to prepare, but it’s still a shock. I mean she’s going to be gone, she’ll be travelling the world on some cruise ship and I’ll still be stuck here. Alone, with a job I hate and no home.”

“A job you hate?” I can’t help being a little offended by that. That’s how we met.

“Oh not you,” she reassures me. “I’ve loved spending time with you, but all the other guys in there are horrible. Plus if I have to move then I’ll probably live too far away to make it worth it. I can’t travel too far across the city at that time of morning in that outfit, you know, it just isn’t safe.”

“I’ll always walk you,” I insist, trying to make her smile. “You know that.”

She smirks but looks down. Her sadness isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Even I can’t help with that. “Yeah, I know, I just don’t like the way that everything is changing much too quickly. It’s a bit much.” She wipes some stray tears that fly out of her eyes. “Sorry, I know I’m being an idiot, it’s just the news just came through and I’m shocked.”

I move over to where she’s sitting on the couch and put my arms around her. As I do my mind ticks over, my brain scans right through it for any possible solution. I know it needs to be in there somewhere, it has to be.

Oh my God...

As my brain hits upon it, the jackpot idea, I pause for a moment just checking through it in my mind. It’s perfect, but radical and I need to check if it’s smart before I actually go through with it. I like the idea, I like Serena, but I don’t want to do anything rash. I don’t want to do anything rash that could ruin us....

Nope, it’s great, I’m going to go for it.

“Why don’t you come and live with me for a while?” Predictably, she pulls back and she stares at me like I’m a mad person. “No, I know how that sounds, but just hear me out before you start jumping to conclusions. My house is massive, I have plenty of spare rooms so you could definitely have your own space, there would be absolutely no pressure on your shoulders at all for anything. You could just stay there while you work out what you want to do with your life. I’ll cover all expenses so you don’t have to worry about it, you can stop working in the club and just take some time.”

She stands up and paces the room, clearly stunned by my insane suggestion. I knew she would be, I feel a bit like that myself, but once she takes a moment she’ll come around I just know it.

“I’m not saying you have to make a decision right now,” I tell her reassuringly. “Why don’t you just come with me to mine and take a look. See if it’s something you could get on board with.”

“But won’t it be weird? Like, after us hooking up and stuff? Will it be strange for us to live together?” Serena’s face goes a deep bright red now. “I know that’s odd to ask but I want to be sure that this won’t be a mistake.”

I stand up and join her, taking her hands in mine. “Only if we make it that way. We can make it whatever it is, you know? There’s no pressure. We can just be. We can be roommates or friends, or whatever.” Even I don’t know what I want, which is understandable since we’ve only known each other two days, but there’s something deep in my chest that’s telling me this is right. I’m not impulsive, that’s what’s gotten me this far in life. But now, I want to be. For her. “Just come and see the house, let’s go from there.”

She nods slowly. “I suppose that can’t hurt.” Her face breaks into a smile. “I would like to see where your house is anyway. It’s only fair since you’ve seen mine. I need a distraction anyway. I don’t want to sit around moping all day. Jenny’s going, that’s that. I don’t want to think about it for another second longer.”

As Serena heads into her bedroom I wait for the moment of regret to come in but it doesn’t. I just feel good about my decision, I want this. The idea of Serena living in my home, invading my personal space, it just seems like it’s going to be awesome.

Chapter Twelve – Serena

What is going on? I ask myself with a small shake of my head. This is insane.

I cannot believe that Ben has asked me to move in with him, it’s almost like it’s a damn movie. Like when the heroine falls in love far too quickly and things progress in this amazing and romantic way and somehow it all works out. Yes there are a few hiccups along the way, but it’s always a happy ever after. Is this going to be mine? Is this honestly the start of my own love story? Am I headed towards my own happy ever after?

I pull some fresh clothes on without much thinking about it. I’m just too excited to see deeper into Ben’s world. I might not decide to go along with his crazy, spur of the moment plan, even if it’s way better than any other idea that I’ve heard, but I do want to see his home and this sounds to be a good excuse to do so. I’ve seen all the rich people massive houses around the city, but I’ve never been inside one. I’m interested to see how the other half lives.

As I move back towards my bedroom door I pause for just a moment. I need to give Ben just a second to really think this through before he does anything rash. I haven’t agreed to his plan, but he might be regretting it already. I need him to work out how he’s feeling before I can decide how I feel about it all. It is his house.

I count to three in my mind before I push the door open. Fear swirls around inside of me as I do, but I try not to let that show on my face. I keep the smile there as I look at him. “Everything alright, Ben?”

He gives me this intense look but he doesn’t look like he regrets anything. He actually looks like he might be excited. “I’m good. Let’s get going, shall we? I’m looking forward to you seeing my place.”

Once we both reach my apartment door, Ben reaches his hand down to grab mine. As his fingers interlock with mine my heart races. This is too much, I’m sure it’s happening too quickly, but I love it. It’s like a whirlwind, a speedy heady rush, it’s how I imagine love is supposed to be. This is how it is, isn’t it? I’m sure this is how people describe it.

God it feels good. So good I want to explode.

We walk outside like that, and I’m sure everyone is staring at us. I don’t take my eyes off of Ben much, but I can feel the jealous prickles racing all over my skin. I’m usually the jealous one, on the outside looking in. I’ve never been in the middle of a couple before and it feels awesome. I love that sensation almost as much as I like Ben.

This is it, I think with utter certainty this time. This is definitely the moment that my real life begins. I can’t believe it, I’m so damn happy I could cry!

There’s nearly a skip in my step. I feel like all the problems have been lifted from my shoulders and that I could fly. Ben just has this weird way of making everything seem okay. I could fall in love with him given half the chance, I just know it.

“It’s quite a walk,” he tells me. “I can call a car if you like.”

“How far is it?” I don’t mind the walk, but I also quite like the idea of him calling a car. I’ve just never had that privilege before. “How long would it take us?”

He pulls out his cell phone. “I’ll call us a car.”

We wait impatiently on the side of the road while the car comes to pick us up. I can barely keep my feet still, I keep bouncing about like a bunny. There’s an ache in the balls of my feet and in my ankles from the long night shifts at CeeLow, but the pain isn’t bothering me as much as it probably should be.

Eventually a black town car with tinted windows turns up. It’s intimidating looking, not the sort of car that I would ever associate with me. Or Ben for that matter, it’s more the kind of vehicle that I would link to organised crime. But when Ben indicates for me to get inside I know that it’s for us.

“Oh my goodness.” Even the car is luxurious. “This is something else.”

“Oh it’s okay. My limo is better stocked, but yeah it’ll do.” Ben gives me a cheeky smile and hands me a bottle of water. I suck it back like there’s no tomorrow as the realisation of just how thirsty I am hits me. “Anyway, it won’t be long until we get to mine now, it isn’t really that far at all.”

I watch out the windows as the houses start getting nicer and nicer. It isn’t long before the sort of place that I live in looks like a shit hole compared to these places, but we’re still going. They get bigger and better and my jealous heart soars. I want one of these places to be mine, they’re just so beautiful...

“Oh my God.” When we eventually stop it’s outside a home that’s nearly mansion like. It certainly is the biggest place I’ve ever seen in the city. I press my hands up against the window and move my face nearer so I can drink it in. “Is this place yours?”

“Yep. All mine. The town house is one of my earliest purchases when I started making it big... closely followed by the house I bought for my mother, but that’s on the outskirts of the city. She wanted to stay near her friends...” He trails off when he realises that he’s gotten off track. “Anyway, shall we go inside?”

I let him lead the way, still looking up at what Ben referred to as a town house. I’m sure this is too big to be classed as a town house. It’s ridiculous. I love it. When we walk inside, I’m even more blown away. It’s modern, sleek, set out in a really nice inviting way. There isn’t a woman’s touch to be seen, but I’m glad about that. It’d be weird to live where another woman has been before. Not that I’ve made my mind up yet.

“Okay so this is the living room...” A room with a giant TV and a comfortable looking couch lies in front of me. I spot some fancy art work on the walls, but I don’t get long enough to properly look at it. “...and the kitchen...” Of course he has every cooking appliance known to a man. I’m pretty sure I even see an electric sushi maker. “...there’s a bathroom down there and a utility room, plus the games room.” Then he takes me up the stairs. “I have my office there, there’s a bedroom there and another one there, possibly two...” These spare bedrooms are bigger than my whole apartment. “And my room is up on another floor. You take whatever room here you want, but if you want to see my room it’s up there.”

I follow him around the house in a state of shock. This is something we could probably actually do without it being too strange or complex. This house is so damn massive it’s ridiculous. We could both live here and keep a distance. It would be a way for us to work out what’s going on between us without having to involve the club anymore, and like Ben said I wouldn’t even need to work there. I could use the time to get back on my feet. I could decide what I want to do with my life it wouldn’t even need to be a permanent thing.

“This is a lovely home,” I rasp, needing to say something. “You have such a nice place.”

Ben moves forward and he takes my hands in his. “Serena, you can see now how we can make this work, can’t you? You can see what I see. There’s plenty of room for both of us, no need for us to get under each other’s feet and we can continue to get to know one another.”

“I have to admit,” I reply with a smile. “At first I thought you were absolutely insane, but maybe now I think different. If you’re absolutely sure this is what you want then maybe we can give it a try. When Jenny goes on her cruise, we can try it as a temporary thing.”

Ben’s face bursts into a bright grin. “That’s amazing news. I cannot wait.”

I’m shocked to see him like this, I never thought he would let me in, but he’s embracing me. He wants me, he wants to open up to me, this feels amazing. He must really like me, maybe even as much as I like him. I’ve got to be the luckiest woman alive.

“Now I think we should both celebrate with a shower, don’t you?”

“What do you mean?” I tease. “Are you trying to say that I smell?”

“Well yeah,” he chuckles at his own joke. “But not just that. I have the most amazing wet room that has more than enough room for two. I haven’t had chance to experiment with another person before and I’d like you to be my first.”

Who says romance is dead? That’s the best offer I’ve ever had in my life. I’m going to be the first person to ever have sex with him in his shower. That’s lovely... maybe I had him all wrong before, maybe he hasn’t ever been a playboy. Maybe I got him all wrong. I let him take me to his wet room feeling like the luckiest woman ever. I cannot believe this has happened to me, small town girl, Serena. Now I’m about to get it all. Everything I’ve ever dreamed of and so much more. I really do feel like the heroine, rather than the side kick for a change.

“So, you’re actually saying yes?” Ben twists his neck to ask me. His expression is one of sheer bliss, but I can tell that he just wants it confirmed in case, so he doesn’t get away with himself. “I can’t believe it. You’re actually saying yes.”

“I am,” I breathe happily, giving him that confirmation. “I most certainly am.”

He pulls me in for a deep and passionate kiss that makes my heart race. His hands work up into my hair and as he holds my head close to his I feel a promise coming from his mouth. He knows he’s taking a huge step with this, neither of us are going into it with our eyes tightly shut, and that feels great.

This feels like the first true adult decision that I’ve ever made in my life. I’m actually proud of myself, I just know that this is all going to work out well in the end.

“Come on, let’s get into the wet room,” I murmur against his mouth. He shudders as my breath tickles his passion bruised lips, giving him a little taste of what might be to come. “I’ve heard great things about it and I want to experience it first hand.”

“Oh you have, have you? Well I’m going to warn you now that words can never express just how amazing it is. Especially with me in there.”

“Ooh.” I shiver lightly. “That sounds amazing, now I’m even more intrigued.”

Ben grabs me and he pulls me towards the other room with a heady lust in his gaze. I get the strong sensation that I’m in trouble, but the good kind of trouble that I really want to get into. In fact, I want to jump in head first.

Chapter Thirteen – Ben

“Hello, Mom,” I call out in a jovial tone of voice as I walk into my mother’s house. “How are you? You here?”

I figure I might as well visit to tell her the news about me and Serena so she will get all the information directly from me. The last thing I want is for her to pop round unexpectedly to find me living with a woman. She’ll get all kinds of the wrong impression. This is going to be hard enough to get across as it is. I don’t want to make it worse.

“Oh, Ben, you’re here.” She moves out into her hallway with a grin. “I wasn’t expecting you, was I? I didn’t forget that you were coming, did I?”

“No, no, this is unexpected. You aren’t busy, are you?” I glance around wondering if she has plans. Maybe a little phone call would have been a good idea. She could have friends round or anything. Why don’t I ever think things through? “I can always come back...”

“No, no, come on in. Take a seat and I’ll make us some coffee.”

As Mom goes into the kitchen I make my way into the living room and I perch my butt on the edge of her awful, floral couch that she loves so much. In the silence of the room I tap my fingers together while I try to work out how I’m going to word this. I don’t think I met a girl a couple of days ago and now she lives with me is going to go down well. Much as Mom wants me to settle down I know she wants me to be smart about it. With money in my pocket, and a lot of it at that, she won’t want me to be settled with a gold digger. I know that Serena isn’t that, but I know the story will make it sound like she is.

“So.” As Mom comes back in she can already tell that somethings is going on. Her gossip nose is twitching like crazy. “What can I be assistance with? I assume you’ve either come here to tell me something or to ask for help. Which one is it?”

“Erm... the first one. I’m here to tell you something.” I stall by taking a sip of my coffee. “But it’s a bit of a complicated situation so I just want you to hear me out okay?”

“Are you in trouble?” Her face pales, she looks a bit sick. “What’s going on?”

“No, no trouble,” I reassure her. “Nothing like that at all.” I sigh deeply, wondering if maybe I should have planned this a little better. “I just wanted to let you know that I have someone living at my house now...”

“Someone?” Her eyes light up, I can already see her getting carried away. “Like a girl?”

“Yes, a girl. But it’s not like that. Not really. She’s a friend in a time of need so I’ve offered her a place to stay.”

She gives me a look that suggests she can see everything inside my mind. “Please, Ben, don’t take me for a fool. I know better than anyone that the only reason you would let a woman into your home is because you’re interested in her. Now, tell me you haven’t kissed her and I might just believe you.”

“Okay,” I’m forced to admit. “I have kissed her...”

“Right, so now tell me what she looks like. She must be something pretty special to have tamed you.”

Mom settles in her seat, getting more comfortable as she waits for me to answer her. There’s a content smile on her face that I really wanted to avoid. I don’t want Mom to think this is me getting too serious. I’m already a bit freaked out with how serious this has become already.

I mean, not really, but I will if Mom starts chatting too much about it.

“She’s got long dark hair and bright green eyes, a pretty face too, but honestly, Mom, I don’t want you to get too excited by this without letting me explain.” Mom doesn’t say anything which gives me a moment to keep on talking. “This isn’t something huge and exciting. She’s just a girl that I like and I’ve been spending some time with. She got herself into a bit of a situation with her home and I’ve invited her to come and stay with me for a while just until she gets something else.”

Mom nods slowly. “So, where did you meet this girl?”

“She’s a waitress at a bar I go to a lot, but I know it’s a job that she isn’t happy with. I’m hoping that by staying with me she will be able to find her passion.”

“I see. I think... I think I might need to meet her, don’t you? I don’t want you to start getting mixed up with the wrong girl.”

“This isn’t me getting mixed up, Mom. I know what I’m doing. I know what I’m doing with Serena. It really isn’t an issue. I know that you’re worried about me but you honestly don’t have to be. She’s a good person, she just needs this help.”

“I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t think you need someone to take care of you, I think I just want to meet her to see what she’s like. I want to know what’s so captivating about her.”

I roll my eyes. There’s clearly no getting away from this. She will make herself known to Serena whether I like it or not. I think it’s best that I take control of things and make sure she doesn’t do anything too damn embarrassing just because she cares.

“You can, Mom, but she only just moved in yesterday and she has work tonight.”

“I thought she was giving up the job.”

“Well that’s what I told her to do, but she doesn’t want to leave the company in the lurch. She’s good like that. She’s just going to ask to work behind the bar a couple of nights a week rather than being a shot girl every night. I said she doesn’t need to do anything but she wants to pay her way and save up some money so she can eventually, you know, move out or go her own way or whatever. The tips won’t be as good, but she’ll still have some form of income.”

“Oh well that’s good. She has some form of independence then, she doesn’t want to live solely off you. I think I might like her even more now.” Mom pauses thoughtfully for a moment. “Maybe this is the one that you should marry.”

Still, even now after meeting Serena the idea of getting married is too much. The thought of a big white wedding, a lifetime commitment, a contract that’s really hard to get out of... it’s terrifying. I’m not old enough, not mature enough, not anything enough actually. The fact that I’m letting things progress this much with Serena is enough.

“Mom, don’t make it something stressful, I already told you not to get too excited. This is just me helping her out. You’ll see when you meet her, we like each other, but it’s nothing to get carried away about.”

“You like each other? That’s reason enough for me.” Mom sits back in her seat and sips her coffee triumphantly. Her expression almost makes me laugh, she looks so damn pleased. “So tell me more about her. How old is she? What does she like? What are her family like?”

As I reel off the minimal details I do know about Serena, Mom lights up. I can see that every word I say only makes her like her more. In one way I’m really happy, but in another I’m terrified. In the romance department I’ve always been a let down to my mother. I don’t want to continue on with that tradition.

“She sounds like a lovely small town girl. You will have to bring her out to have dinner with me some time. Maybe at the weekend?”

“Ooh, I don’t know, Mom. Maybe, it might be too soon though. I don’t want to put the pressure on.”

“Maybe I should just pop into the city sometime then, swing by and meet her then in a much more casual setting. What do you think?”

“Yeah, that would probably work, Mom, but if you do come around please be cool. Don’t come in all heavy handed and freak her out. There’s no point in giving me that look, you know as well as I do that you could.”

Mom holds up her hands in defeat. “Fine, if I pop by I’ll be good. I won’t say anything to embarrass you.” Her face softens and I can see that she’s about to talk about Dad before she even begin. “You know, my Dad always humiliated me in front of your dad when we first started dating. It was awful, I hated him for it. I was so desperate not to give him any reason not to love me and I thought my father would be a problem... luckily he wasn’t.”

“It seems like Dad loved you a lot, Mom.” I always feel silly and stiff when I make these remarks because I don’t know. He might be genetically a part of me, but that’s it. “From everything that you’ve told me, it sounds like you had it great.”

“Let me go and get some pictures,” Mom says wistfully standing up. “I haven’t looked through the photographs in a while, but hearing about you and Serena has inspired me. You don’t mind, do you?” I shake my head, knowing that she will anyway. “Oh he would be so proud of you, finding the one.”

“I didn’t say that she’s the one Mom...”

But it’s too late, she’s already gone leaving me to stew in the sheer terror that she’s instilled in me. I know Serena isn’t expecting much, I can tell that she understands me, but what if that changes? What if our differences suddenly become too apparent and that translates into what we want? What if this is all novelty at the moment, and it wears off? What if just as I’m getting bored, Serena is getting more into it? Or the other way around, I can’t deny it could happen that way too...

Oh God, just stop it, I warn myself. I knew this would happen, coming to see Mom. I just need to stop freaking out before I wreck everything.

I get up and pace the room while I wait for Mom to come back with the endless photographs. There’s far too much of an itch in my foot for me to keep still. It’s okay, logically I’m sure it’ll be fine if me and Serena take this one step at a time, but now my brain is a bit too messy for that to be the only thought I have.

“Ooh, look, I’ve found one where he looks just like you.” Mom’s back and she has the photos with her. “Same eyes, same hair, same everything.”

Maybe getting myself lost in the past for a little while will help me to forget about my uncertain present. It’ll keep Mom distracted too, and since she’s the one pushing for me to have a happy ever after, she’s the one I need to calm down. The wild dancing look in her eyes is already dying down, if I can just get her to forget about Serena for long enough so I can leave without her messing me up even more, then that’s what I’ll do.

“Let me have a look. Mom.” I take the picture from her, trying to ignore the sheer pain it gives me inside. This isn’t for me, this is for Mom. I’ll do anything to keep her happy. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that one before.”

Chapter Fourteen – Serena

I’m singing, actually humming a tune with happiness as I set about making breakfast for me and Ben. Jenny has left for her cruise, the rug of my life has been yanked out from underneath me, and yet I’m happy. I guess not all change has to be bad news.

Admittedly, I was a little nervous when I first moved into Ben’s home. There was a small part of me that could see over the rose tinted glasses into everything that could go wrong, but nothing has so far. It’s been smooth sailing. I have my own room – not that I’ve stayed in there much to be honest – we have our own space and privacy, but we can be together a lot too. It’s actually really awesome. Every moment I spend with Ben I find myself liking him more and more, he’s growing on me in the best way possible. I feel like I might well be falling in love with him, and it’s the most gorgeous, velvety feeling of all.

Of course, he wants me to leave the club and at first I thought I wanted that too, but as I spoke to the manager, who I now know is called Burt, he freaked out. Me and Jenny leaving at the same time was just too much for him at once. Apparently he doesn’t have as many girls wanting the job as he once did. So I negotiated with him. I asked him if I could take a couple of shifts a week behind the bar in normal clothing, which is something that I’m much better at than being a shot girl anyway. I actually quite like it, even if the money is less. It gives me some independence and a little bit of a nest egg to get me started when the moment comes.

“Good morning.” Ben comes up behind me and he circles my waist with his arms. As he buries his face into my hair my heart races faster. Everything he does makes me feel amazing, I have yet to find anything I don’t like about him. “How are you doing today?”

“I’m good,” I reply with a smile on my face. “I’m just cooking you some eggs because I know you must have a busy day at the office today.”

“I might not go into work today,” he replies while running kisses over my neck. “I might just stay home with you all day.”

I turn around and I wrap my arms around his neck. I push myself up onto my tiptoes so I can press my lips up against his. “I don’t think you should take any time off work because of me, I don’t want everything to go under without you.”

“It won’t,” he insists. “I have people who can do everything for me.”

“But you were never away before.” I don’t phrase this as a question, despite the fact that I don’t really know the answer. I just assume that’s the case judging by his ambitious nature. “So I don’t want you to change things up for me.”

He wraps his fingers around my butt and smirks. “I know, but I want to. You’re so damn worth it.”

The dream is so real, I try not to get caught up in the whirlwind nature of it anymore. Somehow, we’re making it work. Ben hasn’t been out partying every single night since I’ve moved in, he prefers to spend time with me, I think he’s actually calmed down quite a lot, and I find myself opening up to him more than I ever have anyone before. We’ve changed each other, and I think it’s in a really good way. So far it seems like we’ve brought the best out in one another.

“Well you have to have breakfast first, I didn’t spend all morning slaving over it for nothing!” I take a step back and Ben lets me. He’s so horny all the time, but he’s also really respectful when I want to do other things as well. I think I’ve met the perfect man in him. “I’ve made this nice for you, whether you’re going to work or not, and I’m going to make sure that you do, so take a seat and wait for it.”

“Ooh, I do love it when you boss me around,” Ben teases. “I’ll just sit right here like a good boy and wait for it.”

I plate up the food and put it in front of him. Then I join him at the dining table to eat my own. I only have one of Ben’s oversized tee shirts on, it barely covers my butt, but around Ben I don’t have any reason to feel self conscious. Nothing can be worse than the shot girl attire, and that’s what I was wearing when he fell for me.

“So, how was your visit to your Mom?” I ask while stuffing a forkful of food into my mouth. “I forgot to ask you yesterday.”

“It was really something,” he answers me, sounding a little weary at the memory. “She’s quite full on, I warn you. When I tried to tell her about our new situation she got really excited and even started talking about marriage.”

Ben rolls his eyes but the idea of a big white wedding gets me excited. I’ve always dreamed about my big special day and the thought that Ben could be at the other end of the aisle is an awesome idea. I would absolutely love for him to be my husband and with the way things are going at the moment I can’t see that changing.

“But she hasn’t ever met me,” I joke instead of saying all of that. “She might hate me, how can she think that we should get married.”

“Oh the description of you was enough, trust me.”

I want to ask Ben what she said, I’m really intrigued to know how Ben would speak about me to others, but I can’t ask. If he doesn’t want to divulge the information then what can I do? I just nod and say nothing, internally praying that he’ll reveal all anyway.

“Then she got out all these pictures of Dad and started saying that I look like him.” Oh, okay, this conversation has taken a much more serious tone. “It was weird because when she talks about him I don’t know what to say. Sometimes I don’t think she realises that.”

“I’m sure she wants to just keep him alive and part of your history,” I reply gravely. “I’m sure she assumes that she’s helping when she talks about him.”

Ben doesn’t say anything but I can see him contemplating my words. It’s like I can see the cogs in his brain spinning at a million miles an hour. I remain silent and let him think things through, while enjoying my breakfast. I never had food as good as this back at the apartment, I always had to buy the cheapest of the cheap. I’m sure I’m going to put on a lot of weight while being here and it tastes so good that I don’t even care.

“Anyway, I don’t want to worry about that today.” He stands up and puts his empty plate on the kitchen side. “If you’re going to force me back into work then I need to get my head back in the game.”

“Right. So why don’t you tell me what you have to do today? Maybe that will help you get your head in the game.”

He leans over me and places kisses all over my cheeks. “I don’t want to talk about work, I want to talk about you.”

I jump up and laugh. He thinks that he’s about to lure me into something sexual this morning, I can tell by the glint in his eyes, but he isn’t. Much as I’m tempted I would much rather him get into the office. I’m concerned about his company, I might not understand anything about it but I’m sure he’s the key element. The last thing I want is for him to end up resenting me because I’ve made him fail.

“I’ll tell you what.” I lean up and kiss him again. “Why don’t you go to work now, and I’ll send you sexy little text messages all day long. I don’t have work today at all so I can focus solely on you. When you can’t hack it anymore, come home and we’ll do whatever you want.”

“Urgh, you’re killing me,” he groans. “That is such a hot idea, but what if I can’t hack it for very long?”

“Oh I think you will,” I smirk back. “Because you know for a fact that the messages will get better and better throughout the day. It might be delayed gratification but you know that it’ll be worth it.”

Finally he takes a step back from me and he runs his eyes up and down my body, dragging them slowly over. “You really know how to play the game, Serena. I think I might have met my match in you.”

I wiggle my hips playfully and send him a wink. I want to keep him on his toes, I love that he feels that way about me. The way that Ben sees me honestly brings me right out of my shell. “You certainly have. Now get to work. I shall see you when you get home.”

“Fine, but I want my first message before I even get there.”

I walk him to the door and wave him off, already feeling like a wife. My brain spins, trying to plan my first text to Ben that will start things off in a slow and sexy way, but before the car is even out of sight it rings. I half think it might be Ben trying something new with me, but the name on the screen tells me that it’s my best friend.

“Jenny!” I crow into the handset. “How are you? How is life out at sea?”

“Good, good.” Her voice is distant which reminds me just how far away she is. “Things are really great, I’m loving life as a dancer, I think that’s what I was always meant to be.”

“Oh that’s wonderful.” I can be genuine with my happiness for her now that I have my life settled too. “I’m so glad to hear about it. It’s good that you’ve found your life’s calling. Where are you right now?”

“Headed towards somewhere in Asia. I’m not sure exactly.” She pauses for a moment. “How are you doing?”

“I’m good actually.” I feel pleased that I can actually say that and be truthful. “Things are working out alright.”

“You found somewhere to live in the end?”

Admittedly I haven’t told her the truth about what I’m doing but that’s because I know she’ll freak. She’s a bit of a cynic when it comes to romance, nothing like me. I smile to myself but still remain evasive for the time being.

“Yes, I found somewhere. I’m still at the club too, but not as a shot girl anymore, behind the bar.”

“There’s less money in that,” Jenny warns. “But I’m sure you’re much happier. I probably should have thought about that for you in the first place.”

“Oh don’t you worry about that, it all worked out okay in the end. It’s good to hear from you though, I didn’t think I’d get anything for about ten months!”

“Hey, I promised to keep in touch and that’s what I’m going to do.”

We chat for a while about some of the hot guys that she works with now, with the promise of pictures to follow. I’m so happy to hear from Jenny, I’m glad we can keep our friendship alive, but I’ll keep things with me and Ben a secret from her for now... at least until I work out just how serious we are about one another. Once I’m certain that we’ll go the distance I’ll tell her everything... she’ll be so damn surprised.

Chapter Fifteen – Ben

‘Come home now, baby, I can’t wait any longer... xxx’

The final message attached with a picture that shows her finger starting to dip into her panties is the last step. I’ve got a semi productive day of work done, which has been hard since the messages have been getting steamier over time, but now I cannot cope. I need to get home now before I explode. I keep nagging the driver to get me there quicker, but obvious just as is my luck, there’s endless traffic.

Finally I get close enough to jump out of the car and I pretty much run. I don’t even care how I look to the rest of the world, my eyes are on the prize and all I can think about is the end goal. Serena, and those fingers of hers.

“Hey,” I yell out as the door swings open. “Where are you?”

“Oh, I’m in the living room,” she groans. “I couldn’t wait any longer for you.”

“Fucking hell.” I drop all my stuff on the floor and tear into the room to join her. She’s spread across the couch running her fingers up and down what I imagine is a very wet slit. “Oh, girl, you are sexy aren’t you?”

I jump on the couch with her and move my fingers over her. I guide her in and out of herself, over her clit, all while kissing her tenderly. She was right about one thing, the delayed gratification thing is a good game and one that I’ve never played before. Before I met Serena I couldn’t even wait until the end of the party to have sex, now I’ve waited all day long.

“Oh, you’re so wet,” I murmur into her mouth. “It’s so sexy.”

Her back arches and her hips roll into me. “Oh, that’s because I’ve been thinking about you all day long. You’ve been making me hot as hell.”

She’s killing me, I’m actually dying. My cock is straining painfully against my trousers, it’s about ready to explode. “Don’t say things like that,” I growl. “You’re killing me.”

She flips me around until I’m sitting and she slumps to the floor on her knees. I want to ask her what’s going on, but I don’t get a chance to because her fingers start fiddling with my zip, needing it down. I try to help her because I want to be freed too, but my fingers are trembling too much for me to do so. I’m in such a state that I can’t even pull my dick out.

“Ooh, someone looks excited,” Serena gasps once I’m free. “Seems like the sexy texts have been working then.”

“You have no idea how well.”

Serena wraps her fingers around my cock and she slides her hand up and down me. My eyes fall closed and my head lolls to one side. I give myself over to the sensations completely and it feels so good. She pumps me slowly, but it’s nice. I like the slower pace because it means I don’t lose myself quite so quickly...

Oh, spoke too soon. As Serena moves her head closer to me, forcing my thighs further apart as she goes, my breath hitches in my throat. She’s tickling me, sending me even wilder.

“Oh fuck,” I groan. “Serena, you’re just too much. You have no idea...”

She silences me by moving her lips in closer and wrapping them tightly around me. She moves her mouth up and down me, flicking her tongue all over me. Her warm, wet lips feel incredible, I honestly don’t think it’s ever been so amazing. Maybe the feelings that I’m slowly developing for her are making it better.

My heart thunders painfully against my rib cage, I run my hands into her hair, but not to guide her, just to feel her. Serena doesn’t need any help pleasuring me with her mouth, she’s doing an utterly phenomenal job.

“You’re going to have to stop in a moment,” I pant breathlessly to her. “This is too much, I’m gonna lose it in a moment.”

As Serena pulls her mouth off of me I’m disappointed, but only for a second. As she pulls herself up onto my lap to straddle me, I forget all about that. Any second now I’ll be plunging deeply into her and that’s all I care about.

“Take your top off,” I growl as I pull her panties to one side. I’m too needy to take them right the way down. “I want to taste your nipples.”

She whips it off just as I angle myself into her then Serena slides down onto me. The tight fit that she gives me sends me wild every single freaking time and this is no different. A loud groan flies out of my mouth, I can barely contain myself. This is going to be quick, and probably not enough.

I take her nipple in my mouth as she rides up and down me which causes Serena to flip her hair back, to toss her head back, and to pick up the pace. My cock is hot and trembling, I can barely keep it in any longer, the whole day of foreplay is overwhelming me already.

“Stop, stop.” I gush, pushing her off me. “Just... give me a moment, I don’t want to lose it too soon.” Every time I’m with Serena I want it to be special, and this is no different.

“What’s wrong?” Serena gasps. “Don’t you like it?”

“I like it too much, that’s the problem.”

I rub my hands over the soft skin of her butt trying to calm myself down. My head spins with emotion and feelings for Serena, I don’t know where I am anymore. This right now feels dangerously close to love. The closest that I’ve ever been to love anyway. While she’s making me feel this good I feel like I could easily marry her and that we could go the distance.

There’s something about Serena...

“Do you want me in another position?”

Oh fuck, that question is too much, it’s almost killing me. I want her in every single position, every way possible, but I suppose I have to pick just one for now. “While you’re in such a naughty mood I want you on your hands and knees on the rug on the floor... but you need to get rid of those panties first.”

She steps back from me and slides her underwear down tantalisingly slowly. I bite down on my bottom lip as the thrill level builds to maximum again. I can’t even remember where that shy woman I first met went. Now she’s a damn goddess, she’s so sexy that it hurts. She’s like a damn fantasy from a magazine or something, too good for me.

“Oh you’re so beautiful,” I gasp. “You have no idea what you’re doing to me right now.”

Then she kills me by following my command exactly. She gets onto her hands and knees and peers back at me looking like something from a movie. “Come on then, what are you waiting for.”

I strip down too, taking off absolutely everything then I move behind her. I slide into her and grip onto her hips as I thrust in and out of that perfect butt of hers. The sweet girl has officially been corrupted by me, but I think that she might have corrupted me along the way as well.

I lean forwards to play with her clit, but since she’s in such a filthy mood today that she’s already playing with herself. That is so fucking hot, I know I can’t keep it in much longer. I shudder, I judder, my thighs tense up and soon the pleasure explodes free from me. I fill her up and her muscles clench around me as she succumbs to an orgasm at the same time as me. It feels fucking incredible to cum together. It brings those feelings for her floating to the surface all over again.

I need to be careful, I need to ensure I don’t say something stupid like I love you. I want to be really sure before those words ever come out of my mouth. I might feel it right now, but I need to be clear headed before I say anything.

“That... was... something else.” Serena collapses to the floor and I go with her. I wrap my arms around her and hold her to me while we both attempt to catch our breath again. “That was a long time coming today,” she laughs. “But totally worth the wait.”

“I want you to message me like that every single day when I work, but at the same time I know that if you do my company will collapse around me.”

I push myself into a standing position then I hold out my hand to her. I grab onto her hand and pull her up too. With her beautiful skin glistening in the light, it’s hard for me not to pull her back in and take her all over again.

“Shall we go to bed?” I ask her breathlessly. “I can order take out and we can stay there all night long.”

“Thank God I don’t have to work tonight, that sounds incredible.”

We walk up the stairs hand in hand, and I don’t think I’ve ever been so content. My body is calming down now, the orgasmic bliss is fading, but the feelings remain. I still really like her, I still think she could be someone that could be my wife... maybe... one day... I don’t know, I certainly don’t feel like that’s something I want to push as far to the back of my mind as possible anymore.

Maybe I’m changing, just that little bit more.

“I love your bed,” Serena moans as she collapses into it. “I know I have my own room down stairs but this is honestly the best place in the whole damn world. I just hate it when you try to drag me out of it.”

“Well you can stay in it as long as you want because my bed likes you in there too.”

I move into the bed next to Serena and I pull her into a hug. As she tucks under my arm she fits there perfectly, making it seem even more like she might be the one for me. How can my mother be right when she doesn’t even know Serena? How can she know how I’m feeling before I do? It’s insane.

“What do you want to eat then? I can call any take out in the whole city.”

“Oh I do love that about the city,” Serena replies happily. “Back at home we didn’t have anywhere to get take out food. I don’t mind what we have, it’s your choice entirely.”

It’s weird how much I like doing normal things with her, just hanging out and eating. For anyone else that’s just normal, the sort of things people do the entire time, but for me that’s huge. It wasn’t that long ago that I didn’t ever think I would do that with anyone. I assumed that I loved the party life style and that I would never want to change.

Serena has thrown a curve ball in and changed absolutely everything. Her sweet, easy going nature has altered everything and I’m so very happy.

“Pizza,” I tell her while reaching for my cell phone. “I’ll order us a pizza. You like pizza, right?” I already know that she does, I know lots about her now.

“Great.” Serena looks adorable as she snuggles in deeper to the covers. “Sounds absolutely perfect.”

The moment is so wonderful, it’s so perfect, I honestly don’t think anything will be able to tear us apart. Not my mom and her silly comments, not anyone. Me and Serena really do have it all. A bright smile plays on my lips as everything just feels wonderful.

Chapter Sixteen– Serena

“That’s so adorable that your boyfriend has come into work with you,” Tia, another one of the bar maid’s says quietly to me. I much prefer her to the shot girls, even though I don’t know her too well yet. She’s much more friendly and there seems to be a lot less drama with her. I can slowly see her becoming my friend. “He’s super hot too, which is awesome.”

“I don’t know if I can definitely call him my boyfriend yet,” I reply coyly. “But yeah it’s sweet that he’s come here.” I give him a cheeky wave which he responds to, despite the fact that he’s surrounded by other business men that he’s talking to. “He’s very kind.”

“So, wait, you live with him, he follows you to work, he gives you that protective look all the time... but he’s not your boyfriend?” She makes a disbelieving sound. “Nah, girl, I think you’ve locked him down and you don’t even realise it.”

God, I hope that she’s right. I really hope that Ben is mine. I don’t want to ask him because things aren’t supposed to be getting complicated between us.

“Yeah, maybe.”

I continue washing the glasses, but over the top of them I admire Ben. Maybe that is a protective look in his eyes, or maybe he just wants me again. Whatever it is it sends a powerful shiver racing up and down my spine. It brings a cheeky smile to my lips and makes me think about what will happen later when we get home. Our sex life gets steamier every single day and I like that. I always can’t wait to see what he has next for me.

“Yeah, girl, he definitely isn’t yours,” Tia teases. “He just brings that glint to your eye for no reason. You’ll be married next and still not convinced that he is yours.”

There it is, another sign. It seems that everywhere I look there are indications of weddings everywhere. It’s almost as if the universe is telling me to just get on with it and marry Ben already, despite the short time we’ve known one another.

I would as well, I would marry him if that’s what he wants.

“What about you?” I can’t discuss Ben anymore, it’s making my head spin. “Are you with anyone?”

“Oh well, I was with this jackass, Mike.” Her expression turns sour, I can tell this isn’t going to be a story that ends well. “But as it turned out, he was also dating one of the girls who used to work here at the same time. A blonde, Jenny her name is.”